How we Knit (or not) During These Skimble-Skamble Times // Casual Friday 3-21
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.ค. 2024
- This week, I have quite a few Tidbits to share about how and why people craft (in general, and lately), I share a project I tried to improve with somewhat mixed results, and I answer some questions knitters have asked lately.
Support me by buying me a coffee on Ko-fi! www.ko-fi.com/roxannerichardson
My knitting designs: www.ravelry.com/designers/rox...
If you're wondering where I got my t-shirt, I have no idea (it was years ago, probably at a yarn event marketplace)
To jump to a specific point in the video, click on the adjacent time-stamped link:
Introduction: 0:00
Tidbits: 1:14
Knitting in the Old Way (updated edition): 17:22
Attempting to fix an ill-fitting sock: 22:26
Q&A:
Facebook and requests for help on projects: 26:29
Needle specs in patterns: 30:40
Carbonized vs non-carbonized yarn: 36:35
My next live stream: 49:33
LINKS TO THINGS MENTIONED IN THE VIDEO
THIS GOLDEN FLEECE: A Journey Through Britain's Knitted History by Esther Rutter
amzn.to/3g7ZD2C
Yorkshire Festival of Ideas (where you can get a free ticket to see Esther speak on June 11):
yorkfestivalofideas.com/2020-o...
Amber Butchart Instagram show "Dirty Laundry:
tvCATJwnOg...
Article about Amber Butchart's fashion forenics
www.theguardian.com/global/20...
Impact of the pandemic on crafting: knithistory.academicblogs.co.u...
Sally Tuckett's Fleece to Fashion blog post on learning to knit:
knithistory.academicblogs.co.u...
Kate Davies 2019 blog post kddandco.com/2019/05/22/knitt...
Sarah Desmarais's PhD thesis: ualresearchonline.arts.ac.uk/...
KNITTING IN THE OLD WAY (updated edition) by Priscilla A. Gibson-Roberts and Deborah Robson
amzn.to/2Zuauhm
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Casual Friday episodes from 2019 where I talked about my knitting library can be found in the Casual Friday Play list.
• Casual Friday Podcasts
Episodes 2-39 through 2-45 each have a segment devoted to my knitting library.
If you have questions about this video, or suggestions for future videos, please let me know down in the comments or on social media.
Rox Rocks Ravelry group: www.ravelry.com/groups/rox-rocks
Facebook: / roxknits
Twitter: / roxmpls - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
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Thank you! I love to knit, but not because it is meditative or soothing. Like you, I knit because it is interesting. I can be creative and an engineer at the same time. I gravitate to my knitting now because it's distracting. I can focus on the project at hand instead of the news.
"Just let me finish this row" probably has been the most common thing I've said to my dogs during the lockdown
Exactly! Endless opportunity to learn something in knitting from learning the breeds, the fleece, the spinning, the patterns, designing patterns, the yarns, the history of all these. ..the world is your oyster in yarn.
I would be particularly interested in hearing all about short rows.
Finding vegetable matter in the yarn makes me smile & feel closer to the sheep☺
I have quite an interest is learning how to put sleeve/armhole shaping in top down yoke sweaters. I don't like the ones that look like one is wrapped in a blanket with no shaping. they tend to ride up. Thanks for today. The company I buy my yarn from in Australia also has some vegetable matter in it.. Strangely I love it. It's easy to pull out, its only small and infrequent, and it helps me feel like it has come from something living. Also I knit because I find the journey of doing it, learning something, improving a skill is like reading a good book, and I feel so proud when I have completed something beautiful that I can wear or give away. I only knit what I'm in love with, so it feels good. Now that I have not got my physical knitting community, I have joined a crochet group on FB so I can share and enjoy the beautiful projects of others and get inspired. It isn't just about meditation, its about sharing, learning, creating ie following the imagination and feeling proud.
