podcast 24 | whitmoor cardigan fit issues, finished lana vest, boho blush shawl and another beanie

[@nadineuna]

I definitely appreciate you sharing a project that didn't quite go as planned. I think sometimes in knitting podcast land it feels like every podcaster has perfect garments every time while I've had several with fit issues like you're dealing with here. Thanks for showing your cardigan and also talking about the issues you have with it, I really appreciate seeing that. Also I know that some people may not see an issue with the cardigan but as makers when we have a vision in our head and it doesn't turn out right, it really sucks, so I'm right there with you. Happy Thanksgiving!

[@mmmayinyst]

This is such a surprise! I was just admiring and thinking about doing the lana vast too when I found out I've just got the same lana yarn in the color Cloud this past weekend. And I have 4 balls! The universe has spoken.

[@erayeda.t]

I think you are onto something with the lace gauge, Amy. When I look at other Whitmoor project pages, the lace design does not pass the bust line. When you modeled it, I also noticed that there seems to be excess fabric across the upper back and behind the arms compared to the stockinette below it. I have to wonder if your yarn choice is ultimately contributing an interplay between garment weight, gauge, and drape. However, I think you've done excellently regardless of the fit, and I especially admire your persevering spirit 😊

[@munchmary]

I enjoyed watching this and hearing your honest opinions on your knits. It’s important for people to know it’s normal to not be satisfied with a finished object.

[@oldwitchknits-Ursula]

I really appreciate it when podcasters go into details of "problems/failures". I learn so much every time and often not just about a specific pattern but generally knitting well fitting garments. I was just watching a few youtube videos about the Badger and Bloom. I really want to make it but I have never done a circular yoke, never done colour work and I want to use unspun (which I have used a few times but have to figure out gauge). A few people have made comments about different fit issues with this pattern. I found one video where the knitter put in short rows before the sleeve split (never done that either) but she started with the longest row and then did the turns earlier every time so that not as many rows are added on the sleeve part. that way the yoke doesn't get so deep before splitting. I will research that more. Fingers crosse I end up with a nice sweater and learn a bunch of new skills! And I hope you get that with your Whitmoor too in the end 🤞🤞

[@MargaritaStefanova-r8y]

I really enjoy all of your videos and project updates. I recently stumbled across one of your seasonal plans videos, and since then, I have been watching all of your videos since the beginning. Hopefully I'll be catching up soon haha. Something that appears very funny to me is how brioche is considered pretty tricky, and some people are intimidated by it. However, this didn't occur to my grandma when I asked her to show me how to knit. So basically, my first knitting project was a super long wide full brioche scarf. I absolutely hated it in the beginning. Any time I made a mistake, I had no idea how to fix it and I restarted more than 10 times, never really getting past the first few rows. It almost made me quit trying to learn how to knit, and now that I've learned some more, I realize that I wasn't the problem :) Anyway, your videos have given me the courage to knit my first garment, as even though I've earned so much, and I know I need practice to learn more, I was constantly telling myself that I need to find the perfect project to start with. Watching your videos and all the beautiful very wearable pieces you make has made me just start one of the projects I want to make, and I can't wait to see how it turns out!

[@alliecravulz]

yes! I spend hours knitting garments that I am sometimes disappointed with, so that's very relatable. Reworking them afterwards is also the ultimate punishment

[@ouicertes9764]

I too have found that cicular yokes don't fit me unfortunately. I think it has to do with the shape of my shoulders, they are quite wide and "horizontal" as opposed to slanted and narrow, so any excess fabric that is not fitted in that area is very unconfortable and awkward. The yoke doesn't fall naturally over my upper torso because it's a full circle of fabric.

[@lauriejarboe6087]

that vest is beautiful, so perfect for the holiday season. Looks like a combination of lovely red wine and a bowl of cranberry relish!!

[@blinginghomethebacon]

Your Whitmoor is lovely, but I totally sympathize with you as I have frogged that same sweater TWICE now! I thought it was just me! For reference, I am 5’9” and had many fit issues as well. You do a fantastic job on your videos…thank you!

[@10amTracy]

I made a Sophie shawl out of 2 skeins of DK yarn. It came out a great size. I weighed each skein and started with the lighter one. When I switched skeins, I began the decreases, so I knew I wouldn’t run out of yarn.

