I Wish I Knew This When I Started Knitting...Don't Skip It! (The Answer to Most Knit Questions!)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ม.ค. 2022
- Hey, beautiful! I'm hoping that you're having an amazing day today! We have a breathtaking, sophisticated, colorwork sweater pattern to show off - Solace! This pattern is ideal for the advanced knitter who loves to tackle something a bit more
complicated. In this video, I'll demonstrate why it's so important to make a gauge swatch for this sweater and other knitted garments.
Download Solace here: www.expressionfiberarts.com/p...
The yarn used is the Mysa Hues 'Pearlescent' Fingering kit - This five-skein kit includes 2,750 total yards (!) of our shimmery, luxurious blend of Superwash Merino Wool and Mulberry Silk (50:50).
www.expressionfiberarts.com/p...
If that kit isn't available, any colors from this category will work: www.expressionfiberarts.com/c...
Our colors come and go rapidly, so please choose any you love!
Have a most marvelous day!
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Talk soon! Chandi
www.expressionfiberarts.com
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expressionfiberarts
#knitting #knittedsweaters #sweaterknitting #yarn #wool #hand-dyed - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
Genius! I've never thought about making one swatch with different needle sizes. I'm so using that idea for my next project! Thank you!
Glad it was helpful! 😊
RIGHTTT?? I can't believe I never thought of this! SUCH a good idea.
Could you do this on dpn?
I am a noob and I made a swatch like that for my first project
I’ve been knitting for 100 years and now just doing swatches. That’s why garments didn’t fit me when I was just starting to knit when I was a kid. Now 100 years later I’ve learned the importance of swatching. Guess I’m a slow learner! I’m definitely going to make Solace in Mysa Hues. Here, just take all of my money! 💸💸💸
BTW, I like your hat and dress!
Thank you so much! And I'm happy you like the Solace sweater! Have fun making it!
My jaw dropped at the swatch with multiple needle sizes ;o) Brillliant.
Oh, good! I'm glad you found it helpful!
I definitely agree with you about swatching. I never used to think it was important but now I do because I find I’m having to substitute for the recommended yarn which is usually at a premium price and as a retired person I can’t justify spending that amount especially when I have the biggest closet in the house filled with bins of yarn. So for two years now I’m in stash only mode. Luckily that hasn’t stopped me from knitting what I want to. 🤞
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
I’m seriously ashamed of my stash but if I’m not happy with my work I rip it back, and I’m never satisfied 😝
Thank you for these tips! I am always reluctant to cut the back strands of my in-the-round swatch because, you never know... maybe I just need that extra bit of thread that is my swatch 🙂
And a tip I got from a fellow knitter when I told I couldn't get to gauge. She told me that if my gauge still was too big, I could always knit 1 size bigger. Something I did not think of, but very happy she did. Getting gauge is always a thing for me. But then again, I've just started my 3rd knitting project and it's already a fair isle pattern (and I'n definitely not a natural, it just that I like pretty, and thus difficult, patterns.
Thank you for those lovely video's, always looking forward to those!
You're very welcome! I love that you enjoy challenging yourself with your knitting! Enjoy!
Wow! That circular swatching trick is great! I'll be using that. ;)
Awesome, glad you like it! 💕
I love your videos. They are actually what pushed me over the edge to get started in knitting. Your videos make knitting look like an experience. A romantic experience where the knitter is thrust back in time to a simpler era. They are so calming. Thank you for your work.
You are so welcome!
*sighs heavily* Okayyyyyy, I'll gauge swatch.
I have a few patterns from you and others that are going to require it, and thank you for the tutorial. I do eventually want to make non-shawl wearables, so this is a skill I must acquire, and you've explained why I need it very well.
That's great! I'm glad you found it useful!
you are such an expert! I've seen some of your other vids and thought that they minimized the very high level of technique the patterns required. But here, you are really effective in explaining core techniques that everybody needs to know.
Thanks!
Love the idea about mutiple needles when swatching!!
Wonderful! 💕
Hi Chandi, knitting is so intimidated. I tried making a scarf in the round but had to undo it 5 times , and I gave up. I didn't make a swatch; that's my fault. I just didn't realize how important it was to make a one. You are the queen of knitting/crochet; you create breathtaking projects . Thanks for sharing. Love Happy weekend
Just keep working at it, and you'll get there!
@@ExpressionFiberArts👍👍
I downloaded this yesterday and it's just beautiful!! Thank you for all you do and your uplifting emails- God bless you!! 🤗💖🌹
You are so very welcome! And thank you for supporting us!
