KNITTING: Selfish Knitter Problems

[@theknittygritty9054]

Who has been bullying sweet Kristin about not having knit Dennis a sweater?? We are just here as friends and viewers to support each other, not judge as if she’s doing anything wrong (which she isn’t)

[@Voolenvine]

Rest assured, there has been no bullying. Though, I believe the underlying theme of this channel has become "Will she EVER finish the husband sweater?!" 🙄😂

[@d.h.6394]

Dear, this is your relaxing hobby. Knit whatever you want whenever you want to and frog whatever you like. Who cares.

[@myrabethknits]

I feel you on knitting other people sweaters. I’ve been knitting my dad a sweater for the past three or four years. I’ve changed yarn. I’ve changed the pattern multiple times. I tried designing the sweater myself. I think I’m going to try the basic raglan pattern. I need something I can just follow the instructions on.

[@2011wildflowers]

Hey Kristen, thanks for making the Frog public!! I just sent a frog to the pond that has been lingering in my cupboard too long! It feels so good to make changes with things that just don't inspire, plus I now have two circular needles free to work with, yeah!!

[@Voolenvine]

Yay!! Frogging can be so cathartic, am I right?! 😅

[@sarah-janeireland157]

Loved all of your knitted lovelies and as for the frogged sweater, it’s no big deal, life is short, do what makes you happy and I’m sure hubby will be happy if you are happy, with or without a sweater! Keep sharing your joy 🧶🧵🍂

[@davidhensley76]

Raise your hand if you've never knit a sweater for Dennis. 🙋‍♂️

[@joannecrate1486]

Hahahaha that’s too funny

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Kristen, you’re a knitter after my own heart. From your unscientific swatching technique, to your whole take on the Caine sweater (I totally empathize with you. Almost cast on to that for my tall dark and handsome, but settled on the Rift {which is meh at best} because it just seemed far less fussy for this fair-weather knitter. I just love watching your podcast. I don’t comment often, but I watch all the time. 👍❤️

[@xtrisaratops]

I learned how to knit off KZbin videos (VeryPinkKnits and Expression Fiber Arts I still remember!) while pregnant with our son and stuck on STRICT bedrest. Said child just turned 8. My husband has been asking for a hat since the beginning. It's just a running joke at this point that I'm never making the damn hat. He's got a GREAT eye for texture and color (artist brain), and every time I run a pattern + yarn combo by him, his default opener is "this doesn't look like a hat". I honestly somewhere deep down intend to make him a hat "when I need a change", but I've been stuck on lace shawls for the past 3 years and haven't "needed a change". It's gotten so bad that when I made Christmas socks for my best friend, the fingering weight (THIN BY FINGERING WEIGHT STANDARDS) and size 5 circulars felt obnoxiously huge in my hands. And the man wants a super chunky hat. Internal cringe!

[@thistleanddoug5957]

My husband has been waiting 35 yrs for his sweater....I have knit him countless pairs of socks....but I just don’t see a sweater in his future. Knit what makes you happy I say.

[@SockWitchery]

I frog sweaters, regardless of their point of construction, on the regular and get made fun of for it quite a bit. The Joji raglan is excellent! I wear mine frequently and definitely need to make another one....🖤

[@Voolenvine]

There must be a name for us frequent froggers 😂 No sure why I didn't think to cast on this pattern sooner. It's great!

[@heritage.home.crochet]

I really like your whole vibe, history, garment making, Jane Eyre...Love it!

[@Voolenvine]

Thank you so much!! ☺️💞💞💞

[@noblecharactercrafts]

Hey Kristin! I suggest you take your Nurtured Sweater to your sewing machine. I’ve sewn the side seams of three of my handknit garments to get a better fit & have had huge success with them turning out so much more wearable. I just use a walking foot, which works perfectly. I’m also attempting to knit my husband a sweater for Christmas, however the one I’m knitting is knit in pieces from the bottom up & is all-over cable work. 😅 I’m making good progress though, so I’m hopeful. I’ll be cheering you on to finish Dennis’. Happy knitting! 💕~Amy

[@lindas5964]

Love that wall color!

[@Joanna1898]

Thank you for sharing your tale of woe about your husband sweater. I had a very similar experience during pandemic knitting my husband's sweater but I stupidly pushed through and hoped it would work out...it didn't and know I'm pulling it apart while watching the podcast. ;)

[@Voolenvine]

You are my hero, Joanna! You rip that thing out! 😂 This has definitely been a lesson accepting that I just don't knit for others ... and that's OK! 😄

[@Joanna1898]

@@Voolenvine agreed!

[@pennybowman7734]

Thanks for your podcast. The coasters also look great as tree snowflake decorations . I have some I use every year on the tree.

