I’ll Knit If I Want To: Episode 166

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. I have made six shift cowls - it's by far my favorite pattern! I have one problem in every one though.... The two edges for the seam at the back of the neck always end up different lengths. I've had differences of up to 3/4 inch. The shorter edge is the one by the cast on corner - it's much tighter. I can make up for the difference when I seam and it's at the back of the neck so not a huge deal, but I'd like to be perfect! Is there something I can do when I make my seventh shift cowl to get these edges to be more even?
Shift Cowl Pattern -
Ravelry: www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...
My Website: www.dreareneeknits.com/shop/t...
2. Im currently knitting away on my Brume sweater collar, and have questions about collar modifications! Usually I have a strong preference for crewneck due to neck sensitivity, but you made a great case for this collar being open enough to not bother sensitive necks, so Im interested in trying it. But, Ive also heard taller collars can be less flattering on people with rounder faces like myself. So I have nerves. Anyway! If I knit it and decide after a while that it isnt working on me, is it possible to reknit it shorter, or will that not look right in this design? Sometimes style of neck is important relative to the construction and weight of sweaters, but other times not so much, right? How do you tell?? Thanks!!
Brume Pattern -
Ravelry: www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...
My Website: www.dreareneeknits.com/shop/b...
3. Do you have tips for yarn management with the rad plaid cowl? My three skeins are getting super twisted - well, if I'm being honest I have four skeins because I added a string of sequin yarn so that's adding to my issues. I love the project but the suri keeps getting wound really tightly around the other colors. Now the project is getting less portable because I need to keep the suri and MC out so I can keep them untangled every row. Help!
Rad Plaid Cowl -
Ravelry: www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...
My Website: www.dreareneeknits.com/shop/r...
4. After months of seeing your spindle spins, I was inspired and finally bought my first supported spindle at Maryland Sheep and Wool. Yay! I have started spinning and am so excited about the process. So far when my cop is “full” I am just winding it into a ball on my thumb and starting again. I know everyone does things a little different, and even the resources I’ve read or watched all day different things, so I’m curious-how do you spin on your supported spindles? Do you use a leader start? Make your own? How do you start and build up your cop? When do you know when your spindle is “full”? I’ve also see you use little bobbins to put spun singles on. Can you tell us more about that process and how you do it? Whew! I guess basically I want an episode just on your spindle spinning process 😂 thanks for the inspiration, I’m loving it!
5. Just popping in to say that I love the Declutter/Destash challenge idea, and would 100% be down for it! I'm also curious to hear what items/crafty things you tend to hoard (in a good or not so good way lol)? For me it's scraps of yarn for just in case, it's so hard to let go of the odds and ends from special skeins!
Kim McKenna’s Braid 5 Ways: www.schoolofsweetgeorgia.com/...
Jillian Moreno’s Yarnitecture: bookshop.org/p/books/yarnitec...
Combo Draft: knitty.com/ISSUEff19/FEATff19...
Instagram: #100daysoflongdraw
Ravelry: www.ravelry.com/discuss/drear...
Instagram: #100daysofknitting2024
Ravelry: www.ravelry.com/discuss/drear...
Today I am wearing the Traveler Cowl
Ravelry: www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...
My Website: www.dreareneeknits.com/shop/t...
DRK March to May KAL 2024
Sweaters: www.ravelry.com/discuss/drear...
Shawls: www.ravelry.com/discuss/drear...
Instagram: #DRKMARCH2MAYKAL24
DRK Spin It to Knit It KAL
Ravelry KAL Forum: www.ravelry.com/discuss/drear...
Instagram Hashtags: #DRKspinittoknitKAL2024 #DRKspinsTHETRAVELER
Ask a question for next week’s Q&A: forms.gle/pKM9gF9SixkdQwmS7

[@thegrynne]

On the tight seaming edge of the Shift Cowl, I would do the m1 slightly differently to loosen it. It involves “settling up” for the increase in the previous row, by making a YO where you will make the increase in the following row. This means you’re knitting into the YO instead of pulling up the yarn between two existing stitches-technically the same effect, but performed with a different action, and it doesn’t tighten the edge like a regular M1 does. I do this on a lot on my shawls because I hate a tight, non-stretchy edge. Hope that helps!

[@lanitaharris8725]

I am going to meet my knitting friend Susan at our local grocery store dining area to chat and knit and "show and tell." We have been doing this for about 7 or more years! What a precious tradition with my friend!

