Unraveling One of My Favorite Sweaters - moving past my knitting failures

[@EmilyKWitcher]

Hello! Fellow polymer engineer! I have been loving your videos especially the environmental impact one. So good! This unraveling projects thing has completely changed the way I think about knitting clothes for my kids. I always feel so guilty about them growing out of things quickly. I love the idea of unraveling sweaters once my kids outgrow them and making something new!

[@BreathingYarn]

Wow! That’s such an inspirational idea.

[@meganlaynecrafts]

Wow! Beautiful sweater before and after! Great work, thank you for the tips along the way. ❤

[@teaandcrochet]

I really appreciate that you've added a little click noise whenever you pop up on-screen text - those were hilarious and I definitely would have missed some because I'm knitting while watching and am looking away often

[@BreathingYarn]

I am the same, I am always knitting when I watch KZbin and I need the sounds to know when to look up. It took me too long to figure out I should do that too 😂

[@StitchesOfSass]

The “actively lying to myself”…I felt that in my soul 😅

[@TheKris47]

Gotta say, while you’re “not here to tell us what to do” I tried using one smaller needle on my circulars while working on a Musselburgh hat and it made things so much easier, so thanks for the tip! I’m a new knitter, so I like how talk about your knitting - the intentionality, remaking things etc

[@nataliecolbert5790]

Here’s a newsflash for you. I can knit, but I can’t really make anything except a scarf. Someday when I’m committed, I will, but I never miss one of your episodes not one and you’re mainly a knitter. Why you might ask? Because I enjoy you. I enjoy who you are. I enjoy your humor, your values and your honesty. You keep trying to get better because that’s what humans should do, but don’t be too hard on yourself. You’re doing great 😎

[@BreathingYarn]

🥰🥰🥰

[@Amb-tastic]

I loved this! I don't unravel my sweaters often, but I'm *always* so glad when I do. Proud of you, love the changes you made, and most importantly, it's so clear that *you* loved it.

[@luannehovey1546]

Hitting pause halfway through to say, thank you. You always make me think….in a good way 😊

[@BreathingYarn]

Thank you 🥰🥰🥰

[@Sandy-lq9xe]

The sweater is really, really attractive...the colors suit your complexion so well! I have never had the testicular fortitude to unravel one of my hardly-ever-worn hand knits, but after watching your journey, I just MAY pick a candidate from my sweater collection and give it a try. Well done! 🙂

[@mehtarelingolien]

22:39 Am I alone in appreciating how well the sweater panel colors MATCH the ottoman???? Also: Merry and Pippen are the cutest YT voids in the entire history of ever. I also have a void (and a silver tabby), and OMG SO CUTE AND LOVING!

[@BreathingYarn]

Voids are the best!!! And yes 🙌🏻 those colors are a perfect match 🥰

[@christinewynn7046]

18:46 girl, you’re awesome. You’re doing awesome. And I laughed sooo hard when you talked about posture, cause I was sitting the same way. Lol

[@BreathingYarn]

😂 thanks

[@miriamvlachoulis6875]

Kind of obssessed with the warmer tones of your house. Its almost 70's but cozy

[@BreathingYarn]

Thank you!!! Seriously the best compliment 🥰

[@megheuman4143]

This was so amazing. It was surprisingly satisfying to see the sweater wound up into a ball of yarn and then seeing how different the color gradations were. I also love the striped ribbing. Now I want a ball winder and to learn Italian bind off.

[@chloebtvs]

Your enthousiasm and self-praise at the end of the video was so nice to watch 🥰 Your sweater looks lovely!

[@MintzMakes]

I have been wanting to unravel and reknit the first two sweaters I ever made for a long time! They are toooo stiff and just not a good fit! I think I could alter at least one of the original patterns to be a better fit for me, but I just need to hunker down and start unraveling!!! This is all the more inspiration to do so. Your joy at the finished piece was contagious!!!

[@BreathingYarn]

Good luck!!!

[@rebeccahaggerty1510]

This video was the perfect way to start off the week - knitting inspiration, book videos to watch, can't go wrong.

