The Woolly Worker Knitting Podcast Ep23 - holly sweater, winter accessories, and lots of yokes!

[@Thx-I-made-it]

Your comment about filming a tutorial for the slip stitch edge once you’ve moved and then clarifying that you have no plans to move was so funny - seriously though I scrolled back through your Instagram posts to refresh myself on the concept and I think a tutorial is a great idea. The technique is a game changer for smoothing/scooping/refining the neckline on raglan constructed garments. maybe you can set Ross up as an overhead tripod, lol!

[@thewoollyworker]

lol i was like "dont give people reasons to gossip when there's no gossip" . And ross has tried to be a tripod for some reels and this has almost caused us to break up lol, i have an artistic vision and he has shaky hands

[@parttimeoverthinker-oldaccount]

I also would love a tutorial on this. ☺️ I’m intrigued to try it on the sweater I’m knitting and honestly to me the quality is secondary. But I understand that putting content out when you’re not happy with the quality is not easy. Maybe something not as official, like a saved instagram story would be an intermediate thing to do? I think coolstitches shared on her instagram how she’s filming her knitting and she was simply putting her phone in the neckline of her T-Shirt. That’s a bit of a makeshift version, but the videos she films look nice to me 🙂.

[@lorraineevans4780]

Full length for the jumper with twisted stitches. Looks wonderful. Excited to see this completed

[@thewoollyworker]

ahhhhh hesitating !!

[@ewasmith3085]

Congratulations! You raised a great sum for the Samaritans with your Live! Besides the knitting I'm also impressed with your extensive vocabulary and sparkling wit - in what is your second language. Looking forward to seeing your creative endeavors in 2024.

[@thewoollyworker]

aw thank you, that made my day !!

[@Jennie8684]

I’ve been watching your podcasts from the beginning and really enjoy them. I especially like how your true personality and humour are coming out now. Your recent podcasts are even more enjoyable and informative as well as very entertaining.

[@thewoollyworker]

thank you, that's so nice to hear aha! And yeah it's interesting to notice a little change between episodes!

[@Elizabeth-sj2qy]

I love the idea of slowing down! It relates to being present, non-judgmental, and being satisfied with less. I am a huge minimalist so get very excited by decluttering and stash busting (my stash consists of 1 sweater quantity and 4 single skeins I now regret buying 😉). It’s not for everyone but it definitely gives me joy and helps me focus on what is really important to me - connection and understanding.

[@thewoollyworker]

wow, i could see myself doing this one day maybe !!! must be a completely different experience!! respect!

[@PriscillaWhite-Tocker]

I am SO happy that the livestream was such a success for charity and it was such a huge accomplishment for you that I wouldn’t feel badly at all about not doing an “everything I knit this year” or plans video! I love seeing all of the accessories and the Sari Nordland colorwork sweater is stunning! Don’t worry about if colorwork stitches are slightly uneven, it seems to go with the territory and nobody will notice. The Lunenburg Pullover I am working on right now also has some purl bumps in the colorwork yoke that I really don’t think add anything at all and if I were to do it over I would just do knit stitches instead. And 2 of my votes for you - do a cropped version of the Sari Nordlund cabled sweater, and design an accessory for charity! Cowls are a great place to start.

[@thewoollyworker]

thank you! I think im going to follow your 2 votes haha !

[@genier7829]

I have special yarn and a pattern picked out for a magnum opus, a KAL would really inspire me to start. Finally, after 3 years......

[@thewoollyworker]

yess that's exactly the goal! You can do it !! even better with special yarn

[@lorraineevans4780]

There is nothing wrong with wearing a Christmas jumper in January. It is a lovely jumper and does look lovely on you. I was so happy you had a Christmas jumper on Christmas day xx

[@thewoollyworker]

will take inspiration from ross and wear it all the way to june !! And thank you, definitely helped getting in the christmas mood :P x

[@rebecca-72]

What a tremendous episode, full of absolutely beautiful knits, exciting plans and news about the funds raised during your live stream!! I was in the car most of that day and only able to join for a bit at the end, but it seemed so fun and relaxed. Thanks to your other viewers you helped me solve the problem I had clicking on the fund link…. I am SO amazed and proud of this terrific knitting community to have raised so much money!!! Thank you for doing this. 😊 ALL of your colorwork knits blew me away. Every one. I will definitely consider joining in with the Magnum Opus! I do not have much time to knit (like you now, I have long work days, a long commute, family to care for at home and then I just fall into bed 😢). But I’ve been eyeing colorwork cardigans (with steels, ack!) for a while now….. that would be my most amazing accomplishment to date. Scandiwork has some lovely ones, the Marit cardigan, for example. Lovely to see you, rest up and take care!!