[@jacquelinepirotta]

OMG I laughed out loud when you said "Dennis' sweater". good for you - do what you want.

[@sekaihatsu]

Same for Interweave's issue. I liked the Lucy wrap and the Dorian Gray's pullover.

[@ivonnaansone6752]

I also had troubles with Martin Storey. It was also a 'simple' raglan - Tussock Jumper. It took me over year an a half to finish it. the pattern was just like you said - cryptic, and the decreases just did not make sense. at one point it said 'now do like before but differently'. I was beyond frustrated, but i managed to finish by some lucky random chance, by not following the pattern... I think frogging yours was the best decision :) the new design looks so much better. Good luck !

[@QueensYarnBoutique]

The stitch definition on your Nutured sweater looks great. I'm sure Dennis' sweater will be worth the wait!

[@lisagray4783]

Always love your honesty. I can totally relate to burning out on big endeavours. Cant remember how many of my daughters tops have gone by the wayside. Love your crochet coasters. Thank you for sharing and make what makes you happy ;) Lisa

[@Voolenvine]

At the end of the day, it's the intention that counts. I admire people who enjoy knitting for others, but I believe there's also something to be said for us knitters who do it just for ourselves. Knitting keeps us happy and sane ... which I like to think the muggles prefer over a sweater! 😁

[@deborahmccall873]

Love your gifted sweater for the Holidays. Simple and beautiful. Let the wool sing!! 🎶🎄

[@Voolenvine]

Thank you, Deborah. This pattern really does let the wool sing!

[@lorijmason]

Ahhhh the husbeast sweater lol! Hey, if its not bringing you any happiness, why keep going? I am ALLLL for frogging a project that just DOESN'T feel right. I have lots of these sort of, ahem, set aside so that I can come back and think about them later. Also, don't let others (ANYONE) pressure you about what you do for joy. No need to explain. Its your craft. The end! Adore you, Kristin!

[@IntroductionToLiving]

I relate so much to being a selfish knitter... also not swatching. Although, I usually just launch straight into a project with the pattern recommended needles and rip it back if it's completely off

[@annieoannie]

Frog it. Frog it. Sanity and joy in doing is so important! Self care is not selfish. However, crochet is not the dark side. (I only do crochet Tired of all the US yarn makers only catering to knitters.) Your doilies are beautiful! You are killing it!

[@Voolenvine]

Thank you, Annie! 💖 And I only jest when I call crochet the "dark side" 😜 It's grown on me quite a bit! There are definitely not enough crochet patterns out there.

[@PuffStitch]

I felt the same way when I got the new interweave issue. Not many patterns I felt were “wearable” for my size. Found myself more interested in the ads and articles.

[@ddsmyth]

Love your finished sweater! I warch you as I try to ignore the project bag that holds a Dude sweater for my 6’2” son. Sigh. Started it 2 months ago and have since started and finished a number of other more exciting projects. I should have learned after making him a giant Cowichan sweater!

[@Voolenvine]

Why do we do this to ourselves?!?! 😂

[@nathalieschlosser1622]

you had me cracking up with "its like knitting a body sock" hahaha so true!

[@Voolenvine]

😜

[@donnapreston767]

Kristen don't bloody worry about frogging the sweater for Dennis. I knitted my husband a jumper amongst many other things in our Winter here (2020) in Australia which took me 3 months (which is a record for me) and he wouldn't even wear it. To date he has put it on once for a few hours. There must be 10,000 stitches in that XXL jumper and he can't even bother to put it on. My message to you is, if you ain't feeling it or he ain't feeling it, don't knit it or just frog it!

[@Voolenvine]

Oof! I salute you. Too put all that work in and not have the sweater get much love. 😫 This has definitely been a lesson in learning that it's OK not to want to knit for others, even if you love them, and they're your husband. He's getting a sweater but after this ... Sorry, not sorry. The shop is closed! 😂

[@yarncurator]

Can’t go wrong with Joji’s basic raglan sweater. I knit my husband a cardigan earlier this year and got frustrated with the pattern several times. I think the frustrations don’t feel worth it when the sweater isn’t for yourself 😉.

[@adelakeen1467]

Haha absolutely identical case of a boyfriend sweater happened here! I landed on exactly that same Joji Locatelli pattern a couple of weeks ago and this sweater is now almost done :-)

[@nicolemurray9073]

Kristen have you ever seen the Jane Austen Knits magazines? If you haven’t you should check them out! They are all knits inspired by the Edwardian era and Jane Austin’s books. They published like 6 or 7 editions.