Jenny Vindin, you stated why you knit so well! I feel the same way and was having trouble finding good words to use!! Knitting focuses my life, as does crocheting. Sharing what I have learned and learning more from others gives me warm fuzzies! Thank you for sharing your words!🧶👍🏼😍
Our knit group has continued to knit hats, scarfs and mittens during this lock down because Covid or not there will still be cold people out there again this fall and winter in need of these things. Being a lefty I took to knitting right away and didn't handedness played a big part .... crochet on the other hand was another story but I learned that by watching in a mirror while my Nana crocheted.
I agree with you knitting can be relaxing and mentally stimulating. Just depends on what you’re knitting. The reason I continue knitting after 40+ years, is because there are so many different techniques to learn, fibers to touch, garments to make. The possibilities are endless.
Knitting in the Old Way is one of my absolute favorite books. It's the book that introduced me to the percentage system for calculating what I needed to get gauge for the size that I needed with yarn I had on hand. It is the book that guided me through my first "finished" sweater several years ago and was also where I went when I finally, accidentally got back to knitting sweaters by making a stranded colorwork hat that was too big to be anyone's hat, but the perfect body for a sweater for one of our grandsons. It also led me to Elizabeth Zimmermann methods. Great book.
Covid drove me from knitting sweaters to dishcloths. I have very small short attention spans now. The irrational part of my brain says the sky is falling we are all going to die...so this way I will be able to keep finishing projects in time for the world to end. I find myself pacing the house for as many hours as I knit each day. My cooking mojo left too.
I always love sock talk so that is a wonderful topic for a live. However I have never been able to master short rows so that gets my #1 vote!
Since I do both knit & crochet (among a lot of other crafts); I've added a new craft for me. I'm learning to needle & shuttle tat. It's something different and is a new challenge to conquer. Something I've needed because I'm bored with all my other crafts.
I would like to learn more about short rows but also gauge in how to pick sizes of garments if I can not get exactly the gauge specified in the pattern.
Short row use, especially when to add them to an existing pattern to get to a better fitting garment. Thanks a lot
I’d love to know more about short rows. Specifically, what the formula is to determine the rate of the curve one is creating..so that I can figure out how to insert them in sweaters for the bust or even to make a hat that’s worked from ear to ear all in short rows. They can be used in so many places, I feel that if I knew the formula for inserting them, I could use them more efficiently.
Thank you for yet another great podcast. All three topics for livestream are great but i always love your take on socks. My knitting wasn’t beckoning to me since mid-March especially since i usually knit with dark (read: gray) colors. I dug out a crochet hook and light colored scraps and i crochet 1 granny a day. The stack is pretty substantial now & will be a reminder of getting through these days when the squares become an afghan. I love knitting for the learning & analysis too but i’m just not feeling curious now. I’ve started picking up some knitting wips these last few days and it feels right. But if it didn’t i would just pop it back in the bag & try again another day. Anyway, thank you again Roxanne for your videos; they are so appreciated.
I’d like to hear more about short rows and the advantages of each type and when it’s best to use them. Also I’d be interested in learning about short rows for bust shaping.
Now I must investigate using traveling loop. I’m not sure what that is.
Addendum: your video explained it well, thank you!
Thank you for sharing your knowledge, experience, humour, honesty.... I look forward to the notifications.
Love that T-shirt. It has been my most common comment for a few months, although this week I put my knitting and projects away for a break. Concentration is off. The weather is finally warming up here in Eastern Canada so turning attention to a camper Reno project with hope that we will actually get to use it this year. I live in hope. I am very interested in anything you video, but short rows a topic of interest. Thank you and take care!
Your talking about why people take up knitting, got me to thinking about my teaching myself to knit. It was not because it was relaxing, or soothing. In 2011 I retired and starting looking around for something to do. I decided to try knitting with a really awful pair of straight needles, (I know that now), and some ordinary yarn I had left over from when I did crochet. I really liked the little stitches as they came off the needles. I liked the symmetry, the size, how they lined up, what they looked like. I'd only made a tiny little swatch at that point. I remember thinking that this could take a long time to knit anything and then started laughing, thinking I had all the time in the world and so what if whatever I made took a long time, I suddenly had time to do whatever I wanted! So I decided to learn to make socks. I really wanted a pair of home made socks for me. It took me about 8 weeks to do that first pair and then they were too big, but fit my mother perfectly, so she got them. I did have a question. Are you left handed? I notice you do a lot with your left hand when describing things. You are an incredible fast knitting, by the way.
