I knit a lot of stranded colorwork over my 40+ years of knitting and have done quite a bit of research in the area of color dominance- which can generate quite a robust discussion. I have to say that - and this is only my opinion- there is truth to the tension being off- if every stitch were the identical tension, there would likely not be an issue as both colors would have equal yarn and be equal size. However, I am not sure that most knitters (me included) have achieved that perfection so I believe color dominance is an actual “thing” for most knitters. I knit 2 handed for colorwork- I hold the pattern color in my left hand so that the strand is running under the strand of background color in my right hand. That allows a little more yarn to go into the pattern stitch making it just a tad bit bigger and therefore appearing more prominent in the design. This works well for me. As far as your projects go- your Halibut sweater looks perfectly balanced to me. I see the white as popping beautifully in the blue background. I would be interested to know where your floats ran in that one. In the Maja cardigan- I see patterns that might have looked more prominent had you actively managed the color dominance. All that said- you have beautiful knitting and if you love your creations, that is all that matters. They are both lovely sweaters.
Your explanations are so good! And another thing: I want to appreciate Ned, that he's supporting this and you in even making this video. It think this is lovely and shows something about you two together. Lovely to see online 💖
I comment on that sweater every time I see it! It is stunning not only the pattern but your choice of colors really set the pattern off perfectly ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Not a knitting question, but I’d like to know about your wedding ring. Jewelry is another passion of mine and I love to see what other people like and wear.
Guesstimate yardage by weighing a sweater you already have in a similar weight of yarn and correlating weight to yardage using the label on the skein. You can guess yardage in other weights by looking at ratio of weight vs yardage in that weight to get a rough idea. I normally buy 10% over what the pattern requires when I have a pattern in hand and 25% over when I don’t. These numbers assume no “yarn eaters” like cables for instance.
Thanks for your comments re:pilling. Yarn pills. That’s the way it is and that’s why we have gleaners. After I shave my pillier sweaters, they always look brand new. Joy!
Check out some of Roxanne Richardson's videos in her Color Work playlist. I think between several episodes she covers yarn dominance with samples comparing the results. There's one way of managing the floats that actually results in even prominence between the colours! Maybe that's what you do naturally.
Hi Mark! I am a continental knitter, so many knitting channels are not working out for me. Needless to say I was very excited to find your channel. I know it sounds crazy but my knitting dream is to be able to knit a scarf with flames. I found the pattern on Ravelry. Would you consider making a tutorial ? It doesn’t have to be the same exact pattern but your own interpretation. Thank you!
Well done for 'employing' Ned - yay! And why isn't he a knitter?! 🤷♀️ Would be so much fun to see him learning beside you! Seriously I get that it's not for everyone 😅 but still....would be a great future strand.. 🤔😃
I noticed your beautiful ring in one of your videos. It’s so pretty, I’d love to know more about it. Is an antique? Is it your wedding ring? Is it a family piece?
Thanks for addressing my question. I’ve been happy enough with my color-work too, so I’ll see if I can see a difference too. I usually keep my main color in my right hand (continental knitter here), and the other in my left. Then when the next section changes, I once again choose the color that I’ll be using the most for my right hand. I have to tell you it was quite a surprise when I heard my name, and I felt like you were talking right to me 🤭 thanks for all you do!
One good tip to freshen up your knitwear is to air it. You do need to do it on a hanger but when the garment is dry and you only hang it to air for a while (I usually air my knitwear for a couple of hours at a time when needed) and then fold it back to where you store it, the hanging won't damage the structure of the garment.
How did you learn to knit so fast……I have been trying every little trick I read about, but my knitting speed has not increased as much as I would like….. I did switch to continental a few years ago and that did help, but watching you I am amazed…..are there any secrets you could share…..really enjoy your videos……
So enjoyed your video! I'm so glad you answered the question about a sweater quantity. Turns out I had the same question (I'm a newer knitter) but didn't realize it until now. Thanks to Ned for his participation!
I always heard that natural fibers do well in the fridge, I think it's about the nasties that would eat it, cold would kill larvae. Could be a good add to your care routine
5:16 gawd. I did that reverse stitch thing about 5 times on a bottom up 1:1 rib. Finally worked out that stitch markers are important to mark the front. 😅
Hi Mark - I'd love to know what chorus/orchestra you sing with in Tucson (I live there), and I'd enjoy coming to one of your performances! I know you can't reply to all the comments, so I'll keep my eyes open for any local announcements. Thanks for your great videos!
