MEL MAKES STUFF: 🥳 MY 2023 PROJECT PLANS - Knitting, Crochet, Sewing

[@maritakinnula2885]

Making Alabama Chanin/inspired by AC inbetween knitting is very relaxing and so much fun! Hope you enjoy the process, it's a beautiful journey ❤ . You have a great channel😊

[@edinacole6382]

Thank you for not trying to sell anything to me. I’ve been turned off by that and stopped watching other KZbinrs because of it. so I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate that you aren’t doing that and that I greatly appreciate what you are doing. thank you so much!!!

[@LualaDy]

This is really interesting, you're like: oooh all the knitting, I want to improve my crochet me: aaah, my crochet can't fill all the gaps in my wardrobe, I need to learn knitting =D

[@sylviafikiert4825]

Mel very interesting projects you planning to make in 2023. I am interested in the Japanese crochet, I crochet a lot myself 😊 I always enjoy watching your podcast!

[@marsy1480]

Oooh! I like those jumpers you fancy doing!

[@streakyj2]

looking forward to seeing your warm extra-sweaters--i also live with serious winters, so this topic calls to me... and next time you wear that beautiful Fair Isle swtr, pls stand up & show it off 🙂--i saw teh previous ep where you talked abt it, but i'm always happy to see it, and i bet new viewers will be too.

[@anneserdula1329]

Wow! Very ambitious!!! If anyone can do it it will be YOU! Happy knitting and crafting!

[@jdominirose]

I could listen to you for hours - soothing and imaginative. Thank you for sharing your plans!

[@melmakesstuff]

Thanks so much Jackie 🥰

[@carol-annmatthew5296]

Hi Mel I love the designs you are planning. The mad ball design is fantastic. Thanks for sharing..until next time

[@maureenlehman139]

Some very interesting projects. I look forward to seeing your progress.

[@carolinawolf7708]

I’ve done the Linya shawl, it’s lovely but very repetitive. Be very weary of the tension at the edge, you can see on the ravelry projects that it curls up at the ends because the edge is so much tighter than the body of the shawl.

[@jocelynmackinnon5886]

An interesting and impressive list of projects. Good luck with all that.

[@robynmayes8744]

I love the way you document your knitting and explain your thinking. Thank you: always inspiring. You mention yarn you have dyed yourself and I wonder whether you might consider a video on how you do this.

[@melmakesstuff]

If I need to dye anything in the near future, I’ll be sure to film it! I would also suggest searching KZbin for Hue Loco - she had a few videos about dyeing back in the day that were really great.

[@robynmayes8744]

Thanks Mel. I look forward to that :) Appreciate Hue Loco suggestion.

[@emmipaez4898]

mel! i looooove your channel, please keep showing us your knitting, you are a lovely presence here. just loved seeing everything. your eye for color is amazing. such lovely yarn in your plan!!! such a lovely vid. thank you.

[@melmakesstuff]

❤️❤️❤️ thank you!!!

[@mariamueller_art]

Thanks so much for sharing - very inspiring! I was wondering what your experience has been so far with your Alabama Channing kit. I am considering purchasing one as well, but I haven’t seen any images on how the jacket actually looks on a person 🤷‍♀️.

[@lulualex9547]

I would like to get into crochet this year too- it seems like so many projects I like the look of are crochet- in fact, one is a top that was inspired from a crochet colllar! (I believe it was on the cover of Interweave crochet, but not sure of the year). Also thought you might like to know that Craftsy has some Alabama Chanin classes- I have been watching them and they are amazing! she is an inspiring woman! I also have her books, but haven't made anything ....yet

[@melmakesstuff]

Yes, I’ve seen those classes! The way she explains everything makes it seem so doable, it really helped me take the leap to get started on my first garment a few years ago.

[@crystalemmerson1334]

Interesting project choices. I’m looking forward to watching your progress on these.

[@jandkcon]

Admiring your ambition-go Mel!👍🏻

[@kata8012]

Your project plans are super intereesting! Getting into Japanese knit and crochet patterns would be amazing! So many patterns are not available to those who don't read Japanese or Japanese pattern symbology. This will open up a pattern world for many of us. Love the thoroughness of how you do everything - so helpful to knitters like me who need help along the way.

[@saracyclesandsews]

I LOVE plans videos! Looking forward to seeing updates and potential FOs throughout the year. 😁

[@sidneyevans7439]

Oh my gosh: the Blue Shimmer has been on my wishlist for very many years. What a fun surprise to hear it mentioned. I may have to add it to my (much shorter than yours) list of ideas for 2023. Thanks for the inspiration!

