Tolsta tee is knitted in a very loose gauge, but alternatives in normal dk gauge are Le Knit’s Julienne tee (or any of her round yoke tees - Musling, Peacock or Plain yoke, etc) or Petiteknit’s Poppy tee, which is dk yarn knitted with a tighter gauge.
Hi Rachel. I recently found your channel and wanted to say thank you for making such great videos. I appreciate your sense of humor, your intelligence, and definitely your knitting skills. I really enjoyed your Scotland trip. I’ll never get there myself so thank you for sharing your experiences. 😊
I live in Southern California and with the heat this summer it’s been not a time to knit. But then my son just came back from Texas and now I don’t feel so bad about life lol. So you inspired me to pull out my present bin of yarn and see what I can come up with.
I feel guilty if I feel like I’m not keeping goals I made up for myself, so I usually don’t post any goals and just kind of fly by the seat of my pants. I actually really loved the idea of 24 in 24 and thought at the beginning of the year that I would also strive to make 24 items. It’s been kind of a rollercoaster year and my knitting has been super slow the last 3 months, but while I was watching this episode I went through and counted my FOs for 2024 and was really thrilled to already be at 19. No set patterns, but hoping to hype myself to pick up some old wipes and get them finished or frogged by the end of the year.
About the Whitmoor Cardigan: I, too, had it on my "To Do" list but after watching two TH-cam videos from NE Knits (episodes 22 and 24) I backed away from it. The host, Amy, is a very good knitter and despite frogging and restarting the pattern, she had fit issues. Doesn't mean EVERYONE will have these problems, but as I say, she's a good knitter, so I knocked the Whitmoor off my list. Just an FYI. The lace yoke is gorgeous, so I may attempt the pullover version some day.
@@Sandy-lq9xe Amanda from Knits by Mandy also had issues with her Whitmoor cardigan. Seeing both of them struggle with the fit of that pattern knocked it off the list for me.
Hi Rachel, great video! I'm excited to see what you're gonna end up making at the end of the year, if it's gonna be similar to what you predicted or something totally different (which is also great cause our mind is so fantastic it comes up with ideas all the time!) If the only thing that's holding up back from trying the Tolsta tee is the neckline, that is too large for your preference, I have a suggestion that might help. Since you said you already own the pattern, you could see if in the smaller sizes there's a neckline measure that you'd like and would be comfortable wearing and you could cast on for that size. Then you could add the additional stitches you need to go back to the stitch count for your size, with additional raglan increases or, if the stitches to add are so many they would mess up the length of the yoke, then you could just spread the additional stiches evenly around the stockinette rows. I haven't make the Tolsta Tee myself but I have heard great things about it and I'm just about finishing the Tolsta Tank, so I can imagine the tee being just as good🥰
I have the same feelings toward the Tolsta tee neckline. To combat this, I casted on two sizes smaller, did the neck ribbing, and then increased in the next row where you knit around and put your raglan markers before doing short rows. It came out great!
I did the same! Cast on two sizes smaller and then increased by 8 when I placed my markers. It's still on my needles but this makes me feel more confident that I did the right thing.
I did the same on smaller needles and did 1X1 half twisted rib instead regular 2X2. The designer encourages makers to use the pattern as a basic recipe but make it your own
Both NEKnits and KnitsbyMandy frogged their whitmore cardigans so I’d be hesitant to make that one! I think they both have videos on it if you want insights
I love planning projects and pairing yarn and patterns. My Ravelry queue is so long and I know it’ll take me a while to get to everything and plans will change, but it’s nice to have options ready when you want to cast on something new! You have a great list. For the Tolsta tee, I also didn’t love the neckline so I cast on for the body. I went back after and picked up less stitches for the neckline ribbing and it worked out to be a nice crew neck fit.
A bit off from the knitting focus: I also love the novel *Jane Eyre* and also feel the problematic aspects. Have you read the novel *Thee Wide Sargasso Sea* told from the pov off Rochester's "mad" Caribean wife? Love hearing your ideas for the rest of the year! If you do even half of what you plan, I'd say "good job, well done."
Hi Rachel, I would suggest that you take a black and white photo of your colors for your colorwork sweater. Check if the colors are too similar for colorwork. They are all beautiful colors but maybe too similar. 😊 Ha ha, “Clench your butt” sounds the same as “Gird your loins” !
