I’ll Knit If I Want To: Episode 65

[@gretabradley7660]

I was at "Norway" camp here in North Dakota with my youngest son. We both did making!! He learned Chainmail by making keychains, necklaces and jewelry as well as kid crafts including painting egg cups and making gnomes or "Nisse". I learned Rosemaling. It was so fun. I also completed a pair of mittens I had been knitting on. Such a rewarding weekend of "camp".

[@maryjomartinek1187]

this morning I am sipping my coffee and spinning with a support spindle in my lap while I watch this video from 4 days ago. it's summertime and I can't keep up. I want to spend all my time outside in the garden - planting, nurturing and just enjoying the wildlife visiting my garden - there just is no time for my spinning wheel. but mornings are for relaxing while sipping my coffee and since I learned to support spindle last year it is perfect for little breaks during the day and the yarn quickly adds up. at night when I watch a little tv before bed I pick up my crochet hook and make a few hexies for a blanket. I am excited that you are thinking about a SAL/KAL the spin sock KAL was just the right size for small portable making that I love.

[@morelsonthetrail6920]

The first pair of your DRK socks. I’m making them for my teenage daughter who has a wears a 10, so happy to get to the heel. These are the first top up socks I’ve made and I want make more.

[@singularlysarah]

I love your longer episodes!!! Please feel free to make those if you have time. Your attitude, speaking style, and voice quality are very relaxing, plus I LOVE learning more from you about knitting ☺️

[@dreareneeknits]

Thank you Sarah!

[@saralennertz8229]

When my son was a toddler, he got some wool fiber from my spinning in his mouth (because fiber gets everywhere...like pet hair) and he said, "sheep in my mouf!" It was hilarious and it is a byword in my family when anyone gets some sort of fuzz in their mouth.

[@lindaelder2898]

Enjoying your podcast. Like your energy and informative talk. I'm currently working on the Embrace Octopus Sweater by Maia Sirnes. I'm knitting it with Sandesgarn Fritidsgarn. It's a fun colorwork knit for my second grandson. Also made some homemade spaghetti pasta and meatballs. Also knitting Ankers Sweater for my neice and Flex linen sweater for me. Lots of WIPs!

[@NuttyKnittySisters]

Thanks for all the great tips! I learn something new every episode. My weekend make is rhubarb ginger jam 😋 I’m also knitting a poncho with lots of color work and spinning some BFL in rust autumnal colors. Happy making!

[@Chaotic_Pixie]

I have the opposite problem of the tall knitter in that I'm very short waisted so I often need to take length out. Something that I've found super beneficial is to measure my gauge swatch BEFORE blocking and make note of that because then I know the difference between blocked and not blocked and I can calculate how long the sweater will be depending on how many inches I knit. I also add whatever finish the hem/cuffs/collar is when I do my gauge swatch because I can also see how that's going to block out and how big it might be.

[@niknaiman5359]

I absolutely love your channel. You have such a sweet, calm spirit and make me feel like I'm chatting with a friend. I have been on a recent kick of knitting infant (almost exclusively 0-3 month) dresses. They work up so quickly and each one just blows me away how cute it is. I know ONE person expecting so I'm not even sure what I'm going to do with all these, but oh well. They're just so fun to make.

[@dreareneeknits]

Aw! How fun! I bet you could also donate some to a local children's hospital if your friend doesn't need them all!

[@SdragonflyS]

I have taken new born knits to my local hospital's nursery wing. The nurses give the items away to whoever needs them, they are allways very thankful. I also knit premie clothing to donate since no one usually plans to have a primie baby, and thus don't often have small clothing to fit their baby.

[@jo-annefalconer6280]

another lovely episode, my making this weekend is lasagna made the pasta by hand. Knitting on la Vie en Rose, 2/3 thru colour work, loving how it looks. Last weekend I sewed a long sleeved merino tunic, a shortsleeved tunic in semi sheer black for a layering. Also shortened a dress and finished a kimono top that was waiting on fringe. All to wear with my hand knits! Very happy with my creations.

[@twistedeweayarnstore1344]

You do such an great job of passing along information. Love learning the new things. I will, hopefully, be making my flower beds pretty for the summer. Love creating a colorful and calm place to be in on my back porch. Keep inspiring those to create, it is vital!!

[@kellyyoung3504]

What a gorgeous dress! I immediately bought the pattern after watching this episode and spent the weekend making up a tee version for myself. Thanks!

