Episode 62: Knitting Planner 2.0

[@emilyahn8304]

Whoo your tkd updates give me nostalgia! I remember spending Saturdays at tournaments around the bay area too! Currently I'm making a second Currant shawl (Ksenia Naidyon) and some Trompe le Monde socks, I've been really enjoying slip stitch patterns 😁

[@purlsandpolish]

@@emilyahn8304 I’ve done a couple slip stitch patterns but not many! I’ll check those out!

[@mariaantonietanavarro8713]

Hi Rachel, love your projects, can’t wait to see them finished! I am working on a scrappy mitered blanket with my left over sock yarn. My beautiful daughter is also giving me some of her sock yarn scraps.

[@purlsandpolish]

@@mariaantonietanavarro8713 what a nice daughter!

[@teresaknittingdancer9052]

I am knitting a pair of socks, a hat, and my jelly roll blanket using my leftover self striping sock yarns.

[@purlsandpolish]

@@teresaknittingdancer9052 I need to cast on a hat next once I finish my socks!

[@katiebroekema6374]

I loved hearing you talk through your notebook needs! I’m working on a scrappy blanket with large mitered squares using 3 strands of pastel scraps held together 😊

[@purlsandpolish]

@@katiebroekema6374 I’m hoping to try a mitered square blanket again once this blanket and a second I have planned are done! I’m definitely one who likes a heavier weight blanket!

[@katiebroekema6374]

This is my first blanket for an adult, so I am excited to see how we use it!

[@brandiabla7653]

Hi Rachel! I can’t wait to see how your progress goes w/ your new journal! I’m working on the Gib II Sweater for my son, the Brume sweater for myself, and as always a pair of socks❤…the yarn is very pretty, I can already see myself making it into some socks😁 happy knitting friend.

[@purlsandpolish]

Do you go for vanilla socks or do you knit patterns? I love having a pair of socks in progress!

[@brandiabla7653]

@ I usually do vanilla socks…I have done patterned socks, but Ive noticed that when I have too much going on, I turn to socks so my brain doesn’t have to work😝 no thinking. I do enjoy adding dif colors to heels toes and cuffs, and self striping yarns…it gives me just enough change that I never get bored of plain vanilla socks. I’m a cuff down girly with a gusset…I’ve thought about venturing out and trying dif heels just to find my perfect fit sock. Although doing the gusset is my fav fit. I wld like to try something else, that I might like just as much😁

[@flourishfaithfiber]

Love your makes and best wishes to all of you for Tae Kwon Do testing. ❤

[@purlsandpolish]

@@flourishfaithfiber thanks! We’re pretty excited to test, especially now that our board breaks are out of the way!

[@carmeslynn]

Hi Rachel, This week I'm working like you on some socks, I'm halfway into the 2nd sock in the slip stitch heel. I'm using the 9" circular needle for my vanilla socks. The yarn is divine, it is Hedgehog Fibers sock yarn in berry pink and multi pops of color- kind of wild! And for cuff, heel and toe I'm using speckled pink yarn by Potions and Pearls purchased on ETSY. These socks are soooo soft and a gift for a friend. I've also got a sweater on the needles recently cast on, it is Brookings by Marie Greene in Noro Madara in colorway 16, a lilac color. It is a wonderfully soft yarn, a pleasure on my hands! Love listening to your review of your wips and I think you pick some really beautiful yarns! Thanks for sharing!! Carrie from Florence, OR 😘❤🐕🐑☕🧵🪡🧶

[@purlsandpolish]

@@carmeslynn how do you like using 9” circs? I’ve tried them a couple of times and just can’t manage it

[@carmeslynn]

@@purlsandpolish Hi Rachel, If I did it you can absolutely do it!!!! I knit my 1st sock about a year ago. Started out with magic loop method. Could not quite eliminate the laddering. So that made me decide to purchase the 9" circular ChaiGoo 9" circulars size 2 and see if that improved my efforts. Not going to lie, it was tricky with my large man sized hands inherited from my dad! But I kept after it and with every pair I noticed I was getting better. I think about after my 4th pair I was seeing improvement. The hands build up muscle memory when the brain notices a technique that is working- very encouraging to experience that! For me the learning curve was achieving the ability to relax my hands and maintain a gauge that was not too tight. I keep the yarn at the tips of the needles while I'm able to control the yarn and not allow it to slip off the needles. At the beginning I experienced a lot of dropped stitches but I didn't give up, just kept after it and the payback is the speed of my sock knitting really increased and stayed accurate with the stitch count. I had a watershed moment when I realized my stitch count remained accurate without having to stop all the time to count stitches. The time investment to do this was worth it in my opinion! YOU CAN TEACH AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS!!!!!! I have to say this activity which some may consider trivial was the most liberating confidence building moment I have had in all my knitting! I was really scared when I started to knit socks and I conquered that fear. Not afraid now and love to knit them without looking at the pattern directions. That is.....vanilla socks. I need to look at pattern if more complicated stitch pattern. Will always have socks on the needles and they truly make great gifts! I love the reaction when I gift a pair and get the incredulous reaction from friends that I gave them something so unique and beautiful. Its a fun activity ....random acts of kindness from my hobby!!!!!!!! Thx for your vlog, enjoy your projects🥰 Also love your puppy, so cute! I have 2 border collie boys that lay at my feet while I knit during all this rain! Lots of amusing company for sure!!! Carrie

