I was broadly nodding my head along with you - not in complete alignment but all your points made sense. Then number 6…ooof that hit me hard! 😂 Socks are just the best thing to knit. Portable, fast to knit so no chance to get bored, ideal for trying out loads and loads of new techniques. Cables, lace, texture, short rows, all sorts. Bright fun crazy colours are much easier to wear as socks. So warm and comfy almost all year round (I’m in the UK and still in my hand knit socks, but will probably move away for just Jun-Jul-Aug). Wool socks knit to a tight gauge, if they fit properly, are BOMB PROOF. I have several pairs in my drawer that are over 8 years old. And I always use superwash wool so they just get washed and tumbled. No hand washing here! Thankyou for coming to my Ted Talk. And now you may proceed to never knit a sock because - you do you!
I know, I know - I had a feeling that one would be the most controversial opinion! And it’s the one I’ve gotten the most comments on 😝 true to my TH-cam handle though, I am highly susceptible to being influenced by the swell of public opinion on this. Apparently superwash is the answer. Maybe I’ll work some socks into my plans for the second half of the year
Yes, what struck me about the sock opinion was the idea that knit socks are more fragile than machine made socks. In my experience, if you use good sock yarn, they're much tougher than store-bought socks. I wear my hand-knit socks for years and years. And now that I'm doing mostly afterthought heels, I'm able to replace worn spots in both toes and heels very quickly, which keeps them lasting even longer.
Totally agree. One of the best things about hand-knit socks is their indestructibility (except for my bro-in-law...). I also have 8-9-10 yr old socks that are still in good condition. And I wear them several days before washing--that may be gross, but it's better for the sock than washing every wear.
@@bmarilla6735 Knitpicks Stroll sock yarn lasts forever, but it will shrink unless you use gentle cycle on cold and hang to dry--which isn't a problem for me. Their Hawthorn is also very good. The toughest sock yarn I have is a Finnish brand called 7 Veljestä. I've had some of those socks for 10 years, I think. Regia sock yarn is also great. These are all wool and synthetic blends. And it's important to knit them at a tight gauge to make them sturdy.
What a refreshing take on these aspects of knitting! So with you on the mohair one. I still have NO mohair in my wardrobe. For one thing, I can't afford it, and secondly, I don't like it next to my skin. I agree there are far too many patterns out there double stranded with mohair 😂
I had no interest in socks for the same reasons you were mentioning..until...I realized that my feet are actually cold when I go to sleep at night or sit down to knit after my son goes to bed. So I only wear my hand knit socks at night. I knit them loose, that way I can easily slip them off in the middle of the night when I finally warm up. I don't need many and swap them out every week or so. And I definitely didn't do fancy patterns.. But it is an opportunity to knit with crazy colorful yarn that I wouldn't wear otherwise.
Ohhh what a cool idea, I never thought about resting sock wear. That might make sense in the winter for me too. And yes, I have a bunch of random crazy looking yarns in my stash too…
I've only knit one pair- they live next to my project bags in the lounge and I wear them at night when I'm on the couch and my feet are cold. They are made from superwash variegated yarn that I love in the skein but not in a garment. And I THROW THEM INTO THE WASHER AND DRYER (unpopular opinion for sure). They may not last forever, but they were a nice way to use yarn I wouldn't otherwise buy. I want to knit more- like maybe 1-2 pairs a year.
First time watcher here all the way from Finland! I'm a continental knitter who uses the Norwegian purl and I think those things explain why ribbing is almost as quick and easy for me as stockinette stitch. No problem whatsoever with purling or ribbing! The mohair of the olden days, at least in my experience, was itchy, low quality and/or expensive and was used on its own so it wasn't nice to wear compared to the mohair today and combining it with for example merino. It adds a beautiful halo to the knit garment and lovely warmth, very welcome during Finnish winter! Very welcome is also a lovely pair of hand-knit socks that I use at home all the time, sometimes even during summer months. My oldest pairs of socks are at least 5 years old, wool doesn't need washing that often due to its antibacterial properties and as I have several pairs of woollen socks, some are "resting" while another pair is in use. Also one of my most used knits during colder seasons is a woollen blanket, although I only have one and that's enough. I always have several WIPs, some easier knits for meetings, sitting in a bus etc., some more complicated or bigger knits to be worked on at home and of course for different purposes: socks, sweaters, cardigans, tees, shawls & scarfs, gloves, made of differents fibres and not only for me but also my loved ones. So I guess I'm the one that doesn't quite agree with your opinions/assumptions but there's always that one, isn't there 😅
I totally agree on the warmth of mohair, and I use it a lot too. But it’s definitely not needed for most patterns, and I think it adds a ton of cost to each project which can make it harder for more beginner knitters to justify knitting garments. Socks are the one thing I could be swayed on! 😂
Came to say most of the same, as a Norwegian with 6 month of winter, knitted socks is great. I also have pairs that are at least 5 years old and I wash them in the machine. And I walk a lot, so they get used and beaten for sure 😂
I have been buying smartwool socks for ten years and they last forever. I’m tired of them squishing my feet so I just started knitting my own and I’m on the second pair. I’m hoping they last as long as the Smartwool brand.
your mohair opinion really resonated with me. i’ve never used it before and i’ve made patterns that call for it without it mostly because of cost but i never really considered any possible reasons as to why it’s so popular in a lot of mainstream maker’s patterns
Was with you on all of until sock knitting. 😂😂 But, hand knit socks are sturdier than you think! I wash and dry my socks in the machine, I wear the heck out of them, and they hold up better than store bought!
Oh wow, what kind of yarn do you use? After the accidental sweater dryer fiasco of a few years ago I am terrified of any of my knits ending up in there
@@easilyknitfluenced I always look for a 75/25 mix of SUPERWASH wool and nylon. I have a few older pairs that have felted a bit in spots of excess wear (balls of feet, heel flaps), but honestly that just gives them more strength.
I have never understood why it is so great to knit fast. I am leisure with my yarn crafts. For me it's a relaxing, end of daytime for me. I think it is more stressful to knit like that, when I want to enjoy the process.
I found your podcast a few days ago & I sooo appreciate your blunt honesty and frankness. I love that it isn’t about showing off the five things you knit in the last week and that you can’t knit every minute of every day - I can so relate! I agree with all your comments except the socks. I knit a few socks a year and love them to wear them with sandals in the house in the winter, in my cowboy boots, and to bed. They are super cozy and far exceed store bought socks in the warmth dept without making my feet sweaty. That said, I don’t knit pair after pair bcs of the limited wear but they are fun knit bcs you can try more difficult stitches on a smaller scale project which also keeps it more interesting than plain stockinette. Curious Handmade has fantastic patterns. Thanks again for an honest and down-to-earth podcast!
can I just say that English knitting does not mean throwing and big wrist movements I "throw" but actually my hand is like a shuttle and the wool is held around my finger and hand. It is fast and economical in movement, easy to pearl and does not give wrist strain. I was taught by my grandmother as a child and most older knitters like me knit in a similar manner. I think that the current pattern for exaggerated throwing comes from a generation of lost knitters who never learned and the younger knitters who have revived the skill have not been taught by an expert. So find yourself an old lady to teach you.
I’m a continental knitter, and purling doesn’t bother me at all, but I remember thinking that purling was so much harder than knit stitches when I was first learning to knit. Also, I weirdly love ribbing. I hate crochet ribbing, but I love knit ribbing. 😂
Me too - when I was learning as a child they taught me to keep the yarn hand still and do the entire shaping of the stitch with my right hand only, which makes for a very slow and tedious way to purl (and also loosens tension a lot). For a very long time that was the only way I knew of, and I hated purling, until I realized that my tension hand is allowed to help too! - Now it's a breeze, and actually even e bit less hard on my right wrist than knitting.
My grandma made a white mohair cardigan for me when I was 4. To this day I remember how incredibly soft it was and how much I hated it anyway because I was not allowed to move when I was wearing it because it would get dirty…
Totally agree with these, plus knitting with more than one strand whether mohair or not can increase the price of making the project by quite a bit and I don't see that discussed much. I think there might be a place for making really statement or special blankets for very special gifts for example, but it is a lot of work! I was also wondering why purling was so unpopular but I am also an English thrower like you.
New Subscriber from the UK. I agree with all your opinions. I've never bought any mohair yarn and would find it itchy to wear. I have a couple of small balls of it that I was given years ago. I made a cuddly toy with it but it was a nightmare to knit with. I was taught to knit when I was 8 so still knit the same way now . I hold the yarn between my thumb and first finger and 'throw' the yarn. A lot of British knitters just use their first finger to flick the yarn over the needle. Purling is just as easy as knitting although sometiimes my tension is not as good on a pearl row. As for sock knitting...no thanks. There's a lot of sock knitters on here but it just doesn't appeal to me. I agree with you on slower knitting. It calms you down. I have a book called Mindful projects for knitters. It's a good way of de-stressing. As for blankets, I've never actually knitted one but I am crocheting an Afghan using up scraps when I have them. It's taken me 3 years so far😂
Your video was so refreshing. Since rekindling my knitting practice, I have fallen into the rabbit hole of watching the knitters on TH-cam and comparing myself to them and feeling inadequate. So it turns out I deep down agree with all your points (for me). So I think I’ll reconsider trying to love sock knitting, which I don’t, will cease regretting not using the Kid Silk Haze I have in my stash (that I’ve already frogged once), finish my cable blanket but never do that to myself again as I enter the 3rd year of working on it, stop comparing myself to others and their production levels and never knit a ribbed hat again (it was agony). The only point I’m neutral on is purling. It is so useful for design options that I’m willing to work at it. Thanks.😊
You’re so welcome, and thank you for watching! I love the online knitting community but I think all the trend chasing can lead to unhealthy comparison. Whether you make 40 items a year or 1, IMO you’re a creator which is always worth celebrating
I think the conversation about mohair is so funny. When I started knitting (about 10-15 years ago) mohair was basically non-existant in new patterns. When it came upin conversations it was mostly in the context of "haha ugly 80's sweaters". I remember the first shawl I made with mohair and it felt so... idk, edgy(??) that it had the audacity to have a section with mohair. I remember almost feeling embarrased to buy the yarn! I looked it up on my rav page and that was in 2016. It's so interesting to see youtubers today talk about their inner struggles to stop using it, like if it's not okay or weird to not use mohair!
I know. It has its place like anything else, but at least in my climate, all mohair everything would restrict me wearing my knitting to the very coldest winter months
Ok so I get the boring thing about ribbing, but for me, switching from throwing to picking made all the difference! I'm with you that purling isn't awful. I find it slightly slower and my tension is different, but I don't dislike it. But when I switched to picking, it made ribbing SO much more manageable! It goes faster, so it feels less tedious and boring than when I was throwing. I would also avoid ribbing at all cost! But now I find it kind of fun. I'm also here to sing the praises of socks! I actually love them for outdoor stuff because they are much tougher than my thin store-bought socks. I use superwash, toss them in the washing machine, then hang them to dry. I have so many and my oldest pair is like 15 years old. I wear them regularly and at last they are wearing thin under the heel. I love that the projects are small, can have as much or as little detail as you like, take 1 skein of yarn, and require almost no finishings! No assembly, usually no seaming, just weave in a couple of wnds and maybe do up the toe, done, ready to wear. And the only time I've considered blocking them was when I made them from 100% wool that wasn't superwash. I forgot and tossed those in the wash once or twice and they felted and shrank enough that I couldn't get them on anymore. Anyway, have at it with your opinions, my friend 🙌🏻
I wish I could learn a different style but I never want to “waste” yarn on what’s going to be a tester project and inevitably won’t be as nice as my regular throwing. Maybe I need to practice with some scraps. And ditto with the socks, I may be swayed to make some kid size ones as a test 😂
@easilyknitfluenced I feel you on not wasting yarn learning another method. I decided to make a scarf as my learning project. The tension was all over the place 😅 but by the end it was consistent and I got the hang of it! But I had to talk myself into even trying, never mind committing to doing it. So I totally get what you're saying!