Hey Paula! I sing with True Concord Voices and Orchestra! I'll be there next season for all or almost all of their concerts 😁 please let me know if you plan to come to one of the performances!
I love the piece you're wearing, it looks both subtle and bold if they makes any sense. I really like the texture, it looks almost random like a field of wild wheat. And the colours aren't ones I would usually pick but it really looks awesome. ... Where can I find the pattern please ? 😁💙
A UK yarn company was telling us that unless you the yarn has a centre pull tab / is known to be a centre pull you shouldn’t centre pull as you go against the twist. Obvs that’s Just balls etc not hanks 😊
@carolynmcmillan7083 I found that out the hard way!!!!! I have several yards of 'yarn barf' from a few balls on my guest room bed! I will not be doing that again unless there is a center pull tab! 😆
Hi Mark, you have used a tweed yarn before I have tried a Donegal tweed but it kept breaking about every 20 sts or so. Have you got any advice on how to use a proper tweed yarn cause at the moment I am using a tweed wool mix to do my project? I have really enjoyed your Q &A video 😊
I would like to know which moth deterrent spray/discs you use. I live out in the country and I am always working to keep my yarns and finished projects pest free.
I like to use cloves as a deterrent. I have small drawstring bags and jars/saucers with whole cloves placed in my stash. So far I have not had pests, and I love the scent
I knit a lot of stranded colorwork over my 40+ years of knitting and have done quite a bit of research in the area of color dominance- which can generate quite a robust discussion. I have to say that - and this is only my opinion- there is truth to the tension being off- if every stitch were the identical tension, there would likely not be an issue as both colors would have equal yarn and be equal size. However, I am not sure that most knitters (me included) have achieved that perfection so I believe color dominance is an actual “thing” for most knitters. I knit 2 handed for colorwork- I hold the pattern color in my left hand so that the strand is running under the strand of background color in my right hand. That allows a little more yarn to go into the pattern stitch making it just a tad bit bigger and therefore appearing more prominent in the design. This works well for me. As far as your projects go- your Halibut sweater looks perfectly balanced to me. I see the white as popping beautifully in the blue background. I would be interested to know where your floats ran in that one. In the Maja cardigan- I see patterns that might have looked more prominent had you actively managed the color dominance. All that said- you have beautiful knitting and if you love your creations, that is all that matters. They are both lovely sweaters.
Your explanations are so good!
And another thing: I want to appreciate Ned, that he's supporting this and you in even making this video. It think this is lovely and shows something about you two together. Lovely to see online 💖
I comment on that sweater every time I see it! It is stunning not only the pattern but your choice of colors really set the pattern off perfectly ❤️❤️❤️❤️
I think the fact that you are a singer helps with the pleasantness of your speaking voice as well.
Not a knitting question, but I’d like to know about your wedding ring. Jewelry is another passion of mine and I love to see what other people like and wear.
Guesstimate yardage by weighing a sweater you already have in a similar weight of yarn and correlating weight to yardage using the label on the skein. You can guess yardage in other weights by looking at ratio of weight vs yardage in that weight to get a rough idea. I normally buy 10% over what the pattern requires when I have a pattern in hand and 25% over when I don’t. These numbers assume no “yarn eaters” like cables for instance.
Thanks for your comments re:pilling. Yarn pills. That’s the way it is and that’s why we have gleaners. After I shave my pillier sweaters, they always look brand new. Joy!
Such a professionally made video. Thanks. Looking forward to the next one
G’day Mark, another really interesting episode and good to hear Ned in background too 👍🏻🇦🇺🍀
Check out some of Roxanne Richardson's videos in her Color Work playlist. I think between several episodes she covers yarn dominance with samples comparing the results. There's one way of managing the floats that actually results in even prominence between the colours! Maybe that's what you do naturally.
Hi Mark! I am a continental knitter, so many knitting channels are not working out for me. Needless to say I was very excited to find your channel. I know it sounds crazy but my knitting dream is to be able to knit a scarf with flames. I found the pattern on Ravelry. Would you consider making a tutorial ? It doesn’t have to be the same exact pattern but your own interpretation. Thank you!
Well done for 'employing' Ned - yay! And why isn't he a knitter?! 🤷♀️ Would be so much fun to see him learning beside you! Seriously I get that it's not for everyone 😅 but still....would be a great future strand.. 🤔😃
This was super fun, thank you! Just want to let you know that I've been enjoying your videos.
I noticed your beautiful ring in one of your videos. It’s so pretty, I’d love to know more about it. Is an antique? Is it your wedding ring? Is it a family piece?
