I really enjoyed the detailed breakdown of why/how the ratios weren’t working in the 1890s sweater! I just watched this old video because I have a “yarn” playlist with a huge backlog of your Casual Friday videos, that keep me company when I want to truly relax!
I like the look of the puffed sleeves on your boys sweater and your solution on how to adjust the front I suspect likely makes for a warmer neck if you would need that comfort and it smooths the front as another bonus.Thank you I especially appreciate the reminder that row gauge is important 👍👍👍👍🤷🏼♀️🖖🖖🖖🖖🤔😊🙋🏼♀️
I agree with the “needle suggestion” advice. I like to have a long needle in my left hand and a shorty in my right. I like one needle set better than another for certain things. I have found the cables from a particular set are more my jam than all others and found the other interchangeable needles will screw right on. I don’t like metal needles but I have a bunch of vintage metal needles that I love. I say buy what fits your budget. I watch for sales. I have a set of Loki that I never would have purchased at full price. I love the shorties from this set. Put the ones that seem too much of a splurge on your wish list for others to purchase as a gift. The Hubs never knows what to get me, so he loves my list. 🌈🌈🦋🦋
Ive been trying to recreate some pieces that my family has knit spanning back to the 1780s, because in the 50s, unfortunately they were all burned through some family conflict. Your videos give me confidence on this long journey. Thank you! :)
That red sweater really reminds me of Victorian clothes in old paintings. I think you did an excellent job. Can see you skating in it. (With a hot potato in your trouser pocket to keep your hands warm & for a post-skating snack🤣🤣). I love, love, love bamboo needles, especially for double pointeds, when knitting socks, mitts, etc. When I was learning to use dps, I was so frustrated with the metal needles sliding out, that I almost gave up trying to master knitting this way. Then, when I tried bamboo, my whole outlook changed and I love using dps, now. Bamboo are light, so don’t have the weight to pull out of the stitches. Also, bamboo aren’t as slick as metal, so, again, the ‘dangling’ needles resist sliding out of stitches. I always knit with 5 dps, I like 4 in the project & 1 for working, I just find the ‘pull’ at the junctions is greater with 3 dps in the project, and I had ladders, no ladders with 4 needles in the project. Just had to throw that in for newbies to consider. 🙃. Thank you for all of your expertise, freely shared through your dedication.
I'm watching all your Casual Friday videos in date order, so still catching up. I like that red sweater. The colour really suits you. If it were mine I would reknit the sleeves as per a drop shoulder sweater and then it would look great. I'm pleased you decided to keep it and look forward to seeing what happens to it in subsequent episodes.
I too, came from the IT world. My first boss in IT said "if I can say it, you can make the computer do it". I love the challenges, I make new objects not because I want or need them, just to try out the patterns and make them work for me. (my education was elementary education... so when I answered the phone in support, I told my co-workers, I was used to working with kindergartners... I didn't mind giving the same answers over n over to people who only ran the reports quarterly or annually)
Oh My, you look so good in the red color of your 1890's sweater!!! I hope you knit more in that color. I think the sweater is kind of cool with the white striped cowl. I wonder if you could unfold the cowl in the back to make a hood to keep the wind off. Yes, the sleeves are weird, and yes the length is a little too long (also strips on the bottom aren't the most flattering) however the form-fitting is quite lovely. Way to go in the perseverance to finish.
I think with a modified sleeve construction, that 1890's sweater could actually be a really nice sweater. I think the ribbing allows it to create a really flattering shape through the torso, and the neck looks really cozy.
First thought was I like the sweater. Then you kind of talked me out of it. Then you stood up and pulled the shoulders up and I thought, no, I like the sweater. It's kind of old fashioned. Love the color.
I'm so glad to see the finished sweater. I had in my mind it was going to be like the old sweaters you see in pictures where there's an excess of fabric bunched up across the chest area. I was so wrong lol. The neck seems like it would be warm without being too constricting.