[@nancycox6548]

Before you mentioned yoke depth I thought I recognized the fit issue. I’m also 5’ and like many petite women am relatively short waisted. So yoke depth really important. Not all patterns give that measurement in the schematic and it’s really important. You are a beautiful knitter so sorry this project was less than you hoped for.

[@f.hohmuth6950]

When I looked at the Lana Vest for the first time I wasn't sure which color I wanted to knit it in. I saw your Ravelry review and immediately fell in love with the color. Now my Vest looks almost like yours! Back then I didn't even knew you had a youtube and when a video of you got to my landing page I was like - wait a minute, I've seen her before! Nice - U do awesome podcasts and I wish I had found you sooner! Keep it up u rock girl :)

[@Thistheoknits]

Hi, we are the same height and have knitted the same size and I also have the same fit issues with the Whitmoor cardigan. I didn’t add any short rows but have the same bulging issue in the sleeve as you do. I think because of the design of the lace and where each of the triangle points sit around the arm causes this bubble effect. I also have the same thoughts about the baggier fit of the yoke but it gets narrow very quickly for the body and sleeves. It definitely isn’t the most flattering fit.

[@bug781741]

Just discovered your podcast. Love the way you review your knits bot the yearn and the pattern. Also love the way you show the garment on when finished. Look forward to watching many more

[@candacecampbell3542]

I think it looks lovely on you!! The Whitmoore cardigan!

[@cathiapizetta4957]

Gorgeous vest! About the issues with the cardigan, I know the feeling… it happens, but you seemed to have a good grasp on what could be the problem, and hey, we all learn! And with your generous sharing, we can learn too! Thank you Amy for another great episode! ❤

[@rebecca-72]

Thanks for sharing things you are also dissatisfied with. I really appreciate how you analyzed the different points and treat it as a learning experience. I totally get the disappointment though!! Overall, its a beautiful garment and one you can be so proud of! Loving those reds on you, so pretty and cheerful in winter gloom😊.

[@Goodknits_]

Appreciate you sharing thoughts on the projects that don’t work out. We all have them! I’ve also realized circular yokes aren’t really for me. So even if you got the fit right on that cardigan it may not be quite right for you. Could always rip out and pick something else for the yarn cause it’s beautiful

[@corbyelford5754]

Amy I love your channel. You are so open and honest and offer such wonderful practical advice. All your knits looks so professional but I know what you mean about those circular yoke items; they have driven me crazy and never sit right on me and in fact are unflattering- but the Whitmore is a stunning cardigan. I am sure with wear the little sleeve bumps will drop out on their own. Thanks for your generosity of information.

[@ShariPulford]

I think your Whitmoor cardigan is so lovely. I do think you would be happier with it by re doing the sleeves. Love the vest!! That is one thing I haven't knit, but expect to soon. Enjoy your Thanksgiving

[@helenmt2000]

I'm in love with your Lana Vest! And I've been looking for the perfect shade of red 👀 the purplish color way in Pura is also stunning. Looks like I might have to get myself an expensive Christmas gift this year lol. Happy holidays, Amy!!

[@amyding7732]

I really appreciate all the discussion on your knits and how you go about problems that arise. I also loved seeing your Ollie sweater (especially since my name is also Amy and I'm also making a sweater with Woolberry Rabbit Rump that my boyfriend calls my cookies and cream sweater!). I look forward to your next episode!!

[@waywardsister8367]

Thanks for the in-depth review of the Whitmoor. Whilst it's a beautiful knit, as usual from you, as a 5ft 1" woman myself, I completely agree. Thanks for taking my criticism into consideration last time. I was worried as I didn't want to upset you. Today, I could see your fabulous knitting in all its glory. I love your Lana Vest.

[@veronicazimmerman3294]

REALLY appreciate the sharing regarding the cardigan. I am about to knit it but know what I will change now! thank you so much!

