podcast 18 | finished kuutar top, oslo hat with peer gynt, and an almost-finished audrey top

[@OffbeatKnits]

Hey, just discovered your podcast and really enjoy your easy flow of talking and your good taste in patterns! Here's a Peer Gynt infodump, if you like, since I'm from a partly Norwegian family and this is the yarn I was taught how to knit with in ca 1993 (I probably wasn't even in kindergarten yet), so it's kinda special to me... It's been in production since 1938, named after the protagonist in Henrik Ibsen's novel by the same title, the first name is pronounced closer to "pear" than "peer", but still somehow in between ;-) - and it's maybe THE workhorse yarn of all Scandinavian yarns, which means something when there's a lot of rustic stuff to choose from there. It's listed as "worsted" on Ravelry, but Norwegians didn't really do the whole yarn weight classification thing until the internet age, and I personally agree with you on "heavy DK". Yes, 3.5mm is a pretty small needle to go with it, but definitely authentic for the olden days, we even go down to 3mm sometimes, and it knits up practically waterproof like that ;-) 4mm is comfortable, and most people nowadays would probably use 4.5-5mm. Since it's worsted-spun, not woollen-spun like classic Shetland yarns for ex., you're absolutely correct: it will always feel dense and heavy. You often need a LOT of skeins for a garment because of less meterage per gram. If you twist one strand apart, you can see it's 5ply-spun with a high twist, like classic yarns for Aran sweaters or Gansey, or other fishermen sweaters of coastal Europe, and my best guess is that this is because it was constructed for the same purpose: to be worn as outerwear on boats in cold climates. This is where this yarn just shines - despite being worsted-spun, it's suitable for colourwork (which will be extra warm because of all the floats as an extra layer), at least for the more simple Norwegian styles, and will give you a wonderfully even tension if you do the whole tiny gauge/tiny needle thing (hot take: it looks even better if you switch colour dominance every round, but YMMV!), again: it's almost waterproof AND windproof when knit at tight gauges, and I've never seen it pill, ever. Like, not even on sweaters that were handed down over 3 generations. You're right, it's not floppy or flowy, unless you knit it on pretty big needles... If you want to make a garment with it, I'd choose a pattern with a few things in mind: -Don't count on wearing it next to skin, it's rough, and it will stay that way over the years, but it's not exactly "itchy" either - as soon as you wear 1 layer underneath, you'll be fine. I personally don't even mind it next to skin on my arms, but won't have it on my neck, and I'm not too sensitive in general. Maybe avoid turtlenecks or shawl collars. -Go for something that already looks "structured" in the pattern - clean lines, nothing where the silhouette depends on flowiness or drape. -This yarn looks great in (pretty dense-gauge) stranded colourwork, cables or stockinette. Don't make your life miserable by going for slipstitch or lace patterns, or way too much texture. It would end up super heavy (in slipstitch and texture), or just not as pretty as soft drapy modern yarns (in lace). -Don't go for negative ease, you'll run hot. Trust me. -If you ever have been dreaming about a massive, coat-like, heavy, oversized colourwork cardigan or sweater that will keep you warm and dry on many adventures outside and hold up until your descendants ultimately get tired of it a few centuries after the apocalypse: This is the yarn to knit it in. I've made one of those beasts in 2010, it weighs 1.1kg, the yarn was already 40 years old when I started knitting it up, the finished cardigan gets tons of use, and it still looks as good as new. Thank you for listening to my yarny TED talk 😆 Happy crafting and best wishes from the chilly Baltic Sea coast in northern Germany!

[@neknits]

Wow, thank you so much for the in depth review of Peer Gynt! I love learning about different yarn types and will keep all your points in mind if I can get my hands on a sweater quantity of it one day. I am thinking a cardigan, so it wouldn't be next to skin and would benefit from the structure!

[@jolande52]

To reduce the armdepth you can draw a thin cord of elastic through the armhole at the wrong side. I use this method very often and if you use clear elastic, it is invisible.

[@streakyj2]

"stares longingly at yarn" 🙂 don't we all? spincycle yarns are the ultimate color stuff, but for more budget-friendly barber pole yarns, try Yarn Hero. also WoolNeedlesHands has a whole "budget to bougie" ep abt alternatives to Spincycle, tho not all are wool. ...love your yarn wall, but we see that shelf unit next to it ;-) . good luck w/ the destashing!

