I’ll Knit If I Want To: Episode 192

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’d love to know your thoughts on frogging super fluffy merino/silk core yarns ( the fiber company suggests heavy dk-bulky weight). I knit a cardigan with the fluffy yarn with 5mm needles and the fabric was ahh-mazing, but after a few wears the fluff of fibers have gone down leaving visible ‘holey’ stitches. I’ve tried re-steam blocking and then fluffing with a sweater brush with no success. I am considering frogging it to reuse the yarn with a smaller needle but am worried I’ll do even more harm to the yarn. Are there special things to consider when frogging these fluffy yarns? How can I keep my fluffy sweaters from deflating? I recently knit a nebula with a fluffy alpaca and do not want it to suffer the same fate! Pleeease and thank you!!
2. i Andrea, thanks for the wonderful weekly Q and A. I've listened since the beginning and it's so fun that you are still going strong. Anyway, a friend of mine, who is a newish knitter, reached out for help: she wanted to knit a baby cardigan as a gift. I thought long and hard about what pattern might work best, and determined that a cardi with raglan shaping might be too tricky (understand and keep track of raglan increases, pick up arm stitches, knit tiny circumference, etc.). So I found Elizabeth Zimmerman's Baby Surprise Jacket, which has 30K+ knits on Rav and thought, bingo! She started in and the pattern is so hard to follow if you're not fairly experienced (it says easy, but it's not--I should have read the comments...). I decided to start knitting with her and I am intuiting lots from experience as I knit it. My question is: what do you recommend as a good starting sweater for a new knitter? Should she have tried an adult size first? Pullover not cardi? I think she is close to throwing in the towel and I feel badly for encouraging her to try this pattern first. I'd love your thoughts on introducing new knitters to sweater knitting. Thanks so much!
Tin Can Knits
3. Please, please pick this question!!! I’m a self taught, new-ish knitter. Every time I gauge swatch I’m always off (usually my gauge is too tight). Even when I increase needle sizes, it seems my gauge never changes. At some point the needles are so big, my gauge finally matches, but the fabric is awful. I must be doing something wrong but have no idea what it is. Do you have any thoughts?
4. Hi andrea, I want to knit a colorwork yolk sweater and I am curious i have seen quite a few knitters go up in needle size to do the colorwork then go back down to the regular needle size.. i am a tight knitter. I have only knitted a colorwork cowl. Any suggestions. I have made a few sweaters i loved your weekender light by the way. Thank you and welcome home to Michigan your coming at a good time of year.
Today I am wearing the Moonwhistle
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[@marniebush3977]

Girl, I can't believe you still think of us (your viewers and fans) in the midst of moving and bronchitis. Please feel better and thank for bringing a little joy to our lives every single week.

[@iriseichenlaub5910]

Cannot recommend the free Tin Can Knits app enough - the beauty of it is that it takes away all the numbers in the pattern that don’t pertain to your selected size! Super helpful for newer knitters and those who are easily distracted. I always recommend their Flax sweater to new knitters! I hope you feel better soon and have a smooth transition westward!

[@paulabarrow1559]

For the person who keeps getting the same gauge no matter what size needle you are using I have a suggestion. Be sure you are not wrapping the yarn around the needle tip rather than around the barrel of the needle. When I first started knitting years ago, this is what I found I was doing. It is the barrel that is determining the size of the size of your stitch and not the tip

[@karahenry3973]

It is so true about beginners and beginner materials. I used to only knit scarves/blankets with these materials. Then i wanted to try socks-I had to buy good yarn and needles. The practice of knitting was so much more enjoyable even though it was more difficult.

[@pintamino87]

Tin can knits classic cardigan in a toddler size was one of my first knits! Highly recommend and it's also on their app so they take you through step by step. And I think it was one of the free ones!

[@thelittlestlibrarian]

I'm so impressed by your dedication to do a video while sick AND moving! Please take care of yourself!

[@Reuben-ny3]

My first cardigan after I learned to knit was a fairly standard top down raglan cardigan. I knit the smallest size possible and used bamboo pop yarn. I believe what helped me be ready for it was I knit a couple beanie's in the round. This seemed to really help get in the groove of working with short needles, and once in the crown decreases it helped me work in an even smaller circumference using magic loop. The second cardigan went better, though the sleeves I believe I worked using addi flex tips instead of magic loop just to try something new. But wow, that first cardigan, I was so mad at it. It turned into an old WWF grudge match. But my goodness, it's so very pretty now being worn by a sentimental teddy bear. I hope you feel better soon, I really enjoy your podcasts. Thank you.

