MEL MAKES STUFF Episode 013: My New Vest and Some Sweater Knitting Progress

[@andreamckay355]

I just found your vlog and binge watched your past videos over the past few days. I love how you discuss patterns, the construction of garments, and how to alter for a better fit. Living in Canada, I have only heard of Reinbeck but was really happy to finally see in your video what it was all about! Your whole approach to yarn and making substitutions is really interesting and your adventures in trying new patterns! I love your quilt! The trick of shape and colours is beautiful! I have dabbled in quilting ...I love the nine patch for the traditional look and simplicity. Thank you for taking the time to make these videos. I look forward to seeing future ones.

[@melmakesstuff]

Thank you for watching and for your nice comments about my videos! I feel like I’m still dabbling in quilting too, there’s so much to learn, so I’m just trying to pace myself and not get overwhelmed 😊

[@sarahlovesdonuts9601]

Mel do you remember the crocheted and knitted vests of the 1970’s. My “nana” made matching banana yellow vets for my dad and me…I think I was more able to pull it off, but the acrylic yarn caused a static electrical field to form around me. My platinum blonde hair danced on my head like Medusa’s snakes.😂😂. I lived in Massachusetts back then. I always enjoy your content and appreciate your talent.💗

[@klz4377]

The vest turned out great and the color is very complimentary.

[@sallyidso182]

You always inspire me to look up these patterns and yarn your quilt is lovely

[@balancedskein]

You are so talented and thoughtful about your projects. I love how you take the time to consider your next move instead of powering through your projects because you value a well fitting piece more than you do about feeding the algorithm 🙌🏾 There's so much pressure to be constantly finishing something to move on to the next thing. Your pacing is refreshing.

[@melmakesstuff]

Thank you for your kind words! I’m very glad to know it’s still an interesting watch, even if I don’t have a ton of progress or a lot of projects to show every time ❤️

[@judithburke3637]

Mel so glad you showed were to put the increase on the sleeves of your vair I wasn’t sure but now I am love all of your informative and inspirational knitting

[@hsgotwal]

Oooo love the fashion show

[@rosalindaiacovitti3499]

Way advanced knitting! I would need a teacher for this. Beautiful work, great job!

[@ellenhenrie4826]

Impressive, as always!

[@stitchingmatters6184]

I’ve binged on your episodes… Such incredibly beautiful projects! Thanks for taking the time to share with us!💖

[@melmakesstuff]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@littlebigknits]

Always a pleasure!! Your vest is making me want one as well!! It’s a fairly easy mod to take a few extra stitches off the sides for a bit more shape to the armholes. That is something I have definitely fiddled with here and there.

[@melmakesstuff]

Good to know that’s a common adjustment, seems like I should be able to get my mind around it especially if the pattern is bottom up. Now I can’t wait to choose my next vest pattern… so many options!

[@sarahb4330]

Thank you for your great videos, so interesting to see your projects and hear how you think through your choices

[@nixkbing1192]

Thank you that we can participate in your thinking-process!

[@skeinsofdreamsknits]

Mel, that quilt is going to be spectacular! I love the fabrics you've chosen :) Thank you so so much for participating in the MAL - I am really excited to see this quilt in all it's glory hehehe... Also, your colorwork looks like it was done by a machine 😯 so so beautiful! I want to purchase a British Breeds kit... perhaps you are convincing me to do it :D

[@melmakesstuff]

Thanks for the blanket inspiration, Megha! The British Breeds kits are definitely beautiful… I’m enjoying myself even if this project is sort of wacky!

[@Melmaz32]

Just found you & binge watched all your videos. I love how you explain what is happening with your projects. It’s very informative & interesting. You are very prolific & fearsome! To jump into making your Jinny Beyer quilt is inspiring. And your Marie Wallin knit is just amazing. Looking forward to your next video.

