Just for the HALIBUT: knitting my fishiest sweater

[@lindapayne9474]

Thanks for showing beginning to end the process with your sweater. Explanation of why you do what you do is very helpful. Your voice is soothing and well modulated making it a pleasure to listen to you. Thanks for sharing!

[@MakerMarkKnits]

What a kind comment! Thank you for taking the time to watch 🙂

[@DonnaBMacK]

This is a great video, beginning to end. If you decide to redo the sleeves, will you show us that process please? I’m a new subscriber. Will be watching past episodes. Thank you for sharing your journey.

[@Piaknits]

Beautiful sweater. I understand traditional provisional cast on. Would you consider a tutorial explaining how to cast on to a barber cord? Thanks

[@vanessalumbra9409]

Something I decided to try to get as much water out before rolling into a towel is placing my sweater into a colander and then pressing out more water. It holds the weight of the sweater without stretching, and then you can really press it good. It's a game changer! You can even place the colander into the sink, fill sink with water and wool wash. Then it's easier to remove, drain, and press. Try it. Your sweater came out amazing. It looks like it fits you very well. It will grow a little more as you wear it.

[@Spinknitty]

I’ve also had success soaking it in a top-loading washer and then using the spin cycle to extract excess water.

[@catofthecastle1681]

Salad spinnners or the drain and spin of your washing machine!

[@susanmarshall3709]

New subscriber here. Mark, thanks so much for the ease of this video. I am going to save this for any new beginner to help assist in the understanding of why we do things the way knitters do! I like that you were smart enough to show before and after photos. Did you take this sleeves back out yet? I usually will wait also to see if I can live with it also. Great show. Keep them coming!

[@Bethene0317]

Great podcast…no chit chat about your socail life, no slurping coffee….just knitting and it is just what I want as an experienced and long time knitter….keep up the good work…I subscribed!

[@tdelphia1]

After 50+ years of throwing my knitting (like Grandma taught me!), I am feeling/wondering if I can learn continental...it seems like it would alleviate some of the hand and finger pain I've been having lately when knitting. I just love the yoke of this sweater Mark and the puckering totally resolved with the blocking. The sleeves don't LOOK too tight. Overall, stunning sweater! And that navy is just waiting to capture some cat hair for a finished look ;-)

[@juliewhiles7390]

those floats are SO neat you could wear that sweater inside out xxx

[@AlisonOlds]

One of the women who works in my local LYS is working on this pattern. I will let her know about this video. By the way yours looks beautiful.

[@shamszakhour6076]

I love your Painted Bricks *and* your Halibut sweaters!

[@mamaggear]

Beautiful sweater ❤ and thank you for showing the process of soaking and blocking. 😊

[@enricaalbaro1490]

In the past handful of years I have been doing a combo of wet AND steam blocking for my colorwork and lace. So the letting your project soak, squeezing most of the water out is the same. The only change is once laid out you break out your iron AND a pressing cloth. Put your iron on it's highest setting and LIGHTLY press (no rubbing or dragging) the iron over everything EXCEPT cables or ribbing. I make 2 slow passes then let it air dry the rest of the way. The steam will really give you maximum bloom on your animal fibers, which can help to hide a number of boo boos. Just remember to never steam ribbing or cables... it will basically kill them and make them look deflated.

[@barbarastadler6699]

What an absolutely stunning sweater! Thanks for taking us through the blocking process. I have never seen those little combs to secure the knitted piece. You are a knitter extraordinaire and I appreciate your willingness to share your expertise.

[@lillian7035]

I really enjoyed this comprehensive video. I especially liked the side-by-side pre/post blocking. Thank you Mark for another great video! 🫶🏽

[@patpotenzo4691]

Thank you for walking us thru the process. Love the sweater.

[@dostopitnow]

Awesome sweater! Thanks for showing the blocking process ❤

[@drjuder551]

One of the most wonderful sweaters. Such fun! Now I need to learn color-work. You have given me a goal. Thank you

[@MrsStevenBrown]

I’m making the halibut Cowl while watching you make the sweater..on row 4 /52! And I’m 3-5 videos of yours deep this evening! Love your calm voice and insights! ❤

[@autisticbucky]

i’m a beginner in knitting and this is so inspirational to me! i can’t wait to learn enough to attempt a project like this, the design is so stunning! thanks so much for sharing! 💛

[@mommatina8295]

I would not have thought putting a color catcher in, great idea.