I learned to knit on Susan Bates 14 inch straight needles. I taught myself to knit on circular needles and double point needles years later. I ordered a set of Chiagoo sock knitting set and I absolutely fell in love with their cables. So I'm currently working on purchasing the sets I want to have. I have a complete set of bamboo double points except for the sock needles and I don't use them at all because I find them to hard to work with for me for knitting. I love a good set of wood or bamboo for crochet and tunisian work.
Thank you so much. I just love your videos. I started doing the “Finish it February” too. I’m so happy you suggested this. I finished a sweater and a cowl. Almost have a poncho done that just needs seamed. I really have a good feeling of accomplishment instead of the nagging feeling that something should be finished before I start something new. I am going to check out the Ravelry section you spoke of for “Finish it February “.
Puff sleeves are in style right now, so the 1890's sweater kind of works as is, although, it's a style that probably won't stay for very long. I love the look, though. Beautiful sweater.
I like your 1890s sweater for all kinds of reasons and following how you resolved the challenges of interpreting historical conventions for a modern fit. I can see how at times it wasn’t much fun for you, but I learned a lot from the sidelines, not least of which was your problem-solving approach. The looong neck reminded me of Pud’s turtleneck sweater. You know, from the Double Bubble bubble gum comics who was always hiding his head in his sweater? Hmmmm. I wonder how far back those comics originate. Maybe they liked really long necks for some long-forgotten reason. Cool to think there may be a connection though.
I’ve just gotten back into knitting after a long hiatus, and your videos are really educating me. Thank you! Since you mentioned future episode ideas, something I’d be interested in is a comparison/review of the various how-to-design-shawls books.
I recently used "slippery" needles with a very soft silky yarn. It was a nightmare for me - stitches kept slipping off. I really like the Prym ergonomic brand of needles -- the stitches stay on nicely, yet they have great tapered ends, but as Roxanne said -- not everyone likes the same needles. I recently tried magic loop and didn't enjoy it at all, but perhaps i was doing something wrong. Experiment.
Oh, slippery yarns need a needle with some drag! No matter what technique or tool I prefer *in general*, there will always be specific situations in which a tool or technique I normally wouldn't prefer ends up being perfect for that situation.
Thanks for all the links! I'm very interested in your next vintage sweater. I have a couple of old booklets with patterns and I've not been brave enough to cast one on. I'll wait just a bit to hear what you learned.
I appreciated so much how you have gathered and shared the "tidbits" in this video. I have followed several threads and found such inspirational content. Thank you. About your 1890 sweater, I'm wondering (please forgive me if you answered this already) whether the original shape is described anywhere in fashion publications from that era. It occured to me that all the bulk around the neck and shoulders was intended to provide extra room for movement during active sports like hockey or speed skating. Just a thought.
I actually like your vintage sweater, especially the neck/collar effect. The sleeve caps are weird as you say. I kept wondering was it to allow for sports movement? But it does seem too much fabric to make sense. Makes me wonder if the original pattern needed an errata sheet printed! As always I enjoy your experiments and thought process with each one.
I regularly knit patterns with a larger yarn/needle as it has only been recently that knitting patterns were size inclusive. I found that I need to pay attention to the length in each of the sections as the row gauge does not exactly match the pattern. Glad your stitch/row gauge ratio was the same.
My reaction to your boy's sweater is that those odd sleeves are done on purpose because they mimic the fashion for full sleeves in the 1890 's. I've seen some pictures of younger boys with tunic tops and sleeves that are similar to that.
I was fascinated by the neckline of 1890 sweater, I always thought they looked like would be far too long. Interesting to see how the front moved up and the neck became more of a cowl neckline than a turtleneck. Arms did look unusual. Thank you.
