I’ll Knit If I Want To: Episode 19

Welcome to I’ll Knit 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!
In this week’s episode we cover:
1. I’m very interested to learn how you organize your daily schedule to make time for all you do. Do you have extra help at home for your household stuff and childcare? I’m struggling daily to make time to knit and hence sleep and do much needed exercise while producing FOs, your input greatly appreciated!!!
2. Pilling! How do you prevent or remove pilling on a finished object? I have a de-pilling comb which works well, but it seems like I can never keep up with the return of the pills! / Does superwash pill more than non superwash and what can I do to get rid of the pilling (I've been using small scissors). / What's your preferred method for de-pilling sweaters? Are there any yarns you have found are less likely to pill? www.gleener.com/
3. How do you adjust pattern if you want to use a different weight yarn. For living in the south!!!
4. Which of your patterns would you suggest for someone who has never knitted a sweater before but wants to try?
5. Do you pre wash your indie yarns before knitting with them.
Bonus question: Do you have any particular tips for brioche?
DRK Adorn Yourself Accessories KAL Forum on Ravelry www.ravelry.com/discuss/drear...
I am wearing the LYS Cardigan:
www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...
www.dreareneeknits.com/shop/lys
With the Peplum Top from Peppermint Magazine:
peppermintmag.com/sewing-scho...
Ask a question for next week’s Q&A: forms.gle/pKM9gF9SixkdQwmS7
(For specific pattern questions that you need an email response to, please email the address listed on the last page of your patten!)
Sign up for the DRK Newsletter: eepurl.com/diPxsr

[@sarahmatthews2737]

I love that you write “the techniques you need to know” to complete this pattern instead of skill level. It’s definitely intimidating when the pattern is written like that!

[@kimcunningham2107]

Your talent amazes me. Thank you for all of your outstanding, creative beauty, you bring to the world. I absolutely love these vlogs. Thank you for putting a smile on my face every Friday. Knitting as I watch you but will never be able to reach the level of your expertise. Probably would need a brain transplant for that to happen. Hahahaha.💙

[@andreawilson2251]

Thank you, Andrea! Always a pleasure to spend some time with you and all your whole-hearted knitting gorgeousness :)

[@kat1984]

Always wash and block hand dyed wool yarn in cold water. I dye my own yarn with acid dyes like dharma and jacquard in my kitchen and warm water actually opens the cuticle on wool and that can lead to major bleeding. Also check the ph of your tap water, alkaline water can also cause yarn to bleed. I had some commercially dyed yarn bleed in cold water, my tap water is an 8 on the ph scale so I add a little citric acid or white vinegar to the water I'm going to use to wash my knits or my yarn.

[@lisalawton2129]

My very first sweater was the "Comfort Fade Cardi". The pattern was written perfectly and I had no issues . I completed it in 8 weeks and faded with 4 different colors following the pattern. I highly recommend if anyone wants this sweater to simply Go For It,, its very LOVELY

[@SomerKnits]

It wasn’t my first sweater but the first pattern I did of yours was the weekender and I would agree it’s a pretty simple construction with a nice outcome so I would recommend it to someone wanting to make a first sweater.

[@helens239]

I really appreciate the “Techniques to Indulge In” section of your patterns, I always look there first, and I wish more designers would do this. Also checking for the word “brioche” so that I can RUN away as fast as I can!🏃‍♀️

[@wandercatalogue]

I love "techniques to indulge in!" I know what I do and don't want to do and hate being blindsided in a pattern by something I didn't see coming :)

[@caitlinmoorebolt3548]

I learn SO MUCH from every one of your episodes!!!!! For first sweater project I started with toddler/childrens sizes before getting brave enough to tackle adult sized sweaters. I find Tincan Knits great for sweater patterns for kids.

[@sandyh1594]

Andrea, thank you again for a great episode! Looking forward to your Rhinebeck sweater pattern release and the events!

[@monicas1419]

I Love this weekly podcast!

[@katecostantino5753]

I can’t wait to see your wardrobe staple patterns!

[@saralennertz8245]

Re: dye bleeding, you can use "color catchers" in the wash basin or washing machine to catch excess dye and they do a great job! There are a few different brands and can often be found at quilt shops; in the laundry supply section at a grocery store, Target, etc.; and, of course, online retailers. I've used them successfully on a few projects to prevent color bleeding.

[@lisethomas8495]

Love all of your sage advice! Thank you so much for keeping up this vlog!

[@AppyDancer]

Colour bleeding? Another reason to swatch. When you wash/block the swatch to check your gauge, you will see if one bleeds into the other. And yes, you should swatch using both colours.

[@rplatts3002]

Definitely the Weekender for me! It was my first dive, my favorite wear and I love the design.

[@katyrozanski3004]

I love this!!! thanks for doing it!!!! I love your patterns too of course! your peplum top ...so cute! im going to start sewing again!