[@melissazanni4833]

Hi from Tucson! Such a fun and helpful video. I am so excited to make this sweater for myself and husband. Thank you!

[@CindyTRH]

Beautiful work! I love all of Jen Steingass’ designs in stranded color work

[@elderberryacres5938]

Beautiful sweater

[@sylviamaxwell504]

Had to watch...and new sub..my mom would say "Just for the halibut " got a good laugh😂❤🎉 color catcher...what is this new fangled thing😮 hands are what they used to be..love doing the cha cha on top of my clothes😊😂❤ love the guitar music 🎸 🎶 ❤

[@lonestew]

Hi Mark. Knitting have been a passion of mine for the last 60 years since my mother taught me at age 5. We were also taught knitting in schools here in Denmark. I have knitted in most fibers, everything from light cashmere sweaters, Icelandic lopis to linen t-shirts. I wash everything the same way. Eucalan in handwarm water in the sink, leave it to soak for 30 min and then spin it in my washing machine. Even cashmere and plötulopi is fine with 1400 rpm. I only block lacework. Everything is placed to dry over the back of my couch and lightly pulled into the shape I want. I really enjoy your show, also watching you create your creative room. And no, you have not spent too much money on wool 😂

[@alexandrah535]

I’m under the impression that ladder back jacquard usually looks puckery but blocks out, and also that top down yokes have a tendency to pucker because the incs put more strain on the sts than decs do 😊 but just what I’ve heard through the grape vine

[@nixhixx]

Love your bears bedspread!

[@mdlcrochet]

I dont know anything about knitting as i do tunisian crochet on my side. Anyways, love your presentation, love your calm nature of your videos as i watched several of them. You are great and i have to show love to another male fiber artist.

[@PanoramicLove]

Thanks for the details on blocking! I need to see you wearing this on the coast. Such a vibe. Colors look great.

[@ginninadances]

I grew up in Tucson. Good to know your actual knitting speed!

[@GreenParlour0749]

I’m tempted to try knitting again just so I can make this. I’ve crocheted for 21 years but when I tried knitting 8 years ago I didn’t enjoy it as much. Maybe now I can find enjoyment in it. If I do make it I’d love to try an ombré yarn for the contrast and see how well that shows up.

[@Bobbleheadknits]

Your Halibut sweater is just gorgeous! I'm glad you put that color blocker in when you were soaking it. It would have been a tragedy if the color ran into the halibut!

[@karenbochinski]

Mark, thanks for all tips and hints you give. I always learn something new with your channel.

[@JustFluffyQuiltingYarnCrafts]

I've only recently starting knitting again and I hear a lot about blocking the FO to make the yarn bloom if using a natural fibre. Thank you so much for showing your beautiful sweater and sharing the development of the knit through it's completion and blocking. ❤

[@MakerMarkKnits]

Thank you so much for taking the time to watch 🙂

[@orlaghmartin6267]

Thanks for the colour catcher tip

[@MakerMarkKnits]

Absolutely! I've only had one color bleeding experience, but I'll forever use color catchers to avoid another!

[@Denise11Schultz]

That was so helpful to see every step of the blocking, I really enjoyed that. Thank you.

[@bethpartridge6191]

Love the sweater. So beautiful. Thank you for taking us through the whole process.

[@EcoFriendlyFiber]

Great to see a fellow Norwegian-method knitter! 👋

[@nataliecolbert5790]

Love the sweater! It is beautiful.🦋

[@susanfuchs9092]

Beautiful work!😊

[@gabrielecarter5440]

I'm soooooo glad to hear that your knitting on the intro is speeded up! I was feeling mighty intimidated when I thought you actually knit that fast! This was a great video. Thanks. My first colorwork project ever was the Tecumseh sweater by Caitlin Hunter a few years ago. It was a good into to colorwork. I've done quite a bit since then, but still like wearing my first colorwork sweater a lot.

