I'll Knit If I Want To: Episode 53

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!
In this week’s episode we cover:
1. I am so amazed by all your thoughtfully designed and beautiful patterns. I have a question about your design process. How do your ideas begin? What is your design process? Do you start with a fabric you like, a yarn you like, a shape? How do you work through the project and how are you able to accomplish so many projects?!?!
Barbara Walker Stitch Dictionaries: www.schoolhousepress.com/the-...
2. Yet another gauge question. 🙄 I’m an English style knitter and I always seem to have to go up two needle sizes or so to make gauge. However I feel that in doing so my stitches look looser than the fabric looks in the pattern photos or just feels like a looser fabric in general. If I’m making gauge… is this the same stitched fabric the designer intended? I’m trying to word this question as best I can and I’ve tried endlessly to find the answer online.
3. I have heard you talk about how much you love and recommend interchangeable needles. I was given a set years ago, but hated them because I would find that they would unscrew as I was knitting and then all of the sudden come apart, which was frustrating. I tried using the key included to tighten them as much as possible, but it would still happen. So, I've gone back to fixed circulars and find myself constantly searching for the exact needle I need. Do you have any advice or should I perhaps try a different brand of interchangeable needles? Thanks for your help!
4. LOVE your video series! I'm a fairly new knitter and have attempted a couple sweater patterns...with moderate success. I see your patterns use wrap & turn rather than German short rows. Is there a reason? When attempting to learn various short row construction types, I found German to be the easiest. What's your opinion on short rows and reasons for using one type versus another? Many thanks for your endless quality information!!
www.craftsy.com/class/short-r...
5. Newsletter - I have been signed up for your newsletter almost forever and suddenly it stopped coming. Do I just re-enter my details on the website or is there something else I should do? And while I have your attention, I hope you could answer a couple of knitting questions for me. I live in a sub-tropical climate in Australia so heavy knitwear is never really needed and I used to get by with light sweaters and shawls most of the time. However I am now finding the cooler months here are getting to me more each year (chronically ill - yadda yadda! I know you will understand) so I have decided I want to learn brioche knitting to keep me warmer. Question 1 - Will it?! Is brioche fabric much thicker than a garment made with ordinary stocking stitch for example? Question 2 - Can any weight of yarn be used? I love your podcast every week, have seen them all and even after 55 years as a knitter, I still learn so much from you. You are indeed a guru of knitting, Andrea!
6. How do you get out of a knitting slump/sleeve island? I have a few unfinished projects that I've completely lost interest in but I feel guilty about having them lie around. How can I work up the motivation to pick them up again?
DRK March to May Shawl KAL Ravelry Forum: www.ravelry.com/discuss/drear...
DRK March to May Sweater KAL Ravelry Forum: www.ravelry.com/discuss/drear...
Join on Instagram with the hashtag #DRKmarch2mayKAL22
I am wearing the Spark Cardigan:
www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...
www.dreareneeknits.com/shop/s...
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

[@jennaflr]

"Sometimes I have an opinion and sometimes I have no clue." You are so dang relatable! Watching your weekly videos feels like catching up with a friend.

[@bags-by-carol]

Best comment ever - definitely tshirt worthy messaging.

[@sparrowhill6373]

When my daughter was in elementary school an english teacher told her, "don't be afraid to abandon a book" I often think about that when I knit. The idea being that you don't cultivate a love of reading by making it a chore and I think that applies to knitting. So, I've learned to be okay with frogging, its not a failure just a rerouting. Don't be afraid to abandon your knits! 🙂❤️

[@jennhanley294]

I LOVE your little humming / singing / melody interludes between ideas and thoughts or when you are looking for something. So happy. Thanks for all the awesome tips and bringing a little extra joy into my evening!

[@5millionfireflies]

Love that you’re wearing your Spark cardigan. I started mine (in the KAL!) when I had a newborn at home and of course haven’t finished it. Now I’m racing to get it done before baby #2 arrives and I’m on track to do just that! I think I can cast off today, and just want to order a decorative ribbon for my steek stitches. 💪😍

[@Kpup]

I need to knit that spark cardigan you're wearing. I'm SO OBSESSED with it. It's gorgeous!

