I’ll Knit If I Want To: Episode 120

Welcome to I’ll Knit (& Spin!) If I want To! I asked y’all to send in some of your questions (from everything from fiber arts, to designing and on!) so I could put together a little video for y’all every Friday doing my best to answer your questions!
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In this week’s episode we cover:
1. Hi Andrea! Thank you for your generosity in providing answers to our questions each week. My question is about amount of ease in a sweater/cardigan. I have a couple of simple sweaters under my belt and want to venture into doing more sweater knitting. I love to wear a shirt or turtleneck underneath my sweaters and never button a cardigan. I do like a cardigan to come together at the front with some overlap though. I know most patterns have a certain amount of ease that is already figured into it and was wondering if there is an amount of ease I need to be looking for or do I just go up a size to make room for that shirt underneath. Thanks!
2. I"m excited to be embarking on knitting my first Weekender sweater! I plan to use 60% silk/40% linen yarn. Although this yarn is the same weight as what the pattern calls for (worsted), I'm wondering whether there are any pattern mods I should consider since I'm not using wool. I'm planning to knit a size 3 based on my size but I have 26 yards less than what the pattern suggests for that size. Given that I'm short with short arms, I'm choosing not to worry! But - I'm thinking of skipping swatching - eek, I already know what you're going to say probably LOL! Thank you so much for all your lovely joyous fun content!!
3. As I prepare to join in for the first time with Tour de Fleece, I'm brainstorming and planning projects I could spin for a new things I can learn. I'm a new spinner (thanks to you and your "spinfluence"! lol) and am wanting to try spinning a batt after working with multiple braids. If I plied a woolen single from a batt together with a worsted single from a braid, would strange things happen? You're always gushing about combo spins, and I'd love to know what kind of things play well together and what could make something not-so-knittable. Thank you!:)
4. Hello! I am wondering what you do when you are done plying your handspun and have leftover singles on one of the bobbins. I just finished my first three-ply sock spin, but I have leftovers on a couple of the bobbins that I feel bad just throwing them out!
5. What is the ideal length/place to separate for sleeves and body on a top down round yoke sweater? I followed the pattern and measurements for the Pink Velvet sweater but found that when I lift my arms, the whole sweater shifts on my body and I think it’s because the separation for the sleeves sits too low on me. Is there a way to know or measure where I should do the separation to better suit my measurements or is this just something unique to circular yoke sweaters? Thanks for any advice and love your weekly videos! :)
I am wearing the DRK Everyday Sweater:
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Attune Shawl SAL/KAL Ravelry forum: www.ravelry.co...
Instagram Hashtag: #spintoknitATTUNE
Rachel’s KZbin Video: www.youtube.co...
DRK Spin It to Knit It…Along - Weekender Style - Ravelry Forum:
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Join on Instagram with the hashtags: #DRKspinittoknitKAL and #DRKspinsTHEWEEKENDER
Ask a question for next week’s Q&A: forms.gle/pKM9...

[@stillarobyn]

For the person concerned about running out of yarn and wanting to skip swatching - if you make a swatch of significant size (6-8"), you can still swatch in the round and be able to unravel it! I have done this with handspun, and left the "floats" around the back intact (and VERY loose), and attached to the ball, and been able to get a significant measurement for gauge swatching! Once you have the math you need, just unravel the swatch and hold the ramen noodle yarn in the steam of a tea kettle (or iron I guess) to relax again. I just usually don't use that skein until the end of my project, and often don't need all of it, if any.

[@Sarah-hm3vi]

For the same person: I am also short with short arms like the questioner and i always have too much yarn so i doubt she'd run out, as Andrea said. I sometimes have more than a skein left over!

