Skill Building Advice for Newer Knitters // Casual Friday 3-48

[@TheSuzberry]

First and foremost, MAKE MISTAKES. Mistakes give you the opportunity to learn something new. 2. Knitting is not a competition: someone will always knit faster, the stitches will be more uniform, the fit better, etc. 3. And you are knitting fabric. You are knitting to create an item, but you are knitting fabric. It can be cut and altered if your fit needs it. 4. Use good yarn. Cheap yarn has many problems, among them the fact that they do not survive repeated knit/tinking. Finally, the answer to your question: Years ago, I knit an Advent scarf using different lace stitches. It was a wonderful learning tool.

[@MrMonet111]

I did baby sweaters first when I learned to knit sweaters. They were smaller pieces to handle, less expensive and gave me more opportunities to learn to read the patterns. Found them to be confidence builders.

[@spudsmith]

How have I never considered this?! I'm terrified of trying to knit my first sweater because it's such a large project, but now you've said it, a baby sweater seems the perfect solution! Thanks xx

[@juliegogo2941]

Western Nebraska has a water efficient ecosystem wool spinning mill. Brown sheep company inc. Very interesting. Thanks for the talk.

[@FourPinesKnitting]

I often find myself nodding along furiously when you talk about your history and advice. I taught myself to knit from books and knew no other knitters,. I hit my plateau in the early 2000s. This was before Rav or KZbin, and I had knit every kind of square oversized sweater you could imagine. I got bored and moved on to other crafts. Came back to knitting a few years ago and got so excited by all the pattern options now available. And then I found podcasts like yours and was completely hooked. The seemingly endless things to learn is what makes it so much fun.

[@twentynineteen4687]

Wait! This is me too!

[@donnahrynkiw3179]

Re: nodding along. Me too!

[@DiniAdd0807]

Hi. Thanks for this great video. I’m very analytical also. That’s why I was in computers and software. I have a low boredom threshold so I love creativity. Therefore, computers were perfect for me because one could never be a true expert since new things developed all the time and I never got bored. I feel the same way about my knitting. No one in my family knit so I taught myself to knit as a young adult. I’m left handed but I taught myself to knit right handed. I love knitting because I enjoy doing it and because there’s always something else to learn. I’ve learned so much from your videos and really appreciate the work you put into everything.

[@nora22000]

Rae Addington I'm a lefty too, and a systems architect. I knit right-handed, but taught myself to knit return row with the left hand. Bliss!

[@TheMiriamLima]

Everytime the pattern asks for something I don’t know I will go to your videos and I know I will find the info I need. Thank you for your expertise, now I know where it comes from, from your curiosity and passion for knitting!

[@judygrayson7896]

Thanks for info on Knitting Guild. I am a new knitter I guess maybe beginner intermediate but love to do mindless grandma’s favorite dishcloth for mindless knitting 🧶. Learned cowls, scarves, hats easy stuff for now cause I work and don’t have the time to learn sweaters yet but one day. I just learned to knit socks too with magic loop and love it. My favorite teacher for beginners was Earthtonegirl here on youtube. She teaches all three ways meaning magic loop, double pointed needles, and her go to 2 circulars very slowly also lots of tricks. The Crazy Sock lady also taught all three ways on here too. Not quit as slow or as much detail but very good. There. Is a cute girl also that it Knitty Natty that taught socks and she does these cute knitted cozies for all size cans and yarn ball cozies to hold yarn while you knit. Fun stuff out there. Alway learning new stuff. Thank for all your help.

[@jenniferrich5292]

Congratulations on your new all-purpose office! I’m glad for your audience, too, because easier filming might keep you podcasting longer😁 Also, your knitting philosophy is one we should adopt for many other things in life: it may look like there is my way or the wrong way, when really I should keep my options open, try other ideas to learn their good and bad points, and keep learning!

[@fionafairechild6272]

Thanks ❤️ been following you for a few weeks now. I am a newish knitter- long breaks between simple projects. Happy day

[@rushiaj1222]

Love your videos. I always learn so much and your my go to if I need to learn a new skill. Thank you for all you do❤️

[@RoxanneRichardson]

You are so welcome!

[@elenaquinones6731]

This is the first video of yours I've seen, and I really loved watching it! Thanks for sharing your expertise and personal stories-I'm excited to stay tuned as a subscriber

[@josine1983]

Thanks for your another insightful video. I learned Urine was already used in Roman times for washing the white draped fabric they wear. So they probably learned what the effect on wool is quite early in history

[@emilybeaton2947]

Times Magazine RBG article was beautiful!