So beautiful. Love the colors
Thanks so much 😊
Thank you Chandi! Very helpful instructions.
That enormous "Lenny" scarf was supposed to be enormous and is absolutely gorgeous!
Happy to hear it!
I love watching until the end to see the bloopers and your goodbyes. Sometimes silly 😝 🙃 😜, mostly sweet. Thank you for all of the very useful hints. I’m definitely guilty of not making a swatch and regretting it. Stay safe and healthy 🙏🏼
You're very welcome!
That is such an amazing tip you shared towards the end. Adding a purl bump to a swatch and switch needles on the same swatch. I have always ripped a swatch out if the needle size wasn't right 😬 Thanks for the tip ♥️
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for that circular needle swatch tip!
You are so welcome!
Thank you....I'm so thankful for you tips!
You are so welcome! Have a great day!
Guilty of the "not swatch". 🙋
But so many times I've adjusted & rearrange the pattern to make something else but basically the same.... Sometimes I want a denser fabric, sometimes I just want it wider..... I use patterns as a suggestion. 🤣😂🤣😂🤣
The ONE time I swatched, maintained gauge.....I ran out of yarn, because the pattern didn't mention it was "tight" on yardage...
If I would have known that I would have simply adjusted and probably made it about 10 stitches narrower, nobody would have noticed in the long run....🤷
Whatever works for you is all that matters in the end!
Thanks for the tips. I really need to start getting used to making swatches now that I've begun knitting sweaters.
You're very welcome! Swatching will save you a lot of heartache, especially with sweaters! Enjoy the pattern!
Thank you so much, Chandi! I'm going to try your tip about different needle sizes straight away, as I'm just swatching for my very first sweater!
Awesome! I'm so happy you found it useful!
Great tips. Swatch! You convinced me, I definitely will start doing swatches.
Awesome! Glad you found it helpful!
As usual just beautiful! Tips are always wonderful. 🧶👏🏻❤️
Thank you so much!
You always post such gorgeous patterns. I unfortunately put my knitting needles down a long time ago and have crochted since, but if I pick up my needles again, which I am seriously thinking about, I would love to make this.
Thank you so much!
Solace is so pretty! Amazing design. Thank you for the tips. Take care!
You are so welcome! I'm glad you love it!
That was such a brilliant reminder. Thank you. I so hate to swatch - I usually do half a swatch. I made a shawl recently and it came out way too small as I was determined to use a particular yarn I liked. Now I am using that yarn for one of your cowl patterns.
I'm glad you found it helpful!
I love your videos❣️I especially love the music you play during the videos ❤️
Thank you so much!!
Chandi, you are so clever! Thanks so much for the purl-bump hint, and so much more for the in-the-round information. Such a help!
Glad it was helpful!
I like watching you knit. Your movements are so economical and efficient. It makes me want to be a better knitter.
Thank you so much!
Yes great idea on swatch sizing
Thanks so much!
😲😲😲 WOW what great ideas for swatches. Thanks.
You are so welcome!
Great teaching tutorial Chandi..I find myself pinning notes to things. Helps to finish or compare for a next project..have a warm and fuzzy weekend. 🧶😊
That's a great idea, too! I hope you have a great weekend, too!
You are the best part of Friday! Forget all about that weekend thing because you flipping fantastic
Oh, my goodness! Thank you so much. You're so sweet
Lovely as always...😍
Thank you Chandi for all you do...🤗❤
My pleasure 😊
So true! I used to kick and scream every time someone urged me to make a swatch. Turns out, they were right. In the long run, making a swatch saves a lot of time and heartache.
It really does!
This pattern is absolutely GORGEOUS 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍 thanks 😊
You're welcome! I'm so happy you love it!
Beautiful sweater and wrap! You’ve been picking wonderful designers Chandi!
Thank you so much! Our designers are absolutely amazing! 💕
Thank you the tips 😍
You’re welcome 😊
What a blessing this came up on my recommends! New subscriber from England here. About to embark on my first sweater (though I rather love that Fairisle one…) The idea of using one swatch in several sizes is genius! Thankyou. About to check out your older podcasts.
Awesome! I'm so happy you found us! 💕
Stunning. I love your knitting
Thank you! 😊
Thank you! That was so helpful ♥️
You're so welcome!
Hi Chandi, thanks for sharing! ❤🙏
You are so welcome! Enjoy!
I’m doing sweet gum right now I can’t wait to do this one !