Well if they’re unpopular opinions I seem to share most of them! I learned to knit when most patterns were seamed so it seemed not purling wasn’t an option. I don’t mind purling but I’m also a thrower who sort of flicks. I like to knit my purls through the back loop when doing rib, the knit stitch doesn’t get distorted. I haven’t knit that many socks but they are great for perfecting a lot of different techniques, also like to wear them in winter boots and to bed. Give them a try.
#1, I have no experience. #2, as a thrower, I agree! #3 I agree! I make super short sock ribbing and I'm ok with a rolled edge. #4, I started as a crocheter and I hated how long it took to make a blanket so I haven't tried knitting one. I have no desire to. #5 I can see why SOME people want to work on speed but for myself, I just allow the speed to do it's thing. I do gift a lot with 6 kids and their kids but I don't see the point in learning to be faster. #6 I don't get obsessed with socks but I enjoy making them once in a while. I'm allergic to wool so I am limited. My hand knit socks pretty much become slipper socks for the winter because they are thicker than regular store socks. I have a pair on right now. :D I love that knit and crochet are things we can do to our own style and preferences. To get upset at you for not liking the same things is silly.
Absolutely agree on the drag of ribbing. I deal with it by doing it when in a group chatting or as a passenger in car…then I’m distracted from the boredom.
I had never thought to ask myself how many mohair garments I owned before I (re)started knitting. You made me laugh out loud. Yep, it was zero. After a few years of knitting I now own several sweaters/cardigans with mohair. I have to agree it’s probably because so many patterns include it, but it also draws me in because I feel like a giant fluffy teddy bear when I wear it. 🧸
Exactly, I knew what it was before I was a knitter but I never thought I needed it in my wardrobe. It’s also not really available in branded clothing, probably because it’s so expensive to include in knits. I love the fluff factor, but equally love a regular smooth knit with a single strand too.
I have sweaters I got at good will, and one my mom owned. They are the ones I wear the most. Best is that cat hair slips off. We all have our own perspective.
A fellow English knitter, yay! Did you enjoy the knitting process at least? Socks look beautiful but I wouldn’t wear them either- I’d always find some excuse not to
I agree so much with the speed thing. I knit off and on at work, and people are surprised when I am working on the same project for a long time. I keep telling the that knit/crochet/embroidery are for stress relief. The project will be finished eventually, but the process is as important. As far as the storage goes...no way I would have room for 40 projects a year.
Another contrarian here. I heartily agree with most of your opinions. I am not a sock knitter as knitted socks are not part of my aesthetic and I have no intention of wasting time making them. I have one knit blanket which is used frequently as Canadian winters are cold and our house is an older home. However, it is made with Icelandic unspun yarn that was in my stash for decades. It was inexpensive when I bought it. I could not think of anything else to use up that particular yarn. Any additional blankets I make are gifted baby blankets crocheted with worsted weight cotton so they go much faster. Unlike most Knitters, I have no desire to make the love note Sweater. I don’t look good in Yoke sweaters and the lace pattern is too deep for my short torso.
Mohair: part of its function has always been there- there are tons of inexpensive yarns (acrylics) that are designed to mimic the loft and halo of mohair. The other thing is that we are in an era of VERY worsted spun yarns. No loft, high drape, rather sleek. This is amplified by the prevalence of superwash wools. The more woolen spun/lofty, bouncy yarns of the past are currently really expensive, or are made of scratchy lower grade wool fibers. When we add a strand of mohair it shifts toward that loftier, bouncier, soft/halo effect that was once part of some yarns that we just don’t find in stores right now.
Yes - I’ve bought some of those acrylic yarns in fast fashion stores before and they’ve fallen apart after a few washes ☹️ so in that sense at least mohair is sturdy.
@@easilyknitfluenced not recommending these imitation yarns- the softness of acrylic lasts only a couple of washes anyhow. But just trying to note that using the strand of mohair with a strand of superwash kind of recreates the characteristics of some yarns that people are naturally attracted to, but are not readily available lately.
Hello Michelle, I Understand most of your opinions, and you’re funny! While knitting the fancy cowl you pointed out in your favorite Japanese designs video, I listened carefully. Maybe a little info on mohair. In the Netherlands I am not aware of mohair being overmarketed. But you might appreciate it more when you study this unique animal (protein) fiber. It is not wool and has other qualities. The scales are thinner, smoother and larger than wool and gives mohair a stellar luster, smooth and even slippery feel (not good for beginning knitters) and a strong resistance to felting. It does not have the springy elasticity of wool because it has no crimp, but the individual fibers are elastic which gives the fabric great draping qualities when processed in the right pattern and construction. Mohair fabrics resist creasing and wrinkels and do not attract or hold dirt. It is also exceptionally durable (used in carpets and upholstery), it does not pill, great for elegant projects. And there is more ofcourse, like many types of mohair and the way it is processed into yarn. Good and bad stuff out there. I have never knitted with mohair but it is definitely on my to do list. And a little advice on the ribbing: it defines the look of your garment. So for me I want to make it as beautiful as possible and enjoy the process never mind how long. And looking forward to swatching and to the finishing touches like weaving in ends, making perfect seams, wash and block perfect. I know from experience in my knitting school that most knitters do not (yet) enjoy that at all. I learned to appreciate it for a perfect project. Have a great day and thanks for sharing! ❤ Corrie
What a fun video. I really liked listening to these opinions because in knitting - as anywhere else - there are people about who only accept their own opinions and cannot abide anyone thinking differently. So it was very refreshing. Having said that, I do actually mostly agree with you 😉, especially about blankets. I have only ever made one knitted blanket and that was for the stroller when my kids were small, so a very small blanket. I‘d die of boredom! I‘ve since been converted to crochet blankets which are perfect for leftovers. And socks are actually where I started out from on my knitting journey, so I do love them. Small, portable, an easy gift and by now I can do them in my sleep, so it‘s mostly comfort knitting. I‘ve moved away from overly fancy colourwork/lace/etc. socks, though, because they‘re just not worth my time when nobody can see them 😉 But - if you work with trusted commercial yarn like Regia or Opal you have hours of knitting fun for very little price and they do last forever. I simply throw them in the washing maching (another agree here: no fancy handwashing my socks), sometimes accidentally on a higher cycle because life is busy, and they all come out fine. Margareta (all the way from southern Germany)
I don’t know what possessed me for all my blanket knitting years 😂😂 I could see myself maybe doing a baby one in the future, but never anything bigger than that. Socks are something I may be swayed on in a different phase of life! Maybe when the kids are older and I can put nicer things on my feet 🤪
I agree with you on most things but especially on the speed isn't everything. My crafting is a time when I can relax and try to calm my mind. The simple and methodical use of the needles is my way of reducing stress. I find that after a while my knitting speed naturally picks up but initially I take my time and enjoy the process. All of my crafting projects are more about the process than the outcome. I enjoy using the things that I make but that is just an added benefit.
I'm with you on so many of these things. I have no desire to knit socks. I will tear them apart and also they're on my feet! I feel like I'll never look at them or see them. Also, I knit continental and have no issues with purling at all! My biggest hot take: You won't catch me ever knitting a bobble.
I think I agree with everything you said. I survived the angora-mohair fad in the 80s and was glad to see it end. Itchy, hard to care for garments. I never had more than three even at the height of their popularity. And about storing all those garments. I often wonder where people are storing their prolific output. And purling, I flick with my thumb to purl and have been contemplatimg purling my next stockinette project because I enjoy it. The only minor disagreement is the socks. Whether you wear them or not they make a great purse project for waiting around in doctor’s offices, train commutes etc. if you knit DK socks they are great slipper socks. I’m over fingering weight socks that get holes so easily, but DK is faster and less fussy. I throw them in the machine on permanent press and hang dry.
I think fingering socks would take me forever even though they’re tiny, and I don’t knit well on dpns. But they’re definitely tempting for how portable they are
Very interesting video. Nice to hear your opinion on blankets and socks. I am quite a pragmatic knitter and want to get the most use out of my knits. So I don’t really understand the need for more blankets than one (I’m living alone). I made mine from reclaimed wool so it was free and it will probably last me a lifetime. So no need to ever knit one again. Socks are much more durable as you might think. I wear mine around the house and they are lasting really long. So no need to knit more and more pairs.
@@easilyknitfluenced I used just the standard hand dyed sock yarn that you can find at most yarn stores. 75 percent superwash wool, 25 percent nylon. I find that when I wear my socks, I look down at my feet often and it makes me happy. I exclusively hand wash them though, but I don't mind. But my situation might be very different from yours since I live in a new appartment, so the floors are all very equal, no risk for the socks to get damaged from rough floor and I don't step outside often once I'm home.
I hate ribbing too! Absolutely detest it. And because of that I couldn’t bear knitting socks either… until I tried toe up. No ribbing! Well, a bit of ribbing, but it’s at the end so you’re well motivated to get it done by that point 😂
Very practical. I think I needed to hear what you had to say. Thank you for making this video. I am definitely going to be more practical in what I knit. While I love knitting it is very expensive and actually pretty I practical. I may even give it up as my time is precious so working to knit is just getting pathetic wasteful even.
I only knit jumpers or cardigans, i couldn't really be bothered to knit socks though...i knit English style and agree with you on purlin and speed, knitting is a relaxing hobby not something to rush😊 the thing i can't get my head around are all those patterns that are knit top down, and there are so many of them now🤦♀️
as far as I notice, ppl who use mohair yarn, always combine it with more robust yarn. I always felt, that some brands don't have a huge variety of their yarn and let customers combine two different types of their cough expensive cough yarn 😅 I also had a mohair phase in the 2010s, and sometimes, I combined multiple cobweb yarns. But nowadays, there is a huge variety of yarn at the big yarn company, e.g., Lana Grossa. I don't see any necessity to combine those yarns to get a certain effect. as for sock knitting, I also don't really like knitting socks. It's for a necessity. If you ever have a pair of wool socks you understand. It's warm, it won't be wet, it doesn't smell, it will be fit but not too tight. (and you don't need to wash them every day... hey! it's made from wool!)
I am a continental knitter and I have no problem with purling or ribbing. Most knitters crochet scrap blankets with fancy yarn leftovers, which as a crocheter also, is a great idea! Agree about speed...we should be enjoying our crafting.
Oh interesting! I always assumed it had something to do with the wrist movement, since it looks a lot more involved than English purling. Poor purls get such a bad rap 🥲
nodding in agreement with 90% of this! mohair in everything really gets me, I'm half convinced it's some kind of conspiracy with yarn companies to get us buying twice as much yarn for every garment 😂 fuzzy clothes are just not for me, even if mohair has other benefits. hatred of purling really confused me until I realized it's concentrated among continental knitters (not all of them!) and when I watch someone purl in continental I can see where they're coming from! looks like a lot of extra fiddle-iness compared to purling english style. my most controversial knitting take is that there can be a weird amount of "continental superiority complex" in some quarters, as if english style is for beginners but Real Knitters learn continental so they can knit So Much Faster (as long as you're not purling I guess!). really it should be to each their own/whatever's comfortable and intuitive. I even have friends who've been pressured/pestered at meetups to learn continental because it's "better." so weird
Yes I think this is a conspiracy too! The only fashion brand I’ve seen using mohair regularly is Sezane. No one else uses it and there’s a reason; it’s expensive and fussy to take care of. The continental superiority sub genre is a thing for sure. I think I’m too far gone on my English knitting journey to unlearn it now. I do think continental would be handy to learn for two stranded colorwork though.
@@easilyknitfluenced I use continental solely for stranded colorwork and it really is amazing for that, I can't imagine having both colors in one hand and it makes color dominance really simple when that comes into play. but otherwise I'm perfectly happy with my speed (or lack thereof - you're so right about that too) and comfort with english knitting. can't predict the future but for now I'm content.
Enjoyed your observations very much. I have been knitting quite a few years and was never interested in trying to knit socks. Found the very idea intimidating to try to make 2 of a pair and have them come out the same size and shape. Then someone gave me a beautiful colorwork sock knitting kit for Christmas. I have now made a couple pairs of simple socks to learn how and found it very interesting and not so difficult. The second pair actually came out the same! Plan to start the kit after doing one more pair of socks with some colorwork in it for learning.