Oh, sorry, didn’t answer your question. I’ve been knitting for a couple of years and I do not make knitting plans. But, I don’t like to plan anything unless absolutely necessary. I’m also a slow knitter and the amount you plan to knit in 6 months would prob take me 5 years.
Because green is an excellent complementary color to purple, any leftover yarn you have from either colorway project will provide some creative stash busting opportunities in the future. 🙂
Hi Rachel. Totally far off this tutorial but, can you show how to use double pointed needles ? I'm interested in trying the cute knit rat. :-) never tried dbl points before.
This year I’ve made loose knitting plans, 1 top, 1 cardigan and 3/4 pairs of socks, 1 hot water bottle are my only definites. Everything else will be cast on on a whim. Whim projects so far, a hat for my eldest to wear on cold college commute mornings, and two gift knit hats, and a sock along project. Things definitely change during the year and last year I put too much pressure on myself to make for others so this year it’s only if I choose to and if I feel like it. I’ve only made one must knit and that’s a hot bottle cover for my middle kid who’s starting college this year 😢
I recently moved and I have a whole new craft space I'm really excited to design. One of the features I want is a yarn display like you have. I have a wire rack with pegs and I think I'm going to display a mix of yarns I want to use in the near future, handspun yarn, and just pretty yarns that I don't get to see often in my stash. :)
I also have waaayyy more planned than I can reasonably complete, but I think I like giving myself options so I can give in to the vibes of the moment when choosing what to cast on next. Carpet may not be purple but GOSH does it look good with purple! As you were holding it next to your face, the contrast with your glasses was lovely and it really makes your eyes pop. A delicious green cardigan could be the perfect compliment to a purple-heavy wardrobe :)
Yes we have to have options to match the vibes for sure. And yes I love thinking about Carpet as a nice companion to my purple pieces. Great way to look at it!
Hi Rachel! Wow, what a list. It sounds like a lot, but it seems like you knit rather quickly, so I would never say it’s impossible! I admit I switch back and forth between knitting monogamously and working on several projects at once - it depends upon whether I see a new pattern I really want to make. Right now I have a Skyline Tee, a Sabai Top, and an Adriata Tank in progress. Our last couple of winters in NorCal have been so mild that I’m trying to figure out which sweaters are worth knitting. How long ago did you get your PhD? I’m in (hopefully) the last writing year of mine, in Visual Studies. Excited to see more FOs!
Three projects in progress is perfect! That’s the sweet spot. I need to get my ducks in a row so I have an active WIP list closer to that number. I graduated in 2023! Good luck with yours! Dissertating is impossible until you’re through. You’re doing better than you think you are!
How would you compare the field day cardigan to your KAL cardigan? I have a worsted weight (kind of a lighter worsted) SQ that I have been looking for a cardigan pattern for. Also thanks for the V neck sweater recommendations!
For me, the Field Day is the clear winner. I wouldn’t recommend the Kal cardigan based on my experience, but I know some people absolutely love it! So really down to your own preference. But I highly recommend the Field Day!
Tolsta tee is knitted in a very loose gauge, but alternatives in normal dk gauge are Le Knit’s Julienne tee (or any of her round yoke tees - Musling, Peacock or Plain yoke, etc) or Petiteknit’s Poppy tee, which is dk yarn knitted with a tighter gauge.
Thank you!
A video of empty promises.
😂
Rachel, you are too funny!
And I wish you luck and joy in your making. No matter WHAT you end up doing!
Thank you so much!!
Hi Rachel. I recently found your channel and wanted to say thank you for making such great videos. I appreciate your sense of humor, your intelligence, and definitely your knitting skills. I really enjoyed your Scotland trip. I’ll never get there myself so thank you for sharing your experiences. 😊
Thank you so much for this kind comment! I'm glad that you're enjoying my videos. Thanks for being here 💜
I live in Southern California and with the heat this summer it’s been not a time to knit. But then my son just came back from Texas and now I don’t feel so bad about life lol. So you inspired me to pull out my present bin of yarn and see what I can come up with.
Have fun with it! Hope you can stay cool!