Another great Friday! Thanks Roxanne. I’ll be checking several of those tidbit links. Also, my husband has video upload problems, too, on a website called Canvas that his university uses for online teaching this year. The subtitles take hours and hours to generate, and sometimes come up with hilarious, or worse, disturbing versions of what he actually said. Ah, well. Have a great weekend🥰
I absolutely love you and I love all the historical things that you find I just have to watch everything the one on crime was fantastic as I had worked as a canine officer to make money even though I went to art school and FIT in New York always had second jobs that is so fascinating can't wait for your next podcast I watched it from the very beginning you're a very brilliant woman
You could write genealogical murder mysteries! My older sister was also instrumental in the early computer days. She travelled the world helping newspaper companies install their first computers and software. I am glad you finished that vintage 1890 sweater. I was curious about that neck and how it would turn out. I can't even begin to wonder if there is a fix on those shoulders, though.
Really enjoyed the video. I have never heard of knitting a sleeve from the top down. Are there special patterns for this? I had a quick look on youtube and found one where you have to pick up stitces around the armhole, too much for me so think your way would be better .
There are tons of different ways to construct sweaters: bottom up, top down, hybrid, or sideways. Flat and seamed, or in the round and seamless (or any combination of that). How top down is done for a specific sweater depends on what sort of bodice is desired: drop shoulder, modified drop, set-in sleeve, yoke, or raglan, and even then, there are typically choices. There is an overwhelming tendency to design sweaters top down, seamless construction (at least when it comes to independent designers), these days. If you do a search on Ravelry patterns, you can filter based on construction type, including direction of construction.
I have a video on the two circs method here: th-cam.com/video/PzPwruk2-CY/w-d-xo.html It can be used for any circumference item. Many people use it for small circumferences. I prefer Magic Loop for small circumferences, but that's my preference. Neither is objectively better than the other. For very large circumferences, I will use two -- or more -- circular needles)
I am wondering about the proportions of the sweater. What if it was crocheted… the stitches would be more square… would it have ended up more human shape then?
Potential copyright issues would prevent me from sharing an image of the actual instructions. I will explain how it works, and the math behind it at some point (probably when I get to that point in the sweater).
Hi Rox, I thought you might like this presentation of the 1920s-1930s knitting patterns on the LSE. Unfortunate the links get deleted by youtube, I dont know why?
I do all kinds of crafts from building furniture to stained glass to knitting and sewing to leatherwork to ... well, you name it. (I'm retired so I have time.) I, too, have an essentially analytical mind. To me, most of the interest in any craft lies in inventing, adapting ideas and solving problems. I admire your perseverance, Roxanne, in finishing the sweater! After the first sleeve, I'd probably have abandoned it - although I guess it is 'finish it February' after all. Another great Casual Friday I enjoyed tremendously. Many thanks.
I imagine that part of the problem with your 1890s pullover is that the idea of athletic knitwear was so new that proportions hadn’t really become standard. However, I have a bad head cold, and may not be thinking clearly.
Thank you Roxanne. The best 45 minutes of my day. ❤️
Thank you for sharing your knowledge! I’m enjoying your journey of knitting vintage sweaters. The process is fascinating.
I really enjoyed the detailed breakdown of why/how the ratios weren’t working in the 1890s sweater!
I just watched this old video because I have a “yarn” playlist with a huge backlog of your Casual Friday videos, that keep me company when I want to truly relax!
I like the look of the puffed sleeves on your boys sweater and your solution on how to adjust the front I suspect likely makes for a warmer neck if you would need that comfort and it smooths the front as another bonus.Thank you I especially appreciate the reminder that row gauge is important 👍👍👍👍🤷🏼♀️🖖🖖🖖🖖🤔😊🙋🏼♀️
Congrats for sticking with snd completing the red sweater. I learn so much from your reports on your experiments.
I really like when a store has a needle bar. This is a spot that allows knitters try out the needles at the store.
Thank you! I laughed and laughed at your "weird" sweater description. It looks like it would be good for cold athletics. The neck is quite attractive.