[@lauriekimmelstiel2976]

You spoke to me! Last sweater I knitted for my husband was probably 20 years ago. Love the ease of the Joji sweater- Maybe Ill knit for him.. I did knit him socks at the beginning of the year and he just told me he was afraid to wear them because he'd have to wash them by hand! I assured him he could wear and wash in the machine (laundry is not his thing, anyway. but Im hoping he'll wear them soon! ( I used your wonderful Footsie!) You are a breath of fresh air to all of us. Love the crochet doilies - do I dare start those too?

[@Voolenvine]

Aww ...Your hubby sounds very knit-worthy! Though it's so silly when knitting recipients refuse to wear things because they're afraid of ruining them in the wash. 😂

[@kgillespie4463]

I've been hoping to make the Nurtured sweater also and plan to cast it on next, so thanks for the inspiration. It also looks like the same stitch pattern as in an afghan I made last year, which I love it so much. Coincidentally, I'm already in the midst of making the Joji Locatelli Simple Raglan also, making this as my first-ever adult pullover, and I agree it's very straightforward. Thanks for all of your excellent content.

[@Voolenvine]

Yay! Congrats on knitting your first adult pullover. Joji's pattern is such a great beginner pattern!

[@jo-annefalconer762]

Suggestion for Denis' next sweater, have you seen the Corcra sweater by Carol Feller of Stolen Stitches. I have knitted one of her designs it had some cool and different construction techniques. BONUS She has discounts on her patterns this week.

[@VisitWithNanaAndPapa]

I would (a) never tell another person what to knit, nor how. I LOVE the crochet...

[@VisitWithNanaAndPapa]

if you use liquid starch in the wash, you can starch and block at the same time.

[@DynamiteTrujillo]

Samesies for my Nurtured. I really wish it was longer. I've been researching lengthening bottom up sweaters and it seems really annoying, but I might do it. ✨ And I LOVE those doilies!! xo

[@Voolenvine]

If I'm not mistaken, I think lengthening bottom-up sweaters involves cutting and grafting? 😬 I'm too lazy, 😂 but curious to see how it goes for you! I LOVE how your Ranunculus alteration worked out! 😻 Totally want to make one now, too!

[@craftychaos]

Ah darn, was hoping to hear an update on the Calan Mai Hat pattern. Will continue to patiently wait for it's release :) Enjoy your well earned break.

[@Voolenvine]

It's coming!!! Putting the final touches on it. 🤗🤗🤗

[@tellmeayarn1801]

I received the Interweave Knits and I thought of you when I looked through it.

[@NorthernHedgeWitch]

I have been making doilies recently as well. I love the Moonpetals pattern

[@normasmith9596]

Gosh knit whatever u want. Nobody’s business

[@jackie9788]

I was relieved by the comment that patterns can be cryptic - i thought it was just me........ I've made all the bits, I just don't understand where to start knitting the edging! AAArgh

[@matknit321]

well done for frogging that sweater I have always said top-down knitting is the best at least now fingers cross he will receive a beautiful sweater ps love your projects

[@cheskydivision]

Connect the doilies to make, table runner,table cloth, or bed spread.

[@Voolenvine]

Ooh! That's a cute idea.

[@gilliantherese7202]

Mary Shelley's Shawl is amazing...It would be a good blanket or couch throw also. Yay Joji! You'll have Dennis' sweater done before you know it. :-)

[@haileysearcy4161]

I finally gave up on a knit-flat-in-pieces sweater for my husband too. I have pretty much 0% interest in seaming things haha. My sweet husband asked for some colorwork this time around, so (after much scouring of Ravelry because apparently men's sweaters are primarily knit flat) I finally found the beautiful, knit-in-the-round Wildhaven Pullover by Jesie Ostermiller and I've already made so much progress!

[@Voolenvine]

Had to look that pattern up - wow!! He's one lucky hubby! 🤗

[@stephaniemarieknits2894]

I made that for my husband last Christmas!

[@rosemaryfrew5571]

You know the saying K.I.S.S -Keep it simple stupid. I think it should be KEEP IT SIMPLE SMARTYPANTS. Who needs complications today? 🤓

[@Voolenvine]

Agree! 💯💯💯😂

[@LauraPearce22]

My husband still teases me about the sweater I tried to knit him in pieces. I hated the yarn....I started wishing men wore crop tops....It wound up being a front and a sleeve and he still has no sweater 10 years later.....

[@heidireszies9879]

I subscribe to the same method of swatching/not swatching! Btw, have you ever tried knitting doilies? There are lots of free vintage patterns on the interwebs.