[@ScissortailMom]

It’s gorgeous! The halibut sweater is what made me want to learn knitting!

[@MrsKWheatley]

Thanks for taking us on the journey. I am planning to cast on her Talvinen sweater which is in the same family. I would recommend 2 handed technique for colourwork - it's a game changer!

[@Twilightwitchery]

Well done, it looks great and your floats and so satisfying! I’m planning to knit this pattern for my dad soon so very nice to see an in depth video about it, thank you. I’m currently knitting the Embrace Octopus sweater for my son, which has all over color work with no repeating pattern. So it’s both bonkers and quite fun.

[@therippedquilter43]

My very first big knit and a wearable was a steeked color work cardigan--the Powelton by Meghan Babin. And I had only been knitting for a year! I used Kelbourne Woolens Lucky Tweed. Since then I've become a color work addict 😂

[@MakerMarkKnits]

That's a beautiful pattern! Color work is definitely addicting ☺️

[@BC-ez4iu]

This is fantastic Mark!!! Well done! Looks amazing on you!!! What a great sweater!!!

[@gwenaverehendrix6668]

I think the Rebecca Crow pattern Rhue would look great. It looks to be a fun 2 color-work pattern.

[@thizizliz]

It's terrific! Beautifully done and yeah, your blocking did the trick. I believe wearing it pushed up may very well do the job, so you made a good choice to wait. So far, I've only done colorwork in hats. I did enjoy The Knitty Stew and her joy with this design too. Oh the PUNS! LOL.

[@Anneliesia]

The colorwork is beautiful! I’m still learning, tension is getting better every time. Thnx for another great video 👍🏼

[@r.mcd2921]

Recently finished the Tucson Sweater for my husband. Verrry long floats, which I prefer over ladderback. Still very happy with the way it turned out, and he loves it. But your technique looks just perfect, and it's tempting to try it again.

[@Sylvia_1002]

Thank you for showing the full process of blocking your sweater. I use the same steps. I don't use pins (never bought any), but I do spend time getting the sweater laid out to size. I've only knit a couple colorwork sweaters and I love them. Yours are so nice. Your voice is soothing; easy to listen to.

[@lizreed8081]

I’m a beginner stranded colorwork knitter. I’ve done a couple cowls, mittens, hats, and currently have an Icelandic sweater, the Uppbòt, on the needles. It’s knit with Alafosslopi which is very scratchy. I was a little obsessed with Icelandic yarn and wanted to try the different varieties. I’m also knitting a sweater with Lettlopi (currently on hold atm) and the Aito shawl with Plötulopi-which is so different using unspun yarn, interesting. Your Halibut sweater turned out lovely. I would like to knit it someday 🤔 perhaps! Thanks for taking us through your process of blocking. I appreciate the care and attention to detail you show.

[@wally4539]

Love love love your sweater think I’m going to make it too

[@tmtb80]

Wow. I don't know how to knit. This is an amazing sweater. Love the fish. Well done!

[@sun101rype]

Good Day Mark, this has been great information for soaking & blocking :). Your sweater looks wonderful and I hope to be able to tackle color work one day too. It looks great on you ! from Alberta Canada

[@dgeiger-t7n]

Thanks so much for this! Your videos feel like I've made a new friend 😍

[@mommatina8295]

I like the pattern too.

[@janemarriott3389]

You are such an excellent teacher. Thank you!

[@terrimitchell1701]

really beautiful sweater.

[@Caramel5367]

Well done! Just found your channel and I really like it! Thank you.

[@connieb6161]

Love the halibut. Added to my queue since I’m a Pisces!