[@WildWood_13]

Thank you for this video despite being sick! Hoping for a speedy recovery for you. And good luck on your move!! Yes! Tin Can Knits is fantastic! There is the Barley hat, and the sweater you're thinking of that matches is Flax. One extra nice part about that is they've done patterns for it for multiple yarn weights as well! I did the Flax DK as my first knit sweater and it's great!

[@peggiesmith1512]

Feel better soon. Enjoy your last moments in Maine. I'm originally from Wisconsin - so I get the pull for those great lakes states! I hope the trees are still in their fall foliage to greet you as you arrive!!

[@littlearrowfibers2615]

Hello Andrea, thank you for this video. It's always a pleasure to sit and knit while watching your podcast. I wish you get well soon and that the move won't be too taxing on your health. Take care 🙂

[@lgassin]

Dang....moving and sick? It's ok to take a break! Thank you for your commitment to the podcast. I hope your move is trouble-free and you feel better!

[@everystitchaprayer6268]

Oh my goodness, Andrea! You have bronchitis and you STILL gave us our Friday video? You sweet woman! Thank you! And please take care of yourself. You are one of the best humans out there and we so appreciate all you do. Can't wait to see the new location!

[@sueaitkin8030]

Andres, thank you so very much as always lovely to watch you. Good luck on your move, what a job! Going back home will be nice for you all. Take care of yourself!

[@carolestes8373]

Hope you feel better soon! Safe travels. Thank you for all your help and advice.

[@paulamcmellon6171]

Thank you for filming when you aren’t feeling well. Wishing you safe travels and the best of luck in your new home. ❤❤❤

[@E.S.-uo2hk]

Dear Andrea! It is always a joy to see you and to hear your very helpful tips and answers to the questions. I wish you a speedy recovery and very sunny and joyful days ahead!

[@Dmjones0701]

The beginning of your episode, as you were getting set up, had a Mr. Rogers intro vibe - felt familiar : ) feel better soon and good luck with your move. Excited to welcome you home to Michigan!

[@happycrabknits9109]

So sad to see how empty your room is but super excited for you and creating a new chapter. Can’t wait to see your new setup and most of allllll GET WELL SOON

[@m.kategallagher1637]

I 100% agree with Andrea's point about using quality materials (if you can). If you are going to take the time to knit a sweater - even if it's your first and so might not be super neat at the end - don't you want to make sure it'll be something you want to wear next to your skin? My first sweater (a raglan) is a bit wonky, but it was nice to knit with that yarn and it is nice and cozy to wear.

[@Melmaz32]

Safe journeys! Wishing you a smooth and peaceful move.

[@lotte89green]

I actually knitted your shifty sweater as my first ever sweater years ago!!!! Soooo in love with this design!!

[@tessa5]

The Tin Can Knits Flax sweater was the first sweater I knitted. I didn't have a helpful knitting friend, so if can do it, your friend can too! Good luck with the move, Andrea, and get well soon!

[@24567423ify]

My first garment was a baby sweater. I chose the HoneyBear Hoodie because there was step by step tutorials from Very Pink Knits.

[@nikkionewithnature]

Sending wind in your sails. Take care of yourself. Happy new beginnings and thank you for this video which always brings a ray of sunshine to my Fridays.

[@barbhelpin2775]

I live near Kelbourne Woolens. I've been to the store and asked several times about their swatch guage ruler. Unfortunately, they no longer make it and have no plans to restore it. Bummer, I wanted one and I'm sure your followers now want one too! Good luck with the move...feel better!

[@CelesteKnits]

My two cents for what it’s worth on beginner sweaters. I think the problem with Baby Surprise is that it’s a very unusual construction, so the new knitter wasn’t able to get her head around what part of the sweater she was knitting. A more traditional sweater of any kind would be easier. I might go with a drop shoulder so there’s minimal shaping, but I also think round yokes are very intuitive. For what it’s worth, I DO think round yokes are easier for beginners than raglans, and that’s because the increases don’t have to go in a very specific place. As long as you’re adding them spaced out relatively easier, you can’t mess it up.

[@lisahamilton3380]

Thank you for making another great episode in spite of everything. I was thinking that I have become so accustomed to the room you film in (I have never missed an episode 😊) that it will be strange at first to see you somewhere else! Get well, safe travels.