[@cozylyxa]

Assuming the position of crochet buddy, I wish to share my current crochet endeavors: Firstly, I finished the baby blanket for my nephew! I'd say it turned out nice. A 95cm by 95cm blanket made with a 100% cotton yarn and a 4mm crochet hook. Now the only thing left is to wash it. Secondly, I finally have some time to create something for myself again. I'm making myself fingerless gloves for a (sort of) costume of mine. Thirdly, after taking a breather I have two more things to do. One is a crochet backpack for my grandmas birthday. (Finding a good yarn for this is going to be the most difficult part..) And I want to crochet a tulip bouquet for mothersday aswell. I've also been in the mood to re-read one of my books, so I'll probably do that during my breathing time :) I also have some errands to run, getting something fixed, looking for something to add to a costume of mine. I hope I'll be able to manage it in one afternoon😅 Anyway! Assuming the role of a subscriber, who enjoys your content, I have to thank you for this lovely video. It's great to see the sweater turn out exectly how you wanted!

[@BreathingYarn]

How do you like the fingerless gloves? I’ve been debating making some

[@maaggie1]

@@BreathingYarn, I’m busily binge-watching all your videos, but I had to break in here to tell you about a pattern on Bag-O-Days’ KZbin channel for crochet fully-fingered gloves that look SO SIMPLE I’m not sure I believe it. (Yes, actually, I do believe it.) They’re in my queue, which is stupidly long, to do for this winter (writing this in early August).

[@mealiebugnzify]

You are so fricken cute! I love how happy you are with the finished sweater. I was feeling yucky, and you have made me smile ❤

[@Pheoflora]

I enjoy your vibes and your editing so much! You're becoming one of my favorite knitting youtubers.

[@BreathingYarn]

🥹 thank you!

[@Valekiivi]

Perfect timing with this video! I have been debating what to do with an almost finished sock that somehow ended way bigger than the first one. Encouraged by this video I unraveled it until the heel where the problems started:)

[@BreathingYarn]

Socks are a pain in the butt because they’re so fussy with sizing. Good luck!!!

[@DezzyPie123]

It looks so gooood ahhhh!!!!!! 😍😍😍 Love it love it love it!!

[@MargaritaStefanova-r8y]

Thank you for this fun video. Your exploration of getting comfortable with frogging and redoing your older projects has helped me get more comfortable myself with this same concept, and not lie to myself that I'll wear some of them, even though I never do. I also wanted to say that Aubrey Gordon, the author of the book you mentioned, has a very cool podcast, Maintenance Phase talking about debunking different health and wellness myths and I've found it very interesting and maybe you'd also enjoy it since you're enjoying her book! (sorry if you already know about it)

[@BreathingYarn]

No need to say sorry 🥰. I had heard her speak on another podcast as a guest and had not known she had her own! I’ll have to check it out 😊

[@estefanamanrique3317]

I enjoy knitting and listening at you talking... I just unraveled an old cardigan to make another one,I'm almost done... What a coincidence! It's a pleasure to see your cats while you are talking... I really miss my black cat (passed away 3 years ago). Interesting chat!

[@BreathingYarn]

Sending all the love for your cat 🥺🐈‍⬛🥰

[@silvipeppers]

ohhhh my god you brave soul. I could've NEVER!! the result is so cute and awesome and it pays perfect homage to the previous sweater I'm so happy you recorded the process to share with us. Also the bit about the sweater flying off the needles while working on the yoke but then dragging on forever when joining the body?? AND THEN having to knit the sleeves? we're twins, i feel exactly the same way.

[@MissyO.]

I love your videos! Your aesthetics, your music choices, your projects, your cats, your humor every thing!. I am a FAN❤. And I DON’T EVEN KNIT!😂 (I crochet) But I just bought me some FB marketplace knitting needles and I am going for it! Absolutely inspired by you!

[@BreathingYarn]

OMG, good luck! I hope you like knitting 🥰

[@aleamajz]

I’m here for the book recommendation :3

[@Babebb925]

Okay, you're adorable. It's official. It's been official since your first video but it is extra official now. The amount of pure joy and excitement at the end because of how much you loved your Rainbow Time version 2 was so heart warming. I am so happy for you. Also, the dancing at the end of the video, emaculate. Chefs kiss. It was the perfect way to close out the video. I can't wait to hang out with you in your next video 😂

[@danicav212]

i CAN tell how much you love that sweater!! :) I love it also. Great work!

