Oh my gosh. I thought I was hearing you call this the “MILF” shawl! It was only just now, when I read your newsletter, that I realized it is the “Melt” shawl. Either one works, TBH. 😂😂😂😂
I really encourage anyone who's going to order fabric online and is still learning about fabric to email or message the shop you want to buy from, they usually are so great and helpful. I started sewing and bought from Stonemountain and Daughters and I emailed them the patterns I wanted to make and also the type of fabric I wanted (drapey or more structured, etc) and they emailed me several different choices and price points as well to help me get started. It helped SO MUCH. The more you sew the more you'll learn how to read the descriptions, but just as I had to get to know yarn, it's been the same for fabric and a lot of the online shops are super helpful.
So glad to see you using a yarn from NOT Spincycle. Also for the first time knitter, if I had started with socks I would have quit lol. I did a straight chunky scarf, knit stitch only. I was a slow leaner. I have a friend who knit a colorwork sweater as her first project. So just know everyone is different and if you start something and it seems too hard it's OK to stop and try something else!
Got myself to my LYS and took a brioche class, now I am kinda addicted I have to admit. Right now it is only headbands and cowls because we didn’t learn the decrease or increase! That will be one of your tutorials.
Actually, since you are just in Portland, if/when you get down to NH, Pintuck & Purl in North Hampton, NH is a super cute yarn and fabric store that has garment fabric as well as quilting cotton. It’s a very fun and inspiring store, similar to Fancy Tiger Crafts in Denver or Gather Here in Cambridge, MA.
*Literally* cutting out some pieces for my Chanterelle pants as I'm watching this! There IS something about spring and sunshine that makes me want to make!
I was a long time crocheter and I wanted to get knit socks. I learned how to knit in 2023 via a bunch of TH-cam tutorials. I practiced basic knitting and purling stitches until I felt confident, I found continental style easier than English since I held the yarn in my left hand for crocheting. My first knit pattern was the Everyday Socks. I found it to be challenging but not hard. I still have them and they are the wonkiest socks ever, but I learned so much while knitting them. I say go for it if you want to knit socks.
Good morning Andrea. I do so enjoy your podcasts. I live in Charlottesville and just finished making a dress from the hemp fabric. I loved sewing with the fabric and loved the way the dress turned out! I hope you will too! Thanks so much for sharing your talent and knowledge!🧶🤗
Organic fabric plus. You can order swatches. And mood fabric. You can also order swatches. This was an enjoyable episode to watch ❤ I love the new shawl!
I love brioche and am presently knitting a cardigan for my teenage daughter where I have done brioche instead of half fisherman rib which I didn't enjoy. I think the first time I did brioche I didn't realise it was meant to be scarey or even different and loved the effect.
Core Fabrics is also great! They are a sister company to Closet Core Patterns, so they've got some great kits and fabrics that tie into their patterns. Great customer service and great quality!
Andrea, you mentioned the fabric store "Sister Mountain". I think you must have meant "Stone Mountain and Daughter", a brick and mortar in Berkeley, CA. They do have an online store and are a great fabric store!
I have ordered fabric from Mood Fabric (speciality fabric including swimsuit and lace) and from The Fabric Store (mainly linen but they have added some cottons). Both have great quality fabricand it arrives quickly. Quilting fabric also works for dresses and tops.
Great episode as always! I’m making the DRK everyday sweater for the March to May, I’d definitely recommend it for a camping trip as well. The sport weight is perfect, and I can’t wait to finish! Happy knitting ❤
Andrea, I love your new shawl design. I've never done any brioche, so if I purchase your pattern, will it give instruction on how to do the brioche sections or do I need to learn that before attempting this shawl? Thanks!
One a trip to California, I was able to visit Stonemountain and Daughter in person, and it was wonderful! Their website shares a lot of info about fabric weight, opacity, stretch, etc. They suggest patterns as well! This helps me make an educated decision on how my pattern may turn out in that fabric. When you mentioned Sister Mountain, I wondered if it was this one or if there was another awesome mountain store out there. :)
Such a great idea to stop slipping the spinning bowls! I have had a terrible time with that! I was trying to figure out what to attach to the bottom! Never ever thought of a jar opener!!
For the person asking about socks, The Crazy Sock Lady has great vanilla sock patterns and tutorials here on TH-cam to accompany the patterns. I hope this helps
i enjoyed the 100 day challenge so much and wanted to continue with it-- so-- i started my own continuing challenge. I found some plain, white, superwash wool that wasnt much fun to spin on my wheel but is enjoyable on my support spindles. Every evening i spin up a small amount on a spindle, chain ply it later on my wheel then mordant this then dye it with plants from my garden. It combines my gardening and fiber love. So far ive dyed red and yellow onions plus some hollyhocks bloss that i dried a few years ago. I think these will end up DRK socks, maybe a shortie version.
