I’ll Knit If I Want To: Episode 176

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. Hello, Andrea. I look forward to your weekly podcast. I’m getting ready to knit your short sleeve Nebula sweater in Oh Dang DK. I love how contemporary and fresh your patterns are but I’m a bit senior to be comfortable in a cropped sweater. I would like to make it longer in the front and would like it just a bit longer in the back. How would I calculate decreasing the short rows? Also, since the hem is about 6 inches smaller than the bust, would lengthening the sweater change the overall look and make it tighter around my hips? Any suggestions of how to make it longer or things I should consider before trying to increase the length? Thanks!
Nebula Pattern:
Ravelry: www.ravelry.co...
My Website: www.dreareneek...
2. Hi, Andrea! I am a big fan of your designs and how your patterns are so easy to follow and execute! I have lately become more confident in modifying sweater patterns to MY gauge and preferred fabric density. Is this something that I can also do with shawls? I prefer shawls that are made with lighter weight yarns, however I sometimes find designs that I would love to make but they are created out of worsted weight yarns, like your Nightshift or Hoarfrost shawls, which I love, but the weight of the shawl overwhelms my small frame. Is it possible to easily modify a worsted weight shawl in a lighter weight yarn?
3. Hi Andrea! My friend is having a milestone birthday coming up, and I'd like to surprise her with a hand-knit sweater. I know she likes my Traveler Hoodie so am considering making that but am not sure how best to choose a size (not sure I can sneak measurements from her wardrobe). Do you have recommendations on which of your sweater/top patterns might be the most forgiving in terms of fit? And before you ask, she's not a shawl or hat wearer ;). Thanks so much for any advice you can offer!
Traveler Hoodie Pattern:
Ravelry: www.ravelry.co...
My Website: www.dreareneek...
4. Hi Andrea! I’m kind of starting to hate picking up stitches for sleeves and collars. Despite trying to pick up every 3 out of 4 ladders in stockinette, I feel like I’m always picking up too many or too few and having to pull everything out to do it again. And then the edges are never quite as neat as I’d like them to be. I’ve watched videos, and I think I’m doing it right but it’s just so not fun! Do you have any tips or tricks for picking up stitches to help me enjoy this step of sweater construction a little more? Thanks so much!
5. My mom tried on my Brume and fell in love! So, of course, I have to make her one, but she's teeny tiny. She loves the height of the collar, but requested that it be narrower in diameter. I noticed even the smallest size has the same number of stitches as my collar. My plan is to reduce the number of stitches and then add them back in as soon as the collar is folded. Is that what you would suggest?
Brume Pattern:
Ravelry: www.ravelry.co...
My Website: www.dreareneek...
Today I am wearing Framed
Ravelry: www.ravelry.co...
My Website: www.dreareneek...
Rhinebeck Framed KAL Ravelry Forum: www.ravelry.co...
Rhinebeck Framed KAL Facebook Forum: / 1227489541598223
Instagram Hashtag: #RhinebeckFramedKAL
Instagram: #100daysoflongdraw
Ravelry: www.ravelry.co...
Instagram: #100daysofknitting2024
Ravelry: www.ravelry.co...
DRK Spin It to Knit It KAL
Ravelry KAL Forum: www.ravelry.co...
Instagram Hashtags: #DRKspinittoknitKAL2024 #DRKspinsTHETRAVELER
Ask a question for next week’s Q&A: forms.gle/pKM9...

[@verversa]

Would love to hear how you managed changing color dominance for each square since it changes and you have to go back and forth for each square. Some testers really struggled with that and some decided to not keep up with it. Maybe a video tutorial? Thanks!

[@cynthiaguild61]

Yes to the stitch markers!! They make life much easier. Also, I totally love the Framed sweater. I cannot wait to knit it! It's beautiful.❤

[@valeriehowden471]

Lovely sweater. The quilt motif is one of my favorites. Your story about your mom's watch was so cute. I used a shirt of my husband to size up a sweater for him. Worked very well. I'm knitting a pair of gift socks for a friend who lives far away. I told her i was knitting her socks and needed her measurements. The surprise is in the yarn - our favorite sports team colours.