[@gabiemiller]

"shouldn't'a done that/"shouldn't'a said that" to the tune of woody the woodpecker's laugh 😂

[@gabiemiller]

anyway yeah i agree regarding "clickbait" being overused/misused. imo clickBAIT implies said bait will be followed by a switch

[@gracecoffelt3462]

re: 17:29 love aubrey gordon! been listening to the audio book version of her book. and speaking of podcasts, her podcast maintenance phase truly changed my life. highly recommend if you’re looking for more of her content

[@BreathingYarn]

Yesss 🙌🏻 I love her book, I bought her second book and she has really changed my perspective about how I see myself and others 🥰

[@miriamrobertson1244]

Cannot express how much I love this video! Real life and real joy!

[@BreathingYarn]

I’m trying to learn how to make the videos feel more “me” and this one was the closest yet

[@fivegallonbucket]

That sweater looks amazeballs!

[@kareemarhodes1740]

Great video, I love how the sweater turned out. And yes it takes forever to make sleeves on a sweater. I hope that KZbin works out for you too!

[@jaymeg.6421]

The split hem literally is so freaking cute. I'm so stoked to see how much the 2.0 version of your sweater has improved. You have inspired me to have the courage to unravel some of my things that I love but have been unhappy with how some of it turned out. Also I wanted to say in reply to your discussion about being a baby youtuber, you are literally my favorite youtuber right now and I get so excited when I see you've uploaded a new video. So keep being amazing and being you!

[@BreathingYarn]

Umm…thank you for making my day! 🥹

[@roisiin]

ahhhhh an unexpected crossover !!! I love watching your videos and also listening to Aubrey Gordon on Maintenance Phase so seeing you reading her book is an unexpected joy !!!!!

[@Emily-qx8yg]

apparently we are the same person. I am obsessed with Maintenance Phase :)

[@irill]

Alright you’ve convinced me, I’m gonna unravel a crochet houndstoothvest i made on vacation last year that is waaay to big but I felt bad unraveling it as I made it during the trip😂 I barely wear it though and have considered this for a while but now you’ve convinced me🤩

[@BreathingYarn]

Whoa, big step! That’s awesome

[@kristalburns3490]

Love it when a rework turns out.

[@TinaC-jf7wu]

I love your cat!!

[@zrasabba]

Watching this while re-knitting a sweater for my sister I unraveled, sitting with my cat. I do think a previous video of yours where you mentioned being okay with occasionally unraveling and recreating projects helped me decide to start again when this sweater did not turn out how either my sister or I wanted. I'm still too inexperienced to get it exactly right, but it's definitely better this time around.

[@BreathingYarn]

That’s awesome. I hope it works out more like you want it the second go around. It’s not easy to make a project come out how you planned.

[@elisamassenzio9230]

Worlds collide! I love Aubrey Gordon's podcast Maintenance Phase ^_^

[@BreathingYarn]

Further proving that through this channel, I’ve found my people! She’s awesome, LOVING the book

[@squibooks6567]

So, i've just discovered your channel and i'm currently binging your videso and today i told to my partner that i really loved your channel because it gave me the same vibes as The Book Leo ahah

[@emmelinesprig489]

SO CUTE OMG

[@powerverwirrt]

Gosh, I love your videos. They're so refreshing and great to listen to while I'm doing some mindless work task. And I 100% agree with the sentiment that people don't NEED to do something just to fulfill some societal expectations to seem knowledgable at all times. I always wonder if that's just a byproduct of everyone feeling like they're struggling alone in capitalism. Needing to be competitive instead of appreciating that we're a community and no one can (or should) know everything. And I LOVE Aubrey Gordon and her podcast Maintenance Phase with Michael Hobbes. I'm almost through the entire backlog by now. It's also one of my two podcasts I regularly listen to, haha.

[@powerverwirrt]

And Jack Edwards was one of those youtubers that got me through my bachelor's degree, actually. Very relatable and thoughtful.

[@AshlaSue]

That is so so cute!! I want to make more colourful items like this, except in crochet because I'm not a knitter 😂 Great work!!