[@valgill2474]

Thanks for this weeks episode Andrea despite being in the middle of a move and having bronchitis. I agree with you, Tin Can Knits have excellent patterns for beginners. I used their Rye Socks pattern when I first learned to knit socks. Their Classic Cardigan can be knit in 3 different yarn weights and sizes from children to adults. Safe travels Andrea.

[@nicolelafontaine1720]

Get better soon ! I wish you a good moving ! My favorite baby sweater for a new born is Newborn Vertebrae by Kelly van Niekerk, it is a very open cardigan great for skin to skin.

[@deborahhuss9579]

Hope your health improves soon! Moving is stressful so hope you have some time for yourself in the near future. I used the Fuss Free Baby Cardigan by Louise Tillbrook for a baby cardigan. Fast and easy for a beginner knitter.

[@MarfaPavlovna]

Socks are a great knit along. I use Lung, Bronchial & Sinus Health by Natural Factors to speed up my recovery! Hope you feel better soon!

[@jmarieldavis2796]

Andrea, sending you healing light and love! 💗

[@andreawadman4763]

thank you for the great help and advice, as always! I hope you recover quickly. And safe travels as you move back to Michigan.

[@tapcat4516]

Feel better!

[@susanslottke8297]

Andrea! I just got or am getting over bronchitis, and I'm coughing along with you. Good luck with the move, and I can't wait to see what your new background is going to be. I live in Wisconsin, and you're coming back to the midwest is a treat, welcome back! Thanks for doing the final countdown, and take care of yourself. Moving is stressful, no matter how welcome the journey. Be well.

[@catb2069]

Thanks for your faithfulness. Get well soon and have a great move ❤️

[@mimarimani]

Hope you feel better soon, bronchitis is SO annoying. Kind of loved the chaos of this video. Really looking forward to see the new space. Best of luck on the move.

[@lanaparker293]

Bless your heart! Feel better soon.

[@allisonreznik9251]

Wishing you a smooth transition to your new house in your home state! Thank you for your commitment to all of us for this last “in Maine” video! So thoughtful. Take good care of you. I did catch a glimpse of a great looking black bag. Can you share who makes it?

[@jeanbeicher2420]

I frogged a brushed suri alpaca sweater. I had to do it in several stages and put it in the freezer multiple times. Once the project warmed up it would snag and tangle so back in the freezer for another 30 minutes before trying again

[@annettewiggins2220]

Good luck with your move! And thanks for the tip about keeping tubular bind-off even and stretchy, from a few weeks ago. I was about to give up on this bind off, as I almost always ended up with strange "lines" of yarn in the set-up rows, and a tight hem. I tried your tip to keep the yarn loose and even when slipping the stitches, so that the tension on the yarn forward or back is consistent with the stitch below. It worked like a charm! My hem is even, straight (no flaring), and has just-enough give.

[@katehickok7313]

Omg you are hilarious and such a treat to listen to. I'm sorry you're not feeling well, hope you get better soon. I def agree with the Tin Can Knits recommendation. They are fabulous and the app is super handy. Good luck with the move!!

[@thecreativeknitrovert]

I just got over a case of bronchitis. Wishing you a speedy recovery and a smooth move back to Michigan. Currently knitting your traveler hoodie pattern and I’m loving it 💕

[@RoRo9559]

Hope you feel better soon. Best wishes for your move. We will miss you in New England.

[@rebeccaknudsen6190]

I think knitting in the round will tighten up your knitting because it's all knitting and no purling. That's my thought, anyway. Thanks for this episode feel better❤❤❤

[@daniellejohnson3364]

Feel better soon and best wishes with the big move!! Can’t wait for the sock challenge, it’s really motivating for a notoriously second sock syndrome sufferer 😂

[@entwinedmar]

Andrea you are so brave! Bronchitis, a house almost empty and without any commodity. I thank you for your commitment and willingness but please rest, take care of yourself and get well! You are in my thoughts & prayers.

[@imaseamistress]

I love the look…cough or no cough. Enjoy the Journey ❤

[@christafischer4042]

Happy moving!! I hope you feel better You are amazing!!!!

[@dianegiannini8968]

looking forward to the fall sock kal. I have the yarn picked out, the bag I am using and a stitch marker. Safe travels.

[@phyllisburke4141]

Feel better. Happy moving😊

[@pegc3706]

Andrea, best of luck in your move. I'm sure your family is excited to have you back in MI. Maine will miss you. I will miss you showing the ME weather. I look forward to seeing your new studio in MI. Travel safe.