[@hideyholes]

Hi Andrea! You were definitely my spinfluencer. I had never intended to spin, but you got me, and I'm so glad. I love it! Regarding Lives, I have to say I don't love them. This may be an unpopular opinion, but you wanted to get some feedback, so here's mine. I definitely wouldn't mind a special one now and then for some two-way interaction, but I would definitely not want them to replace any of your regular podcasts. A couple of folks I follow do them on a regular basis, and it seems like a very long line of interrupted content with a lot of "Oh Hi Mary, good to see you. Hi Susan!" etc.for a lot of the time. And only the same folks tend to participate, either because the timeframe works for them, or because they are already a close-knit (no pun intended) group, and they all seem to know each other which can feel intimidating when you want to jump in. Kind of like inserting yourself into an IRL conversation where there's already a dynamic going. Anyway, those are my thoughts, tl:dr version - might be a nice treat now and then, but would not want them to replace the existing content.

[@Sarah-hm3vi]

I think i agree. Lives sound great but in practice they do have their disadvantages.

[@seasonseasthk]

Thank you for posting! I love when you are “chatty” because that’s when I learn the MOST🎉

[@lindatohid2268]

Hi Andrea. Just wanna share my experience knitting & crocheting with plant based yarns. Usually the final garments can grow 1-4” depending on the types of plant based yarn I.e. mixed or non-mixed fibres. We also need to know how much ease that we want. Recently I did the weekender using mixed bamboo 80%/ cotton 20% yarn. I intended to have about 4” ease. So I chose the size that gave me the final measurement of my exact bust measurement. But I used 2 sizes bigger than the one that I chose for the upper part of the body (when we split the front & back parts for the arms). Continue knitting the arms using the latter size. It fits me nicely. Initially, the ease was about 2-3”. Now after wearing it for a day, it grew to give me 5” ease. It was a great experience knitting the weekender. I love it. Definitely I will make more weekenders ❤

[@knitiva]

A live a month sounds like a blast to me, Andrea!

[@rebeccahunt355]

I use small amounts of yarn to make garlands. In winter I used bits to make tiny hats and pom poms on an icord chain, to drape in windows . It was sooo cute.

[@julieknitsandspins]

Ideas for leftover spinning - heels and toes - mitten cuffs -picot edges I’m using some for heels and toes on socks right now NOTE to self write fiber content on the toilet paper roll 🤦🏻‍♀️ YES TO A LIVE!!👏👏👏👏

[@KnitStitchGrow]

Love how your sweater spin turned out, the colours are gorgeous, so fresh. A monthly live sounds like a great idea. I'm slowly catching up with your weekly episodes and it would be nice to have a live to look forward to every month.

[@lauriejarboe6087]

such good info regarding ease, fit, sizing and designer intention. Thank you and, of course, yes to lives. Who doesn't want more Andrea?!?

[@suegilmanrealestate1432]

To the knitter who wants to do the Weekender sweater in a silk blend...I live in Florida where sweater weather often has more to do with air conditioning than with outdoor temps. I love the Weekender sweater -have made myself one out of wool I bought in Ireland and also one for my sister. I made a weekender light out of Noro Sonata DK weight yarn. It is 355 cotton, 25% viscose, 20% silk and 20% polyamide. I love this sweater and wear it all the time. The drape is just beautiful, and the weight is perfect for me. I definitely swatched, and recommend doing so. Good luck!

[@katedavy6272]

I knit for a fiber mill here in east TN and they waste nothing. They splice like sized yarn and I have made several pairs of very unique hiking socks. They have turned out so cool!

[@dyannevandenheuvel3511]

Thank you! Your description of measuring yoke depth for comfort was just what I needed to help me finish an Elizabeth Zimmerman percentage sweater yoke I have been struggling with. You are technically the best and always an inspiration.

[@lindarogers3608]

I like your podcasts the way they are. Just my two cents.

[@lisaschwarz3]

OMG! Hang out with you live? Yes, please! It would be so much fun! I look forward to your podcast every week - we have coffee and knit together every week (you just don't know it) - how great would it be to actually join with you live - and after this week I'll be retired, so it won't matter what time or day! Yay!! Let's do it!