[@betternpopcorn]

Wow. I’m tired just thinking about all those amazing makes in one year. Will watch regardless, as I really enjoy your content. I hope you really enjoy your making-time. That’s what it’s all about

[@Renata_M]

Yesss, so many interesting and challenging projects! Can't wait to see your makes. [oh and to spot more pets in the podcast 😉😸]

[@margaretmurray5053]

I love your choices for 2023 and I wish you lots of luck. Can I ask you to say what you are wearing, it is lovely, lovely.

[@melmakesstuff]

Thank you!! I’m wearing a mashup of Marie Wallin patterns, if you go back to the video just prior to this, I talk a bit about it there.

[@nadiarogo4511]

Hurra! A new Mel podcast! You made me interested in the Scout scarf a lot :) Can't wait for the Japanese patterns to progress. I do bobbin lace as one of my crafting hobbies and have made a couple of collars but I never know what to mount them on or how to wear them. Enjoyed making them though :D Also, I'm knitting my second Blue Shimmer now, such a lovely pattern. Although I'm barely using the pattern, I'm just following the chart. Knitting it out of pre-washed Holst Garn Supersoft, held single, on 3mm. I realised that when I pre-wash Holst Supersoft it works beautifully for any kind of traditional colorwork. In fact it works so well, that I don't even wet block the knitting after, I just steam it and the stitches blend in as if wet blocked and I can immediately wear my finished garment :) Holst Garn Supersoft needs more love, I feel like people don't realise that pre-washing it is an option - it becomes sooooo soft!

[@melmakesstuff]

I still haven’t tried the Holst! Maybe this year…

[@nadiarogo4511]

@@melmakesstuff I just remembered about rhe Blue Shimmer :) When you do the colorwork yoke you can completely avoid the jog. The sections of it are not coordinated to the previous/following sections nor centered, so for example on round 35 the chart says to start with 2 sts (in the middle of the repeat), and go *2*, 2, 4, 2, 4, 2, 4, 2,......, 4, 2, *2*. Just start with 4 sts right away, at the beginning of the repeat. It will have no influence on anything within the colorwork but will eliminate the jog. Same on round 8 (start with 3 instead of 2) and 37 - start with 6 sts at the beginning of the repeat, not with 3 sts smack in the middle. On round 12, start inbetween the "lanterns", not in the middle of them. Have fun! :)

[@nadiarogo4511]

Also pay attention to round 47-48. Compare the chart to the book cover and picture on page 31 and make your own decision on what to do ;)

[@saraw8503]

Very challenging ambitious plans. 2023 will be fun.

[@Beclhawken]

Love the episode Mel. Great ideas and really looking forward to seeing them knit up, especially the scrappy project. Have fun.

[@emilythomas6776]

The Alabama Chanin designs are stunning! Hope you get around to working on that project! Would love to see some of the process!

[@melmakesstuff]

I hope I get to that one too! Now and then I get really fixated on starting it, but something always seems to come up. I’m hoping that once the weather gets hotter here, and I don’t want heavy wool in my lap, that will be a good time to start 😊

[@knitwise24.7]

I'm from Japan and it was a nice surprise to hear you mention about Japanese knitting. I'm pretty sure you've heard of Kazekobo but their fair isle/colorwork patterns are just exquisite and many of their books are translated into English. You might also want to check Erika Tokai for her unique intarsia designs. I'd love to try her Flower Yoke Pullover.

[@melmakesstuff]

Yes! Erika Tokai’s intarsia patterns are what got me excited about Japanese patterns initially. I also recently got a Kazekobo book and the designs are just lovely.

[@robynreid3027]

I just found you! I love your sense of taste, your choices of both patterns and how you put colours together. And I am so impressed with the sheer size of your projects for this year! I look forward to seeing you again here.

[@melmakesstuff]

Don’t be impressed yet, lol! We’ll see how much of this I actually get through 😉. Glad you found me!

[@LesTricotsdeMarie]

Beautiful projects! I'm planning to knit the Scout Mini Shawl in 2023. I really enjoy Intarsia knitting. This Mad Ball is so interesting and delightful! I can't really buy new yarn in 2023 but it's definitely tempting! Thank you for this inspiring episode!

[@melmakesstuff]

The Mad Ball idea would be easy to recreate with scraps too, I think. I got inspired to put some of my fingering weight scraps together and make my own 😊

[@irmagabbard]

Hello Mel. Thank you for putting out another lovely episode. I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy watching your episodes. They are straightforward and get right to the point. I love how adventurous you are about your makes. I have been sewing and making things since I was a little girl but only started knitting 8 years ago and I enjoy throughly your thought process behind each make. I learn so much from you.❤

[@melmakesstuff]

Thank you so much Irma ❤️

[@Lisamakes]

Oh, I can’t wait to see you work on these! Your choices are always so interesting and beautiful.

