I’ll Knit If I Want To: Episode 151

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. Andrea- please help! My dog got to my precious flicker and flame hat that I love and wear all the time. She chewed a big hole cutting across the main color and contrast color, but it’s near the top. I’m trying to figure out how to save it. I have leftover yarn for both colors so I am thinking to just cut into the top just below the damage and knit the end of the hat again. I’m assuming I’ll be able to figure out where to pick up the chart to make the color work continuous. But any tips/advice you have to rescue this hat? And problems with this approach! Thanks so much for considering my question.
2. Hi Andrea ! I started learning how to spin on a support spindle in October and am having so much fun learning something new after knitting for almost 20 years. Now I’m curious to know more about the different types of fiber prep (rolags, combed tops etc) and their differences, as well as your take on different types of spinning ( am considering drop spindles and even a wheel !) and what you would use each one for. Thank you !
3. My question is about washing your knits between uses or at the end of the season. Do you wash multiple things together? Like can I fill my tub add wool wash and put several knits in at once. I would probably toss in a color grabber if I questioned bleeding of any of the items, but it's like if I'm gonna do the work, can I do it all at once (as space permits, of course)?
4. I took my finished DRK everyday sweater out of hiding today and wore it out of the house - I forgot how much I love it! I've noticed that since Gertrude (my mannequin) has been wearing it, the neckline has more of a tendency to pull lower than I like. Do you think I couldcrochet around the neckline to reinforce it, or would it be better to use elastic somehow? I love the length of the neckline, so I don't really want to fold it over to funnel elastic through. Thanks for your help!
5. Picking up stitches: is there a trick to picking up the number of stitches prescribed by a pattern, for example around a sleeve or neckband? It seems I am always trying to evenly distribute the recommended number as I go, but even when I divide the space into with stitch markers I inevitably end up with a few too many or too few, or a bunch crowded in or overly spaced out at the end to make it work. Every time I work an area like this I end up picking up three or four times before I get close enough to make it work. What am I doing wrong?? There must be a better way.
100 Days of Spindle Spinning Challenge
Instagram: #100daysofspindlespinning
Ravelry: www.ravelry.com/discuss/drear...
I’m wearing The Traveler Cowl:
www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...
www.dreareneeknits.com/shop/t...
And The Weekender Crew:
www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...
www.dreareneeknits.com/shop/t...
With my freshly sewn Barry Pants:
www.stylearc.com/shop/pdf-sew...
Ask a question for next week’s Q&A: forms.gle/pKM9gF9SixkdQwmS7

[@ashleyforest94]

So next you're gonna own the sheep!

[@TaylorThrift-vp3tn]

I don’t hear many people talk about this but at the end of the season I FREEZE my sweaters. I take sealable plastic bags, put a sweater in each bag and then put it in the freezer for 2-3 days. If I am really paranoid…. I freeze it for 3days, take it out for a day and then freeze it again. While I am doing that I wash down my shelves where I store them and then put fresh cedar oil or wood down. We have had a problem with moths. Since starting this I haven’t had any problems.

[@hollyscott8772]

Seeing your lovely Weekender today prompted this comment. I just finished knitting my first Weekender and I made it out of a spinning experiment. I used multiple braids of a variety of sheep breeds with a dominant color of red. I spun 1/3 as a traditional 3 ply, 1/3 I blended into batts before spinning my 3 ply, and the last third I blended batts with some natural black wool. Then I knit the garment with the bottom dark, the middle blended and the top was the more clear colors of the traditional 3 ply. Fun! I am very happy with it and plan to knit another after seeing yours today. I have multiple skeins of a cormo, alpaca, silk blend I have been searching for the perfect pattern for. Thanks for the many ways you enrich the fiber community!

[@SuperNicoole]

I'm going to pull out my sewing machine and make a "barry pants " You made me want to. (the pattern is done, I'm waiting for the fabric) It should go perfectly with the traveller.I haven't knitted yet, but it shouldn't be long. I like to watch your podcasts, they are a good English lesson for me. Merci beaucoup Andrea.

