Knitting Podcast Episode 17 | Finished Karla and Ingrid, Summer Camp Socks, Field-Inspired Mittens!

[@handmadebykandi]

I think I'm one of the 99 who's not noticed an issue with undyed patches on the Homespun House yarn, LOL. I had issues with their contact form for a different issue, and responded to my order email and did get a response back but it was a few days later. I'll be curious to see if i notice issues with future skeins of her yarn. I do take some inconsistencies with hand dyed yarn in stride as it is hand dyed, but i definitely understand the frustration in seeing undyed patches when it's happened multiple times for you.

[@Stitchesinstem]

@@handmadebykandi I actually really appreciate you sharing that - thank you! I’ve pinned your comment so others can see that you had a positive experience with it ☺️ I also try to be as understanding as possible when it comes to hand dyed yarn. Obviously I make things with my hands all the time so I know imperfections can happen! It’s just as you say - when it’s a frequent issue it’s a little harder to overlook, for me anyway!

[@cherieredelings5714]

Thanks for persevering through all the technical difficulties! I had to watch this video in 3 sittings because I'm that busy at work these days, but it was so worth it!

[@Stitchesinstem]

Thank you for persevering with watching it! I hope you’re getting some downtime between work ☺️

[@joannehurt6393]

Makalya, Your no holds barred commentary on yarns, your knitting mistakes, pattern inclusivity, your enjoyment in the process of making the garment, and how the pattern reads for new knitters, is EXACTLY why I tune in. Whether you steal one million dollars or a penny, it still is stealing. You have no cut card and give no excuses for the designer, the pattern and yourself. I can rely on what you say. That is exactly what trait I would want in a friend. So, Passive (smile), you keep it coming. Ill be singing your praises here in Maryland, USA along with my girl Nancy of Knit, Sip, Happy (Canadian podcaster). Please check her out along with A Knotty Mess and Kali knits(her twin sister, baby sister, mom and Dad knits). Look them all up! Arie knits is one more podcaster I'm crazy about. If you have a podcaster you like, share the podcast with me. I appreciate you no fluff. I'm to old to flatter people and at 73 could care less. I feel it or don't (smile). Ms. Jo

[@Stitchesinstem]

Your comments always bring such a huge smile to my face 😁 I’m so glad you enjoy my videos for all of the reasons you listed! I will check out Knit, Sip, Happy, and I like Arie knits too! Gloria’s Knits is one I’ve been watching lately and enjoying, and I love Handmade by Florence’s videos - I think she does lots of patterns that I’ve never seen before and I love finding new patterns that way!

[@donnaconyers5189]

Ha ha this was the first time I watched your videos and I think because of your laid back attitude about the tech glitches it made me subscribe. Not to mention your fantastic information and reviews on patterns and yarns. Life isn't perfect and you show that and I really appreciate your honesty and authenticity. Much appreciated

[@Stitchesinstem]

Thank you - that’s lovely to hear and I’m so glad you enjoyed!

[@maureengrillo5095]

I always look forward to your podcast. Your projects are always beautiful and your honesty is so appreciated.❤

[@Stitchesinstem]

Thank you!

[@Annthrium]

I appreciate that you mentioned the quality issues with the yarn. I feel like nowadays everything has to be so sugarcoated. I don't agree with that, there's been countless times that honest reviews saved me from a bad purchase or booking. I know it takes a lot of courage and I respect you for that and more people should speak up. Especially with hand dyed yarn which can be so expensive?!

[@Stitchesinstem]

Thank you for saying so ☺️

[@EricaGeurts]

Your Ingrid sweater and Karla cardigan are fab 😎

[@Stitchesinstem]

Thank you!

[@VeraTheus]

I appreciate your honesty and and all the tips and tricks you share while working on patterns, so please do not stop or feel bad to say, what you are thinking.

[@Mohairsprinkles]

New viewer here! I was delighted to hear you share about your knitting tonight. I have knit the Ingrid slipover and loved it as well. The Ranunculus too! All of my Ranunculus have shorter sleeves due to yarn chicken 🐔 I have the Karla Cape pattern and love how yours turned out, I bet your mom will wear it all the time in such classic colors. I am planning to make it this year to wear as more of a jacket, like you had mentioned, and maybe use something like De Rerum Natura since it is more of a woolen spun yarn to give it structure. You shared your honest experience with grace and I found it to be refreshing. The un-dyed patches, the two different color saturations in the socks, the staple that snagged the yarn and the no-reply messages from the dyer are your real experience. Thankfully there are tons of other gorgeous hand-dyed yarns in the world to try. I've always wanted to try Camijo Knit's yarns and also Frankie Grey Fibre.