[@colettedill-lerner5620]

the weekender was my first sweater and i used the tutorials to learn how to do the cast on and bind off. everytime i wear it it makes me so happy!

[@carolynstrawn]

I first learned how to do brioche with multi color yarn. I didn’t know that I should use solid color yarn. It was a struggle but I got it.. your talent amazes me. I love your patterns.

[@jennymiles4426]

I struggled 'getting' brioche, even after a class, but it finally took with me during your "What the Fade" Mkal, after I finished that epic shawl I felt as though I had it down. So your tip about slowing down applies here as there were lots of long brioche rows where I got really comfortable with the stitch - so highly recommend! Another of your tips which is spot on but I wish I'd known when I was learning, is not to use highly speckled or variegated yarn - it's really hard to differentiate between the stitches and the yarn overs - much easier with solid contrasting colours. The increases and decreases though..kept challenging me for a long time; finally mastered them making my 'Suriously Holey' Westknits shawl as there are rows where you have to knit three left, and three right leaning decreases consecutively. So brioche is like a lot of things in knitting - the more you do it the better you get.

[@lindarose712]

Andrea, thank you for your update and informative episodes.😀 My first knitted garment was a baby sweater, a free pattern by Lyndon Heflin: Baby Sophisticate. it’s always a good idea to look at comments on Ravelry -if that is accessible for you- it’s a good way to learn from others experiences. My second garment was a child’s sweater pattern called the Seamless Baby Hooded Pullover by Maggie van Buiten. (I enjoy starting with low risk/ lower cost/lower time-commitment projects and working my way up to adult sized garments)

[@letitiabaker6407]

First of all, love your vlog! Thank you for being so generous with your time. I have watched every one of them, you are a

[@knitbyjules]

Watching this episode while sipping my coffee and slowly processing my two-color brioche :D Thanks for that bonus question and brioche tips!

[@erindoss269]

My first “real” sweater was the Throwback and it was a great intro to sweater knitting and colorwork. I love all your patterns - I’ve knit several and have so many more I want to knit!

[@chaniezmd9738]

That sweater is hands-down my favorite, but I'm intimidated by the colorwork. I'm comfortable with sweater construction but I've never tried any colorwork other than stripes. Was it pretty straightforward?

[@cozyjoybunny8892]

I love these question/answer videos. I learn so much from your answers. I've heard that SW yarn pills more and would never have realized it really was more about the fiber's length!

[@judymiller6083]

These Vlogs are fabulous! SUCH great information..thank you!

[@dreareneeknits]

Glad you like them!

[@catherinecunningham7126]

I have not ventured into any knitting but blankets and cowls. I REALLY want to knit one of your sweaters!!!

[@mariajones8912]

I was away for a few days, so only just been able to watch. Thank you as always for such an informative & throughly enjoyable video. I have purchased a number of your patterns, including 'Illuminate' (thank you for the super discount), but yet to knit them. Probably due to the fact that I have never been able to keep a consistent tension, even though I've been knitting for almost 60 yrs. I find that no matter when I pick up a project, my mood or sitting position can greatly effect it. I'm hoping to muster the courage very soon. Xxxx

[@DrowninginYarn]

I love brioche and think you break it down so well! I learned from your tutorials 😊

[@dreareneeknits]

Glad you like them!

[@chloemartin2692]

The Weekender was my second sweater! My first sweater was a massive colorwork undertaking, and should not have been my first sweater. It was a lot. The Weekender would be perfect as a first sweater.

[@irbelligerent]

my first pattern from you was so faded pint size. i figured if i can make a mini sweater then i can make an adult size one as well hehehe

[@jojorey6886]

Pilling: I believe you knit with yarn in the same direction that it was spun. Think of spinning yarn, you’re pulling the fibers toward you with your right hand (or left), letting them twist and feeding it onto the bobbin. If you slide your fingers along the yarn, away from you, the yarn will fuzz and that’s because yarn has a nap, like corduroy or velvet. So, when you knit you want the yarn fibers to be going the same direction as when it was spun. I believe this will help reduce pilling. Hope this makes sense.

[@annepatterson3527]

My first sweater was your Wool and Honey!

[@kittygrebe2625]

Re: good "beginner" sweaters, the first one I ever did was the so faded. It took me a while, and the flat knit part was the bit I struggled with the most because I didn't understand why it was being done that way until I was past it and had a bit worked in the round. It made perfect sense, but I convinced myself I misunderstood the pattern and that slowed me down a bit. After that, I did the comfort fade cardi. I think that's a really straight forward pattern too, but I'm glad I did the so faded first

[@dreareneeknits]

Thanks for sharing!

[@anitajohannadrost]

👍👍😁🥰thank you!

