I’ll Knit If I Want To: Episode 67

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. The Weekender was my first sweater pattern and I love it so much! However I feel like I would love it even more if the boat neck wasn't so wide and I didn't realize this preference until after I did the three needle bind off for my size and tried it on. Is there a way for me to close up some extra stitches after the fact and match the look of the inside-out three needle bind off, or at least a tidy way to seam a few extra stitches on either side of the neck? How would you recommend doing that? Thanks so much.
2. How can I determine what weight my yarn is if I don't have the product's label? Anything Worsted and thinner is always very confusing to me. Thank you! Your tips and advise are always helpful and encouraging.
www.katrinkles.com/shop/mix-a...
3. I learned how to knit when I was a kid, mostly stockinette, garter and my grandma’s caregiver taught me how to knit lace. Now many years later, I am adventuring myself into brioche land, with the Cinnabar shawl. How do you count rows in brioche? (e.g. for the gauge swatch). Thank you!
www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...
4. I love hearing more about your design process, thank you for all you’ve shared! I’m curious what advice you would give a hopeful knitwear designer on how to start out. I have dreams, but no concrete plans, about designing and am curious whether it’s better to jump right in even if it means releasing only a few patterns at first in a super spread out manner, or, prep multiple patterns so they can be regularly released as I continue to work ahead. It sounds like what you currently have on the needles we won’t see for months, how did you settle into your current system without being overwhelmed? Thanks for sharing so much behind the scenes with us!
5. First off, I’m such a huge fan of your videos, I look forward to watching, listening, and learning every week! My question is about a swatching technique I’ve been noticing recently where there are yarn ends at the end of every row of the swatch. I’ve seen photos of these swatches both in one color and with many for colorwork projects. The swatches look like cute little rugs with fringe on the sides. I’m curious about the purposes for this in a swatch. I’ve not knit much intricate colorwork but can understand not being able to carry/catch your yarn if the swatch is knit flat. Are these ends loose? Is this just a “looks cute” thing? Curious if you’ve ever swatched this way and your thoughts on it! Thanks!
www.andrearangel.com/tutorial...
DRK Spin It to Knit It…Along - Weekender Style - Ravelry Forum:
www.ravelry.com/discuss/drear...
Join on Instagram with the hashtags: #DRKspinittoknitKAL and #DRKspinsTHEWEEKENDER
Inclinations Cowl KAL Ravelry Forum: www.ravelry.com/discuss/drear...
Join on Instagram with the hashtag #InclinacowlKAL
I am wearing the Stria Hat:
www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...
www.dreareneeknits.com/shop/s...
With the Helen’s Closet Gilbert Top:
helensclosetpatterns.com/prod...
& Hey June Handmade Greer Jumpsuit:
www.heyjunehandmade.com/produ...
Ask a question for next week’s Q&A: forms.gle/pKM9gF9SixkdQwmS7
Sign up for the DRK Newsletter: eepurl.com/diPxsr

[@Katepwe]

A handy person who works with wood could easily make one of those cutout rulers.

[@keriolson2393]

I am watching a few weeks late, because I was hiking around Alaska! And of course knitting hats along the trail. Yarn is life!! ❤️❤️

[@TrudySchwartzBurrill]

Your outfit is adorable. Thanks as always. Have a lovely safe trip.

[@jeanbeicher2420]

I did a flat laying TNBO (knit the front stitch purl the back with the yarn held between the front and back. You could close up a few more stitches on each side then just add a crochet chain trim over them to mimic the look of the TNBO for that weekender neckline

[@miekevanreet2544]

Have a nice travel, I am on vacantion and knitting The Audrey shawl big hug

[@TaylorOwen]

Thank you for another great episode! Tips for estimating fiber amounts to spin… I can generally knit the average sized sweater in about 3 skeins of yarn, but in the past (when I was still somewhat of a beginner spinner) I needed four whole braids to knit a standard sweater. I think this was because it turned out a little thicker than anticipated and was spun a bit more dense than the typical commercially spun yarn… both of which require more fiber for the same amount of yardage. So my advice is when in doubt, buy an extra braid. 🧡❤️♥️💖♥️❤️🧡

[@dreareneeknits]

Great tip, Taylor! Thanks for sharing!

[@mypinkdragon1500]

Omgosh Andrea your outfit is sooo cute! It reminded me of Andy from Raggedy Ann and Andy hehe

[@jacquelinesalem2776]

"Nurture your Creativity"! Yes, so important. I will try to remember that valuable tip,

[@mariajones8912]

As always another great episode Andrea! I don't spin, but I have plenty of commercially spun yarn in my stash and I think this may be the perfect time for me to knit the Weekender, which was the very first pattern I bought of yours, I love them all. Have a brilliant road trip. xx

[@englishgrams]

I look forward to your videos every Friday! I’m finishing up a pair of socks so it’s the perfect knit/watch ratio

[@sheriahner8199]

Hi there! Super excited that you are having the spin it to knit it KAL and you picked the Weekender!!! Yipee. I am on 3 TdF teams and one of the goals was to spin worsted weight yarn for the Weekender Sweater, so glad we are on the same page woohoo. I'm really excited now about both Tour de Fleece and the KAL. Thanks Andrea!

[@thekindles1183]

I'm so glad we're doing a year for the SAL! I'm knitting the Helen Stewart KAL, but winding my yarn for your recent shawl, with a cup of coffee, haha! All the best! Have so much fun in Michigan!!! - Kimberly

[@knittingnurd]

My friend and I will be spinning along and knitting our weekenders. We are meeting up at my house today to dye our roving. Mine is a BFL in natural and hers is a Polwarth in natural. We have done very minimal dyeing before, so this will be a great experience. We are so excited to be doing this project!!