[@BreathingYarn]

It’s only a matter of time before I make a rainbow crochet sweater and I’m very excited for that day’

[@AshlaSue]

@@BreathingYarn Same! I have far too many inspo patterns saved :)

[@christenagervais7303]

I've just discovered your channel and am a new subscriber! I'm now binge watching! I'm also making a scrappy sweater. It is the Flax, by Tin Can Knits with leftover sock yarn!

[@BreathingYarn]

Ouuuu that sounds amazing!!!

[@hope2getitdone]

Hi, i just came across your video, and I love your format. I like video format it feels like you're hanging out with a friend, it's relaxing and fun. I also have a pair of black kitties who love to help, I call them micromanagemers. Your sweater came out lovely! Please make a matching hat. Nothing beats having a sweater that fits just right, I think if you're going to put in the effort of making a sweater you should make it the way you want. Looking forward to more videos in the future! 🎉

[@BreathingYarn]

Aweeee thanks ☺️

[@ShelbyTraughber]

Pleeeeeease make a matching sweater for the black kitty that was pawing at your sweater at 30:00

[@ShelbyTraughber]

Lol, update.. I had no idea they already had a matching sweater!! 😂😂😂

[@BreathingYarn]

😆 I’m way ahead of you! The kitties and I must match at all times!

[@kmcn1298]

Aubrey Gordon is one of my favorite humans, I highly recommend her first book too and her podcast “Maintenance Phase”!!

[@pinacolada5513]

can totally relate.. i'm making my first cardigan. i'm following a tutorial but i have to freestyle to a degree, since i'm using a lighter yarn than the tutorial. i've unraveled it sooo many times. but i'm using some really lovely noro yarn, so i want this cardigan to be a staple in my closet. currently mentally preparing to undo all the ribbing, as i want to make it a bit longer :')

[@BreathingYarn]

Noto yarn is stunning and also good for you for unraveling repeatedly on the same project. That can get real frustrating real fast.

[@mushroomboy9872]

I love Aubrey Gordon. I want to read that book soon.

[@BreathingYarn]

Glad I’m not the only one! I heard her speak in a podcast once and was enamored with her perspective.

[@vandalyarnz]

this is super random but you look so much like anya taylor joy !! you're also super talented, i love what you do

[@BreathingYarn]

lol, I will take it. Anya Taylor Joy is STUNNING!

[@BreathingYarn]

lol, I will take it. Anya Taylor Joy is STUNNING!

[@IsabelaGiusti]

Hi, Xará! (Hoping you still remember it means 'name twinsies' in Brazilian Portuguese, otherwise this could be really awkward) I missed you last week, but I totally get the new schedule to minimize the risk of burnout. That did not stop me from happily going onto your channel on Sunday, all smug like "new Breathing Yarn video, here I coooooome!" to then be hit with the realization that there would not be a new video that day LOL I love the little parasocial relationship we have, not gonna lie. It's just so nice to see someone close to me in age with so many similarities! We share a name, a hobby and apparently our taste in booktubers? Jack and Leonie are my faves!! I have never been steered wrong by them lol I have to say, I agree with you on the clickbait-y titles. How else are creators supposed to get their videos pushed to new audience? Like, their faithful subscribers will most likely watch most if not all their videos, but sometimes a new viewer is one "scandalous" title away! Oh, the ending?! The celebratory dance? Your vibes are immaculate, truly. I get the biggest smile when watching your videos - when you're being goofy, when you're serious, when you're rambly (my personal favorite, because I might be all chatty writing, but I'm an otherwise silent person and LOVE people that can go on a million tangents, it makes me so happy). Watching you try to convince yourself all was well when it most certainly Was Not had me in a giggle fit. I really enjoy how you edit your videos and make them so funny and engaging! Now, about the sweater: I'm so glad you unraveled it and made it better for yourself. It's a really tough call to make the first few times, but once you get the hang of letting the "what about all the effort I put into it" go, it's the best! You get to think more critically on what you like, why you like it and how to make it work most of the time. The finished result looked fantastic, but even better was the satisfaction on your face, at having 'fixed' the issues you had with it. (And I have to say, the way you did the colors looks impeccable, I love it!) (Also, to point out a few of the similarities we share: my fiancé and I are currently long distance (like you once were with your husband), because I'm done with Uni and he isn't; I also have two girl furbabies - mine are dogs, though - Frida Kahlo and Rita Lee (a Brazilian rock singer, she was fabulous); I'm currently 25 - a smidge younger than you, but still pretty close; we have similar palettes, similar clothing stiles, similar relationships with our hair (I, too, have done a few crazy colors, the shaving, the pixie, the undercut, the bob - now I'm rocking the natural color and letting it grow, just to see how long it gets before I cut it all off to donate it); we're readers, science nerds, we collect DVDs... I wanna start a vinyl collection, too, but that's still not within my budget rn - they're quite expensive here in Brazil.) Just, wow. Watching you almost makes me want to start a knitting KZbin channel as well, but I'm not sure I could be super entertaining to watch haha

