Knitting Podcast #5: Taipei Vest, Ammil Beanie, & throwing all my summer plans out of the window

I'm back with another podcast episode! A few finished objects today, plus a bunch of WIP's, and my summer knitting plans that I had to rip up and start over. Long story short, meeting gauge is hard, and knitting math is hard.

[@a2d3]

"pulled through a field of velcro" 😂 I know how that goes. It's so frustrating! But amazing that Purl Soho's customer service was so proactive. (Also, your cat is so cute! 😻)

[@easilyknitfluenced]

Thank you! Hey they can’t be perfect all the time. Still one of my favorite companies, and this customer service shows why!

[@donnacall6850]

I love your channel! Your pattern, yarn and color choices are exactly my vibe. And your knitting is beautiful! Elegant and tasteful…chef’s kiss!

[@easilyknitfluenced]

Thank you so much! 😍❤️

[@MKJulia1]

A few months ago I purchased the Taipei pattern and brought it to my LYS to look for yarn. The ladies at the LYS comments about thinking the pattern was going to be difficult so I shelved the pattern for now. But watching your video makes me feel better about giving it a go. Looks like there are a lot of video tutorials with the pattern too, which I like. It seems like a vest that could be worn through multiple seasons depends on how it is styled. Yours is gorgeous, I luv the color. ❤ I’m having fun watching your videos as I knit ( I’m currently knitting the Sabai top & making great progress)

[@easilyknitfluenced]

Thanks for watching! I love the Taipei top, highly recommend

[@dianepothier3078]

I would take the sweater with you to choose buttons. The woman at the shop may even be able to help. If the tweed is black you may want to put the same color buttons.

[@easilyknitfluenced]

Thanks for the suggestion! I’ll bring it along once it’s done and see what they suggest 😆😆

[@dianefujimoto9832]

Thank you! Very helpful information- Love your style and color choices- please keep making these videos

[@easilyknitfluenced]

Thank you for watching!

[@mandycoker2074]

Hi Michele, I'm binge watching your episodes and I'm loving them all. You choose beautiful elegant knits for sure. If you haven't chosen buttons for the Eva Cardigan yet, I think a coconut button would look very nice.

[@marloonie]

Your discussion of the challenges with yarn weights really hit home…I have been finding this to be challenging these days too, and I enjoyed the way you described your swatching experiences and also your tactics for adjusting projects and plans!

[@easilyknitfluenced]

It’s so frustrating, isn’t it? They’re all fingering weight yarns (allegedly) and produce totally different results even when knit up with the same US 3 or 4 needles. Like the camelia yarn and the blue purl soho yarn aren’t even in the same ballpark 😂😂

[@TheGrigglet]

Love these type of videos as it gives me new designers to look into-like Mochi Knits-. Her designs look lovely, though so many of them are just in Spanish, which sucks for me as I can't access it then. But they look gorgeous and there's a few in there that is English too, so I've saved those. Thank you for re-filming this!

[@easilyknitfluenced]

True. She has a bunch that are also in English though⭐️

[@jodydcrawford5470]

Just commenting with a button solution for that mustard coloured cardigan (was it the Eva Sweater?? Can’t remember…). You could attach cheap plastic buttons and then knit button covers for them - a circle of knit fabric that you then run the tail of your yarn around the whole circumference and cinch it over your button to completely cover the button, securing it on the wrong side of your button band. I can’t remember where I saw it, but it makes buttons that match your garment. I love it because if I spent all that time knitting a lovely sweater, I don’t want people noticing the buttons!

[@easilyknitfluenced]

That’s an awesome idea, thank you!

[@Kloudysummer]

It feels like proper winter here, which I'm loving. A bit warmer than NY winter, the average July temps in my corner of Australia are *attempts fahrenheit * 30 - 52. So that beanie is looking very appealing. 😅 Our summer felt so damn long. I sympathize with your melty plight. Sending cool breezes.

[@easilyknitfluenced]

So fun fact about me, I grew up outside of the US so Fahrenheit is still a mystery to me 😂 But winter sounds good right about now. We’ve had a heat wave and now we’re getting the leftovers of the hurricane that just hit Texas. So it’s all sorts of extremes up here - I’m sure down in Aus you can relate! Thank you for the cool thoughts❤️😎

[@judyperodeau4945]

I love that red tee and I think that’s going to be nice on you👏🏼🧶

[@easilyknitfluenced]

It’s such a pretty color

[@myotheroption1]

Love to see another episode from you! Hope you're having a nice summer.

[@easilyknitfluenced]

Thank you for watching! Trying to stay cool but we’re having a great one so far 😁

[@majatrajkovska6353]

Thank you for the video, love your choice of colours. Try wooden brown buttons for the mustard sweater 😊

[@easilyknitfluenced]

Thanks for the tip!