I would love to learn more about short rows and where and how to use them. I've done them before, but just following directions in a pattern and maybe not entirely understanding what I am doing and why. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. It has been very helpful to me.
I would be interested in learning more about short rows different styles and how and when to use them.
One idea for using up your yarn is knitting socks for the homeless. Socks are the most requested item on their clothing needs. Another idea is knitting for newborns of unwed mothers. Apparently
secondary to drug abuse ,these mothers have a lot of premies. If you choose this one, be sure to check with unwed home nearest you, some have specific requirements for their garments.
Interesting about the carbonized processing of yarn; I had not heard about that. I have 2 workhorse wools that I prefer, which are both Peruvian Highland wools. Typically I choose one over the other based on if the more expensive one is on sale or not. I haven’t been concerned finding a bit of straw here and there - it makes me think that the sheep has had an opportunity to frolic during the year. Now I’m trying to remember if I have only found it in the less expensive yarn or the if it has been present in both. This may be a contributing factor as to why one is more expensive than the other, when both are spun to the same yardage to length (110 yards to 50 grams put up in balls versus the 220 yards to 100 grams put up in hanks). I always love learning something new! Thank you, Roxanne!
Price will likely reflect costs. Larger mills are likely to use carbonization, but will also benefit from economies of scale. A yarn that is minimally processed might be more expensive, if produced by a smaller mill.
I like straw in my wool. It reminds me of where it came from. It makes me think it will keep me dry when it's wet and smelling a little like sheep. It feels good in my hands. I'm sort of crazy about wool.
I would like to learn.more about short rows. Specifically, where they would make the best fit in sweaters and cardigans.
Great episode! I love knitting because it never ceases to educate and entertain me. Even though I mostly make socks, there are very few skills that aren't eventually needed to complete some of the projects I have chosen, or that might pop up in the future. There are so many cool ways to construct a sock, and so many ways to make them look special and distinctive. I will do almost anything to avoid short rows, so I'm happy you have this on your list. Rox, your vids are awesome! Thank you!!
Socks!
But honestly I'm interested in them all.
As you transitioned to the topic of specified needle, I'm slipping Hamon (a lacy pullover) off the 32" circular needle onto waste yarn to try on and possibly wet block to enjoy the lace product.
I've had the problem of a needle distorting my knitting when I'm not working it. I just had it the other way around. The cable of the circular needle left the stitches looking different than other rows/rounds, but it blocked out.
Hello Roxanne,
I too would like to hear your take on short rows, specifically how and where you'd add them in to a yolk sweater. I really, really, really don't like anything touching the base of my neck and definately think that would be the way to go but am still a little confused on where to make the modifications (I'm fine following instructions but am having problems visualising how short rows modify a neckline depending on where you place them and how to calculate the number of rows and how to centre them).
I vote socks, but I wouldn’t turn down short rows or gauge. Great info about carbonization.
Thanks so much for the info on carbonized yarn. I've have a few times that my yarn has straw and wondered why.
My vote is for short rows... would like to learn more to make the most out of them. I usually watch Casual Friday on Sunday. I knit a lot of fair isle - and always have some knitting on hand while i watch needless to say I can pay too much attention to the screen and end up having to back and correct stitch/colour sequences - never annoys me when Roxanne is going down some knitting rabbit hole. Any other time it is a different story.
