I'll Knit If I Want To: Episode 55

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 making the Weekender... my gauge is spot on but I would like to make the sleeves a little bit wider for my arms how would I make that adjustment?
2. I learn so much from your I'll Knit if I Want to chats and tutorials. I'm hoping you can help me understand the instances when it is ok to mix superwash and non-superwash yarn in knitted garments. Years ago, as a new adventurous knitter, I had a horrible experience with using superwash for the shawl collar and buttonbands on a cardigan where the body was non-superwash. The buttonband and shawl color grew to a floppy mess. Since then, I'm very hesitant to mix superwash with non-superwash yarns. But I'm wondering if it would be ok in a colorwork yoke since it is embedded in the body rather than an edging. Is there a rule of thumb when mixing superwash with non-superwash yarn in projects?
3. Needles - You have talked about your favorite brand of interchangeable needles. Do you have a preference on needle tip length? 4 inch, 5 inch? Does it depend on the project? Thanks!
4. Do you take into account amount of yarn used when designing non-garments? Like if you were designing a shawl and it took just over one skein, would you edit your pattern to use less yarn so that knitters didn’t have to buy two skeins to just barely dip into the second one? Just curious if you’ve noticed that being important to people or not.
5. Hi Andrea! You keep talking about how if you don't like the outcome of a finished project and therefore don't end up wearing it, you should just frog it so you can reuse the yarn. As a fairly new knitter I keep asking myself how to actually go about doing this when I've done the bind off, woven in the ends etc? Do I cut the yarn edge and start frogging, try to find my end so I can unweave it and go from there? This should probably be obvious but I really can't wrap my head around it and is afraid to try in fear of destroying the yarn! Would love if you could explain further! Thanks!
6. Hi Andrea. I admire all your patterns and have made several with many more in the queue. I’m curious to know if you have knit them all yourself or do you get help either completing the project or with the stockinette parts? And I have a specific pattern question. I have worsted weight yarn for the Throwover or Throwback. You actually helped me pick the Spincycle colors at Indie Untangled a few years ago. I fell in love with your new pattern, Metamorphic. Do you think I can play around with gauge and size and use the worsted weight yarn in that? I have an extra skein of Dream State so I believe I have enough. Thank you for answering my questions. I just want to knit everything you knit but I can’t keep up!
7. It looks like you have a new wheel in your latest video! Could you talk about it? I’ve never seen one that looks quite like it!
DRK March to May Shawl KAL Ravelry Forum: www.ravelry.com/discuss/drear...
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[@slkendall85]

We just aren’t going to talk about those super cute overalls??? 😂

[@anjascheidel2120]

….and the t- shirt? Hand sewn?

[@blairdestro]

Thank you for sharing this time with us. I'm learning so much from you, today it was the distinction of superwash. Though I'm an established knitter there are just some things I haven't paid attention to and so appreciate all of the tips, tricks and teaching.

[@beesflowers4359]

Beautiful shawls, I am currently spinning white Icelandic for the Atheda sweater by Jennifer Steingass that I an also currently knitting, so I'm spinning as I knit. This morning in Mississippi is quite cool so I enjoyed having a lap full of Icelandic wool. I have been thinking of getting a Flat iron wheel it seems very versatile. See you next time.

[@TheMetatronGirl]

My “new” wheel is a 125 year old Swedish “Slanty”. She had only one owner before hiding in an attic, and was purchased from the owner’s 75 year old granddaughter. She still needs a little TLC as I’m still deep cleaning and re-oiling, but she is in beautiful shape. I’ll be re-winding bobbins for a while (not necessarily a bad thing, right?) as she only has the one, but I’m spinning on a wheel!!

[@kimcunningham2107]

I just love your color palette. Everything you create is beautiful.💖💕🥰

[@kristin.and.the.butterfly]

I agree with you on the 4 inch tips. I can use them for everything and I actually find them more comfortable to knit with. I think it’s because the width of my hand is about 4 inches, so they feel perfectly sized for me. After working with them, the 5 inch feels almost unwieldy.

[@dianachristie5700]

Beautiful shawls! I were mine over sholders and back coverage. I have a bad neck, so the warmer it is, the better it feels;)

[@rebeccaknudsen6190]

Thanks so much! I love hearing your solutions.❤

[@mcoknits856]

An interesting explanation as to why you prefer 4 inch needles and how it correlates to your overall preference for circular needles. As I learned to knit the Scottish way with a long needle tucked under my arm, I am much more comfortable knitting with straight needles anchored under my arm. Therefore when I knit with circular needles I always feel like I’m going to lose my grip on the needle because it isn’t anchored as a straight needle would be. Therefore I prefer 5 inch needles as they allow me a larger surface to grip the needle even though I have small hands.

