I’ll Knit If I Want To: Episode 185

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! I have a question about spinning, specifically plying. Do you think it is necessary for a new spinner to focus mostly on 2 ply yarns when they are just learning to spin? And then move on to 3 ply once they’ve reached a certain proficiency? Personally, I haven’t found that plying 3 singles is too much different than plying 2 singles, but I’m wondering if I’m getting ahead of myself. I would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks!!
2. I have just purchased yarn for Vellichor and reviewed the pattern instructions. I am curious about the striping and carrying the yarn over the rows. Do you carry cc2 over the 22 rows where it is not used or do you break the yarn and weave in the ends? Or is it knitters choice? Do you think one way yields a more polished finish? And related, how do you carry yarn up the rows when not in use such as in this pattern and in Shifty (current WIP)? I know what I’ve done but wondering if there’s a better way… ❤️ love your work
3. I am excited to knit your Hey Sailor pattern but I'm stuck on how to size the pattern to fit my body. My bust is smaller than my waist so, given the way this garment is designed, I'm guessing I should pick the size that best fits my waist - my largest part. That means I'm knitting a size 11, which is fine, but if I do that, I'm worried the bust will be way too big (if I pick the size based on my bust measurement, I'm at about a size 9 or 10). Additionally, even the largest size will not be large enough for my upper arms. Do you have any suggestions for adding 3-4 inches of circumference on the upper arm without it looking strange?
4. Hi Andrea, after admiring your handspun yarns and projects for ages, I’ve finally taken the plunge and started spinning! While my long-term goal is a wheel, for now I’m spinning on a spindle. I’m trying out different fibres, weights, and techniques, and ending up with a lot of tiny skeins (think 20-40 yards). Do you have any suggestions for what to do with them? They’re not consistent or cohesive enough to go together in a large project by themselves, but I want to use my handspun rather than tucking it away. How did you use your first handspun yarns? Thank you!
5 .I love your newest sweater design: hey sailor. Can I make it without the button band? So just a shirt rather than a cardigan top? How would make this adjustment?
Today I am wearing Hey Sailor!
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[@carolinemercer9779]

I looove using handspun yarn for weaving! I pretty much only weave overshot, and I like using any handspun scraps I have to make scrappy samples of my bigger projects (which normally end up being blankets for my cat)

[@brookwillow]

I’m a big fan of the Cotton Sport from Blue Sky Fibers! I’m making a top out of it right now and it’s surprisingly soft for a 100% cotton yarn. Could be another summer yarn for you to try!

[@kparker1176]

Seeing beautiful Fargie at the end made this lovely video 1000x better. Thank you- the sneak peek in beginning wasn’t enough.

[@noelleparris9451]

I made the Brume last month and my goodness, it is such a lovely knit! Mine is cozy, warm and it goes with a lot of things in my wardrobe, so I am super happy with the product (though the process was a delight). I hope a lot of people make it. I will certainly be making at least one (i.e. two or three) more 😊

[@sandramarshall7712]

Lovely sweater. Loved the video. You always have really great information. I don't know if you've done workshops, but I am sure they would go over well. You are such a wealth of knowledge. Thank you for sharing!

[@kimcunningham2107]

LOVE that top on you! GORGEOUS. 🥰💖💕 Love this outdoor vlog🎉👏👏👏

[@thekindles1183]

Love when it's a family affair and those acorns! I was driving once and they did that and I did the same thing. Just started laughing. Was from AZ and so dealing with acorns was a new world, haha! ALL THE BEST, Kimberly

[@kristin.and.the.butterfly]

I’m going to have to check out some of these cotton/wool blend yarns. I’m knitting with a 100% cotton yarn right now, and it is so frustrating and hard to knit with because it doesn’t have any give or bounce. At least it’s soft. I’ve knit with linen once before and it was so rough and hard on my hands.

[@valgill2474]

What a fun I"ll Knit If I Want To episode. You both made me laugh and the episode reminds me of the road trips my husband and I take with our four legged fur baby. 😃Thanks for taking he time to record the episode while on the road. Love the name of the new pattern "Hey Sailor" and the design is beautiful.

[@hollyrussell8191]

You could still knit flat and just not do the button band! Might take some additional modifications to do front and back separately and seam?

[@jomeurer9444]

So much fun! Just plain life and where it takes us!!!! Thanks for the acorns, and construction! ❤

[@santacreekcreations8427]

You guys crack me up....do more road trips!

[@nicolelafontaine1720]

I just love this spontaneous episode, it is so much fun. Thanks !

[@sibleyhoneybee427]

Another great episode! I love the Hey, Sailor pattern. When I first saw it's construction I wondered if it would have made a really cool sleeve to sleeve sweater, but then when you explained the necessity of the button band I knew that wouldn't have worked. Have you ever designed a sleeve to sleeve garment? Also, my real question is if I could make the sleeves and the body of this all-in-one and extend the sleeves to elbow length at the same time because I don't wear anything short sleeved.❤🧶

[@daniellejohnson3364]

Fun to see Pete and Fargo make an appearance 😊 love the new sweater pattern too ❤

[@jilllang3679]

At the end Fargo was like "Don't look at me!!" so cute. I liked this episode. A lot of fun.