[@thewoollyworker]

thank you so much for the lovely comment !! I love the Marit Cardigan !! Hope you maybe get a chance to join the KAL during the year then :D

[@cathiapizetta4957]

Congratulations for raising so much money for the cause! It was fun! Great podcast, as always!❤

[@thewoollyworker]

Thank you so much! So glad you found it fun!

[@kiwijenniferknits]

I am brand new to your podcast AND I thoroughly enjoyed this episode! I look forward to watching your earlier episodes now and continuing to watch future episodes as they come up. Thanks ☺

[@thewoollyworker]

aw i am so glad, and hope you enjoy the others ! :D

[@kathleenjohnson4433]

Here in Canada, fingerless gloves are spring or fall items, unless you wear them over a leather glove. Keeps the palm warmer and therefore your fingers too. Love them!

[@thewoollyworker]

aw very nice!

[@lorraineevans4780]

Love the Christmas themed socks

[@e-comunque1761]

That Levi pullover really stands out. Still in the neutral colors area but without the boring component of neutrals the colors fit you so well. Really appreciate the content you provide and all of the in depth info

[@thewoollyworker]

thank you so much for the lovely words!

[@myraaar]

Ooh love the idea of doing a magnum opus! I really want to continue to challenge myself to learn new things... lace and brioche have both eluded me, though doing some complex intarsia piece would be fun too!

[@thewoollyworker]

yes ! hope this can be motivating for people to try what looks intimidating and hopefully feel achieved afterwards ! I'd love to tackle intarsia one day too !

[@antoniavanrijt1358]

i'm 10000% for championing the balaclava! it totally works, ive been the balaclava person in my friend group and now they all want them. it works i promise haha

[@thewoollyworker]

love it !! I will try and convert more people !!

[@TheIngeKuhn1]

I so enjoy watching your podcast.

[@thewoollyworker]

I'm so glad!

[@verylikecheryl]

You caught me just as I finished the cast on for a top down sock and as I knitted along, you were talking about doing a GSR and reverse for a better rib, so I did it. It’s making my heart glad to see how neat it is looking. Thanks for the inspiration, Vanissia x

[@thewoollyworker]

haha that's amazing, i wish i had done this earlier !! will do it much more now !

[@mickiwhite4754]

Hi! Everything you make is beautiful! With regard to the colorwork mitts magic loop, how do you resolve carrying the yarn when you turn to knit back (in the round)? I always get gaps or long strands when I knit colorwork in the round .

[@mickiwhite4754]

What is GSR?

[@verylikecheryl]

@@mickiwhite4754 German short row - as a way of reversing the direction you are knitting in x

[@mickiwhite4754]

Got it😂

[@jimmydoesknitting]

So many projects! I like how a lot of podcasters are doing an epic /dream knit this year. I'm looking forward to what you come up with. I just finished the Paragon Sweater and that was very much one of those knits. I'm super happy with it. I will say (from experience) that the Gilliat does flatten the cables a bit... which is fine because there is great cable definition, but they are for sure less pronounced. It's a knitter preference sort of thing.

[@thewoollyworker]

thanks for sharing ! Yeah it'll be interesting to see. I really liked how my cables looked with Cascade 220, i was very impressed ! And the Fibre Co Lore. I need more data now !

[@annika9162]

I think you would really look good in a cropped version of the Lucia ! Congrats with your livestream 🎉

[@thewoollyworker]

Thank you ! I think I'm gonna go for it !

[@WyrdHag]

Lovely podcast as always! Would love to see a cowl pattern, or a slipover :)

[@thewoollyworker]

oooh good idea, i'd love to design a cowl !!

[@MakesandGiggles]

Great episode again! I totally had the same about balaclava's, skipped them last year but I just casted on off which is a little bit more loose, and love it so far! It suits you very well

[@thewoollyworker]

thank you very much! Nice that you gave it a second chance!