Awesome! I hope you love making it!
Fantastic!
Many thanks!
I love this video and agree with you 100% 🤗 Can you do a video on gauges foe crochet? I am new to crochet and I do not know much about swatching for crochet. Thank you again for all that you do ❤
I'm glad you found it helpful, and thanks for the idea! I've added it to our list of ideas!
I call swatching test knitting. I think it’s a great play words so my mind does not get two-year-old cranky when I have to do it.🤣
I am a rogue knitter who loves the rush of substituting yarn and seeing what happens. so yeah, learned the hard way - test knit so I don’t quit.
LOL! I love it!
I never used to do swatches but have started since watching your videos, I also block now which again when I started knitting many many years ago I never did.
That's great! When you think of how much time we spend making our knitted pieces, it really doesn't take that much additional time to make a swatch.
Awesome video.
Thanks!
Excellent video Chandi! I totally agree. Swatching is the way to go. Definitely worth the time and the effort. This sweater is beautiful! Your designers are amazing! Thanks to you and Jane Venselous! Have a wonderful weekend! We are gearing up for a Nor’easter here in Massachusetts! Good time for great food, a fire and crafting! Praying that we don’t lose power! Thanks for another great video!💞
You're very welcome! 😊 I agree, our designers are AMAZING! I hope you have a great (and safe) weekend, too.
Thanks Chandi!🤗💗
Thank you for sharing
You're very welcome! 😊
Thank you 😊 💓
You're welcome 😊
Label your swatches with the yarn size, fiber content, needle or hook size, and stitch pattern! Before you start a new project look through your existing swatches for one already done that reflects the new one. I've saved a lot of time and yarn over the years by doing this.
Thanks for the tips! That's a great idea, too!
My friend just wagged her finger at me for not swatching! I swatched my Blur hat but not with the Lacy cast on, so the hat was a little too big, so I had to shrink it and it turned out perfectly! Love that pattern, need to do the Blur cowl.
I love this sweater, your designers are incredible!!! My mind blown and to think I could wear this gorgeous sweater with the Mysa shawl!!! It's 1 of my favorite color ways. I have many favorites.
Just a quick thought that entered my noggin, if you make the swatches big enough, you can use them as dish rags!!!😁 Love and hugs!!! And a huge thank you!!!
That's a great tip! I'm so happy you love this sweater and hope you enjoy making it!
@@ExpressionFiberArts Thanks for your reply! As for me, I'm a nervous knitter because I'm not confident in being able to knit perfectly, hence the reason I haven't started the Mysa shawl. Have a beautiful day.🌹
How beautiful.
Thank you! 😊
Fantastic 👍👍👍👍
Thanks 🤗
Thanks for showing how to swatch in the round. I couldn't wrap my head around it. As is usually the case, it was easier than I expected it to be, lol.
You are so welcome! Glad it was helpful!
Beautiful suéter
Thank you! 😊
Excelentes consejos, gracias e iré a la pagina recomendada sobre patrones.
You're welcome!
Thank you 👏👏👏❤️
You're welcome 😊
Amazing 🙏💐
Thanks! Enjoy!
Thanks
You're welcome!
Something I haven’t seen addressed about searching in any video I’ve watched is that I always get nervous about using up yarn and not having enough (losing yarn chicken), especially if it’s more expensive yarn. AFAIK once you block a square you pretty much shouldn’t reuse the yarn so you lose that volume of yarn. How do others deal with this anxiety?
Most of our patterns include the yarn needed for a gauge swatch in the yardage requirements. For other designers, you can always reach out and ask if the gauge swatch yarn is included in the yardage listed. Then you won't need to worry as much about running out of yarn.
@@ExpressionFiberArts I didn’t even consider that possibility! That makes a lot of sense
Thanks for the tips. Very important to know but not glad to hear.. LOL... So before I knit my next project, I must do a guage swatch. (Talking to myself) 😒Make sure I order enough yarn to allow for the gauge swatch(again talking to myself)😀... Well ok & thanks Chandi! Have a great day!😉
Glad it was helpful! Happy stitching!
I’m new to knitting and stumbled across you by chance and wow. So informative and helpful. I would like to invest in a set of interchangeable needles and was wondering what make yours are as I may purchase similar
I enjoy the ChiaoGoo metal interchangeable needle set. I love the tips, the flexible cables and the cute carrying case they arrive in!