[@sheliaspringer5157]

I am having trouble with the short row neck shaping. When I wrap and turn on the knit row my yarn is in the front and it says continue in est slip stitch pattern and that would require my yarn in the back. I am confused. Any help appreciated. Thank you

[@JanniSchaldemose]

I'm a subscriber for ”Kristin’s personal brand of crazy” 😄👍

[@Voolenvine]

You are my people! 😂💖

[@annmariebusu9924]

Will you start the Misurina tee again, the one from I regret nothing?

[@JADufault21]

If I remember correctly, my Grandmother would use a liquid starch than block it. I on the other hand would wash, dry, iron, use spray starch and iron again. No blocking needed. Oh, I toss in the washer and dryer once they have aged a bit and aren't likely to shrink.

[@Voolenvine]

Thanks for the tip, Julie! I think I'll give your method a go :D

[@carlajewett1091]

Postcard from the Peanut Gallery: Any ideas for the frogged yarn?

[@Voolenvine]

Nope! Not yet. 😂

[@Phoenixhunter157]

Oh my god, have you ever tried tatting? Aghhh! Sometimes I go through phases where I tat doilies. So satisfying and tidy and dainty. Tatting is very popular in Japan fiber communities. The whole aesthetic is beautiful, down to the little shuttles that you load the thread onto. 😍. Endless unnecessary doilies. ❤️❤️❤️❤️I freaking love it every now and then. 😂

[@Voolenvine]

Ooh, it looks very similar to making bobbin lace ... which I've considered trying. (I do not need a new hobby. I do NOT need a new hobby!) 😂 Gotta love "every now and then" crafts.

[@Phoenixhunter157]

@@Voolenvine 😂😂😂😂😂😂yes. I’m in the same boat. I do not need a new hobby. 😂😂😂 yet.......I’ve also considered bobbin lace myself too. I think it looks like it requires a lot of focus. Tatting is pretty relaxed. I can just check every now and then. It’s a good palate cleanser for me

[@theresashingler4345]

Good luck with Dennis' sweater, it's no one else business what you knit. Imagine we had selfish golf, or selfish gaming? To take the pressure off yourself if this one doesn't pan out - a sample knitter?

[@ladyshar42]

I just tell people that I do not knit fitted clothing for other people. I'll make all the shawls, cowls, baby blankets and even hats they want. I actually tend to overdo it with the holiday knitting, just not sweaters. I will not make a sweater for someone besides me. I knit big, so I have to try them on many times. It's just too hard to try to do with someone besides, well, me. So you aren't the only selfish knitter out there. I had the same reaction to the Interweave issue. I squeeed so hard. I want to make everything in it, and that's unusual for me. The cover sweater is definitely going to get made at some point. I love me some cables and Victorian is right up my alley.

[@Voolenvine]

Exactly! I'm fine with knitting smaller accessories for others but when it comes to garments, it's tricky when you're not familiar with measurements other than your own. That cover sweater is epically gorgeous! I'm curious to see how it knits up for others.

[@katiegallant9917]

Good progress

[@audreyabbott7806]

Knitting should equal no guilt! I do try to knit something for someone else - occasionally😉

[@hurrayic]

I've frogged things due to lack of interest, changing my mind, etc. You're allowed :) What is the composer and song that you chose for the opening of your videos of recent? I ask Siri but she's unable to recognize it :)

[@Voolenvine]

It's by Mozart! "string quartet no. 5 in f major k 158 allegro" kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJq7q3iQd9FqjNE 😊

[@leftycurse]

I will probably never knit my fiancé a sweater, because he’s 6’1” and broad shouldered and I’m such a slow knitter that it would take me years to finish 😂

[@Voolenvine]

We've all gotta choose our battles! 😂

[@angelabailey6533]

Honestly I have no knit worthy individuals other than my kids so I don’t even bother knitting for anyone else ...

[@TheWanderingPurl]

If the knits not bringing you joy, frog it! No shame.

[@joettadevore8680]

I look thru it and said wasted. I usually find one thing that I want to knit, but not this time.

[@ASHA_KNITTING]

🙋‍♀️🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓

[@JosePerez-rg6wy]

Knitting a sweater isn’t like buying one from the store if you don’t like knitting on it don’t I’m sure he would rather you have a good time knitting it then unhappy the whole time

[@cheskydivision]

How many sweaters have you made hubby? Try one hubby sweater a year. Lol 😆

[@nikkieknits7544]

No one should be pressuring you to knit anything.. you started this podcast to show what u r knitting not to knit what the view tells you to knit.. so don’t worry about it

[@hazeluzzell]

Why on earth would you waste your time knitting something you hate?

[@VillekSublis]

Did I hear you right ? 你 说 你 学 中 文 吗？are you learning Chinese?