[@elizabethpack7523]

For the person who asked the last question about getting out of a slump/sleeve island: one tool that I find useful is to reserve the last week of the month for making progress on projects that I definitely want, but that also seem to take 95 eternities! I agree with Andrea that the second sleeve goes faster. It can be helpful to calculate out how many inches you need for a sleeve, and how many rows that would be, and then give yourself a challenge to finish 1" of sleeve a day. Generally, you are decreasing on the sleeve, so it does tend to start to go faster. I also use short-circumference needles for sleeves - going as far as leaving sleeve stitches on cables when I separate the body and sleeves, so that when I am finished with the body, all I have to do is attach the tips, and I'm ready to knit. It prevents a LOT of sleeve procrastination! I hope these tips help! Good luck!

[@helenking4838]

Oh my goodness. I am watching your video while knitting a pattern with cables (first time) using interchangeable needles. I thought I should check the connection after you talked about it and one of my needles was almost completely unscrewed! So thank you for saving me from a very frustrating situation. I love your videos and learn so much from them. Thanks for sharing so much information in such an entertaining way.

[@barbaraanne2136]

Your drinking coffee as you talk includes us in one of your relaxed moments. Really pleasant.

[@wandaswinton6223]

Love your videos! I get something out of them everytime...plus it feels like I'm having coffee with a friend. Have a great weekend!

[@SueAlthouse]

When you suggested using leftover yarn to knit swatches from a stitch dictionary, that was a Light Bulb Moment for me! I faithfully keep my yarn from a finished object, but scrappy projects don't appeal to me and my leftovers don't tend to easily combine. I love stitch dictionaries and own several, but was never quite sure what to actually DO with them. I'm excited to start swatching...who knows where it might lead? Love your podcast, you have such a generous, positive spirit that always brightens my day. Thank you for taking the time to do this weekly!

[@carolhill1066]

Seriously great tip about the rubber band to tighten your interchangeable needles!

[@matthewflorentz9160]

Beautiful sweater and you look stunning in it! Eye candy😉👍

[@oldsnowbunny]

I have a great suggestion for tightening your interchangeable needles. When you visit the doctor or nurse, they usually want some blood work. That tubing they use around your arm is always thrown away after your visit. Just ask them for it and they usually happily comply. I will cut one up into different widths depending on the needles circumference. If I have a very tight lid on something, I will use a whole one of those around the lid, grab another whole one around the container. Using a twisting opposite direction motion, you will open up whatever it is pretty easily. Even though my hands are weak, this works 99.9% of the time. I even have trouble opening water bottles, and just putting one of those around the lid of a water bottle is perfect for me to be able to open the water bottle by myself, which I wouldn’t otherwise be able to do. I just wanted to share this idea real quick as something that is usually discarded and you could reuse at home. Happy knitting.

[@ihi098]

One important thing to bear in mind when swapping any other short row technique with German short rows is that you need to knit one extra stitch before turning. The double stitch that is created after the turn is the one that is in the position of the stitch that is knitted together with the wrap / yarn over / held yarn (in the wrap and turn / yarn over short row / Japanese sr) on the next pass. Regarding the notion of woollen spun yarn keeping you warmer: arguably in warmer climes it also keeps you cooler. The trapped air acts as an insulator and insulation works both ways. It keeps you warmer when it's cold and cooler when it's warm. However I find wool has its limits in extreme heat. For anything from fingering weight or heavier I wouldn't recommend wearing any woollen garments in temperatures of 30ºC plus. The exception are industrial woollen fine knits, which I find work in any weather. I've used a fingering tussah silk before that behaves and looks a bit like wool. I'd try that for extremely hot weather. Linen and silk mixes work well too. Obviously only wool truly behaves like wool. And I agree with you Andrea that using a lace weight for the CC in brioche paired with a fingering makes a really nice fabric.

[@liza5532]

Love the idea of using hand spun for a pattern. Sometimes spinners are hesitant to use precious handspun or don’t know how commercial yarns are really done such as variegated vs long color changes and how many plies etc. I think it would be great to give that handspun substitution details such as spinning or plying or color manipulation details in your project notes.

[@sarawutzke1069]

I can’t even finish the rest before commenting on that happy shawl on the floor!

[@dreareneeknits]

Hehehe I thought of you when I finished it!! It's a fun one!