Oh I'm so glad you mentioned the short rows. I can do a short row heel but I just don't understand them. If you need to do short row on a shawl, I'm baffled about how to do them, or if someone says the do them to make the back of the Coller of a sweater higher than the front of it, do you have to do a set amount of them. I just don't understand them. So when you mentioned them, I could have jumped for joy. It's the German short rows, that I've used. The wrap and turns I think I'd like to avoid. Thank you 😊 💕
Hi Roxanne, all 3 suggested topics are of great interest to me but if I had to choose I’d begin with gauge, wanting to know your process when approaching a new project. Or perhaps an approach might differ depending upon experience? I’m a knitter with many years experience. Though I put myself in the non-confident category. The more I do the more I know I have to learn, having kept projects on the ‘safe’ side, for too long. I want to make shaped sweaters for myself so gauge will be important. Short rows too of course! 😁 I so so so enjoy your channel, always delighted to see you and know what you have on your mind. You’re a wonderful communicator. Thank you fo all that you do.
I would vote for short rows first.
I would like to learn more about how to combine different yarn in a project. I but a skin that I like;maybe two is too expensive or I don't really have anything in mind for it. I don't wear hats. Have knitted sucks hurt my feet, so I am left with shawls. I love shawls but so have a lot of them and would like to make bigger projects. I wonder about combining colors, different fibers, etc. to come out with something that looks good.
Add one more vote to short rows and the math to use them for fit.
Also, I LOVE ❤️ straw in my yarn.
I have to rewrite those needle-specified patterns too. I'm a hardcore DPN lover but also recently got into the Addi needles, which work even better. I used markers to mark any changes, but I'm also not an idiot! I often prefer older patterns for this reason
I also love DPNs and love knitting socks. I don't follow the needle 1, needle 2, 3 and 4 rule but arrange the stitches best to suit me. I have found that you can make up your own rules in knitting as long as the end result is right. I have recently bought some addi needles but have yet to try them!
I accidentally unsubscribe after having a period of rest. Had surgery on my elbow. Cubital tunnel syndrome. Hoping I'll be able to pick up the needles again soon. Glad to be back youre a great presenter .
Hi. I love your various videos. Thanks for putting such effort into them.
On your request for input on your topics, my order of preference would be 1) short rows, 2) socks, 3) gauge.
Now, if I were allowed to request a topic, it would be sweater construction. I can understand a basic raglan but would like to stretch out and I find the subject overwhelming: top-down, bottom-up, knit flat, knit in the round, yoke sweater, drop shoulders*, sleeve types, neck shaping, underarm gussets, etc.... A sort of overview with the advantages and disadvantages of the different types.
*I tried this recently and it was less than successful, so I'll be asking you about this on your Ravelry page.
Short rows on sweater backs would be great. People talk about putting them so the back comes up more. But I don’t know when or how.
All the topics sound great, short rows and how to use them to modify gauge for bust size is a topic I would particularly like to learn more about. I appreciate the thoughtful education you provided in your comment on the individual that was unhappy about vm in their yarn. I certainly will use a commercial yarn but I also love and appreciate a rustic yarn. As a spinner I understand how that occurs but not everyone would. Well done.
I've been knitting for many years but short rows are fairly new to me. Therefore, I would be interested in comparing w&t vs German short rows. I realize there other kinds as well, but these are the ones I see the most often. Thanks for sharing your wealth of knowledge.
You do rock! Thanks for this post 🙂
I have a suggestion for a topic. Recently I was knitting a sweater with pockets that angled down from the edge opening. The pattern directions were very sparse and I had never done pockets before. I didn’t figure out the pattern so I made it more simply. The books and you tube were not helpful maybe giving some tips about pockets and other embellishments may be helpful
I would love to learn more about how short rows work and (if possible) when to use which kind (German'Japanese/other ones that are slipping my mind). I am very visual and seeing things written out doesn't always help me as much as I would like it to. :-p I appreciate all of your videos Roxanne. Thank you so much for doing them. i have learned so much over the years and I hope to learn more.