I feel guilty if I feel like I’m not keeping goals I made up for myself, so I usually don’t post any goals and just kind of fly by the seat of my pants. I actually really loved the idea of 24 in 24 and thought at the beginning of the year that I would also strive to make 24 items. It’s been kind of a rollercoaster year and my knitting has been super slow the last 3 months, but while I was watching this episode I went through and counted my FOs for 2024 and was really thrilled to already be at 19. No set patterns, but hoping to hype myself to pick up some old wipes and get them finished or frogged by the end of the year.
You’re on a roll! I love the no pressure approach and wish I was chill enough to not overthink and overplan!
About the Whitmoor Cardigan: I, too, had it on my "To Do" list but after watching two TH-cam videos from NE Knits (episodes 22 and 24) I backed away from it. The host, Amy, is a very good knitter and despite frogging and restarting the pattern, she had fit issues. Doesn't mean EVERYONE will have these problems, but as I say, she's a good knitter, so I knocked the Whitmoor off my list. Just an FYI. The lace yoke is gorgeous, so I may attempt the pullover version some day.
@@Sandy-lq9xe Amanda from Knits by Mandy also had issues with her Whitmoor cardigan. Seeing both of them struggle with the fit of that pattern knocked it off the list for me.
Thank you!! Checking out their videos now.
Hi Rachel, great video! I'm excited to see what you're gonna end up making at the end of the year, if it's gonna be similar to what you predicted or something totally different (which is also great cause our mind is so fantastic it comes up with ideas all the time!)
If the only thing that's holding up back from trying the Tolsta tee is the neckline, that is too large for your preference, I have a suggestion that might help. Since you said you already own the pattern, you could see if in the smaller sizes there's a neckline measure that you'd like and would be comfortable wearing and you could cast on for that size. Then you could add the additional stitches you need to go back to the stitch count for your size, with additional raglan increases or, if the stitches to add are so many they would mess up the length of the yoke, then you could just spread the additional stiches evenly around the stockinette rows. I haven't make the Tolsta Tee myself but I have heard great things about it and I'm just about finishing the Tolsta Tank, so I can imagine the tee being just as good🥰
Great suggestion, thank you!!
That is a lot of knitting. Hope you get them done. Me I want to make two cardigans two tops and 6 socks by the end of year plus maybe something else.
I have the same feelings toward the Tolsta tee neckline. To combat this, I casted on two sizes smaller, did the neck ribbing, and then increased in the next row where you knit around and put your raglan markers before doing short rows. It came out great!
I did the same! Cast on two sizes smaller and then increased by 8 when I placed my markers. It's still on my needles but this makes me feel more confident that I did the right thing.
I did the same on smaller needles and did 1X1 half twisted rib instead regular 2X2. The designer encourages makers to use the pattern as a basic recipe but make it your own
These are wonderful tips! Thanks everyone!!!
What I came to the comments to say!
The Felix cardigan is measured at high bust so it really is more size inclusive than it appears. Love the purple yarn wall!
Oh excellent! I should have read more carefully. Thank you!
Both NEKnits and KnitsbyMandy frogged their whitmore cardigans so I’d be hesitant to make that one! I think they both have videos on it if you want insights
Oh thank you for the warning!!!
I love planning projects and pairing yarn and patterns. My Ravelry queue is so long and I know it’ll take me a while to get to everything and plans will change, but it’s nice to have options ready when you want to cast on something new! You have a great list. For the Tolsta tee, I also didn’t love the neckline so I cast on for the body. I went back after and picked up less stitches for the neckline ribbing and it worked out to be a nice crew neck fit.
It’s so fun to plan. But implementing those plans is a whole other story, lol! That’s such a great idea for the Tolsta. Thank you!
With the yak make a tee!
Can we please get your Jane Eyre rant at some point? Maybe to coincide with your Tolsta knitting? 😀
Yes I can definitely do that!
A bit off from the knitting focus: I also love the novel *Jane Eyre* and also feel the problematic aspects. Have you read the novel *Thee Wide Sargasso Sea* told from the pov off Rochester's "mad" Caribean wife? Love hearing your ideas for the rest of the year! If you do even half of what you plan, I'd say "good job, well done."
Yes, I love that book! I often teach it alongside Jane Eyre.
Love your podcast 😊your choice of colour is fabulous, purple magic 😊
Thank you so much!☺️
Hi Rachel, I would suggest that you take a black and white photo of your colors for your colorwork sweater. Check if the colors are too similar for colorwork. They are all beautiful colors but maybe too similar. 😊 Ha ha, “Clench your butt” sounds the same as “Gird your loins” !