I’m with you on purling! It took me forever to figure out why it was generally hated. Come to find out I naturally knit English Combination (taught myself so I had no idea for years lol) so the motion is much more natural and not an annoyance to switch between. I agree on blankets. If I want to make a full sized blanket I crochet and maybe throw in some knitting details. Of course in general I prefer quilts lol.
New to your podcast, loved your honesty, keep it real, we are all here to enjoy our craft, what works for someone may not work for an other but sharing our views helps everyone. Keep up great podcasts. 😊
I agree with all of your points. Speedy knitters may sound appealing , when one is first starting, but you mentioned a great observation… where on earth would one store all of those items. I may be rather fast but I often get asked and even pressured to answer how long ( exact hours) did it take to make an item . To me , knitting is about being intentional and slowing down. I am not a machine, and it’s perfectly okay to take my time .
I'm also an English-style thrower and I don't mind purling either. I get it about the sock knitting (although I do love knitting socks), because they're down in your shoes and with pants on, no one sees them anyway! Unless you wear them with sandals, which looks dumb, so I understand.
I’ve done the same. On the sleeves no less, when that was literally the last thing I needed to do to have a nice finished object, and I couldn’t face it.
I agree with everything. I too have spent an obscene amount of money on yarn for a blanket. But.... One of the most incredible pieces I've ever knit was a blanket...I learned to knit by knitting that blanket. It is fittingly called the Learn to Knit Afghan Blanket by the great Barbara Walker. I used reasonably priced cascade 220 and had a ball being introduced to all types of knitting in one piece.
I’ve seen some gorgeous blankets on ravelry. I think I just used that type of knitting as a security blanket (lol) so that I wouldn’t have to venture into garment knitting
I have just watched you for the first time. I agree with your mohair thoughts. I knit with it once and developed really random welts on my arms. It hadn't even touched my arms. One and done. Never again. As for purling again I don't get what the issue is, however, I am also an English knitter. Oh rib, in the past i hated 2x2 rib but favored 1x1. That has definitely changed especially when knitting socks lol. I also didn't really "get" the whole sock thing until i found a heel i enjoyed and it actually fitted properly. HFG is the devil. I really enjoyed watching and I off now to check out a few more of your videos 😊
I love to knit socks. I wear them all the time and put them in the washer/dryer. I have used hand dyed and big box brands and I don’t have an issue with them wearing out. Now I like a vanilla sock, rarely do I knit a patterned sock. Agree about mohair and purling😃
I agree with them all except for sock knitting! I like knitting socks because you can buy all the crazy yarn that’s beautiful, but you wouldn’t necessarily want in a sweater. And also it’s a fun way to try out lace where again I wouldn’t necessarily wear a sweater or shawl with it but on a sock, it’s fun! I definitely wouldn’t wear my hand knit socks to garden or bike but other days are fine. Most sock yarn is superwash with nylon so they are durable and you can machine wash (it’s true I do hand wash them still 😂)
Absolutely love the Peggy Sweater and the colour too - just gorgeous. Interesting hearing your opinions. As I'm quite new to knitting, I find it interesting to hear that there are more experienced but young knitters who still use the English technique since I'm discovering other methods that I never knew existed. I agree with you on the blanket knitting, even though I like the idea of a knitted baby blanket but, as you pointed out, it seems like a lot of knitting (of the same thing) for not a huge reward. Unless you're the baby recipient, I guess! lol And as I don't wear socks often, I imagine I might like to knit up a few warm ones for winter in the house but that would probably be enough sock to satisfy me. It was knitted toys that drew me back into knitting again (so I learned the basics when I was a kid, many moons ago, from my nana but haven't knitted a thing for eons) so I didn't think I'd want to knit up sweaters and the like for myself...but now I think I do. Seems they might be more interesting and a very satisfying reward (and my wardrobe could definitely use some lovely new garments). 🤩
I like to knit every day because I enjoy it. Knit for myself and family and also for charity. Knitting for charity gives me lots of opportunity to try new more adventurous knits - the charity I knit for donates to refugees and wants colourful cheerful individual items to keep them warm .
Same here with purling 😂 actually at first I did not even understand why all hat drama about it...until I understood there were different knitting styles, and I knit in "portuguese style" which means basically no big difference between purling and knitting...well, actually for me it is even slightly easier to purl😊
I agree with the sock thing mostly. However, I will occasionally knit a pair of socks using chunky yarn and have myself a quick new pair of "slippers" that look like 2x scale baby socks. But I walk in them as much as a baby would because I don't trust them to wear out, so they mostly serve to keep my feet warm on the sofa and I'll even kick them off if I need to get up. The chunky yarn knits a pair of socks in a day, I haven't even tried knitting socks with normal yarn.
Thoughts on socks, because I was there. I'm a fidget knitter, so it's nice to have something small to always have with me that I can knit. Second, type of yarn does matter. After trying different "sock" yarns, any wool/ synthetic blend seems to knit up and wash(yes, in the machine without anything special)/ wear just fine. I tend not to knit the fancy socks, but yes, they wash with the rest of the laundry. The only ones that look a little rough are the ones where I tried a completely natural blend (zero acrylic/poly in the mix) but as they said back in the day, "a stitch in time saves nine". I couldn't properly appreciate that phrase before knitting.
I live in a very warm climate (one year it was like 90 on Christmas day), so I don't knit socks because I just don't have a need for them. When I am wearing socks, I'm wearing athletic shoes, and I can't imagine exercising with wool on my feet. Also, I suspect that if knitwear designers didn't receive their mohair yarns for free they might not use it as much (Spincycle yarns too). I have a mohair allergy so I really wish there were more designs that didn't use it.
I’m with you on many of these opinions. I knit a toy bunny out of mohair last year and swore I would never use that fibre again. So annoying to undo mistakes, for one thing. Yet I love the sweater I made holding a strand of mohair with a strand of soft spun wool, so it is likely that I will use mohair again in the future. I’m not a fan of wearing hand knit socks either. My sister taught me the two-at-a-time toes first technique, which was a fun process - then I gave her the resulting pair of socks. She wears her hand knit socks all the time and she’s a farmer, hard on her socks, so she knits them from sturdy wool.
Zero mohair! Once upon a time my wardrobe was a fluff free zone. It was fine. I was looking forward to saying "oh, I disagree wildly!" But I mostly agree. 😂 Knitting my first socks right now, and am enjoying the process, but it's far too early to say whether: a) they'll be durable, b) I'll find myself drawn to knit more. Thoroughly fun vid. 😊
Thank you for watching! I’m glad you agree 😂😂😂 Keep me posted on the socks though - I’ve considered knitting some as gifts for people who live less chaotic and messy lives than me 🤪
I never used to want to knit socks as I thought they were a waste of my time. Then I knit a pair of socks on a “challenge”. They are fun. Now I have knit about 10 pair. Have ripped all but 2 pair out as I have not yet figured out how to get them to fit my foot. I’m determined to master this. One of the things I have learned is I have to slow down my knitting when I am making socks as my tension is an issue. Working on another pair right now and have my fingers crossed that by going “slower” I can get a pair to fit my foot. Yes, I have also done some reading and am making some modifications so that they will be tighter on my foot.
I worry about this- that the sizing has to be so precise that any error will mean they’re pretty much unwearable😩 I don’t know, socks are daunting for so many reasons
I agree to all but the last one. I just got into sock knitting and love it. But I did grow up wearing socks my mom and grandma made and always loved them. They don’t wear out fast and I do wash mine in the machine in a garment bag and lay them flat to dry. Now my daughter-in-law loves wearing them too. She wasn’t interested in wearing any but now she asked for more.
I don’t get the mohair thing either, mainly because I find it prickly. I’ve used suri alpaca on a couple projects because it’s a lot softer, but I’m just not big on the whole double-strand with a fuzzy yarn. As for socks, I hear you…I enjoy sock knitting, but only vanilla or very simple texture such as rib. When I see people knit elaborate sock patterns with cables, lace, or colorwork, I wonder WHY? It’s just going in your shoes and probably under pants too. No one will even see them!
I walk every day and garden and do everything in only my handknit socks. I love them and my feet are never stinky! Wool is amazing! I have more than enough socks to last for the rest of my life (likely more than 50 pairs for me, at least that many have been knitted and gifted within my home and to friends and family outside of my home). The people who "get it" get more socks. I'm fortunate to find amazing deals on my yarn. It is rare that I spend more than $5 on socks, or $10 on a sweater. Though I do occasionally buy yarn from indie dyers (usually when they are running some store sale though). I agree mohair is overrated (for me) I did just finish a cardigan and I am FOREVER getting bits of mohair in my mouth or eyes. It is a lovely sweater that I receive lots of compliments on though (a cone of mohair, which I used about half of $2 for the cone, held with a light fingering yarn $5 a box, and some bits of pieces of scrap yarn for the colourwork).
I need to know your yarn shopping secrets! I am new to using wool yarns, I grew up only around what one could get at walmart. Now I want wool, but my budget is still not there...
@@picturesqueimages The vast majority of my stash comes from my twice yearly treks to the Textile Center of Minnesota's Garage Sale. There are AMAZING bargains there. More comes from folks who gave up knitting or family members are destashing from homes they are clearing as they downsize or have a loss in the family. I probably have enough to last my lifetime, but the shiney is always a draw, and sometimes I just want something knit in a particular color that I don't have in stash... Best of luck with your search, there was a time (before I moved near the Textile Center) when I would regularly run through a couple of local thrift stores, mostly didn't find anything on trips, but occasionally I would score great deals.
My grandmother mainly knit socks so I have always used handmade wool socks nearly all year round. If you live in a cold climate woolly socks are a must inside winter boots. Also, if you use a regular sock yarn you can just throw them in the washing machine on a wool cycle.
Interesting! It gets cold here, but I’ve been soldiering through with cold feet in my winter boots 😔 maybe I’ll make a destash pair one day and see how they fare
I used to agree with you on socks. Why waste good money on something that gets dirty and wears out so fast? Until I made my own first pair. Really nice to wear in the winter to keep toes warm. I now wear shorty socks to bed during the winter and the cooler times of fall and spring. It is supposed to help you sleep better by helping your body maintain better temperature control. You sleep better when your body can cool down a bit. However, if your extremities are too cold, your body works harder to keep them a consistent temp which means your don’t cool down as much. Enter superwash wool socks to the rescue! Even my teenage boys wear their wool socks to bed everyday night even into the summer. I use Opal sock yarn. Sturdy, washable, and long lasting. I have a friend that has had a pair made from Opal yarn that is 15+ years old and still going strong. PS my first video of watching you and I enjoyed it!
Hahaha “fussy sock washing” I totally agree. I’ve knit five or so pairs of socks because I was so excited about methods the afterthought heal two socks at a time, etc a brilliant portable adventure in knitting we don’t wear them!!! I buy Darn tough socks now that usually wear like iron. I throw them in the washer and hang them to dry. I have six pair, perhaps more if I include sport ankle style. Whenever they wear out, I just mail them back and they mail me a new pair. It’s fantastic thank you.
I think it’s all about what time of life you’re in too - there may come a time when I have much more capacity for babying my knit items. Now is not that time 😂
I agree with most of your points except sock knitting! As a thrower, purling doesn’t bother me at all. I have exactly the same knitting style as you describe. It may takes me longer than picking, but speed in not at all my goal! First time watcher from France and looking forward to watching other videos.
I'm also one of the many who disagree on the socks. I always do the same type of sock: 2x2 rib leg, heel flap and gusset, stockinette and then a star tip (evenly distributed decreases). They are a wonderful palate cleanser and I can really do them on autopilot at this point. About 2-3x a year, I go into a sock phase where i knit like 2 pairs of socks in a very short time. I only wear my wool socks at home, as i hate wearing tight socks when I'm in my safe space (this may be the autism), except for a few very old pairs (10-15 years old) that I wear in my winter boots for additional warmth. So that was my sock yap. Totally agree on the mohair. I have used it for 2 or 3 projects but I find that it makes me sweat fast and for some reason dries out my hands like crazy. The amount of hand cream I needed while knitting with a strand of mohair was CRAZY (i barely use hand cream)
I wish I could share the joy of ribbing with you! I am also an English knitter and I really enjoy every moment of doing the ribbing. It is actually my favourite part! Funny how we’re all different.
