I’ll Knit If I Want To: Episode 116

[@valeriea.gladstone6440]

oh I have a drop spindle hack!I only carry one spindle…BUT, I have large plastic drinking straws that fits ove the stem, so when I fill a spindle, slip off the straw, put on another and off you go!

[@KirstyKnitsnSews]

This is amazing and I'm totally using this!!!!

[@sandiskoronski2827]

It was so good to see you, Jaine! I’m glad you’re settling in and you’re looking very good. We miss you here in Janesville.

[@liesbethverbeke1817]

When I started spinning on a drop spindle, I found that the bottom whirl spindles (where the disk is on the bottom and not the top) we’re a lot more stable than the top whirl spindles, and thus easier to learn on. Parking your spindle while drafting also made it a lot more relaxing when your first trying out spindling. Good luck and thank you for another fun podcast episode.

[@chantald9661]

As a test knitter I appreciate when a pattern has been tech edited before I knit it. I don’t expect it to be perfect but it makes the experience more enjoyable if I don’t have to unravel and reknit multiple times.

[@fleeperification]

I only test knit one pattern that hadn’t been tech edited and it was such a nightmare. There were mistakes and I had to ask the designer for clarification on some numbers that didn’t add up. Now I’m very selective about who I test knit for.

[@KirstyKnitsnSews]

Yay for a drop spindle. I started there because it was more affordable but just got my first wheel (yay!!!) and am hoping to jojn Tour de fleece for the first time. @jillianeve has some great videos on drop spindles for beginners. Since you already know how to draft, you should be okay. I started sitting down and with park and draft (stopping the spindle while I drafted) but after about half an hour moved to standing while spinning and spinning the spindle of my leg. Both made the process quicker and i thought more enjoyable. If the spindle is dropping a lot, add more twist. Also, when you wrap the yarn around the spindle, start at the top. You want to it to be top heavy so that the spin stays centred. Have fun!!!!

[@heathermacmillan3076]

I learned to spin on spindles before I got my wheel. My best tip is to buy a really great spindle such as Spanish Peacock or a Snyder spindle. They are not only beautiful but you will spin better because of the wonderful craftsmanship.

[@PennyRay-d6v]

A cowl knit along would be fun!

[@lauriejarboe6087]

As always I have picked up many helpful tips from your podcast. The best tip of the day was holding a finger to the nose to stop a sneeze!! "I was this many days old when I learned this!!"

[@vivianebernhard6728]

My recommendation for a newbie is to drop spindle above a rug or outdoors over grass. A tiled floor or patio is very unkind to a drop spindle (voice of experience here) especially the top whorl type with a little book at the top. A great book on the subject is Abby Franquemont's Respect the Spindle.

[@nottheborg836]

I made your flicker and flame hat as a valentine's day gift for my partner this year and they absolutely loved it, thank you for writing that pattern! it was a joy to knit and the end result is super impressive, especially with a gradient contrast yarn =)

[@mereina2193]

Yay for drop spindling! I was having a really hard time drafting finely and quickly enough on my spinning wheels and fell in love with the slower pace and more forgiving nature of drop spindling. I got a mjolinor from greensleeves spindles and spun up some carded fiber from Nutiden and it completely revolutionized my spinning game! I went from kind of hating spinning to doing it obsessively 😂 and it’s such a portable activity! I also got some smaller spindles from the Bosworths and they were such a pleasure to work with. I watched the companion DVD (available from my library) from the Respect the Spindle book with Abby Franquemont and it has some really amazing tips. Hope that helps :)

[@amystebbing]

I'm so relieved to hear not longer that somebody else has this same ear issue as me, but you've designed a special beanie especially for my ears!!!!! This is so great! I had no idea. I love walking along the beach except my ears hurt so much. Thanks so much for this design!! And also, as always, thanks so much for a terrific podcast! It's the best part of my week!

