Summer Ella review, FO/WIP chat, and picking colors for a new summer knit | Knitting Podcast Ep 6

[@kristenblack7803]

I always love showing up each week when you post. I lost my cat in November and love seeing your cats as it brings me joy. It’s fun to see your process and I am excited to see what final decision you make for mareling.

[@meeshyfrazzknits]

I'm so sorry for your loss. ❤️ I'm so glad my kitties bring you some joy, thanks for being a part of this journey with me!

[@carinaherrling8773]

Love this episode and your cats! They are very funny... Also like your thoughts about the designs . Thanks a lot for this great time

[@meeshyfrazzknits]

Thank you so much!

[@violetwindsong]

I love your Sommer Ella top so much!! Beautiful work & color! I enjoyed seeing & hearing the cats too 😂

[@meeshyfrazzknits]

Thank you!! 😊

[@QueensYarnBoutique]

Your Sommer Ella Solo is so pretty.🧶 I really like your Prismatic Reflection Sweater design. And your wedding ring is gorgeous!💍

[@meeshyfrazzknits]

Thank you so much!

[@janescarisbrick6986]

I used to have cats but after the last one my husband has said no more. I enjoy the Grand daughters cats instead. I have been knitting for um over 50 years and I still have knitting mistakes. I have given things away because of the size and yes that is after swatching. I live in England and enjoy watching you each week

[@meeshyfrazzknits]

Thank you! I'm glad you still get to enjoy spending time with your grand daughter's cats 😊

[@dorym8045]

I can’t even knit socks right the first time, let alone sweaters, so I think it’s normal. Also, as a weaver, marling in knitting is very similar to changing color effects when different warp colors cross weft colors. So swatching is the order of the day for your stripe colors. But the navy marled with cream may surprise you.

[@meeshyfrazzknits]

Yes! Swatching is always the answer, even when I don't want it to be 🤣

[@CasualKnitter]

Loved the episode and listening to your thoughts while knitting on a cardigan 😊

[@meeshyfrazzknits]

Thank you! I hope your cardigan is going well!

[@CasualKnitter]

@@meeshyfrazzknits I ran out of yarn so I pause it until I can get another skein but have other WIPs 😂

[@goldenknits2]

Hi. Just found your podcast and am enjoying it! I have ordered my KFO La Mercerie and have has a good experience.

[@meeshyfrazzknits]

Thank you! I still need to make my way out to Bainbridge to see their new location.

[@Stitchers_Whimsy]

Honestly, your issue with the cardigan is why I stopped gauge swatching... The project was always off, no matter how close I got to gauge with the swatch or how big the swatch was. I know it's because of my knitting style. I usually knit in Portuguese style, but I will switch to English throwing at times because of comfort and to give my wrists reasons to hurt instead of my thumbs. So now I start the project and measure as I go to ensure I'm on gauge. I've had to rip back a few times, but eh, my hands still stay busy, and that's mostly the reason I took up knitting in the first place. Try not to beat yourself up too much. We all have been there; either the swatch lies, or we lie to ourselves. You are correct; however, always trust your gut when sizing!!

[@meeshyfrazzknits]

Honestly, as long as you're ok with potentially ripping out, this is definitely the more accurate approach. I think that's the one thing I've learned as I've grown as a knitter is that ripping back is an important part of the process and shouldn't be seen as a bad thing!

[@aizt9672]

I prefer the dusty blue whale over the navy. I also love all the cat antics.🐈🐾

[@meeshyfrazzknits]

Thank you! I agree, the dusty blue seems to work better with the palette.

[@RachelCunningham-ut9ks]

The Summer Ella is STUNNING great work

[@meeshyfrazzknits]

Thank you so much!

[@langanmenekki-hanna]

Hi, the one who knit the strong heel for Siroc socks here! It’s basically a fleegle heel for cuff down socks - if you wanna look it up, iirc fleegle heel is where it all started. It’s great for high arch. Fleegle heel is usually knit for toe up socks. Also, I think KFO Cotton Merino was just relaunched about a month ago and maybe that’s why the colour options were limited…?

[@meeshyfrazzknits]

Hi Hanna, thanks for sharing! I didn't realize this was based off of the Fleegle heel -- that's great to know. I've only knit the toe-up version but I love that heel.

[@maritzaestrada738]

I feel your pain for the field day pattern, I have the same problem. I know now that I knit loose and even when I am on gauge I am starting to go down a size and measuring to make sure I have the fit I want. is it frustrating yes but I rather frog than have something I am not going to wear and do all that work for it to just sit in my closet or drawer. My two all time favorite garments I have made that I love to wear I had to frog one twice and the other one once. but I love wearing them. So to me it is completely worth it to frog and redo.