[@AntisocialAuntie]

Brioche intimidated me but I watched Stephen West explaining it, and then found videos on how to fix dropped stitches as a way to understand before I started. I did a cowl and was addicted to the flow of knitting it really quickly. Enjoy! Lots of love from the Pacific Northwest 🧡

[@mostlyknitting]

Love your episode as usual. I am inspired to make the Kuutar top out of Tynn Line. I love my Audrey top. Hope you enjoy the finished object. I made the Harlow hat as my first brioche project and it was a great first project to learn. I can recommend Kingfisher Knits video on fixing mistakes. I won't put in a link here as YT blocks comments with links but it is pretty easy to find if you search it on YT. Thanks again for sharing all your lovely knits. :)

[@chet1051]

LisaR : Your Olso hat looks excellent on you ! The colors perfect also . If you're getting any itch factor., there's an easy solution . I first saw it done on a hat in boutique & thought it was clever. A lightweight stretchy fleece ( very soft ) was stitched inside attached around inner brim .It has advantage of preventing prickling, and if using a more open gauge , it wind proofs. I think just doing the band of brim would be best on Oslo , to avoid adding more fabric bulk to body . A possibility that might be useful one day :) Oh - it could be great in mittens .... Love the lace scarf - pretty and versatile. Great gift !

[@cruxandcloverknits]

Your Kuutar top is so nice! Definitely added to my 'to knit' list. I also cast on the Versailles scarf for a gift. I was nervous casting on all the stitches, but it does fly off the needles!!

[@maryoconnell35]

Thank you for another episode, I love all you finished products but my favourite is the Lanakai tee, I adore the colour of the yarn and I'm looking forward to seeing it finished Sending love from Ireland ☘☘☘,

[@anitaklavenes9794]

As a Norwegian it's so interesting to see how popular Norwegian yarn is 😁

[@rebecca-72]

Hi Amy, your Kuutar top looks so beautiful on you! I‘m really happy you got a good suggestion on how to fix the stitches that were bothering you. I adore the deep purples you were showing and cannot wait to see what you make with them! Congratulations on 10,000 viewers! You have a very natural presence in front of the camera and your makes are beautiful: I‘m so happy to have come across your channel a few weeks ago.

[@alyssapeterson7876]

Congrats on 10,000 subscribers and also for completing the majority of the summer knits you had planned! Way to stay focused!

[@melanieholland2898]

Love your Kuutar. Still need to finish my hem. I also wish I had joined in the round sooner and I love your idea for the straps- will use that in the future!

[@valeriefelicetti9144]

oh goodness, that birch and lily suri you should hold with the hydrangea colorway and do a gorgeous hat! those are your colors.

[@manon_knitting]

the kuutar top is stunning, can't wait to see your progress on the Lento sweater

[@debbiedennie255]

Your sleeveless top is really cute on you And scarf is so different …nice😊 Your Oslo hat is a great colour !!! Love your pods 😊💝🇨🇦

[@pagesandpurls]

Your kuutar is stunning! Also loved listening to your thoughts / comparisons of the different yarns for the Oslo hat - I’ve been wanting to try out peer gynt but maybe I should consider it for a more rustic sweater rather than close to neck / head where I’d want the fabric to be softer and a little floppier. Congrats on 10k subscribers ! 🎉

[@PreetisFinds]

I’m making the Kuutar top right now and taking your experience to heart as I make mine! Thanks for sharing your knitting experience as always! ❤

[@QueensYarnBoutique]

Your Versailles Scarf is a beautiful hair accessory. Love the peg board idea. Congrats on 10K subbies! 🎉

[@jla110661]

The tuutar top turned out beautiful and really flattering on you. Great job and 10K subscribers....woooohoooo!

[@birchandlily]

Your Lento is going to be absolutely gorgeous! And I'm so glad you loved the extra surprises!

[@neknits]

Thanks so much Amanda!

[@thehopefulheliophile]

I’m catching up on old episodes so I don’t know if you’ve already used or destashed the purples or not but they would make a beautiful subtle Shift cowl if you’re ready to make another one!

