MEL MAKES STUFF Episode 011: Marie Wallin Oak Cardigan FINISHED! and FIVE new WIPs

[@mariabergmann9084]

Hi Melissa, I'm so enjoying your podcasts. Have been watching 3 episodes since yesterday and can't seem to stop. You're definitely one of my favorites now. You sure are talented and give me inspiration. Taylor Owen from Baltimore who I've been following for a long time highly recommended you. Good luck with all your beautiful projects!!🧶💕

[@melmakesstuff]

I’m so glad you’re here, it was very nice of Taylor to send you over!

[@22marketst]

Also recently 'discovered' your podcast - excellent in so many ways. Good to watch an intelligent discussion of many aspects of knitting - I will certainly try to keep up with you into the future. I am also not really a sock knitter but my partner loves good socks and also is sensitive about her feet so will knit a pair of yours - many thanks !!

[@ruthlee2752]

I really enjoy your podcasts. It's not just a lot of fluff but great information. Thanks

[@sarahbaud1776]

sock toe = brilliant! Well done!

[@Maya-ii6im]

Thank you and I wish you all the best

[@cindyfrye3026]

I found a wonderful pattern on the Blackberry Ridge Woolen Mill Yarns site. It is called Whirling Storm Clouds Lace Weight Cowl. Thank you for recommending them. I am drooling over the 100% silk and the alpaca blends.

[@nancymorgan5505]

So much interesting information. Thank you.

[@catherinerutherford5002]

I’ve just watched you for the first time , I followed Amy Palco’s recommendation I’m so pleased I did . Thank you for a lovely informative honest relaxing pod cast . I loved my morning coffee with you thank you again for your lovely pod cast .🤗Catherine xxx

[@CamijoKnitDesign]

Now you made me fall in love with the Blackberry Ridge yarn as well, Mel. I am looking at colors right now...... :-D

[@melmakesstuff]

Yay, exciting! I hope you love it too if you end up getting it Camilla :-)

[@CelticPurl]

Thanks so much for sharing the sock info. I will definitely be using your method for my next pair of socks.

[@melmakesstuff]

Let me know how you like the toes!

[@sylviafikiert4825]

So many beautiful projects! I love the sock toe I always get holes on the big toe so I will have to try this 😊

[@melmakesstuff]

Please do! Let me know how you like it!

[@shannonoliver5414]

One day i will knit a Marie Wallin sweater and i will definitely look back at your videos when i do. I love all the details you provide. 😊

[@MsMasomo]

Just found your channel! Loved it👍

[@patricialoux5193]

Everything you knit is an inspiration! Love your podcast so much!

[@brennaparansky7758]

Thanks again for your podcast and inspiration ! I love watching the progress on your color work projects. I’m truly in awe. Can’t wait to see the finished products. Also, thanks so much for sharing your sock toe modifications. I’m absolutely going to try it on the current pair I’m working on. Have a great month!

[@bssmith1955]

Yes!!!! Handknit socks should have custom toes.

[@mrscraftalot]

Great episode as always. Your Oak cardigan is beautiful. I love the Two Sisters shawl and went to check out Carol Sunday's other patterns. She has some beautiful and interesting designs! When you mentioned goin out to Blackberry Ridge I wondered if you were considering buying the mill. I have never used that yarn but your description makes it sound wonderful. Take care! -Erika

[@debnew6195]

Your projects are amazing! Thank you for your reviews, the details are awesome. ❤️🇦🇺

[@melmakesstuff]

Thank you so much 🥰

[@sarahwilliams6488]

Thank you so much for another great episode. I really enjoy seeing your projects and the details you share about your modifications - always interesting and lots of helpful tips. I have recently got more and more into using a knitting belt and am really enjoying it. I originally learned the lever method of knitting from my Gran, but once I started knitting in the round, I started using circulars and could no longer tuck my straight needles under my arm. Learning to use the knitting belt has helped me get back to this style of knitting. I have found it easiest to have my knitting on just two dpns and use a third needle to knit onto (as they do in Shetland) . Elizabeth Johnston (AT shetlandhandspun) has a helpful method of slipping the last four stitches knitted onto the empty third needle and using that to 'turn the corner' ready to knit off the next needle. If I can find a video of this, I'll link it below... Looking forward to your next episode!

