Hi Devin, (from the uk 🇬🇧) you’re right about young people being more adventurous & fearless. When I was 12 i loved making my own clothes, so I decided to knit my first Aran cardigan, with all over cables & bobbles. I don’t remember how long it took me to finish but I do remember taking it to church & knitting it during Sunday school 😂 I still love knitting today (just over 30 years later 😳) I really enjoy your podcast, thanks so much for all that you do xx
Good one Devon. The puppies at the end were the icing on the cake. 🎂 I am watching you on my phone as our boat zig zags through the Fjords. 🇳🇴. I have been more grateful that you can imagine for your balm stick. I forgot my lip balm.. the light bulb went off and yep… your stick has duel purpose!!!! I can now honestly say I put your balm from the top of my head tip of my toes!!!
As always, a wonderful and enjoyable podcast!! I like the Saturday time for the podcast. I watch on Saturday as soon as I can. However, I still watch on Sunday as well. About to order a color card. I just love it!! I truly am not a fan of traveling. I was away from home last week. I never remember all the things. I even make lists. All this to say, I forgot my lotion. Not good for dry Texas weather. I dug through my purse and just slathered myself in Sanctum Hand Balm. As I was leaving the breakfast area at the motel, a mother and daughter passed me and both commented to each other how wonderful I smelled. I hope that makes you as happy as it made me. I use 9 inch circulars when I knit socks. I use flexi flips when I finish up the toes of my socks. My ends are not the same point. Oh my goodness this is way too long. Have a great week‼️
Your tee looks great! I like that color (Bosc?) on you. I think your August color would make a pretty tee too. I am enjoying watching your DIY sweater take shape and hearing how you are thinking through it, makes sense to me. About shaping for both bust and hips, instead of making it bigger for both, you can knit a size that’s big enough and do some waist shaping to come in at the waist and give it some shape. You can do some decreases/increases above and below the waist at 4 points, 2 on front and 2 on back. I did that on a cardigan and it looks very tailored. Ah, yes, the Purl Soho rabbit hole. I have spent a lot of time that I should have spent knitting on my current WIP looking through their patterns, mostly dishcloths and hand towels, then ordering yarn to make them. I think I have chronic castonitis or maybe it’s project planitis. Planning yarn and colors is my favorite part of a project. I have so many bags of yarn for particular projects as well as bags of WIPs, or more accurately, UFOs (unfinished objects). I wonder if I could last a whole year of not buying or starting something new, just working on what I already have…probably not, but I should.
The pictures of your week of adventures are great. Looks like fun was had by all. The sweater explanation as you are knitting it is very helpful and instructive. Thank you. Love the story about the cowls. It always pays to check and double count the cast on. 🇬🇧
I love seeing your section on designing a sweater based on something in your wardrobe that fits you well. Several years ago, I had a male friend that knew I did a lot of knitting, ask me to knit him a sweater. He told me that his mother used to knit for him and his brothers. When they would outgrow the sweaters, she would rip them out and use the yarn to make a larger sweater. I am not sure where she go the extra yarn to make it bigger, but that was his story. He was my son's rugby coach and was from England, and was very charming. He wanted something with lots of cables that he could wear as an outer layer. He was not a small man. As we do when someone asks us how much it would cost for me to make him a sweater, I tried to put him off, but that didn't work. Every time I saw him, he would ask me again. Did I mention that he was really charming and had that British accent? I finally told him that I would do it for $600. I thought that would make him stop asking.... but he agreed to $600 right away. I felt kind of weird asking to take his measurements, so I asked him to let me borrow a jacket or sweatshirt that fit him the way he would like this sweater to fit. He gave me a fleece jacket, and I used that for all of the measurements. With all the cables, there was lots of swatching and a good bit of math, but it ended up fitting him perfectly. The result was one of my designs, the Scottish Ale sweater. It is the best selling of all my designs. He got his sweater, and inspired a great pattern. It worked out great for both of us.
Another great podcast! Sounds like a fun week with the kid's. Day trips were always fun. The Digory tee was so much fun. I think I need another one, like I need just one more project on my needles, but!!!! Keep up the fun stuff and have a greatweek!
My color card and August colorway arrived yesterday! The color card is awesome! I love it! Thank u Gigi for hand-tying all those yarn samples! I am really enjoying the step by step process with your custom sweater knitting! I agree that physical fitness (and generally living a life in motion rather than sitting all the time) is one of the best ways to prevent injuries/pain. Also one of the best ways to generally enjoy life!