[@SuperNicoole]

I'm going to pull out my sewing machine and make a barry pants You made me want to. (the pattern is done, I'm waiting for the fabric) It should go perfectly with the traveller I haven't knitted yet, but it shouldn't be long. I like to watch your podcasts, they are a good English lesson for me. Merci beaucoup Andrea.

[@phyllisburke4141]

I love the look of the weekender and the traveler shawl together.

[@lynnmcnulty8028]

I absolutely love these videos. I'm not "new" to knitting but haven't knitted in years so relearning and expanding. Thank you so much for the tips, they are so helpful.

[@bronaobrien1661]

Lovely chatty vlog. Great to see your creative journey.

[@belindajames9592]

Re what you were saying about reusing a pattern...I've only ever actually done a fade once, but So Faded is now my go-to sweater recipe pattern! Ive sussed out which size to use for sock yarn and for DK so I have been able to adapt it in so many ways! I will do another fade at some point though haha!

[@MommaMae]

Thank you for sharing different hobbies! I came for the knitting content and after years of watching your excitement for spinning, I took a spinning class this month and came home with my very own wheel! Im so excited to explore a new fiber craft. Thank you for sharing your passions ☺️

[@kristinahill3708]

This podcast always brings joy to my week. Thank you!

[@annettewiggins2220]

What a great tip for picking up stitches! It never occurred to me that I could use locking stitch markers to help guide the process, although I do it all the time for certain types of sleeves. My usual process for buttonbands is to start picking up and hope for the best, with the inevitable result of having to do it several times. I've got a cardigan on the needles now that is almost to the buttonband stage, and I admit I've been procrastinating! Also as a further note on caring for handknits: Don't forget your steamer! The heat of the steam will kill moth eggs and larvae.

[@anitamadtes877]

Sleeping beauty has the wheel! My favorite Disney movie😊😊

[@aliciameulensteen4670]

Really appreciated hearing about your less favorite spin results! You inspired me to start spinning 6 months ago and, while many spins have turned out great, there is the occasional disappointment. It’s so reassuring to know it happens to the best of us!

[@Crochetedpossum]

My son and I were sewing on my mother's 1960s machine and just bought a cheap brother at Walmart! We are having a blast with it. I haven't sewed in years! Just quilts, no clothes.... But would love to try it!

[@tapcat4516]

I'm just like you. I want to learn everything, & finish fast to see what they look like that I sometimes I forget to enjoy the process. Question for you, what's the best way to untangle yarn this I frogged, sometimes the yarn felts together. Thank you. I watch all your videos & just love you & think your beautiful.

[@StickToYourKnitting]

Thank you SO much for turning me on to Sew Liberated. I am knitting the Tessellated vest and have been thinking I would love to wear it with a dress, a la Aimee (La Bien Aimee), when I’m done but I couldn’t find the right dress anywhere. UNTIL today! Their Hinterland dress is exactly what I’ve been looking for and I think I have the perfect fabric sitting in my stash. How fun it will be to wear a sweater I knit with a dress I sewed. THANK YOU, THANK YOU THANK YOU! 😃

[@kellybodie6022]

I love to sew! My favourite sweat pants pattern is the Hudson pants by True Bias. They actually are a family favourite using both woven and knits

[@DguidoDesignes]

I absolutely love that you shared about the skeins that you would do differently. We are so often showing our successes but know that there is trial and error in our process. I just so appreciate hearing about your practice and learning. Thank you 🙏 ❤

[@knittingghost]

Omg thank you for the tip on picking up stitches! I feel like I should have been able to figure that out, but here we are. 😆 My last cardigan had a shawl collar, and it took me so many tries to get it right. I'm going to do it your way next time.

[@amyclawson7]

I too love your vidoes! They are loaded with all kinds of info and so helpful and very positive and uplifting as well! You are a gift to us all!!! Thanks for all your hard work!!!!

