What I Knit, What I learned in 2023

[@theminimalknitter]

The only goal I set for myself this year was to return to monogamous knitting. I am going to keep my WIP count at two-one sock, one garment. I overwhelmed myself with sock cast-ons last October and I am finally to the last one. I am much more productive when I focus on one thing at a time, and like you said, we can only knit on one thing at a time. I have ideas for smaller things I want to crochet, but I am going to treat that the same way-only one thing at a time. I have two granny stripe blankets that I am determined to finish this year, but I am going to focus on one at a time and treat it like a knitted garment. It will become my main project. Happy 2024 Nikol!

[@ThePineCottage]

Yes to all of this!!🙌 Happy 2024!

[@rebecca-72]

I find it incredibly endearing that 75% of your knits were gift knits 🥲 How lucky are the people in your life that you dedicate so much of your free to making them something beautiful and useful. Out of curiosity - the lovely green sweater for your son which shrank: can anyone wear it?? It doesn’t look tiny, maybe someone enjoys it?? That green is gorgeous. I once shrank a sweater for my husband to toddler size 😮. We do not currently know any toddlers… 😟

[@ThePineCottage]

Thank you!❤️ I do not know anyone, but I’m just holding on to it until I find the right recipient! 😊

[@thekindles1183]

I agree with the monogamous knitting. it's fun to cast on but I get overwhelmed trying to remember where I'm at with all the things. I did try my dryer with the socks but found it to age the socks quicker. Since I don't have that many yet, the wear and tear is more. - Kimberly

[@ericallerton809]

Happy new year,,,, Loved seeing all UR knits,,,,!!! I just started my first colorwork ,,,,doing socks ,called treasure socks,,,,Just out,,,,free pattern on ravelry,,, Love doing it ,,,,Now that I get it,,,,!,,I knit mostly socks,,,Some plain ,,some patterned,,,,, Started 2 Sweaters but going to frog them,,,,as just not going to get done,,,, Love shawls ,,,small simple ones,,,hats,,,,mitts,,,,blankets,,,,, I have way too many things on Needles,,,,cast on itis!!! Elaine🏡⛄⛄❤

[@stitchysworld9596]

I need to check out those weaving in ends tutorials you mentioned, I hate when my ends work their way out! Great podcast I really enjoyed it!

[@ThePineCottage]

Thanks for watching!❤️ And yes, this weaving in ends thing is a GAME CHANGER! 🙌

[@jhaypennycuff2396]

I happen to be wearing a pair of socks I knit with Magpie Fiber Ghost Town. Love that color way! Yesterday I started spinning black Welsh mountain top for the Musselburgh hat.😊

[@wt30001]

I think, if you have a rack Made for dryers, you can lay the sweater on it to use the dryer. I know nothing about the heat. I have heard even on air only it will still felt if allowed to be tossed in dryer.

[@wt30001]

All of your knits look so comfy, squishy, cuddly.

[@ThePineCottage]

Thank you!❤️

[@loris8912]

Thanks again for another great video! I enjoyed your videos very much! Also, I see you have a Hocking Hills State Park sweatshirt on. We camped there in 2023. We really enjoyed that park! Happy knitting (and camping), which I think is the PERFECT combo!

[@ThePineCottage]

I agree, Lori! 🏕️🧶

[@deborahderden4860]

Glad you know yourself. Monogamy in knitting burns me out. I always have at least 6 WIPs if not more at one time.

[@deyaneria]

I admit I work on a few projects at a time. No more than 3-4 and they all aren't knitting. I find it's good for me to have a knit, crochet, maybe tunisian crochet or spinning, and a pair of socks. As those types of projects have my muscles moving differently. I find i'm able to avoid repetitive stress injuries by changing it up.

[@ThePineCottage]

That’s definitely true, I do like switching between projects to give my hands a rest. 👍

[@noreenlou]

I will definitely look into the weave as you go for sock knitting. I trying my first top down socks right now. I usually have one sock going, and right now I’m planning on what to knit along with it as a project for home.

[@lshriver104]

What a great podcast. Thank you!