[@joycepastore3860]

Thank you for all of the wonderful suggestions! I am close to finishing the body of the Lovely Tee by Kimberly McAlindin. I am relatively new to sweater knitting and I’ve discovered that endless stockinette in fingering weight yarn is a special place in hell! I’m going to try to pay attention to patterns that have more texture in the body to keep me engaged.

[@dreareneeknits]

I definitely love either color or texture to break up the monotony!

[@osmvivify]

I hear you!! I get way too bored if all I have is a sea of stockinette. I just finished the Junction Sweater (by Andrea, natch!) and loved it because of the amazing brioche yoke but also there are dots (lice, some people call it, but that seems like a gross term!) all over the body, so you're always having to pay attention. Highly recommend!

[@dirkjekoenders8695]

What I am doing right now is mending the holes in my yume sweater. I hate to do this but the love for wearing this sweater won above the mending issue. My circular yoke sweaters all get stretched out on the area where body and sleeve meet.

[@dirkjekoenders8695]

By the way, watching your podcast made it just a thing to do instead of the horrible mending 😘

[@StitchandWitch]

If we ever meet in person (which may happen because we shop the same LYS) I will be the freak wanting to see all your tattoos…

[@lisaflood6193]

I'm currently working on a Shift Cowl and loving it! It's been on my list since its release. I purchased my first Spincycle yarn during a sale at The Knitting Loft in Toronto last fall. A friend and I wound our yarn & cast on together, but I struggled. Mentally I wasn't in a great place and even though the yarn and pattern were beautiful, I just wasn't enjoying it. It has been sitting in hibernation for a while but I recently brought it back out and I am loving it!!!! Sometimes I can knit my way out of a low place, but sometimes it just requires taking a break. Thank you for all of your wonderful patterns & the great weekly episodes. You are truly inspirational!

[@dreareneeknits]

Hi Lisa! I totally relate to that! I am so happy you were able to return to it and are enjoying it now!

[@daniellejohnson3364]

Knitting my attune shawl, at the garter edge and already scheming my next cast on! Can’t wait to see the rhinebeck sweater-last year was my first trip/definitely will be heading back there again.

[@independence_yarn_crafts]

Amazing information. Thank you

[@rebeccaknudsen6190]

You could kitchener stitch to add length to a sweater. I have a long torso and if I added length later it would bother me the change of directions of knitting because I'm silly that way. My mom would say a flying horse would never see it. She's probably right!

[@maikes.8649]

I was wondering how old you are. Google told me we were born on the exact same date. How funny! :-) Greetings from Germany!

[@KatoYarnCompany]

I look forward to this every Friday!!!

[@dreareneeknits]

Yay! Thank you Shelly!

[@onesweetlife2469]

As I listen to you, I’m making my Inclinations cowl! Loving it!

[@dreareneeknits]

Yay! I just finished my daughters :) I hope you love yours!

[@patriciamcmullen]

Thanks for a lovely quick video to start my busy Friday! Looking forward to seeing the Rhinebeck pattern.❤️ I just frogged a summer top project and was looking at what sweater to start, but now I may wait to see what you release for the DRK Rhinebeck project. I am currently knitting some socks for my Christmas Box of Socks and a Half Hap Shawl. This week I was sewing the Vetiver Top by French Navy - it’s ready for buttons. Baking this week was gluten free Millionaires Shortbread. Have a great weekend!

[@dreareneeknits]

Sounds lovely (and delicious!)

[@lainieepstein7753]

Your videos and patterns are the best! I just got my first spinning wheel (used). I've had one class and will be taking more. You actually inspired this. Didn't need another rabbit hole but here I am. Just started the Attune shawl, trying to figure out Brioche which is so fun. Love learning new stuff so thanks!

[@victoriapileski3966]

I’m working on the Balvraid Hap, I tried a full Hap previously but was not happy with the multi colors so I am making this out of a single color similar to the example shown on the project page

[@osmvivify]

Always enjoy your videos, Andrea, thanks for all the great info you provide. I just finished the Junction sweater and I'm working on the Stepaside by Jennifer Beale. Loving that knit, too, but so different! She uses mind-boggling construction. With the leftover yarn from the Junction I made a Shiftalong hat, and it turned out really well! I was hoping to get it finished for the spring KAL but it didn't happen. :)

[@susanscully4727]

I'm making a blue hat. Needed to have a hat to go with my red puff jacket for a trip and found the soft baby alpaca in my stash to knit up. Also needed it to be super fast since we leave in 2 days. Yikes.