[@BreathingYarn]

Omg you’re so sweet!! Of course I remember the Portuguese twinsies! I also didn’t think I was entertaining at all. Im still surprised anybody watches my videos

[@WhattheBeck]

i also have a prism in my window that makes rainbow time- usually for about half an hour at around 5pm. unfortunately ive been working late at work recently so i havent been able to catch it in a while 😢

[@BreathingYarn]

That’s the saddest thing I’ve heard all day. I get it but saaaaaadd 🥺

[@beebeemcv]

Hey! Love your videos! Just wondering if you'd thought of pushing the stitch holder cord thingy through instead of pulling it? That might lead to less stitches going wild. Very much enjoy everything, sending cat cuddles to Merry and Pippin! 🐈🐈

[@nu_iglesias]

OMG My cat also gently pats me with his little paw when he wants attention 🥹

[@BreathingYarn]

That’s so adorable! It’s a rare occurrence in my household so I’m glad I caught it on camera cuz omg cats are so sweet 🥰

[@jojomanee85]

I love your videos! You have a great personality and you're so fun and positive. I love how the sweater turned out! It looks great on you! ❤ I have a book recommendation I think you may like. I suggest An Absolutely Remarkable Thing (and it's sequel, A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor) by Hank Green. It's a fascinating and entertaining fiction story, BUT ALSO a really unique commentary on a lot of how social media (particularly KZbin) is affecting our lives.

[@BreathingYarn]

Oh I would LOVE those. I’m adding them to my TBR. I love Hank Green and watch Vlogbrothers with him every week ❤️ I can’t believe I haven’t read any of his stuff yet!

[@jojomanee85]

@BreathingYarn I love vlogbrothers! ❤️ John's books are just as fantastic! I really enjoyed The Fault in Our Stars, but liked Turtles All the Way Down even better. It's being made into a movie that is coming out in like a week!

[@wiinnddyy]

I have no idea why I'm like this (and I wish I were not), but I would so much rather make a second sweater than unravel. I finished a gramps revive a couple months ago and I would love for it to be maybe two inches longer and have around 3 fewer decreases in the sleeves-it would be more sustainable, less expensive, and better for the size of my closet to rip back just those pieces, but the lure of casting on a new version is powerful 👀

[@BreathingYarn]

Oh I 100% am with you on that. I’ve got several imperfect pieces in my collection I have no intention of unraveling but would much rather make a whole new one.

[@ESELLEN]

This truly looks like the cosiest sweater! What yarn did you use?!

[@BreathingYarn]

Drops Air (alpaca)

[@ESELLEN]

@@BreathingYarn thank you!!

[@Blackthumbcrochet]

I’m a YT baby too, but a new born compared to you but I’m sure I will get there once I have a handful of videos up and I’m not going to stress about it 😅 I agree with “clickbait” I was overthinking my first few YT videos thumbnails and titles and I’m like oh well I got to do what I need to.