[@saoirsebrey]

I loved hearing your thoughts on the Whitmoor Cardigan. I'm the same height as you and sometimes feel like things just don't fit the same way on us and while it's easy to shorten the length in the body it's so much harder to figure out what you should do for the yoke. I'll probably look for a different lace cardi or pullover to do instead. Loved this episode! Hope you have a fantastic Thanksgiving! 💖

[@truelaneknits]

Woohoooo, welcome to the speckle sweater club! 😊

[@ShowandTellknitting]

I wonder if you could have just eliminated the lowest scallop of the lace, shortening the yoke depth and armhole bringing the underarm more into your actual underarm area. You're probably sick of redoing it. I know the feeling. Wouldn't it be interesting if I could swap one of my redone-to-the-point-of-frustration-projects with yours...and then swap back when complete?

[@neknits]

That's a good idea of eliminating the lowest scallop of the lace! A trade would be a fantastic idea 😂 I'm sure so many knitters have projects they are sick of working on!

[@katjafarbenfroh8646]

Your Lana Vest is very pretty and the color suits you very well! I`m knitting mine in tinde by Hillesvåg (knitting traditions) and I love how the yarn knits up. Happy knitting from Germany

[@somedayknits]

Your Whitmoor cardigan is still a gorgeous knit! I see what you mean about the fit issues. I think doing the short rows before splitting for sleeves probably added to the yoke depth unintentionally.

[@hyperspace1952]

I am re-knitting and altering the frogged body of a fingering-weight top as I am watching your podcast =) I happen to frog quite a lot but I really enjoy making something that really fits me. I suppose it helps I am a process knitter. I have found that circular yokes don't really work for me either for the exact reasons you mentioned. That took a couple of knits, but in the end I frogged, repurposed, and found patterns that really work well or serve as a good base to add fit alterations. I think you did an amazing job on your Whitmoor, it is just a bit unfortunate the fit did not really work out this time. I hope you will find a good solution!

[@MissSholia]

My best trick when I add short rows to the back of the neck is to do it before the stitch pattern, right after the neck ribbing. Honestly I don't care if there's like a half-moon of stockinette in the back of my neck before the yoke starts. Who's gonna care anyway? 🙃 I think the buttons should go on whatever side people like them. When we make garments, it's so nice to be able to customize them. I hate when the buttons are not on the side there I want them. If I knit a buttoned-something for someone else, I'll ask them which side they want the buttons to be on so they're happy with the item 🙌

[@morsmitt3126]

Great video ♡ I think you are right about circular yoke. My first circular yoke sweater is great and I love it, but second looks weird, I wore it maybe 2 at home. Since then I don't trust circular yoke patterns. I prefer raglans Also I love the vest. You may convinced me to make one ♡

[@unrulyknitter]

Maybe you could make short sleeves on your cardigan? I think you could even get away with a puff short sleeve since the lace portion is wider. Love the vest - that is a great color on you.

[@brenholmes4894]

An interesting vlog, thank you. I am about to begin working on the Whitmoor cardigan. I am of average height, so hope the yoke depth will be OK for me, but I will carefully consider my tensions. It will be my first circular yoke pattern. I think your Whitmoor looks fine on you , but it's about you feel in it.

[@SallyGKnits]

Maybe try styling it with a spaghetti string lace tank top for a spring or autumn weather. Or maybe not starting the first lace section but the second lace section. Idk I have this in my queue on rav too. Thanks for the review. ❤

[@hollyknits9494]

Thinking about your short row dilemma on your Whitmore cardigan. Currently, I am working on Andrea Mowry's Metamorphic sweater. It's also a circular yoke, and she puts the short rows in that one within the ribbing at the back of the neckline. Something like that might've worked for your cardigan. Just for future reference maybe. And I love your Lana vest. I don't care for the main picture on the pattern page, so have never had the desire to make that one. But it looks great on you, and I like it much better than the pattern picture! Great color too!

[@pattysartin9638]

I knitted Sophie Scarf large size used Madelinetosh Vintage color Star Scatter 200 yards used size 4 needles fun knit and currently knitting small size using Cardiff cashmere classic color Galileo with size 4 to use as a tie for hair . Fun fast enjoyable knit ! Love your podcast, take care !

[@catblues8645]

You might consider frogging up to the lace part of the Whitmore Cardigan, and frogging the bottom lace repeat, and then just stop the lace a bit earlier and split for sleeves earlier?