[@susannevb3451]

I like to keep a shift cowl going as my dessert knitting 😂 I’m on my 3rd🤓

[@margreffle]

My first love, like yours, is knitting. But I have gotten I to so many more crafts in the last couple of years that I feel a day of the week should be designated for each craft. I've already been doing Scrappy Sunday, working on knitting or crocheting my leftover yarns into a couple of blankets I have on the go. But I also started a "I like to move it, move it!" Saturday this year, where every Saturday I pull out languishing wips, or just small projects or kits for which I had great enthusiasm for at one time (and still do but something else always takes precedence). So far I figured out the issue with a sleeve, and finished a short sleeved top, and knit the facing of a zip sweater for hubby and just have to sew in the zipper. This was my unfinished gift to him this past Christmas. I just need to figure how I'm going to fit in the cross stitching, punch needle, and spinning into my Monday to Friday schedule, alongside my knitting.

[@susanschwerdtfeger7310]

I love your episodes, I don’t think I’ve ever missed watching them! I find what you say to be so valuable and gets me thinking and learning. I just would like to let you know that I’m currently knitting your DRK everyday sweater for the second time and while I watch your podcast! As you always advise… make it your own… I am making a couple fit adjustments and I’m so excited to see how it is going to turn out. I keep trying it on as I go and I just can’t wait to wear it. ❤ I love the way you write patterns and the video links and tutorials you always include. Thank you so much for getting me interested in learning this craft and for keeping me engaged with your beautiful patterns and the knowledge you share.

[@laurenkasberg3608]

Made By Rae is a fantastic for beginner sewists. I learned how to make clothes by following her patterns. (Now I teach a sewing class for middle schoolers). I’ve never made her pants, but I’ve made most of her tops, and dresses. There are even some neat pattern hack tutorials in her blog.

[@crisreneemakes7178]

I made my sister a shift cowl for Christmas a few years ago. She loves it so much she requested another cowl in a similar style. So I am going to make her a DRK everyday cowl.

[@paulinemurton8538]

I love your podcasts and I learn so much, you are very inspiring ❤❤😊😊

[@valeriehowden471]

I have a similar expansion of hobbies. Crocheting then knitting and now we're getting an angora rabbit so I can spin yarn. I've promised my husband I will only use a drop spindle ... no wheel allowed.

[@lynxy6]

When picking up horizontal stitches along a vertical edge … If I wanted to pick up 5:7 (5 stitches for every 7 stitches), wouldn’t I pick up as follows? 1, 2, skip, 1, 2, 3, skip, (repeated over and over). When I wrote down what you suggested (1, 2, skip, 3, 1, 2, 3, skip, 4), I get 7:9 (7 stitches for every 9 stitches). Just checking.

[@cathyinmt]

Andrea I have knit several of your patterns, some accessories, some sweaters and I love every one of them. I am currently working on the DRK Everyday Sweater and just know this will be one of “those” sweaters that I grab EVERYDAY! Thank you for such great patterns!

[@lisad8731]

I'm like you. Not enough time for all the crafts. I knit, crochet, sew, spin, paint, diamond dots and whatever else I get influenced to do.

[@dianejoel717]

I enjoy your weekly videos so much. You always leave me with a smile on my face and food for thought. I’ve never spun yarn but I recently purchased a topper for a project and now I’m thinking I could use that to dip my toes into spinning. You are wholly responsible for inspiring me to do that.

[@TaylorOwen]

Just chiming in to say that I never wash multiple knits together ever since the time I ruined my handspun Golden Hour shawl when I washed it along with a superwash bra. Forever destroyed 😢… now I use two small storage tubs that fit into my utility sink. I can fill and cross stack them to soak two at a time, while I process a load of laundry. Once my load of laundry is ready to hang dry, I throw the two separately soaking sweaters into the spin/dry cycle and then lay them flat to dry. Thank you for another great podcast!! ❤

[@juliemattina4826]

I am on my fourth Nightshift. I love to knit this pattern!

[@theholisticinitiative]

I enjoy each episode so much ❤

[@user-xw7yw4qs7o]

You’re contagious, my friend!!

