I love seeing the Caron Blossom cakes knitted up! I appreciate you buying budget-friendly yarn and seeing it all worked up into beautiful garments ❤ I'm a tech editor and you'd be surprised how many minor and major errors get through to final copies of knitting patterns. It's can be hard to invest in a tech editor but is so worth it! (And testing after the edit)
Thank you!!! I love playing with yarns of allllll backgrounds! That is honestly such great insight! I’m sure it’s so easy for errors to slip through the cracks. Definitely worth the investment and especially to have testers!
I love that you share your challenges. It so encouraging to see the feeling of “I'm the only one who can't do this” is a lie. Your dad’s sweater will be so perfect, as it’s already amazing. Take a nice deep breath and have tea or wine with you. Happy knitting 💚🧶💚
Even if you don’t pick up all the right stitches in the lifeline, you’ll figure that out when you’ve ripped out and you get to knitting…you can perfect it as you go along. The lifeline will get you very close. Worst case you end up one row shorter. Not to fret, you’ve got this!! Brava on the zipper and thanks for showing Staci’s method, she’s fantastic and was one of the very first online knitters! 🎉
No joke!!! Literally had the exact same experience with my dad trying his on last month and it being too short my just ribbing. I had only done HALF. The Italian bind off. So after it being in the naughty pile for the last month, I picked it back up, cut the row of bind off with scissors and frogged back to the main body. Now I’m ready to knit two inches back and then do the ribbing and the Italian bind off once again.
That pinky brown is such a wonderful color on you. I think if you got a tshirt in that color to wear under your grayish one, it would be the best of both worlds! You'd get the warmth to your skin the pink cardigan provides, but the superbly polished and beautiful craftsmanship of your gray one.
Love your dad’s sweater. As far as getting it back on the needles correctly I would rip out in the ribbing and get it back on the needles before the body. Then I would tink back to make sure you’re ok by the time you get to the ribbing. Does that make sense? Good luck. I’m confident you’ll figure it out.
Put some of those tiny light bulb stitch markers in all the purls (you can do it on the wrong side so it's easier). Then pick up the knits. If you pick up the purls too, great. If you don't, that's okay because they won't run because they have the stitch marker in them.
The colour of your first Korshavn suits you so well! Is your next cast on the folklore cardigan? I have to lengthen my husbands zipper sweater as well. its perfect in the front but slightly too short in the back. I think I own a pattern with instructions to lengthen the back with short rows. going to do sweater surgery for the first time. Scary!
I know how nervous you can feel when knitting for a man. I’m just in the process of sewing up my husband a cardigan and it looks enormous but after him tying on with one sleeve and side sew up so so pleased 😅. Your dads looks great 👏👏👏👏
It’s me. I need to see the beginner doing sweater surgery. You have no idea how much you’re soothing my fears of garment knitting. I feel like I’m about ready to cast on my first cardigan after I finish my gift knits and commit to a sweater quantity of yarn.
The sweater for your Dad looks great on you. I agree with the other comments about you keeping the sweater and knitting another one for your Dad. I tend to block super wash garments as I go so that I can see how much the yarn grows at different stages (e.g., after knitting the yoke, 3/4 of the body, 3/4 of the sleeves, etc.). Then I adjust how much longer I knit the garment based upon how much it grows.
Growth (or lack thereof...) of a garment post blocking stresses me out!!! That's why I now block it before doing the ribbing (and anytime I have a doubt... like before splitting for sleeves, at times). I know it slows down the process but I hate going back to add/reduce length. Congratulations on all your work! Your dad sounds like a wonderful man.
The sweater turned out beautiful! I love that you are so good at trying new things, that's what I am trying to do as well, and having been knitting for two years the end of Feb, it's all new to me! I too will be doing sweater surgery, on a top I made for my granddaughter, first time, and have been putting off adding a zipper to a sweater I made, after seeing yours, I thing I'm ready, so thank you for the encouragement!
Hi Nora, I'm watching this as I'm in the second week re-knitting part my son's sweater that I made too short! It is a all over pattern bottom up sweater and I had to undo all of the seeming of all the top parts down to the armholes and add a couple of inches to the length from there. It's a bit of a nightmare but like you said , it's a learning curve and worth the end result! Your knits all look very beautiful! 🤩
I can only say WOW! You've only been knitting for one year and already accomplished so much. I have been knitting for so long - 15 years about and will NEVER attempt to do what you are doing in terms of adding a zipper, adjusting the length, modifying a pattern ( your dad's collar) etc. I'm wondering if you have a person you go to for help, or is it trial and error and some TH-cam? I just found your channel and love your enthusiasm and content.
Thank you so so much!!! I am just a generally determined and curious person! I have learned everything knitting related through trial and error and TH-cam ☺️ as a bridal hairstylist, I have a philosophy that it’s just Bobby pins and hairspray, we can always take it out and start over if we aren’t happy with something! I think I’ve transferred that belief into my knitting…it’s yarn and time and we can always start over (or learn a WHOLE lot trying to fix things!) 💛
Wow! Your dad's sweater is absolutely amazing. I know you're a bit disappointed, but I just know you'll be able to make it even more perfect once you add the length. I also love your cardigans and I can't believe you've only been knitting for a short while. I'm going to take a lesson and try some Brioche which scares the crap out of me! I always look forward to your podcasts -you always make me happy and I just can't be in a bad mood when I see you - your spirit is always so bright!! Hugs from Texas!!
Thank you!!! It’s always such a let down when things don’t work out quite right, but at least it’s just yarn!! You can do it! I’ve never tried brioche, but I’m sure you can figure it out!! Thank you so so much 🥰
If you just pick up either of the pearl legs when you go to knit the pattern you can flip it the way you need it before you knit or pearl the stitch into place. It looks fantastic the way it was on you!
Omg I so feel the frustration, I purchased the pattern Willamette by Amy Christopher, thinko g it would be a fairly easy knit but there are quite a few errors in it, and others have noted them but still it has not been updated. It's in a time out until I feel like figuring it out again.
I had a feeling it might be too short. I used super wash and it doesn’t grow as much as people say. Its a wonderful sweater though! Don’t you just love trial and error that leads to success.