When I first started knitting socks, those directions of needle 1, needle 2, etc was very helpful. Although they didn't tell me using another needle, knit the stitches, therefore needing 4 needles. I was trying to knit with the 3 needles. Talk about frustration. I finally gave up until I came across directions stating using a 4th needle, knit on needle 1, ... LOL Now, however, I use the 32" cable to knit 2 at-a-time and get frustrated with the instructions of with needle 1, etc. I don't like taking the time to work out the positions.
SHORT ROWS used for raising sweater neck backs! Thank you!
Short row please!
That is so odd about the socks. I only knit toe-up and use the Fleegle Heel and they always fit so well. I knit socks for people with all sizes and widths of feet and they always fit. People beg for more socks because they fit so well. Could it really make that much difference between knitting the heel toe-up compared to cuff down?
I vote for socks!
I too would like discussion on short rows. I'm a relatively novice knitter in ability even though I started knitting many years ago. I've been at it sporadically with long absences & have recently returned to it & crochet. I watched your tutorials, but have no experience using them in making things.
1- short rows, 2- gauge, 3- socks
I would really like to learn more about using short rows for bust shaping. Maybe with some knitting demonstration or where to place them in a pullover. I do short row heels on socks all the time but for some reason I can not wrap my mind around how to transfer that technique to the front of a pullover.
It is hard to pick a preference of topic. I’m interested in all three
My vote is for short rows, please.
Really interesting about the straw... I recently finished knitting a project with a yarn that I absolutely hated and I also happened to find myself picking out bits of straw and other vegetable matter from the yarn. I figured it was just less processed, and while annoying, it was nowhere NEAR as annoying as having the yarn pull apart several times like cotton candy. That said, I'm okay with the straw as long as I know to expect it, I guess!
I had never heard if traveling loop before! Fabulous! I generally use magic loop for small circumference. I will be interested in any of your Sunday topics, although family circumstances may cause me to catch it after the live feed.
As it's time to launder and put away my wool garments, I'm curious as to where and how you recommend storing them. Cedar? Lavender? Plastic boxes? Etc, etc.
Thank you for another information-filled episode!
Great episode. Sorry to hear you are having some trouble with your knitting motivation. I started a crochet square blanket which helped me know that I can associate these feelings with one thing and not my existing WIPs. I also am cross stitching more. Maybe you should practice your spinning which I imagine would keep you more engaged than knitting that can be put down.
I really appreciate your inquisitive and thoughtful approach to knitting. I always look forward to the next episode!
Is "skimble-skamble" a local expression? I 've never heard that before!
It's from a list of words Kory Stamper (who used to write/edit dictionaries at Merriam Webster) tweeted out that could be used instead of "unprecedented". It was my favorite, slotted between tumultuarious and freakozoid. twitter.com/KoryStamper/status/1253748063677669379.
Thanks again for that video. I 'm happy to know there will be a new lve Q&A. I'm intresting in the 3 subjects. May be more about short rows .
I thought about a subjet which perhaps may needs time: maths in knitting process
I’d love to learn more about short rows. I’ve knitted them lots of times, but I can’t figure out how to hide the wrapped stitch and my turns always look so messy.
for me, German short rows make for the smothest fabric.
MrsMelrom oh, that sounds much easier, too
Its zen you learn as you create
Short row please.
I always use 9" circulars for sock, I love them. Also,on th subject of your topic for live streams, all of those would be great but I am most interested in short rows. I was watching a recent video by Arne ad Carlos and they were saying they never use short rows in sweaters, the wool will adjust. What are your thoughts?
