knit + chat | my favorite yarns, most worn projects, I got a cat!

[@valeriesuttonpayne7413]

I loved watching Kika making her wedding dress, too. So beautiful!

[@hollowillow]

Kika's wedding dress video was definitely inspirational, it inspired me to crochet my own ♥️ The top is done, about halfway with the skirt now and still just under 3 months to go. It is a bit stressful, but I think it helps that we're having a small wedding and not a super fancy big wedding, otherwise I'd feel like I'd have to make something of a quality comparable to what a professional seamstress would be able to make 😆 I'm also messier than my partner haha. I've found I care more about keeping things clean, while he is really good at organization. It's a good combination to have!

[@knitsbymandy]

Congratulations on your marriage and for making your own dress!! I'm sure it will be beautiful 💕

[@Lisa_Flowers]

If someone is a complete beginner and is looking to learn how to knit garments specifically, I think simple vanilla socks are actually a great way to start. If you're a complete beginner, you probably don't know how to do things like knitting in the round, picking up stitches, making short rows, doing ribbing and other common garment techniques. Vanilla socks contain a lot of these techniques or similar, and because they're so small, I find it less intimidating to try a technique, fail, rip back, and try again. Much less overwhelming than doing something for the very first time on a sweater with hundreds of stitches. If you hate small circumference knitting or working on tiny needles, a beanie fulfills a similar function. I did this a few months back when I was still very much a complete beginner, and extremely intimidated by sweaters, and completing a pair of socks gave me so much confidence to cast on a sweater. The Crazy Sock Lady has a complete tutorial on KZbin where she literally knits an enitre pair of socks with you from casting on to kitchenering the toe. Summer Lee also has a series of videos and the pattern is free. Also, in regards to petiteknit - I can't speak for their other patterns because I've only done one, but I think the novice cardigan/sweater is actually a pretty great first garment pattern. Not perfect, but it is intentionally created for complete beginners who basically only know how to cast on, knit, purl, and bind off. It explains everything you could think of with videos on the pattern page, from attaching a new ball of yarn, to basic increases, to picking up stitches. Highly reccomend!

[@knitsbymandy]

Thank you for the thoughtful advice! I haven't made the novice cardigan or sweater so that is good to know :)

[@jenniferstack8299]

Omg-love the VPR. I'm sure you must be listening to "Give them Lala"-it's sooo good to hear her take on everything. I'm with you on the Love Is Blind being disappointing. Our cat Bronx is a rescue boy roo.

[@gemineyyy]

Omg sassy is so cute xx love the new hair you’re looking GREAT!

[@knitsbymandy]

thank you thank you thank youuu!

[@jlvettech]

Your cat is so adorable!!!!! 😻😻😻Congratulations!

[@marie-francepoulaert8939]

Hi Amanda, your kitty is just adorable, congratulations ❤ Loved this Q&A nice to get to know you a little better 😊

[@peerreviewed]

Stranded colourwork was on my list for this year as well and I found socks a good place to start! It’s an easy thing to just add a few rows of colourwork to, for example just under the cuff and I am loving making funky socks now

[@amywinner]

When you said you were wondering if you liked brioche…. I totally felt that way too! I made the Ghost Ranch Hat by Andrea Mowry, and I HIGHLY recommend! It’s a brioche brim and then mosaic knitting. So, a great small project to try out those techniques! Just thought I’d share :) I love you podcast!

[@theminimalistninja]

I love hobbi's rainbow cotton so much! I also really like their friends' cotton! I am vegan so I am always keen on trying new plant based yarns! :) I don't even knit, I crochet, and I enjoy your videos a lot! :)

[@slowdownjustine]

Hello from Sweden :) I get so excited when I see a new video from you 🙌 Watching this during my lunch break and starting on the second sleeve of the Stripy Affair sweater by Kutovakika.

[@helenlayley]

Beginner knitting patterns! I usually start people with garter stitch squares which can be mug hugs, or fingerless gloves. Then extend into a cowl or a hat with a drawstring top. Different stitch patterns for dishcloths. Then it depends on interests, really. In the round and shaping makes a quick hat easy. A couple of large squares is a simple boxy top, or a sweater made in pieces and seamed, or a cushion cover. Buh l don't enjoy seaming so l tend to encourage increasing or decreasing and working in the round!