[@knitfaced3896]

Oooh please film the "less than ideal setup" slip stitch neckline. 😊 I'm new here and I can't quite understand how it works but am really keen to try. ❤❤❤

[@thewoollyworker]

Will do!!

[@sarahedmonds6316]

Congratulations on such a successful fundraising live stream! I wanted to comment on your knitting flops video, specifically related to the Pictus Pullover, as I thought the cropped look on you was really nice, despite all your other concerns with the project. So I'm glad to see that you are considering it as a possible style option on some of your projects! Additionally, there is a pattern in my queue that is a hood and scarf that might tick the box for you. It's the Purl Soho Hood Scarf.

[@thewoollyworker]

thank you! And yes, definitely will lean more into cropped jumpers as I do like the silhouette on me !

The Levi looks amazing on you!

[@thewoollyworker]

Oh thank you!

[@janebrock9058]

Magnum opus kal, you have inspired me to pickup and start my project!! Thx!

[@thewoollyworker]

super! what are you going to do?

[@HeidiSpear-oz6rw]

Hi Venissia, Thank you for another informative and entertaining episode. I am lining up a lot of Sari Nordlund this year and look forward to watching your sweater project. I am working on Lumme right now and planning on making her Colette pullover as well this year. The camera or light might be deceiving me but your yarn does seem to hide the cabling and texture on your gauge swatch. Perhaps this is totally fine with you, but as you asked for input, I thought I would share mine. I knit Deliciosa by Nora Gaughn in a similar color and yarn, using Brooklyn Tweed Shelter and in hindsight I am sad that I didn't pivot to something else that would let the pattern really come to the fore. Congrats on your amazing fundraising for a very important cause and worthy organization!

[@thewoollyworker]

thank you! I think in the video it looked pretty busy, but in real life it's better ! But thanks for sharing your honest opinion, that's always welcome !!

[@CassieDA17]

I really liked that brown/caramel version of the sari sweater. I vote for the cropped version in the size 3. I like the balaclava. You mentioned a good- I’ve been looking at the Harris Hood.

[@thewoollyworker]

isn't it so cute !! I think I am leaning towards cropped, but not like too much either ! still want it to look like a jumper. Ill try on a few i have and see which one I prefer And yeah that's a cute one !!

[@marjoriebahm9239]

I'm a new subscriber. Thank you so much for all your joy with your knitting. I can't wait to participate more in your channel.

[@thewoollyworker]

aw i am so glad ! Welcome :D

[@ajanetreiber5773]

Hi Vanissia: You asked abour DK weight socks, so I have a suggestion for you ... Ina of the Ina Knits podcast has published her first (I think) pattern, and it is the Cozy Hygge Socks which use two strands of sock yarn held together. It is a great pattern for using up three leftovers for the one strand, and a plain colour for the second strand to give some cohesion to the finished socks. I am making them now for her KAL. Well done on all the money you raised; I was happy to participate. When you design your pattern, my suggestion is for it to be an accessory (less stressful for you) and for the proceeds for a certain time to be donated to charity, and after that period to you.

[@thewoollyworker]

thank you !! Good advice !

[@bigblackdogfiberarts]

Thoroughly enjoyed the livestream. You kept me company most of the day. :D I think the idea of designing an accessory and having the proceeds also go to charity is wonderful. :) I don't use Instagram, but I'm really enjoying the discord.

[@thewoollyworker]

thank you very much! glad you like it there!

[@LoraineHumphrey]

Love your Christmas sweater, I think I will add making myself one for next Christmas to my knitting plans. Thank you so much for your video; very informative and inspiring.

[@thewoollyworker]

yay, have fun with it this year then !! it was in my 2023 knitting plans and im so glad i followed through on the vision

[@saskia_makes]

Ah I’m so excited about the Magnum Opus KAL! Thank you so much for considering the idea. My project will be the Valldal Cardigan from Sandnes Garn so I can give steeking a try. Lovely episode! Your holly sweater turned out so well, and the blue yarn you picked out for that cardigan is stunning!

[@thewoollyworker]

yesss was so fun watching your episode literally yday when you mentionned it i was like oh don't worry, the kal IS coming!