Chicago girlie here! Oak Fabrics is/was my local fabric shop in Chicago! So sad they closed their brick and mortar store, but still a great option for beautiful fabric.
I have two online fabric store suggestions to add. Bolt Fabric PDX is wonderful! They have fantastic customer service and will print patterns as well. I also love Salt Lake Sewciety for online fabric shopping. They also have fantastic customer service. Bolt has lots of bright colors and Salt Lake Sewciety has lovely neutrals and earth tones. If you are new to fabric/sewing, Salt Lake Sewciety puts several suggested patterns on each fabric listing so you can get an idea of it would be right for the pattern you have in mind.
Andrea, Thank you for all your wonderful designs and inspiration re color, and fiber. Re. Combo spins and mixing fibers - I think it isn’t a “no” re mixing fibers, but in my experience the length of fibers (like Wensleydale and Merino) or a prep with fibers with different “grip” or tendency to slip by each other (like Merino and Alpaca), will have an impact on how you would want to spin it, to avoid one fiber being pulled into the drafting triangle preferentially over the other fibers (spinning from the fold helps with this) especially if the fibers are dyed different colors.
If I had one wish for your channel, it would include some hint about what the episode is about. I love to scroll through all the subscriptions I have a couple of times a day and check out the most interesting ones based on the amount of time I have. I tend to scroll right past yours until it is at the bottom of my choices. Just a suggestion. I do love you patterns; but I think I am missing some valuable information. Hope you had a great St. Patrick's Day.
Hi Andrea, regarding your question about concurrent 100 day challenges, I vote strongly for not doing them at the same time. For those folks who like to join everything as it is happening, we have two KALs, and I think a single 100 day challenge would be more than enough for everyone to handle at once. Of course people do not have to do all three, but there is a strong FOMO in some of us, and I could definitely feel myself being overwhelmed by all of the activities, and not wanting to skip one. Just my 2 cents, worth exactly that. 😆 Love your podcast as always. It really helps me wind down and get in relax mode for the weekends after my stressful job. Thank you!
Wholesale fabric direct are great and usually have good deals, and quantity discounts... I've ordered several times for my sister she's always been happy although I think they don't usually have 100% cotton
Salt Lake Sewciety for garment fabric! They have really cool curated fabrics seasonally and beautiful notions. They also stock tons of cool lingerie sewing goods.
Hi from the UK, I’m a relatively experienced knitter but have never knit a shawl and would love to knit one of your gorgeous shawls. . I love your find your fade shawl and have a yarn stash to do this. Do you think this is achievable for a new shawl knitter? Thanks so much. 🙏Fay
I think if you are comfortable with increasing, decreasing, yarn overs and handling more than one color - than yes! If you are nervous though, Free Your Fade is a great option that I think is a bit more beginner friendly!
why, Why, WHY can I not wrap my head (hands?) around 2x2 Long Tail Tubular Cast On. I watched your video, it was crystal clear, I felt confident - my hands just won't do it. I've got my needles, wool and your Gib I pattern all set to go. Do you have any tips? Or can I get your blessing to just do long tail cast on? 🙃
You ALWAYS have my blessing to sub in the cast on that you prefer! That being said, if you want to give the Tubular one more go - try casting it on to straight needles first, working the 2 setup rows, then switching to circulars. A lot of people find the instability of the cast on to be the tricky part, and straight needles help to keep it from twisting!
I'd stick to one 100-day challenge at a time, some people might want to participate in all three but not have the time to do three challenges at once (especially those of us who are already participating in one of your KALs 😅)
Oh my gosh. I thought I was hearing you call this the “MILF” shawl! It was only just now, when I read your newsletter, that I realized it is the “Melt” shawl. Either one works, TBH. 😂😂😂😂
I really encourage anyone who's going to order fabric online and is still learning about fabric to email or message the shop you want to buy from, they usually are so great and helpful. I started sewing and bought from Stonemountain and Daughters and I emailed them the patterns I wanted to make and also the type of fabric I wanted (drapey or more structured, etc) and they emailed me several different choices and price points as well to help me get started. It helped SO MUCH. The more you sew the more you'll learn how to read the descriptions, but just as I had to get to know yarn, it's been the same for fabric and a lot of the online shops are super helpful.
Fabulous tip! Thanks for sharing!!
So glad to see you using a yarn from NOT Spincycle. Also for the first time knitter, if I had started with socks I would have quit lol. I did a straight chunky scarf, knit stitch only. I was a slow leaner. I have a friend who knit a colorwork sweater as her first project. So just know everyone is different and if you start something and it seems too hard it's OK to stop and try something else!
The joy and camaraderie you bring to the making community is so lovely!
Got myself to my LYS and took a brioche class, now I am kinda addicted I have to admit. Right now it is only headbands and cowls because we didn’t learn the decrease or increase! That will be one of your tutorials.