[@melaniew4354]

I'm really not trying to be a smart alec, but it's curious how nobody ever mentions Sandra Day O'Conner, who was the first woman on the Supreme Court and is actually still alive. I believe she does have Alzheimer's Disease now but I do hope she receives a fitting tribute when she passes as well. She also wore a distinctive collar.

[@alenemazzuca5118]

You will love your new space, I took over the living room for my quilting years ago after the kids left and now have the knitting there too. Plus a closet upstairs.

[@bonniel3679]

The exploration of what changed in knitting over time would be interesting, especially if you could uncover the reasons for the changes. I can't believe there were so many changes just because someone felt like doing things a different way. I have really enjoyed your decades of sweaters. It was a subject I had never thought about which is a bonus. Your insatiable curiosity & search for information is quite apparent & has "reeled me in"!! Amen to a healthier 2021.

[@carlamonico4739]

Roxanne: I think a sweater KAL highlighting various techniques in 2021 would be fun

[@tiatistimaren]

Tony Robinson of the BBC did a series called "Worst Jobs through History". In one episode, he demonstrates the work of a "Fuller". I assume someone figured out that the ammonia in urine strips the lanolin out of the shorn wool. Good luck, It takes a bit of a strong stomach to watch. I will always think of this demo when I meet anyone with the surname of Fuller.

[@tiatistimaren]

oh.. It's available on youtube!

[@RoxanneRichardson]

Ah -- I didn't think about the meaning of the Fuller surname!

[@heartsue-RN]

Thanks for the video recommendation, have to check that out.... can’t imagine a more awful job!

[@cwilson991]

I watched that show as well. I agree with the strong stomach.

[@lucilatube]

I crocheted for 11 years before trying out knitting for the first time in June this year and I'm obsessed! I find your videos really helpful and fascinating. Thank you for your advice and book recommendations in this one in particular ❤️

[@sleepydrJ]

There is a terrific scene depicting the old Scottish wool processing in Outlander season 1 episode 5 at about 13 minutes into the episode.

[@annewebbpots]

Yes and they used urine, if you recall

[@debbyferguson5638]

Great video. Lots of information. Love. Thanks

[@tracyvision]

“I do NOT understand the appeal of *that*”. 😂 Try it anyway. I love that advice.

[@joannsteinly5325]

Fabulous episode! Loved the waulking, the beading (what a cool lady), and the links for RBG"s collars. Your new office looks awesome. Congrats. Thank you so much for the resources. Like you, I go all in when I'm learning anything new. I love books! Sending you a ko-fi.

[@jay_cadiramen]

Another excellent video, and loaded with advice and suggestions - thank you!

[@elizabethsleison6079]

As always a terrific episode. Thank you very much.

[@cherrywhitaker7608]

Thank you so much for your wonderful videos, full of great tips, you are my go too channel for knitting advice. 🧶 Good luck with the studio move ☺️ Cherry 🇬🇧 x

[@RoxanneRichardson]

Thank you so much!

[@gabrielecarter5440]

First: thanks for the RBG collar link. Great article! I first learned to knit from my mother in the 60's. Hated it because as a teenager anything my mother taught me couldn't possibly be cool! In the early 80's took it up again. I knit a few things playing with basic textures. Fascinated by how just knits and purls could produce so many different textures. Got busy with career, marriage, motherhood, overseas moves, etc that knitting didn't happen very often. Then in the early 2000's I saw a Moebius scarf by Cat Bordhi and I was hooked!! I think I spent a year or two just playing with the Moebius cast-on. Then I discovered Brioche knitting. That addiction also gripped me for a couple of years. I let go just long enough to try stranded colorwork and then lace. My style of learning seems to be to totally immerse myself in one technique, idea or style until something comes along that grabs me so completely that I have to let go of one to try the next. It's a skill building method that works really well for me. And there is certainly no shortage of new skills or ideas that I could try next to learn. Knitting continues to be a wonderful obsession! Thanks for your wonderful videos. Always a joy and I always learn something!

[@kimburke3189]

I've been knitting for years, but I wish someone had given me your advice in the beginning! You are right though about the fact that you just keep on learning as you go!