[@carolineblay7962]

Thanks for your videos. I love them. This week-end I am going to try some pattern making! I have recently started designing but so far I have only published sock patterns, I have an adult size cardigan and a baby jumper and cardigan to grade and write the pattern, I have spent the past couple of months learning, reading, taking classes and watching videos about grading but it still feels like a dauting process! Your videos are so inspiring though! Thank you so much for your time! Have a lovely week-end too :)

[@dreareneeknits]

Grading can definitely be intimidating, but I promise it gets easier with practice!

[@laia8523]

I sew every weekend and my most recent make was the Artist Apron Dress from Gertie's Patreon and I love it and I'd wore it every day if it was nice enough here in San Francisco...The other I am sewing rn is a historic Edwardian skirt that I have decided to shorten a bit so that I can wear it more often. As far as knitting goes, I am working on a Homefront Jumper from Sydney Crabaugh's Patreon.

[@Stumpybear7640]

Re question 1. The knitter could also adjust the length of the sweater by re knitting Basque and whatever length needed and grafting that to the body making an invisible join - if the grafting is even. Just a thought x ps I'm making trouble 😈

[@jennaflr]

I'm knitting my handspun Shifty while I watch this and hoping to sew an Estuary skirt this weekend! I bought black yarn-dyed linen and a patchwork madras fabric to make two - need to decide which one to sew first.

[@dreareneeknits]

Lovely!

[@lisaanderson135]

I have to let you know that every time you release a new pattern, I end up buying it then check my stash. My husband teases me that I am a DRK addict, which is probably not that far from the truth, lol! I have a question that might not be possible to answer. I have started and ended up having to frog my Inclination cowl, and a couple other patterns and a few times due to loosing my place or dropping a stitch or just making a ‘visible’ mistake. Is there a limit on how many times before you loose the integrity of your fiber/yarn? I have purchased many skeins of Dyed in the Wool and Dream State which is to expensive to just scrap. Being a perfectionist can be such a nuisance… especially when I end up ripping back a whole row because I dropped a stitch, created a twisted stitch or numerous other mistakes! Once I get comfortable with a stitch pattern, cast on or bind off I tend to make more than just one. There has to be others out there like me, or at least I hope! I am looking forward to seeing your new release for another Rhinebeck sweater and am planning on attending this year! I missed the past few gatherings due to Covid or other obligations. I should have no excuse for missing it because I live about an hour and a half away.

[@katpraeuner9794]

I'm curious, you don't mention life lines, yet you seem to be well versed in knitting. Is there a reason you don't use them? I never used to, but after frogging my inclination cowl 2 times I put one in, then another, then another. I hate to frog.... I also have them in my stria hat that I have had to frog several times. This happens to me mostly when knitting a new stitch pattern and a new pattern. I too am curious about the timeline for integrity for yarn.

[@sydneyfoodieblog]

Hi Lisa! Do you have any friends who are more experienced knitters? It might be worth learning how to pick up dropped stitches and I'm sure they could help you... (so you don't have to rip back your work so often). I've been knitting for years but still drop stitches and it is a wonderful thing to be able to pick them back again. In answer to your question though, I don't think there's a definite limit to how often you can knit and reknit a piece of yarn, though sometimes it will get a little fluffy. A twisted stitch can be fixed by knitting into the back of the loop when you come to it, or picking it up and remounting it on the needle. Happy knitting :)

[@lisaanderson135]

@@katpraeuner9794 Funny you mention lifelines. Like you, I never really used them because I always felt like a confident knitter. Then all these amazing patterns came out using familiar fabrics stitches used in ways that I wasn’t as familiar. It hurts when I frog a large part of a pattern and the twists of the yarn become loose and less sturdy. Spincycle isn’t cheap! I think I should insure my stash because of the amount I have, or should I say the lack of self control when finding new colors or weights. Knitting is a huge passion of mine, or I don’t think I would be here asking questions or making comments, am I right? It’s so nice to have kindred spirits who understand the love of such a wonderful craft ❤️ Lately I haven’t been asking questions or putting in comments because I have received some ‘unsafe’ replies. Knitting is supposed to be fun

[@lisaanderson135]

@@sydneyfoodieblog Hi Tina! Thank you for your help ❤️ It is wonderful that we have such support for one another! I almost didn’t post the original question because of an incident I had not that long ago. Our community is usually so nice and helpful! I feel privileged to be part of such a hobby! I think even the most experienced knitters have questions and/ or insecurities. Again, thank you 😊

[@katpraeuner9794]

@@sydneyfoodieblog I'm not Lisa but I wanted to comment on this as I am right now trying to pick up stitches from a life line on my stria hat. I dropped a stitch and with the half fishermans rib, it is very very confusing to pick up once it's raveled down.I imagine there are other stitches that are the same. Simple knit and purl stitches are easy to pick up. Even combination knit purl are fairly easy. But I'm lost with the half fishermans rib.....