Thanks!
Oh, sorry, didn’t answer your question. I’ve been knitting for a couple of years and I do not make knitting plans. But, I don’t like to plan anything unless absolutely necessary. I’m also a slow knitter and the amount you plan to knit in 6 months would prob take me 5 years.
Because green is an excellent complementary color to purple, any leftover yarn you have from either colorway project will provide some creative stash busting opportunities in the future. 🙂
Yes! Such a good point!
I think it’s great to have an extra long list of possible projects. I find it fascinating to see which projects of a list actually come to fruition 🐀
We will find out together!
For the catch phrase yarns, I think adding a peony pink and making a patchwork-style cardigan could be cute
That would be super cute!
Hi Rachel. Totally far off this tutorial but, can you show how to use double pointed needles ? I'm interested in trying the cute knit rat. :-) never tried dbl points before.
Great suggestion!
idk if someone has already said it but Yak is WARM!!!! May not be ideal for a tee ❤
Ah! Thank you for telling me! For some reason I thought it was a cool fiber.
@@rachelisknitting I haven’t worn it before so this is entirely anecdotal from what I’ve heard from other knitters!
This year I’ve made loose knitting plans, 1 top, 1 cardigan and 3/4 pairs of socks, 1 hot water bottle are my only definites.
Everything else will be cast on on a whim. Whim projects so far, a hat for my eldest to wear on cold college commute mornings, and two gift knit hats, and a sock along project. Things definitely change during the year and last year I put too much pressure on myself to make for others so this year it’s only if I choose to and if I feel like it. I’ve only made one must knit and that’s a hot bottle cover for my middle kid who’s starting college this year 😢
Whim projects are an absolute MUST!
I recently moved and I have a whole new craft space I'm really excited to design. One of the features I want is a yarn display like you have. I have a wire rack with pegs and I think I'm going to display a mix of yarns I want to use in the near future, handspun yarn, and just pretty yarns that I don't get to see often in my stash. :)
That will be so lovely!
Ooooo and a button band how to ?
I also have waaayyy more planned than I can reasonably complete, but I think I like giving myself options so I can give in to the vibes of the moment when choosing what to cast on next.
Carpet may not be purple but GOSH does it look good with purple! As you were holding it next to your face, the contrast with your glasses was lovely and it really makes your eyes pop. A delicious green cardigan could be the perfect compliment to a purple-heavy wardrobe :)
Yes we have to have options to match the vibes for sure. And yes I love thinking about Carpet as a nice companion to my purple pieces. Great way to look at it!
Thanks so much for the shoutout friend! I have way too many knitting plans for the rest of the yearly that are surely not going to happen, but too bad
We can at least try! Rage against the machine that are unplanned SQs! 😂
I am a fan of yours. I love your practicality.
Thank you!
Since you mentioned Jane Eyre which I also love, do you recommend The Wide Sargasso Sea?
Yes I like Wide Sargasso Sea a lot!
Hi Rachel! Wow, what a list. It sounds like a lot, but it seems like you knit rather quickly, so I would never say it’s impossible! I admit I switch back and forth between knitting monogamously and working on several projects at once - it depends upon whether I see a new pattern I really want to make. Right now I have a Skyline Tee, a Sabai Top, and an Adriata Tank in progress. Our last couple of winters in NorCal have been so mild that I’m trying to figure out which sweaters are worth knitting. How long ago did you get your PhD? I’m in (hopefully) the last writing year of mine, in Visual Studies. Excited to see more FOs!
Three projects in progress is perfect! That’s the sweet spot. I need to get my ducks in a row so I have an active WIP list closer to that number.
I graduated in 2023! Good luck with yours! Dissertating is impossible until you’re through. You’re doing better than you think you are!
How would you compare the field day cardigan to your KAL cardigan? I have a worsted weight (kind of a lighter worsted) SQ that I have been looking for a cardigan pattern for. Also thanks for the V neck sweater recommendations!
For me, the Field Day is the clear winner. I wouldn’t recommend the Kal cardigan based on my experience, but I know some people absolutely love it! So really down to your own preference. But I highly recommend the Field Day!