I tape the swatches I want to keep into a notebook with double stick tape.😀
Aww, that's a fabulous idea! Love it. 💕
Hi Chandi - love your videos and your sweet spirit. Though I know your don’t design all the items you show, I was wondering if you actually Knit and/or crochet each garment you model. They are always so beautiful!
No, I don't. Sometimes our designers make the samples, and we also have testers/sample knitters who make many of our finished pieces.
Está hermoso❤🤗
Thank you!
Thank you for this video! I’ve always avoided swatching, but after knitting for over ten years, I’m ready to get into some serious garment making. I loved the purple short sleeves wrap sweater you were wearing in the video. Do you have a pattern for that?
So glad you found it helpful. And yes, that's the Keziah sweater: www.expressionfiberarts.com/products/keziah.html
In my 59 years of knitting I have never swatched. I have made hundreds of sweaters and shawls, afghans, baby items and have never had a problem. I know my tension and know when I need to adjust my needle size. I never use the recommended yarn, no problem.
I'm glad you've found what works for you.
Thanks 😊
Welcome 😊
@@ExpressionFiberArts
Thank you so much for everything ❤
I really love your videos. You are wonderful and joyful person
🥰🥰🥰
Where can I get the pattern for the sleeveless cover shown at the beginning of the video. I love it.
That's the Cirro-Velum design: www.expressionfiberarts.com/products/cirro-velum.html
Swatching is a whole separate project.
I try not to think of it as a separate project, but just step one in any pattern.
Oh, I see. I'm gonna wanna ...leave the knitting to y'all and keep crocheting.
Well, that's fine, too! 😊
@@ExpressionFiberArts lol, it just seems so complicated. I want to, I do....
Swatches sure are an excellent way to start off a project right. Do you have any patterns made specifically for men? Love your work!
Thank you! We have a handful of accessory patterns (scarves and cowls) that are unisex, but not too much specifically for men, other than some hats. You can find those at www.expressionfiberarts.com/categories/patterns.html?_bc_fsnf=1&Project+Type%5B%5D=Hats&Project+Type%5B%5D=Scarves%2FCowls
I absolutely love your sweaters! Although, I am just so intimidated by creating one. I am a very developed knitter now, I even have my own small business but knitting sweaters, start to finish, feels like SO much! I tend to give up sometimes when a project takes to long for me to make, so I don’t know. How do I actually make one without giving up?
I don't know that there's a secret, other than to set your intention to finish and not allow yourself to quit. Maybe set aside a period time each day to work on your sweater, and commit to it. Even if you only knit a couple of rows each night, you'll eventually get to the end of it.
Maybe think of it as small projects, example break the sweater into sections, each section is a project. Front, right sleeve, back, collar and left sleeve. Final project assemble all the project pieces. 🤷♀️just a thought 💭.
Omg! The dress you're wearing is so beautiful! May I ask where you got it?
Thank you! I think I got this one from Free People.
Gracias, que bonito todo lo que enseñas, cuanto me gustaría conocerte, en Sevilla, España. Tienes un sitio para estar cuando quieras. Besos.
Thank you!
Truth. I have two fingering weight yarns that I though would be perfect together since they both have a good deal of yellow in them. Two frogged projects later, I've come to the conclusion that they just don't work together. I might've known that if I'd swatched them first.
It happens, and now you know!
Chandi, when a designer works up how much yarn a project needs do they add in yardage for a swatch too? Thank you! ❤️🌸🌻
It really depends on the designer. All of our patterns take the swatch yardage into account when calculating the total yardage required for any design, but not everyone does that. Generally, speaking unless a pattern calls for almost the entire yardage included in a skein of yarn, you shouldn't have to purchase additional skeins just for the swatch.
Chandi, would you consider an XS in a woman’s sweater to be equal to a boys large size sweater? I buy basic things, belts, socks, sports Jerseys in Youth sizes, they’re cheaper and fit fine. Thanks.
It's a little hard to say for sure, since the sizing you find in stores can vary widely. It's probably close, but if you're going to make this sweater, I'd pick the size that corresponds most closely to your bust measurement.
When I do the fake in the round swatch, my edges are so loose as to be useless. Suggestions?
Yes, that's to be expected. Just make sure you cast on extra stitches beyond what you think you need for a 4" swatch, so that you can use the inner stitches, which will be closer to your actual gauge than the loose edge stitches. Then measure your gauge using the center potion of your swtach.
Is there any hope for a crochet gauge video?
I tried at least 6-7 swatches for the Glacadh shrug, but couldn't get gauge to save my life.
We'll definitely add it to our list of ideas. Thanks for the suggestion!