[@dreareneeknits]

Thanks for sharing!

[@dianemuska919]

Like Andrea, I have Chiao Goo 4" tips and love them. Thanks for another great podcast!

[@mariebenedde7057]

I am definitely team 5 inch needle tips. I feel they are much more comfortable to hold. Thanks so much for your videos. I enjoy watching them every Friday :)

[@sharonkennedy8612]

The new shawls are beautiful !!! Love the video, learning a lot about spinning and I’m not a spinner but thoroughly enjoy listening.

[@christinaheesakacowden-wut3809]

Andrea, you always have such beautiful outfits on with your knits. I wish you could stand up and show us the "all over Andrea" when you Podcast, lol. A mini fashion show. ;-) Those coveralls/overalls you are wearing today are devine. As far as I can see anyway, lol. The shawls match everything so wonderfully. Just awesome. Blessings from Rose-Cottage, Schurwald Forest, Germany.

[@kellybodie6022]

Love your hand spun shawl. I want to thank-you for giving me the push to start spinning. I am using a stop spindle and am now at the point I can probably knit with my hand spun yarn.

[@auntylinda7640]

Hi Andrea, love your style and personality. Happy April 💖💖💖

[@AnneBeamish]

I love your new shawl...saving it for another time but definitely on my list. So nice to see Tammy's yarn being used, she is my favourite local producer. Spun in Vermont!

[@cmaur811]

Love Tammy’s wool yarn . Shawls are lovely.

[@simonebourque1061]

Wowzers, I love your new wheel!

[@cynthiaschmauder9862]

beautiful shawl purchased Monday! look forward to learning brioche with my spincycle yarn!

[@catherinecunningham7126]

Your shawls are gorgeous, Andrea! AND OMGOSH your hair grows crazy fast!!!!! 🌸

[@donnaduran5022]

I love your shawls the color palette is beautiful. I like the 4inch tips. Have a great day! 🥰🌺🧶

[@lisaanderson135]

Andrea’s DRK favorite colors 😉 I am going to have to make this because shawl! I have way to many skeins of Spincycle which isn’t a bad thing, so to speak. Thank you Andrea for sharing your amazing knowledge that helps, even seasoned knitters like me. Living in Berkshire county in MA, we have chilly weather even in the summer sometimes. Thank you 😊

[@Knittingilove]

So much Fun to watch 😊♥️

[@kareyvough8560]

A great episode ♥️

[@mandyperlaky570]

I'm glad you introduced your new Flat Iron :-) I have had mine for about six months now and bought it for basically the same reason, I love spinning long draw but on my castle style wheel I was worried it was going to start bothering my back if I did a big project. I also spin on it using my desk chair that swivels and I find the combo of drafting across and then being able to swivel back and forth slightly is really helpful. I'm still getting acquainted with my new wheel and am trying it set up different ways, between the options for tension systems and the different whorls there are so many possibilities.

[@jodihorgan4416]

Thank you for hosting the Spin it to knit it (along). It got me back in front of my wheel and I recently joined the Sheepspotter's with the intention of really becoming a better spinner and spinning yarn that I want to knit with. I'm gathering some fiber to start spinning yarn for your Attune shawl and I'm dreaming of how it will come together.

[@cateashton6952]

I'm having a blast using my new Bobbins Up storage bobbins to wind off three very full bobbins of BFL Naked from Portfiber. I've been slowly spinning enough to do my first sweater and am about to do some sample 2- and 3-ply lengths to swatch with. Thanks for sharing the Bobbins Up info in your podcast!

[@sewtania4074]

Very informative tips re frogging, especially not cutting off the ends until you've worn a garment and determined you are fully satisfied. I am a relative beginner to knitting and fit is a big focus for me, as a result I'm always modifying knit patterns. I guesst it is because I sew and have discovered I do not align to the fit model for any pattern or ready to wear garment. I've discovering that knitting in the round makes this easier. Your tip about not sewing in ends helps immensely with the fit of pieced garments. Thank you so much.

[@kat1984]

I prefer 4 inch needle tips because I can get 16 inch circulars and everything else. I also find they fit my hands better than 5 inch tips. I frog projects directly onto my yarn swift then put in the figure 8 ties before I soak/ wash the yarn to get the kinks out. I've always preferred wrapping shawls around my shoulders vs bandana style. I just finished spinning my first dyed 4oz braid of polwarth, I've been spinning on a drop spindle since the beginning of February and am hooked. Plying is definitely a challenge, I seem to lose the twist on one of the plies and I'm not sure why. Spinning wheels are beautiful but take up more space and $$$ than I have available.