[@lisacrowley4825]

OMG- I get wind headaches so easily. It doesn't even have to be that cold. Thank you for making me feel not so strange-LOL!

[@FanieMor]

Thanks for this great video! About spinning on a drop spindle... I would first recommend placing a cushion(s) on the floor where you spindle. There's a reason it's called a "drop" spindle, trust me. 😂 And you don't want to break your spindle. Also be mindful of how your hands feel. We tend to hold the fiber with a good grip at the beginning, which is not always comfortable. So stretch a lot! Have fun! It's a real joy. ❤

[@susanrobertson5137]

As a sewer who is now making the same pattern multiple times for various things, I'm right there with you on knitting the same pattern again and I'm about to do that this summer. I love how my prior knowledge of the pattern and fit help make a second (or even third) go at it even better. I've knit the same sock and hat pattern a lot in the past, but this will be my first time doing a garment for the second time and I'm super excited about it.

[@MsRockdoc]

I love Friday mornings, watching your video with my coffee 🧶☕️❤️

[@mrsdefarge511]

Thank you for all of these fab drop spindling tips!!! I am obsessed! I really like spinning from the fold and I found Jillian eve’s yt to be super helpful to move from park and draft to suspended spindling. Yay!!!

[@StephanieWilliams-q9t]

Andrea - I have sensitive ears too! It can be like 55 degrees and I will be the only person wearing a hat! Happy to find a little company in my misery :)

[@riverratarts2820]

Hi Andrea, I love your patterns, I have knit so many of them multiple times! I love your Friday show, I love your…. well everything…. Huge fan!!! I travel for my real job, the entirety spent on the road…. My side hussle is Indie Dyer, Spinner, Knitting Instructor and Dabble in Design…. When I travel for work especially during Tour De Fleece and Spinzilla (so sad 😢 that is no more). I like to take my favorite spindle and put it in one of those tall plastic snack jars (UTZ maybe… my mom saves them for me) I try not to eat gluten…. You can stuff a lot of fiber in there with your spindle too… (which keeps it from banging) and I usually stuff more fiber in my suitcase… but my favorite spindle is a Purple Heart Wood one… kind of pricy and made by a master craftsman that is retired now… so priceless to me but it keeps it protected in there…. If you can’t find one… if you message me an address… I’ll send you one of my containers! ❤ Stacey- RiverRat Yarns

[@gretchen292]

Can’t say enough good things about Good Notes. You can edit/add/paste, search. I used to use Knit Companion, but it ended up getting too complicated and I find I can do almost everything I used to do with less frustration. It’s a great program!

[@bubba6381]

Andrea instead of drop spindling have you thought of supported spinning instead, I can do both but I have found that supported spindling is easier and I don't have to keep picking up my spindle off the floor or the grass if I am spinning outside. You'll be amazed at how much you can spin on a spindle supported or a drop style.

[@francescaquinn4129]

It really is isn't it! I totally agree with you! #teamsupported!

[@catherinethomes2910]

Yup, I’m in the cold ears/windy headache club…ugh. After watching this I want to learn brioche even more….I bought the yarn from Portfiber already….❤

[@catherinenoble5788]

Near end of video you mention using a lifeline. I learned to mark my pattern row where I place a lifeline so il know where I am as it makes it easier to continue my project.

[@tanjacramer1565]

Enjoy the drop spindle. Unfortunately, I can't give any tips at all, since I only started yesterday myself. 😁With your experience in spinning you will surely manage very well.

[@PaulaMaloney-p4m]

I get throbing pain in my ears when it is cold and/or windy. I always wear an earwarmer and a wool hat. I have knit many hats, but none offer enough protection. My favorite hat is one I got in Northern Canada, 4 layers and tiny yarn.

[@crocheh]

I absolutely get ear headaches! I live where it's rather windy and for the winter I never go anywhere without a toque to help protect against the wind. It doesn't seem to help to have earbuds either, it somehow still gets in!