[@freckledcrafts86]

I absolutely love Barbara Walker's dictionaries too. They're so inspiring

[@fiddlestitch89]

I'm with you about sleeve island! Usually, for me, it's a great change of pace after knitting the body and it's really satisfying to see how quickly you can make progress.

[@thekindles1183]

I really loved you talking about frogging, and knitting mojo. Sometimes it's hard to know what but I do love hearing how you decide. All the best, Kimberly

[@janloughran1503]

Love this little ray of light on a Friday 😊

[@dianachristie5700]

Slow pattern release is good! That way I don't get overwhelmed with ideas..lol. appreciate your talents so much!

[@CassieDA17]

FYI- the big broccoli rubber bands are also great for opening jars that are tough to open! I love German short rows. It’s easy to swap out from wrap and turns I agree with you on sleeves. I never feel like I’m on sleeve island, it’s body island for me !

[@dianemuska919]

Thanks Andrea for always answering the questions and providing so many great tips. Love the ones for best practices to tighten the interchangeables. Always have that fear they'll loosen!

[@sharonweitendorf1712]

Another wonderful video, I so look forward to them, keep them coming 💜💜💜

[@jeannine7362]

Can't wait for the new shawl pattern. What yarn weight is used? I need to start spinning now! I love all the spinning content. Keep it coming.

[@miekevanreet2544]

Thanks for the tip!! great weekend girl

[@denisewessman1079]

Thank you for sharing this wonderful information about interchangeable needles. Where has this been!!!! After much difficulty with these, I figured it out!!! Who would think that the produce rubber bands are so useful. I keep one in each knitting bag! I so enjoy listening to your podcasts. Keep designing!!!

[@traci3007]

Spicy water! When my eldest daughter (I have 4) was just about 2 years old, she asked for a sip of my sparkling water. She had never had any before so neither of us knew what to expect. I bent down to her and held the glass for her. She eagerly put her lips to my glass, took a big swig, and then proceeded to spit it right back into my face because she was so shocked by the bubbles. From that point on, she called it "spicy water".

[@shannonoliver5414]

Thank you for all the great tips. 😊

[@MsKarenMR]

Happy Knitting!!!💖🌻🤗

[@debracooney391]

I love the spark cardi! I think it’s next on my list!!

[@lovemesomeslippers]

I’ve found that I don’t like knitting colors I don’t enjoy. My mom and daughter like blues and greens and I don’t. I just get sick of looking at it. I push through because the item is for someone else but knitting for myself is more joyful.

[@chrissy24-7]

Yep I use whatever pin I have nearly that fits in the little hole on my lovely Knit Picks Caspian wood needles. Adore them ❣️

[@vilayphonechoulamany8349]

This shawl collar suits you very much.

[@knittingsinmyDNA]

Love this sweater!

[@dianevcalhoun6848]

That sweater is absolutely gorgeous on you! You made me laugh when you spoke to inanimate objects (needles, I think) because that is exactly what I do... Thanks for the podcast. I love it.

[@aleciawilliamson7225]

I love that you were wearing your Spark Cardi today. I'm working on mine right now! 💙💚

[@Maya-ii6im]

Thank you very much , I wish you all the best

[@sunnyw4148]

Love watching your podcast. I learn things I did not know I needed to know. I tend to use German short rows almost exclusively as I like the results the best. When I finish the sweater I am working on now, I will be knitting one of your sweaters. No I can't decide which one first.

[@blombvi]

Carol Fellers’ Craftsy class is awesome. I have been referencing it for a few years and it helps tremendously. It gave an understanding of short rows, not just how to.

[@revivedyarns]

I agree about interchangeable needles! They are the best tool and I've only ever had one come untwisted when I didn't bother tightening it with the key.

[@oliviagustafson387]

My kids call it spicy water too!! Also flavored water in general is spicy water 💕 love it!

[@joanmachado9063]

Great video thank you 😊

[@siobhancrowe9832]

Just a quick note on needles. Everyone has a favorite, right? I would love you to look at DyakCraft Knitting Needles. They have both metal and wooden-which are works of art. They are made in Chester Vermont and the joins are flawless.

[@gailkorhonen8553]

Love watching your Friday chats! Always so interesting! Chiagoo are my go-to needles also. I do have to try the rubber band trick for interchangeable needles. I usually don’t have an issue but every now and then something happens.

