Week 6 - DRK March to May KAL Q&A

[@debnew6195]

I’m loving this series Andrea but can’t think of a question to ask, I just want you to continue making videos. ❤️🇦🇺

[@dreareneeknits]

Thank you so much!

[@ajrich1980]

I second that the Harlow hat is a great way to learn brioche! That was my first foray into brioche. It took me three times of taking it out and starting over before I finally got it, but once I got it, it was so fun! I finished one Harlow hat and immediately knit a second. My recommendation is to not do brioche while watching tv or if have a head cold (lol). Also look up videos on correcting brioche, picking up dropped stitches, etc. It really helps you understand what is happening with the stitches.

[@sharonkeeney2428]

What an interesting way to think about picking sweaters and styles! Thank you for going into the topic with more depth!!

[@dreareneeknits]

Glad you liked it!!

[@anniebilodeau6374]

Thank you for the great tips regarding choosing the right pattern and how to reflect on what makes us feel comfortable or not. Really thinking about what we like to wear rather than how the pattern fits on the model. I don’t know that I always thing about those things before choosing what to knit. I have recently started watching your episodes and just had to start from tithe 1st one because this is just so awesome. Thank you for doing this for us. You are wonderful. Also…every time I start watching you I just can’t help but think you are such a beautiful person. Please keep doing this! :)

[@missfilemon]

It’s so relaxing to watch you!

[@rizamerk]

Had podcast in my ear at the table... She was surprised I was listening to Taylor Swift. LOL... Now I do see the resemblance. Enjoying catching up on your podcasts.

[@alisonharris7130]

These are super helpful tips and thank you for taking the time to do them. So glad to hear that the KAL is for shawls, it will be my first one. I'm knitting your Wildwood shawl for my friend. Love the way the pattern is written😉

[@andreakerr6666]

Thank you for discussing autoimmune diseases and how you cope. I also have Hashimoto's (and also an Andrea - PS love and knit your designs) and know the many issues we face with it, I am lucky I don't get joint pain but very mindful of using the right needles to minimise strain.

[@lynnetownsend8945]

I have so enjoyed these question/answer episodes and have gotten so much great info! Thank you!

[@dreareneeknits]

Glad you like them!

[@MikiCrespo]

Absolutely helpful. Thanks so much for taking the time and sharing with us 🌷

[@lady00303]

I also have auto immune issues, but I'm still getting checked and so far haven't been properly diagnosed yet. It's very frustrating.. even though I'm not properly diagnosed as celiac, gluten does give me problems and I tend to go gluten free if I do have pizza or bread. I feel lethargic often, brain fog, back pain and gastrointestinal issues.. lately it's getting worse and have terrible anxiety and even feeling strange pressure in my head although it's not painful.. just feels like my head is a balloon. I've been trying to cut back on sugar and bad foods..but it's so addicting and if I'm stressed chocolate makes me feel a bit better.. you know? I love listening to your videos.. it's so calming and soothing.. it's hard to believe you are an introvert because you seem so confident ..and are so beautiful.!! ;)

[@meganluyckx572]

Andrea, I love your videos; always so informative! In addition, your shawl is lovely and color so beautiful on you!

[@dreareneeknits]

Thank you so much!

[@beatriceloren6882]

Love your newsletter. Enjoyed the video! Great tips.

[@conniehall3873]

I just enjoy listening to you, I’m learning so much from your videos. Thank you!

[@dreareneeknits]

I'm so glad!

[@sharonh4784]

Thank you once again. I learned brioche in the round through your you tube tutorial.

[@dreareneeknits]

Great job!

[@stitchesandjacks7692]

Really enjoining joining you and listening in on the question an answer series, found this really entertaining and informative thank you. I have just finished knitting CRASPEDIA socks from 52 weeks of sock and loved the heel on heel on that one. Have put both of your hats into my Ravelry favourites xx

[@dreareneeknits]

I'm so glad!

[@lauraheller2366]

This was a big help, thanks! So many videos are for novice knitters, this was perfect for me at intermediate level but looking for finesse.