[@marleneknits]

The Oreo sweater is going to be such a cozy staple I feel like 🤎🩵 I actually thought of you today while working at the yarn shop.. a customer wanted to knit a cabled vest for their daughter and I instantly thought of the Lana Vest and when she said that she liked the look of the Bordeaux of the KFO Heavy Merino that we have, I was showing her your picture on instagram to show off how beautiful it would look 🤭

[@nancymorgan5505]

Sometimes to prevent blocking lines on sleeves, I’ll slip in a “pool noodle” while the sweater is drying…😊

[@stitchandlilly]

Woww love everything!! Especially that vest 😍

[@noamleora]

I think if you go uphalf a needle on the sleeves and even the body, I think it would take care of the worries you have. Because circular yoke patters tend to be a bit puffier around our top bodies, I actually don't think you need short rows for that pattern. I personally think circular yokes are best for baby's patterns as they are generally more round than us adults. 😂

[@finassm]

Hi Amy! Circular top downs can be really tricky to fit, I struggle with that too (I've knit lots of raglan and set-in-sleeves designs with a good fit though). 😅 I highly recommend a one-on-one session with Allyson @allysondykhuizen, she's a super helpful, super personable online knitting teacher. I booked her help to help me figure out how to resize a circular yoke pattern without messing up the yoke motif. She also has lots of knitting group classes where she teaches you how to pick the best measurements and how to modify a pattern according to those measurements while maintaining the original motifs, and of course how to knit the design at all. I hope this helps 😄

[@neknits]

I'll have to check out Allyson's page! Thank you for the recommendation!

[@theaen2811]

If you increase by doing a yarnover and knit/purl the stitch twisted next round you will not have the problem you describe. I learned that by knitting the Alberts Pilot Hat by PetiteKnit which is top down as well 😄🙌🏼

[@rosieknits]

Hello! As a fellow left handed knitter, I always love hearing your thoughts on how patterns turn out when you knit them left handed. Would you consider making a video about tips and tricks for reading and knitting patterns as a lefty? I haven’t been able to find a ton of resources out there, and I think you’d make an excellent and thorough video on the topic! Thanks! 😊

[@neknits]

It's on my list to eventually film! I think it will take a lot of prep so I've been procrastinating it 😬

[@tambraarchibald6217]

Hi Amy. Being a petite woman makes some patterns difficult to wear. The yoke depth combined with the lace covering about 50% of the pattern throws off your overall 1/3-1/3-1/3. Try styling it with a slim midi skirt & tall boots. See if that helps. 😉

[@quil10it]

Oooow I love your new vest! It’s so good.

[@carolynallan5555]

The beige sweater is beautiful and looks great on you. No one will notice the things that bug you.

[@e-comunque1761]

I really enjoy your podcasting style and all the in-depth details you share about your projects. Onto the whitmore cardigan it seems to me that the tapered sleeves might have affected the fit of the yoke creating that bump that you seem not liking. I would try undoing one sleeve to see if making it slightly wider changes the fit to your please. Jk I would never undo a whole sleeve. I am still wearing too short cuffs bc I’m too lazy to just undo the bind off and add a couple cm at the cuff😂

[@viktorijajakubauskiene4576]

If I would modify Whitmore cardigan, I would do balloon sleeves. I think it would solve weird thing after lace portion and balance the whole look.

[@herzauskreativitaet3372]

The vest is soo pretty😍

[@lademac5791]

I was thinking that yoke depth is the problem. I'm wondering if you could have eliminated the last lace repeat and separated the sleeves sooner to shorten the yoke. Your work is beautiful.

[@pippade-negri8111]

Hi Amy, Happy Thanksgiving from me in the UK! Perhaps your Whitmore cardigan could be rescued by turning it into a short puff sleeve? You could frog back the sleeves as far as the lace yoke section and then decrease into a little rib cuff? Would then make the sleeves puffing out look deliberate? Just a thought. Lots of love, Pip xxx

[@QueensYarnBoutique]

Your Lana Vest is beautiful!

[@jetv1471]

I very much appreciate your critique of the cardigan ! I wish more folks would honestly share such issues with a pattern. I think the designer should have considered that extra fabric issue at the arms, and the need for extra fabric below the lace in the body . I don’t think it should be up to the knitter to come up with those fixes for a poor design .