[@kava2021]

I have to say after watching a few of your videos, I had been inspired to buy better yarns to knit instead of the cheaper yarn because they are cheaper in price.

[@easilyknitfluenced]

I’ve knit with all sorts of brands and price points over the years, but definitely find myself leaning towards natural fiber yarns nowadays!

[@lindapeachey8607]

This episode was quite informative and enjoyable. I share your frustration with the wide range of thickness among fingering yarns. I have to buy most yarns online, so, like you, I wind up choosing another pattern than the one intended. I've been knitting for over 60 years and standardization of yarn sizes has certainly deteriorated in that time. But we all adapt and usually wind up with a lovely garment anyway. I admire your attitude and flexibility in substituting patterns. As to the mustard cardigan, you might want to look at buttons on Etsy. Some of their hand-crafted wooden buttons would look lovely on your cardigan, as well as some of the more artistic designs. Looking forward to your next podcast.

[@easilyknitfluenced]

Thank you for the suggestion! I was surprised at how all over the place the yarn weights were. But, my ravelry favorites also cover a broad range, luckily 😁 thank you for tuning in!

[@hrhccommentmorepeople1329]

Talk about easily influenced! Yarn ordered for Taipei Vest! Very informative episode. Thanks so much 😊

[@easilyknitfluenced]

You are so welcome!

[@yolandelittle1767]

Oh I love staring at my stash too! I just finished the Eva cardigan and looking for buttons.

[@easilyknitfluenced]

It’s a pastime I indulge in a little too often 😂

[@QueensYarnBoutique]

Your Tapei Tee looks amazing. I want to knit the Eva Cardigan and Lakes Tee too. I also stare at my yarn. 😄

[@easilyknitfluenced]

Thank you! Eva is a really relaxing pattern, classic PetiteKnit. And I’m on an Ozetta kick at the moment!

[@assiralc7]

Great to finally catch up with your knitting! Thank you for sharing with us

[@easilyknitfluenced]

Thank you for watching!

[@Linuxike]

Greetings from hot Calgary! I’m making Poppy Tee with Sandnes Garn Sunday and mohair with the suggested needles (not exactly on gauge cause I’m a tight knitter) - the fabric is coming out thick, more like a winter tee 😅

[@easilyknitfluenced]

That sounds wonderful! I’m all for tees in the winter too, and you guys have the winter climate for a garment like that!

[@diblust53]

Thanks for being honest about gauge issues. Other knitting blogs (except 1) never mention problems w gauge. I never meet gauge. Currently knitting a summer sweater that starts w a lace border. After 10 rows it was clear that it was way too big despite coming close to gauge. My solution is I cast on the # of sts given for body and did abt 6 rows then measured. Definitely going to this from now on.

[@easilyknitfluenced]

Oh lace throws me off completely, every time. I’ve become sort of ok at guessing stockinette gauge, but anything outside of that is a total mystery to me still 😓 which summer sweater are you knitting?

[@diblust53]

@@easilyknitfluenced I am knitting Morning Sky by Heidi Kirrmaier.

[@ronniecitron-fink4078]

Very much enjoy your podcast! So interesting about Purl Soho because I had a similar experience with Cashmere Bloom. I knit the Caramel Sweater by PetiteKnit in the yarn and the sweater is unwearable. It pilled terribly after the first time I wore it. In fact, I also live in NY and when the weather is the opposite as it is today (freezing), I sometimes sleep in the sweater because it's incredibly soft and warm. I sent photos and the label to Purl Soho and they apologized and sent me a coupon for a sweater's quantity of a yarn of my choice. Great yarns and great customer service!

[@easilyknitfluenced]

Thank you for watching! I’m sorry to hear you had the same experience. I think it’s too loosely plied, and on top of that I made the mistake of knitting at a looser gauge than normal. So sad about my poor cardigan, but like you I’ll wear it once it gets really frigid in the house again 😆

[@GoblinsAteMyCats]

Your Taipei is gorgeous!! I'm working on my Eva Cardigan button band while I watch ☺️ it is going by shockingly fast, but I am stuck at home with COVID so that may be warping my perception a bit

[@easilyknitfluenced]

Thank you! Yes I have a feeling the button band will fly, so I’m excited. I hope you feel better soon!

[@verylikecheryl]

Dark navy, teal, various shades of grey, or maybe a warm shade of brown to go with your mustard yellow? Beautiful cardigan x

[@easilyknitfluenced]

Oh teal is a great suggestion, thank you!

[@Macasmum]

👩‍🌾🐑

[@easilyknitfluenced]

🥰🥰🥰