[@Stitchesinstem]

Welcome! And thank you so much for the lovely comment. I think the Karla Cape in De Rerum Natura would be absolutely beautiful - you're making me think about making another now!

[@nikitinaknits]

The color of your Ingrid is so amazing! I am going to knit a cardigan in such color as well 🤍 Love all your knits ❤

[@Izzyic7505]

Another fantastic podcast. Thoroughly enjoyed knitting along while listening and admiring how you are able to adapt patterns to suit how you think it should look and fit. I could hear seagulls in the background too. Looking forward to seeing how your self drafted mitts turn out.

[@Stitchesinstem]

The seagulls 🙄 I hate them - they’re such a plague on the city 😂 I hope it provided some ambient background noise though!

[@Macasmum]

Well done, thanks for preserving with all the technical issues 👩‍🌾🐑🐮

[@lindabeerens6323]

Here is a thought about the mittens, if you would like to start the increases for the thumb earlier than the leave motive ends, you could try to change the leafmotive from a double leaf to a single leaf, just on the inner part of the hand, or even just near the thumb. And that would bring down the start of the increases Thank you for making these video's ❤

[@Stitchesinstem]

Thank you for the advice! I think I’ve figured it out and will share all in the next ep

[@frederiquevanbuuren9142]

I really love the colour of your Ingrid Sweater, I think the silk mohair has a nice effect on the overal colour and softness, enjoy wearing it ❤

[@carrieknits]

Love your Ingrid sweater! I've made a lot of fingerless mitts this past year, you will be fine with the hand circumference once you start the thumb gusset!

[@Stitchesinstem]

Thank you - that’s reassuring!

[@bead9609]

Thanks for the informative and refreshing episode. Honestly, every episode has been enjoyable and interesting. Your info on the yarn is very much appreciated and shouldn't upset anyone, especially the dyer. She should appreciate the review and take a note. Love your Ingrid sweater Happy knitting

[@Stitchesinstem]

Thank you ☺️❤️

[@twopurlsinapod]

OMG spectacular perseverance 😁

[@Stitchesinstem]

Has to be done 😮‍💨💪🏻

[@Janeknitsoninsta]

The colour of your Ingrid sweater really brings out the colour of your eyes, gorgeous! Great episode and I’m so interested in how you get on with your field inspired mittens - I bought the pattern a while back and then read the reviews on Ravelry and chickened out of making them. I’m eagerly awaiting to see how you get on with your modifications! Thanks for persevering on despite the technical issues. I’ve just started following you on Instagram!

[@Stitchesinstem]

Thank you! I’m almost finished the first one and am pleased to report that I’m delighted with it! Will show all in the next ep 😁

[@Yarnlociraptor]

Mittens stretch so much with wear, i wouldn't worry about them being big enough!!! Especially once you block and wear them once or twice.

[@Stitchesinstem]

Thank you - that’s reassuring to hear 😮‍💨

[@corriemcclain7960]

I am subscribed because of your honesty. Knowing there are undyed patches and seeing them in your socks, I feel I can make an informed choice of if that would bother me. Your feedback on the Ingrid sweater was excellent and let me know while the pattern is very popular and most people who have made it, love it, the things that bother me in patterns make the Ingrid sweater wrong for me.

[@Stitchesinstem]

Thank you for saying so ☺️❤️

[@myhappyspace4533]

Your ranunculus looks beautiful. Love the length

[@Stitchesinstem]

Thank you for saying so! It’s not unwearable by any means, just too long for my preference

[@simoneclarke5104]

Your Ingrid sweater and your mom’s cardigan turned out beautiful! It’s really too bad about your Ranunculus sweater, hopefully you can fix it without too much trouble. Have fun at Disneyland!!

[@Stitchesinstem]

Thank you!

[@MelissaVR-g7v]

Thank you for your honesty. I live in the US and have toyed with the idea of buying Homespun House yarn, but was put off by the expense including the shipping. With my luck I’d get a skein with undyed spots so I will hold off and buy yarn that’s made closer to home. Having said that I was lucky enough to get in on the Ballyhoura Irish preorder before Christmas. Lovely, beautiful yarn. Wild Atlantic Way is stunning and even more beautiful in person.