[@jennifermckenzie2968]

Picking up stitches math: Measurement of pick up edge/ circumference multiplied by # of sts per inch (from your gauge!) = # of sts to pick up. I lay my piece flat to place markers, for example on a neck, 1 marker at left and right side, 1 marker at front and back, then I fold each of those sections and place a marker there. If you're doing a set in sleeve, always start at top shoulder and work your way to under arm, first on the front half then on the back half, because if there are any extra sts then they will be at the underarm, leaving the front and back to look smooth

[@carinacee]

I love your tip for picking up stitches, breaking the task down into bite-size pieces. Game-changer!

[@bonnadowns524]

Love your podcast👌💝🙏

[@zephyraK]

Looking forward to see all the Framed sweaters on Raverly, love the pattern.

[@annettewiggins2220]

Try this to make picking up stitches easier: Let's say the pattern calls for picking up 3 stitches for every 4. Place a locking stitch marker 4 stitches from the needle, and then pick up 3 stitches between the needle and the marker. Then take out the marker and move it 4 stitches further from the needle. Yes, it's slow, but I've found that breaking it down this way really helps me pick up evenly, and I don't have to redo! It's also much easier to see where to pick up stitches when you have a curved edge. I recently had to do this for a v-neck cardigan, picking up 200+ stitches all the way around, and it worked like a charm.

[@krautkopf65]

What a great tip about picking up stitches. Perfect timing since I’ll be doing that tonight. Thank you!

[@barbaraanne2136]

You look GEORGOUS in this outfit. Wow!

[@QueenBaha]

I wanted to say thank you for putting topics discussed on your video so as it pops up in my feed I know what it’s about. I know you have oodles of patrons/subs & maybe it’s because it’s a new pattern & promoting expensive yarn…but this is a very considerate thing to do that you’ve been doing lately and I appreciate it 😊

[@cdknitty7787]

I’m in love with the Framed sweater. Using stitch markers to keep track and it’s so addicting 💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙

[@niknaiman5359]

I love how you describe it as "gathering in online spaces" as if we are still getting together, just in a different way. There is something so comforting about viewing it that way since I don' have any actual knitting groups I get to ever gather with in person.

[@beepbopboop3221]

Ok, this new sweater did not impress me in the email but it's really striking in video. Andrea goes on and on about her favorite details but mine are different. The saddle shoulder is my favorite on that sweater. I need to learn how to make saddle shoulders. I need to finish some things so I won't be doing knit-a-long but it's going on my list. I am working on a drawing sweater and then a traveler.

[@knitsandpurls-143]

Love the bite size chunk idea for picking up stitches!!! I think that will be a game changer for me. Thank you!

[@sarahwadas3395]

Yay, my kit in “rusted rainbow” from Farmer’s Daughter will be here tomorrow! I’m nervous as this will be my first color work pattern! Any tips/ suggestions or videos anyone else found to be super helpful would be awesome. I can’t wait to start!❤ Andrea, I know you are extremely busy, but maybe you could put out a short video knitting up a little swatch of this pattern so people who are inexperienced could see how you do your color work? Just an idea. Thanks again for the inspiration!

[@everystitchaprayer6268]

You are so smart and sneaky! I love it! 🤣

[@phoeberta]

I'll second the advice to go down a needle size for a smaller neck opening - Meaghan suggested that when I asked about a more snug neck for your Gib II sweater for my husband and it worked beautifully. I got gauge with US6 in the texture pattern, used US4 for hem and cuff ribbing but cast on and knit the neck ribbing with a US3.

[@Silchu_]

Love Framed! Can't wait to knit it 🥰

[@krautkopf65]

Love, love your new sweater. So beautiful!