[@melmakesstuff]

Thank you so much! I’m flattered that you went back and binge watched, I really appreciate that 😊

[@shannonoliver5414]

I have been binge watching a few of your podcasts and i love all the details you provide on the modifications you make and the details on the construction. When you say you may have to rip back to reknit something, i am like “i would like to see that”. I can “tink”, which i hate but i have no idea how to rip back, even if it is only stockinette. You are an amazing knitter. 😊

[@melmakesstuff]

I usually have to tink when it’s a lace mistake, and I hate it too! If you’re swatching in stockinette, that’s a great time to teach yourself how to rip out - after I’ve ripped, I use a smaller needle to get the stitches picked up again, without worrying whether they are situated correctly. Then on my next row I take the time to untwist them if needed, or make sure the front leg of the stitch is forward. I hope that helps! It’s truly freeing to be able to rip out a lot at once 🥰

[@melmakesstuff]

Oh! And you can also rip out until just above where you need to fix something, and THEN tink a row or two after you get your stitches back on the needle. I do that a lot.

[@christineosterbuhr3264]

I always enjoy and learn so much from your videos! Thank you!

[@shreyashiganguly]

Loved the episode. I learn so much everytime

[@silvamint]

Funny, I've been in the same place this week with my own Vair: figuring out how to modify the sleeve for my short arms, and trying to resist copying Jackie's adorable short-sleeve version. But the balloon sleeves were part of what I loved about the design in the first place, and they are turning out truly fabulous.

[@melmakesstuff]

Agreed! I finished the first sleeve and tried it on and was like ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@faithlinkministries]

Thanks Mel love your work you are so adventurous bless you.

[@NargisRashid]

I love how your vest looks with the dress and jacket! And am excited to see your swatch for the Jule Jacket with the darker tussock and lighter Berroco yarn. Your other textured sweater with darker silk mohair was gorgeous!

[@melmakesstuff]

Thank you!! I’m about to wind the mohair and do my swatch today - so fun!

[@bernbee1679]

Love all your projects and the depth of discussion on each project, very helpful. I also love your quilt and it almost makes me almost want to pull out my quilting again 😊

[@4314pw]

Love all your projects, very adventurous!

[@this_skipper_knits959]

Thank you Mel…great episode. I’m so glad you’re plowing through with the balloon sleeves 🙏🏽 The cotton cashmere yarn you are going to use looks so intriguing, I dont believe I’ve seen it before and am usually not a cotton fan but the cashmere might just be the answer.

[@melmakesstuff]

I’ve used a Katia cotton cashmere a few times before and it was really nice! It still doesn’t seem to have much elasticity though, more like knitting with cotton than an animal fiber, but the cashmere takes the edge off 😊

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

Fantastic epsiode as always Mel 🥰 Your Vair is looking lovely and I can't wait to see it finished. Thanks for taking time to explain the interesting construction of your Marie Wallin project. Your quilt is absolutely stunning and really inspiring to me as a (hopefully) future-quilter 😍

[@melmakesstuff]

Thanks Nikki!! 🥰

[@444Raine]

I love that Jinny Beyer book with all of my heart! She taught me everything I know about hand quilting and for that reason she feels like a beloved family member although we've never met. Your quilt is gorgeous!

[@melmakesstuff]

I love this! There is definitely something about her writing style in this book that makes it feel like she’s sitting next to me and showing me in person. What a treasure.

[@dianevcalhoun6848]

I love the vest. I think it looks great on you!

[@marybethirwin9684]

Lovely episode and brought back memories of Fair Isle Club, I think it was 4. My Magnolia turned out beautifully with all the support Marie offers. My only caution, and this is because you mentioned your short arm situation, of which I am a fellow sufferer, is that Magnolia was difficult to modify for that given the center band going down the sleeve is in a different direction than the sleeve itself. I also needed a larger size so that may have worsened the situation. I had a bad feeling but chose to ignore my instincts. My sleeves ended up too long, and I keep avoiding trying to fix them. I hope yours work out better, it is shaping up to be beautiful!

[@melmakesstuff]

Thanks for the heads up! That did occur to me with this one - the sleeves look short on the model, so I have hope that they'll be full length on me... but if not, my plan is to just hack the bottom off of the sleeves and ease the fabric into a slightly smaller cuff. Fingers crossed it won't come to that!

[@jinghu1983]

this vest is SO CUTE!!

[@debirose1205]

Mel, all your work is gorgeous! I felt a moment of camaraderie about the tubular bind off! Mine never looks right either - even on 1x1 rib. I don’t know where it goes wrong but it looks messy. I keep doing it because i just love that thicker edge. Let me know if there are other bind offs that have a similar look. Another hard aspect of tubular bind off is having to join a new strand that can’t be spliced.