[@tessa5]

I really enjoy your chatty episodes! Thank you for all your helpful advice. And yes, a live sounds like a lot of fun!

[@QueenAnneKnitsandSews]

I very rarely have small amounts of singles left because I make an Andean plying bracelet and keep going (Fiber Love Diary has a great video for "turkey hand" plying). I also use an Andean plying paddle to use up as much as possible. Also, a jelly roll blanket is a beautiful way of using up leftover bits of yarn. Just keep adding as you have leftovers.

[@marymitchell6733]

To help determine how much vertical growth you will have with a non-wool yarn, hang your LARGE swatch, rather than laying it flat to dry. This will give you an idea of how much the sweater (and sleeves) will grow lengthwise due to gravity as you wear the garment during the day. In my experience (65+ years of knitting) the heavier the yarn the longer it will get during wear.

[@zephyraK]

Thanks for the delightful video! For the first question about overlapping a cardigan: coming from a sewing point of view, you would need to change the front panels, to create the overlap, to make sure the center front line stays center front. By just going up a size, you might have more room at the front, but also at the back and the neckline wouldn't look as intended. On the other hand, our knits are way more flexible than any woven/sewn clothes, so if it feels right for you, it might work!

[@trudydelich2920]

Regarding singles left on a spool. A suggestion. I didn't read through all of the comments to see if someone already said this, and I may have said this before, but I never have those. I always, always take the just spun single off the spool by running it through my large ball winder which makes large center pull balls. Then I put the ball in my lap and ply from both ends. Always works. You might have yarn left overs, but never singles that you are not sure what to do with. I have been spinning for quite awhile and spin all types of fibers, not only those from our Leicester Longwools but everything and it works with everything. Thank you for your interesting and informative podcasts.

[@showmeyourtattoo]

Yes, please do a Live 'I'll Knit (and Spin) if I Want To'!!!!!! ❤❤❤🔥🔥🔥

[@1Aroe1]

I am obsessive about not leaving leftover singles on my bobbins! I actually learned that some people keep leftover singles to ply into Franken-skein yarns, but I've never had enough leftovers to actually try it! My go-to is to create an Andean bracelet with leftovers. If I'm doing a 2-ply, I ply directly from the bracelet. If I'm doing a 3-ply or more, I make a bracelet from the bobbin that has the most thread and keep the bobbin with the least thread unbroken as my third ply. Usually this works out pretty closely to get a clean 3-ply finish. If there is a color consideration (like a combo spin), I might just chain ply the leftovers because, I know those last meters will look different than the main yarn anyways. The advice I've gotten is that center pull balls for plying can get tangled badly, which is why I like the Andean bracelet, which I've only had tangle once. It's not a great option if you have a lot of singles to ply, although there are tools to wind it so you don't have to wrap it on your hand.

[@user-nl9iu9kl1e]

Would love ++ a live ! Thank you Andrea for your consistent and generous sharing !

[@denisewessman1079]

Magic ball knitting with the leftovers. Fun to see the results!

[@kathrynthompson8339]

1) Make an Andean plying bracelet when one bobbin outlasts the other to finish off your yarn, maybe it will be a little different, but maybe that's part of the fun of handspun! At least then it's plied and finished, you could break it off and be more likely to use it, rather than leaving it on TP rolls 2) I volunteer as tribute to take some of those TP rolls of random singles off your hands, I would happily pay shipping etc if you want to send them out to a fan 3) yes please to an occasional live episode! 4) keep up the good work! ❤❤❤❤

[@meadowstardesigns]

Definitely do a LIVE! Totally digging those neon yellow/green fatty jumbo skeins, too!

[@daniellejohnson3364]

A live once a month sounds like fun! Love your weekly videos and learn so much 😊❤

[@Mobuchholz]

A live would be so awesome!!! I look forward to watching these every week and learn so many things! Thanks for taking the time to do this every week ☺

[@michellesetzer9366]

Just had this pop up ( on a Sunday late afternoon) and watched. Was a little concerned when I didn’t have my Friday Andrea podcast! A monthly live podcast sounds great!