[@dreareneeknits]

Glad it was helpful!

[@evadedenbach1226]

I use the Copper Fit compression gloves when I knit. I love them, and they've been a game changer. I never get any pain.

[@dreareneeknits]

Thanks for the tip!

[@evadedenbach1226]

@@dreareneeknits You're welcome.

[@deejcarter2003]

Lots of wonderful, useful information. Thanks so much🥰

[@dreareneeknits]

Glad it was helpful!

[@vindeljay]

That was good advice re reducing pain in shoulders. I had the same issue and went to many different types of therapist to solve the issue, but never found a definitive solution. I knew it was related to knitting as the pain would reduce if I had a break even for a few days. So I decided to teach myself to continental knit, as I have used my right hand for ever, I'm 64 to see if I could reduce the repetitive strain that has developed on the right side. I also do regular stretches with both my hands during a knitting session, with really good results. I'm able to knit more now and take turns with L and R. It has helped a lot.

[@dreareneeknits]

Thank you for sharing!

[@lisethomas8495]

Loved working on the shift last summer and currently working on the Night Shift and love it as well. Love the different colours!!

[@olgabiaobrzeska2433]

For sizing I recommend thinking about all measurements of a sweater. We often size them just by full bust measurement, but our bodies may vary a lot, even with the same bust circumstances. If someone has narrow shoulders and/or big bust sweter sized per bust may be too big. If one is busty they may enjoy less ease in bust comparing to flat chest once in order to not drawn in the sweater. I used to add quite some sts for the bust area and decr it higher/lower.

[@maggieedberg574]

Very helpful, thank you 🤗

[@cwdresmker]

I LOVE these sessions....though I can never think of a question to ask (like taking a test in school back in the day) you have helped me with food for thought! Thanks!!

[@dreareneeknits]

I'm so glad!

[@jdeldelvecchio712]

I learned brioche from your what the fade as you released it. Great fun...then took you class in Denver. I can brioche because of you!

[@dreareneeknits]

Yay! That makes me so happy!

[@lupepedraza8497]

How did you know what I was having trouble with? Hahahaha. I aaalways have sweaters that end up too big (meaning, too much ease). I don't look not feel good in those. For example I tried three times to knit the Rug sweater, which I live but each time is still too big, too bulky. Additionally, I found two or three yarns with which I looooove to knit, and people have recommended other yarns which are spectacular but for me a nightmare to knit with, can't seems to get gauge for example. So, thank you Andrea for your tips. Keep those videos coming, we love you. Lupita, from Vancouver Canada ❤️

[@veronicaneal4784]

Thank you so much for the tips on looser floats! Very helpful tip!

[@suzieirby2137]

Thank you for the stretching tips. I have arthritis in one thumb and thought that if I left knitting alone for awhile, I'd be ok. No. So I'm beginning again with frequent breaks, heating pads, supplements. I don't know if any of it will help but I can knit comfortably for short periods of time. I frequently change my style from continental to english, etc. I'm currently trying to learn to not use my thumb. Hard.

[@dreareneeknits]

One tip I learned in culinary school, is that the reduction of nightshades (tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes, peppers, etc) can really help with arthritis inflammation. Could be worth a try!

[@suzieirby2137]

@@dreareneeknits Thanks so much!!

[@monicalarose7980]

A SPARKS HAT!!! So excited for it to come out. It will match my socks 😁.

[@britdowson8324]

Thanks again. As always I learned from you:)

[@carla195912]

So educational, thank you!

[@ashleyribbe4518]

i figure it out the broiche stitches to own make the sweater dress and honesty, it really slow as sock yarn i using this. i have a broiche book now i understand the instruction two colors cast on it slowly read and then only wrap slip yarn over as knit and purl. I simply do easy memory become difficult make a sweater, usually this is first time I have a ton of colors like lampstand street and practice seem a while broiche since October 2020. let you know that i am deaf as American Sign Language. I am just loved broiche, ha! i enjoyed your vlog, go girl.