[@ThePineCottage]

Thank you for watching!❤️

[@elisemenz9387]

❤❤

[@azknitter]

Such beautiful finishes Nikol… love them all ☺️

[@ThePineCottage]

Thank you!❤️

[@tacistudio]

I love looking back at your 2023 knits and I love how much of your knits you give away. So fun to see you again 💖😘

[@pameladuncan550]

Love watching your podcasts !!!! Thank you so very much for making them so down to earth and interesting. Looking forward to your new ideas. I'm also a birthday sock knitter, one of the same knitting projects we have in common. Blessings to you and your family for the upcoming year. Pam

[@ThePineCottage]

Thank you so much, Pam! ❤️ Yay for sock knitters! Aren’t they wonderful to gift? Especially for people who have the things they want and need…I feel like something homemade or handmade is always a win. 😊

[@mmfiber]

Steering myself toward monogamous knitting is something I learned this year also! And for the same reasons that you mentioned. It's so much more rewarding to finish projects on a shorter timeline than have them strung out forever and risk losing momentum. Speaking of long-term projects, have you been adding any new colors to your Battenburg? I'm thinking of starting one and would love to hear if there's any suggestions you have.

[@lorrainelambert9001]

I’m so glad you posted this as I can relate, as someone who grew up with a mother who was an avid knitter, all I know is what she taught me but I was used to using shop bought pattern and now in this community I follow a lot of designers with new ways to knit, so like you I don’t swatch and I’m also learning what fits and learning about negative and positive ease instead of it being worked in to the pattern. I also don’t cast on lots of things at the same time as it stresses me out and I can’t keep up. I’m used to knitting bottom up and now I’m converted to top down and doing short row and love it but have a lot of my mothers old bottom up patterns and still knit them as I love them 😊😊😊

[@ThePineCottage]

I’m sure you have some beautiful memories! What a gift! ❤️

[@andreacrazy4knitting]

I am with you on not gauge swatching for the following reason: a swatch always comes out different than a whole garment. I call knitting a garment and learning sizing in the process “live size swatching “.

[@ThePineCottage]

Yes, fantastic!🙌

[@jsabri6324]

The sweater that shrunk hurt my heart a little. And the itchy socks. I'm the opposite with socks. I prefer the scratchy stuff and I throw all my handmade socks in the washer and dryer because I hate when they stretch. I am also a monogamous knitter. I have 1 pair of socks, 1 garment, and 1 long term project going. I get overwhelmed with any more going than that. I have my advent minis sitting on a table waiting for me to finish my socks and garment before I can start my Sweet Shop blanket. 2024 goals: no full skein purchases until at least May. I don't have that big of a stash, but like wips, if I have too much, I start feeling guilty, and last year, I bought too much 😬 Also for 2024: start my Christmas gift socks next month! Your malbrigo hat colors were just beautiful on you. I can't wear those colors, and they are so natural on you - your hat really brought out your eyes and made your skin glow. Happy 2024!

[@ThePineCottage]

Those are great goals! Although, I will probably buy yarn. 🫠 Thanks so much (about the hat)!❤️ I’m with you…gotta start those gift socks in February! 😊

[@cynthiaspear-duncan7661]

I understand about ADD, thats me and knitting or doing too many things at one time. Due to a timing issue, I had two socks (not a pair) going at the same time and a sweater. The two socks were not a good idea.

[@ThePineCottage]

Yessss…the temptation is strong, but I must resist! 😂

[@Derya679]

🧶

[@shetlandlace]

I hate 'look back' videos. To be honest, it was your 'what I learned' that brought me in. Then you started with 75% of my knitting is gift knit. Hurray-me, too. I knit socks and hats for 12 people. So..lots of knitting is gift. THEN--there's a new baby being added to the group. Who can resist a good baby knit? Not me. There's a trick to try to soften wool. Soak in a good hair conditioner. Make sure the conditioner is white, but experiment with the measure. Dissolve in a large bowl or pan of warm water. Let the socks soak. Rinse and soak again. Rinse and hang dry. It's worth experimenting with.

[@ThePineCottage]

Thanks so much for the tip!! I will try it!❤️