[@theastewart6721]

Great episode Roxanne! Loved all the tidbits and was able to access The NY Times article with no problem. Your tips for new knitters are very inspiring. I’m not a new knitter by any means but I have definitely hit plateaus. Your suggestions are helpful for everyone. I’m thrilled that you are setting up your new office space. It will be so nice for you to have more room and won’t be lugging your equipment up and down all the time. I hope you’ll show us again when it’s finished and set up just the way you want it! Thanks!💕

[@ic7505]

So glad you figured out a way to use the larger space and still keep a room for your daughter. You are hubby are living there ALL the time, girls only some of the time, so it makes perfect sense that you would use the bigger space for yourself. We mums are sometimes slow to look after ourselves.

[@rlsnorton864]

Great Advice! Thank you Roxanne. Nice space your creating, easy does it! 😷

[@mellrashid305]

Hi. Certainly enjoyed your tips and go to advice. Thanks a zillion. Happy moving too.

[@8531022]

This was a great episode! Full of fascinating and helpful tidbits.

[@RoxanneRichardson]

Glad it was helpful!

[@carblarson8868]

I don’t knit dish clothes, but I knit hot pad, same concept, but a tighter gauge. I also knit so many at once that I get tendinitis, but then my family and friends are good for a couple years. They are flexible, which is nice. I hate the mitts that are so bulky u never know if u have a good grip. I make ones that are dishcloth size and ones that are more rectangular, so u can fold them over. I also knit black ones to wash the coffee machine down with and to place mugs on when we pour coffee.

[@donnahrynkiw3179]

Re: Your Advice for New Knitters: Hallelujah Sibling Knitter! As I was watching, every time I would think something like "they should also try different kinds of tools and materials" -- you would say it! Yes, yes, yes! I agree whole-heartedly with everything you said, right down the line. Thank you for providing a reference I can point new knitters to.

[@heartsue-RN]

I love your videos, so much great information! I’d say am intermediate in crocheting, and find it quite enjoyable. But, there are so many cuter projects in knitting, that recently I’ve started learning the basics. I just joined up to become a member of the knitters guild thanks to you, joined as a member, and can’t wait to start the basics, basics, basics course! I just purchased several of your recommendations for books last week also, you are one of the goto people I love to keep me on path to my new adventures in knitting! Thanks for all you provide and help bring to the craft world. I have no one in my virtual world who enjoys the art of crafts like my online world of people like you to teach me, so thank you!!

[@TwistedStitchesShow]

Always feel well informed after your videos. Thank you. Take it easy on the moving, enjoy your new workspace !

[@MrsMelrom]

something I've noticed about my learning technique, much aided by your videos - thank you, is that sometimes, I know I'm not ready for or don't need a technique yet because it is either too advanced or not necessary in what I am doing but it comforts me to know that the information is our there. I systematically watch your technique videos, whether I need them or not, and then come back to them as required.

[@vonniejohnson9711]

Another great video. Love your style. I will definitely checkout the TKGA.

[@moiradrennan7521]

Tidbit#1 I live nearby this flock of sheep at Cochno farm , University of Glasgow Research Centre. I’ll photograph the sheep and post it on. Then you can see where your wool comes from.

[@Amethyst1919]

There is an episode of call the midwife where they go to a small village in Scotland that shows a group of ladies waulking.

[@robyn3349]

Thank you, I just ordered "The Knitter's Handbook." I appreciate your advice for new knitters!

[@cwilson991]

I like to do dish clothes to try out new patterns. In the end, I have learned a new pattern, and I have a gift.

[@samguse3809]

I like your curious and analytical style too. It's so useful to have that approach to pretty much everything in life! I stumbled across your videos while looking for something knitting related and loved that you were so excited about looking into old(er) knitting techniques and patterns. I took a look at the books you mentioned. The first two aren't available digitally (I made a deal with myself that I need to keep things digital as much as possible after years of piles of magazines and various books making me crazy) so I ended up with the finishing techniques book. Yay! I'm excited to have a good reference. I love the pro/cons lists! Usually I end up scouring the web for multiple techniques until I find one that works and that I like. So thank you for the energy and ideas! It's definitely keeping my world more interesting. :)

[@Amethyst1919]

I've only been knitting for a few years. When I started, I'd find a pattern, generally a freebie, and work as instructed. I found things I didn't like the look of and would search KZbin for possible fixes. As a result, I quickly found different bind offs, edging techniques, helical knitting etc. I'm still surprised seeing long time knitters just discovering many of these finessing methods. Glad to say you were quickly my goto person for finding multiple ways of doing things to find what I liked.