[@dawnnewbre6421]

Yes. I would tune in for a live. And, no you were not rambling. You gave very good information about ease. Especially in the arm and yoke area.

[@fabricandfibers]

Small amounts of yarn can be great for tapestry weaving or punch needle work. If there is not enough length to be useful for handwork, I sometimes save them to use as filling when I get enough volume or scraps.

[@charlenepodgorski8545]

So glad I finally saw you upload a video I was concerned when I didn’t see it Friday morning and and you didn’t post on Instagram about why ie technical difficulty or scheduling issue etc 😂. Great as always and love the chatty tangents they are so helpful!

[@sarabarentine8310]

Oh my goodness. Give the leftover yarn to a 4-H club. I got a garbage bag for of small amounts that the club members are having so much fun with.

[@jgreen1817]

If I have leftovers from a 2 ply spin, which is what I do most often, is I create a center pull ball and ply it, adding it to the end of the yarn I just made. This way I get maximum yardage and use as much fiber as possible.

[@cristynfilla4303]

A KZbin live would be so lovely! What if each month you had one where you focused on a specific topic/technique/pattern and we would be able to bring you our questions on that? It'd be so fun and informative! Or a show and tell where we could ask you questions about your projects! That would be wonderful!

[@nottheborg836]

the colours in that swatch are so lovely

[@portraitsandpastimes]

I wind the leftover into a ball via the ball winder. Then I take and fluff up the ends of what I am spinning on the wheel and continue spinning. The wound ball is used instead of a plying bracelet pulling from the center and the outside at the same time held in the hand. Go slow at first, but it works! And you never have any left over when spinning 2 ply. 😊

[@aliciafrancoeur1687]

Everyday sweater is my favourite! Plan to knit two more this fall😍

[@nicolelafontaine1720]

Ah! Ah! Ah! I do have a knee lenght sweater dress, intended to be a sweater, knitted in alpaca. The swatch didn't grow so much, but the weight of the sweater made it grow a whole lot. The arms were also knee lenght !!! I shortened the arms but kept the dressas a lovely comfortable house dress ... Never knitted a sweater in 100% alpaca since then though!

[@kristinahill3708]

I’m learning so much from you. Thank you 😊

[@colorfulphd3575]

When I swatch in the round, I use very long floats so that the swatch can lie flat, even with the floats intact, and then I don't cut the floats. I actually have swatched in the round, washed the swatch, measured, and then ripped it out and saved the yarn because I needed the yardage.

[@Kialas]

For the person asking about spinning from bat and braid. Look up spinning from the fold for braids and more woolen spinning.

[@Katepwe]

What about using the leftovers to make swatches and use them for a bunting. That way you’ll have a keepsake of the fibre/yarn you’ve spun.

[@karenginsberg4381]

yes, do a live. your knitting tips and patterns are great and even though I don't spin, I love learning from you.

[@carolekiernan296]

Many folks love live things...but my busy schedule rarely allows me to watch... always appreciate watching those after the fact. How do I stay organized? Hmm... I think you've already begun...making a list. Keeping a detailed calendar...help me not to miss anything

[@staceykaiserman5035]

I got spinfluenced and didn't know what to do with all the crummy, uneven yarn I was making while I am learning... so then I got weavefluenced and took up weaving on a table loom where yarn consistency doesn't matter and nothing goes to waste!

[@elizabethbeads]

KZbin Live! Yes! Let’s do it! ❤❤❤

[@nemthys1]

Use the left over spins to make gnomes or knitted toys. You don't have to worry about gauge, number of plys since it isn't a garment.

[@EmiKnits]

Thanks for the episode! I knit, crochet, or braid my scraps into marled ribbons for gift wrapping. I also save many of my smallest snips for stuffing small items (like holiday ornaments or elements of Halloween costumes).