[@soulfulcrane]

😐😂😂😂😂 gaaa you open up my mind about the rubber that came along with needles! I knit from 2008 and I’ve never understood for what they was intended to be used for 😅😅😅😅 Thank Andrea, now I know that 💖💖💖 I love your cardigan and your brioche is really cool.

[@nicolanoller9264]

If I’m on sleeve island, or similar, I set myself the discipline of completing two rounds/rows a day (even if you’ve got other projects on the go). No more than that! It only takes a few minutes and you feel you’ve achieved something when you’ve done the day’s quota. This keeps the project live and, sometimes … you throw a few more rounds in ‘while you’re at it’. 😉

[@olgalopez54]

I really wanted to frog Hitofude. It was my first time knitting with a round needle. I knitted some and when I saw it the next morning, I thought it had grown a few inches. So I kinda figured out how many days it would take if I did two inches a day. It was going to be a good twenty odd days. So I decided to persevere. Wallah! It's now done and I'm enjoying it. I got 360 likes on a Facebook page. I would love to knit another one. But I have to try Shift first. I'm at trying to decide which yarn to use. Seeing that I live in Holland I will not have access to the yarn used for the pattern. And I want to choose wisely. Thanks for your great tips today.

[@saraeclipse]

Thanks for the tip on locking the interchangeable needles! I use the key alone but my needles still unscrew as I knit. I am going to grab a rubber band to tighten all mine with projects on them now.

[@aprilg3193]

I also use rubber bands to put around my needle instead of stoppers when I put my work away!

[@WitchyKnitterMom]

You motivated me to get back into spinning. Thank you so much 😊 I just placed an order with HipStrings for the first time and it’s the first time I’ve ordered roving in years.

[@dreareneeknits]

I'm so glad!

[@chantald9661]

For those of you who have wood needles, my tip would be to be careful when you twist/untwist in order to not break your needle (most likely to occur with regular needles (not the shorties) with small diameter) . Put your fingers as close as possible to the metal on the needle when screwing/unscrewing. (Ask me how I know 😜)

[@rebeccaknudsen6190]

Your suggestion about keeping track of where you are in the pattern by using a clover click counter saved me. I really was ready to quit trying more difficult patterns on cables because I'd loose my place. I tried writing down or magnets on a board. ALL FAILS! Thanks so much for all the knitting inspiration. You make my life better from anything from knitting disscusion to health issues. You're the best!

[@barbmckinlay3400]

Be careful not to drop the clicker. Mine jumps ahead a number or two.

[@rebeccaknudsen6190]

@@barbmckinlay3400 mine row counter has a locking slide that stops any movement even in my knitting bag. It's from clover.

[@julierines1100]

I wrap a hair elastic around the red clover clickers that don't lock. It fits right into the space and keeps the clicker from jumping ahead

[@charrissereynolds1509]

Ahhh, ha ha...my son calls it spicy too....we call it buzz water at our house! That's so funny!

[@peggymowry2548]

Hairpins work very well for Japanese short rows!

[@celestegarcia486]

A couple of podcasts ago you were asking about what cookbooks we like to use. I am back home and remembered. One of my favorite cookbooks is "Vij's at Home" by Meeru Dhalwala and Vikram Vij. It is wonderful cuisine from India. Every recipe I have made turned out great. Don't know if you like this type of cuisine? If you do it, is a good cookbook to have. Thanks for all your podcasts!

[@ludouglas1]

Love the answers to the question about the spark that gets you started designing and then some parts of the process. I'm always amazed at how you became a designer and learned how to grade patterns. yes, it's math but there's so much more to it. yay to you. I've noticed in this podcast that you aren't looking at the camera but at the screen it seems. I may be wrong but it's disconnecting because we're in your camera not on your screen so hoping you can check out the video later to see if you are doing that. (I've never noticed you doing this before) The new shawl seems HUUUUUUUUUGE! I wish I didn't live in Australia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it's too hot here for a lot of shawls. Back to my knitting while I watch the rest and thanks so much for taking time to podcast.

[@hawaiirastalady]

I just LOVE the sweater you are wearing. The belt loops you have knitted look fabulous. I haven't seen any others as nice as those. I'm having a really tough time finding any info on knitting belt loops for a cardigan. Do you have a video of your beautiful technique?

[@dreareneeknits]

I don't have a video - but they are basically just wee i-cords!