I agree with the “needle suggestion” advice. I like to have a long needle in my left hand and a shorty in my right. I like one needle set better than another for certain things. I have found the cables from a particular set are more my jam than all others and found the other interchangeable needles will screw right on. I don’t like metal needles but I have a bunch of vintage metal needles that I love. I say buy what fits your budget. I watch for sales. I have a set of Loki that I never would have purchased at full price. I love the shorties from this set. Put the ones that seem too much of a splurge on your wish list for others to purchase as a gift. The Hubs never knows what to get me, so he loves my list. 🌈🌈🦋🦋
Again Rox another informative, amusing video.
Thank you very much
Anne Whoriskey
Ive been trying to recreate some pieces that my family has knit spanning back to the 1780s, because in the 50s, unfortunately they were all burned through some family conflict. Your videos give me confidence on this long journey. Thank you! :)
That red sweater really reminds me of Victorian clothes in old paintings. I think you did an excellent job. Can see you skating in it. (With a hot potato in your trouser pocket to keep your hands warm & for a post-skating snack🤣🤣). I love, love, love bamboo needles, especially for double pointeds, when knitting socks, mitts, etc. When I was learning to use dps, I was so frustrated with the metal needles sliding out, that I almost gave up trying to master knitting this way. Then, when I tried bamboo, my whole outlook changed and I love using dps, now. Bamboo are light, so don’t have the weight to pull out of the stitches. Also, bamboo aren’t as slick as metal, so, again, the ‘dangling’ needles resist sliding out of stitches. I always knit with 5 dps, I like 4 in the project & 1 for working, I just find the ‘pull’ at the junctions is greater with 3 dps in the project, and I had ladders, no ladders with 4 needles in the project. Just had to throw that in for newbies to consider. 🙃. Thank you for all of your expertise, freely shared through your dedication.
Thank you for the ever so informative tips, techniques and examples!!
I'm watching all your Casual Friday videos in date order, so still catching up. I like that red sweater. The colour really suits you. If it were mine I would reknit the sleeves as per a drop shoulder sweater and then it would look great. I'm pleased you decided to keep it and look forward to seeing what happens to it in subsequent episodes.
Thank you, Roxanne, for all you share. I really enjoyed the northhouse.org presentation..would never have found that on my own!
Slightly weird sweater? Maybe. A work of art? Definitely! You are amazing! Looking forward to your 1960’s sweater!
I too, came from the IT world. My first boss in IT said "if I can say it, you can make the computer do it". I love the challenges, I make new objects not because I want or need them, just to try out the patterns and make them work for me. (my education was elementary education... so when I answered the phone in support, I told my co-workers, I was used to working with kindergartners... I didn't mind giving the same answers over n over to people who only ran the reports quarterly or annually)
Oh My, you look so good in the red color of your 1890's sweater!!! I hope you knit more in that color. I think the sweater is kind of cool with the white striped cowl. I wonder if you could unfold the cowl in the back to make a hood to keep the wind off. Yes, the sleeves are weird, and yes the length is a little too long (also strips on the bottom aren't the most flattering) however the form-fitting is quite lovely. Way to go in the perseverance to finish.
I think with a modified sleeve construction, that 1890's sweater could actually be a really nice sweater. I think the ribbing allows it to create a really flattering shape through the torso, and the neck looks really cozy.
First thought was I like the sweater. Then you kind of talked me out of it. Then you stood up and pulled the shoulders up and I thought, no, I like the sweater. It's kind of old fashioned. Love the color.
Its cute! I Love it. Awww the Aron sweater is beautiful
I'm so glad to see the finished sweater. I had in my mind it was going to be like the old sweaters you see in pictures where there's an excess of fabric bunched up across the chest area. I was so wrong lol. The neck seems like it would be warm without being too constricting.
Completely honestly I really love the red sweater. It looks pretty comfortable too :)
It's certainly warm! :-)
I learned to knit on Susan Bates 14 inch straight needles. I taught myself to knit on circular needles and double point needles years later. I ordered a set of Chiagoo sock knitting set and I absolutely fell in love with their cables. So I'm currently working on purchasing the sets I want to have. I have a complete set of bamboo double points except for the sock needles and I don't use them at all because I find them to hard to work with for me for knitting. I love a good set of wood or bamboo for crochet and tunisian work.
