Winter Sewing and Knitting Makes｜2024

[@KarenMcNeil-en2fn]

You wear your clothes very well, really elegant 🙂

[@lynleyacton9867]

Your makes are all beautiful, elegant styles. Very well made.

[@Dianne-ut5vr]

Hi Sarah, I love all your makes and I always enjoy your descriptions of the patterns and fabrics. I really loved the first green dress that was just stunning, the teal skirt also you should wear it, it looked gorgeous with the dark top. The pjs were also a triumph and I completely understand your joy at using all the bits of fabric as I love to eak out every last bit, well done for fitting that pattern on there. Have a lovely week. ☺

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Thank you so much! 😊

[@alexandrawellington8028]

Lovely practical makes xxx

[@anitacollingwood4224]

I like everything, but especially the pyjamas!

[@lapetitepatissiere]

Thank you Sarah, your videos are so inspiring! The way you explain your processes and troubleshooting is very helpful, and I always pick up a trick or two from your videos. You wear your makes with incredible elegance too!

[@Sarah_Naomi]

I'm so glad! Thank you!

[@moneal99801]

If your canvas skirt is too stiff, try washing it with a full liter of regular coke. That works for denim.

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Thank you for the tip, I didn't know that one!

[@loreliemiller628]

Love the polka dot dress, pj’s and of course the heather dresses!

[@rebeccarosser8539]

if you want to size down a knitting pattern further than the smallest size use a lighter weight yarn and change your guage. you will have to do some very simple math to decide what size to knit but it works. Taylor from wool needles hands has a great episode describing how to do this. it's very easy once you understand the concept. beautiful creations!

[@deltadawn2376]

You have a good sense of style. I love what you make. You know what suits you.

[@Petra_T_J]

You are so productive, wow! 😊 My favourite is the pink shawl, ut looks really cozy. Oh , I can feel the frustration of ending up with a knitting project that does not fit properly... been there many times. Too big or too small... I cannot tell how many times I have unraveled something I have worked with for months. I hope you can find something nice to knit with that beautiful yarn 😊 It is very inspiring to see what you have seen and hear about the process, thank you for sharing!

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Thank you! The pink shawl is indeed very cozy and I've started wearing it again around the house now that the temperatures are dropping. I still haven't found something to make to repurpose that blue yarn, but it's a pretty marled color and lovely to work with, so I'm sure I'll find something!

[@Petra_T_J]

​@@Sarah_NaomiOh that sounds so nice and cozy, with a good cup of tea... 😊

[@cynthiatennant9896]

All beautiful makes. Even the sweater that doesn’t fit. I hope you find another sweater to use the yarn 😊

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Thank you! 😊

[@marjorieflorange4684]

Tellement de projets en si peu de temps... Et tous magnifiques! Très inspirant, merci !

[@rohinichandrashekar9508]

Hi Sarah. First of all, I would like to congratulate you on your videos. I love the whole content - sewing, knitting, styling, travel, and listening to your very pleasant chats. Re the oversized knit top, I think it looks lovely on you. Could you not just wear it as is or with a thin belt? But if you want to shape it, I have seen Norwegian (perhaps all Scandinavian?) knitters just cut the knit fabric and sew seams! I think it is called steeking. I would never dare do it but you might. There would be a video to show how it is done am sure. Also in the past, I have shrunk knits by washing them in hot water and drying in low heat in a dryer. But you need to keep checking every few minutes if you use a dryer, so as not to shrink too much.

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Thank you for your kind words and this idea! I love the texture of this sweater and I haven't had the heart to unravel it yet, so steeking might be the exact solution I was looking for! I'll look into it 😊

[@teresa3197]

Beautiful and very inspring, thank you Sarah! For the last project, have you considered using your considerable grading and fitting skills and adding two side seams? I know part of the appeal of knitting in the round is to completely avoid seams but in the end you have constructed a fabric so, could you sew it? Perhaps hand baste to check first.

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Thank you for the suggestion, I did consider it! But then I thought it would be such a waste to all the extra fabric I'd be taking out at the seams (and I am a little obsessed with how satisfying no side seams are). I've put the sweater to the side to think about it before unraveling it forever, and good idea, I might hand baste it to test out that solution first.

[@betherks]

That seems like a tough yarn to match with a pattern! Between the weight and the cotton, I would expect a more rigid drape - kind of like using cotton instead of viscose for sewing, just less dramatic. I think trying to seam it would be really challenging to do without affecting the armscye. Have you seen patterns by PetiteKnits? She's, well, petite also and while i think you'd probably be at the bottom of the size range still, at least the patterns are designed and modeled by someone closer to your size. I wonder if something like the Anker's sweater would be a good fit for the yarn. You'd get some nice texture in the yoke but it'd be easy to add a few decreases to the body to reduce the size if you needed.