[@Chaotic_Pixie]

That all yarns don't substitute in equal ways was a hard lesson for me. A lot of my favorite fingering yarns are more equivalent to light fingering. Now I tend to buy an extra skein of yarn so I can do the math and figure out how many sizes up I need to make in order to make something to fit my nieces. This isn't always an easy option and they grow so its okay if an item is on the bigger side. I've been scared to try this for myself because it usually means needed 3-4 extra skeins, not just one LoL but Yarn Sub is a great tool for figuring out if the yarn you want to use is similar to the suggested yarn.

[@lynnfritz5552]

I have a question about your hair. What kind of hair spray do you use? Your hair is set so nice and doesnt look frizzy. Which other hair products do you use?

[@dreareneeknits]

Hi Lynn! I don't use any hairspray but my favorite hair products right now are from Cult & King!

[@cdelaney5047]

Have you tried the swivel cords? Do the interchangeable cords work between knitter’s pride and chai goo?

[@dreareneeknits]

I haven't tried those!

[@texasmom8827]

Hi Andrea, I'm a relatively new knitter (have worked on a couple of sweaters) and many pairs of socks and have loved all of them. Currently working on your Weekender sweater. Cast on went well, front and back ribbing looks great. I am having trouble with inconsistency in the faux seam. Have now frogged back to the ribbing after almost getting to dividing for sleeves. That's how awful it looks :( What am I doing wrong? Should I just straight purl these stitches and then ladder down and create them with a crochet hook? So bummed over this. Would greatly appreciate your feedback.

[@dreareneeknits]

Hi there! I recommend emailing the pattern help address at the end of your pattern so we can better diagnose what the issue might be! Keep in mind as well, that blocking can work wonders! What might not look perfect right now, might totally resolve once that yarn has a chance to bloom. Also remember, we tend to really scrutinize our own work, where as once you are wearing the sweater - no one will ever even notice the things we see ourselves!

[@texasmom8827]

@@dreareneeknits Thank you so much for the response. This new iteration does look much better. A'm now working on the sleeves and can't wait to block.. Have really enjoyed working with the recommended yarn as well. I love that I've learned so many new techniques with this one sweater. Can't wait to try out some of your other patterns!

[@kathypuetz6353]

I have knit several top down sweaters and they always fit. My problem is bottom sweaters never fit I choose the same measurements and I have gauge what is my problem

[@barbaraanne2136]

I noticed your swatches were different sizes but about 8 inches wide by 6 inches. How do you decide how many stitches to cast on? I know there is "a method to your madness"!

[@dreareneeknits]

Usually it is determined by how long of a yarn tail I have - ha! Or, stitch pattern repeats :) But a good rule of thumb for swatches is that bigger is better. At least 6x6 inches!

[@tracitravis8037]

I have one of those projects that just need the sleeves! I tried adding mohair for the first time ever, but I'm afraid I will not wear it when it's finished. I don't want to rip it since I'm almost done, but don't want to have so much put into something that will just go in the closet. 😕

[@sparrowhill6373]

I had a sweater like that and decided I would just finish it with cap sleeves. Two hours of knitting and I could just take it off the needles and call it done. If your sweater is top down that might be an option for you. You can always go back later and add longer sleeves, but at least psychologically the sweater is complete and it frees up your needles 🙂

[@tracitravis8037]

@@sparrowhill6373 Thanks, I'm going to give it some thought this weekend. It would feel freeing to not have it as a wip, but I dread trying to rip out mohair.

[@cdelaney5047]

@@tracitravis8037 I have ripped many mohair pieces. Sometimes scissors are needed to cut where fibers were split- didn’t make a difference when reknit- good luck

[@tracitravis8037]

@@cdelaney5047 Thank you, I tried it on again this weekend and I started to like it again. I'm only a sleeve and a half away from being complete. I'm going to try to finish it.

[@jennlovesyarn]

Love the needle recommendations! I have ChiaoGoo interchangeables and I love them! What are the characteristics of a project that would make you choose wood or stainless?

[@deejcarter2003]

I’m kinda sad you took Spin out of your title 😢

[@sueking6543]

Ditto lol Unless she decides to come out with a spin only version vlog, then we’re totally ok lol

[@jeannine7362]

I love the spinning content. It was nice to see it in the title.

[@sueking6543]

@@jeannine7362 same. I love spinning.