[@annabellecolestock8127]

Thanks so much for your knitting and spinning expertise. I love these videos and would absolutely love to tune in yo a live one! Just finished knitting the traveler hoodie - I love it so much!

[@jeannine7362]

I love to use my leftover handspun for Christmas ornaments, pom poms, tiny stockings, leaves, etc. for garlands and gift giving. I also make scrappy granny squares.

[@lisamays6304]

Yes to the live podcast!!! ❤

[@ashleymaker2405]

A live would be fun!! And that green you spun for your Traveler hoodie is just speaking to me, love it!! 💚

[@sparklinggrey3]

One live a month would be amazing!

[@sunnyw4148]

I am impressed with how many bobbins you have.

[@monicascrap]

Yes to a handspun Harlow KAL! But I’ll be working on a test knit thru July so it would have to be in August lol. I started spinning quite recently and already have a lot of single skeins. Since I like to weave and just started weaving bracelets I can use the tiniest bits of leftovers from spinning for that.

[@heavenisgreen4810]

I love watching your videos. I learn so much from all your answers. Thanks.

[@ShanaH414]

Laura Nelkin just posted an ingenious way to swatch in the round without having to cut those pesky long floats. This means the yarn could be unraveled for future use. Check it out!

[@pamelamatt1441]

Oh I would love a live!!! 💜🥰❤️

[@debcigna6732]

I do agree so little time to do/make all the things 😊

[@megwickenden5854]

I would totally knit a hand spun Harlow

[@annettehoffmeister4144]

Thank you so much. I always enjoy your podcasts 🧶😊

[@TessLinnKnit]

About sweaters that moves: some shortrows when picking up the stitches for the arms help to prevent moving upp the body helps for me😊

[@QueenAnneKnitsandSews]

A live would be super fun!

[@miriamshark5246]

Oops, I should have watched this episode *yesterday* before I went into TDF prep (Attune shawl, here I come!) and needed to empty a bunch of bobbins with leftover singles on them. But maybe its not too late. I placed each bobbin on the Lazy Kate and then wound directly onto the swift (the Schacht swift that swivels to horizontal position and has a winding handle made this so easy!), creating one large skein. Having watched this episode, I might try winding the skein into a center pull ball and then do a 2-ply and see what happens. I mean, I've got nothing to lose, right?

[@HeatherSB]

Lives would be SOOO much fun!

[@GHMHomestead]

live once a month would be AWESOME!!!

[@gailstringer1158]

I'm knitting your Nightshift shawl from my handspun, and have plied a a whack of my t,p. rolls of bits and pieces with 2 plies of tonals. I use those for contrast, and am having so much fun watching the colours play together in this mosaic project!

[@TheLadytj24]

I would enjoy sitting in on a live, maybe do it more a knit and chat so you aren’t stressed about getting through a certain amount of questions but instead allowing time to chat. You talked about row gauge. I’m realizing how important and impactful it is. What do you do if your gauge swatch matches the stitches perfectly but not the rows. My rows are typically longer than the gauge suggested.

[@violet02091991]

Hi! For the "what to do with leftovers on bobbins question; If you're doing a 2ply yarn I would do exactly as Andrea suggested, winding a centre pull or making an andean plying bracelet to add any extra straight into the yarn you are making, just joining where you finished the one bobbin with the end of the extra. For a 3ply, I would take whichever bobbin has the larger amount of leftovers and again make a centre pull or andean plying bracelet , and use that as 2 of the 3 plys continuing your yarn, usually this works and you might still end up with extras, but if the extra is on the singles bobbin you didn't wind off, you can use the end of the centre pull as a loop to pull through to make a chain ply with what's left on the bobbin (this is hard to explain hopefully you got me). Also to add, there is a tool that you can get that helps you make an andean plying bracelet without it attaching to your hand... i got one from etsy, search "andean plying tool"

[@knittingghost]

I would love a monthly live! They're a great time to interact with the host and others in the community!

[@tereza.bartosova]

A live version would be great!