Thank you so much. I just love your videos. I started doing the “Finish it February” too. I’m so happy you suggested this. I finished a sweater and a cowl. Almost have a poncho done that just needs seamed. I really have a good feeling of accomplishment instead of the nagging feeling that something should be finished before I start something new. I am going to check out the Ravelry section you spoke of for “Finish it February “.
I was also wondering about the reverse-engineered cardigan. Glad to hear it will resurface this year!
Puff sleeves are in style right now, so the 1890's sweater kind of works as is, although, it's a style that probably won't stay for very long. I love the look, though. Beautiful sweater.
I like your 1890s sweater for all kinds of reasons and following how you resolved the challenges of interpreting historical conventions for a modern fit. I can see how at times it wasn’t much fun for you, but I learned a lot from the sidelines, not least of which was your problem-solving approach. The looong neck reminded me of Pud’s turtleneck sweater. You know, from the Double Bubble bubble gum comics who was always hiding his head in his sweater? Hmmmm. I wonder how far back those comics originate. Maybe they liked really long necks for some long-forgotten reason. Cool to think there may be a connection though.
I’ve just gotten back into knitting after a long hiatus, and your videos are really educating me. Thank you! Since you mentioned future episode ideas, something I’d be interested in is a comparison/review of the various how-to-design-shawls books.
I recently used "slippery" needles with a very soft silky yarn. It was a nightmare for me - stitches kept slipping off. I really like the Prym ergonomic brand of needles -- the stitches stay on nicely, yet they have great tapered ends, but as Roxanne said -- not everyone likes the same needles. I recently tried magic loop and didn't enjoy it at all, but perhaps i was doing something wrong. Experiment.
Oh, slippery yarns need a needle with some drag! No matter what technique or tool I prefer *in general*, there will always be specific situations in which a tool or technique I normally wouldn't prefer ends up being perfect for that situation.
I like the Prym needles, too.
I like how your "weird" red sweater turned out, but sounds like it was a huge challenge for you -- just what you like.
The sleeves of the red sweater are indeed quite weird but I really like that color - it looks so nice on you! And the collar is pretty too.
Thanks for all the links! I'm very interested in your next vintage sweater. I have a couple of old booklets with patterns and I've not been brave enough to cast one on. I'll wait just a bit to hear what you learned.
I appreciated so much how you have gathered and shared the "tidbits" in this video. I have followed several threads and found such inspirational content. Thank you. About your 1890 sweater, I'm wondering (please forgive me if you answered this already) whether the original shape is described anywhere in fashion publications from that era. It occured to me that all the bulk around the neck and shoulders was intended to provide extra room for movement during active sports like hockey or speed skating. Just a thought.
I actually like your vintage sweater, especially the neck/collar effect. The sleeve caps are weird as you say. I kept wondering was it to allow for sports movement? But it does seem too much fabric to make sense. Makes me wonder if the original pattern needed an errata sheet printed! As always I enjoy your experiments and thought process with each one.
I regularly knit patterns with a larger yarn/needle as it has only been recently that knitting patterns were size inclusive. I found that I need to pay attention to the length in each of the sections as the row gauge does not exactly match the pattern. Glad your stitch/row gauge ratio was the same.
Agree the sleeves are weird on the 1890’s sweater but overall I do like the sweater! Glad your keeping it.
My reaction to your boy's sweater is that those odd sleeves are done on purpose because they mimic the fashion for full sleeves in the 1890 's. I've seen some pictures of younger boys with tunic tops and sleeves that are similar to that.
I was fascinated by the neckline of 1890 sweater, I always thought they looked like would be far too long. Interesting to see how the front moved up and the neck became more of a cowl neckline than a turtleneck. Arms did look unusual. Thank you.
Always fascinating!