Definitely go for the sweater surgery and try something new! I just tried my very first sweater surgery on an all over cabled sweater, and I really think the texture helped to disguise any tension issues that would be more obvious in stockinette. There are so many tutorials out there on grafting ribbing, and if you reknit the first row or 2 of the bottom hem before grafting, youll have a continuous stitch pattern to work with. I believe in you and wish you the best of luck in whatever method you choose to add that needed length!
Also, I've noticed I get less growth with Cascade 220 superwash yarn than I typically do with other, often slicker, superwash yarns. I think the fact that it's Peruvian wool rather than merino contributes to the lack of excess growth, but that's totally a guess
i bought some sort of fabric tag that you can print on for garment tags! i was googling for something like this and found a recommendation from someone’s blog somewhere and it’s worked great so far!!
Nora, Most people don’t explain and show the details like you showed with the zipper. It’s very helpful. I will keep it. I do happen or hope out in searches for people needing the help with that tutorial that it will come up. Its great and the fact that you tell other about Very Pink Knits or you say Stacie Perry who always has good tutorials. Good job love your attitude of “I will persevere” and your patience.
I’m so glad you’ve found it helpful!! I’m not great at remembering to bust out the camera for the action shots, but I’ll try to be better in the future!! Thanks so much 🥰
Love your videos Nora! Maybe check out Knitty Natty podcast episode 157. She does a tutorial where she picked up stitches within the stockinette right before the ribbing of the sweater, cut the ribbing off, added length in stockinette and then graphed the ribbing back to the sweater. Sounds scary but she made it look easy. Could be another option for fixing your dad's sweater. Good luck!
When I watched your video today I had quite the flashback. I also had an issue with the length of my sweater…it was way too long about 4”😮. It grew after blocking. I didn’t know what to do but found many videos on sweater surgery. It was very stressful just thinking about cutting my sweater. In the end it wasn’t that bad. When I cut the yarn between the lifelines all the stitches were clear and easily picked up. My sweater looks really good. I think it was a good learning experience 😆. Your question regarding your next knit is it a shacket?
To ease the zipper process with the latch hook, you can actually use a small steel crochet hook instead. They are pretty sharp and can get through the zipper tape and there is less worry of the latch catching.
Seeing the two sweaters side by side was interesting. I love the double knit button band in the second version, it looks so much more polished and professional. I need to try this. Sudden urge to cast on a cardigan.
That zipper install is perfect! Great job. I haven’t tried a zipper yet myself. I am currently procrastinating doing some sweater surgery of my own by knitting a quick hat lol
I'm going to say the Folklore cardigan. I appreciate that you discuss the roadblocks. Sometimes, I look at patterns and stitches, and I'm like.....is it me??? Is it the pattern??? Both??? Perhaps the project and I need a time out? Hmmm...Think Think Think like Winnie the Pooh.
Nora! I feel your pain. I recently started and ripped out the Shift Cowl by Andrea Mowry SIX TIMES before I finally settled into the pattern and got it right. It can be so frustrating, but as you so wisely shared, this craft is all about learning. Thank you for sharing your challenging week. We are here for you!
Oh noo!!! Some things just take time and practice. One of the reasons I enjoy knitting so much is that it is such a forgiving craft-just definitely frustrating at the same time 😅 thank you 🥰
This happened to me too with The Shift cowl, and not just at the beginning. Every time I put it down for longer than a day I ended up tinking back everything I did when I picked it back up. In the end I still found a couple of places in the "dots" where I knit on the wrong side instead of slipping, so they were the wrong color on the right side. I ended up duplicate stitching over them. I really think knitters are some of the most determined people out there!
@juliao9146 Yes! I went through this too. I finally came up with written notes that helped me keep track, but it took awhile. We knitters are nothing if we're not tenacious!
Thank you so much for sharing the fails!! I have been watching your dad’s sweater progress and it looks amazing!!! I really want to make that for my sons because it’s gorgeous. Your honesty through the whole process makes me feel brave enough to try it! 😬
Oh, I feel your pain. I had one of those days today. I had left the stitches live at the bottom of my Aura Vest in case I wanted to add length after blocking. (My sweaters so far have all been too short and I wasn’t having that this time!) As it happened it was fine, so I just needed to do an Italian bind off. I hadn’t left enough of a tail, so I did a spit splice and thought I would knit another row so that my splice would not show in the bind off. As I got to the end of the row, I realised I had joined the wrong piece of yarn and it was still going to be too short to do the italian bind off. Sigh. I tinked back, noticing as I did that the spit splice was ugly, so I decided to do a russian join instead and just bind off without knitting the extra row. I started sewing the bind off with the russian joined yarn but it kept catching as it pulled through the stitches and it was just too thick. The bind off was looking ugly. So I undid the bind off and tinked back about a third of the row before that. I did as neat a spit splice as I could and thought, I’ll knit three rows to bury that spit splice. I knit the rows and breathed a sigh of relief, thinking, now I can bind off. Wrong. It was half twisted rib and I forgot that when knitting this flat, you ktbl on the right side but *purl* through the back loop on the wrong side. It looked cobb. So … I threaded a smaller needle with my longest cable through the right leg of all the knit stitches a row below my first incorrect row, and then flipped the work and ran the needle back across the work, picking up the right leg of all the knit stitches on this alternate side. I then took my needles out and ripped back to that point. So, I now had alternate stitches on either side of a u shaped cable. I transferred these back alternately to the correct needle. I was now back where I started. I spit spliced neatly again, cropping out the noodly yarn, and then I knit two rows of half twisted rib *correctly* and sewed my italian bind off. Wow. However, it looks beautiful. It was worth it. I’m happy. And at the end of two hours and this long, long tale, I have learnt the importance of a long tail.
Oh my goodness!!! What a triumph!!! I love that you got there in the end, but I’m sure it was just the end of the world while you were going through it. I’m so happy it turned out!!
Have you thought to do the elongating in the row above the ribbing. So pick up in stockinette a few rows above the ribbing. Then graft the ribbing back on afterward. There would be no offset stitch as you are still working in the same direction.