[@BreathingYarn]

Thumbnails are the toughest part of KZbin (imo) 😂

[@Blackthumbcrochet]

@@BreathingYarn but it’s a place to be creative, I enjoy it 🥰

[@zoestroud1927]

Love your channel and your energy! This feels like a big ask, but I’m really into your music choices in this video in particular. Would you mind sharing song names and artists? I would be forever grateful!!!❤

[@BreathingYarn]

I’ll try and get em all. It Blows My Mind (OTE) A Tether (Kylie Dailey) Be the Cat (Kylie Dailey) The Welcome of the Dawn (Roy Williams) Standing on your Own (Paper Twins) Dress Up (Walking Hearts) All that’s Left (Ingrid Witt) Truth Is (SRA) If You’re Still Around (Conditional) Mayflies in the Fading Sun (Velvet Head) When in doubt, you can always Google the lyrics or say “Hey Siri (or Google or Alexa) for what’s this song?” 😊

[@zoestroud1927]

@@BreathingYarn thank you!!!!! I was at work at the time listening through my AirPods, and I was having zero luck googling. You’re the best!

[@erikajohnson5905]

Do you have a recommendation for a large ball winder? I have a small one but I'm looking to get one that's bigger so I don't have to keep cutting my skeins!

[@BreathingYarn]

I have the LAMXD Needle Craft Larger Metal winder and I like it but I don’t know if I’d recommend it since I’m sure there are better winders out there. It gets the job done and it’ll last a long time which is why I like it.

[@qodiwnx]

I LOVE YOUR SWEATER like fr. I'd love to know what yarns are you using, and if maybe you could do a more in depth video explaining how to make one like yours cause girrrrl I want one for myself 😭(btw new follower!!)

[@BreathingYarn]

Thank you! I love it too. I used Drops-Air scrap yarn and lost the labels so I don’t know the exact colors ☹️ For how to actually make it, I used the Sibling Sweater pattern by Laura Penrose so I can’t go over too many details without giving away the pattern itself. I’m definitely debating making a video showing how I approach making sweaters when I design them myself. Going over more of the technical steps.

[@qodiwnx]

@@BreathingYarn oh yeah, absolutely! I'm gonna take a look at her pattern, and if you decide to make that video, I'll be right here watching it haha I usually don't have trouble following a pattern, my issue is that I almost always end up with sweaters that don't really fit me how I like and I'm so lost cause I don't know how or what should I change in the pattern

[@BreathingYarn]

Wow! That’s some awesome honesty. I think most of us have that issue and most don’t admit it (or at least that’s my theory). I for sure felt that way for the first few years of making sweater. But I’m very slowly getting better. I’ve definitely had a lot of fails this year but some successes too. Thanks for giving me some things to think about. Sorry it’s been frustrating for you, that’s all too relatable!

[@qodiwnx]

@@BreathingYarn oh haha thanks! Now that you mention it I don't think I've ever seen anyone talk about this. I feel like there's this idea that you have to know a lot of technical stuff to be able to customize your sweaters, and at least in my case when I buy a pattern I expect it to be detailed enough to be able to adapt it to my measurements, or at least give me instructions on what parts I need to modify to be able to adapt it. Idk haha I just think there should be like a minimum of common knowledge about this without needing a phd 😅

[@amberquillmusic1511]

I appreciate your joy you're honesty and transparency so much! Your struggles are soo relatable... I've been waiting for this kind of energy in my KZbin feed 😂

[@BreathingYarn]

Thank you 🥰

[@jennmarie123]

This sweaters name is 🌈Rainbow Time!!!

[@jennmarie123]

Afterthought: the extra extra yarn you have (not the hat extra yarn), try overdying it. 😍 I had my first expirament with liquid rit dye this week and omg. I used Navy, and it took a teal, and a gold yarn that I'm kind of over to a beautiful moody Ultramarine Blue and a Mossy Olive Green! Maybe there are better dye brands, but I started with the basics and now I can't wait to do more. ♥️

[@BreathingYarn]

Ouuu that’s such a great idea

[@TiffsCreations-by5jr]

love ur videoes and ill be ur knitting buddy :)

[@sleepybear666]

What the name of the song you played at the end of the video?

[@BreathingYarn]

Mayflies in the Fading Sun by Velvet Head

[@sleepybear666]

@@BreathingYarn thanks 😊

[@alyngriff]

as a fellow engineer working in polymers i second the US Sizing not making any sense #millimetersforever

[@BreathingYarn]

#millimetersforever

[@DannaLee15]

17:14 i also love writing and highlighting in my books! It helps me focus and i retain the information better or remember quotes and such 🥹