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Yes, I thought same thing in relation to taking in the sides without changing the fit of the armscye. I do know Petite Knit and I love her designs, I've even made the Anker tee and it was a fun project to work on! Although her patterns are mostly designed to be oversized and I end up in the smallest size of her sizes too. But I love her designs, I've been thinking of trying the Moby sweater next winter 😊

[@sarahjanesews]

Such beautiful makes! I particularly love the Butterick dress; I think I'll add that to my to-make list! What pattern did you use for the black knit top you paired with the Erin skirt? I love the square neckline on it.

[@Sarah_Naomi]

I'm so glad, thank you! The black knit top I was wearing with the Erin skirt is the Wanted Tee by Vanessa Pouzet. I hope that helps!

[@eileenfb1948]

Look up Steeking. A way to convert a jumper into a cardigan. O r take in the sides.

[@margaret4760]

Sarah, I love all your outfits on you...the fit, the colours of the fabrics and styles suit you very well. I like the colour of the yarn for your sweater, lovely stitches but the pattern is baggy. I like Hinterm Stein patterns on Ravelry. They are more fitted and they look good when finished.

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Thank you so much for your kind words and knitting pattern designer recommendation! I'll go check them out now 😊

[@judyh5052]

The skirts and dress !❤️❤️❤️

[@tracyfrost]

Lovely knit what a pity, your makes are great.

[@isobelmaccuish4324]

Lovely video…..I like your black and white spotted dress….so nice! 😊

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Thank you! 😊

[@annespun]

Beautiful clothes. Super jealous of your living in Paris… The dress pattern with the seams of doom is cute. Did you happen to hand sew the hem? I’m wondering if that would keep it from ruffling? I know a lot of people hate hand-hemming, but I absolutely love it. Thank you SO MUCH for sharing your work with us. It takes a lot of time!

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Thank you and no I didn't; I machine-sewed the hem. Thanks for the tip and I enjoy hand sewing, so I might try that next time!

[@xefuji]

For knitting sizing, a possibility could be to knit with a different yarn weight than the one suggested in the pattern to make the smallest size smaller - for example, if it calls for a DK weight yarn, try knitting it up with a sports weight yarn. It requires less pattern adjusting than grading the pattern itself smaller, so it could be a less daunting start to adjusting patterns 😊 I usually calculate how many stitches I'd need for the body for the ease I want based on my gauge swatch, then look through the pattern to check which size best fits this stitch count. Sometimes you need to add a few extra rows for the upper body to make the armholes and sleeve circumference large enough, but for the most part, very few adjustments are needed if the end result just becomes a size smaller than intended in the pattern (I almost never knit with the recommended yarn 😉) If the body of the pattern you knit is plain stockinette or a relatively simple pattern, you can also take in a few stitches in the sides to make it less roomy. My hips are also 1-2 sizes larger than my waist, and I often take in 8-12 stitches from below the armholes to the hem to make the sweater a bit more fitted, usually I'd take in 2 stitches at each side every 5-8 cm depending on the gauge. A few knitwear designers I've noticed are good at including smaller sizes: Lily Kate France, Irene Lin, Sari Nordlund, Rebecca Clow.

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Thank you so much for these suggestions! I'll check out those designers too, this is so helpful! 😊

[@xefuji]

@@Sarah_Naomi You're welcome 😊 I'm glad my thoughts were helpful!

[@theycallmemylinh]

I really loved the style of the Estelle dress and that color and fabric you chose for it is just perfect! A shame that you weren't able to wear it out on New Years! The two skirts are so beautiful as well! I agree that the brightness of the sapphire might feel more fitting for the spring months, but I do hope you'll wear it out. And the Orageuse Patterns Berlin skirt---looks so elegant on you. Thanks for sharing what your winter and sewing winter makes were. You are so inspiring!

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Thank you so much! 😊

[@ruthmcniff4765]

I think with knitting you will learn from every project. I have also learned a lot from knitting podcasts. It is very helpful to look at other people’s projects for a pattern on ravelry. If there’s one you like you can click on it to see what yarn they used and any modifications they might have made. I also have found it very helpful to use barber cords and frequently try on my knit garments before I get too far into them. Your knitting stitches look lovely!

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Thank you for your comment and yes, I'm impatient to knit quality pieces that I'll be happy to wear, but I need to be patient and trust the process. Thank you for your advice and especially for the mention of barber cords - I didn't know what they were called and now I know what to look for!

[@cornerhousewendy]

You are very welcome one of my challenges this year is to get to grips with what fabrics are what but it’s a minefield and even as with your skirt the same fabric can be quite different depending on percentages. But I’m enjoying getting to grips with a broad overview. 1st for fabrics had some lovely brushed cottons a few weeks back, not sure on eu delivery

[@theresapruitt1297]

Love your jammy pants. Try a knit Cami and wear your beautiful matching top open in the front as a set.

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Great styling idea, thank you!