[@dreareneeknits]

I love that!! ♥️

[@amandaniemann9903]

When my M1 increases turn out too tight, I'll often place a YO in that spot on the row before the increase, and then knit the YO twisted instead of using the standard M1. It looks the same in the finished object but adds flexibility

[@gbitter1395]

My best tip for yarn cakes is to save old socks (not your hand knits!) that have worn holes in the feet - just cut off the leg tube and cut that into the right size piece to hold your yarn cake - works like magic, and it's free!

[@dianegiannini8968]

I often put my yarn balls in sandwich bags to keep them separate. Works great when using multiple balls.

[@cometoogrebattleify]

For the lady knitting Brume, you could try starting the collar about halfway down with a provisional cast on, then if you try it on and want the extra length you can knit it upwards!

[@saras.creative.corner]

Omg “amazing knitter from Rhinebeck” here! I’m so glad you like the cozy and that it’s working out for the outside pull!! ❤❤ I totally agree that the cozies help with yarn management immensely! ☺️

[@dreareneeknits]

I’m so tickled you saw this!! And thanks again for my fabulous yarn cozy!

[@dlindsay913]

Another fun pattern to put in my library. Wonderful! Thanks for all your advise!

[@brookwillow]

My favorite part of your videos is always the show and tell at the end. You inspire my spinning practice so much! That single you spun with the pencil roving is SO cool

[@dreareneeknits]

Thank you so much!! ♥️

[@laurellae]

Regarding the Brume Sweater question: why not just cast-on the number of stitches you'd have after the collar, knit the sweater, then come back and pick up the stitches for the collar last, that way you have more control over knitting the type of collar that will work best for you? It will give the neckline a bit more structure but maybe that may be better for what you need to make the sweater wearable! Another thought is a provisional cast-on so you don't have to un-do the cast-on edge OR so you don't have to pick up stitches (depending on where you want to start the project). Its so tricky to rip out a cast-on edge if you haven't done it before, if that ends up being something you need tl do, and can be very infuriating (speaking from experience 😅).

[@JordanLeigh]

16:20 that’s a yarn cozy! You can knit them too, they’re great for leftovers, mini skeins, scraps, colorwork swatching, etc. I’ve made my own knit and crochet cake cozies, and I’m currently knitting a couple more in Knitty Natty & Knit California’s #cozyalong2024 using Natalie’s Yarn Cozy Lite pattern. Quick little knit and it’s SO CUTE. I have a neon pink cozy around a white speckled yarn cake and it looks like a little cupcake 🧁

[@annzbikowski4198]

Made both the travler shawl and cowl and now on to the hat. Loved this pattern. Used normal dinosaur egg. Part silk.

[@rebeccahunt355]

That is gorgeous!!!!

[@melissatrueblood2520]

Just an idea - videos that were grouped together by your patterns. They could contain tips and tricks for the patterns as well as most common questions.

[@marilynsullivan4361]

I am knitting my second Traveler today! My first was with my handspun - I love the pattern and the cowl!

[@dreareneeknits]

Thanks so much Marilyn!! ❤️❤️

[@lindarobbie]

Aaahhh that handspun!! Stop it! It's amazing!!! I started typing that when you showed the spindle spin yarn baby and then the deliciousness kept on coming! I don't know which one is my favourite!!

[@jdeldelvecchio712]

I use the try-on nylon socks from shoe stores for yarn cozies. It works well. I recently sent all my scraps, think of a box the size a case of copy paper comes in, to a young girl. She is a friend of my daughter, and sooo creative! She is knitting a sweater by 6 inch patchwork squares. The squares are made from whatever combo of yarns to get a bulky weight and sewn together. There are people out there to put the scraps to good use!

[@valeriea.gladstone6440]

Hi, for spindles I put a drinking straw over the shaft, when it is full just pull the straw off!

[@paulafralick2905]

There are many people who love to do scrapy projects. I used all of my left over sock yarn to make my 82 year old husband a blanket for Christmas. I held it double with a cone of undyed wooly time fingering weight yarn. He is still using it every day. The simple something sweater is also a scrappy project. Andrea is right there a lot of scrapy projects out there and thry don't necessarily look scrapy.

[@nicolelafontaine1720]

I love your hand spun yarn ! I can see how creative this is !!!

[@moniquem8093]

Yarn leftovers, Goodwill and the VA take yarn , some ladies knit and crochet lap blankets for veterans in Wheelchairs,

[@valeriehowden471]

I got my first skein coat/yarn sweater in a mystery box from an indy dyer before I had a cake winder. Once i started knitting more and got a cake winder, i fell in love with them as they keep my yarn organized in my hot mess of a project bag.