[@melmakesstuff]

Totally, re: not being able to splice another strand in! I almost had to do that for this one and was like noooooo. I’m up for continuing to try sewn/tubular variations, so I will keep you updated Debi!

[@sharonsands3808]

Mel Hi - I’m Sharon from Dorset UK. Your podcast is so gooood I’m riveted. You show and explain so well. Just wanted you to know how much I appreciate your podcast. Keep up the great work. I’ve just rewatched this one especially interested as I’m making the Elsk Dress from The Shetland Trader 3 book and now considering that beautiful jumper your making and how your altering the sleeves. Super super podcast. Thanks Mel

[@melmakesstuff]

Thank you Sharon! I LOVE that dress pattern from the book, that’s definitely on my wish list of patterns to make in the near future.

[@johannevinet5083]

I love the vest with your last outfit, maxi dress and jean jacket. I agree with you, I would prefer a bit less fabric around the armholes.

[@melmakesstuff]

That was the outfit I ended up wearing to go out that night 🥰

[@betternpopcorn]

Wow. Everything is beautiful. Happy making

[@susansatchwell8482]

See what you mean about the wider shoulder pretty with bare arms and with jacket but agree your sizing might be different in shoulder area and bust…? I think the one by one on neck would look more consistent with arms. Just a thought. Pattern and color is lovely. Your detail are so good.

[@melmakesstuff]

It’s throwing me a bit! I have seen many pullover vest patterns that are a bit wider at the shoulder like this, so I think it might just be a style/proportions preference. I want to try one that has a bit less ease and cut narrower in the shoulders and see what that looks like.

[@anneserdula1329]

Amazing as always!!!! Wow!!!! You are so talented!

[@melmakesstuff]

Awwww, thank you!!

[@genier7829]

Love the vest with the long skirt especially. I love tumbling blocks, but just FYI, the seam allowances really shrink this particular pattern. Only 1/4 inch, of course, but because of the angles it gets smaller than you would expect. Looking forward to seeing your finished quilt top.

[@melmakesstuff]

Ah, good point! Thank you for that tip. Maybe I’ll reconsider how many more blocks I need for the width as well…

[@YoungfolkKnits]

Your vest is beautiful 🤩

[@melmakesstuff]

Awww thanks Kaci 😊

[@esthro]

Hi Mel! Thanks for all your detail in each episode. Love following along in the trials and errors. Regarding your sewn bind off: if you treat it like a tubular cast off and K1 slip1wyif for one round (the round you rearrange the stitches) and then p1 slip1wyib for a round, it will turn out tidier without the slanting stitches (I think!). I know it seems like a lot of work but once it looks right it looks RIGHT, you know? hahah. Andrea Mowry has a couple of good tutorials. happy knitting and thanks again for your videos.

[@esthro]

I think I wrote the stitches in the wrong order, but you're very smart and will know what I mean! haha.

[@melmakesstuff]

Thanks! Yes, I think you’re right - what you wrote out sounds like a regular tubular bind off and maybe I just need to stick with that instead of the no set-up row sewn bind off 😊

[@mindykannon4650]

Your quilt is gorgeous!!!!

[@streakyj2]

very nice vest, and you have several good options for wearing it! when you make another vest, maybe lower the neckline a bit for a different proportion? also, the Marie Walllin sweater is spectacular :-) .

[@melmakesstuff]

Yes, as I was editing this I had that thought about the neckline too, especially with the collared shirt underneath. This one is maybe best over a dress or long sleeve t-shirt.

[@mistakkesweremade]

What on earth is going on with the internet. You're a good researcher so if you missed it I do totally blame the internet. There's a sequence for 2x2 Italian / Kitchener bind off (tubular without the tube). Suzanne Bryan has a video tutorial. In print it's in either principles or Ann Budd's cast ons and bind offs. Not that I'm saying you have to unpick in woollen spun : D just had to let you know so you know. awesome episode as always, thanks!

[@melmakesstuff]

Honestly I think it might have something to do with my sewing tension, but I wasn’t in the mood to continue messing with it at the time I was finishing this 😂. Thanks for the tip about the Suzanne Bryan tutorial, I’ll have to check it out

[@mistakkesweremade]

@@melmakesstuff indeed, but I think the (unnecessary) transition to 1x1 might have played a part too ; )