There is always so much to think about from your podcasts. First, thank you for showing us how you use 3-16” circulars. I have yet to finish a sock, but I am liking magic loop more mainly due to always having the needle I need right there. I really appreciated your comments on the difference between selecting patterns that will suit our shape vs making adjustments to accommodate a shape different than the designer wrote the pattern for. I, too, am very straight up and down, but not a thin rectangle (is this a celery stick? 😉) rather a round apple. The best “trick” I’ve found is to start a pattern for the high bust measurement. If possible I try to add a few increases in the few inches that would be fabric on the bust and then at the full bust point, which is usually the spot to cast on for armhole stitches, I cast on enough stitches to get to the size I need. Of course this creates an “issue” with the sleeve size as well, but I find it easy enough to use k2tog/ssk in the first few rounds of sleeve to decrease to the circumference I want. It’s easy from here to knit straight or even do some A-line shaping instead of slim waist shaping if needed. Whew! That was a lot of words. I hope that made sense. To Pam, I highly suggest that if you love the yarn rip the sweaters out. Take the time to learn what didn’t work (as Devin suggests) and make notes about your actual gauge as you knit this sweater (since it will probably be used in a similar gauge pattern next time) and any other changes you’d want to make. Maybe take the time to find a pattern or two you like for that weight yarn and then “dream knit” as you return the yarn to be useful again. I’ve learned so much from doing this again and again and now, finally, can knit sweaters that fit. It seems so many of us lack local knitting community and yet find a wonderful community here. I can’t wait to meet some of you at the retreat.
🙌 for inspiring Mandy to knit herself a custom sweater! Regarding body shapes and sizes: I have been guilty of only sharing “flat lay” photos of my projects in the past, and I’m trying to get more comfortable being my own model. I always find it helpful to see what sweaters look like on real bodies, and since I myself have a real body I should probably use it to help others. Bonus: When people show their faces on Instagram, it is easier for me to recognize them when I meet them in the real world (like going to a Knitty McPurly retreat.) Secondary bonus: When I show my own face on Instagram, I am introduced to a lot of pilots and surgeons. 😂
I’m glad you talked about the Digory again. I recently ordered 3 skeins of Fiji fingering in the Thistle color, specifically for a Digory. It seems like the perfect summer T shirt. As for your Flexi-Flips not having the two different tips, I wonder if you have the Hiya Hiya version called the Flyers, which I don’t think have the two different tips. I had a set of Flexis for a few years, and no matter how many times I tried them they drove me crazy! And the two different tips were just one reason why. I always want a sharp tip, so having to check which tip to use was annoying to me. I finally destashed them on Ravelry and will be sticking with either magic loop or 9-inch circulars!
Love my 9 inch circulars for socks...cuff down. I split the stitches over two as I'm approaching the toe for try ons! I one hundred percent agree that designers shapped similar to me create sweaters that fit me better but your series on knitting a sweater based on something you love in your wardrobe has really inspired this newer (but not a newbie) knitter to give it a try. Thank you.
I went digging in my needles just now - the tips of my Addi Colibri (FlipSticks) show the difference between the Turbo and Rocket ends best. 🎉 Some smaller sizes of my Flexi Flip sets have a subtle difference.❤
I have never knit socks any way but plain vanilla. I joined Summer Lee’s Color Cuff Club. So there will be color work socks in my future. Nine inch or magic loop (usual sock method)….hmmm, we’ll see. But I am excited about the idea of this subscription pattern offering.
I recognize the Digory Tee you are wearing! I just finished my Digory using mini skeins to stripe. I am still thinking about using your Advent Calendar to make another Digory. Maybe doubling the fingering for DK and adjust the gauge 🧐???
Always great videos but unfortunately whatever you explained about the sweater knitting was totally out of my wheelhouse. I’m mathematically challenged 😂 It was good to see you enjoying family time on vacation.
Devin, I am a Canadian holiday-ing in California this long weekend. By any chance do you sell your yarn wholesale? I would love to see it in person! Love ur red ❤sweater…I’m sad I didn’t jump on that train! 🤦🏻♀️
I think you are right! I never pay attention to brands and similar things always seem “the same” to me. And I used to love Hiya Hiyas. It all adds up. 😂
Hi Devin, (from the uk 🇬🇧) you’re right about young people being more adventurous & fearless. When I was 12 i loved making my own clothes, so I decided to knit my first Aran cardigan, with all over cables & bobbles. I don’t remember how long it took me to finish but I do remember taking it to church & knitting it during Sunday school 😂 I still love knitting today (just over 30 years later 😳)
I really enjoy your podcast, thanks so much for all that you do xx
I agree 100% straight up and down shaping is the best! 😊
Good one Devon. The puppies at the end were the icing on the cake. 🎂 I am watching you on my phone as our boat zig zags through the Fjords. 🇳🇴.