Yes, I can only take ribbing minimally because it’s what makes my wrists ache a lot. I don’t knit with mohair because I’m allergic to it, learned it the hard way haha. Socks were the reason I taught myself how to knit, I used to knit patterned socks simply to learn more techniques but in the last several years I prefer to knit all basic ‘my vanilla sock recipe’ socks and I machine wash my socks on the delicate cycle and air dry (clipped to a drying rack by their toes), I live in a climate where I can wear them at least 9 months of the year and I have enough pairs that I don’t wear the same pair more than once during maybe 5 months and I’ve had many of my socks for up to 10yrs. Not everyone needs to knit socks and some people don’t even like wearing hand knit socks or some knit socks just for others.
Wow that’s great longevity! I guess climate is another consideration, in New York the shoulder seasons are quite warm. And I can’t stand it when my feet are too hot, so I don’t even wear store bought socks for ~8 months out of the year
I agree with your mohair musings, I have never used it, eventually I will, but think it is a frou-frou fuzzy weird thread. (personal opinion, no hate). I'm a beginning knitter, just over a year so not a ton of experience. I personally LOVE ribbing, I love to do it (continental knitter here) and love the squishy feel of it. I could rib all day long. I crochet blankets, but have never yet tried to knit a blanket. Now a cabled pillow, that has high interest for me. I also agree with your "slow" knitting. As a new knitter especially, working on my tension and learning how to just keep the loops on the silly needles is a challenge. Knitting is a hobby and a way to calm my adhd. I use it as a fidget. I actually failed sock class and have yet to create a pair of socks. I do want to make my own socks because I'm a diabetic and need to wear socks 24/7 to protect my feetsies. I always have my feet inside a pair of shoes or slippers now as well for same reason. (personal preference, no hate! :) ) Thanks for the fun discussion, very much enjoyed our talk this morning as I knit on my t-shirt I'm working.
Glad you enjoyed it! Frou frou is the right way to describe it 😂. And there’s a place for frou frou but not in everything! I would love to do a cabled pillow too, I think that would be beautiful. But no more blankets
I agree with you on most of your opinions… since you don’t like to purl, ( I’m an Eastern European knitter) I can see why socks don’t appeal. I have a high arch, and very unmatched feet ( one is a size longer, the other is a size wider). Socks were SO uncomfortable until I knitted my first pair! Socks are a compact project ( like hats), but with the complexity of a sweater - even vanilla socks.
Love knitted socks. Knitting on one now at an airport. Wear them daily at night as my feet are always cold & when my feet are cold I get cramp. My husband loves them too as do my kids.
As others said, I agree with all of your points other than your aversion to knitting socks. And I used to agree with you on that too. I became a knitter 7 years ago, and didn’t try socks for the first two years. And that first try was a rather hilarious single, mangled, unwearable monstrosity. But the next time I tried it, I was amazed at the almost magical transformation of string into a wearable sock. I treated myself to luxurious sock yarn and now always have at least one pair on the needles. I don’t wear my handmade treasures for everyday, in-shoe purposes, as a rule. They are for inside snow boots in the winter, around the house on cold days, or just when I want to feel pampered. I would be happy to let you all in on the best sock knitting TH-cam tutorials I’ve found, if you like. Also, Michelle, would you share your Ravelry handle with us? (I lived north of NYC too, for 35 years, in Larchmont.)
I agree on several of your controversial opinions. Totally not a mohair fan. It does look beautiful, but man it is too itchy for me. Also, it makes garments so expensive, not to mention being a bear to tink back when you make a mistake. I HATE ribbing too. I love the look of twisted rib and will suck it up for the right project. I thought I would never knit socks, but it turns out I love it! I don't knit a ton, maybe 4 pair a year, but such an easy on-the-go project (think all those sports practices) and you can try out beautiful single skeins of hand-dyed yarn and new techniques without a big commitment. DPN's are the devil, but 9" circulars are amazing! I mainly wear them in the house in the winter and love to make a festive pair for the holidays.
I totally agree with the most :) Mohair is like candies, so nice and sweet but life can go on without it. I adore it, but as much as I don`t eat candies everyday I don`t need to knit everything with mohair. But when I do I enjoy it a lot, like a nice cake :D And big big yes to purling (I am purling Norwegian way, wasy and nice to do) and slowing down. I don`t need to be fast and furious, sometimes I stop just to admire the colors and cuddle my yarn :D I have nothing against the ribbing though :) And oooh, SOCKS! Socks, this is a hot topic! I love to knit them, but I am very careful with the nice ones. I knitted some with durable, thick yarn to keep my feet warm when I hike with my dog in autumn and winter. And they indeed keep my feet warmer than any store bought ones. :) Hugs from Norway! :)
Thank you for watching! In a Norwegian climate, I can see big thick hand knit socks making sense. In New York it's only cold enough for woolen socks about 3 months of the year. And I'm a barefoot person even in the cold months of the year, so sadly I don't think sock knitting will ever be my forte ;)
I am going to start learning how to knit because I always wanted to knit a pair of socks. Probably totally over-romanticizing it. I live in South Florida and well sweaters just aren't really a thing down here. I would be able to wear a sweater comfortably about 3 days out of the year. I am left handed and I think the Continental knitting was confusing. So I am going to try again with English knitting this time round. I do crochet and for some reason there is a speed thing there too. But I crochet, quilt, learning how to sew clothes, and hopefully knitting as ways to relax. So I don't care about going fast.
I was nodding in agreement until your opinion about sock knitting. 😅I would have concurred 3 months ago, but I've since jumped on the socks bandwagon. Yes, you have to wash it separately and wear them sparingly (for fear of wearing them out), but I find the knitting so much fun. Do I wear the socks? Not all. I just love seeing all the colors in my drawer! I do have friends and family that now want a pair so I'll be busy for awhile🧶🧶
I love the idea of a beautiful sock drawer too! But I don’t think I’m that person sadly. They’ll just end up stuffed in with all my other socks, just not worn 🤪
Listen, when I was a young mom - I was exactly the same! No sock knitting - and I sure didn't have time to hand wash much! So that I get. But now, I'm retired, have lots of free time, don't mind hand washing - so I do knit a pair or so a year. Life happens, we evolve, and at least for me, I've changed. I think it's OK to not like sock knitting! It's quite all right. And I DO agree with all your other opinions - especially the Mohair and Blankets! Funny.
I definitely learned to love sock knitting. I love making sweaters and shawls, but i live in the south where we get maybe 2 months of true sweater weather. Plus socks take no planning so when i end up at a lys and dont want to break the bank for an unplanned project, im satisfied geting one skein and making socks!
@@easilyknitfluenced~ just a comment about wool and the south. I listened to a woman who worked for a batting company for quilts. She said it used to be wool for batting if you live in the south because it breathes better than cotton and wicks the moisture away.
I love your video. I agree with all points. I have not been knitting for too long . Just 5 years. I have never knit a sweater. The whole process scares the poop out of me. But I am very much encouraged. Wish me luck.
I waited way too long to make my first sweater - 8 years! Jump in - it's easier than it looks. I made the flax by Tin Can Knits in a child's size, which helped me understand the construction. Now I've made several pullovers for myself (all simple patterns). You can do it!!
Yes I agree! My first sweater was a child size one in a yarn I had in stash that I knew I’d never use for anything else. So it really took the pressure off. Since then I can’t stop knitting garments
Pro Sock Takes. They can take a beating better than those thin cotton ones. Holes are easier to repair. I keep a bit of the left over yarn for that. The knit textures feel great on the sole. You don't have to wash as often, because wool isn't getting as sweaty as cotton and airs out. But use the designated sock yarns with their around 20% sturdy fibers.
That seems to be the consensus in the comment section. I’d have to be so precise on sizing though….i might try some vanilla socks later in the year with yarn I already have
We NY girls must think alike! I never knit a sock or a blanket. I choose vintage sweater patterns that take several months to complete so I don't get an unmanageable amount of output. I don't love ribbing either ( although most vintage patterns have a lot of it). Purling doesn't bother me; the way I do it is very smooth (and continental). Like you, I'm not obsessed with mohair. I've used it a few times, mostly just as an accent.
Where do you get your patterns? My mother used to knit too, and she told me that everything was knit flat and seamed back then, knitting in the round wasn’t a thing
@@easilyknitfluenced Circular needles existed, but they weren't as facile to use as the ones available today. Many vintage patterns are knit flat. You don't have to drag your whole sweater around with you, plus the seams add stability to the garment and also enable you to make minor alterations (like in a sewn garment). Today's popular patterns often have no shaping and are not form fitted, so seams seem a bother. My patterns come from books, old newspapers (online) and groups that share / sell copies of out-of-copyright designs.
@@easilyknitfluenced, your mother is correct (of course 😊 ). The old patterns are basically constructed the same way a shirt or jacket would be constructed - just with knitted fabric rather than woven. However, I have some baby patterns (cardigans) from the 30s that have you knit one front side, the back, and the second front side all in one piece. Some of the needles from the era were longer than the ones available now, but they still call for a lighter weight yarn, so all those stitches fit on the needles. The first cable needles had something resembling a fixed spring between them. The one I inherited ate yarn from time to time. It's no wonder circular knitting needles didn't catch on before the plastic cables. However, sleeves, socks, leg warmers, mittens and similar items were knitted in the round. We used double pointed needles, like sensible people... 😊
I agree with almost all of your points. Except for the mohair (just for myself). Here are three more reasons why mohair is great (I also knit without it of course). First - it does a very good job at reducing pills. I knit a lot with unspun yarn. Mostly Nutiden which is extremely soft and fragile (very different from Plotulopi). I love it for many reasons but it pills A LOT. Mohair helps a ton with that. Second - I do not like hand dyed yarn at all because I hate any kind of inconsistency. Mohair can give amazing colour depth to a solid/flat yarn. Especially if the colour is a bit different from the colour of the base yarn. Third - I enjoy a thin, light-weight, drapey fabric for some of my garments. This is so easy to achieve with mohair. I use a lace weight merino plus mohair on 4mm needles and its amazing. I don't feel like knitting an oversized fingering weight sweater on 3mm needles just to end up with something where you can see tension issues everywhere. I would have to buy it in store to like it.
Yes, it absolutely helps make tension look beautiful. I didn’t realize about the pills though, that explains a lot. I’ve made a video complaining about pills in a really expensive yarn I bought a sweater quantity of 🤦🏻♀️ Safe to say I’ll keep using mohair, but a lot less frequently than if I followed the designers’ suggestions
I loved this video, thank you. It helped me to recognize my true passion with knitting. ❤❤❤ I love wearing sweaters & yet it took me a couple of yrs to finish my 1st one. At first I said no more! sweaters aren’t for me. Yet I enjoyed the adventure - mistakes were made, but some things I was amazed I’d learned on my own. So I’m back at my 2nd sweater. Determined not to trust that experience to be my final opinion. It was tedious & not perfect, but I am so proud of having at least challenged myself. Came to the conclusion that though it seems to take me forever, it was the most rewarding part of my knitting journey. I hope to make more. Haven’t worked with mohair yet. Purling is fine. Ribbing, I agree. It’s like eating breadsticks waiting your meal to be served! Re: speed. I wish I was ok saying I just enjoy the process, but secretly I wish I could finish my projects faster. But I have older hands & they cramp up if I knit too long a stretch, so I have to take breaks. It’s a no to blankets, shawls & scarves for me. Sock knitting, ambivalent feelings about it. But b/c I invested in patterns, books & yarn, if I’m in the mood. I’ll do it. But I agree, it’s not necessary for me to have them either.🙂
Thank you for watching! Ive gone through phases of life that were very busy or otherwise stressful where my knitting took a backseat or stopped altogether. And I still make tons of mistakes! 😂 lots of silly ones too, like not reading the pattern properly and picking the wrong needle size or number of stitches. I’m happy you’re getting back into it. Happy knitting!