[@Purlykitten]

Fun fun fun! Thank you for inspiring so much joy & creativity.

[@valeriehowden471]

Love your Hey Sailor - the red on the Ravelry pics looks like it is on the orange side. Cool reds look better on me. I'll have to try out the Knitting for Olive cotton merino blended yarn. I seem to be one of the few knitters/crocheters not adversely affected by 100% cotton. Took a spindle spinning class last weekend. And bought a beautiful Turkish spindle because they fascinate me. Finished a 30 gram turtle and ready for more!

[@dianaw9829]

What a fun episode! I enjoyed watching/listening while spinning. Looking forward to the next one!

[@paulamcmellon6171]

This was a great episode! Such a beautiful sweater….I wish I had the confidence to attempt to knit one! Hope your photo shoot was successful. ❤❤

[@handmakingapril]

😂 This was so entertaining and I always enjoy when the hubs makes a cameo!

[@lisahamilton3380]

Wow! I admire your dedication. I remember the time you posted late by accident 😂 and I was wondering. Love that your podcast is one thing to be counted on. LOL. Thank you!

[@krautkopf65]

Next week is our local yarn crawl in San Diego. I’m planning on purchasing Knitting for Olive for the Hi Sailor. I’m excited. And as it happens my son is a sailor. 😊

[@bags-by-carol]

OH. Love a Spicy Pete visit and your cute antics together -- definitely more road trips together for the podcast

[@the_busy_beaver_brooke]

Love it! Hi Peter! Nice to meet you hope the rain stopped for your pictures😂

[@sarawutzke1069]

I really like this and the buttons in the back is just so cute!

[@cooniecatcraft]

This was a fun one. (I mean, not that your episodes aren‘t always fun, but this was special. 😅👍🏻) Would be totally here for it, if you would those ones more often. 😉😉😉

[@loribarrett5801]

My dog Hazel was going bonkers every time your dog whimpered or made a noise. She's still running around looking for him!!

[@juliedominicmacuich1710]

This was so fun!

[@susanmcbride1636]

Loved this episode!

[@nottheborg836]

love the makeup today... hey sailor is not my personal style at ALL but the stitch pattern looks so good I might just have to knit it anyway and find someone to gift it to...

[@LeesaRe223]

Love, Love teh Hey Sailor design! :D

[@jamie8510]

Thanks again for a wonderful video! I love watching them on a Sat morning with a mug of coffee and knitting. As a resident of Australia, I am super excited for more summer patterns! But speaking of cozy fall vibes, would you ever consider designing a hat that is a tam/beret style? I find that I am preferring this style to beanies recently, and I haven't seen any in your collection. Maybe I missed something though. Anyway, enjoy your photo shoot!

[@kristinahill3708]

You guys are adorable!!

[@donnarossignol5695]

Great video. For the lady who is said she's new at spinning and gets such small skeins, if she knits socks she could do heels, cuffs or toes with them.

[@genathompson5625]

He is spicy! Love the new sweater!

[@carolinelaplante5857]

I have heard that Pascuali Suave is like knitting with wool although it is 100%. I have not tried it but hope to use it for my next sweater project. I am sensitive to wool and live in a hot, humid climate so I struggle with finding cool, comfortable yarn.

[@everystitchaprayer6268]

Hello Fargo from Fargo, ND! Thanks for another wonderful podcast!

[@robinphyfe5047]

Loved this impromptu episode with Sexy Pete. Funny...my husband's knickname on my phone is "Hot Smokin' Man." It's funny when he calls when I'm with someone I don't know well.......Always illicit a few laughs. Any-hoo....I love this top.....kinda reminds me of a 1950s style top but modernized! and who doesn't love Knitting for Olive yarn!

[@lgassin]

Sweetest video ever! :)

[@moiragarner1253]

Bless Spicy 😊

[@dianaantonacci5288]

Love it! Have you watched Meg Swansen's knitting trip videos? You could totally do it!

[@kimw5533]

Hi Andrea, If you see this, could you please share the name and shade of lipstick you are wearing. Thank you!!

[@Seppsarah]

❤

[@allnaturalnutknitting4272]

Homebody too :)

[@NatalieHilbert]

Please tell Fargo I said hi ❤

[@blackstarninja6785]

Couldn’t you knit the two halves of the shirt flat and maybe do an icord seam up the sides in your edging color?

[@peggydrawspictures]

Every time you say hey sailor my Siri is like "I'm listening..."

[@FriendlyFibers]

I love all of your patterns but this one... lord help me I had to order my yarn kit and I did before it sold out, I didn't even think, I was like I love the red and cream.. doin it!! Now I have to sit here and stalk the tracking number cause it wasn't on Amazon Prime so I literally have to WAIT and I am not good at that. Can you next time partner with Amazon so I can get the yarn next day. Just kidding. I so excited!!!!!!!

[@stacey_knecht]

Hi from the Netherlands! Watching with my dog Zuzu, who has asked me to ask you for Fargo's email address.

[@Katepwe]

Is there a colour that doesn’t look good on you!?😊

[@katlady1019]

How on earth can I know what future me is going to want to wear?! - or knit 🧶 😂😂😂😂😂 I absolutely love your over-packing comment. A fellow over-packer 😊