MEL MAKES STUFF Episode 012: Live Steeking VAIR and First Try-On

[@heartofwool]

Steadily making my way through all of your podcasts and just wanted to drop a note to say how inspirational your colorwork knitting is! I can't wait to try some Fair Isle colorwork with Shetland wool and Marie Wallin's Magnolia is truly a dream knit for me... hoping to get lucky enough to snag one of her club spots in the future just so I can access that particular cardigan pattern. 🤣

[@sarahwilliams6488]

I always look forward to your episodes, thanks for sharing more of your makes and process with us. You have given me an idea for some part skeins I have remaining through talking about your sorrel sweater... Project planning kicks off again...!

[@melmakesstuff]

Oh, how fun! Enjoy it, it’s such a great pattern for playing with color.

[@edinacole6382]

I love that you shared an easy way to keep track of the length of your socks! These hints are so helpful. thank you

[@r.mcd2921]

You've mentioned changing yarns mid-steek. Do you think you could demonstrate that in one of your videos? Also, when cutting a steek I typically put a piece of cardboard inside the sweater to prevent cutting through to the back side. Thank you, excellent video.

[@ptty44]

Wow another podcast so soon, you are spoiling us. Thanks for the look at your steeking process. I have done it before but your tips about where to colour change is something I will keep in mind for the future. Love your sorrel sweater too as the fade works really well and the colours are beautiful. As to your concerns re talking about your fair isle club project, thanks for sharing them. I am still interested to see and hear about your project regardless as it may be really informative because of the construction. I am not one who can afford expensive kits, or clubs but I try to substitute yarns and colours in designs I love. I understand the exclusivity of the design and yarn assists the mill and designer to set a certain price point for their product as I can imagine designing all over colourwork garment to the extent of one of Marie W. designs is seriously time intensive, plus a small mill's running costs are higher.

[@melmakesstuff]

Thank you, I really appreciate your feedback on my struggles to talk about the club ❤️

[@rockclimbing910910]

I love the motif of Beneath Waves vest but I don't really wear vests If there is a pullover version I would love to make one Anyway thank you for sharing so much thinking process and knitting knowledge in your podcasts it's really informative and I enjoy them a lot!!

[@sylviafikiert4825]

Another episode with so much information, thank you 😊 I love the vest you working on 🤩

[@maureencapotosto9257]

In a previous podcast you recommended a book top down: reimagining see-in sleeve design. I just got it from a library. It is full of good info. Thank you so much.

[@melmakesstuff]

LOVE that book! So happy you’re finding it useful 😊

[@susanmcbride4703]

So much useful information! So many beautiful projects! Thank you for sharing.

[@judithburke3637]

Thankyou so much for a wonderful informative podcast love your Vair x

[@debrizzo7031]

Thanks for another informative podcast! I love your club cast on, please continue to show your progress as it has very interesting construction.

[@melmakesstuff]

Thank you for the feedback on the club project!

[@444Raine]

I’m so glad I found you! I’m in the process of watching all of your videos and I love them all. Thanks for talking about Blackberry Ridge Woolen Mill. I just ordered two sweater quantities.

[@melmakesstuff]

Yay, enjoy!!! I've been thinking about what I want to order next from them :-)

[@gaynormackintosh2536]

I love the Vair pattern but was put off by the prospect of the steeks. Thank you for sharing how you cut the steeks it now makes sense. I can see a Vair of my own in my knitting future.

[@melmakesstuff]

Oh, good - I’m so glad this helped!

[@anneserdula1329]

You’re so talented and do such beautiful work!!!! Love all you do!

[@melmakesstuff]

You're so sweet, thank you!

[@this_skipper_knits959]

I got the furrow sock pattern on your recommendation, can’t wait to get knitting. Your Vair sweater is beautiful, good luck with those sleeves Mel 😮

[@melmakesstuff]

Thanks, I’ll need it 😂

[@Lisamakes]

Gorgeous projects- and you look stunning, by the way! Xo

[@melmakesstuff]

Awww, thanks Lisa 😊

[@bead9609]

I love your videos, so informative. I do share your view on a Marie club and I almost got this one because there is a jacket that I like very much but its not available and the yarn is so expensive for me... I do get the price for it as Marie and J. Arbon are both needing some profit there and someone needs to pay for it. Her designs are timeless. So please can you share how clear is the chart and a written pattern instructions as some knitters have complained about understanding it ? Love the sweater that you just sticked so pretty. Thanks and Happy knitting.

[@melmakesstuff]

Thanks for your comment and the great suggestion - I definitely will talk more about how the club pattern is written (clarity, etc) on the next podcast so folks have a better idea of what they might expect.

[@fairfeatherfiend]

Maybe you can have a tutorial on how to make the fair isle knitting flat, your color work is the flattest of all internet.

[@melmakesstuff]

That’s so nice, thank you 🥰

[@Melmaz32]

Thank You for very informative & inspiring podcasts. Love, love, love your comments & insights. I just finished binge watching all your past videos & learned so much. Looking forward to see what your plans are regarding your sheep & wool educational trip. I have a couple sheep, a couple alpacas & a couple angora goats. Check into your local 4H groups. Even though they are geared towards kids, you can learn so much from them. You may be planning something on a much larger scale, but the kids learn a lot about animal health & welfare & they can teach you. Plus I’m sure you can offer your valuable insights on processing fiber.

[@melmakesstuff]

What a good suggestion, thank you! I'm not looking into raising animals (yet, anyways :-)) but I do always like learning more about the sheep breeds and how animal health affects the fiber processing down the line.

[@hazeldonner1855]

I love your video. It’s so informative and interesting. Your knits are beautiful too. I’m loving the Gudrun Johnston one as I’ve been thinking of knitting this. I do have some problem with your voice though. Your speech runs into each sentence without a pause. I find this difficult to quite grasp everything you are saying. I’ve noticed this in someone else’s video and wonder if it’s in the editing. It’s a bit like it’s all running too fast. Anyway, it’s great otherwise 🌺