[@deborahderosa4987]

I’m a lefty too. What do you do?? Maybe do the ranunculus bottom? It’s boxier. Wear it. It’s gorgeous🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@TetraPack-w8m]

Regarding the Sophie Shawl - I made mine in Alpakka Ull by sandnes garn and used 300gr and it turned out super huge, which I like. I'm a taller (5"7') person, but I think with you being a more petite person with 200 gr of DK you could get a nice medium sized shawl. If you'd want it longer you could just increase the row numbers between the increase rows. I hope that's helpful 😊

[@neknits]

Thank you!

[@655irish]

It is a beautiful pattern Was there any way to skip the last lace/leaf motif? It looks like that would have brought that underarm closer to where it needed to be Not sure if that would have been a difficult modification

[@AntisocialAuntie]

Yeah the traditional button side is because other people would dress ladies and it made sense to be on the opposite side of men's. No longer necessary so going "gender neutral" would be the sides you have yours on. Lots of love from the Pacific Northwest 🧡

[@marilys3549]

I think your Wittmore is pretty, maybe if you had deleted the last lace round because of your height that would allow the arm depth to be shorten. I know that's a lot to rip back but it is a beautiful cardigan. Your vest is pretty and the color is stunning!! But again because you are so petite a little positive ease goes a long way. It could have had less ease in my opinion, you look a little swamped in it. A couple of inches on your petite frame would be like 4 inches of ease on a med or large. I know it's supposed to oversized but caution so your wearing it and it's not wearing you. Love your videos and all your great information you give all of us. Thanks again

[@baileyk1989]

I had the EXACT same experience with the Sweater Weather hand cream! I used the wool wash last year and I loved it, so I bought the hand cream this year, but it doesn't smell the same and I don't really like it ...

[@neknits]

That's SO interesting! I wonder what the hand cream smelled like last year...

[@knitnut246connie7]

I also love my Lana vest and yours is beautiful ❤️🇨🇦❤️

[@gillshand5820]

Thank you great round up as usual. 🐑

[@jenkreider8368]

@neKnits ive tried to contact the designer of the cardigan that you made about seeing if there is a different place to purchase it. Do you know where else i maybe able to purchase the pattern?

[@harrietphillips9772]

Could you have deleted the last set of lace pattern? As you are petite the full pattern is too long for you. Beautiful work though.

[@ew5301]

Question on the Ollie sweater- is drop shoulder hard to do? I’ve made lots of sweaters. GSR, raglan but never drop shoulders. Also Have done circular yoke. Thoughts?

[@neknits]

I don't find drop shoulder difficult, but they do include more flat knitting and picking up stitches which can be considered less simple than raglans and circular yokes

[@catherinesybillegervais7341]

Love your comments on the projects that works well and the ones that aren't so good. This is always interesting! For your Whitmoor cardigan, I think your armholes are waaaayyyy too low. It looks baggy and it is not flattering just because of that. That's my opinion! The lace is beautiful though! :)

[@maryeberle8994]

Thanks for your videos! What brand of wool wash did you talk about in this episode? Thanks!

[@neknits]

Sewrella!

[@streakyj2]

whitmoor finished--yay! good idea to add teh short rows to raise the back neck--once time i added some in the ribbed collar, which wasn't difficult; for a better fit, could you have omitted the last 'leaf,' making the whole yoke section shorter? ofc you couldn't have known that ahead :-/ . i've made several round yoke swtrs bc it's easy to change teh length & shoulder width, but they do often fit a little funny [at least on me, 5'2", narrow shoulders, small boobs]. but your Whitmoor is very wearable! 🙂...Lana looks great, i hope the fam oohs & ahhs appropriately! happy thanksgiving!

[@ew5301]

Oh also, I can’t find this yarn anywhere.

[@lauramartens5516]

Very nice!!!!!!!

[@deborahderden4860]

Custom is women’s buttonholes on right and men’s on left.

[@docdeb.deborahwaxnan]

hi Amy, I think your videos are great but please can you stop saying the word “casted”? The word you should be using is “cast”, i.e. “I cast on”, as there is no such word as “Casted” in the English vocabulary. Apologies, but it’s really irritating to keep hearing you use the word.