[@conkey509]

my boyfriend is roughly a 2/3x and i’ve been thinking about starting a sweater for him. i’ve been struggling to find something that’s a style he will love, something i would love to knit, and also is size inclusive. i recently found your channel and this is a perfect combination of all of those things and i will probably end up making him this sweater

[@RondyaStevenson]

Wow 😮so good. I bought to cowl version and had a lot of struggles with that one. I will have to try it again. Loved seeing the floats and your blocking . Thanks

[@giab1188]

I just found your channel ( yay!) and thought I was seeing things when I saw Squires Castle in the background!!! I live in Chardon Ohio currently, which is east of Cleveland. Wondering, if you live in the Cleveland area, what is your favorite yarn store? What a small world KZbin is ❤️

[@CazkiwiNZ]

Loved watching this while I was crocheting tonight…. I’ve love colour work but I haven’t found the right next project yet so just enjoy watching what other people have made! Thanks for showing the back… I’m one of those people who take heaps of progress photos on my Ravelry, I love background processes!

[@LidijasOriginals]

Love love your halibut sweater. I have this one in my queue as well. I may make mine in a soft pink and white. I love stranded colourwork and one of my favourites is the classic Norwegian Marius sweater ❤

[@mikelafiddle]

Gorgeous work on the Halibut Mark! I love the colors you chose. I've been fawning over Caitlin Hunter's patterns for a long time. I've only done one colorwork project and it was very slow for me, but the results were amazing. I really want to do another one but I haven't bit the bullet yet. I got yarn for the easy-V and the Jupiter crop. But I haven't been brave enough to cast on another colorwork project yet.

[@birgitpscheid6230]

Congratulations to your sweater!!! I did color-work once and didn't get the right tension at all. Never tried again.

[@debbiescarborough7285]

OMG! Love that sweater!😍

[@KimClinger]

Beautiful sweater, and thanks for showing us your blocking method. When stranded knitting how do you handle “color dominance”. And how do you decide what color should be dominant. Caitlin Hunter is one of my favorite designers.

[@magdalacasey2540]

Love it!

[@christenagervais7303]

What a wonderful sweater 😊

[@stephaniewilliams8687]

I never heard of the color catcher. I’m afraid to use hand dyed yarns because of the bleeding potential. I’ll look for them because I love color work and the beautiful colors of hand dyed yarns.

[@jerrypeters4264]

Good looking Sweater Great job

[@walterw9829]

Great video. Blocking works.

[@joycedollar1198]

Thank you. Ive never seen a video showing how to finish work and block. Im getting ready to cast on my halibut im using Berroco vintage dk in bagonia for main body with butter cream contrast. Im doing my swatch right now. I will be trying out that scout yarn on a future project. Great job on your sweater.

[@andyeisenberg3972]

Gorgeous sweater! I love colorwork and am just finishing the Jack Ladder sweater by Jennifer Beale - available on Ravelry. I'm doing mine in navy and white and I just have the cowl to finish,

[@Spinknitty]

Beautiful sweater!

[@CPAJESS1980]

Recently found your channel and I love the close up shots and explaination! I'm working on a Doodle Cowl now as I'm sort of new to color work and it's fun to see the other things I could do with the technique.

[@FloridasYesteryear]

Do you have to re-block your sweater after you wash it?

[@carsonfeddersen9705]

Have you ever done a turtle neck sweater

[@doyouzgot2knw]

Would you be willing to help me with one question for the motif? I just bought it, and one thing is throwing me off a bit. But otherwise I can’t wait to start this!

[@amys3168]

So, when it’s time to clean it, do you block again?

[@MakerMarkKnits]

Typically, I spot clean my sweaters. IF a true wash is needed, then yes, I essentially repeat the same blocking process again. It may sound tedious, but wool is antimicrobial and can handle long stretches between true washes!

[@amys3168]

@@MakerMarkKnits With purchased sweaters I don’t wash every time either, but! I will inevitably spill something and then I’ll need to wash it. But I just do the lay flat to dry type thing. I’ve never made more than a hat or scarf before. (And I crochet, not knit. But I like your content, so I keep watching!) thanks!

[@MakerMarkKnits]

That's so kind of you! Whenever I re-block something, I just let it soak in soapy water, then lay it flat to dry! I really appreciate you watching ☺️

[@carsonfeddersen9705]

Yeah you knit faster than I do I know

[@Stumpybear7640]

Excellent video, xxx Hi Mark, just a thought, but i would be tempted to drop some lice between the fish tails. Much love ❤ ps FI knitting granny x