Another great Friday! Thanks Roxanne. I’ll be checking several of those tidbit links. Also, my husband has video upload problems, too, on a website called Canvas that his university uses for online teaching this year. The subtitles take hours and hours to generate, and sometimes come up with hilarious, or worse, disturbing versions of what he actually said. Ah, well. Have a great weekend🥰
I absolutely love you and I love all the historical things that you find I just have to watch everything the one on crime was fantastic as I had worked as a canine officer to make money even though I went to art school and FIT in New York always had second jobs that is so fascinating can't wait for your next podcast I watched it from the very beginning you're a very brilliant woman
You could write genealogical murder mysteries! My older sister was also instrumental in the early computer days. She travelled the world helping newspaper companies install their first computers and software. I am glad you finished that vintage 1890 sweater. I was curious about that neck and how it would turn out. I can't even begin to wonder if there is a fix on those shoulders, though.
Really enjoyed the video. I have never heard of knitting a sleeve from the top down. Are there special patterns for this? I had a quick look on youtube and found one where you have to pick up stitces around the armhole, too much for me so think your way would be better .
There are tons of different ways to construct sweaters: bottom up, top down, hybrid, or sideways. Flat and seamed, or in the round and seamless (or any combination of that). How top down is done for a specific sweater depends on what sort of bodice is desired: drop shoulder, modified drop, set-in sleeve, yoke, or raglan, and even then, there are typically choices. There is an overwhelming tendency to design sweaters top down, seamless construction (at least when it comes to independent designers), these days. If you do a search on Ravelry patterns, you can filter based on construction type, including direction of construction.
Have you ever done a Technique tues. on using double circular needles? Is that for something massive?
I have a video on the two circs method here: th-cam.com/video/PzPwruk2-CY/w-d-xo.html It can be used for any circumference item. Many people use it for small circumferences. I prefer Magic Loop for small circumferences, but that's my preference. Neither is objectively better than the other. For very large circumferences, I will use two -- or more -- circular needles)
Really like the neck on your weird sweater.
I think it is grand perfect for Minnesota... you should have done it in gold accent. Thanks
I am wondering about the proportions of the sweater. What if it was crocheted… the stitches would be more square… would it have ended up more human shape then?
Your vlogs are so interesting
Glad you think so!
Dear Rox, would it be allowed to show some of the new sweaters instructions? I like the look of the yoke uan would be interested in how it is worked.
Potential copyright issues would prevent me from sharing an image of the actual instructions. I will explain how it works, and the math behind it at some point (probably when I get to that point in the sweater).
Hi Rox, I thought you might like this presentation of the 1920s-1930s knitting patterns on the LSE. Unfortunate the links get deleted by youtube, I dont know why?
That was the presentation I mentioned a few weeks back in the Tidbits section of Casual Friday. :-)
Re: previous career. Me, too. I was in charge of personal computers and printers.
I do all kinds of crafts from building furniture to stained glass to knitting and sewing to leatherwork to ... well, you name it. (I'm retired so I have time.) I, too, have an essentially analytical mind. To me, most of the interest in any craft lies in inventing, adapting ideas and solving problems. I admire your perseverance, Roxanne, in finishing the sweater! After the first sleeve, I'd probably have abandoned it - although I guess it is 'finish it February' after all. Another great Casual Friday I enjoyed tremendously. Many thanks.
I imagine that part of the problem with your 1890s pullover is that the idea of athletic knitwear was so new that proportions hadn’t really become standard.
However, I have a bad head cold, and may not be thinking clearly.
There is a mistake in the description. The FIF 1890s sweater is listed, but does not show up in the timeline, because there ist an extra :
THanks!
I've seen the mistakes that the auto caption makes. Quite amusing to think about those mistakes being translated. Still, it's better than nothing!
Traveling loop ?how to
You can find video on Traveling Loop in my Knitting in the Round playlist: th-cam.com/play/PL1AZxTfSCe2cYyDSsBP46hkqSPvtLa8Wi.html