[@kristinahill3708]

Beautiful new sweater!!!

[@karenwhite2601]

Stunning new sweater!

[@ThreeKidsNMe]

Love the watching your videos! I've just cast on Nebula and I'm so excited to see it come together. Non-fiber question-what is your watch face?! I noticed it so much in this video as you were showing the quilt squares and am infatuated. Thank you for letting us pick your brain every week and creating such gorgeous patterns!

[@karenbudnick]

I also hate picking up stitches. I find a crochet hook helps me take the slack out.

[@chloes.cozycorner]

When I pick up stitches for sleeves I use a teeny-tiny needle (we're talking 2.5mm). It makes my pick up so clean and tidy

[@mariloknitting]

Love your Rhinebeck sweater

[@marniebush3977]

I'm right there with the person who asked the question about picking up stitches. I just picked up 200+ stitches for the neck band for the Traveler Shell. I do the math over and over to try and get the sections so I only have to pick up 10-12 stitches per section. It took be an hour to do the math, place all the stitch markers and pick up the stitches but it's way better than needing to rip out. I rewarded myself with a glass of bubbly when I was finished. :)

[@jomeurer9444]

Thank you! Stitch markers are our friends! ❤

[@karenbenton3921]

Your sweater is gorgeous love the colors

[@dreareneeknits]

Thank you so much!

[@sunnyw4148]

Such a delight. Thanks

[@nottheborg836]

I had a few projects I wanted to do after finishing my current pattern but I think I might have to bump the framed jumper up to the top of my list :P

[@debcigna6732]

Love your new design, it looks fun on you , a knitted garment crochet lookalike.

[@Helen-yl4cw]

I have been spinning during Tour de fleece and now want to knit a garment. What suggestions do you have for knittting a garment using hand spun?

[@StudioStacy]

Hi, First let me say I love your videos (even though I'm a very new knitter and don't know exactly what your talking about all of the time 😂) My question for you is I really want to make your travelers hoodie pattern. My question is this - I have only knit purl and plain knit stiches in the round knitting socks. I in fact have only ever knit socks. Do you think this pattern would be too complicated for a newbie and/or would you recommend a very beginner sweater pattern to practice with first? Also wondering if you could recommend a beginner cardigan pattern? Thanks so very much.

[@lotte89green]

Is there a chance you can use „dyed in the wool“ for the Framed pattern?! Maybe with adding a mohair? Would love to hear your thoughts on this.

[@heatherwikene2586]

I have a question I'd like to ask for next week's Q&A but the form says it's not accepting responses any more. I've never asked a question before so maybe you cut it off after a certain number of responses? If that's the case, I"ll try to get mine in next week. THANK YOU for doing this!

[@west_coast_hygge]

Fiddle or fart…… I’m going to steel that 😊 made me giggle

[@joannegenoese7773]

Love you🙏❤️🙏…Thank You❤️

[@nothingbutknit24]

So pretty! Is there a way to drop the neckline a bit? I would love to participate, but the sweaters that sit so close to my neck feel like they strangle me when I sit down. Any ideas would be much appreciated!

[@cathymiller224]

I'm what I call a beginner.. Beginner knitter..lol..I love your patterns..what would be the most easiest pattern of yours that is a beginner friendly pattern?.. Doesn't matter what it is..

[@debcigna6732]

I did get the pattern with the discount thank you

[@the_busy_beaver_brooke]

I've used the im making something for x but don't want to tip them off your a similar size could I measure you? So many times and sometimes it's just more fun for them to know and help with it, pick yarn etc

[@nicolelafontaine1720]

🙏

[@sandiolson2064]

Can we swatch that with do yarn..

[@deirdreschlunegger9867]

When I click on ask a question it says owner is no longer using google forms?

[@darlenerowe6908]

Out of the dish/handwashing water length The 🎉

[@allnaturalnutknitting4272]

:)