[@purlsandpolish]

I’ve done a pair or two on 9” but for some reason, I get pain in my hands/wrists while I’m knitting. When it comes to my crafting, there is no gain if there’s pain. I think I hold my needles with my whole hand rather than just my fingertips

[@carmeslynn]

@ OK... I can relate! I had arthritis develop a couple months ago in my left thumb that I use to push yarn forward on the needle (I knit english style) and next week I'm going to get some of my stem cells injected into that joint. I had stem cells b4 and I kno w they work. I do not like having my knittingstyle crimped at all, so I'm willing to pay the fee to get this done. Not everyone is in a place to do this. But since I am I much prefer this to taking pain meds. You have to accomplish your knitting in the way that works for you!!!!!! So use the tools that help you do that!!!!!! XOXO Carrie

[@JennyFleming]

Thanks for explaining your Weekender! I’ve only knit one sweater (raglan top down) and have considered trying the Weekender pattern for my next one. I’m currently knitting on my Musselburgh hat.

[@purlsandpolish]

@@JennyFleming I really like the Weekender and since it’s an oversized sweater, it’s very forgiving!

[@pinkopal1195]

Your sweater is gorgeous! I’m crocheting a heart shawl by Expression Fiber Arts. Thank you!

[@purlsandpolish]

@@pinkopal1195 thank you!

[@lynnthomas7275]

I have several WIPs but today I'm working on this month's socks and Gnolan the gnome by Sarah Schira

[@purlsandpolish]

@@lynnthomas7275 I haven’t gotten into gnomes yet but they look like fun!

[@handmadebyhoneybun]

I love hearing about your taekwondo journey! Keep up the good work 😊 I’m working on: -high desert socks (loving this pattern) - Mara by Audrey Borrego (cute little shawl/scarf) - Rainbow of Stars Blanket by Helen McLean (crochet baby blanket) And a whole other host of things, but these are my main projects right now

[@purlsandpolish]

@@handmadebyhoneybun I’m so glad you’re loving the High Desert Socks!!

[@ummsajed2370]

I am working on so many things... right now a pair of socks using the latest knit stitch happy wigget socks and the pattern proceeds went to a heart foundation in Canada that was nice. I am also working on my west knits GlowhairFrostShawl and StripeStep socks a self drafted basket weave crochet blanket a Nature's walk crocherblanket and a scrappy coziest memory blanket... when I finish these I have more wips to finish but am still adding a simple sock when each finished because I always need one

[@ummsajed2370]

Sorry that is knit sip happy wigget socks

[@purlsandpolish]

@@ummsajed2370 wow, so many amazing patterns!

[@karihahn6989]

I am currently working on The Traveler Hoodie. Hoping ro finish it by the end of February.

[@purlsandpolish]

@@karihahn6989 I’m not familiar with that one, I’m gonna look it up!

[@kaviraj1993]

Hello from India. Iam working on a birthday present for my friend which is on 12th. Knitting the Coorie poncho which will be my 3rd one and all gifts. Funny part is I love the pattern so much and haven’t been able to make one for myself😐 Enjoy watching your makes and thanks for sharing. All the best wishes for your Taekwondo testing.

[@purlsandpolish]

@@kaviraj1993 I’m not familiar with this pattern, I’ll have to check it out!

[@kaviraj1993]

@ It’s Coorie in Poncho by Amy Palko on ravelry.

[@mwxford]

Just came across your channel and was surprised to find out that you are local to me (Davis)!

[@purlsandpolish]

@@mwxford you’re just up the road!! So excited to meet another NorCal knitter!!

[@Tealiaknits]

Giveaways are so exciting, even if you don't win! I'm currently working on the winter magic socks by Knitty Natty and a shift cowl by Andrea Mowry.

[@purlsandpolish]

@@Tealiaknits I love the look of a Shift Cowl but haven’t gotten around to making it yet!

[@carolwebster2294]

I am working on a cardigan and a winter scarf. I have kind of stalled out on the cardigan but hopefully will be working on it again soon.

[@purlsandpolish]

@@carolwebster2294 set little, acheivable goals like “knit for 15 minutes” and it’ll get done in no time!

[@carolwebster2294]

@@purlsandpolish That is a great idea!

[@doreenjohnson5464]

I am working some gift knits. A pair of dk socks, musselburgh hat, and a beanie and fingerless mitts set

[@purlsandpolish]

@@doreenjohnson5464 those are all great gifts! I’m sure the recipients will be really happy with them!

[@knittyweeza]

Did you say what sweater you're wearing? I'm curious. It's really pretty. I'm working on a pair of Christmas Smorgasbord Socks. Just found the pattern. It's really fun so far.

[@purlsandpolish]

@@knittyweeza it’s the Autumn League pullover! It’s a great knit!

[@winonadelaney9325]

I'm working on finishing my 2024 temperature shawl. Also, working on a 2025 tunisian crochet temperature blanket.