Dear Chandi, I need your help to the Solace Pattern or better the knitting instructions. Several abbrevations are mentioned, but what does "dpns" means? I'm not so used to english knitting patterns, so you may can help me. I find this abbrevation in the instruction in the beginning of the sleeves. Thank you very much in advance and have a great start in 2023.
Hi Birgit, thank you for your question. I'm happy to help!
The abbreviation dpns means double pointed needles which is a Nadelspiel in German.
Please, let me know if you have any additional questions. I'm here to help with that. 💕
@@ExpressionFiberArts Dear Chandi, thank you so much for this quick answer. I would never have suspected that this was hidden behind "dpns" ;-) Now I know what to do and now I also understand the text. Now everything goes fine. 🙂
You have a beatiful voice
Thank you!
I’m a new knitter, so please excuse if this is a dumb question! Lets say for example, a pattern requires 3 skeins of yarn. Would I need to buy 4 skeins so that I have enough to do a swatch, or would I need to just re- use the yarn after it’s been washed and blocked? Any help with this would be very much appreciated!
That's a really smart question, actually. And the answer is, it depends. All of the yardage requirements in our designs include the yardage you use to make a swatch, but not all designers think to do that. Because of that, I suggest that you always hang onto your swatch just in case you need to use that yarn. Generally speaking, though, you won't need an entirely extra skein for the gauge swatch, which doesn't use very much yarn.
That makes completes sense, thank you for your help!
@@melindaw3863 You're welcome!
But when I swatch I find that if I need to go up a needle size it's suddenly too big of a needle, now much of an allowance can be made when my tension does not work no matter the needle?
If you find that you can match gauge on stitches, but maybe not rows, then use the needle that matches the stitch gauge because, at least on a sweater, you can adjust the length of it by adding or removing rows.
How do you hold your knitting needles when you have one weak hand?
Hmm, I'm not really sure. I have't encountered this issue before. If you're just learning, I'd work with the needle in my strongest hand and the yarn in my weaker hand. You can just weave the yarn through the fingers of your hand rather than hold tight to it to achieve tension. You might also experiment with different needle materials. Bamboo needles are going to be lighter than metal or wood. Sorry I can't offer more than that.
Ty I’ll try that
😊❤️
Glad you like it!
This is not about knitting but do you have easy crochet pattern for an afghan ?Love your colors and work!
Here are all of our crocheted blanket patterns: www.expressionfiberarts.com/categories/patterns.html?_bc_fsnf=1&Craft=Crochet&Project+Type=Blankets
And today, we just launched a yearlong Mystery Crochet Along in which we'll be making blankets. That's the Hearthside pattern.
Which circular needles do you use.?
I enjoy the ChiaoGoo metal interchangeable needle set. I love the tips, the flexible cables, and the cute carrying case they arrive in!
@@ExpressionFiberArts Thanks for your reply xx
Wow the knitting in the round but not knitting in the round is smart. Could you literally knit that way for a hat and sew it up to create the hat. The swatch with different size needles. I like that idea. I really need to start swatching. For knit and crochet 🤦♀️
Yes you could, depending on the pattern and its stitch textures. Glad you found it helpful!
😍😍
Enjoy!
Are coffee drinkers welcome, too? 🤣
Of course! 😊
I just have to tell, you are very classic lady and smart , but there people like me I just can’t do any thing unless you see it with my eyes , I would love if you could do , a full video , from start to end on a patterns. I like to see everything you do , but can’t do it.
Thanks for the suggestion. I'll definitely consider it.
You could get Chandi’s Creery pattern. In this one, Chandi has videos for all the steps in the sweater, and she even explains how to do the swatch and block it. Good luck
Ciao.Bellissimi modelli.anche se vorrei che le tue spiegazioni,fossero accompagniati da modelli ,dove posso seguirli meglio.sono italiana e non capisco l'inglese.Vorrei tanto realuzzare i tuoi modelli ma,non riesco a causa della lingua che non capisco.
I understand and am sorry we don't have the ability to translate our patterns into all of the languages that people ask for. Maybe someday we will.
Off topic, how do you maintain your perfect figure???
I stay active, walk every day, and right now I'm eating a mostly plant-based diet and cutting out processed foods and sugar.
@@ExpressionFiberArts thank you!
Какая милая девушка!!!
Thank you!
i’ll never be able to make that sweater
Never say never. Just keep learning new things and practicing, and you can get there!
Why are you SOOO cute!!! 😍
Ha ha, thanks!