[@meeshyfrazzknits]

Oof yes, it hurts in the moment but frogging is the way to go if you're not going to wear it!

[@oksanaml9279]

Thank you for mentioning needle sizes in cm! 🇨🇦. And thank you for not saying " wip" as if thats a word - drives me crazy. And I agree, that striping combo would look best with an in between blue. Btw, do your cats let you knit? Mine either play with the yarn or demand my full attention in my lap so I have to wait till they are sound asleep.

[@meeshyfrazzknits]

Luckily, they do! Our oldest cat Boink likes to steal my yarn balls on occasion, but she mostly just lays on my lap while I knit (fortunately).

[@heatherr9201]

I think your top is pretty and I think maybe after the linen is washed and worn a few times you might like it more…. But time will tell❤ love all you share and your honesty, cause in the end it’s for you and you need to love it

[@meeshyfrazzknits]

Thank you! I'm also hoping that a few more wears and washes will soften it up, I've heard that linen gets better with time.

[@annroberts7935]

I completely agree about Zooey. I used it once and won't again. Too many better yarns in that weight

[@meeshyfrazzknits]

Too true! Life's too short to use yarns you don't love.

[@stephanienorwicz1366]

I’m looking forward to seeing your summer mod of your sweater. I live in FL so I’m looking forward to see how you like the yarn and finished project.

[@meeshyfrazzknits]

So far I'm really enjoying the KFO yarn!

[@louiseanne9653]

Regarding the summer Prismatic reflection - I know it's different to your original design, but have you considered marling the colours with themselves (rather than cream), eg stripe 1: cream + lime, stripe 2: lime + grass, stripe 3: grass + navy ? That way there would be less of a contrast than you'd have if marling cream + navy together.

[@meeshyfrazzknits]

I thought about this! The main reason I want to marl everything with the cream was to tone down the stripes, and it's tough because the darker the color, the more distracting the marling becomes.

[@jodyc8887]

Ohhhh I can’t wait to see the summer version of your sweater! What difficulty rating would you give the sweater pattern?

[@meeshyfrazzknits]

Thank you! I'm really liking it so far with the Knitting for Olive. I would rate this pattern firmly as intermediate: the most difficult parts would be the short row section (since you will continue adding increases while working short rows) and then following a chart while working your size (again, based on knowing when and when not to increase). The cable technique is a very simple 2-stitch slipped cable, and they're worked every other row. Otherwise, it's a pretty straight forward raglan. You can always reach out to me with any questions as well 😊

[@LoriNeu19]

I’m really enjoying your podcasts! Did you try Strikke, the new yarn store in Bothell for Knitting For Olive? I bought KFO sweater yarn there just after they opened.

[@meeshyfrazzknits]

I actually just popped in the other day and grabbed a few more colors from her! I'll share that next week 😉

[@heatherr9201]

Personally I like the green and navy…. Or the second blue… not sure about the yellow…. But color is very personal

[@meeshyfrazzknits]

It's so true! I ended up going with a softer palette of blues which I'll share next week 😉

[@sticksstringsandotherthings]

♥🖤💙

[@midnightknitter5654]

Hi I would buy directly from knitting for olive. Even with the cost of shipping it is cheaper than what I see from other retailers. 🥰

[@meeshyfrazzknits]

Honestly I didn't even consider that because I was worried about shipping costs, but now I'm curious. Thanks for the tip!

[@LJVachon]

Wanted to add they have a code on their site for free shipping on your first order : )

[@meeshyfrazzknits]

Oooh thanks for the tip! I'll go directly through them next time.

[@catrionabiggs2349]

Field day cardigan - the drop shoulder sleeve will not fit right unless there's significant ease over your shoulders. A different construction might be best if you don't want that? :( I love the colour

[@meeshyfrazzknits]

I agree, and honestly I haven't ripped it out yet for this reason. Technically the size down is the size meant for my bust circumference, though the size I knit to is only 3 inches larger. I'm debating whether that will matter overall, and I haven't decided! Hoping a small break from it will help me figure out what fit I'd prefer.

[@dianepothier3078]

Your cardigan is meant to be an outer layer. What will you be wearing under it. If you make the smaller size will you be able to put the sweater your wearing under the cardigan with enough ease to be comfortable. Just a thought

[@meeshyfrazzknits]

I haven't ripped it out yet for this very reason; I'm still a bit torn on what to do! Might need to give it a few more days before I decide.