[@Plantsandmusicandyarn]

I love your videos and so feel you on the need to do all the things. I have also told myself that I need a sewing day, spinning day, drawing day, etc. I think I have found that in the moment I want to do whatever I’m hyper focused on so I’m not sure that would ever be realistic for me lol. I love the way your yarns turned out, especially the polwarth and silk! The batt really muted the colors in such a beautiful way. I have found I really enjoy spinning BFL silk, at least the stuff from crafted by locals! The BFL has a nice long staple length which I think may help it draft better with the silk. It spun up like butter. She has some really beautiful colors too!

[@marilynrosen5870]

Thanks!

[@mariajones8912]

As always ❤❤❤❤❤

[@ruthswarthout1115]

I love your patterns in fact you are one designer that I have the most patterns am knitting the drk everyday cowl right now, so as a knitter we thank you! 😊

[@sunnyw4148]

Thanks. You make my weekend.

[@nicolelafontaine1720]

Have a great weekend with your loved ones.

[@loribiamonte6533]

This cowl looks so lovely on you. I’m just wondering what size you made for yourself.

[@joanmachado9063]

Great podcast thank you 🧶☕️😊

[@gailbrower6013]

I'm making my first week-ender sweater. Almost finished with the first sleeve, Love the pattern!

[@dlindsay913]

I just began colorwork knitting in November inspired by your patterns. I made the flame stitch hat as a practice colorwork. Jumped right into my first sweater, the Throwover. It is finished and I love it! Thanks for all the tips you share! I just wish there were more hours in a day to knit, or maybe I just need to knit faster. =)

[@joywilson6067]

I"m half way down the first sleeve on my Weekender Crew and its going along great! Lovely to see you wearing yours. I'm planning on having pockets too - I knitted them as my swatch so they're all ready to go. Your advice on picking up stitches is really helpful - I fudged it a little on my first sleeve but I don't think anyone would be able to tell! I really enjoy your weekly episodes, thank you. I think I might have to make the Traveller Cowl now - it looks so cosy. Have a great weekend .

[@irunwithscissors9540]

I’ve been looking at the weekender and the weekender crew a lot the past week or so. I have yarn that’s arriving today and Monday and I’m gonna make the crew! I can’t wait! This will be my first sweater to knit! Your Nightshift shawl was my first knit shawl as I’ve only been knitting since the beginning of November! I love all your patterns they’re so pretty! I can’t wait to get started on my weekender crew! 🥰

[@lunardesignstudiolinda1256]

Moths and light, wow who knew thanks

[@Sassycanuckknitter]

Oh my gosh, I am so glad I caught this episode. I just finished the Flicker flame (size 5 in sport weight), I am on gauge, and it’s way too short. The method Andrea explains here to fix the hole will help me too. Woohoo. I would have possibly been better off making this in worsted.

[@dianegiannini8968]

Loving the traveler cowl so far. I have had to set it aside due to a test knit I am finishing but it is next up in the queue. And I plan to make another pair of the tesselated socks soon. My favorie sock to wear right now!

[@cathyo3494]

21:16 How about sewing an apron! Then you’ll want to wear it😉

[@tanjamitrovic1668]

You also look great in toffee ❤

[@lizzieholland]

Sometimes I pick up more and reduce immediately, it can reduce holes.

[@amyclawson7]

I am curious when the term for someone that sews went from seamstress to sewest? I have been sewing for years and so has my mom but have never heard that.

[@FlionfreeFibers]

same!!! I am not built for commercial sweatpants. And now they make them skinny legged. Ewww

[@everystitchaprayer6268]

This was wonderful and really helped me get through the rest of my ribbing!🤣♥ Thank you, Andrea!

[@maureenott214]

💖💖💖

[@dianecollins2465]

I have made the shift cowl at least 9 times

[@dianecollins2465]

And plan on making traveler cowl asap

[@mariamclauchlan8180]

Is that pick up 5 in every 7 or 7 in every 9? Or are they the same thing?