[@Guilloub]

When I buy yarn specifically for a project and I find it at my LYS, I often get an extra skein to make sure I don’t run out… and I can return it if I don’t use it. Another good reason to go to my LYS

[@alicefrench5807]

Oh! I held my breath on question 2 as I just finished Junction in a main fabric of non superwash and contrast in superwash. Whew, glad opinion is that I'm likely safe.

[@christinemaulding6840]

Yes, 4" tips!!

[@tracyaa1081]

I am currently spinning one of my sheep’s fleeces. I had the fleece professionally processed into rovings, so I skipped a lot of work on this one. Trying to slowdown my treadling for a squishy woollen spun yarn. So far so good.

[@ACG321]

I agree with you on the 4” tips! Or even shorter at times

[@The_Crafting_Gamer]

I have ust gotten a 200 yar old Swedish wheel and then I got a newer one and I will learn to make myown yarn love your questions vlogs

[@janedroll8820]

Spinning white Gotland on my matchless. Probably will make a 2 ply🧶

[@miekevanreet2544]

Have a great weekend

[@oldsnowbunny]

I have both 4” and 5” interchangeable needles. I prefer the 4” set more. I have smaller hands, and my hands just feel more comfortable with the 4” versus the 5”. I thought I was in the anomaly in this, so I am glad to hear you prefer the 4” as well, especially when it comes to hats.

[@cathybattin3809]

I purchased the Chiaogoo interchangeable needles with 5” tips but found I needed the 4” tips with the 8 “ cord to make 16”. So I ordered a full set of 4” needles and I prefer them.

[@knittwocultivatetwo2368]

I also prefer four inch tips! I do have very small hands though so that could be a piece of it. I love the new wheel! I also have a matchless and think long draw is cumbersome on it. I am dying to ask about your overalls though, were they a sewing project? Great tip on shawls with baby carriers! I got back into weaving initially to make wraps. Great episode!

[@jessicaleonard8992]

Love your videos and beautiful creations! I purchased the 4" tips after seeing you mention them and they are so great. I had some wooden ones that kept getting the joins snagged and these are a 100% improvement. Can I ask where you got your lovely book shelf/skein holder behind you?

[@zan_wild]

Omg we have the same wheel! I 💕 my Flatiron….Her name is Melody (yes, I’m a namer 😂)

[@Brandon_501]

Have you tried knitting with JaggerSpun Green Line yarn? It is spun and dyed in Maine and it is one of my favorite all natural merino sport weight yarns to work with!

[@annettewiggins2220]

For #6, after years of trial and error and wondering why my FOs didn't look anything like the picture, I've developed a healthy respect for the designer's directions, particularly when it comes to yarn weight.usually

[@sunnyw4148]

My espinner 6.0 arrived. Need to spin a lot and then I will have yarn for your patterns. Right now I am spinning some natural Corradale to make a simple shawl. Have you thought about have a year long spinning/knitting kal for those of use who are at a slower pace.

[@cherylcrandall824]

I found a sight of yoga for knitters. Yoga for Knotty Knitters..really focuses on hands, shoulders and upper back

[@knittingnurd]

Thank you so much for explaining sleeve depth, etc! It gave me such a huge "duh" moment that finally made it click for me!!

[@creationsbykarin]

So I am knitting a mitered square shawl and I want to add a stripes edge to the shawl and was wondering if when I pick up the stitches around the shawl how would you do the corners? (So that I don't pull it or make the corners pucker)? Thank you Karin

[@judit7132]

What are you wearing? Is it something that you sewed? If so, I'd like to know the fabric and pattern.

[@KiSaralise]

@andreamowry @dreareneeknits Do you have a video that explains switching gauge in terms of the math and how it is done? Ive tried this many times and it boggles my mind a bit! Haha

[@joleneanderson5497]

Just wondering a easy way to make your different shawls smaller?

[@dreareneeknits]

Depending on the shawl, you could just bind off early :) You can also typically go down a needle size for a tighter tension, as most shawls are knit with a lot of drape, and knitting them at a tighter gauge will just give you more squish!

[@TaylorOwen]

First ;)

[@noradavid8275]

Resilience?

[@cherylcrandall824]

I see a piece of some sort of tool? Behind you in your last two vids.. What is that "thing"

[@robinstevenson5442]

Those tips really look like 5" tips, or you've got really tiny hands. Ha ha. I'm probably mistaken.