Episode 33: A Calliope Sweater (Yay!) Followed by a Big Fail

[@dorothyrainey1141]

I too, wasn't seeing all the podcasts! Glad I decided to look through my subscriptions and see who I was missing. You can sew that biased sweater into a tote and then felt it.

[@ellenstayswarm]

Hi Kathy, I'm a handspinner and I thought even though you have decided not to hold onto the yarn I would make my suggestion in case anyone else comes across a similar problem. Making a pieced garment where you work back and forth helps balance the bias, and also something that has smaller rather than larger pieces. But yes, sometimes it just doesn't work 😂

[@ewethfulfiber]

Love your sweater!!! So glad you joined us!

[@janeshipley6993]

kathy - good for you on the long vest - perfect reasoning! i’m right there with you on that one, and i can’t wait to see how your new one looks.

[@northwestknitting5993]

Jane, I was thrown off track, but I have great plans for a long vest soon!

[@margaretgerth1067]

I knit a sweater several years ago and I didn’t realize that it biased until after I blocked it. I put it away planning to frog it and try to do something with it. I was feeling guilty that I hadn’t done that. I am 73 and after watching this episode I have given myself permission to donate it. Life is too short and my future knits list is too long! Thank you Kathy! Margaret in Surrey, B.C.

[@northwestknitting5993]

I'm glad my mess was helpful to move you forward. There is so much fun knitting out there to explore!

[@Tinsleymumsey]

Wow... that biasing!!!

[@kameliapandaklieva2453]

Recently I purchased some yarn that I was really excited about (100% baby camel, come on!) and I knitted a swatch right away. It had a horrible bias. I suspect the reason is similar to the one in your yarn, mine consists of 4 plies and each of those plies is very tightly spun. Anyway, I got some advice on how to deal with this and I knitted another swatch, this one with cables. This time, there was no bias whatsoever. So I'm happy and I'm planning on using the yarn for a fully cabled pattern knitted flat. (This was another part of the advice I got, that often the bias is worse in the round than flat.) I fully support your decision to donate the yarn but, just in case in the future you happen upon yarn that behaves in a similar manner (linen, for example, often does this without being overspun), I wanted to share my experience. There are solutions that don't require that much effort :)

[@northwestknitting5993]

Interesting! I've never heard that before so thanks so much for telling me. I actually was knitting the vest flat initially, but the purling was so difficult because the yarn was twisting over the needles, so that's why I joined in the round with plans to steek it. The yarn doesn't have multiple plies, and seems almost like Lettlopi. I'll bring to a spinner and see what they say.

[@Maja_Larsson]

Thank you so much for this episode! As always I've really enjoyed listening to you and look at all beautiful items that you made... so inspirering! And how wise of you to just let go of things that doesn't spark joy! As you say life is too short to struggle with things that just take your energy without giving something back. I agree it is important to choose wisely where to put time and effort and be careful with the time we have here. Thank you for sharing your thoughts about this 😊

[@northwestknitting5993]

Nice to hear from you! Thanks so much for your kind comments.

[@jessicawright1656]

I like your Calliope sweater! I love purple! I have been following that knit along with Ewethful fiber and mill. I didn’t participate but enjoyed following along.

[@northwestknitting5993]

I'm not very good at sticking with a KAL but really enjoyed it. Thanks, Jessica!

[@bonnadowns524]

Beautiful Sweater Kathy💝 Love your purple color 👌 Good to see your podcast and sure miss you!!!!!

[@northwestknitting5993]

Thanks so much!

[@lindawilcox6617]

I'm curious what your favorite podcasts are. We have such similar tastes in colors, patterns and books, I'm hoping you can steer me to some new podcasts. Looking forward to seeing your next baby knits.

[@northwestknitting5993]

I've roamed around over the years as people change and evolve. Some of my favorites now are Fraoch Knits, Ciasbod, Skeins of Dreams, it.is.a.sarah., Little Big Knits, Finnish Knitting Stories, Amy Palko. I also watch Fruity Knitting and the Woolly Thistle regularly. My very favorite podcaster was The Gentle Knitter, but she's had health problems and not recording right now.

[@lindawilcox6617]

I've watched all of those, and subscribed to most of them. We do think alike! I also love knit_ink, a mother-daughter duo, who are on a bit of a break right now, not sure why, but there are lots of back episodes to watch. Also The Knitty Stew from Calgary and Little Big Knits from Ottawa. Just came across the Knotty Giraffe, and like her style also.Happy Watching! @@northwestknitting5993

[@rosemaryfrew5571]

I have yarn at the ready for the Calliope. Your review and jumper confirmed this will be my next cat on. Thanks too for showing your failed project.

[@northwestknitting5993]

Thank you!

[@ylvasundin3148]

Love your Calliope, Kathy! I need to knit it at some point!

[@northwestknitting5993]

Thank you!

[@ylvasundin3148]

@@northwestknitting5993 ❤️

[@Elianaalfonso7703]

Cathy, have you thought of using your rebel hand spun for a garter shawl, or so,etching that won’t be affected by the overspin?

[@northwestknitting5993]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@constancemcconnell2128]

Kathy, your Calliope is beautiful and fits you so well. Have you ever watched Beth McDonald Stone's knitting podcast? (Knitwear Design from the Rock ---- she lives in Bermuda) She also likes a somewhat fitted shoulder area and a looser, drapy bottom half and most of her designs feature that look. As for your "fail," it wasn't you that failed, it was the overspun yarn! I wonder if it would work in a shawl? But totally support your desire to pass it on and terminate your relationship with it.

[@northwestknitting5993]

Thank you! I will check out Beth McDonald. Thanks for the recommendation.

[@noreenlou]

Sometimes you just have to give up on a project, it should be fun and if it really not fun say goodbye.

[@pattyjaworek4568]

I have similar tastes in knitting podcasts to you. Check out Knits n Pieces, with Kelly & Noelle. They do a 'live on Tuesdays' podcast that's informative and entertaining. Also check out the "Albanach knitter" , he is a pastor on this small island who knits and is very interesting.

[@northwestknitting5993]

I watched Knits n Pieces at your suggestion and really enjoy them!