[@francescaleaton4973]

I absolutely loved every second of your vlog. You are such a talented creative sewist. My favourite is that gorgeous green velvet dress - the fit and colour are divine. What a shame about the beautiful grey pullover - such a lovely design and texture but as you say far too large on your petite frame. Thank you again. BTW I love the Coppelia❤ wrap top you are wearing. I am in the middle of sewing a deep chocolate brown heavy bamboo one and fingers crossed it looks as lovely as the one you are wearing. Did you have to size down or make any adjustments? ❤

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Thank you so much for your kind words! 🥰 For the Coppélia top, I didn't have to adjust it at all and I was able to make a straight size corresponding to my bust measurement. The wrap makes it pretty flexible to wear tighter or looser depending on how you want to style it which I find very practical!

[@patchincurtis5439]

Thank you for a lovely video. With regard to the Diskan sweater, before you unravel it, perhaps just disassemble it and consider whether you could use the knit panels as a sewing project, in other words as fabric that then gets cut out and sewn. The “fabric” is then sewn as you would for any loosely woven tweed or sweater knit . A simple Sew House Seven Toaster Sweater #2 perhaps? The knit pattern is so beautiful it would be a shame to unravel.

[@cornerhousewendy]

Lovely makes. I think in Europe brushed cotton has a slightly similar feel to flannel. Looking at the drape etc that seems right.

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Thank you! Oftentimes with hobbies like sewing, without the right vocabulary sometimes I can't find what I'm looking for even if it does indeed exist! This is very helpful, thank you again 😊

[@CaroleBernier-v9f]

Sarah, ta robe noire à pois blancs est fabuleuse 🤩 elle te va très bien. Quel instrument aide à retourner des bretelles spaghettis ?

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Merci beaucoup ! Pour les bretelles spaghettis j'utilise un retourne biais et c'est tellement utile - il est devenu un accessoire essentiel dans mon trousseau couture 😊

[@kekeight]

❤

[@moneal99801]

If you’re struggling with size range on the small end, check out Japanese designers. Their patterns have a lot of texture, and they are smaller people. Helle on Danish Musings (youtube) has made some beautiful sweaters, and I think you’d match her aesthetic. She’s also small 😊. Love your channel!

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Oh yes! I love Helle's channel and I aspire to knit as well as she does. I've been very curious about Japanese patterns - I might just try one! Thank you for the recommendation 😊

[@nnsch2100]

I love what you're wearing (I think it's called a wrap-top). Is there a pattern available? 😍

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Thank you! It’s the Papercut Patterns Coppélia wrap top that I made in a blue hacci knit a few years ago. I hope that helps! 😊

[@nnsch2100]

@@Sarah_Naomi That helps a lot, thank you so much 😍 I currently have relatively large breasts and a small waist due to breastfeeding. Would you recommend altering the pattern or do you think it could fit without altering? 🤔

[@Sarah_Naomi]

@@nnsch2100Hmm, I think it depends a lot on how stretchy your fabric is. Also, as it's a wrap, you can always tie it tighter or looser and that leaves a lot of room for adjustment.

[@eszterd3030]

Hi Sarah! can you please tell me the pattern name of cross over top you are wearing in the video (if you made it yourself)? Wonderful makes, thank you for the video!

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Hello and thank you! the top I'm wearing is the Papercut Patterns Coppélia wrap top in a blue hacci knit that I purchased from Alyssa May Designs (based in the US) a few years ago. I hope that helps!

[@eszterd3030]

@@Sarah_Naomi❤

[@jennistevenson796]

Do you have to pay duty and tax on your parcels from Minerva ?

[@Sarah_Naomi]

No, but since they're gifted and not bought, that might make a difference.

[@MsChaosbutterfly]

That beautiful blue skirt might look better with a white or light top. I know that pairing black with turquoise kind of dulls it, so maybe that is why it's not appealing to you in an outfit.

[@Sarah_Naomi]

I'm glad you like it! Good idea, I'll try that. Thank you!

[@gailfirenze4760]

Why don’t you seek the jumper down the front and make it into a jacket with buttons or a zipper down the front. 🙋🏼‍♀️🇦🇺

[@gailfirenze4760]

That was meant to read steel, not seek. 🙃

[@gailfirenze4760]

O

[@annespun]

Okay, one more. As an experienced knitter and spinner, maybe don’t choose acrylic. Based on what I have seen on your channel, you seem to like a lot of natural fibers. My bff and I (we are 61) have been knitting for decades together. We have experienced all of those things you talk about. Here’s this: We have knitwear we have NEVER washed. Also the saying is that “wool cleans itself.” So I wouldn’t shy away from non-machine-washable yarns. I love that sweater that you hate. Wearing it over leggings would be so cute on you. Knitting needs a village-if you have a group you can get into, you will find a lot of help available. We have an amazing community here in Minnesota, where people are born with knitting needles in their hands. Oh, one more thing, plastic and/or wood needles help tremendously with hand pain. We experienced terrible pain until Denise needles came onto the market. And always a circular needle! Good luck and keep posting. I love seeing your work and your aesthetic. ❤

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Thank you for so many knitting tips! It's a pleasant surprise to find such active communities of knitters, it seems like a much less isolated hobby than sewing! I'll have to find a group near me soon 😊

[@Hélène-g1b]

❤