You're awesome Mark! We love you. ❤ Hi Ned! 😊
Thanks for the friendly, informative video. Good to hear from Ned!
Thank you!.😊
I love your plants in the background and that dark teal yarn is beautiful ❤
Thank you both for this Q&A. ❤❤
Thanks for addressing my question. I’ve been happy enough with my color-work too, so I’ll see if I can see a difference too. I usually keep my main color in my right hand (continental knitter here), and the other in my left. Then when the next section changes, I once again choose the color that I’ll be using the most for my right hand. I have to tell you it was quite a surprise when I heard my name, and I felt like you were talking right to me 🤭 thanks for all you do!
Love those pictures that you shared, they were beautiful! Can I get a better look at your wedding ring? I looks like it's really cool!
Would you tell us about the Hot Jazz in your intro and exit?
Thank you so much for sharing.
I love this sweater you are wearing. 🤗
One good tip to freshen up your knitwear is to air it. You do need to do it on a hanger but when the garment is dry and you only hang it to air for a while (I usually air my knitwear for a couple of hours at a time when needed) and then fold it back to where you store it, the hanging won't damage the structure of the garment.
Great video!
That was fun🎉
How did you learn to knit so fast……I have been trying every little trick I read about, but my knitting speed has not increased as much as I would like….. I did switch to continental a few years ago and that did help, but watching you I am amazed…..are there any secrets you could share…..really enjoy your videos……
Thanks for the answer. I'm going to have to check out Kelbourne Woolens now. I love alpaca blends. And that blue is divine.
So enjoyed your video! I'm so glad you answered the question about a sweater quantity. Turns out I had the same question (I'm a newer knitter) but didn't realize it until now. Thanks to Ned for his participation!
I always heard that natural fibers do well in the fridge, I think it's about the nasties that would eat it, cold would kill larvae. Could be a good add to your care routine
Great video, really enjoyed it. A question. Did you learn to knit when in England? I am intrigued as you don't knit English style.
Thanks! Love a Q & A!
Love this❤
So fun & interesting! More Q&A in the future, please. 🙂
5:16 gawd. I did that reverse stitch thing about 5 times on a bottom up 1:1 rib. Finally worked out that stitch markers are important to mark the front. 😅
Hi Mark - I'd love to know what chorus/orchestra you sing with in Tucson (I live there), and I'd enjoy coming to one of your performances! I know you can't reply to all the comments, so I'll keep my eyes open for any local announcements. Thanks for your great videos!
Hey Paula! I sing with True Concord Voices and Orchestra! I'll be there next season for all or almost all of their concerts 😁 please let me know if you plan to come to one of the performances!
@@MakerMarkKnits I'm delighted! I most certainly will. I found the website and signed up for their emails. Looking forward to next season! Cheers
I love the piece you're wearing, it looks both subtle and bold if they makes any sense. I really like the texture, it looks almost random like a field of wild wheat. And the colours aren't ones I would usually pick but it really looks awesome.
... Where can I find the pattern please ? 😁💙
It's the Field Sweater, it's on Ravelry 😊
@@DarylBatCarer-ms7od many thanks !
Very fun Mark.
This was fun - thank you.
This was great! Thank you
Here might be a sweater you or hubbies will look very handsome in. Krakauer by Ruth Sorensen
A UK yarn company was telling us that unless you the yarn has a centre pull tab / is known to be a centre pull you shouldn’t centre pull as you go against the twist. Obvs that’s Just balls etc not hanks 😊
@carolynmcmillan7083
I found that out the hard way!!!!! I have several yards of 'yarn barf' from a few balls on my guest room bed! I will not be doing that again unless there is a center pull tab! 😆
Hi Mark, you have used a tweed yarn before I have tried a Donegal tweed but it kept breaking about every 20 sts or so. Have you got any advice on how to use a proper tweed yarn cause at the moment I am using a tweed wool mix to do my project? I have really enjoyed your Q &A video 😊
I would like to know which moth deterrent spray/discs you use. I live out in the country and I am always working to keep my yarns and finished projects pest free.
I like to use cloves as a deterrent. I have small drawstring bags and jars/saucers with whole cloves placed in my stash. So far I have not had pests, and I love the scent
@@djelzinga2634 Good to know. I have mesh bags of whole cloves in with all my wool and cotton yarns.
I like the scent too!
Lavender is a natural moth deterrent. As well as mint.
@@KimClinger allergic to lavender 😕