I have been more grateful that you can imagine for your balm stick. I forgot my lip balm.. the light bulb went off and yep… your stick has duel purpose!!!! I can now honestly say I put your balm from the top of my head tip of my toes!!!
Yep - I use the sticks as lip balm too! All the time! Have fun in Norway!!!
As always, a wonderful and enjoyable podcast!! I like the Saturday time for the podcast. I watch on Saturday as soon as I can. However, I still watch on Sunday as well. About to order a color card. I just love it!! I truly am not a fan of traveling. I was away from home last week. I never remember all the things. I even make lists. All this to say, I forgot my lotion. Not good for dry Texas weather. I dug through my purse and just slathered myself in Sanctum Hand Balm. As I was leaving the breakfast area at the motel, a mother and daughter passed me and both commented to each other how wonderful I smelled. I hope that makes you as happy as it made me.
I use 9 inch circulars when I knit socks. I use flexi flips when I finish up the toes of my socks. My ends are not the same point. Oh my goodness this is way too long. Have a great week‼️
I have yet to be so adventurous as to knit color work socks. Toes heels and ribbing so far works for me.
Your tee looks great! I like that color (Bosc?) on you. I think your August color would make a pretty tee too. I am enjoying watching your DIY sweater take shape and hearing how you are thinking through it, makes sense to me. About shaping for both bust and hips, instead of making it bigger for both, you can knit a size that’s big enough and do some waist shaping to come in at the waist and give it some shape. You can do some decreases/increases above and below the waist at 4 points, 2 on front and 2 on back. I did that on a cardigan and it looks very tailored. Ah, yes, the Purl Soho rabbit hole. I have spent a lot of time that I should have spent knitting on my current WIP looking through their patterns, mostly dishcloths and hand towels, then ordering yarn to make them. I think I have chronic castonitis or maybe it’s project planitis. Planning yarn and colors is my favorite part of a project. I have so many bags of yarn for particular projects as well as bags of WIPs, or more accurately, UFOs (unfinished objects). I wonder if I could last a whole year of not buying or starting something new, just working on what I already have…probably not, but I should.
The pictures of your week of adventures are great. Looks like fun was had by all. The sweater explanation as you are knitting it is very helpful and instructive. Thank you. Love the story about the cowls. It always pays to check and double count the cast on. 🇬🇧
I love seeing your section on designing a sweater based on something in your wardrobe that fits you well. Several years ago, I had a male friend that knew I did a lot of knitting, ask me to knit him a sweater. He told me that his mother used to knit for him and his brothers. When they would outgrow the sweaters, she would rip them out and use the yarn to make a larger sweater. I am not sure where she go the extra yarn to make it bigger, but that was his story. He was my son's rugby coach and was from England, and was very charming. He wanted something with lots of cables that he could wear as an outer layer. He was not a small man.
As we do when someone asks us how much it would cost for me to make him a sweater, I tried to put him off, but that didn't work. Every time I saw him, he would ask me again. Did I mention that he was really charming and had that British accent? I finally told him that I would do it for $600. I thought that would make him stop asking.... but he agreed to $600 right away. I felt kind of weird asking to take his measurements, so I asked him to let me borrow a jacket or sweatshirt that fit him the way he would like this sweater to fit. He gave me a fleece jacket, and I used that for all of the measurements. With all the cables, there was lots of swatching and a good bit of math, but it ended up fitting him perfectly. The result was one of my designs, the Scottish Ale sweater. It is the best selling of all my designs. He got his sweater, and inspired a great pattern. It worked out great for both of us.
Hello from Swansea, Illinois.
Another great podcast! Sounds like a fun week with the kid's. Day trips were always fun. The Digory tee was so much fun. I think I need another one, like I need just one more project on my needles, but!!!! Keep up the fun stuff and have a greatweek!
My color card and August colorway arrived yesterday!
The color card is awesome! I love it! Thank u Gigi for hand-tying all those yarn samples!
I am really enjoying the step by step process with your custom sweater knitting!
I agree that physical fitness (and generally living a life in motion rather than sitting all the time) is one of the best ways to prevent injuries/pain. Also one of the best ways to generally enjoy life!
What a fun week, a great investment in what really matters. No wonder you looks so terrific today!