Noooooooooooooo! I literally an hour ago just finished a pair of socks with a Fleegle heel. I made them toe up. My feet are weird, my right foot is a club foot so it is 1 inch shorter than my left foot and it has a very high arch. I did these toe up. I tested the length when I had turned the heel and was 1 inch up and the fit was fantastic for both feet. I finished casting off the rib and I put them on, and guess what happened? The right foot with the really really really high arch was a little bit too long. The left foot was more of a normal height arch was way way way way way too long. I sat here and staring at my socks for an hour, and then decided to watch this video and go to bed. I was just getting to ready to lay down to go to sleep and you pulled out your Fleegle heel or actually your strong heel socks. I had spent an hour staring at the socks thinking “can I rip out the toes and knit them backwards.?” So now, I realize that there is no hope for ripping out the toes and trying to fix these. This is my first fully finished pair of socks using the August sock knit along guidelines and instructions. I was so proud of myself for measuring correctly, and I was so excited to wear the socks and shoes like real socks instead of like the big bulky sleep socks I’ve made. I am now very sad. I kind of like this yarn and I don’t know if it’s worth ripping them all the way back now that I’ve cut the yarn. I mean I had just ripped out all of my safety lines that would’ve given me a point to rip them back to. And I really suck at picking up stitches this tiny. I don’t know what to do. But thankfully I do know one thing, there’s no point to ripping out the toes and trying to shorten them. So, thank you for that… two weeks later than I’d like. I officially hate the Fleegle heel.
Thank you, your book reviews that you’ve done in the past. They were very helpful. I’ve been knitting socks lately and I’m definitely interested in a live stream on this topic. Figuring out the right sizing when knitting for others is the most difficult part. Also, I’m curious how you track your progress when knitting. Do you use an app, progress keepers, row counters, or other methods to mark and track your knitting project?
I've talked about how I use spreadsheets to track my projects, calculate stitch counts, track yarn usage etc. several times, most recently in April. In that April video, there is also mention of an earlier video (I believe I gave a link to it) where I showed various ways I use spreadsheets, depending on the type of project, and what it is I want to track. I also use my Ravelry project notebook.
Kathy Nadeau, It was suggested to me by a fellow knitter in a test knit, that they used a phone app called knit and crochet counter app. This is for the Apple App: apps.apple.com/ae/app/knit-and-crochet-counter/id991345891. They have it for the Android, as well. I have been using this app for a couple of months now. You can have several different counters going all at the same time; make your notes directly in the counter you are using (I copy them into my Ravelry project as I work it); this app can be directly linked to your Ravelry project page!! You never have to worry about losing your place because you can open the counter yo u were using for any project at any time!!!
Direct message me if you need to: Instagram @misspamscreations or My Ravelry User Name is pamelajwatson. Hope this is helpful!
Have you read Why we make things and why it matters by Peter Korn. It is rather more in-depth psychology than I was interested in but it has some good insight
So interesting just this morning I decided to frog a pair of Strong heel socks, at least back to the point above the heel. they are cabled, I am not sure how I will progress after that, ie cables or not but it will be heel flap and turn. I kept trying to wear them but would take them off after short time.the yarn is just to nice to sit idle in my draw. No more Strong heels for me.
It's weird how much I can't stand to wear those socks, even after attempting to fix them! I've never had another pair I hated so much.
Short row live stream please!
I am very interested in short rows. I have not done short rows and have several patterns in my queue that call for them.
Gauge for me is intriguing, still not confortable in the how and before or after soaking?
Short rows please.
Have you ever tried this Vanilla is the new black sock? Has a great fitting heel.
That heel is a Strong heel, which is the type I was referring to in the video. It's a poor fit for my feet, because of the amount of length added to the instep while the heel is worked.
That's interesting, I find it fits me well, so does several of my knitting friends.
Short rows; I know they work, but I don't understand them!
Socks
I always enjoy your podcast! I thought you might be interested in watching 'Pompeii Live' (premiered on the 20th of May and available to all free of cost) a tour of the British Museum's exhibition on that fatal day in AD 79 when Mount Vesuvius erupted and buried Pompeii and Herculaneum under a thick layer of ash. Not a lot of knitting content, but an evocative trip back to ancient times: www.britishmuseum.org/pompeii-live
Neat! We visited Pompeii a number of years ago. Our kids were young (around 10 years old) and what got them interested in the site were the gruesome plaster casts of the people who died. I was amazed by the frescos and the layout of the town. So fascinating.