I’ll Knit If I Want To: Episode 30

Welcome to I’ll Knit If I want To! I asked y’all to send in some of your questions (from everything from fiber arts, to designing and on!) so I could put together a little video for y’all every Friday doing my best to answer your questions!

In this week’s episode we cover:

1. I know binding off should be loose and love how you mentioned going up a few needle sizes but should I cast on as loosely soon!

2. In relation to steeking: would you typically block the garment before or after cutting through the steek stitches? Does this make a difference to the end product? Is the answer to this question different if you're using different types of yarn (e.g. superwash vs non-superwash wool) Loving your Q&A, learning so much!

3. What’s your favorite bind off for sweaters and cuffs? One that offers that needed stretch but doesn’t curl or flare. Thanks!

4. Have you ever gone back after blocking to make changes to a knit? Example: After blocking and wearing a sweater once, I would like to add more length to the body. Is it possible to do or a terrible idea?

5. I'm am so frustrated with swatching because my swatch rarely matches my garment gauge. I just checked my garment gauge and it's significantly tighter than my swatch 28 stitches/10cm versus 25.5/10cm in my swatch. I always record dry as well as blocked gauge so that I can compare my garment to my swatch.

Bonus Question: Hello! I wondered if you could show us how to wrap up in the Hoarfrost shawl? I don't know if its a little smaller than some other shawls, or perhaps mine just came up a little small. I am having trouble getting it to stay wrapped around me. I am so proud of making it and would love to wear it more! Thanks so much

I am wearing Junction:

Wool & Folk Event (10/14, 12-7 pm):

Illuminate KAL:

Instagram Hashtag: #IlluminateKAL (Follow @maressamade & @elemental_knitworks for details!)

(For specific pattern questions that you need an email response to, please email the address listed on the last page of your patten!)

[roxannetarjan]

Andrea I hope you recognize how valuable these conversations are. I’ve been knitting for over 40 years and there is always something to learn. So happy for new knitters today to have these kinds of resources and the potential for such growth as a knitter. I feel most o& my learning was alone and experiential and intuitive. Thanks so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to invest in our community. Humbly, Roxanne. 💖

[YolyCurls]

In the past two years I’ve knitted many sweaters, but today I just noticed that my stitches are tighter on the sleeves. So you are very right about that. 😊 thanks for your podcast, are really enjoying enjoy them. Blessings

[Fvenez]

You seem like such a kind and gentle soul. :) I always feel very relaxed when watching your videos and I always learn so much. Thank you!

[MissSholia]

YES! Frogging projects you don't wear is a huge perk of knitting. I've done it twice this year. It breaks the heart a little when you take the decision but how satisfying it is in the end when you see all that beautiful yarn you're gonna get to knit again to make something you're actually gonna wear!! I used to be so afraid of frogging because of all the time it takes to knit something but... so what? We love knitting, right? And we love wearing our knits. So it's much more heartbreaking to see a piece sleeping forever in the drawer than to rip it to give it another life.

[sarawutzke]

Yay! I love my Hoarfrost! It’s such a cozy staple. Now that I’m seeing your Grey again I might have to make another

[michellesetzer]

Hope that your congestion gets better. Some hot tea and lemon for you today and tonight! Love the stretchy bind on and off with bigger needles. Just made too tight of a bind off on sock cuff. Will be redoing now with bigger needles. Thank you!

[suzannejennings]

Your videos are a highlight of my Friday!! Thank you for doing these videos .

[annballard]

Thank you so much for doing this even though you aren't feeling your best. You are the best!😙

[heather]

Lovely video Andrea! I hope you are feeling better.
I knit a sweater/blouse recently and about half was knit flat and the last half knit in the round (shoulders mattress stitched together) and I only knit my swatch flat. I debated doing another “in the round” swatch but I didn’t. I took a gamble and it turned out perfect. With that being said, My purl stitches are pretty even in tension to my knit stitches. I have heard some knitters’ purl tension is looser.

[johannapfeiffer]

I love how you say “This is one if my favorite shawls”, about every shawl! I feel the same way too!

[TrudySchwartzBurrill]

Thanks Andrea, feel better, this is commitment! We appreciate all your advice you offer. Take care and be well.

[Skumitomum]

Feel better, my dear! Thanks for your wonderful chats every Friday - I ALWAYS learn something. Time to cast on a Hoarfrost!

[alexisoreilly]

Thank you so much for these Q&A sessions. I’ve learned so much over the past few months. You are such a wonderful resource and a literal ray of sunshine. I hope you are feeling better soon!

[suebyrum]

Genius going up a needle size on sleeves! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

[lisethomas]

Feel better soon Andrea and thank you for another great episode.

[joeandewaczyzyk]

Thank you so much for the videos! I'm learning a lot! And hope you feel better soon! :)
Speaking of casting on, my grandma taught me to always use two needles held together and cast on on both of them (long tail CO), then pull one needle out. That also creates looser CO edge and makes it easier to get to the stitches to start knitting.

[caroljackson]

Love the colour combination that you chose. Although I have been knitting for most of my life I have only just started knitting jumpers in the round and you information is so helpful. Thank you 💕

[corrieandjassie]

Thank you for still recording even while not feeling your best. I hope you feel better soon🥰🥰🥰

[saclothandashes]

I hope you feel better soon! Thanks for doing the podcast while not feeling well!

[MYROCKOROCKO]

Lovely! Feel well m friend! Just purchased your shawl patter ! Love It!