Aw - thanks Karen! That was so nice. 😊😊😊
There is always so much to think about from your podcasts.
First, thank you for showing us how you use 3-16” circulars. I have yet to finish a sock, but I am liking magic loop more mainly due to always having the needle I need right there.
I really appreciated your comments on the difference between selecting patterns that will suit our shape vs making adjustments to accommodate a shape different than the designer wrote the pattern for. I, too, am very straight up and down, but not a thin rectangle (is this a celery stick? 😉) rather a round apple. The best “trick” I’ve found is to start a pattern for the high bust measurement. If possible I try to add a few increases in the few inches that would be fabric on the bust and then at the full bust point, which is usually the spot to cast on for armhole stitches, I cast on enough stitches to get to the size I need. Of course this creates an “issue” with the sleeve size as well, but I find it easy enough to use k2tog/ssk in the first few rounds of sleeve to decrease to the circumference I want. It’s easy from here to knit straight or even do some A-line shaping instead of slim waist shaping if needed. Whew! That was a lot of words. I hope that made sense.
To Pam, I highly suggest that if you love the yarn rip the sweaters out. Take the time to learn what didn’t work (as Devin suggests) and make notes about your actual gauge as you knit this sweater (since it will probably be used in a similar gauge pattern next time) and any other changes you’d want to make. Maybe take the time to find a pattern or two you like for that weight yarn and then “dream knit” as you return the yarn to be useful again. I’ve learned so much from doing this again and again and now, finally, can knit sweaters that fit.
It seems so many of us lack local knitting community and yet find a wonderful community here. I can’t wait to meet some of you at the retreat.
🙌 for inspiring Mandy to knit herself a custom sweater!
Regarding body shapes and sizes: I have been guilty of only sharing “flat lay” photos of my projects in the past, and I’m trying to get more comfortable being my own model. I always find it helpful to see what sweaters look like on real bodies, and since I myself have a real body I should probably use it to help others. Bonus: When people show their faces on Instagram, it is easier for me to recognize them when I meet them in the real world (like going to a Knitty McPurly retreat.) Secondary bonus: When I show my own face on Instagram, I am introduced to a lot of pilots and surgeons. 😂
I’m glad you talked about the Digory again. I recently ordered 3 skeins of Fiji fingering in the Thistle color, specifically for a Digory. It seems like the perfect summer T shirt. As for your Flexi-Flips not having the two different tips, I wonder if you have the Hiya Hiya version called the Flyers, which I don’t think have the two different tips. I had a set of Flexis for a few years, and no matter how many times I tried them they drove me crazy! And the two different tips were just one reason why. I always want a sharp tip, so having to check which tip to use was annoying to me. I finally destashed them on Ravelry and will be sticking with either magic loop or 9-inch circulars!
Love my 9 inch circulars for socks...cuff down. I split the stitches over two as I'm approaching the toe for try ons!
I one hundred percent agree that designers shapped similar to me create sweaters that fit me better but your series on knitting a sweater based on something you love in your wardrobe has really inspired this newer (but not a newbie) knitter to give it a try. Thank you.
I went digging in my needles just now - the tips of my Addi Colibri (FlipSticks) show the difference between the Turbo and Rocket ends best. 🎉 Some smaller sizes of my Flexi Flip sets have a subtle difference.❤
I have never knit socks any way but plain vanilla. I joined Summer Lee’s Color Cuff Club. So there will be color work socks in my future. Nine inch or magic loop (usual sock method)….hmmm, we’ll see. But I am excited about the idea of this subscription pattern offering.
I recognize the Digory Tee you are wearing! I just finished my Digory using mini skeins to stripe. I am still thinking about using your Advent Calendar to make another Digory. Maybe doubling the fingering for DK and adjust the gauge 🧐???
Always great videos but unfortunately whatever you explained about the sweater knitting was totally out of my wheelhouse. I’m mathematically challenged 😂
It was good to see you enjoying family time on vacation.
hi i always enjoy watching you
I love to use 16" needles for socks. It just feels more manageable!
Devin, I am a Canadian holiday-ing in California this long weekend. By any chance do you sell your yarn wholesale? I would love to see it in person! Love ur red ❤sweater…I’m sad I didn’t jump on that train! 🤦🏻♀️
(8)👍❤ Truly a masterpiece! 👍❤
It looks like you may have hiya hiya flyers instead of Addi flexi flips. I have hiya hiya flyers and they look a lot like what you shared.
I think you are right! I never pay attention to brands and similar things always seem “the same” to me. And I used to love Hiya Hiyas. It all adds up. 😂