[@jonellesandel1066]

Yes as a fellow Michigander, ear aches and ear headaches are real! Love that hat and all your hats🎉

[@joanmachado9063]

Great podcast as always 🧶☕️😊

[@dianegiannini8968]

I am making my 4th pair of Susca's socks. Love knitting this pattern and have several patterns that I have knit more than once. They are like old friends.

[@annettehoffmeister4144]

Thank you. I always learn a lot from your videos 🧶😊

[@Setonixx133]

I have the same ear issue and I spend my winters on boats in the cold wind...I really need to knit myself a good boat beanie!!! It needs to withstand salt water though as it will definitely get wet! I also never thought I would go digital with note books but I got GoodNotes and have not looked back ❤ I do use it mostly on my iPad with pencil but it's so good to have on my phone so I can add things at any moment. (I have a terrible memory) 😂

[@kellipage2858]

I’m interested in the Harlow hat, but just not now. I’m focused on knitting my Iris Shrug. I use to spin many pounds on plied yarn with my Tom Forester spindle. Nelda Davis and Rita Buchanan were my spindle spinning teachers. Buying spindles can become addictive, how do I know?🤪. So here is my thoughts on which weight spindle to buy: which weight of yarn do you plan to spin? How strong is your wrist? High whorl or low whorl? I’m more comfortable with high whorl. I weighed 2 of my spindles, one is 1.75 ozs and the 2nd spindle, a Mongold, 2 and 5/8 ozs. Between the Forester and the Mongold many pounds of yarn were spun. Amelia Garripoli (?) sells spindles, or at least she use too. And here is how you continue to spin singles once your spindle is FULL, when you start to spin on the empty spindle, through the leader yarn, start with a tuft of fiber and then continue to spin. Finish spinning what you planned, not to much, then unwind spun singles into a ball. Start to spin again with a tuft, spin, and when you go to unwind onto the ball you MARRY TOGETHER the tuft from the ball and unspun fiber on the spindle, unwind onto ball and REPEAT. Rita Buchanan taught me this trick. Oh the world of spindles . . .

[@enimai6211]

I'm afraid I don't live long enough to knit all your patterns. 😂 At the moment I'm knitting your nightshift shawl. ❤

[@torifgonyer9871]

Diana Twiss has a couple really great classes on School of Sweet Georgia for drop spindling 😊

[@valeriea.gladstone6440]

Aww haaaaa! Single ply Brioche! that’s why it mine was leaning! I swatched in single ply but switched to plyed because I didnt know why it was leaning…Now I know! thanks

[@jacquelinesalem2776]

Hmmm. That's a good idea to practice drop spinning for "Tour de Fleece" I may do that too.

[@creativity7510]

Nice sharing, thank you ❤

[@bellabellabelladonna]

I’m in the middle of a move and packing up my whole house this weekend or I’d have joined in the knit along!

[@robinstevenson5442]

Ah, Andrea, I can hear my Mum saying "you have nose problems because of your nose ring." Every ailment I had in the 90s was down to my nose ring. She woyluld probably however have asked ne, correctly, where is Tazakstan? Loving your work. 😄

[@francescaquinn4129]

I much prefer supported spindles to drop spindles which drive me crazy!!!!! Supported is so much easier!

[@d6h597]

Hello Andrea, thank you for your work! I very much appreciate you. I have a question: when I knit the body In Stockinette in the round, the fabric is tended towards one side. It is not straight. I know that we knit in a spiral, but what can I do to avoid this. Thank you very much. Greetings from Germany. Diana

[@knithow]

I used to have this issue also until I realized I was knitting twisted stitches. I would knit through the back or left loop rather than through the front or right loop. You can tell if it looks like the legs of your stitches cross over each other.

[@eprohoda]

buddy!Greetings. thanks, stunning ~ 🤓

[@nicolelafontaine1720]

Have a good KAL challenge !