Wattle Hill
fabrics and The Dahlia Sewciety are fabulous Aussie resources
Actually, since you are just in Portland, if/when you get down to NH, Pintuck & Purl in North Hampton, NH is a super cute yarn and fabric store that has garment fabric as well as quilting cotton. It’s a very fun and inspiring store, similar to Fancy Tiger Crafts in Denver or Gather Here in Cambridge, MA.
Go for it!
*Literally* cutting out some pieces for my Chanterelle pants as I'm watching this! There IS something about spring and sunshine that makes me want to make!
I was a long time crocheter and I wanted to get knit socks. I learned how to knit in 2023 via a bunch of TH-cam tutorials.
I practiced basic knitting and purling stitches until I felt confident, I found continental style easier than English since I held the yarn in my left hand for crocheting.
My first knit pattern was the Everyday Socks. I found it to be challenging but not hard. I still have them and they are the wonkiest socks ever, but I learned so much while knitting them. I say go for it if you want to knit socks.
Good morning Andrea. I do so enjoy your podcasts. I live in Charlottesville and just finished making a dress from the hemp fabric. I loved sewing with the fabric and loved the way the dress turned out! I hope you will too! Thanks so much for sharing your talent and knowledge!🧶🤗
Organic fabric plus. You can order swatches. And mood fabric. You can also order swatches. This was an enjoyable episode to watch ❤ I love the new shawl!
The melt shawl is so pretty. I have ordered the same two colors from Explorer Knits without a plan and now I know what I will make!
I love brioche and am presently knitting a cardigan for my teenage daughter where I have done brioche instead of half fisherman rib which I didn't enjoy. I think the first time I did brioche I didn't realise it was meant to be scarey or even different and loved the effect.
Always so interesting and lots of fun. Thank you
What a lovely shawl !!! Great episode once more.
Core Fabrics is also great! They are a sister company to Closet Core Patterns, so they've got some great kits and fabrics that tie into their patterns. Great customer service and great quality!
Oh yes! I’ve purchased some beautiful fabric from them. Thank you for sharing!
Andrea, you mentioned the fabric store "Sister Mountain". I think you must have meant "Stone Mountain and Daughter", a brick and mortar in Berkeley, CA. They do have an online store and are a great fabric store!
Socks: Rye or Rye Light by tincanknits. Excellent instructions for new sock knitters.
Thank you for your great podcasts!!!!!❤
I have ordered fabric from Mood Fabric (speciality fabric including swimsuit and lace) and from The Fabric Store (mainly linen but they have added some cottons). Both have great quality fabricand it arrives quickly. Quilting fabric also works for dresses and tops.
Oh I have heard Mood is fantastic! Thanks for sharing!
Great episode as always! I’m making the DRK everyday sweater for the March to May, I’d definitely recommend it for a camping trip as well. The sport weight is perfect, and I can’t wait to finish! Happy knitting ❤
Andrea - you do you and do all three 100 day challenges. I'm the same way, so will look forward to doing multiple challenges along with you!
I've ordered fabric from Core Fabric and have gotten some great fabrics. I also like Loom and Stars and Jones and Vandermeer.
A 10 day triple crafting crown sounds great! I hope all around my projects on a normal so to your question……yes sounds fun😊
All 3 100 days at once, why not ?!
I can’t wait to try the website you recommend
Andrea, I love your new shawl design. I've never done any brioche, so if I purchase your pattern, will it give instruction on how to do the brioche sections or do I need to learn that before attempting this shawl? Thanks!
One a trip to California, I was able to visit Stonemountain and Daughter in person, and it was wonderful! Their website shares a lot of info about fabric weight, opacity, stretch, etc. They suggest patterns as well! This helps me make an educated decision on how my pattern may turn out in that fabric. When you mentioned Sister Mountain, I wondered if it was this one or if there was another awesome mountain store out there. :)
Such a great idea to stop slipping the spinning bowls! I have had a terrible time with that! I was trying to figure out what to attach to the bottom! Never ever thought of a jar opener!!
I started the Melt shawl and love it, even the Brioche. I searched and finally found your video about weaving ends into the icord.
Thanks.
Give brioche a chance! 😂❤❤❤ I love brioche!
Seriously……I don’t know how you manage to accomplish so much!
For the person asking about socks, The Crazy Sock Lady has great vanilla sock patterns and tutorials here on TH-cam to accompany the patterns. I hope this helps
i enjoyed the 100 day challenge so much and wanted to continue with it-- so-- i started my own continuing challenge. I found some plain, white, superwash wool that wasnt much fun to spin on my wheel but is enjoyable on my support spindles. Every evening i spin up a small amount on a spindle, chain ply it later on my wheel then mordant this then dye it with plants from my garden. It combines my gardening and fiber love. So far ive dyed red and yellow onions plus some hollyhocks bloss that i dried a few years ago. I think these will end up DRK socks, maybe a shortie version.