[@xanthey73]

Omigosh - that gradient handspun yarn ❤❤❤

[@jamiemoshman8510]

Thanks for a lovely video, as always! My favourite time of the week is watching with my Saturday morning coffee while my kids leave me alone. 😊 I love the idea of a stash busting challenge - I LOVE finishing up bits and bobs from my stash. It is so satisfying! I also wanted to suggest a gift-knitting challenge. Spending a little time each day working on a gift knit might help me to be a more generous knitter! Ususally it is just your patterns for me and only me! Anyway, can't wait to see your new hat pattern!

[@Andracrafts]

Your spinning projects are so much fun!

[@melissav721]

I also prefer my yarn as pulling from the outside as opposed to center pull for the exact same reason. The "yarn vomit" is annoying to deal with. Lol! ❤❤

[@susancrosby4363]

I completed a combination drafting spin a few weeks ago using two analogous braids ( one was a gradient, the other had similar colors but was dyed in segments) then did a 3 ply. It turned out beautifully. Rachel Smith of Wool n Spinning did a two part class for an online spinning community that I’m a member of. She had lots of great advice and tips as well as shared links to Kim McKenna’s tutorials for dizzing off hand cards on School of Sweet Georgia. Those videos are free to watch which is quite generous of the SoSG folks.

[@sueaitkin8030]

Your yarn is beautiful! Thanks again.

[@dreareneeknits]

Thank you! 😊

[@kimw5533]

The other idea for Brume is a provisional cast. I think it is easier to pick up neck stitches this way and then knit the collar of choice. I am gifting a lot of yarn to a local yarn shop. She reuses it for classes, too. Also - assisted living homes love yarn. Craft supplies I dropped off at a local high school.

[@Marielm1]

There are knit and crochet patterns for yarn cozys like the sewn ones. I hand wind all of my wool. But it is a good idea for y’all.

[@Craftyaliciajoy]

For the Brune knitter, what if you just cast in for the neck below the funnel neck and then come back and knit the neck portion after? A lot of sweaters that are top down have that construction. Picking up and knitting the collar afterwards.

[@Helen-yl4cw]

A piece of nylon stocking or knee high sock also works as a yarn sleeve. Costs nothing. Lol.

[@daniellejohnson3364]

I might be a failed drop spindle spinner, because I just can’t seem to get the drafting thing correct…. or maybe I need a wheel 😂😂 who knows-but your yarn is so gorgeous!!!

[@akikonakahata4860]

Sometimes I find a swatch made with 12" or 16" circular useful as a yarn cozie!

[@melissatrueblood2520]

I absolutely adore you! Would you please consider in future sweater patterns including a mod for larger arms?

[@juliaabernethy2500]

Analogous colors are adjacent on the color wheel. You were almost there!

[@marjafeller6976]

I have made the Stripes sweater six times. Five of them have no stripes though 😂. It's my absolute go-to.

[@everystitchaprayer6268]

Maybe you're a genius? You're a genius! ❤

[@kaitcasper2439]

33:47 do I spy a sawtooth star-esque pattern coming soon?! Hopefully 🤞🏼

[@nicolebojtos4579]

Analagous - and poopy darn is hilarious!

[@NatalieDellutri]

Good morning! 🩵🧶

[@dreareneeknits]

Good morning! ❤️

[@erikawoods8975]

Im in a very tight budget so I’ve only have bought one of your sox patterns. I have probably knitted it nine times, love it! I’m looking forward to purchasing a cowl pattern soon, but which one?! 😅

[@marilynsullivan4361]

I think poopy darn is an excellent phrase.

[@dreareneeknits]

It just works 😂😂

[@mellyknits]

“Poopy darn” just became my new fav cuss word

[@dreareneeknits]

🤣🤣

[@paulabarrow1559]

We have a senior center in our area and some of the people there are knitters. They accept donations and I have dropped off some of my leftovers there. Perhaps you have an organization in your area that accepts donations--our local library also does this as well.

[@kristenolson7853]

You just fold it in!

[@dreareneeknits]

😂😂

[@lynnedyer3817]

Thought she was saying "poopy yarn"!

[@allnaturalnutknitting4272]

:)

[@Kera.S.]

Do you do a text newsletter by chance? I rarely check my email any more but would like to get your updates. Also is there a contact place on your website or is email better for asking you a question, need some assistance?