Wow! Nora, bravo on the zipper install! Thank you for the explanation on the technique. I feel like you've done the "footwork" for many of us who were not familiar with the process. Gorgeous sweaters . . . thank you for sharing your craft with the world of knitters out here. 😍
The sweaters are beautiful and your dad’s came out so well. The zipper install is so professional. I love the mauve|brown sweater on you. Keep the long videos coming. ❤😊
Fixing the zipper the night before gifting it, could be me, I also always get things done last-minute, even when I start in time. Don`t feel bad that it is a tad short - the surprise was great, your dad likes it and you can fix it, that does not sound like a fail to me.
I love the colour of the first cardigan a lot more, but the modifications you made in the second one make it look so much more polished and pretty!! Great job! You should be proud of the progress you’ve made in the past year
The "rainbow" is the top of the stitch, the "smile" is the connection between 2 stitches. Even if you don't get the lifeline perfect, it will be fine. Honestly, I would rip back. Sweater surgery is way too invasive for such a minor issue and will just cause more frustration and stress than you need.
I love your stitch marker/decrease hack, i used it on my most recent sweater! I'm very inspired by your approach to knitting and your attitude, thanks for all the great knitting/styling content!
Thank you so much for sharing all about your dad’s sweater! And for responding to my messages on instagram…I am now ready to move forward and keep going with your added tips. So here’s a big ‘ol THANK YOU!!! I’m a knitter who has only been knitting for couple years…with no one to really ask the questions you can’t really google to answer. Your the bees-knees!!! Cannot wait to share my progress with you in the upcoming weeks!
I would knit a swatch in ribbing and practise putting in a life life so you'll know whether it's the smiles or rainbows you need to pick up before tackling the sweater...love the content!
Wow those pre- and post-blocking shots do show 2-3” of growth in the length. That matches my experience with super-wash. I’ll never again use it for a hat or fitted garment on its own.
❤ the zipper! Well done. My advice re the length is *under no circumstances* do sweater surgery on a black sweater unless it was knit bottom up and there’s no other choice. I had to do it on a dark green sweater i made for my son. I practiced on some boot cuffs and all went well and i really had no choice so i gave it a try. The end result is ok and my son loves his sweater. But placing the lifeline took me 4 hours. 4. Then picking up and getting all the stitches going in the right direction took another 2 hours. Then I got to do 3 inches of 2x2 rib. Just rip this one back and knit the three inches and the rib again. There will be other opportunities to do surgery. There are pics of my son’s debacle of a sweater on my ravelry klgoldstein1. It’s the Eagles Beagle project.
Another great podcast Nora. I’m sorry you had a bad week but this one will be better. You do beautiful work. Great job on dad’s sweater. All your work is great. You are teaching me things. I’m new to garment knitting. Keep up the good work. Hi to Osi. Can’t wait for next Saturday podcast.
It's so fun to watch your vlogs.😂 appreciate your insight and tips, too. My guess... you will be knitting the TS Cardigan for your cousin.🤔 Have a good week, Nora.
Your dad’s sweater looks so cute on you! I’m sorry that you have to do surgery, but I am so impressed with your zipper install. I’ll definitely be watching that Very Pink Knits tutorial because I’m now inspired to knit myself a quarter zip pullover.
Love using stitch markers this way. I do this making socks as well. Also when pattern says repeat last (3, 4, etc) rows × number of times, I put the × number of markers linked together and move them down with the repeats.
So I have made zipper pouches, you can get crochet hooks that have a ... Cutting thing (I call it my spear hook) the hook is so tiny but if you pull it through right it isn't to bad
You are doing great…. And learning so much…. I have been knitting and crocheting for years and still learn with each project…. Thanks so much for all you share ❤
Fab job on the zipper! Regarding the adjustment, I have done both methods as a new knitter who didn't swatch or try on..... I only recommend the cut and graft for bottom-up where removing the ribbing and bind off is not an option. I think cutting off the bind off in your case is much less frustrating and especially on the dark color and complex stitch will give a better, seamless looking result. I have done grafting several times and getting a smooth join is harder than I expected on plain colors, although I did it in color work (yikes) which was actually less visible once complete. The main lesson I learned is that stitches don't run as quickly as I feared, but super wash is a little slipperyer(?) than regular wool yarn.
Thanks so much for sharing your two cardigan versions- you’ve convinced me to try it myself so the pattern is purchased and now I’ll choose yarn and work up my bravery to do so many “firsts”, especially the charts, yikes! 😂
I love the mauve Korshavn! And I'm also here for the sweater surgery, as I'm just about to do it on an all over cabled sweater that needs just a feeeew more rounds, and I've already bound it off, lol.
🌴☀️I have no idea where my first comment disappeared😡…and I was first today ugh 🙄 Love dad’s pullover Nora it’s amazing & thanks for sharing the zipper video. I’ve never made a zippered knit, gotta try that this year ☀️🌴
Good Morning! I was going to search that very same tutorial by Very Pink Knits and link it. 😁 And your “rainbow/smile” for the purl bumps had me giggling. 😂
I love the mods you made to that basket weave sweater. It make the cardigan more posh than the original pattern. Side note, I noticed that YT unsubscribed me from your channel and didn’t alert me. I thought it was odd and that I should mention it to you. Great content, you’re doing an amazing job!😊😊😊
Thank you!!!! I WAS THINKING THE SAME THING!!! Color can make SUCH a huge difference!!! Thank you so much! YT keeps doing that to me and the channels I am subscribed to 🤔 thank you for letting me know!
I just finished knitting the zipper sweater in the same yarn as you did. I knitted close to is true size because yours d'identifier grew a lot. I think it was a mistake ahaha. Oh noooo
i’m working on my second ciderhouse sock, which is my first cabled project! but i’m totally going to steal your tip for the markers on sleeves. I have each of my cable rows marked with a lightbulb stitch marker on my first sock, so I’ll just steal them for my second sock to make sure they match!