[@catblues8645]

My vanilla sock pattern is also 60 stitches and fish lips kiss heel (or similar, I'm not sure what the difference is between this and the boomerang heel, shadow wrap heel etc, they're all the same to me :D ), I wear a EU size 39 and luckily so do most of my female family members and friends, so I can always just make socks and decide if I want to keep them or gift them when I'm done. Oh and you mention loose tension in colourwork - I have the same issue, so I actually go DOWN a needle size for colourwork instead of up, which most patterns recommend. It's really a matter of experience and what works best for each knitter! And I finally joined the Discord, so I'll see you over there

[@thewoollyworker]

haha, we are sock twins !! and so good to hear about others having loose colourwork, sometimes i feel like im loosing my mind being the only one, and feeling like i am knitting "wrong". But yeah i think maybe ill try going down even if it feels so wrong lol !!

[@lindafrench5551]

Thank you. I love your content. It was wonderful you raised so much money!

[@thewoollyworker]

Thank you so much!

[@MrsKWheatley]

You have made so many lovely knits already this year - amazing! For your design project, maybe you could design a cowl

[@thewoollyworker]

Lots of accessories indeed, it was so fun to get a quick reward like that! And yes i love this idea!

[@tangerineknits]

Loved this video and catching up on what you've been working on! Ooh that is good to know that one skein of cardiff classic can make a pair of gloves - there were some on sale at my local yarn store but only in single skeins per color, and I had no know what I would do with them - now I know haha so I might have to go back! I loveeee the way your sweater no 23 is turning out - that pomegranate color looks great on you!

[@thewoollyworker]

thank youuu. And yes, defo grab a ball next time !! but id recommend making a practice pair to figure out yardage and see how many cm you may need to crop with the cashmere ! they're so fast anyways

[@lindapayne9474]

Thank you!

[@juliettelimz9965]

Congratulations on your really successful livestream! I think for the Lucia pullover I would go for nice and oversized instead of cropped! I'm having the exact same debate with my Moby sweater and I think for cables, as you say youre going to spend some time on it, so might as well really let them shine with a large garment (I also love the big cabled jumper from Knives Out and want that vibe!)

[@thewoollyworker]

ahhhh i was leaning towards cropped but now im liking this idea. I think though this will not be drapey and if i was wearing a "sweater dress" i'd want it to fall nicely ! So maybe a cabled jumper that doesnt have that many twisted stitches in it, as itll be stiff !

[@hipknithooray]

The skerries mittens and burra cowl are such works of art - so so stunning Vanissia! You have also convinced me to give balaclavas a chance because I too was worried I would just look like an egg 😂 but the November balaclava looks promising

[@thewoollyworker]

thank you!! I cant wait to grow my fair isle collection !! And would love to see how you style your balaclava if you make one :D

[@mummyevans2]

I think you should start with an accessory, just to ease yourself in. Making it a paid item to raise further money for The Samaritans would be my suggestion 😊 Whatever you decide, you know we'll want your pattern x

[@thewoollyworker]

thank you! and yeah would be lovely to donate to them again! Thanks for the encouraging words!

[@suzycue7900]

When you showed your sweater with a slipped-stitch crocheted neckline, I hoped that you would plan a tutorial. Later you mentioned doing a tutorial if you could find a place to film. I hope it works out that you can demonstrate it- I’d like to learn.

[@thewoollyworker]

yes, I definitely will soon!

[@elianaalfonso7703]

I vote for you designing an accessory with the money going to charity. It keeps the theme going.

[@thewoollyworker]

thanks! seems like a good option for sure

[@knitting.your.life8]

Such an amazing episode 😍 I'm sure that all your important people would be happy with fingerless mitts, cool idea 💡 I'm curious about the magnum opus kal, is it possible to have a double dip? I'm currently knitting a Mamba dress as a part of my knitThisDressKAL and would be happy to join your KAL as well 😊

[@thewoollyworker]

absolutely!! What a great idea :) I heard about that KAL and considered doing the mamba too !!

[@knitting.your.life8]

@@thewoollyworker wooow, I’ll be honored if you join us ☺️

[@Kimsgardencare]

Knit and chat would be cool if your feeling up to it!!! Congratulations on raising so much monies!! 🎉

[@thewoollyworker]

Thank you so much!!