I agree with you on every single thing except for the socks. I do like to knit socks. I don’t wear them much in the summer though and definitely not when I garden. 😂 I wear them with my Birkenstocks and my chunky loafers mostly. For a while I was too precious with them and then I made myself get over it. I do wash them in my washer on the wool/handwash cycle and just hang them to dry. It’s pretty easy. I’m also also an English knitter and don’t mind purling, but avoid 1 by 1 rib like the plague. I will only knit stockinette hats.
I am 100000% a process maker. I have crochted 6 full size blankets and only one is for me. I have made baby blankets for friends and toys for nieces and nephews, I’ve knits hats and socks for my family. The only things I have ever knit or crocheted for myself is one hat and one blanket. And honestly I’m happy that way. I love knitting socks it brings me so much joy but fun colorful socks aren’t my style so I gift them to my siblings. My mom wears a lot of hats so I make her hats. I’m not a huge knit/crochet wearer or user but I can’t go a day without knitting or crocheting so inevitably I make mainly for others. Also one of languages of love is gifts so I’m honestly happier making for other than I am when I’m making for myself.
I love gifting knits too! I’d say I’m a mix of process and product, some items I love to wear and others were just for the experience or the fun of knitting something new
I agree with all the points you have made. As far as the sock knitting is concerned, I completely agree 1000%. I have knitted a simple pair of socks for my husband recently and they look awful now!!
Hmm. On ribbing. It can seem fiddly. But, I wonder how you throw…there is a way to move the yarn over the needle right after knitting or purling the last stitch, so it’s ready to go immediately as the next stitch comes up. Plus a little tug while one repositions the yarn takes care of any gaps that might show where one changes from purl to knit, and vice versa if one is a loose knitter. This whole thing became a smooth seamless changeover, that is faster, and is hardly noticed. On blankets, take them apart and re-wind the yarn to use for something you do like.
I once heard some say they don't knit anything they can buy for a few dollars at Walmart. That was their problem with sock knitting. Honestly after knitting my first pair and feeling them on my feet gahhh. I just want more. My husband loves them as well. So I'm knitting him another. And it is a sacrifice because he goes through socks! I call his heels weapons of mass destruction! But I'm still knitting them because of how much loves them. I'll have to learn how to darn better.
I was broadly nodding my head along with you - not in complete alignment but all your points made sense. Then number 6…ooof that hit me hard! 😂 Socks are just the best thing to knit. Portable, fast to knit so no chance to get bored, ideal for trying out loads and loads of new techniques. Cables, lace, texture, short rows, all sorts. Bright fun crazy colours are much easier to wear as socks. So warm and comfy almost all year round (I’m in the UK and still in my hand knit socks, but will probably move away for just Jun-Jul-Aug). Wool socks knit to a tight gauge, if they fit properly, are BOMB PROOF. I have several pairs in my drawer that are over 8 years old. And I always use superwash wool so they just get washed and tumbled. No hand washing here! Thankyou for coming to my Ted Talk. And now you may proceed to never knit a sock because - you do you!
I know, I know - I had a feeling that one would be the most controversial opinion! And it’s the one I’ve gotten the most comments on 😝 true to my TH-cam handle though, I am highly susceptible to being influenced by the swell of public opinion on this.
Apparently superwash is the answer. Maybe I’ll work some socks into my plans for the second half of the year
Yes, what struck me about the sock opinion was the idea that knit socks are more fragile than machine made socks. In my experience, if you use good sock yarn, they're much tougher than store-bought socks. I wear my hand-knit socks for years and years. And now that I'm doing mostly afterthought heels, I'm able to replace worn spots in both toes and heels very quickly, which keeps them lasting even longer.
Which yarn brands did you use? I always avoided knitting socks because my store bought wool socks get holes so fast!
Totally agree. One of the best things about hand-knit socks is their indestructibility (except for my bro-in-law...). I also have 8-9-10 yr old socks that are still in good condition. And I wear them several days before washing--that may be gross, but it's better for the sock than washing every wear.
@@bmarilla6735 Knitpicks Stroll sock yarn lasts forever, but it will shrink unless you use gentle cycle on cold and hang to dry--which isn't a problem for me. Their Hawthorn is also very good. The toughest sock yarn I have is a Finnish brand called 7 Veljestä. I've had some of those socks for 10 years, I think. Regia sock yarn is also great. These are all wool and synthetic blends. And it's important to knit them at a tight gauge to make them sturdy.
My knitting motto is “ Enjoy the journey”. I’m not fast, just knit a lot. I enjoy the process.
Yes ❤
Love that!
What a refreshing take on these aspects of knitting! So with you on the mohair one. I still have NO mohair in my wardrobe. For one thing, I can't afford it, and secondly, I don't like it next to my skin. I agree there are far too many patterns out there double stranded with mohair 😂
It makes it pricey too! Two sweater quantities of yarn is a lot to be paying for
@@easilyknitfluenced so true!
I had no interest in socks for the same reasons you were mentioning..until...I realized that my feet are actually cold when I go to sleep at night or sit down to knit after my son goes to bed. So I only wear my hand knit socks at night. I knit them loose, that way I can easily slip them off in the middle of the night when I finally warm up. I don't need many and swap them out every week or so. And I definitely didn't do fancy patterns.. But it is an opportunity to knit with crazy colorful yarn that I wouldn't wear otherwise.
Ohhh what a cool idea, I never thought about resting sock wear. That might make sense in the winter for me too. And yes, I have a bunch of random crazy looking yarns in my stash too…
@@easilyknitfluenced haha.."resting sock-wear"... You make it sound so fashionable 😜
I've only knit one pair- they live next to my project bags in the lounge and I wear them at night when I'm on the couch and my feet are cold. They are made from superwash variegated yarn that I love in the skein but not in a garment. And I THROW THEM INTO THE WASHER AND DRYER (unpopular opinion for sure). They may not last forever, but they were a nice way to use yarn I wouldn't otherwise buy. I want to knit more- like maybe 1-2 pairs a year.
First time watcher here all the way from Finland! I'm a continental knitter who uses the Norwegian purl and I think those things explain why ribbing is almost as quick and easy for me as stockinette stitch. No problem whatsoever with purling or ribbing! The mohair of the olden days, at least in my experience, was itchy, low quality and/or expensive and was used on its own so it wasn't nice to wear compared to the mohair today and combining it with for example merino. It adds a beautiful halo to the knit garment and lovely warmth, very welcome during Finnish winter! Very welcome is also a lovely pair of hand-knit socks that I use at home all the time, sometimes even during summer months. My oldest pairs of socks are at least 5 years old, wool doesn't need washing that often due to its antibacterial properties and as I have several pairs of woollen socks, some are "resting" while another pair is in use. Also one of my most used knits during colder seasons is a woollen blanket, although I only have one and that's enough. I always have several WIPs, some easier knits for meetings, sitting in a bus etc., some more complicated or bigger knits to be worked on at home and of course for different purposes: socks, sweaters, cardigans, tees, shawls & scarfs, gloves, made of differents fibres and not only for me but also my loved ones. So I guess I'm the one that doesn't quite agree with your opinions/assumptions but there's always that one, isn't there 😅
I totally agree on the warmth of mohair, and I use it a lot too. But it’s definitely not needed for most patterns, and I think it adds a ton of cost to each project which can make it harder for more beginner knitters to justify knitting garments.
Socks are the one thing I could be swayed on! 😂
Came to say most of the same, as a Norwegian with 6 month of winter, knitted socks is great. I also have pairs that are at least 5 years old and I wash them in the machine.
And I walk a lot, so they get used and beaten for sure 😂
Hand knitted wool socks are much easier to repair compared to manufactured ones.
I have been buying smartwool socks for ten years and they last forever. I’m tired of them squishing my feet so I just started knitting my own and I’m on the second pair. I’m hoping they last as long as the Smartwool brand.
your mohair opinion really resonated with me. i’ve never used it before and i’ve made patterns that call for it without it mostly because of cost but i never really considered any possible reasons as to why it’s so popular in a lot of mainstream maker’s patterns
Like all things, I think mohair has its place in knitting, but I don’t think it belongs in as many patterns as it’s in!
Was with you on all of until sock knitting. 😂😂 But, hand knit socks are sturdier than you think! I wash and dry my socks in the machine, I wear the heck out of them, and they hold up better than store bought!
Oh wow, what kind of yarn do you use? After the accidental sweater dryer fiasco of a few years ago I am terrified of any of my knits ending up in there
@@easilyknitfluenced I always look for a 75/25 mix of SUPERWASH wool and nylon. I have a few older pairs that have felted a bit in spots of excess wear (balls of feet, heel flaps), but honestly that just gives them more strength.
Thank you, good to know!
Same. Hand knit socks last much better then bought ones
What I came here to say! Also, NSW wool has self-cleaning properties ❤
I have never understood why it is so great to knit fast. I am leisure with my yarn crafts. For me it's a relaxing, end of daytime for me. I think it is more stressful to knit like that, when I want to enjoy the process.
Exactly. I don’t aim to approximate a machine with my knitting
I'm with you about not wanting to knit socks. Mine are meant to be exercised in. After knitting something beautiful, I don't want to walk on it.
My thoughts exactly. Even the sturdiest yarn can only take so much, and the way I wear through machine made socks…knit socks wouldn’t stand a chance 😂
I found your podcast a few days ago & I sooo appreciate your blunt honesty and frankness. I love that it isn’t about showing off the five things you knit in the last week and that you can’t knit every minute of every day - I can so relate! I agree with all your comments except the socks. I knit a few socks a year and love them to wear them with sandals in the house in the winter, in my cowboy boots, and to bed. They are super cozy and far exceed store bought socks in the warmth dept without making my feet sweaty. That said, I don’t knit pair after pair bcs of the limited wear but they are fun knit bcs you can try more difficult stitches on a smaller scale project which also keeps it more interesting than plain stockinette. Curious Handmade has fantastic patterns. Thanks again for an honest and down-to-earth podcast!
can I just say that English knitting does not mean throwing and big wrist movements I "throw" but actually my hand is like a shuttle and the wool is held around my finger and hand. It is fast and economical in movement, easy to pearl and does not give wrist strain. I was taught by my grandmother as a child and most older knitters like me knit in a similar manner. I think that the current pattern for exaggerated throwing comes from a generation of lost knitters who never learned and the younger knitters who have revived the skill have not been taught by an expert. So find yourself an old lady to teach you.
Good point. I never get wrist strain either, thankfully. But yes, I’m entirely self taught, never had a lesson 🥲
I’m a continental knitter, and purling doesn’t bother me at all, but I remember thinking that purling was so much harder than knit stitches when I was first learning to knit. Also, I weirdly love ribbing. I hate crochet ribbing, but I love knit ribbing. 😂
To each their own! You must be much better at it than me 😂
Me too - when I was learning as a child they taught me to keep the yarn hand still and do the entire shaping of the stitch with my right hand only, which makes for a very slow and tedious way to purl (and also loosens tension a lot). For a very long time that was the only way I knew of, and I hated purling, until I realized that my tension hand is allowed to help too! - Now it's a breeze, and actually even e bit less hard on my right wrist than knitting.
crochet knitting is the devil. I also love purling especially learning how to Peru purl...so much faster and even!
My grandma made a white mohair cardigan for me when I was 4. To this day I remember how incredibly soft it was and how much I hated it anyway because I was not allowed to move when I was wearing it because it would get dirty…
Hahaha I would definitely not be putting mohair on my almost 4 year old 😂 maybe when he’s a little older and can appreciate nice things
Totally agree with these, plus knitting with more than one strand whether mohair or not can increase the price of making the project by quite a bit and I don't see that discussed much. I think there might be a place for making really statement or special blankets for very special gifts for example, but it is a lot of work! I was also wondering why purling was so unpopular but I am also an English thrower like you.