If it helps I've been knitting for less than a year and did the whole surgery thingy on the body and sleeves of my Ranunculus. I got a great result although I must have switched rows while picking up the right-hand side of the stitches, which meant I had to rip back another row. It was a great learning experience and I'm so happy I did. 😊
Team undue bind off Because although you will likely pick up the correct stitches for sweater surgery the Kitchener will be tough since it is ribbing. If you want to be bold. Make 2 swatches of ribbing and Kitchener them together to make sure you like the look. Honestly undueing the bind off is probably less time than picking up and Kitchenering ribbing. Just saying 🧚♀️
What a frustrating week. So understandable though. I’ve made similar errors with my needles. You’re doing such good work!! You’re offering your Dad boutique knitting services by customizing it to him exactly. 🎉😂 He’ gonna wear this sweater everywhere I bet! ❤ Really like the Cyclamen sweater. It’s totally growing on me. I’m probably gonna get the pattern myself. I’ve become TOTALLY obsessed with a strong pink color. This is so NOT like me. I’ve never been a pink girl. But I’m going to go for it and lean into my deep pink obsession. Do you have any recommendations for an inexpensive soft feeling yarn I can get to knit my deep pink sweater? I’m afraid to knit it with pricey yarn because this is such an unusual thing for me. Who knows why? But I’m leaning into it. 😂😂
Thank you! 🥰 I know he will love it, so it is worth the effort!! It’s such a great basic with those perfect little details! I am in an all-pink everything mood myself!!! I just saw that Michaels is carrying a new merino wool yarn!! It’s part of their loops and threads collection! With a coupon 😍 I’ve been on the hunt for just the right pink myself and cannot seem to find it-I’ll keep ya posted!
I know it’s a dark yarn but can you not just follow the path of the yarn? or give the leg of the knit stitch a little tug to see which purl stitch it’s connected to? I do lifelines a lot for afterthought heels and thumbs so following the path of the yarn is something I am quite familiar with.
I don’t know what it is about the 6x1 ribbing that just totally terrifies me. It makes me feel like I’m not staying on one row and that is I grab the wrong part of the purl, everything will fall apart 😅
Lol, I thought about making my own tags... Etsy is my friend I ordered idk 150 for like 10 bucks? They came in a tiny little mesh bag and when I put them in I put a B on the underside of the tag so that's my signage... And no one has to see it 🤣
I'm just wandering if you really have to do the sweater surgery or maybe just let the superwash do its thing and let it grow while drying... Chances are your dad (or anyone who isn't a knitter) might wash it and dry it less carefuly than you did 😊
I thought that might be the case, but I think it just needs too much length. Plus, I'd be afraid that he would wash and dry it in such a way that it just snaps back 😅
My experience with super wash is that every brand acts differently. I really really dislike super wash for that very reason. Additionally, some super wash feels like rubber in my hands.
Thank you! I don’t think that would be a permanent solution considering just how short it is on him. I’m also really happy with the fabric I’ve gotten and I would nervous that it would be too gappy between the stitches if I stretched it out any further. Not a huge deal to just add the length!
The designer should at least give you your money back as long as you are testknitting the sweater for her. And acknowledge you somehow, put a thank you in the pattern or something. That is mho.
This pattern was graciously gifted by a subscriber as it had been on my wishlist, which is probably why I am feeling more okay with it. But it is unfortunate that there are so many errors. She has been working with me on fixing them 🥰
@@akaNoraKnits It's not, I would say, a question of the money itself, but of principle. Designers shouldn't sell faulty patterns and should take responsibility for proofreading them. I think her approach is unprofessional and she is taking advantage of your cheerful kind nature especially if she doesn't acknowledge your efforts in any visible manner other than accommodating your corrections.
Nora, the zipper sweater looks so beautiful on you! I think you should keep it and make your dad another one!
Hahaha I won’t lie, I was kind of shocked by how much I liked it 😂 I think I need one of my own!!
I love seeing the Caron Blossom cakes knitted up! I appreciate you buying budget-friendly yarn and seeing it all worked up into beautiful garments ❤ I'm a tech editor and you'd be surprised how many minor and major errors get through to final copies of knitting patterns. It's can be hard to invest in a tech editor but is so worth it! (And testing after the edit)
Thank you!!! I love playing with yarns of allllll backgrounds! That is honestly such great insight! I’m sure it’s so easy for errors to slip through the cracks. Definitely worth the investment and especially to have testers!
I love that you share your challenges. It so encouraging to see the feeling of “I'm the only one who can't do this” is a lie.
Your dad’s sweater will be so perfect, as it’s already amazing. Take a nice deep breath and have tea or wine with you. Happy knitting 💚🧶💚
It makes me feel less alone and I just hope it’s helping someone else too!! Thank you and I like your style!! 🫖 🍷
Even if you don’t pick up all the right stitches in the lifeline, you’ll figure that out when you’ve ripped out and you get to knitting…you can perfect it as you go along. The lifeline will get you very close. Worst case you end up one row shorter. Not to fret, you’ve got this!!
Brava on the zipper and thanks for showing Staci’s method, she’s fantastic and was one of the very first online knitters! 🎉
That “mauve-ish” color is fantastic on you. 🎉. IMO it’s like your unique custom neutral color.
Thank you!!! It totallyyyyy is!
No joke!!! Literally had the exact same experience with my dad trying his on last month and it being too short my just ribbing. I had only done HALF. The Italian bind off. So after it being in the naughty pile for the last month, I picked it back up, cut the row of bind off with scissors and frogged back to the main body. Now I’m ready to knit two inches back and then do the ribbing and the Italian bind off once again.
hahaha! stitch marker link-a-monkies! I do that too! Totally going to use that verbage now! 😄
That pinky brown is such a wonderful color on you. I think if you got a tshirt in that color to wear under your grayish one, it would be the best of both worlds! You'd get the warmth to your skin the pink cardigan provides, but the superbly polished and beautiful craftsmanship of your gray one.
Thank you!!! I’ll have to see if I can find anything else in that color honestly! I love that idea!!
Your zipper sweater has the best zipper insertion of all the zipper sweaters I have seen. I want to make this sweater and I will use your method.
Thank you!!! It’s all Very Pink Knits!!!! Such a great method!
Love your dad’s sweater. As far as getting it back on the needles correctly I would rip out in the ribbing and get it back on the needles before the body. Then I would tink back to make sure you’re ok by the time you get to the ribbing. Does that make sense? Good luck. I’m confident you’ll figure it out.
Thank you!!
Yay. Love the zipper sweater.