[@rachelraye285]

Yes to the live!

[@ihesharema]

Yes yes yes to the live!!! 🥳🥳

[@KimH11]

Love the live idea !!

[@stephanieking1645]

I think a live would be really fun! Always enjoy your excitement for all things fiber. Thank you.

[@sarameyer1]

I vote for live too! 👍👍👍

[@anhu8528]

Your yarn for your hoodie is gorgeous. Yes please on the live! That would be so much fun.

[@maggielinstead6112]

Thank you so much for your videos. I am new to spinning, but if I had the leftovers, I would ply them for mini skeins. I have several projects using them or leftover yarns, such as a northwesterly and a bee keepers quilt. I try to mini skeins from all the places I visit when out. I went to BSG in Oregon over this weekend and was disappointed at the lack of them. I did find a couple of single mini skeains from a couple of vendors and they make me happy.

[@jacquelinesalem2776]

It's great to hear sooo much about your spinning. Inspiring.

[@Sassycanuckknitter]

A monthly live would be fun.

[@judyhock5422]

Thanks for sharing!

[@joanmachado9063]

Great podcast thank you ☺️☕️🧶

[@melindapaszkiewicz5812]

For swatching in the round, you can just make the strands that go around the back super long so you can lay it flat and also not cut which would allow you to use the yarn if needed later!

[@itsrainingcrafts]

Love the love idea -- as for organizing I have a planner for my knitting helps me keep track of projects and what I cast on Waiting eagerly for your rhinebeck sweater release

[@fawnbussler3300]

Yes to a live! And yes to a handspun Harlow knit a long. I don't spin but I have some handspun in my stash. 😊

[@earlgreyknits1178]

Huh... We have curbside compost pick up where I live in the Kansas City metro area as well but I've never ever thought to put things like dryer lint or wool fiber into it.... I've always thrown the dryer lint away with in the regular trash and I have a large container of wool scraps in case I ever decide to make a stuffed animal or something. But that idea is kind of genius / duh. lol Why wouldn't it be compostable since it's all natural anyway. How silly that it's never crossed my mind! Thanks for the tip! :)

[@barbcoyle416]

I would ❤ a live podcast!!

[@marlenefaull248]

Thanks I listen every week. Always interesting. Yep would be happy with a live

[@kayebaker-schwanz1041]

A live would be a blast, great idea to try it. One a month would be great. I just cleared all my bobbins, plied what needed plied, and ready to get going for the Attune Shawl STKAL, I just have to decide if I want to use the Cheviot undyed, or dye it, and use a different sold as my other yarn...decisions decisions. lol

[@marshasemple7108]

A live would be great!

[@KirstyKnitsnSews]

I haven't watch yet but I'm sooooo happy to see another episode! Thank you for doing this every week! I'm saving watching this for tomorrow when I'll be in hospital 💕

[@junegolato5617]

Live would be fun! 😁

[@the_busy_beaver_brooke]

Would love to see you live & interact... Almost got to come to ME this past week but only made it as far as VT ... (Hubby was fixing a snow blower that took extra long 😬) maybe in the.coming month 🤞

[@sharonkennedy8612]

Love all your knits, spins. Would love a live video.

[@everystitchaprayer6268]

Yes, to the live!! A heads up about date/time in your newsletter would be great. Might have to take work off that day. lol

[@shannonyeaton8328]

I personally would love a live KZbin event. Sounds like fun!

[@sandrakastel633]

Yes live is awesome

[@misschiversstitches5887]

Thanks for another great Knit Chat. I love the live format even though I don’t make it to many actually live due to the time difference from Australia. But I’d enjoy it anyway. How dreamy will your traveller hoody be as well 😍😍

[@kimgourley2723]

I like the live idea, but I always seem to miss the live stuff!😊

[@jamiethrogmorton2540]

Yes to a live, why not try it?! Also You sound like a very creative and knowledgeable spinner to me! I’ve been amazed to watch how fast you’ve learned so much! ❤