An Irish Knitting Podcast - March 2025 Update - My secret recipe for blocking

Welcome another episode of An Irish Knitting Podcast, March update! today on the show I will explain to you how to turn any female knitting pattern into a male one, plus a lot around softening yarn, and my blocking secret routine.

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Patterns:

Mentioned:
@ciasbod

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[ciasbod]

Thank you so much for mentioned my channel ❤ have a lovely spring// Cia

[wildcottageknitting]

The dark richness of your paintings made me want a pint 😊

[oliviataylor]

I am an introvert, too! From one introvert to another, I completely understand. Knitting is an outlet and safety net for me. My elementary teacher taught me how to knit many decades ago, my biggest gift from anyone. She may no longer be here in this world, but I often look to the heavens and thank her for what has become my greatest joy and lifesaver! ❤

[wildcottageknitting]

Sam, you have done an outstanding job with that jumper! It looks stunning! And thank you for that translation info for patterns! That will come in handy. 🤗

[joannehurt]

As a new knitter at 73, I want to share something with you whether you are an introvert or outgoing, DON'T be afraid to do anything that inspires you. We aren't on the earth for long, so keep trying. I love your sweater and it fits you well. You're right about your creation. Absolutely a piece of art. You should be proud of what your hands performed. You gave the pattern maker of the jumper her due respect and that is admirable. Thanks for sharing. Ms. Jo

[jillfoster]

Oh my giddy aunt Sam, your jumper is something else. It’s a work of art and looks fantastic. I think your best work so far 🧶🧶

[MonikaBradova-izoq]

Hello Sam, thank you very much for you advice and all the instructions, it is very much appreciated!😊❤ I am looking forward to your future patterns and wish you a lot of luck in designing and studying Latin!😊

[Enig_Mata]

Less than a minute in and had to pause - your sweater is gorgeous! This has to be your magnum opus. Maybe the Marius gensers can take a break so you can knit this cable sweater in every color. It's beautiful! I'm a true introvert here - I love my people. 🥰

[therepublicofme]

the paintings turned out great... most of my paintings have clean black backgrounds as well... I really like that look ❤

[helenaberg-ok]

Your sweater looks gorgeous. I didnt know the pattern before. But now it's on my to knit List

[toomiepal]

Your Sirena Sweater is indeed glorious. It is fascinating to hear how you adjust the fit to your body. Best wishes for the Cortina Sweater. I look forward to hearing and seeing more about it's progression.
Best wishes for St. Patrick's Day. Here, I make soda bread, corned beef, colcannon and this year, something new. Porter Cake.
My double-knit tea cosy, (Christmas) has been switched to my double-knit light and dark green one, with the addition of your shamrock!

[mateusz_b]

I love how the sweater turned out. It looks absolutely stunning! It was a very good choice to introduce all the adjustments to the pattern as the sweater fits you perfectly. Thank you for sharing all the useful knitting and blocking tips! As for joining the granny squares, I found that the flat slip stitch seam works best for me. It’s simple and relatively quick so perhaps it’ll work for you too.

[majormomma]

What a lovely sweater! You inspire me to try such a sweater myself! ❤

[Sache_mit_Haken]

As a Latin teacher I love to hear, that you are learning it again! 😊

[SVENofKY]

welcome back!! the cable sweater is awesome!! I am currently in progress on my first sweater… I chose a pattern from Sandes Garn that uses Peer Gynt yarn… it’s a bottom up pattern that has colorwork, but I’m just doing it all in one color to learn how this all works. Def a learning experience!!!

[srggzmn]

I appreciate the tip on ribbing binding off! I have been encountering the same issue and haven't been able to find a decent solution. I will definitely be trying out this technique soon.

[thomashubbell]

Rather than knitting front and back top sections separately, you could do small steeks so that the whole piece could be knit in the round. If you are concerned about bulk at the armscye, I saw online where someone took a felting needle and felted close to the last stitch on both sides of the steek. By doing the felting, the steek can be cut smaller at the selvedge. Sewing in the sleeve, or even picking up stitches and knitting down, will secure that edge even more.

[Enig_Mata]

Regarding your tip on tubular bind-off, I use the Italian bind-off video by Kimmie Munkholm who does PetiteKnit tutorials. I'll have to try this out when I get a chance - maybe it's not needed because the stitches are worked twice on the needle. .Will definitely try the shampoo trick on my lopi garments. Of course, shampoo and conditioner will work for yarn - it's hair after all. 😂😂😂

[cyningadena]

As a dude who knits, I appreciate your discussion of how you modified a sweater pattern written for women. It’s sometimes tough to find the styles I prefer in measurements to fit a guy. I’d watch a whole video of nothing but sweater modifications for guys if you make one!

[coolsteven]

Thanks for going through your modifications. A lot of "unisex" sweater patterns do not work for me. I have wide shoulders and my upper arms are larger than average. There's patterns I want to do but need to sit down a little and figure out where to place modifications.