[@KamilaChromeckova]

again a very nice flow, nice talk, great knits and lovely music🙂

[@jennymiles4426]

I don’t know whether Spincycle is a good choice for your first brioche project Amy - not that it won’t look great with your lilac tonal cos it will! But what’s hard with brioche is working out what strand goes where and if they’re all different colours it will be harder than if you had two tonals. I had great difficulty with very speckled superwash fingering yarns when I started - superwash also very slippery and if you drop a stitch it will run away from you…just a friendly warning

[@bluejay5531]

Great knits! Love your focus on finishing the wips, channeling that too! I am considering a Kuutar top, just need to figure out about the strap thing for me. I enjoy how you go in depth on the knits and talk about the fibers. congratulations for the 10000 subscribers!

[@juliettepecautdesigns]

love your version of the Versailles Scarf! thanks so much for testing. and your Kuutar Top looks amazing on you! 😍

[@neknits]

Thank you Jules!!

[@elfeneule103]

Your Kuutar Top looks much better than the original. Through the shorter straps it sits higher and so does thw lace. It is much more flattering. The lace looks like a necklace. 💚💚💚

[@neknits]

Thank you!

[@chrissy24-7]

I love your summer tee, the color is just wonderful, can't wait to see it on you!

[@martinaparizkova7119]

Thank you for sharing your struggle and tips on the provisional cast on. I am currently working on Rococo top and I think I will be having a similar problem 🙂❤

[@ll29123]

Hi! In regards to the armhole depth of the Kuutar top - people on Rav suggested you join in round straight after the lace. If you can access Ravelry, you can sort the projects by Most Helpful and read the comments there. Hopefully this will help in the future. I’m making one now and I did that, but I dislike the icord cast on at the underarm, so let’s see if I’ll finish it. Yours looks perfect, really suits you!

[@clueknits]

Omg when did you hit 10k you're already at 11k 😭 congrats, well deserved!!

[@susannegrant3831]

You need to wash and dry the Audrey top in washing machine and dryer! it will really soften up and relax--no shrinking

[@photoaddict555]

Your podcasts are so informative. Keep up the great work. ❤

[@shell2331]

You're a very professional presenter on podcast, well thought out and executed, l am impressed, love your content

[@neknits]

Thank you!

[@lenapena87]

I knit the Hanstholm sweater for my husband in Peer Gynt, and I think it is soft enough to wear directly on the skin :)

[@Ksberler]

Baby knitter here (I just started at the beginning of 2023) and I am loving your podcast! So informative and I love hearing about your knitting process and the decisions you make with your projects. Something I haven't done yet but want to get experience with is holding a suri (or other fuzzy yarn) with another strand in a project. Can you suggest a good beginner project to gain experience with holding two yarns together? I've done an Oslo (loved it, will for sure knit more) and was considering the Oslo Mohair but was interested in other suggestions. Thanks!!

[@neknits]

If you want to try the Oslo hat with Mohair I think that's a great choice for a beginner project! Just note that the Oslo Hat Mohair pattern is a different gauge than the original Oslo hat, so check that before you begin. If you are up for a sweater pattern, I think The Semper Sweater by The Knit Purl Girl with a fingering wool + mohair would be a good pattern choice! Sophie writes her patterns to be very beginner friendly. I'd also suggest Jessie Maed Designs' Cozy Classic Raglan for similar reasons.

[@denisemarcos3117]

10K - yeah! 😊

[@laurahorgan7657]

Thank you for a fantastic video!!

[@rhondaconner9256]

This shirt is beautiful on you ... well done!!

[@neknits]

Thank you so much!

[@lisanakao1043]

Congratulations on 10K.

[@neknits]

Thank you!

[@leonelsalazar9978]

Would You Consider Knitting a Red Cable Knit Turtleneck Sweater!?

[@JC_UKLDN]

Having just taken up knitting I love your videos Amy and was inspired to start the kuutar top - do you have any advice on creating more evenly sized knit YO and purl YOs? my purl YOs keep coming up bigger than my knit YOs

[@neknits]

You could try wrapping your yarn in the opposite direction for the purl yarn overs! Just be sure the next row you are knitting them appropriately so they are not twisted

[@gemmanash3877]

You do not need to suffer wearing a strapless bra!! Just buy a racerback bra or a racerback sports bra. I bought mine from girlfriend collective and it is so perfect for my camisole no. 5 and I have absolutely no complaints.

[@nadja9331]

❤🌈

[@jillreynolds2639]

🦈🍄

[@neknits]

🥑