The cost can more than double with mohair! Budget inclusivity isn’t talked about enough
New Subscriber from the UK. I agree with all your opinions. I've never bought any mohair yarn and would find it itchy to wear. I have a couple of small balls of it that I was given years ago. I made a cuddly toy with it but it was a nightmare to knit with. I was taught to knit when I was 8 so still knit the same way now . I hold the yarn between my thumb and first finger and 'throw' the yarn. A lot of British knitters just use their first finger to flick the yarn over the needle. Purling is just as easy as knitting although sometiimes my tension is not as good on a pearl row. As for sock knitting...no thanks. There's a lot of sock knitters on here but it just doesn't appeal to me. I agree with you on slower knitting. It calms you down. I have a book called Mindful projects for knitters. It's a good way of de-stressing. As for blankets, I've never actually knitted one but I am crocheting an Afghan using up scraps when I have them. It's taken me 3 years so far😂
Yes I’ve noticed that! I guess continental lives up to its name and is more for the North American knitters
Your video was so refreshing. Since rekindling my knitting practice, I have fallen into the rabbit hole of watching the knitters on TH-cam and comparing myself to them and feeling inadequate. So it turns out I deep down agree with all your points (for me). So I think I’ll reconsider trying to love sock knitting, which I don’t, will cease regretting not using the Kid Silk Haze I have in my stash (that I’ve already frogged once), finish my cable blanket but never do that to myself again as I enter the 3rd year of working on it, stop comparing myself to others and their production levels and never knit a ribbed hat again (it was agony). The only point I’m neutral on is purling. It is so useful for design options that I’m willing to work at it. Thanks.😊
Yes, I agree. 👍 ❤
You’re so welcome, and thank you for watching! I love the online knitting community but I think all the trend chasing can lead to unhealthy comparison. Whether you make 40 items a year or 1, IMO you’re a creator which is always worth celebrating
I think the conversation about mohair is so funny. When I started knitting (about 10-15 years ago) mohair was basically non-existant in new patterns. When it came upin conversations it was mostly in the context of "haha ugly 80's sweaters".
I remember the first shawl I made with mohair and it felt so... idk, edgy(??) that it had the audacity to have a section with mohair. I remember almost feeling embarrased to buy the yarn! I looked it up on my rav page and that was in 2016.
It's so interesting to see youtubers today talk about their inner struggles to stop using it, like if it's not okay or weird to not use mohair!
I know. It has its place like anything else, but at least in my climate, all mohair everything would restrict me wearing my knitting to the very coldest winter months
Ok so I get the boring thing about ribbing, but for me, switching from throwing to picking made all the difference! I'm with you that purling isn't awful. I find it slightly slower and my tension is different, but I don't dislike it. But when I switched to picking, it made ribbing SO much more manageable! It goes faster, so it feels less tedious and boring than when I was throwing. I would also avoid ribbing at all cost! But now I find it kind of fun.
I'm also here to sing the praises of socks! I actually love them for outdoor stuff because they are much tougher than my thin store-bought socks. I use superwash, toss them in the washing machine, then hang them to dry. I have so many and my oldest pair is like 15 years old. I wear them regularly and at last they are wearing thin under the heel. I love that the projects are small, can have as much or as little detail as you like, take 1 skein of yarn, and require almost no finishings! No assembly, usually no seaming, just weave in a couple of wnds and maybe do up the toe, done, ready to wear. And the only time I've considered blocking them was when I made them from 100% wool that wasn't superwash. I forgot and tossed those in the wash once or twice and they felted and shrank enough that I couldn't get them on anymore.
Anyway, have at it with your opinions, my friend 🙌🏻
I wish I could learn a different style but I never want to “waste” yarn on what’s going to be a tester project and inevitably won’t be as nice as my regular throwing. Maybe I need to practice with some scraps. And ditto with the socks, I may be swayed to make some kid size ones as a test 😂
@easilyknitfluenced I feel you on not wasting yarn learning another method. I decided to make a scarf as my learning project. The tension was all over the place 😅 but by the end it was consistent and I got the hang of it! But I had to talk myself into even trying, never mind committing to doing it. So I totally get what you're saying!
Well if they’re unpopular opinions I seem to share most of them! I learned to knit when most patterns were seamed so it seemed not purling wasn’t an option. I don’t mind purling but I’m also a thrower who sort of flicks. I like to knit my purls through the back loop when doing rib, the knit stitch doesn’t get distorted. I haven’t knit that many socks but they are great for perfecting a lot of different techniques, also like to wear them in winter boots and to bed. Give them a try.
Is it weird that I love seaming? I’ve only done it once but it was so fun. I have so say my gauge/sizing was a lot more off when I seamed though
Interesting! I agree with you about everything. Weird! I just had a frightening thought: Mohair socks in an all-over ribbed pattern.
😂😂😂 my literal nightmare. Imagine the felting. And the washing
They exist! 😂
@@easilyknitfluencedactually mohair is used in socks to strengthen the yarn used in socks. Plus for warmth.
😂
Great video. I agree with a lot. But I knit all my socks, especially the ones for winter. And I wash them in the machine like every other sock...
#1, I have no experience. #2, as a thrower, I agree! #3 I agree! I make super short sock ribbing and I'm ok with a rolled edge. #4, I started as a crocheter and I hated how long it took to make a blanket so I haven't tried knitting one. I have no desire to. #5 I can see why SOME people want to work on speed but for myself, I just allow the speed to do it's thing. I do gift a lot with 6 kids and their kids but I don't see the point in learning to be faster. #6 I don't get obsessed with socks but I enjoy making them once in a while. I'm allergic to wool so I am limited. My hand knit socks pretty much become slipper socks for the winter because they are thicker than regular store socks. I have a pair on right now. :D
I love that knit and crochet are things we can do to our own style and preferences. To get upset at you for not liking the same things is silly.
Yes all crafting is individual. And I love that everyone can have their own style and methods within knitting too!
Absolutely agree on the drag of ribbing. I deal with it by doing it when in a group chatting or as a passenger in car…then I’m distracted from the boredom.
I had never thought to ask myself how many mohair garments I owned before I (re)started knitting. You made me laugh out loud. Yep, it was zero. After a few years of knitting I now own several sweaters/cardigans with mohair. I have to agree it’s probably because so many patterns include it, but it also draws me in because I feel like a giant fluffy teddy bear when I wear it. 🧸
Exactly, I knew what it was before I was a knitter but I never thought I needed it in my wardrobe. It’s also not really available in branded clothing, probably because it’s so expensive to include in knits.
I love the fluff factor, but equally love a regular smooth knit with a single strand too.
I have sweaters I got at good will, and one my mom owned. They are the ones I wear the most. Best is that cat hair slips off. We all have our own perspective.
I'm an English flicker, and I enjoy purling. I'm with you on the sock knitting. I knit one pair and I was done! I never wear them. 🧦
A fellow English knitter, yay!
Did you enjoy the knitting process at least? Socks look beautiful but I wouldn’t wear them either- I’d always find some excuse not to
I agree so much with the speed thing. I knit off and on at work, and people are surprised when I am working on the same project for a long time. I keep telling the that knit/crochet/embroidery are for stress relief. The project will be finished eventually, but the process is as important. As far as the storage goes...no way I would have room for 40 projects a year.
Haha same!! I am not fast and that’s ok. If I wanted to approximate a machine I’d just get store bought stuff
Another contrarian here. I heartily agree with most of your opinions. I am not a sock knitter as knitted socks are not part of my aesthetic and I have no intention of wasting time making them. I have one knit blanket which is used frequently as Canadian winters are cold and our house is an older home. However, it is made with Icelandic unspun yarn that was in my stash for decades. It was inexpensive when I bought it. I could not think of anything else to use up that particular yarn. Any additional blankets I make are gifted baby blankets crocheted with worsted weight cotton so they go much faster. Unlike most Knitters, I have no desire to make the love note Sweater. I don’t look good in Yoke sweaters and the lace pattern is too deep for my short torso.
I don’t look good in circular yokes either!
I haven’t worn anything I made with that construction so I give up on it
Mohair: part of its function has always been there- there are tons of inexpensive yarns (acrylics) that are designed to mimic the loft and halo of mohair. The other thing is that we are in an era of VERY worsted spun yarns. No loft, high drape, rather sleek. This is amplified by the prevalence of superwash wools. The more woolen spun/lofty, bouncy yarns of the past are currently really expensive, or are made of scratchy lower grade wool fibers. When we add a strand of mohair it shifts toward that loftier, bouncier, soft/halo effect that was once part of some yarns that we just don’t find in stores right now.
Yes - I’ve bought some of those acrylic yarns in fast fashion stores before and they’ve fallen apart after a few washes ☹️ so in that sense at least mohair is sturdy.
@@easilyknitfluenced not recommending these imitation yarns- the softness of acrylic lasts only a couple of washes anyhow. But just trying to note that using the strand of mohair with a strand of superwash kind of recreates the characteristics of some yarns that people are naturally attracted to, but are not readily available lately.
Hello Michelle, I Understand most of your opinions, and you’re funny! While knitting the fancy cowl you pointed out in your favorite Japanese designs video, I listened carefully. Maybe a little info on mohair. In the Netherlands I am not aware of mohair being overmarketed. But you might appreciate it more when you study this unique animal (protein) fiber. It is not wool and has other qualities. The scales are thinner, smoother and larger than wool and gives mohair a stellar luster, smooth and even slippery feel (not good for beginning knitters) and a strong resistance to felting. It does not have the springy elasticity of wool because it has no crimp, but the individual fibers are elastic which gives the fabric great draping qualities when processed in the right pattern and construction. Mohair fabrics resist creasing and wrinkels and do not attract or hold dirt. It is also exceptionally durable (used in carpets and upholstery), it does not pill, great for elegant projects. And there is more ofcourse, like many types of mohair and the way it is processed into yarn. Good and bad stuff out there. I have never knitted with mohair but it is definitely on my to do list.
And a little advice on the ribbing: it defines the look of your garment. So for me I want to make it as beautiful as possible and enjoy the process never mind how long. And looking forward to swatching and to the finishing touches like weaving in ends, making perfect seams, wash and block perfect. I know from experience in my knitting school that most knitters do not (yet) enjoy that at all. I learned to appreciate it for a perfect project. Have a great day and thanks for sharing! ❤ Corrie
What a fun video. I really liked listening to these opinions because in knitting - as anywhere else - there are people about who only accept their own opinions and cannot abide anyone thinking differently. So it was very refreshing.
Having said that, I do actually mostly agree with you 😉, especially about blankets. I have only ever made one knitted blanket and that was for the stroller when my kids were small, so a very small blanket. I‘d die of boredom! I‘ve since been converted to crochet blankets which are perfect for leftovers.
And socks are actually where I started out from on my knitting journey, so I do love them. Small, portable, an easy gift and by now I can do them in my sleep, so it‘s mostly comfort knitting. I‘ve moved away from overly fancy colourwork/lace/etc. socks, though, because they‘re just not worth my time when nobody can see them 😉 But - if you work with trusted commercial yarn like Regia or Opal you have hours of knitting fun for very little price and they do last forever. I simply throw them in the washing maching (another agree here: no fancy handwashing my socks), sometimes accidentally on a higher cycle because life is busy, and they all come out fine.
Margareta (all the way from southern Germany)
I don’t know what possessed me for all my blanket knitting years 😂😂 I could see myself maybe doing a baby one in the future, but never anything bigger than that.
Socks are something I may be swayed on in a different phase of life! Maybe when the kids are older and I can put nicer things on my feet 🤪
I agree with you on most things but especially on the speed isn't everything. My crafting is a time when I can relax and try to calm my mind. The simple and methodical use of the needles is my way of reducing stress. I find that after a while my knitting speed naturally picks up but initially I take my time and enjoy the process. All of my crafting projects are more about the process than the outcome. I enjoy using the things that I make but that is just an added benefit.
Agreed. Im not trying to approximate a machine, so slow and steady is fine for me!
After making a singular practice sock, the first pair of socks I knit were THIGH HIGH SOCKS. They were also the last socks I ever knit lol
Hahaha that’s great. Oddly I can see the appeal of leg warmers. But socks, ehhhh
I'm with you on so many of these things. I have no desire to knit socks. I will tear them apart and also they're on my feet! I feel like I'll never look at them or see them.
Also, I knit continental and have no issues with purling at all!
My biggest hot take: You won't catch me ever knitting a bobble.
Ohhhh controversial! I love bobbles!
I’m 100 percent in agreement with you. About everything. Including purling 😊
Thank you for watching!