[@redroofhoney9389]

Fridays are my favourite!

[@katelynrader4592]

Thanks for making these videos, I love watching them! I'm currently making my first stria cardigan with a "precious" yarn🤣 and I'm in love! I'm also super excited about this spinning Kal, as I am currently in the process of learning to spin with high hopes of practicing enough to get somewhat consistent for a sweater!

[@candicedull6706]

I look so forward to your weekly videos!! I’m enjoying working on my first pair of DRK Everyday Socks😁

[@zoedoodle9824]

Love watching your vlog while I knit! Sure wish Kelbourne Woolens still made that gauge key. I too find that the bigger opening makes it hard to keep my eyes focused! My eyes go everywhere and lose track of the count.

[@barbhelpin2775]

Perfect first question as my completed Weekender is sitting here waiting for me to make the boatneck smaller this "weekend." My plan was to mattress stitch a bit on each end of the opening, but I like the suggestion to do it on the wrong side. It's nice to hear that someone else has the same thought about making it smaller, and to hear your helpful suggestions for doing so. I was just going to wing it! Thanks Andrea.

[@deejcarter2003]

I love watching you every Friday 🥰 I’m spinning some gorgeous brown Shetland that I added a pop of tussah and magenta sari silk for tweedy bits of Color. I’m normally not a neutral girl so the Color makes me happy.

[@fjellrosastrikkepodcast]

Me too have had this compitision Knit , that combine Knit a projects along when a sports event Are done. Like Tour DeFrance we knitalong and in the end I draw winners who get their projects done in my date range, Gold,Silver,Bronse like in the sports event 🌞😍 ive arrange this many times a Year when ever its a sport event its so coool. Ive done this also from abt 2005 or 2006. Inspirasjon from eachother to get done in time . Thank you for all your inspiration and all your lovly patterns Andrea ! Love IT, regards from Norway, Gurli Holte🇳🇴🌹

[@laurarounds7544]

I am not a big knitting video watcher but you had mentioned some design how to’s so you piqued my interest. Let me just say - can we be best friends? Check Yes if you want to. Just kidding! But I totally enjoyed your video and will be diving into more in the future. I am from Michigan so wave towards Holland as you come through!

[@reikanemura6313]

This is perfect as I recently made Vellichor. I love boatneck but it keeps slipping off my shoulders. I'll follow your advice and stitch them up :)

[@lylianmae]

Twig & Horn has a 1" and 4" swatch measuring tool. I have the 4" and it is magical!

[@carolbyrne3241]

Love your podcasts look forward to them every week. Will be doing the spin a long and knitting the weekender light, just can’t decide on fluff to use yet ❤️

[@aprilvaughn9725]

Well I just finished my Everyday Socks from that KAL, lol, soooo I may not be the most reliable knit along participant. Currenty knitting a Find Your Fade Shawl! So fun!

[@isabelandmom3103]

Love the Katrinkles tool!

[@revivedyarns]

I'm currently knitting a Throwover sweater in handspun (and I even made the rolags for the spun yarn)! Gauge is a little off but I'm okay with oversized because it is just so wonderful to knit with my handspun and it's so squishy.

[@cathymcavoy7838]

Chia goo makes a great gauge measuring device

[@bigknitenergy]

I’m currently knitting my first ranunculus! I also got my first spinning wheel 5 days ago because I’m so inspired by you and the spincycle ladies. I really want to knit with my own hand spun. But I think I need some lessons cause learning to dial in the tension correctly is hard!

[@annettefranklin158]

So so talented

[@nottheborg836]

I've never done a knitalong before despite knitting pretty regularly for almost a decade... I might have to follow along with this one to see what all the hype's about 👀

[@dreareneeknits]

They are super fun!

[@terramoulton1275]

Is that a new spinning g wheel I spy over your shoulder?

[@violet02091991]

Hey Andrea! I actually started a spin for the Weekender a long while ago, can I use what I've already spun and keep going for the KAL? I imagine this is a yes, but... just checkin'

[@dreareneeknits]

For sure!

[@kj-sf4md]

Question, regarding brioche. I really like the looks of the feel good shawl, btw, thank you for all your incredible patterns. I am an early intermediate knitter, only because of, simple cables & color work. I have never done brioche. It seems intimidating. Would this be a good first brioche attempt project, or are there other recommendation skill building projects before attempting the feel good shawl?

[@dreareneeknits]

Hi there! I had a few first time brioche knitters try out this shawl (including the yarn dyer herself!) and they said it was a great introduction to brioche :) I would recommend practicing on a swatch first to get the hang of things, and you might find lifelines helpful just in case you make any mistakes while knitting!

[@stillarobyn]

I'm knitting the Harlow hat for my very first brioche project - definitely recommend lifelines or confidence in reading your knitting! I levelled up as a knitter when I realized I could drop down, even in brioche, to fix a knit I'd accidentally purled the round before, and again when I had to fix a missed YO.

[@photoaddict555]

Sorry I can’t see the link for the website of your friend that shows different ways to swatch knitting in the round

[@tattercandy]

could the spin be for something other then a sweater

[@shelleyfry]

That swatch has gone… the one that was asked about in ep 66. Does that mean the question asked about it has sparked some further thinking…?

[@shelleyfry]

Oh there it is… video prop at 22:48.