[@RoxanneRichardson]

If they're long time knitters, those techniques often wouldn't have been available to them in books, never mind the internet! And if you didn't know any other knitters in real life, the only way to learn was to seek out resources that occurred to you might exist.

[@Amethyst1919]

@@RoxanneRichardson True. I was referring more to some of these popular podcasters knitting all of the current trendy things and living online.

[@BBaxterSwank]

Great episode. Thanks for pointing out your Technique Tuesday topic. I have been dipping into easter style knitting recently, but have wondered how to handle processes beyond the basics. I watch several Polish language knitting videos - as a way to keep up my language skills - many of which use eastern style, but these focus on topics beyond the basics. I first was shown eastern style decades ago by a work colleague who was originally from China. I was astounded by the speed of her knitting.

[@temujingold9304]

I'm so glad this question was asked and so grateful you took the time to answer it, thank you! I've already ordered all three books :) I also really appreciate the depth you go into with the topics and techniques you cover. Great stuff!

[@RoxanneRichardson]

I'm so glad!

[@michelledynamite69]

Thank you so much for the guidance and resources.

[@RoxanneRichardson]

You are so welcome!

[@cydnicaldwell1337]

Thank you for the video. I always learn so etching new from your videos.

[@RoxanneRichardson]

My pleasure!

[@sharondreisbach4445]

There was a scene in Outlander where Claire was sent into where the women were fulling fabric. She was asked to contribute urine.

[@owlishart2335]

Thank you for sharing the Ukrainian necklace video! That pattern is characteristic of Central/Western Ukraine. Knitting is not the most traditional Ukrainian craft (unlike crocheting), but you can see these patterns in cross-stitching a lot. In the East, we have more of herbal/flowery patterns, and in the West, they tend to go more geometric. They also use more colors in the West, vs black + red on white in the Central and Eastern parts.

[@TheGabygael]

i've always heard that historical knitting patterns were impossibly hard to knit, i'm currently knitting a fitted 19th century sweater with puffed sleeves and it's basicaly all rectangles

[@daphnevega1812]

Great episode! I'm so excited for you and your new workroom, you deserve /have earned it (and I love that you kept it as your daughter's room up till now!) Listening to your segment on beginner advice- I am only recently past the 'beginner stage' and you have been one of my unofficial teachers- actually I already bought all 3 books you recommended earlier this year from watching and listening to you. I think the key to all of this is 'informed decision' as you so clearly state. Am I making an informed decision about my question or concern, if not what can I do in order to make an informed decision? Thinking this way helps me organize what I have learned and is a nice confidence boost is tackling something new that has seemed daunting. Thank you for all that you are sharing and bringing to our development and journey as knitters. :)

[@00moon]

Thank you for your tips for new knitters! I seem to have taken some for those advice without realizing, especially the learning something new through each project part. I change the given patterns so frequently that I have to learn something new every time :D

[@RoxanneRichardson]

Wonderful!

[@onwardbe]

Thank you Roxanne, after many years of being away from knitting I am now back, but yes I consider myself a newbie. I love your statement "You don't what you don't know" I really appreciate your reference to the knitting books. I am very much a visual learner and I thank God for you on You tube. I watch you all the time and learn from you. I struggle with my eye sight as well so books although I have bought some don't come as easy for me.. If you have any recommendations on online courses I would be interested in the meantime I will keep watching you and check out the knitting guild. Have an absolute wonderful Christmas.

[@noradavid8275]

Thank you!! You alleyed a lot of my fears.

[@claudiacano4916]

Your daughter should check the beaded jewelry made by the Embera indigenous communities from South America. They are amazing.

[@chelasaviorosales9374]

The section title for Chapter 4 transposes RBG's initials. Absolutely love your videos, and will be checking out the article about her collars. Thank you for bringing them to our attention.

[@RoxanneRichardson]

Thanks for letting me know!

[@Amethyst1919]

When I have to do an ssk I wrap the 2 stitches involved the opposite way on the row before. It seems to help with the look since I don't have to slip the stitches. Still not perfect but better.