I think I agree with everything you said. I survived the angora-mohair fad in the 80s and was glad to see it end. Itchy, hard to care for garments. I never had more than three even at the height of their popularity. And about storing all those garments. I often wonder where people are storing their prolific output. And purling, I flick with my thumb to purl and have been contemplatimg purling my next stockinette project because I enjoy it. The only minor disagreement is the socks. Whether you wear them or not they make a great purse project for waiting around in doctor’s offices, train commutes etc. if you knit DK socks they are great slipper socks. I’m over fingering weight socks that get holes so easily, but DK is faster and less fussy. I throw them in the machine on permanent press and hang dry.
I think fingering socks would take me forever even though they’re tiny, and I don’t knit well on dpns. But they’re definitely tempting for how portable they are
@@easilyknitfluenced forget dpns, they just get lost. Try magic loop dpn socks.
Very interesting video. Nice to hear your opinion on blankets and socks. I am quite a pragmatic knitter and want to get the most use out of my knits. So I don’t really understand the need for more blankets than one (I’m living alone). I made mine from reclaimed wool so it was free and it will probably last me a lifetime. So no need to ever knit one again. Socks are much more durable as you might think. I wear mine around the house and they are lasting really long. So no need to knit more and more pairs.
Interesting! What kind of yarn do you use to knit socks? That’s one opinion I’m
open to being swayed on 😂
@@easilyknitfluenced I used just the standard hand dyed sock yarn that you can find at most yarn stores. 75 percent superwash wool, 25 percent nylon. I find that when I wear my socks, I look down at my feet often and it makes me happy. I exclusively hand wash them though, but I don't mind. But my situation might be very different from yours since I live in a new appartment, so the floors are all very equal, no risk for the socks to get damaged from rough floor and I don't step outside often once I'm home.
I hate ribbing too! Absolutely detest it. And because of that I couldn’t bear knitting socks either… until I tried toe up. No ribbing! Well, a bit of ribbing, but it’s at the end so you’re well motivated to get it done by that point 😂
I get so bored doing it that I’d abandoned whole sweaters for months at a time when I just have to finish the ribbing on the sleeve cuffs 😅🥲😂
Very practical. I think I needed to hear what you had to say. Thank you for making this video. I am definitely going to be more practical in what I knit. While I love knitting it is very expensive and actually pretty I practical. I may even give it up as my time is precious so working to knit is just getting pathetic wasteful even.
Glad it was helpful! It really isn’t a cheap hobby 😔
I only knit jumpers or cardigans, i couldn't really be bothered to knit socks though...i knit English style and agree with you on purlin and speed, knitting is a relaxing hobby not something to rush😊 the thing i can't get my head around are all those patterns that are knit top down, and there are so many of them now🤦♀️
Yes it’s always more fun for me when I’m relaxed and knitting at a nice slow pace. That’s why I don’t think test knitting is for me
as far as I notice, ppl who use mohair yarn, always combine it with more robust yarn. I always felt, that some brands don't have a huge variety of their yarn and let customers combine two different types of their cough expensive cough yarn 😅
I also had a mohair phase in the 2010s, and sometimes, I combined multiple cobweb yarns. But nowadays, there is a huge variety of yarn at the big yarn company, e.g., Lana Grossa. I don't see any necessity to combine those yarns to get a certain effect.
as for sock knitting, I also don't really like knitting socks. It's for a necessity. If you ever have a pair of wool socks you understand. It's warm, it won't be wet, it doesn't smell, it will be fit but not too tight. (and you don't need to wash them every day... hey! it's made from wool!)
I am a continental knitter and I have no problem with purling or ribbing. Most knitters crochet scrap blankets with fancy yarn leftovers, which as a crocheter also, is a great idea! Agree about speed...we should be enjoying our crafting.
I have thought about a scrap blanket too! Maybe when I get over my bias against blankets
I knit continental, and have no problem purling. I too do not understand why people don’t like to purl, it is just part of the process. 🤷🏼♀️
Oh interesting! I always assumed it had something to do with the wrist movement, since it looks a lot more involved than English purling. Poor purls get such a bad rap 🥲
me too, get over it and purl...it isn't that hard
nodding in agreement with 90% of this! mohair in everything really gets me, I'm half convinced it's some kind of conspiracy with yarn companies to get us buying twice as much yarn for every garment 😂 fuzzy clothes are just not for me, even if mohair has other benefits.
hatred of purling really confused me until I realized it's concentrated among continental knitters (not all of them!) and when I watch someone purl in continental I can see where they're coming from! looks like a lot of extra fiddle-iness compared to purling english style. my most controversial knitting take is that there can be a weird amount of "continental superiority complex" in some quarters, as if english style is for beginners but Real Knitters learn continental so they can knit So Much Faster (as long as you're not purling I guess!). really it should be to each their own/whatever's comfortable and intuitive. I even have friends who've been pressured/pestered at meetups to learn continental because it's "better." so weird
Yes I think this is a conspiracy too! The only fashion brand I’ve seen using mohair regularly is Sezane. No one else uses it and there’s a reason; it’s expensive and fussy to take care of.
The continental superiority sub genre is a thing for sure. I think I’m too far gone on my English knitting journey to unlearn it now. I do think continental would be handy to learn for two stranded colorwork though.
@@easilyknitfluenced I use continental solely for stranded colorwork and it really is amazing for that, I can't imagine having both colors in one hand and it makes color dominance really simple when that comes into play. but otherwise I'm perfectly happy with my speed (or lack thereof - you're so right about that too) and comfort with english knitting. can't predict the future but for now I'm content.
Enjoyed your observations very much. I have been knitting quite a few years and was never interested in trying to knit socks. Found the very idea intimidating to try to make 2 of a pair and have them come out the same size and shape. Then someone gave me a beautiful colorwork sock knitting kit for Christmas. I have now made a couple pairs of simple socks to learn how and found it very interesting and not so difficult. The second pair actually came out the same! Plan to start the kit after doing one more pair of socks with some colorwork in it for learning.
Oh how wonderful! I think if you’re in the right season of life they can be great. I just know I’d never wear them
I’m with you on purling! It took me forever to figure out why it was generally hated. Come to find out I naturally knit English Combination (taught myself so I had no idea for years lol) so the motion is much more natural and not an annoyance to switch between.
I agree on blankets. If I want to make a full sized blanket I crochet and maybe throw in some knitting details. Of course in general I prefer quilts lol.
Crochet blankets are doable I think, except I don’t know how to crochet anymore! 😭
New to your podcast, loved your honesty, keep it real, we are all here to enjoy our craft, what works for someone may not work for an other but sharing our views helps everyone. Keep up great podcasts. 😊
Thank you for watching!
I agree with all of your points. Speedy knitters may sound appealing , when one is first starting, but you mentioned a great observation… where on earth would one store all of those items. I may be rather fast but I often get asked and even pressured to answer how long ( exact hours) did it take to make an item . To me , knitting is about being intentional and slowing down. I am not a machine, and it’s perfectly okay to take my time .
I don’t even have that many finished objects and I’m already running out of space 😿
I'm also an English-style thrower and I don't mind purling either. I get it about the sock knitting (although I do love knitting socks), because they're down in your shoes and with pants on, no one sees them anyway! Unless you wear them with sandals, which looks dumb, so I understand.
No sandals with socks 😂 I hate having hot feet so I only wear socks for about 3 months of the year when it’s really cold outside
I’m stuck knitting four inches of ribbing as I watch this. 😂 I put this sweater aside 6 months ago because it was so boring. I feel your pain 😊
I’ve done the same. On the sleeves no less, when that was literally the last thing I needed to do to have a nice finished object, and I couldn’t face it.
I agree with everything. I too have spent an obscene amount of money on yarn for a blanket. But.... One of the most incredible pieces I've ever knit was a blanket...I learned to knit by knitting that blanket. It is fittingly called the Learn to Knit Afghan Blanket by the great Barbara Walker. I used reasonably priced cascade 220 and had a ball being introduced to all types of knitting in one piece.
I’ve seen some gorgeous blankets on ravelry. I think I just used that type of knitting as a security blanket (lol) so that I wouldn’t have to venture into garment knitting
I have just watched you for the first time. I agree with your mohair thoughts. I knit with it once and developed really random welts on my arms. It hadn't even touched my arms. One and done. Never again. As for purling again I don't get what the issue is, however, I am also an English knitter. Oh rib, in the past i hated 2x2 rib but favored 1x1. That has definitely changed especially when knitting socks lol. I also didn't really "get" the whole sock thing until i found a heel i enjoyed and it actually fitted properly. HFG is the devil. I really enjoyed watching and I off now to check out a few more of your videos 😊
Thank you so much for tuning in!
I love to knit socks. I wear them all the time and put them in the washer/dryer. I have used hand dyed and big box brands and I don’t have an issue with them wearing out. Now I like a vanilla sock, rarely do I knit a patterned sock. Agree about mohair and purling😃
What fiber combo do you use? I’m so scared of the dryer after the sweater dryer fiasco of last year
I am full of unpopular opinions clearly as this video speaks to me 100%. I couldn’t agree more on every single point and reason why.
😂😂 thank you for watching!
I agree with them all except for sock knitting! I like knitting socks because you can buy all the crazy yarn that’s beautiful, but you wouldn’t necessarily want in a sweater. And also it’s a fun way to try out lace where again I wouldn’t necessarily wear a sweater or shawl with it but on a sock, it’s fun! I definitely wouldn’t wear my hand knit socks to garden or bike but other days are
fine. Most sock yarn is superwash with nylon so they are durable and you can machine wash (it’s true I do hand wash them still 😂)
Yes, I know in theory they’re machine washable but…I’m scared 😂😂😂
I 100% agree with all of this, so I guess I am unpopular too.
😂😂 we can be unpopular together
Absolutely love the Peggy Sweater and the colour too - just gorgeous. Interesting hearing your opinions. As I'm quite new to knitting, I find it interesting to hear that there are more experienced but young knitters who still use the English technique since I'm discovering other methods that I never knew existed. I agree with you on the blanket knitting, even though I like the idea of a knitted baby blanket but, as you pointed out, it seems like a lot of knitting (of the same thing) for not a huge reward. Unless you're the baby recipient, I guess! lol And as I don't wear socks often, I imagine I might like to knit up a few warm ones for winter in the house but that would probably be enough sock to satisfy me. It was knitted toys that drew me back into knitting again (so I learned the basics when I was a kid, many moons ago, from my nana but haven't knitted a thing for eons) so I didn't think I'd want to knit up sweaters and the like for myself...but now I think I do. Seems they might be more interesting and a very satisfying reward (and my wardrobe could definitely use some lovely new garments). 🤩
I like to knit every day because I enjoy it. Knit for myself and family and also for charity. Knitting for charity gives me lots of opportunity to try new more adventurous knits - the charity I knit for donates to refugees and wants colourful cheerful individual items to keep them warm .
Same here with purling 😂 actually at first I did not even understand why all hat drama about it...until I understood there were different knitting styles, and I knit in "portuguese style" which means basically no big difference between purling and knitting...well, actually for me it is even slightly easier to purl😊
Oh interesting! I love that there are so many different ways to work the same two basic stitch types ❤️
I agree with the sock thing mostly. However, I will occasionally knit a pair of socks using chunky yarn and have myself a quick new pair of "slippers" that look like 2x scale baby socks. But I walk in them as much as a baby would because I don't trust them to wear out, so they mostly serve to keep my feet warm on the sofa and I'll even kick them off if I need to get up. The chunky yarn knits a pair of socks in a day, I haven't even tried knitting socks with normal yarn.
Thoughts on socks, because I was there. I'm a fidget knitter, so it's nice to have something small to always have with me that I can knit. Second, type of yarn does matter. After trying different "sock" yarns, any wool/ synthetic blend seems to knit up and wash(yes, in the machine without anything special)/ wear just fine. I tend not to knit the fancy socks, but yes, they wash with the rest of the laundry. The only ones that look a little rough are the ones where I tried a completely natural blend (zero acrylic/poly in the mix) but as they said back in the day, "a stitch in time saves nine". I couldn't properly appreciate that phrase before knitting.