[@TerraneanStitch]

Magnum Opus KAL sounds like a so much fun! I might participate with Alder by Rebecca Clow or Fjer Cardigan by Fiber Tales!

[@thewoollyworker]

Sounds great! I'm biased, but the Alder is really a top choice!

[@SarahJo]

I'm so happy the Lata sweater is already in the bundle, because that really is my goal piece. Though I am currently on a cables kick and am about to try my goal cable sweater as soon as I finish the shawl I'm working on so...both in a year? I mean, Voolenvine is also having a very similar make-along this year so two magnum opus KALs and two magnum opus projects?

[@thewoollyworker]

yes someone had suggested it, as i didnt know it but WOW ! And i hadnt heard they were doing one !! Good for double dipping for sure

[@SarahJo]

@@thewoollyworker lol it might have been me, I'm a little obsessed with that pattern

[@sheilamccart7553]

What size needles did you use for the fingering weight version of the penny gloves?

[@thewoollyworker]

2.5mm ! but i have a loose tension so this might be too small for some people !

[@knittingEillets]

Lovely episode! I like your X-mas sweater! I'm trying to find a tutorial of that slip stitch neck edge thing you do before you do the rib - can you recommend a tutorial? Thanks!

[@thewoollyworker]

thank you! And I will link it in the description

[@lindapayne9474]

Me, too. Unfortunately I do not do instagram. Is there another source? KZbin?

[@thewoollyworker]

@@lindapayne9474 i linked it at the bottom of the description! it's just a written tutorial, not on instagram !

[@knittingEillets]

@@thewoollyworker Thank you so much! I will try this!

[@jessicalila3712]

I have made the Stalk and Pip beret and now I want to knit the Timepiece Cardigan by Ailbiona, too! If you design an accessory I would like to see the money go back to you. I have some idea of how much time you've put into this channel and all while holding down a full time job!

[@thewoollyworker]

thank you very much for saying!

[@knittysixx5106]

How about if you go up another needle size for the Lucia? It may make it less hard on your hands

[@thewoollyworker]

maybe ! But then i'd also worry about having too loose a gauge. I might try though!

[@gillshand5820]

Steel the socks. You can make him more.😊

[@thewoollyworker]

hehehe, now i have a justification!

[@Jess-uc5wo]

Go the full way with the Lucia pullover, make it knee length 😂

[@thewoollyworker]

omg lucia dress, let's gooo

[@LeesaRe223]

As always a great video and I'm excited to join your KALs! Congratulations on raising so much for mental health. It is a cause near and dear to my heart. I am a board member for @CourageousConnectionsTH providing equine therapy to improve mental and behavioural health and wellbeing. Wishing you all the very best in the new year. BTW ~ I vote accessory proceeds or portion of proceeds go to charity.

[@thewoollyworker]

thank you very much! Sounds like a great organisation!

[@meepiecrafts7799]

Mine magnum opus is the birkin. I am true the yoke but it was a long time my dream knit and the reasson to knit

[@thewoollyworker]

oh yay, gorgeous !! it was definitely on my shortlist. Hope you're happy with your colour choice!

[@meepiecrafts7799]

@@thewoollyworker yes i make it in black as main colour with pink, blue, green and yellow

[@thewoollyworker]

@@meepiecrafts7799 ah yes, then that's the one you shared on the discord !! It's amazing !!!

[@meepiecrafts7799]

@@thewoollyworker yes that is the one, thank you❤️

[@osvfan]

Please please please do the neck turorial asap! No matter of the quality. It is so pretty but a bit difficult to understand the technique just by explaining it.

[@thewoollyworker]

ahaha, can't say no to this kind of enthusiasm !! will really try

[@ShellyString]

💜🧶💜🧶💜

[@ensoknit]

To answer your question on your pattern design and payment system, I think it would be so cool if it was possible to do a “pay what you want”-system answer then that the money goes to charity😍 It would be such a great way to continue the spirit of giving from the stream🫶🏼 Oh and for me personally I would really like to see you design an accessorie, I think it would be soo good😍

[@thewoollyworker]

yes, i agree on both counts !!

[@ensoknit]

@@thewoollyworker😍 do what makes you happy❤️ and remember that you don’t have to fulfill all the expectations 🫶🏼 I think that would be the hardest part for me if I were a podcaster🙈