[@melmakesstuff]

Thank you for this! I’ll have to try to find that video, I was also using the two dpns but definitely was having a hard time with the turns. Slipping a few sts onto the empty needle is genius!

[@sarahwilliams6488]

@@melmakesstuff I've had a look for the video but can't find it yet. I'm wondering if I saw it on the 50 Tips from Shetland Knitters DVD from Elizabeth Johnston and Hazel Tindall which I downloaded on Vimeo (well worth the purchase btw). But yeah, this tip for turning the corner makes all the difference 👌

[@jandkcon]

Absolutely the perfect finish on your Oak Cardigan, Melissa! I’ve been following your strategy-gutsy if I may say, but so well thought out!👍🏻🧶 Congratulations on a job well done 🎉

[@melmakesstuff]

Thank you!! Yes, I figured if it totally backfired, that would also make interesting KZbin content in its own way 😜

[@mindykannon4650]

Love your knitting projects...perfection. Got my sweater quantity from Blackberry. Can't wait to feel it!

[@melmakesstuff]

Yay! Let me know what you think of it!

[@quejyaille]

I always learn so much from your videos! Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us!

[@littlebigknits]

How much crazier could things get!? Amazing work Mel!!

[@melmakesstuff]

Thanks Selma!! Only time will tell 🤣

[@sandracroley9784]

So much inspiration! I've been so tempted to buy The Shetland Trader....after seeing your project from the book I think I'm convinced that I need it 😊

[@melmakesstuff]

It’s a beautiful book, for inspiration alone! And well-written patterns. I’d say go for it!

[@ptty44]

Hello Mel, your Oak cardigan is beautiful and turned out so well. Thank you so much for the details regarding shortening the sleeves. I know this will be an issue when I start the Chestnut cardigan I plan to make this year. I will definitely be rewatching your videos for all your hints and tips. I am getting inspired by your wips too, but having to hold myself back from casting on too many things for my own sanity, lol.

[@FinnishKnittingStories]

Your Oak cardigan is magnificent! I really want to knit Chestnut, but I think it's a bit too challenging for me right now. Thank you for keeping me company, while I'm at work twisting skeins.

[@arlovergrown]

Mel, I was the same about socks and tights as a kid! I still can’t handle some seams & rip out all the tags, so making my own clothes has been great. Thanks so much for the sock shaping instructions, that’s going to be really useful!

[@goldwest53]

I love you sock toe idea. I wish I had seen this before I started my last pair. I can’t wait to try it. Your work is beyond amazing!

[@meganolivia6970]

So happy to see your Oak cardigan! It is so beautiful and fits you 👌🏻 Can't wait to see you again!

[@barbc445]

How do you do it? Amazing work! Love your show.

[@kerryrandall6618]

Lovely and informative episode as usual Mel 🥰. I will be interested in your progress on the Two Sisters shawl, as I had already purchased the pattern, but it is later in the year on my project cast-on schedule for 2022, as it is still the height of Summer here in Australia, and I have some smaller projects planned for the most humid end of Summer. It sounds like the lace work is very interesting, and I may have to bump it up the queue. Your tip on starting tubular 2×2 rib cast-on with a smaller guage needle is a great tip, I did find it a little loose on my 1×1 rib, and I can fully appreciate your need to start the ribbing again, the loose stretched edge would bug me also.

[@Jennie8684]

Love the sock idea. I still struggle with sensory issues with my socks, so I’m going to try your method.

[@melmakesstuff]

A kindred spirit! Let me know what you think 😊

[@noreenlynne]

I am totally using your ‘toe mod’ for my next pair of socks!