[@theknitterbeal8603]

I’m making a fair isle vest!

[@maryannefocazio6379]

Andrea, would you show your tattoos? I have one and would love some more. You seem to have placed yours in great spots. That’s what I am in a quandary about❤️

[@danacostello1098]

I’m currently knitting an Inclinations Cowl using Helix DK by Ewetopia and it’s so squishy and snuggly. 💜

[@JennyFleming]

I’m cross-stitching while watching you today! It’s called Pride & Prejudice by Gera.

[@allisonmarieknits]

Love the fabric for your dress! I’ve been in a dressmaking kick lately, my poor knits are just sitting and waiting for me 😂

[@dreareneeknits]

Me too! But I'm also getting very excited dreaming up new knits to wear with my new clothes I've sewn ;)

[@juliefox5137]

I love your channel and everything I learn. This isn’t knitting related, and I can’t seem to find the video, but one of my knitting friends told me you have hashimotos. I have it as well, and have for 34 years. I haven’t really dove into food and what not to eat, besides gluten, and I was wondering what kind of protocol you follow or if you just experimented with not eating certain foods to see how you felt? I’ve been gluten free for 12 years, and just recently found out my medication was making me sick because it has dyes in it that I must be allergic to. Any advice would be wonderful or the link to the video where you talked about your hashimotos journey. Hopefully I wasn’t misinformed lol.

[@dreareneeknits]

Hi Julie! I do have Hashimotos (and Celiac), which I have discussed in a few episodes. Unfortunately, I don't have them catalogued so can't tell you exactly what episodes they were on! I am not in any way a medical expert or doctor but would be happy to share what I am doing to manage my Hashimoto's. From all the research I have done, there is a lot of evidence that all of us with Hashimoto's are better off avoiding gluten, regardless of prior gluten sensitivities or allergies. The correlation between the 2 is very high, and you might see a major reduction in your symptoms from just that. (Which it sounds like you already know and do!) I worked with a Functional Nutrition Dietician and she has been really helpful, so you may want to see if there is one in your area (or a functioning medicine doctor.) Here are some online resources you might find helpful (many of them also have books & cookbooks you can purchase): www.amymyersmd.com/ www.thepaleomom.com/ thyroidpharmacist.com/ thrivingonpaleo.com/ unboundwellness.com/cookbook/ autoimmunewellness.com/recipes/ Cookbook - www.amazon.com/gp/product/0578135213/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0578135213&linkCode=as2&tag=autoipaleo-20 I did AIP (Autoimmune Paleo Protocol) in hopes to put my Hashimotos in remission, and at the very list, let my body heal and learn what foods are making it worse so I can avoid them. From there I eased my way into just Paleo and felt the best I have in years. I had hair regrowth and regulation of my cycle. Since then (and a lot of life events including not having a working kitchen since February), I decided to go to just gluten and dairy free to see how I did on a more lenient nutrition plan. Unfortunately I have had 3 flares and a host of other issues, so I think I will need to go back full Paleo. It is a constant learning journey! Best of luck on your journey! I know some of this can seem overwhelming, but I feel like every little change helps. I also make sure to get outside everyday to go for a walk, sleep as much as I am able, and do what I can to destress. I actually find sleep to be one of the most important things for me to pay attention to!

[@juliefox5137]

@@dreareneeknits thank you so very much for answering! I’ll definitely look into all the links, and functional medicine has been coming up a lot lately too! I so appreciate everything, I need to feel better!

[@alenacarnes6658]

First of all, I love your patterns and that you're a spinner! Will you be doing Tour de Fleece this year?

[@dreareneeknits]

I was just thinking about that! I never have before - I tend to always be in a spinning dry spell until just after Tour de Fleece, but then I get obsessed right as it ends. LOL! I was thinking of maybe starting a spin for a new DRK Spin It to Knit It KAL to give me a push!

[@maryannefocazio6379]

PS. Would you talk about steels some day?❤

[@sophiecote7138]

Hi Andrea, what is yarn substitut at less price for Spincycles Yarns? Thanks

[@wowyummyyy]

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