knittingthestash Episode 168: Is Colorwork Worth the . . .WORK?

[@themonogamousknitter]

I’m so happy you knit my Valtavaara hat-it turned out absolutely lovely! 🥰😍 The name does indeed refer to a nature spot-it’s a fjell on the final stretch of one of Finland’s most famous hiking trails, Karhunkierros. I’m also thrilled you got to use that special something from your stash for it. It’s always so satisfying to bring those treasures to life! Can’t wait to see how the cowl turns out. ☺

[@knittingthestash]

Thanks--it's a brilliant pattern!! I watched a little video about the fjell and it's gorgeous. Would like to get out there hiking someday

[@themonogamousknitter]

@@knittingthestash Glad to hear that! 😊 It's a beautiful place indeed. If you ever get the chance to visit, do the entire trail (the long one). It is not too difficult, but you get to see Finland at it's best.

[@YarnJourneysMelanie]

The Aureliano sweater is stunning!!!! Congratulations. I’m definitely team turtleneck.

[@knittingthestash]

thank you!!

[@klz4377]

De rerum Natura has a wide range of colors, I get mine from The Knitting Loft in Toronto

[@knittingthestash]

Great tip, thank you!!

[@Sandy-lq9xe]

Your Aureliano is spectacular! Congratulations on a masterwork. I am obsessed with colorwork and will soon be launching into a Marie Wallin all over colorwork pullover, a pattern I've been lusting after for years. 🙂

[@knittingthestash]

oh wonderful! I have a few of her sweaters on my wishlist as well :) enjoy!!

[@netty062]

As you go.... just weave in those ends as you go...mohair...the other non mohair I would wait until I'm finished. Great episode! My vote is the turtle neck but so nice to have the option if you ever want a change. Henly top is Nacre.....I found it by searching your podcasts and typing Henly.

[@knittingthestash]

Ah ha! Thanks and yes, Nacre! The other is an Isabel Kraemer pattern!

[@candygrubisic]

Love the hat, reminds me of crop circles lol. I really like the swirl on the top of the grey sweater pattern as well. Your mohair turned out great. I would be happy to see it finished too and I agree...I like the collar better not turned down. I thought that looked Norwegian. Steeking seems to be common on a lot of them.

[@knittingthestash]

Thanks, Candy!

[@Serenity-fu8xz]

That specific colored green looks incredible with your bright blue eyes. I think you’ll be shocked knitted up. See how it looks. It looks gorgeous on you the lace weight Kashmir.

[@knittingthestash]

Aww, thanks! Maybe the green will work out in the end :)

[@MikiCrespo]

Beautiful Aureliano 🩵

[@knittingthestash]

Thanks so much!

[@michellelindgren8419]

Hi Melissa. You showed some really beautiful sweaters today. I think green will look good on you. Looking at the 2 hanks you showed, I would say to be sure to alternate skeins. I recently ended up reknittimg the top of a sweater because I ended up with an obvious line that I didn’t even see until I blocked it. 😮

[@knittingthestash]

Totally! I see it in the video. Isn't that funny that I could NOT see that with just my eyes. Thank goodness for the power of video!! Hope you're well, Michelle!

[@aroundtheworldfibers]

I vote for leaving the turtleneck as is. I think it looks great at a longer length. It really is a beautiful sweater. I also do two handed color work knitting.

[@knittingthestash]

Thanks! And nice to meet another two-hander :)

[@genier7829]

I have two precious yarns, one from Virtual Yarns ($$$) and one from my late father's cashmere vest. I just started a project with the former, have an idea of a project for the latter...... we'll have to see if either one actually gets done. Team turtleneck here, always!

[@knittingthestash]

Team turtleneck! I hope you're doing well, Gene!

[@LusiaKnits]

Lovely episode. Braiding create sometimes bulk in the back

[@knittingthestash]

Ahh yes, true! I'll find a way around these ends . . . somehow :)

[@lauraalicewatt]

funny, because I learned to knit here in Iceland, it was colorwork almost from the start -- my third-ever make was a steeked colorwork cardigan knit in unspun wool + a laceweight -- so of course, always worth it! (it also means I learned to knit continental, but also learned to do colorwork two-handed and gradually gravitated toward throwing with my right for basic knitting, although I still prefer to purl & do ribbing continental.). and you Aureliano looks amazing -- bravo!!

[@knittingthestash]

we're like knitting twinsies with a preference for throwing! And wowza on the steeked cardigan--dang!

[@lauraalicewatt]

@@knittingthestash it was a video-supported knit-along, perfect way to dive in before I knew enough to be afraid of any of the techniques involved!

[@KittenWAW]

Turtleneck. Colorwork is definitely worth the work, and YES, stripes are colorwork. They involve selecting your colors; ordering them if there are several; determining the width of the stripes if you're working without a pattern, or adapting one; and you have to work to create them. Unless you're using self striping yarn. Then we may not want you in our club. JUST KIDDING!!!!!! I do think, though, that self striping yarns, and just more vibrant colorways in general, are part of the reason we seem to see less emphasis on colorwork. As far as using "precious" yarns, I'm still stuck in "I'm not worthy" mode for a lot of them. Which is weird, because if I'm totally satisfied with what I knit from the "lesser" yarns, why am I convinced that I'll just as totally get everything wrong if I use "better" yarns? And those "lesser" and "better" tags come more from other people than from my own opinions, because fiber isn't my main determinant in picking a yarn.

[@knittingthestash]

truth! all of it! I think we should rename the MAL "I'm not Worthy" . . . I'll be consulting with you next time ;)

[@Helen-yl4cw]

Loved your podcast. I am interested to know the time of your Saturday zoom group please. I can recommend your sweater cloning class.

[@knittingthestash]

Hi Helen. Send me an email ([e-mail]) and I'll get you the Zoom details :)

[@newmoonjlp]

I did sample knitting for June Cashmere as well and have had a bunch of their yarn in my stash forever with no idea what to do with it.

[@knittingthestash]

oh man, what are we gonna do with this cashmere???

[@YarnJourneysMelanie]

Oh, and for The Weatherman NOT in lopi, you might want to check out Jamiesons of Shetland (not J&S) Double Knitting - it’s in the same color range as Spindrift. Woolly Thistle and Jimmy Beans Wool probably have it.

[@knittingthestash]

thank you so much!!

[@candacecampbell3542]

Trying to find the Turmock sweater pattern! The gray one with the spiral neckline. Am I spelling it wrong?

[@knittingthestash]

Just added the link to the show notes (in the video description)

[@candacecampbell3542]

Thank you so much!❤️🧶

[@maryzcorner]

Maybe you should check our Supersoft Holst Garn. LOTS of colours to choose from. :)

[@knittingthestash]

OOooOo a good excuse! Thanks, Mary!

[@yarnmotivated-joyceswensso9744]

My vote is leave the turtle neck but I don't prefer the doubled over look ever 😂

[@denisenj7648]

Those green yarns are beautiful but they are not the same color. One skein is darker than the rest.

[@knittingthestash]

Aww, man, I just saw that when editing the video :) Darn. Well, maybe it'll be the beige version . . .