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

Hi Mel 😊 Your Oak Cardigan is just beautiful! And I cannot thank you enough for the advice you provided regarding altering the length of colourwork sleeves. My row gauge is off for my Chestnut and I am most definitely going to have to elongate the sleeves so I will make sure to plan my additional rows well in advance of knitting them. Your Vair is looking so lovely! I'm about to cast on the Bressay Dress (another of Gudrun Johnston's designs inspired by her mother's). I have had the pattern and yarn for 2 years now and am finally taking the plunge in knitting this epic (for me) fingering weight colourwork dress 😊 I can't wait to see your Fair Isle Club project 🥰

[@melmakesstuff]

Thanks so much Nikki! That Bressay Dress has caught my eye a bunch of times too, I've never been brave/patient enough to tackle a fingering weight dress! I can't wait to see your version :-). I keep toying with the idea of getting a knitting machine to do dress bodies flat... maybe this will be the year?

[@dorisenderle5857]

The sock. When you first held it up I thought it was a Tin can pattern.

[@melmakesstuff]

It does look similar, doesn’t it?

[@ellenhenrie4826]

So much great info and inspo. Your Oak is perfection. Gotta head over to Blackberry Ridge - see ya!...... And didn't I just go and order some! I mentioned you in the order comment.

[@melmakesstuff]

I hope you love it as much as I do - let me know what you think of it!

[@ellenhenrie4826]

@@melmakesstuff I will!

[@ellenhenrie4826]

@@melmakesstuffIt came already! And everything you say is true - so round and bouncy. I got sport - 3 dark gray and 1 bronze. Now I'll have to happily agonize for a while to decide what to make. Btw, it reminds me of Barrett Wool Wisconsin Woolen spun, if you're ever looking for something of a similar ilk.... Your podcast is on my "always watch" list - very appreciative of all the time and attention it must take:)

[@melmakesstuff]

That's so nice, thank you Ellen! I'm glad you like the Blackberry Ridge, I was drooling over the dark gray too. I haven't tried the Barrett Wool but thank you for the reminder to add it to my list :-)

[@mmoroney4921]

@@ellenhenrie4826 Barrett Wool Wisconsin Woolen spun just happens to be spun and dyed by Anne of Blackberry Ridge as well, so it’s no wonder you find it similar!

[@skeinsofdreamsknits]

Mel - I am with you on 'not really bothered by regular long tail cast on' :D Also, you make me want to cast on more fingering weight colorwork projects :D I have the Saga cardigan and the Marit on my radar!!

[@melmakesstuff]

The Marit, YES! That’s another one I want to make!

[@naturallyinspired1988]

Hi there, I’ve enjoyed your podcasts and the info you’ve shared. I’m considering dipping my needles into a Marie Wallin project or two, a couple of cushions. (Before a garment) Because of the number of colours in any of her patterns, I’m looking at a similar(??) though more economical yarn option. I’ve been wanting to try Holst Garn Supersoft. Jamieson’s Spindrift is the recommended yarn in the projects. Have you experienced both and can you offer a comparison?

[@melmakesstuff]

I haven't tried Holst Supersoft myself (it's not readily available in the States) but I do hear from other experienced knitters that it's a good substitute for the Jamieson's. I'd feel confident with that yarn substitution, myself!

[@emilythomas6776]

When do you tend to knit? You seem to get through so many projects so quickly! I know mentioned zoom knitting, but what are the other times you knit?

[@melmakesstuff]

If I’m awake, and not actively doing work, eating, or working out, I’m knitting 😂. Not really an exaggeration, although on a typical work day I have between 2-5 hours of zoom so that’s a big block of time there. I don’t really spend any time on social media and I don’t have kids, so I definitely have more time than a lot of folks.

[@ShowandTellknitting]

I never knit a sock (and have no intentions to do so) that didn't conform to the shape of my foot, but I do wear shoes that are misshapen. I think your sock-shape-sense would translate well to shoe design. So many shoe designers (maybe they're all men?) expect us to stick our toes into some anatomically incorrect point. P.S. The pandemic has allowed me to go shoeless (and sockless).

[@melmakesstuff]

Same here, unless I’m working out I’m usually in my slippers!