Chicago girlie here! Oak Fabrics is/was my local fabric shop in Chicago! So sad they closed their brick and mortar store, but still a great option for beautiful fabric.
Thanks so much for these awesome sessions ❤
I have two online fabric store suggestions to add. Bolt Fabric PDX is wonderful! They have fantastic customer service and will print patterns as well. I also love Salt Lake Sewciety for online fabric shopping. They also have fantastic customer service. Bolt has lots of bright colors and Salt Lake Sewciety has lovely neutrals and earth tones. If you are new to fabric/sewing, Salt Lake Sewciety puts several suggested patterns on each fabric listing so you can get an idea of it would be right for the pattern you have in mind.
Also, I am looking forward to hearing more about your needle binder after using it for a while.
Andrea, Thank you for all your wonderful designs and inspiration re color, and fiber. Re. Combo spins and mixing fibers - I think it isn’t a “no” re mixing fibers, but in my experience the length of fibers (like Wensleydale and Merino) or a prep with fibers with different “grip” or tendency to slip by each other (like Merino and Alpaca), will have an impact on how you would want to spin it, to avoid one fiber being pulled into the drafting triangle preferentially over the other fibers (spinning from the fold helps with this) especially if the fibers are dyed different colors.
Blackbird Fabrics is the Love to Sew podcast-love it!
If I had one wish for your channel, it would include some hint about what the episode is about. I love to scroll through all the subscriptions I have a couple of times a day and check out the most interesting ones based on the amount of time I have. I tend to scroll right past yours until it is at the bottom of my choices. Just a suggestion. I do love you patterns; but I think I am missing some valuable information. Hope you had a great St. Patrick's Day.
Thanks for your feedback!
I’ve taken my weekender knit in Brooklyn tweed shelter on multiple backpacking trips. It’s great!
Hi Andrea, regarding your question about concurrent 100 day challenges, I vote strongly for not doing them at the same time. For those folks who like to join everything as it is happening, we have two KALs, and I think a single 100 day challenge would be more than enough for everyone to handle at once. Of course people do not have to do all three, but there is a strong FOMO in some of us, and I could definitely feel myself being overwhelmed by all of the activities, and not wanting to skip one. Just my 2 cents, worth exactly that. 😆 Love your podcast as always. It really helps me wind down and get in relax mode for the weekends after my stressful job. Thank you!
Andrea your tutorials have helped me so much!
Brioche! I’ve tried many times. Still going to try to learn, maybe.
Wholesale fabric direct are great and usually have good deals, and quantity discounts... I've ordered several times for my sister she's always been happy although I think they don't usually have 100% cotton
Salt Lake Sewciety for garment fabric! They have really cool curated fabrics seasonally and beautiful notions. They also stock tons of cool lingerie sewing goods.
Style Maker Fabrics is a great source!
As to the sock question, the question-asker could look into a DK sock pattern. It will be knit on bigger needles and go along much quicker.
Youngfolk Knits just finished that pattern! She talked about on her channel! So pretty.
Hi from the UK, I’m a relatively experienced knitter but have never knit a shawl and would love to knit one of your gorgeous shawls. . I love your find your fade shawl and have a yarn stash to do this. Do you think this is achievable for a new shawl knitter? Thanks so much. 🙏Fay
I think if you are comfortable with increasing, decreasing, yarn overs and handling more than one color - than yes! If you are nervous though, Free Your Fade is a great option that I think is a bit more beginner friendly!
Happy Friday! ❤
Susan B. Anderson has a free pattern called "How I Knit my Socks" which is a hand- holding recipe for beginers.
Thanks for sharing!
Red underwear! It’s so counterintuitive but it doesn’t show through white!
Really?! I tend to go for nude underwear, but I’m so curious now!
Just downloaded Melt pattern 🧶💖💫
why, Why, WHY can I not wrap my head (hands?) around 2x2 Long Tail Tubular Cast On. I watched your video, it was crystal clear, I felt confident - my hands just won't do it. I've got my needles, wool and your Gib I pattern all set to go. Do you have any tips? Or can I get your blessing to just do long tail cast on? 🙃
You ALWAYS have my blessing to sub in the cast on that you prefer! That being said, if you want to give the Tubular one more go - try casting it on to straight needles first, working the 2 setup rows, then switching to circulars. A lot of people find the instability of the cast on to be the tricky part, and straight needles help to keep it from twisting!
I'd stick to one 100-day challenge at a time, some people might want to participate in all three but not have the time to do three challenges at once (especially those of us who are already participating in one of your KALs 😅)
Where is UP?….. Canada?
WE NEED A HAIR TUTORIAL
🥰