Put some of those tiny light bulb stitch markers in all the purls (you can do it on the wrong side so it's easier). Then pick up the knits. If you pick up the purls too, great. If you don't, that's okay because they won't run because they have the stitch marker in them.
On your ribbed swatch pick up the knit stitches with a life line then flip it over to see where that life line is going thru the purls
Effort was definitely worth the reward! Great work.
Thank you!!!
Taylor swift sweater!! I’ve been waiting to see when that one was going to come around 🤩
The colour of your first Korshavn suits you so well!
Is your next cast on the folklore cardigan?
I have to lengthen my husbands zipper sweater as well. its perfect in the front but slightly too short in the back. I think I own a pattern with instructions to lengthen the back with short rows. going to do sweater surgery for the first time. Scary!
I know how nervous you can feel when knitting for a man. I’m just in the process of sewing up my husband a cardigan and it looks enormous but after him tying on with one sleeve and side sew up so so pleased 😅. Your dads looks great 👏👏👏👏
It’s me. I need to see the beginner doing sweater surgery. You have no idea how much you’re soothing my fears of garment knitting. I feel like I’m about ready to cast on my first cardigan after I finish my gift knits and commit to a sweater quantity of yarn.
I am happy to lead the way!!! That makes me so so so happy to hear 🥰 I hope you’ll keep us posted!
Great tip Nora thank you ❤
The sweater for your Dad looks great on you. I agree with the other comments about you keeping the sweater and knitting another one for your Dad. I tend to block super wash garments as I go so that I can see how much the yarn grows at different stages (e.g., after knitting the yoke, 3/4 of the body, 3/4 of the sleeves, etc.). Then I adjust how much longer I knit the garment based upon how much it grows.
OMB the graphics with the ten little stitch monkeys…cracked me up! Adorbs!!!!❤
😂😂😂 yayyy! It took forever but so worth it!!
Growth (or lack thereof...) of a garment post blocking stresses me out!!! That's why I now block it before doing the ribbing (and anytime I have a doubt... like before splitting for sleeves, at times). I know it slows down the process but I hate going back to add/reduce length.
Congratulations on all your work! Your dad sounds like a wonderful man.
That’s so so smart!! I would do that next time I’m unsure about something and when that length really does matter. Thank you so much! He’s the best 🥰
The sweater turned out beautiful! I love that you are so good at trying new things, that's what I am trying to do as well, and having been knitting for two years the end of Feb, it's all new to me! I too will be doing sweater surgery, on a top I made for my granddaughter, first time, and have been putting off adding a zipper to a sweater I made, after seeing yours, I thing I'm ready, so thank you for the encouragement!
Thank you so much!!! I am so happy you are feeling empowered!!! Anything is possible with good lighting! 😉
Hi Nora, I'm watching this as I'm in the second week re-knitting part my son's sweater that I made too short! It is a all over pattern bottom up sweater and I had to undo all of the seeming of all the top parts down to the armholes and add a couple of inches to the length from there. It's a bit of a nightmare but like you said , it's a learning curve and worth the end result! Your knits all look very beautiful! 🤩
Oh. My. Goodness. I Am so sorry y that you had to endure the sweater surgery but in glad you’ve made it work!! Thank you!!
I can only say WOW! You've only been knitting for one year and already accomplished so much. I have been knitting for so long - 15 years about and will NEVER attempt to do what you are doing in terms of adding a zipper, adjusting the length, modifying a pattern ( your dad's collar) etc. I'm wondering if you have a person you go to for help, or is it trial and error and some TH-cam? I just found your channel and love your enthusiasm and content.
Thank you so so much!!! I am just a generally determined and curious person! I have learned everything knitting related through trial and error and TH-cam ☺️ as a bridal hairstylist, I have a philosophy that it’s just Bobby pins and hairspray, we can always take it out and start over if we aren’t happy with something! I think I’ve transferred that belief into my knitting…it’s yarn and time and we can always start over (or learn a WHOLE lot trying to fix things!) 💛
Wow! Your dad's sweater is absolutely amazing. I know you're a bit disappointed, but I just know you'll be able to make it even more perfect once you add the length. I also love your cardigans and I can't believe you've only been knitting for a short while. I'm going to take a lesson and try some Brioche which scares the crap out of me! I always look forward to your podcasts -you always make me happy and I just can't be in a bad mood when I see you - your spirit is always so bright!! Hugs from Texas!!
Thank you!!! It’s always such a let down when things don’t work out quite right, but at least it’s just yarn!! You can do it! I’ve never tried brioche, but I’m sure you can figure it out!! Thank you so so much 🥰
If you just pick up either of the pearl legs when you go to knit the pattern you can flip it the way you need it before you knit or pearl the stitch into place. It looks fantastic the way it was on you!
Brilliant! Thank you!!
Omg I so feel the frustration, I purchased the pattern Willamette by Amy Christopher, thinko g it would be a fairly easy knit but there are quite a few errors in it, and others have noted them but still it has not been updated. It's in a time out until I feel like figuring it out again.
I had a feeling it might be too short. I used super wash and it doesn’t grow as much as people say. Its a wonderful sweater though! Don’t you just love trial and error that leads to success.
Definitely go for the sweater surgery and try something new! I just tried my very first sweater surgery on an all over cabled sweater, and I really think the texture helped to disguise any tension issues that would be more obvious in stockinette. There are so many tutorials out there on grafting ribbing, and if you reknit the first row or 2 of the bottom hem before grafting, youll have a continuous stitch pattern to work with. I believe in you and wish you the best of luck in whatever method you choose to add that needed length!
Also, I've noticed I get less growth with Cascade 220 superwash yarn than I typically do with other, often slicker, superwash yarns. I think the fact that it's Peruvian wool rather than merino contributes to the lack of excess growth, but that's totally a guess
i bought some sort of fabric tag that you can print on for garment tags! i was googling for something like this and found a recommendation from someone’s blog somewhere and it’s worked great so far!!
Oooh sooo cool!!! I’ll look into it-thank you!
Nora, Most people don’t explain and show the details like you showed with the zipper. It’s very helpful. I will keep it. I do happen or hope out in searches for people needing the help with that tutorial that it will come up. Its great and the fact that you tell other about Very Pink Knits or you say Stacie Perry who always has good tutorials. Good job love your attitude of “I will persevere” and your patience.