[@katibere1966]

Hope you feel better soon!🙏🏻

[@sunnyw4148]

Wow, your moving, sick, and still here for a weekly podcast. Go do what you need for yourself and your family.. Will be watching for the new sock pattern

[@normawoodburn9430]

Good luck with your move and get well soon!!

[@knitsandpurls-143]

On the baby sweater front I have knit patterns from OGE Knitwear Designs (Ravelry) that are very user friendly and adorable. I can't wait to see you in your new home!!

[@gailkorhonen8553]

Hope you feel better soon! Have a safe move.

[@sherriheare8425]

I knitted the Baby Surprise Jacket which is an incredible construction. I could not understand the pattern for the life of me. What worked for me though is that Elizabeth's daughter, Meg Swansen, made a video of this sweater, step by step. I found a used DVD of it online. It was a lifesaver for me and i will need to reuse it when i knit this sweater again. I second Andrea's suggestion for Tin Can Knits. I haven't used their cardi pattern but their app is amazing!

[@carolguinipero6422]

Take care of yourself! Good luck with your move!

[@sarahburke8955]

I'm so sorry you're battling bronchitis on top of the stress of moving! I think Tin Can Knits "Flax" is an excellent beginner pattern, though it's a pullover and not a cardi. I think most beginners can handle a lot more than they think if they are excited about the project, and have good tools (I wish I had known about row counters when I was starting out, truly invaluable).

[@mangelogirl]

Flax by Tincan is fabulous for beginners 😊

[@lindtski]

Thank you so much for taking time out when you are so busy to record for us! Good luck with your packing & move , I hope you feel better really soon ❤❤

[@lifeoutnumbered]

Also I am a loosey goosey knitter so that explains why I like wooden needles to meet gauge lol

[@littlebishesstitches_yarn]

Feel better Andrea and all the best for your move! I must have missed that episode where you mentioned that. Where is the journey taking you guys this time? xo Catherine

[@marujaperezgarcia-estan5249]

@tejereningles has beginner friendly patterns. The “Puntal” has a lot of sizes. Maybe it’s a good option for a new beginner project

[@verylikecheryl]

I wonder if your tight knitter is also knitting only on the very tip of the needle so that the stitches are not being made around the fattest part that is needed to create stitches of the right diameter for that needle? If so, they’ll need to make sure they slide each new stitch down to that fatter part before sliding them off. Knitting only on the tip is something I used to do as a novice and it meant that my gauge was super tight and didn’t change much on bigger needles. Good luck with your move and get well soon, dear Andrea x

[@lifeoutnumbered]

Never have I seen somebody look so pretty with bronchitis. like holy heck

[@kathleenallan321]

Traveling mercies.

[@terinskyweaver]

You do not need to apologise for being human! ❤

[@jeanathey767]

Andrea, do you consider your Oxbow sock pattern a good choice for a first-time sock knitter? Any other of your patterns you'd recommend instead?

[@kk2tog]

EXCITED for socKALong

[@the_busy_beaver_brooke]

The gauge question. Make sure you aren't twisting your stitches! I had some serious gauge issues that sound just like this

[@CindyTRH]

Moving is so hard. I hope you’re feeling better soon!

[@kathleentanti4387]

Get well soon. Rest too if you can in the midst of packing.

[@dianaantonacci5288]

i love the BSJ and Tin Can Knits! i also knit a lot of Lisa Chemery patterns for babies and kids. Maybe check them out. Get Well Soon Andrea

[@DeannaCassiere]

Q2. If a beginning knitter has interest in doing more baby patterns, I love Knitting for Baby by Melanie Falick and Kristin Nicholas.

[@HeatherSB]

Yarn spun with corn silk may be a sticky process...😂

[@Marybeth-r5j]

You don't need makeup. Sorry you are not feeling well!❤

[@meganberkal8572]

Baby surprise is not a great first sweater pattern. I was a very confident knitter when I tried knitting one and only finished about 25% before I threw in the towel. Tin Can Knits are GREAT first sweater patterns.

[@KeriOlson-v2r]

Which state are you moving to?

[@allnaturalnutknitting4272]

:)

[@lesliemartinson69]

oof, would not suggest Baby Surprise Jacket for a beginner. Much too hard to visualize where you are and what’s going on. That’s sort of the fun of it.

[@rosslynnoziska4959]

You know this, but start drinking hot water with lemon and honey in it

[@Katepwe]

OMG…..you need to go lay down! Hope you feel better soon.