[@Stitchesinstem]

Thank you! I’m so glad you’re enjoying Ballyhoura Fibres yarn - it’s gorgeous!

[@KnotablueKnits]

All great content as usual!! ❤

[@Meirjolanknits]

you should knit the arctic light sweater in that gorgeous purple!!

[@Stitchesinstem]

I do love the cables in that jumper but I’m not a fan of the yoke shape - I feel like it looks tight around the armpits or something?

[@Elianaalfonso7703]

For mittens, i highly recommend the Watch Cap & Mittens pattern by Purl Soho, which is free

[@Stitchesinstem]

I’ve looked at that one but wanted something that matched my tighter gauge. It looks like a great pattern though - I’ll keep it in mind for future mittens!

[@wrldvw1836]

Reviewing yarns and patterns honestly is commendable. If there are things you liked or disliked about patterns and yarn is something that is very helpful. Stating there are some undyed patches is joy a huge issue to me, it is a personal preference and the more info I have on anything, the more reasonable, rational decision I can make. If a pattern does not transition easily in certain areas, or some other quirk, I appreciate knowing that up front. This is why they call this Constructive criticism,which is not a bad thing.

[@Stitchesinstem]

Thank you for saying so!

[@knitpicky]

Your Ingrid looks fantastic!!! The color is perfect for you. Also! Im working on a knit using yarn from the Ballyhoura Fibres Ireland collection!! Im using the color "Killarney" in the suri base with a light yarn and it's creating a really cool colourful halo.

[@Stitchesinstem]

Oh wow that’s so nice to hear! She has beautiful yarn so I’m glad she’s getting recognised for it!

[@StephanieSims-nm1sw]

Happy New year ! I loved your inspiring video, your Ingrid sweater is so lovely and the colour really suits you. I really like your dark purple yarn that your friend brought back from Boston the colour is divine, I don't think Ii would have been able to justify the import taxes either, they sound extortionate. Have a fab knitting year ahead it looks like you've got plenty of things to tackle, I look forward to seeing what you make in the coming months. 🥰

[@Stitchesinstem]

Thank you! I admit it was a moment of madness when I debated paying that price 😂

[@creativian68]

I would like it if you could make a video on sewing on buttons.

[@Stitchesinstem]

I’m honoured that you’d trust me with that but I’ve literally sewn buttons to my knits twice and don’t think I’m the best at it 😂 here’s a tutorial that uses the same technique I described in the video aimeeshermakes.com/blogs/craft/sew-buttons-on-knitting

[@Citroen_2cv]

Does the title of your channel refer to STEM, as in science-tech-engineering?

[@Stitchesinstem]

@@Citroen_2cv yeah exactly! I’m a scientist so wanted to have that in my channel name ☺️

[@alexandradegruyter]

🌈🧶❤️

[@sandrathirion788]

Hi what is your username on Ravelry... I would like to get a look at your pattern notes Love your podcast.

[@Stitchesinstem]

Thank you! My username is stitchesinstem. It is linked in the description box if you can’t find it!

[@talitharitter3176]

I actually quit following Explorer Knits because things sell out crazy fast every single time. It just got too frustrating for me to be constantly teased-and I’m a pretty good fast shopper! And then one time she said how much yarn they actually dyed for one of the releases and it was multiple six figures USD worth. I was like well, she definitely doesn’t need my business so I’ll just carry on without it. 😂

[@Stitchesinstem]

😂😂 that’s fair enough!

[@luliknits]

Anne Ventzel has always been not inclusive with her pattern sizes and hasn't changed it yet. I hope she really tries to make changes to that soon....as for the sleeves pick up, I also don't like the edge stitches so what I do is I pick up my stitches one stitch over from the edge stich and it looks so much better.

[@Stitchesinstem]

I hadn’t looked at the rest of her patterns so didn’t realise that! That’s such a pity..

[@creativian68]

I have been enjoying you videos for quite some time. Now I have mustered the courage to show my ignorance... I would like to know what the word stem means in "stiches in stem". Google was not very helpful.

[@imaginedlandscapes]

STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering, Math

[@creativian68]

@@imaginedlandscapes Thank you so much. No wonder I couldn't find a satisfactory explanation in the dictionary. Much appreciated.

[@Stitchesinstem]

I see you got your answer but to make the connection - I’m a scientist and ‘Women in STEM’ is a pretty well known phrase so I picked Stitches in STEM to be my username! ☺️