[@melmakesstuff]

❤️❤️❤️

[@binarystar11235]

Thank you Mel! Some of these ideas/patterns are the most beautiful I have seen in a long time! That chunky cabled raglan just hits me - I am going to look it up right away because I want to make it. Same goes for the unicolor striped shawl. So much inspiration and so much my aesthetic. Thank you! Looking forward to this year of creating and crafting, with your updates on your projects.

[@triplesss7229]

Yes-I, too, love the content and no selling! I get confused with how the word “steek” is used, though. I think one needs to “steek” in order to knit that shawl in the round. It bridges the gap. And then the steek itself is cut. Am I wrong? Quite a few seasoned knitters seem to imply that the act of cutting is the act of steeking. That’s just not my understanding, but your comments seemed to imply the same thing! In any case, it will be fun to see how you make the shawl.

[@melmakesstuff]

I would say that one creates a steek (noun) while knitting by adding the stitches that will eventually be cut, and then “steeking” (verb) is the act of cutting the steek. That’s how I use the words, anyways.

[@marybethirwin9684]

I admire how you use leftovers and combine yarns in your project planning. It takes vision, confidence and experience to do it well like you do!

[@casuarinagirl8067]

Lovely as always. I’m doing the Linya in a natural drapey yarn too 🧶💪🏻💃 hopefully casting on in the next week. Going to use 1200m and keep going as I like a serious shawl 🤣🤣 The scout shawl looks interesting. Thanks for the fun once again, Karen

[@melmakesstuff]

Oh, I bet it’ll look great as a giant shawl!

[@audetouzot1519]

Thank you for sharing your project plans. I have been tackling on Intarsia in the past 18 months (basically when I woke up from my Covid fog during which the only soothing projects for me were ocean of stockinette in the round). And I love it! In the round, flat... My next step: either the Scout shawl (or maybe the smaller version to get a feel for it) or a project from Dee Harwicke new book "The knitted fabric". See you on the other side ;-)

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

So many amazing plans Mel! What I especially love about your channel is that you're always making something different and unique or trying new techniques or crafts. I can't wait to follow along again this year! Oh and your modified Chestnut looks stunning on you 😍

[@melmakesstuff]

Thank you Nikki!!! 🥰

[@jeannievega1639]

Good seeing you Mel, love all your plans for 2023.

[@hlandy01]

The Alone Together sweater by Laerke Bagger is another nice scrappy sweater. I don’t believe the pattern is officially written out but it’s saved as a story on her Instagram with all the info

[@melmakesstuff]

Love her knitting, thanks for the recommendation!

[@christinelittle8576]

You are truly inspiring!

[@malloryp8341]

Could you please keep us posted on the Scout shawl? I’ve been wanting to make it but am intimidated by knitting color work flat (I have experience knitting color work in the round). Love your podcast!

[@melmakesstuff]

Will do - I’ve already started it so I’ll be showing the progress soon. If you have some colorwork experience already I do think it’s very doable. It’s turning out to be more of a yarn-ball-management project than anything else 😂

[@malloryp8341]

@@melmakesstuff thank you!

[@rachelcunningham2498]

i'm sure you know this, but when substituting a worsted yarn for that blown bulky yarn, please consider the drape / overall weight difference! It might make sense to make it shorter in anticipation of the garment drooping a bit more than the original! just a thought re: the enamorado sweater

[@melmakesstuff]

Yep, no worries! I’ve used the blown yarn in the past so I’m familiar with its properties. I’ve started the Enamorado already and am doing a cropped version, with hopefully a bit more structure than the original version in the blown yarn.

[@vanessalumbra9409]

Great project plans for the new year. Just a thought... I personally wouldn't use mohair with the first cable sweater pattern you showed. A cable pattern is all about clear stitch definition and the mohair will take away that definition with its fuzziness. Will be interesting to see out that comes out.

[@melmakesstuff]

Hmm, I’ve just started it and I think it looks beautiful actually. The mohair is giving it an ethereal sort of look in my opinion. Will be interested to hear your thoughts once you see it!

[@vanessalumbra9409]

@@melmakesstuff I can't wait to see it. I know you put a lot of thought into your knitwear and all of your knit items are beautiful so should know better than to doubt your choices. I have also been knitting since I was 7 and I am now 67. So 60 yrs! I think most of the sweater patterns back then were bottom up and pieced together. Been a long time since I've knit a sweater like that too. Looking forward to your updates. Love your channel and the details you talk about in your projects.

[@saraw8503]

The redshift shawl is similar to Andrea Mowry’s ramble.

[@janebrock9058]

Mel, what are wearing?? So beautiful!

[@melmakesstuff]

A mix of Marie Wallin patterns - I talked about it in the last couple of episodes 😊

[@saraw8503]

What about sashiko?

[@melmakesstuff]

Maybe someday!

[@saraw8503]

The Japanese crochet reminds me of tatting.