A knitting episode (5): Two sweaters, words for beginning/intimidated knitters & yarn love from NYC

Greetings, fellow knitters and watchers of knitting videos (podcasts). It felt slightly daunting to go beyond the one hour mark in this video. But then I know we knitters usually knit while watching, so sometimes a long-ish video is OK, depending on what that time is filled with of course. I hope'll enjoy it, and I hope you're knitting on something that sparks joy (to quote Marie Kondo) wherever you are. Feel free to leave a comment, especially if it's kind and/or constructive :-)

Links:

Patterns and yarns talked about in the video:

Moondrake Fuwa Fuwa col. Softness;
De Rerum Natura Gilliat, col. Brouillard;
La Bien Aimee Cashmerino, col. Fluoro Morganite;
Spincycle Dyed in the Wool, col. Space Oddity – all at:

[margcoe]

There is so much overthinking in contemporary knitting. I had a break from knitting that lasted over 20 years, and I'm still stunned at how over complicated the modern YouTube community is. When I began knitting in the 70s, you just chose a garment pattern that you liked, and then you knitted it. Knitting for yourself or your loved ones is not a competition. Have faith new knitters, make mistakes, learn and enjoy your new skill.

[dianedean]

You are perhaps my favorite podcast knitter. Your voice is beautiful and your intelligent musings are calming.

[Alaskaventureswithbrodie]

I have no other knitting friends so connecting with knitters online is my only source. It’s been so impactful for me. I also got my yoga certification. I was in my 40’s and am now 50. I never taught but it helped me get through the loss of my mom 😊

[bevklinkel]

Your knitting is elegant as are you and your channel. I like that you raise us up as knitters and leave us with encouragement.

[sylviemimichevol]

This is the first time I’m watching a video from you, and I really loved it. I like your style of speech, quiet, clear, without any unnecessary fuss or hesitation. It’s a real pleasure to hear you rambling (positively!) on knitting, with a touch of philosophy. Thanks so much.

[RosieKuhnPhD]

I’ve been knitting on and off for 60 years. I am always surprised at how much I learn with every thing I knit! Fascinating!! Thank you for all of your sharing. I don’t hang out with other knitters, so I love hanging out with you! Thanks a bunch! Rosie

[NancyLiedel]

Lo, sock loss and missing stitch markers are universal! There has to be a, "Narnia door, " in my house!

[debweiss]

Your voice and your overall presence are so calming, and your words are uplifting and resonate with my desire to surround myself with kind people. Thank you for connecting us!

[angelawhite]

I’ve can go for months or sometimes years without knitting (e.g., I discovered I was able to sew my own wardrobe last year, thanks to YouTube, so that took up all my spare time for a while, and then discovered how much cross stitching has changed since I used to do it 20 years ago, so then…), and so I forget those knitting skills and terms that get taken for granted in patterns. It’s lovely that there are tutorials now, but you’re right, it can be intimidating or frustrating to not know what seems assumed. It’s encouraging and reassuring somehow, just to have someone make explicit that barrier, and articulate the steps to overcome it. Thank you so much for sharing your time and beautiful projects. (And I’m completely fine with not getting a response to every comment😊)

[agnieszkastruczyk]

Hella I was so much looking forward to another video of yours! The CONNECTION has definitely been made, I have actually watched most of your videos (while knitting) and I feel there is an uncanny resemblance to my life. I am a knitter, a teacher of English, I do yoga, I am passionate about gardening, a nature lover... I could go on like this... I have an exactly identical cat! But when you mentioned Eckhart Tolle I literally had goosebumps! Even my son, who likes to sit beside me sometimes, glanced at your video and made a comment " Mom she is just like you!"
Of course, I do realize it is pure coincidence but I just feel strangely connected as if I have known You forever ;) You are such a wonderful teacher, I love listening to your stories, musings, observations, and snippets of knowledge that I find really inspiring. At the same time, everything you say seems so familiar so similar to the voice in my head. I hope I do not sound like a crazy stalker ;) I just wanted to let you know how I feel and that you have an avid follower. "Bonne chance" with your Crocus sweater I think it is the most amazing knit you have inspired me to make 🌷

[kathyschapals]

Absolutely elegant, thank you for sharing!

[carolpepper]

You are such an inspiration in your use of color, design and textures in knitting, and then integrating it all into images of nature and life stories! Wonderful!

[pamelahall]

Hello, i do love your video’s, when i first looked at this one, i thought how lovely you looked in the pale pink, but then you stood up to show the rest of the sweater and i thought “wow” how lovely and how talented you are with your knitting, thank you for showing, i also love the background of your home where you sit, the all white colour scheme is so nice. Thanks. Pamela hall

[vindeljay]

So much to think about. I started knitting in 2019 and have found the journey very interesting. My only knitting community is via the internet, mainly through Youtube. My intimidation doesn't come from patterns or new techniques, but from the yarns that seem everyone is using that I can't get. The main reason is the cost. Many of the beautiful patterns now days require, mohair, alpaca and cashmere, it many instances 3 strands held together. I live in Australia and even if I can get the yarns locally they have come from overseas and the cost is greater. For me it is often a cost of $250 to $300 or more for a sweaters quantity if I get a good one that doesn't itch and scratch. Not economical for me, especially if postage is applied. So I feel not connected because of that. I just dismiss many patterns. But I love what people create and I love new techniques, so thats what keeps me attached.

[silveralanatural]

I’m so glad I stumbled across this video. As a beginner knitter of 8 months, your inspiring words were so helpful! Thank you 😊

[joyzane]

I had the same problem with the term “turn” in a pattern as you a few years ago. I have been knitting for 50 years and was clueless. I took my sweater to a yarn shop and found the help I needed. I frequently use YouTube for refresher info and new techniques. Great info, thanks Helle.

[CreativeKogi]

Your podcast is one of the few that really gets me excited, that I wait until the kids are off to bed before I sit down to watch. I even put aside my "complex" knitting and picked up my socks WIP so I could do some mindless stockinette whilst watching. Love the length of this podcast too, so don't apologise for "rambling on" or that it was too long - I was hanging onto to every word....I await your next episode eagerly.

[christinec]

Thanks to YouTube knitters like yourself, I've learned so much which has helped overcome fears of screwing up. Online tutorials are my go-to. Thank you for sharing. BTW, I think it's the Amish who deliberately put errors in their quilts because they believe only God is perfection.

[sarajoe]

As usual your videos are such an absolute delight . Your demeanor., style and content are such a refreshing welcome to other podcasts . I hope you continue to record and make everyone’s day a little better .

[marilynwestbrook]

Yes, yes, just like you, I like each new project to have a new skill for me to learn.