[@acornknits]

"Don't mix brioche and wine" - I should've taken this advice last night when I decided to enjoy a glass while knitting a brioche beanie. Just one small mistake and I had to rip back...all the way to the ribbed cuff. Lesson learned!

[@cathyjoly7704]

Thank you so much for sharing your wealth of knowledge and your gorgeous creations! I have a question about knitting speed - I knit continental style, but I am pretty slow- it usually takes me a year to knit a sweater! I am amazed that you can produce so much while being a mom and working full-time! Thank you for the helpful tips in this video, and I’m curious if you have recorded a tutorial of your knitting technique? I would love to learn ways to increase my speed!

[@dreareneeknits]

Hi Cathy, thank you! I do not have a video for my knitting style at this time. I don't try to knit for speed, but I think that if you want to speed up you are on the right track with knitting Continental style. The rest, in my experience, is practice!

[@catherinesp6378]

Hi there! I’m really enjoying here Q and A chats! Thank you so much! My questions have to do with spinning. Do you just knot the yarn from 2 spools that have already been spun or do you somehow twist them together? I have quite a bit on my first spool, want to create a second spool, then ply them. I worry I’ll have more on one than the other. My question really has to do with the yarn management to get it all plied together and skeined up. Hope that all makes sense. I’m open to any resources you have found helpful as well. Thanks again!

[@dreareneeknits]

I would ply the two together from the spools you have (I just hold both strands of singles with the leader, or loop them thru the leader if it has a loop), and once you run out on the spool with less, I would wind the remaining singles into a center pull ball so that I could ply together from the strand running from the outside of the ball with the strand running from the center.

[@nadiarogo4511]

So weird hearing that it's such an issue to modify pattern for different yarn weight. I literally never use recommended yarn weight and just take a different size (bigger for thinner yarn, smaller for thicker yarn). On the other hand the only thing I take from the patterns I buy are lace and colorwork charts. I simply free-style the rest, looking at numbers just for approximate estimation lol

[@nadiarogo4511]

first ever project - Arboreal sweater by Jennifer Steingass

[@stephthedreaded]

I vote yes for your husband to join you on an episode! Also - I'm watching back episodes of your podcast and heard you mention a November sock KAL. Is that happening this year?

[@makerfuel8225]

Can you show all of your Rhinebeck sweaters?

[@suzannegates3651]

Hi, love seeing your podcast. You said you work full time, is that full time designing or a different day job?

[@KristyBryson]

I love your vlog! But my question isn’t knitting related: but may I ask where you got your necklace? I love it and how it works with your outfit. Always looking for graphic jewelry that goes well with solids.

[@dreareneeknits]

It's actually from a shop a few years ago that is no longer open!

[@helenetrempe5189]

Hi Andrea, where did you get that beautiful headband? I love it!

[@dreareneeknits]

From a little shop in Scotland :)

[@knittinginmauritiuspodcast]

Andrea thank you for your all advices and good tips. Today Im coming with a question to you: - I love to use knitting books and after choosing a stich I like to create my own small projects. In the books most of the time the stitch / lace pattern are indicated for flat knitting. Is they any easy way to adapt flat parent in to knitting in round? Thank you for your help and best regards form Anna from Knitting in Mauritius podcast

[@dreareneeknits]

I would recommend charting it out, as I think then it would be easier to follow! You would probably also enjoy Wendy Bernard's stitch dictionaries as she includes instructions for flat, round, bottom up and top down for all of the stitch patterns!

[@knittinginmauritiuspodcast]

@@dreareneeknits Dear Andrea thank you very much for your time and your advice. Best regards from Mauritius

[@nadialetourneau4490]

Do you sew your headband? That look like the Seamwork free pattern Drew headband.

[@dreareneeknits]

I did not, but I think it would be an easy and fun project!

[@amelialittle6410]

What wearable project bad do you like?

[@christinamills1095]

Check out one of the previous vlogs, Andrea talks about her fave bags and has links in the info section!

[@cherylbaker1396]

When you allude to "teaching" something like brioche....where does this occur? I would love to take a class on how to do two color brioche.

[@dreareneeknits]

I used to travel to teach monthly all around the US, and even to other countries. Currently I only have one class booked this fall and it is sold out. Only time will tell if I get back into regular teaching or not, but if I do - the best way to know about new workshops is by signing up to my newsletter: eepurl.com/diPxsr

[@elizalam7566]

Could you pls recommend a brioche knitting book?

[@dreareneeknits]

I love Knitting Fresh Brioche by Nancy Marchant, and my sister-in-law is publishing a new brioche book this fall! You can find her under Knit Graffiti on Instagram and Ravelry.

[@elizalam7566]

@@dreareneeknits Lesley is your in law! I m knitting her Rebel 2 shawl now :). Looking forward to her book. Tks for the info. I bought your pattern w your birthday discount. It's a pink sweater. Can't wait to start. Happy birthday!