[@joisekolesnik4023]

My first knit was a sweater a yoke color work style. I would and do recommend new knitters to look on revelry for something they want in their wardrobe as the chance of making it through project to completion more likely.

[@enchantedfibresandmore]

cats are just the best, our life changed forever when we adopted ours 🥹 happy for you and sassy!! has she been going for the yarn at all?!😂

[@hannahgknits]

Both knitting for olive merino and cascade 220 are my go to yarns as well-- and they are often on sale (webs or local yarn shop sales!).

[@annakalax5304]

I had such a cozy time knitting with you

[@mandyfinkiewicz]

Hi Mandy, I'm Mandy too. Just found your channel, looks fun.

[@kayciel3268]

Sassy is so beautiful and so sweet! 😻

[@erayeda.t]

I get where you're coming from regarding the sound of metal needles. I will say that I dislike the sound and feel of aluminum needles but really enjoy stainless steel needles. They are warmer to hold, significantly quieter (as well as having a different timbre), and not as slippery as aluminum. Borrow some from a friend if you're curious about 'em someday!

[@thesquishstitch]

Love the new haircut!!! Your look great!

[@knitsbymandy]

Thank you so much 😀

[@andreannnadeau289]

The first sweater I made was "le bateau sweater" by two of wands. It is work on the flat except from the sleeves and was pretty easy to follow. :)

[@katiecraft6176]

I agree with the beginner statements. My first practice was a garter stitch swatch with ribbed edges to learn to knit and purl. My first actual project, after that swatch, was the Magic Braids Sweater by Anastasiya Samartseva. I get too bored to go with "beginner" things. I just want to dive right in to the deep end.

[@caffrec1]

Move to Hyattsville/College Park at some point--it is pretty affordable and close to downtown. I live in University Park.

[@helenajeret]

What's with the clicking needles I keep hearing about? Like... I do use metal needles and maybe I'm weird but I don't hear myself knitting really. The only time I have really heard it was back in the day when I was in middle school and knit socks and colorwork mittens on old school DPNs. Yes, those made a lot of noise from all the movement, they left my hands smelling weird, it was difficult to manage them.... Now that I discovered the magic loop, I don't think I'll ever go back to DPNs :D

[@knitsbymandy]

I think the quality of the needle effects the sound and feel? I will say I have a pair of metal 9 inch circulars that don't bother me. But I'm not sure I'll ever be a metal needle girl haha

[@cgrsworld]

Just stumbled across your "what you don't need" video and agree whole-heartedly!! Question: I'm coming to visit my daughter in DC (Navy Yard) in May and can't wait. She is not a knitter, so I thought I'd ask you: what is your favorite LYS in the area that I shouldn't miss when I visit? Thanks!

[@knitsbymandy]

Looped in Dupont Circle is where I often go! There is also a yarn store called Fibre Space in Alexandria, which I haven't been to but have heard great things about if you find yourself in the area. I'm pretty sure you can even take the water taxi from The Wharf (by Navy Yard) over to Alexandria if you'd like :)

[@cgrsworld]

@@knitsbymandy awesome - thanks for the tips!

[@EmKnitting]

I, too, am the messy one in my relationship 😂 love defying stereotypes

[@nicolettepeters]

ooo are you planning on visiting any yarn stores in Italy?

[@knitsbymandy]

I haven't done any specific research yet but would love to!

[@theeggtimertictic1136]

Fair play to you for learning how to knit. Most of us I suspect learned from our mothers or grannys or other relative so you were obviously really bitten by the bug after that first class 😃

[@futurefiber]

Sassy is so cute and sweet 🥲

[@knitsbymandy]

she is truly the sweetest girl :,)

[@karensknitpicks]

Interesting! I totally disagree about Petite Knit not being great for beginners! I started knitting in Oct 2022 and I thought her patterns were super easy to follow because she has video tutorials for each of the techniques that you need to know so I found it super beginner friendly. I think I remember you saying you had a tricky experience for one of her patterns which is such a shame, but hopefully in the future, her videos will be translated sooner so they can be of more help for other knitters.

[@luvLins]

Hiii Joe Biden 😂 It’s so interesting to hear what other people think about yarns and knits! My first big garment was the Jessie Maed Designs Summer Secret Crop. It’s such a good project and so easily customizable! (My second garment was that same tank but I changed the neckline and added sleeves). 10/10 would recommend to a beginner. Your cat is so cute! I don’t think I would get much knitting done with her around either 😆

[@catblues8645]

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