[@lesleyjones9263]

Loved this episode, especially your tips on picking a style/fit in a hand knit. I have one question re Mosaic knitting. I’ve cast on the Shifty Shawl more than once but not sure how I carry one of the yarns up to the next row. Do I carry it up and across or cut it and rejoin yarn each time? I really want to make the shawl and am using precious handspun! 👍🧶🙏🇦🇺

[@dreareneeknits]

You only need to break yarns when the pattern specifically tells you to, otherwise it can be carried up the side (I also like to preserve as much of my precious yarn as possible, while avoiding too many ends to weave in ;). I show how to add new colors and carry a color up with an i-cord edge in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIjZk2ifpqetrac

[@YoungMarriedMom]

I just bought yarn for a Rose sweater and am about to swatch. Do you have a suggestion for how to swatch to make sure fade will work? I’ve seen a bunch of projects on Ravelry that are more striped than faded, and I’m trying to avoid that. I tried to scale down the fade pattern to fit all four colors in a reasonably sized swatch, but would love your thoughts! Thanks! I love these videos and look forward to them each week!

[@dreareneeknits]

I usually use the fading sequence provided in the pattern, but instead of the solid area of one color, I skip that and immediately start fading the next so the swatch isn't too large :) The most important thing when choosing yarn is to avoid too much contrast. Speckles and variegated yarns will "blur" those stripes/lines the best!

[@ineslazalde9629]

Can you let me know the name of your stranded hat if it has come out since the podcast so I can purchase the pattern?

[@ILS986]

Do you have a good mosaic sweater or cardigan pattern for a beginner? I wouldn't say I'm advanced but I've picked it up pretty easily and have made a variety of projects without issues. I would like to do some colorwork and love color. I think a mosaic garmet is my next major project. I've swAtched mosaic patterns from books. The hardest thing I've encountered is finding a pattern. While I'm currently doing my first chart project the Sawyer sweater by Sari Nordlund it's not a color chart, but I'd be open to learning color charts if you had a mosaic sweater or cardigan pattern that used one

[@dreareneeknits]

You can check out my Shifty sweater here: www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/shifty-2 I also have a new mosaic sweater coming out next month (June '21)!

[@ILS986]

@@dreareneeknits Awesome thanks! I'm working on the Sawyer by Sari Nordland right now, but I plan on doing one of your patterns for my next big project.

[@janicetyne7396]

Hi Andrea, you mentioned autoimmune disease. I just wondered what nutrition plan you follow.

[@dreareneeknits]

Hello! I have experimented with a lot, and I have found that what works best for me is a Paleo approach. From the research I have done, removal of gluten is one of the biggest factors to help push Hashimotos into remission (and many other autoimmune diseases.)

[@lisevandandaigue8861]

Could you give the us the name of lady who wrote a book to help us decide sweater style and sizes (Amy???). Thanks

[@dreareneeknits]

Amy Herzog!

[@sarahjohnson9541]

Did it take you a long time to make a business from making knitting patterns? And did you have supplemental income while building up your business?

[@dreareneeknits]

I had left my job as a baker and was a stay at home mom when I started. I would say it took 2 years to become really viable!

[@henriettehald]

Hello from Denmark 😃

[@dreareneeknits]

Hello there!

[@vrisaydaboggess9269]

Where can I ask a question ?

[@dreareneeknits]

There is a link in the notes just below the video :)

[@milenarovatti2275]

hallo form Italy!

[@dreareneeknits]

Hello!

[@alli12987]

I’m always so confused about mosaic knitting; isn’t the finished product just as if you carried one yarn on top of the other the whole time? Like the finished product is the same as stranded colorwork, correct? So is mosaic a less confusing way to do stranded colorwork or am I missing something?

[@dreareneeknits]

They are different in that you have to have the specific color you want in the row below to be able to carry it up. You are slipping stitches, so that color is stretched over 2 rows (instead of just one in stranded colorwork) which means the motifs are limited by this rule. It is definitely a great starting place for playing with colorwork, but is different then stranded.

[@knittinginmauritiuspodcast]

Hallo from very hot Mauritius!!!!

[@dreareneeknits]

Hello!