[@NanZingrone]

There is a scene in Outlander from Series 1, so set in the 1740s, and the waulking song is in Gaelic, and what makes the yarn wet is fresh urine (There's a funny bit where Claire (the main female character) contributes to the urine bucket... To set the color maybe? The walking segment is in Season 1, Episode 5 "Rent" and starts around 12:51 in where Claire meets a woman from the village where her companions are taking rents for the landowner. She gets involved in the group doing the waulking and the song they're singing is in Gaelic. Outlander season 1 is on Starz and Netflix. Later on (in Season 3 or 4, I'd have to look) there's an interesting scene where one of the young men is amazed that Claire doesn't know how to knit give that he and his siblings were all given "sticks" and yarn as little kids and men and women of his era (he says) know how to knit. He (Claire's nephew Ian) offers to teach her how to knit, and as the seasons go on, she advances from some simple shawls to a sweater coat with a belt that's in the last episode of Series 5. The scene in the book and Claire's exposure to carding, spinning, weaving is more extended across the books. Outlander was written by Diana Gabaldon and she's still at it. One of my favorite things to knit too besides you and other podcasters.

[@kimminott]

Hi thank you so much for making this tutorial I really enjoyed and appreciated it😊 please would you do a KAL or a tutorial teaching us how to do our decreases whilst maintaining the integrity of a simple gull stitch lace pattern for as long as is possible even if it’s just a swatch. I am a visual learner and I’m having problems with it Many thanks in advance 😊

[@RoxanneRichardson]

I wrote an article on how to maintain lace patterns while shaping that includes lots of examples. That might help. www.interweave.com/article/knitting/increasing-decreasing-lace-knitting/

[@heidicook2395]

Thank you. This was very educational ok nal.

[@lesleydrury1240]

There is a scene in the series Outlander where women sit around a table in 18th century Scotland and full the wool as u discribe.

[@melanezoe]

I’m enjoying all your reference links. Thanks. No, I couldn’t view the Times article, but googled her collars and found this acceptable one. www.bustle.com/style/what-do-ruth-bader-ginsburgs-collars-mean-each-one-has-a-special-story-9288551 I’m excited for you having a single space to do your KZbin work. It should streamline your life and maybe give you some time to knit for fun.

[@Mrsakris]

Wikipedia mentions that this was done in early days with urine, of all things. There is an episode of the series Outlander where the women are singing this song and using their urine for this process. They had to keep drinking wine so they were also quite tipsy. Amusing little tidbit from history among others that give us the “ick” reaction. 🤢

[@annewebbpots]

I don’t know if you read your video comments, and I am viewing your video months later than it was posted, but if you watched the tv series Outlander, women were doing this same process with the yarn and using urine; the series was set in 18th century Scotland, i believe. The online video I had seen online in a documentary, maybe re the Shetland’s, they did *not* use urine when doing this same group task.

[@RoxanneRichardson]

I've seen a clip from the show that showed this scene! :-)

[@philipteefy6003]

Do you have any tips for finding the original names of knitting techniques? For example, when I was first taught to knit my friends mom taught me what she called a seamless double needle cast on. This was before Judy developed the magic cast on, but it is the same exact cast on. I've always wondered what other knitting techniques have been developed multiple times with multiple names and how to figure out which ones came first and where they came from.

[@lauratompkins2517]

The 2012 Knitters Handbook of Finishing Techniques seems to be out of print too 🙃. Can find used, I’m not a digital book person. Do you know of differences between 2012 & 2002 versions? Just a straight reprint?

[@nancywilds6076]

How to knit short row not leaving holes

[@traceyhall9018]

I recently discovered your channel and really enjoy it. I learned to knit many years ago but didn’t do it enough to get beyond beginner stage. I took it up again recently but am frustrated by not knowing how to fix mistakes without unraveling the entire project. Crochet seems more forgiving in that you can just unravel back to the error and pick up from there. Do you have any suggestions? I have heard some people use “lifelines” in knitting. Thank you!

[@RoxanneRichardson]

You can ravel back to a mistake in knitting, as well, but better than that, you can simply ladder down the span of sts in which the error occurs, so that you don't have to re-do the knitting that was error-free and risk the introduction of new errors. I have a playlist on my channel called "Fixing Mistakes" that you might find helpful.

[@traceyhall9018]

@@RoxanneRichardson thank you so much, I will take a look at those videos.

[@janegibson6678]

It certainly takes a few years to realise that the house is organised around people who no longer actually live there! Your questioner may find that shop.acknitwear.co.uk/ has the sort of techniques course he/she is looking for.

[@ruthdennisKnits]

No time stamps listed

[@RoxanneRichardson]

Ah, thanks for letting me know! I'll edit the description.

[@teriadams7398]

Not a fan of RGB so I never noticed her collars.