I’m so glad you’ve found it helpful!! I’m not great at remembering to bust out the camera for the action shots, but I’ll try to be better in the future!! Thanks so much 🥰
Love your videos Nora! Maybe check out Knitty Natty podcast episode 157. She does a tutorial where she picked up stitches within the stockinette right before the ribbing of the sweater, cut the ribbing off, added length in stockinette and then graphed the ribbing back to the sweater. Sounds scary but she made it look easy. Could be another option for fixing your dad's sweater. Good luck!
When I watched your video today I had quite the flashback. I also had an issue with the length of my sweater…it was way too long about 4”😮. It grew after blocking. I didn’t know what to do but found many videos on sweater surgery. It was very stressful just thinking about cutting my sweater. In the end it wasn’t that bad. When I cut the yarn between the lifelines all the stitches were clear and easily picked up. My sweater looks really good. I think it was a good learning experience 😆. Your question regarding your next knit is it a shacket?
To ease the zipper process with the latch hook, you can actually use a small steel crochet hook instead. They are pretty sharp and can get through the zipper tape and there is less worry of the latch catching.
Boy do I wish I knew about that before hahaha 😅
Seeing the two sweaters side by side was interesting. I love the double knit button band in the second version, it looks so much more polished and professional. I need to try this. Sudden urge to cast on a cardigan.
I totally agree!! I feel like those little details can make alllll the difference!
Me too! I love the modifications that Nora made to the original pattern.
You are absolutely amazing!!! You inspire me to be as fearless as you! What’s the worst that can happen! I just need to try it again
That zipper install is perfect! Great job. I haven’t tried a zipper yet myself. I am currently procrastinating doing some sweater surgery of my own by knitting a quick hat lol
Thank you!!! It was a great technique! I feel you on that 😅
I'm going to say the Folklore cardigan.
I appreciate that you discuss the roadblocks. Sometimes, I look at patterns and stitches, and I'm like.....is it me??? Is it the pattern??? Both??? Perhaps the project and I need a time out?
Hmmm...Think Think Think like Winnie the Pooh.
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Hahaha I feel the same!!!! Like I can’t be the only person who winds up having these issues!! Oh bother 🥰
Nora! I feel your pain. I recently started and ripped out the Shift Cowl by Andrea Mowry SIX TIMES before I finally settled into the pattern and got it right. It can be so frustrating, but as you so wisely shared, this craft is all about learning. Thank you for sharing your challenging week. We are here for you!
Oh noo!!! Some things just take time and practice. One of the reasons I enjoy knitting so much is that it is such a forgiving craft-just definitely frustrating at the same time 😅 thank you 🥰
This happened to me too with The Shift cowl, and not just at the beginning. Every time I put it down for longer than a day I ended up tinking back everything I did when I picked it back up. In the end I still found a couple of places in the "dots" where I knit on the wrong side instead of slipping, so they were the wrong color on the right side. I ended up duplicate stitching over them. I really think knitters are some of the most determined people out there!
@juliao9146 Yes! I went through this too. I finally came up with written notes that helped me keep track, but it took awhile. We knitters are nothing if we're not tenacious!
Thank you so much for sharing the fails!! I have been watching your dad’s sweater progress and it looks amazing!!! I really want to make that for my sons because it’s gorgeous. Your honesty through the whole process makes me feel brave enough to try it! 😬
Absolutely beautiful job with the zipper!!
Oh, I feel your pain. I had one of those days today. I had left the stitches live at the bottom of my Aura Vest in case I wanted to add length after blocking. (My sweaters so far have all been too short and I wasn’t having that this time!) As it happened it was fine, so I just needed to do an Italian bind off. I hadn’t left enough of a tail, so I did a spit splice and thought I would knit another row so that my splice would not show in the bind off. As I got to the end of the row, I realised I had joined the wrong piece of yarn and it was still going to be too short to do the italian bind off. Sigh. I tinked back, noticing as I did that the spit splice was ugly, so I decided to do a russian join instead and just bind off without knitting the extra row. I started sewing the bind off with the russian joined yarn but it kept catching as it pulled through the stitches and it was just too thick. The bind off was looking ugly. So I undid the bind off and tinked back about a third of the row before that. I did as neat a spit splice as I could and thought, I’ll knit three rows to bury that spit splice. I knit the rows and breathed a sigh of relief, thinking, now I can bind off. Wrong. It was half twisted rib and I forgot that when knitting this flat, you ktbl on the right side but *purl* through the back loop on the wrong side. It looked cobb.
So … I threaded a smaller needle with my longest cable through the right leg of all the knit stitches a row below my first incorrect row, and then flipped the work and ran the needle back across the work, picking up the right leg of all the knit stitches on this alternate side. I then took my needles out and ripped back to that point. So, I now had alternate stitches on either side of a u shaped cable. I transferred these back alternately to the correct needle. I was now back where I started.
I spit spliced neatly again, cropping out the noodly yarn, and then I knit two rows of half twisted rib *correctly* and sewed my italian bind off. Wow.
However, it looks beautiful. It was worth it. I’m happy. And at the end of two hours and this long, long tale, I have learnt the importance of a long tail.
Oh my goodness!!! What a triumph!!! I love that you got there in the end, but I’m sure it was just the end of the world while you were going through it. I’m so happy it turned out!!
Have you thought to do the elongating in the row above the ribbing. So pick up in stockinette a few rows above the ribbing. Then graft the ribbing back on afterward. There would be no offset stitch as you are still working in the same direction.
Unfortunately, the whole sweater is knit in 6x1 rib. So I've been a little hesitant since it isn't just stockinette
Wow! Nora, bravo on the zipper install! Thank you for the explanation on the technique. I feel like you've done the "footwork" for many of us who were not familiar with the process.
Gorgeous sweaters . . . thank you for sharing your craft with the world of knitters out here. 😍
Thank you!!!! I wanted to shed a little light on the process so I’m glad you got it!!
Thank you so so much 🥰
The sweaters are beautiful and your dad’s came out so well. The zipper install is so professional. I love the mauve|brown sweater on you. Keep the long videos coming. ❤😊
Fixing the zipper the night before gifting it, could be me, I also always get things done last-minute, even when I start in time. Don`t feel bad that it is a tad short - the surprise was great, your dad likes it and you can fix it, that does not sound like a fail to me.
Lol I had the thing done so early, but everything gets wrapped up last minute with me 😅 you are so right! It’s the perfectionist in me 🥰
I love the colour of the first cardigan a lot more, but the modifications you made in the second one make it look so much more polished and pretty!! Great job! You should be proud of the progress you’ve made in the past year
I love having them both as they are sooo different!! Thank you!!
The "rainbow" is the top of the stitch, the "smile" is the connection between 2 stitches. Even if you don't get the lifeline perfect, it will be fine.
Honestly, I would rip back. Sweater surgery is way too invasive for such a minor issue and will just cause more frustration and stress than you need.
I love your stitch marker/decrease hack, i used it on my most recent sweater! I'm very inspired by your approach to knitting and your attitude, thanks for all the great knitting/styling content!
Thank you so much 🥰 it really means a lot!!
Thank you so much for sharing all about your dad’s sweater! And for responding to my messages on instagram…I am now ready to move forward and keep going with your added tips. So here’s a big ‘ol THANK YOU!!! I’m a knitter who has only been knitting for couple years…with no one to really ask the questions you can’t really google to answer. Your the bees-knees!!! Cannot wait to share my progress with you in the upcoming weeks!
💛💛💛I’m so happy to help!! I can’t wait to see!!
Thank you for sharing ….. dad sweater came out awesome👏👏👏👏
Thank you!!!
I would knit a swatch in ribbing and practise putting in a life life so you'll know whether it's the smiles or rainbows you need to pick up before tackling the sweater...love the content!
Great tip!! Thank you!!!
Wow those pre- and post-blocking shots do show 2-3” of growth in the length. That matches my experience with super-wash. I’ll never again use it for a hat or fitted garment on its own.
The pre and post shots surprise me every time!!
❤ the zipper! Well done. My advice re the length is *under no circumstances* do sweater surgery on a black sweater unless it was knit bottom up and there’s no other choice. I had to do it on a dark green sweater i made for my son. I practiced on some boot cuffs and all went well and i really had no choice so i gave it a try. The end result is ok and my son loves his sweater. But placing the lifeline took me 4 hours. 4. Then picking up and getting all the stitches going in the right direction took another 2 hours. Then I got to do 3 inches of 2x2 rib. Just rip this one back and knit the three inches and the rib again. There will be other opportunities to do surgery.
There are pics of my son’s debacle of a sweater on my ravelry klgoldstein1. It’s the Eagles Beagle project.
Oh boy!!! What an ordeal! I so appreciate the insight! Thank you!
Another great podcast Nora. I’m sorry you had a bad week but this one will be better. You do beautiful work. Great job on dad’s sweater. All your work is great. You are teaching me things. I’m new to garment knitting. Keep up the good work. Hi to Osi. Can’t wait for next Saturday podcast.
Thank you so much! You win some you lose some!! I really appreciate that, thank you!! 🥰
It's so fun to watch your vlogs.😂 appreciate your insight and tips, too.
My guess... you will be knitting the TS Cardigan for your cousin.🤔
Have a good week, Nora.
Thank you so much! 🥰 👀
Your dad’s sweater looks so cute on you! I’m sorry that you have to do surgery, but I am so impressed with your zipper install. I’ll definitely be watching that Very Pink Knits tutorial because I’m now inspired to knit myself a quarter zip pullover.
Thank you!!! I think I need one hahah. Yes-I highly recommend! Fascinating stuff!!
Love using stitch markers this way. I do this making socks as well. Also when pattern says repeat last (3, 4, etc) rows × number of times, I put the × number of markers linked together and move them down with the repeats.
That’s exactly what I do!! Such savvy knitters we are!
So I have made zipper pouches, you can get crochet hooks that have a ... Cutting thing (I call it my spear hook) the hook is so tiny but if you pull it through right it isn't to bad
You are doing great…. And learning so much…. I have been knitting and crocheting for years and still learn with each project…. Thanks so much for all you share ❤
Thank you! I’m happy to learn along the way 🥰
Fab job on the zipper! Regarding the adjustment, I have done both methods as a new knitter who didn't swatch or try on..... I only recommend the cut and graft for bottom-up where removing the ribbing and bind off is not an option. I think cutting off the bind off in your case is much less frustrating and especially on the dark color and complex stitch will give a better, seamless looking result. I have done grafting several times and getting a smooth join is harder than I expected on plain colors, although I did it in color work (yikes) which was actually less visible once complete. The main lesson I learned is that stitches don't run as quickly as I feared, but super wash is a little slipperyer(?) than regular wool yarn.
So so fascinating!! I didn’t even really think about the join since I’ve been so hyper focused on the cutting itself 😅
Great tip for the zipper and the monkeys stitch markers !!! ❤❤❤
Glad it’s helpful!! 🐵
Love this about you. About to pick out my Italian bind off on my split hem to lengthen my last sweater. Happy to have “company!”
Yayy thanks for hanging out!!
Thanks so much for sharing your two cardigan versions- you’ve convinced me to try it myself so the pattern is purchased and now I’ll choose yarn and work up my bravery to do so many “firsts”, especially the charts, yikes! 😂
Oooh yayyy!!! It’s such a lovely pattern-don’t hesitate to reach out if you hit any roadblocks!!
I love the mauve Korshavn! And I'm also here for the sweater surgery, as I'm just about to do it on an all over cabled sweater that needs just a feeeew more rounds, and I've already bound it off, lol.
Oh my goodness!!! Well thank you! And definitely stay tuned 👀
🌴☀️I have no idea where my first comment disappeared😡…and I was first today ugh 🙄
Love dad’s pullover Nora it’s amazing & thanks for sharing the zipper video. I’ve never made a zippered knit, gotta try that this year ☀️🌴
👑 TH-cam is a mess 😂 thank you so so much! It’s definitely a fun thing to try!’
Good Morning! I was going to search that very same tutorial by Very Pink Knits and link it. 😁
And your “rainbow/smile” for the purl bumps had me giggling. 😂
Good morning!!! That’s the one everyone said!! What would we do without Very Pink Knits??
🌈 😀 my beginner is showing 😂😅
The Taylor Swift cardi and if so I may be knitting one for my niece too!
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I love the mods you made to that basket weave sweater. It make the cardigan more posh than the original pattern. Side note, I noticed that YT unsubscribed me from your channel and didn’t alert me. I thought it was odd and that I should mention it to you. Great content, you’re doing an amazing job!😊😊😊
Thank you!!!! I WAS THINKING THE SAME THING!!! Color can make SUCH a huge difference!!! Thank you so much! YT keeps doing that to me and the channels I am subscribed to 🤔 thank you for letting me know!
@@akaNoraKnits can’t wait for your next video. 😊
I just finished knitting the zipper sweater in the same yarn as you did. I knitted close to is true size because yours d'identifier grew a lot. I think it was a mistake ahaha. Oh noooo
Oh no!!! So weird how everyone gets such different results--I hope it works out in the end!
i’m working on my second ciderhouse sock, which is my first cabled project! but i’m totally going to steal your tip for the markers on sleeves. I have each of my cable rows marked with a lightbulb stitch marker on my first sock, so I’ll just steal them for my second sock to make sure they match!
There you go!!! Sounds like a fun project!
If it helps I've been knitting for less than a year and did the whole surgery thingy on the body and sleeves of my Ranunculus. I got a great result although I must have switched rows while picking up the right-hand side of the stitches, which meant I had to rip back another row. It was a great learning experience and I'm so happy I did. 😊
We love an adventurous beginner!!!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 that’s so great to know! Thank you!
I just started watching and i have to say, you are positively glowing in this color Nora! ❤
Thank you so much!!! I need to wear this sweater more this Spring!!
Team undue bind off Because although you will likely pick up the correct stitches for sweater surgery the Kitchener will be tough since it is ribbing. If you want to be bold. Make 2 swatches of ribbing and Kitchener them together to make sure you like the look. Honestly undueing the bind off is probably less time than picking up and Kitchenering ribbing. Just saying 🧚♀️
Didn’t even consider the part of having to put them back together 😅 thank you so much!
What a frustrating week. So understandable though. I’ve made similar errors with my needles. You’re doing such good work!! You’re offering your Dad boutique knitting services by customizing it to him exactly. 🎉😂 He’ gonna wear this sweater everywhere I bet! ❤
Really like the Cyclamen sweater. It’s totally growing on me. I’m probably gonna get the pattern myself. I’ve become TOTALLY obsessed with a strong pink color. This is so NOT like me. I’ve never been a pink girl. But I’m going to go for it and lean into my deep pink obsession. Do you have any recommendations for an inexpensive soft feeling yarn I can get to knit my deep pink sweater? I’m afraid to knit it with pricey yarn because this is such an unusual thing for me. Who knows why? But I’m leaning into it. 😂😂
Thank you! 🥰 I know he will love it, so it is worth the effort!! It’s such a great basic with those perfect little details! I am in an all-pink everything mood myself!!! I just saw that Michaels is carrying a new merino wool yarn!! It’s part of their loops and threads collection! With a coupon 😍 I’ve been on the hunt for just the right pink myself and cannot seem to find it-I’ll keep ya posted!
I know it’s a dark yarn but can you not just follow the path of the yarn? or give the leg of the knit stitch a little tug to see which purl stitch it’s connected to? I do lifelines a lot for afterthought heels and thumbs so following the path of the yarn is something I am quite familiar with.
I don’t know what it is about the 6x1 ribbing that just totally terrifies me. It makes me feel like I’m not staying on one row and that is I grab the wrong part of the purl, everything will fall apart 😅
Girl, after the zipper, adding a few inches will be a piece of cake!
Here’s hoping 😅
Oh you live in CT too! Hooray!! ❤
Do a little swatch of the rib and practice putting in a life line. It's a little work but it may give you peace of mind.
Lol, I thought about making my own tags... Etsy is my friend I ordered idk 150 for like 10 bucks? They came in a tiny little mesh bag and when I put them in I put a B on the underside of the tag so that's my signage... And no one has to see it 🤣
Hahaha I need to get some!!! I’ve always loved the idea but I’m too hung up on what I’d actually want them to say!!
Is the next cast on going to be the folklore cardi gift knit?
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Your graphics are great! Linking monkeys Hello!
Hello Nora, curious as to what kind of farm you are on?
I'm just wandering if you really have to do the sweater surgery or maybe just let the superwash do its thing and let it grow while drying... Chances are your dad (or anyone who isn't a knitter) might wash it and dry it less carefuly than you did 😊
I thought that might be the case, but I think it just needs too much length. Plus, I'd be afraid that he would wash and dry it in such a way that it just snaps back 😅
My experience with super wash is that every brand acts differently. I really really dislike super wash for that very reason. Additionally, some super wash feels like rubber in my hands.
the taylor swift cardigan next?
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Hi Nora!! I'm an Eng-Spanish translator so if you need help with working with the Spanish pattern, let me know and I'd be glad to help you!
Great to know!! Thank you!!
Why wouldn’t you put in a lifeline and cut above the ribbing, add some length and re-attach?
The sweater is made up of 6x1 ribbing all over--so trying to figure that out!
If you can - take measurements of someone’s body prior to knitting their sweater.
Your dad's sweater is beautiful! Why don't you just re-block it and stretch it?
Thank you! I don’t think that would be a permanent solution considering just how short it is on him. I’m also really happy with the fabric I’ve gotten and I would nervous that it would be too gappy between the stitches if I stretched it out any further. Not a huge deal to just add the length!
The designer should at least give you your money back as long as you are testknitting the sweater for her. And acknowledge you somehow, put a thank you in the pattern or something. That is mho.
This pattern was graciously gifted by a subscriber as it had been on my wishlist, which is probably why I am feeling more okay with it. But it is unfortunate that there are so many errors. She has been working with me on fixing them 🥰
@@akaNoraKnits It's not, I would say, a question of the money itself, but of principle. Designers shouldn't sell faulty patterns and should take responsibility for proofreading them. I think her approach is unprofessional and she is taking advantage of your cheerful kind nature especially if she doesn't acknowledge your efforts in any visible manner other than accommodating your corrections.