I get it. Those tiny needles and tiny gauge though…oof. I’m a DK gal at heart I think 😂
Oh, I hold the yarn between my fingers too!
Yay! I’ve found it’s not very common, but I’m self taught so 🤷🏻♀️
I live in a very warm climate (one year it was like 90 on Christmas day), so I don't knit socks because I just don't have a need for them. When I am wearing socks, I'm wearing athletic shoes, and I can't imagine exercising with wool on my feet. Also, I suspect that if knitwear designers didn't receive their mohair yarns for free they might not use it as much (Spincycle yarns too). I have a mohair allergy so I really wish there were more designs that didn't use it.
Agreed. I’ve never bought or used spin cycle but I think it would be too pricey for me, yikes
Yes! I agree with you. Especially about socks. Why put your beautiful handiwork on your feet?! Once upon a time it was a necessity.
Yes! Thank you!
I’m with you on many of these opinions. I knit a toy bunny out of mohair last year and swore I would never use that fibre again. So annoying to undo mistakes, for one thing. Yet I love the sweater I made holding a strand of mohair with a strand of soft spun wool, so it is likely that I will use mohair again in the future.
I’m not a fan of wearing hand knit socks either. My sister taught me the two-at-a-time toes first technique, which was a fun process - then I gave her the resulting pair of socks. She wears her hand knit socks all the time and she’s a farmer, hard on her socks, so she knits them from sturdy wool.
I’ll definitely use it in the future too. It has its place. It just doesn’t need to be in EVERYTHING
Zero mohair! Once upon a time my wardrobe was a fluff free zone. It was fine.
I was looking forward to saying "oh, I disagree wildly!" But I mostly agree. 😂
Knitting my first socks right now, and am enjoying the process, but it's far too early to say whether: a) they'll be durable, b) I'll find myself drawn to knit more.
Thoroughly fun vid. 😊
Thank you for watching! I’m glad you agree 😂😂😂
Keep me posted on the socks though - I’ve considered knitting some as gifts for people who live less chaotic and messy lives than me 🤪
Will do. 😊
I never used to want to knit socks as I thought they were a waste of my time. Then I knit a pair of socks on a “challenge”. They are fun. Now I have knit about 10 pair. Have ripped all but 2 pair out as I have not yet figured out how to get them to fit my foot. I’m determined to master this. One of the things I have learned is I have to slow down my knitting when I am making socks as my tension is an issue. Working on another pair right now and have my fingers crossed that by going “slower” I can get a pair to fit my foot. Yes, I have also done some reading and am making some modifications so that they will be tighter on my foot.
I worry about this- that the sizing has to be so precise that any error will mean they’re pretty much unwearable😩 I don’t know, socks are daunting for so many reasons
I agree to all but the last one. I just got into sock knitting and love it. But I did grow up wearing socks my mom and grandma made and always loved them. They don’t wear out fast and I do wash mine in the machine in a garment bag and lay them flat to dry. Now my daughter-in-law loves wearing them too. She wasn’t interested in wearing any but now she asked for more.
That’s what people say! What yarn do you use for them?
I don’t get the mohair thing either, mainly because I find it prickly. I’ve used suri alpaca on a couple projects because it’s a lot softer, but I’m just not big on the whole double-strand with a fuzzy yarn. As for socks, I hear you…I enjoy sock knitting, but only vanilla or very simple texture such as rib. When I see people knit elaborate sock patterns with cables, lace, or colorwork, I wonder WHY? It’s just going in your shoes and probably under pants too. No one will even see them!
I walk every day and garden and do everything in only my handknit socks. I love them and my feet are never stinky! Wool is amazing! I have more than enough socks to last for the rest of my life (likely more than 50 pairs for me, at least that many have been knitted and gifted within my home and to friends and family outside of my home). The people who "get it" get more socks. I'm fortunate to find amazing deals on my yarn. It is rare that I spend more than $5 on socks, or $10 on a sweater. Though I do occasionally buy yarn from indie dyers (usually when they are running some store sale though). I agree mohair is overrated (for me) I did just finish a cardigan and I am FOREVER getting bits of mohair in my mouth or eyes. It is a lovely sweater that I receive lots of compliments on though (a cone of mohair, which I used about half of $2 for the cone, held with a light fingering yarn $5 a box, and some bits of pieces of scrap yarn for the colourwork).
I need to know your yarn shopping secrets! I am new to using wool yarns, I grew up only around what one could get at walmart. Now I want wool, but my budget is still not there...
@@picturesqueimages The vast majority of my stash comes from my twice yearly treks to the Textile Center of Minnesota's Garage Sale. There are AMAZING bargains there. More comes from folks who gave up knitting or family members are destashing from homes they are clearing as they downsize or have a loss in the family. I probably have enough to last my lifetime, but the shiney is always a draw, and sometimes I just want something knit in a particular color that I don't have in stash... Best of luck with your search, there was a time (before I moved near the Textile Center) when I would regularly run through a couple of local thrift stores, mostly didn't find anything on trips, but occasionally I would score great deals.
So good to know! I’m always looking for good yarn shopping tips
My grandmother mainly knit socks so I have always used handmade wool socks nearly all year round. If you live in a cold climate woolly socks are a must inside winter boots. Also, if you use a regular sock yarn you can just throw them in the washing machine on a wool cycle.
Interesting! It gets cold here, but I’ve been soldiering through with cold feet in my winter boots 😔 maybe I’ll make a destash pair one day and see how they fare
I used to agree with you on socks. Why waste good money on something that gets dirty and wears out so fast? Until I made my own first pair. Really nice to wear in the winter to keep toes warm. I now wear shorty socks to bed during the winter and the cooler times of fall and spring. It is supposed to help you sleep better by helping your body maintain better temperature control. You sleep better when your body can cool down a bit. However, if your extremities are too cold, your body works harder to keep them a consistent temp which means your don’t cool down as much. Enter superwash wool socks to the rescue! Even my teenage boys wear their wool socks to bed everyday night even into the summer.
I use Opal sock yarn. Sturdy, washable, and long lasting. I have a friend that has had a pair made from Opal yarn that is 15+ years old and still going strong.
PS my first video of watching you and I enjoyed it!
Thanks for watching and sharing your experience! Maybe I can make some toddler size socks and see what my kids think 😁
Hahaha “fussy sock washing” I totally agree. I’ve knit five or so pairs of socks because I was so excited about methods the afterthought heal two socks at a time, etc a brilliant portable adventure in knitting we don’t wear them!!! I buy Darn tough socks now that usually wear like iron. I throw them in the washer and hang them to dry. I have six pair, perhaps more if I include sport ankle style. Whenever they wear out, I just mail them back and they mail me a new pair. It’s fantastic thank you.
I think it’s all about what time of life you’re in too - there may come a time when I have much more capacity for babying my knit items. Now is not that time 😂
I agree with most of your points except sock knitting! As a thrower, purling doesn’t bother me at all. I have exactly the same knitting style as you describe. It may takes me longer than picking, but speed in not at all my goal! First time watcher from France and looking forward to watching other videos.
Thank you for watching!
I'm also one of the many who disagree on the socks.
I always do the same type of sock: 2x2 rib leg, heel flap and gusset, stockinette and then a star tip (evenly distributed decreases). They are a wonderful palate cleanser and I can really do them on autopilot at this point. About 2-3x a year, I go into a sock phase where i knit like 2 pairs of socks in a very short time. I only wear my wool socks at home, as i hate wearing tight socks when I'm in my safe space (this may be the autism), except for a few very old pairs (10-15 years old) that I wear in my winter boots for additional warmth.
So that was my sock yap.
Totally agree on the mohair. I have used it for 2 or 3 projects but I find that it makes me sweat fast and for some reason dries out my hands like crazy. The amount of hand cream I needed while knitting with a strand of mohair was CRAZY (i barely use hand cream)
I wish I could get into socks. I just know I’d be precious and never wear them
I wish I could share the joy of ribbing with you! I am also an English knitter and I really enjoy every moment of doing the ribbing. It is actually my favourite part! Funny how we’re all different.
That’s so funny! I wish you could too, because there are some beautiful patterns out there that I can’t stomach due to abundant ribbing 🥲
Yes, I can only take ribbing minimally because it’s what makes my wrists ache a lot. I don’t knit with mohair because I’m allergic to it, learned it the hard way haha. Socks were the reason I taught myself how to knit, I used to knit patterned socks simply to learn more techniques but in the last several years I prefer to knit all basic ‘my vanilla sock recipe’ socks and I machine wash my socks on the delicate cycle and air dry (clipped to a drying rack by their toes), I live in a climate where I can wear them at least 9 months of the year and I have enough pairs that I don’t wear the same pair more than once during maybe 5 months and I’ve had many of my socks for up to 10yrs. Not everyone needs to knit socks and some people don’t even like wearing hand knit socks or some knit socks just for others.
Wow that’s great longevity! I guess climate is another consideration, in New York the shoulder seasons are quite warm. And I can’t stand it when my feet are too hot, so I don’t even wear store bought socks for ~8 months out of the year
I agree with your mohair musings, I have never used it, eventually I will, but think it is a frou-frou fuzzy weird thread. (personal opinion, no hate). I'm a beginning knitter, just over a year so not a ton of experience. I personally LOVE ribbing, I love to do it (continental knitter here) and love the squishy feel of it. I could rib all day long. I crochet blankets, but have never yet tried to knit a blanket. Now a cabled pillow, that has high interest for me. I also agree with your "slow" knitting. As a new knitter especially, working on my tension and learning how to just keep the loops on the silly needles is a challenge. Knitting is a hobby and a way to calm my adhd. I use it as a fidget. I actually failed sock class and have yet to create a pair of socks. I do want to make my own socks because I'm a diabetic and need to wear socks 24/7 to protect my feetsies. I always have my feet inside a pair of shoes or slippers now as well for same reason. (personal preference, no hate! :) ) Thanks for the fun discussion, very much enjoyed our talk this morning as I knit on my t-shirt I'm working.
Glad you enjoyed it! Frou frou is the right way to describe it 😂. And there’s a place for frou frou but not in everything!
I would love to do a cabled pillow too, I think that would be beautiful. But no more blankets
Though I tend to buy colourful socks I would not knit them as they’re on my feet and no one would see them.
Agreed, I think it’s a shame knitting something beautiful that will immediately be stuffed inside a boot or shoe 🥲
I agree with you on most of your opinions… since you don’t like to purl, ( I’m an Eastern European knitter) I can see why socks don’t appeal. I have a high arch, and very unmatched feet ( one is a size longer, the other is a size wider). Socks were SO uncomfortable until I knitted my first pair!
Socks are a compact project ( like hats), but with the complexity of a sweater - even vanilla socks.
Makes sense that they’d work much better for you than store bought!
Love knitted socks. Knitting on one now at an airport. Wear them daily at night as my feet are always cold & when my feet are cold I get cramp. My husband loves them too as do my kids.
Sounds great! To each their own 😉
As others said, I agree with all of your points other than your aversion to knitting socks. And I used to agree with you on that too. I became a knitter 7 years ago, and didn’t try socks for the first two years. And that first try was a rather hilarious single, mangled, unwearable monstrosity. But the next time I tried it, I was amazed at the almost magical transformation of string into a wearable sock. I treated myself to luxurious sock yarn and now always have at least one pair on the needles. I don’t wear my handmade treasures for everyday, in-shoe purposes, as a rule. They are for inside snow boots in the winter, around the house on cold days, or just when I want to feel pampered. I would be happy to let you all in on the best sock knitting TH-cam tutorials I’ve found, if you like. Also, Michelle, would you share your Ravelry handle with us? (I lived north of NYC too, for 35 years, in Larchmont.)
Oh hi fellow Westchester resident! My handle is eknitfluenced 😄
Interesting. My personal thoughts on purling and ribbing are exactly opposite. Perhaps learning English purling should be on my to do list
I think it’s much more of an issue if you’re a continental knitter for sure!
I agree on several of your controversial opinions. Totally not a mohair fan. It does look beautiful, but man it is too itchy for me. Also, it makes garments so expensive, not to mention being a bear to tink back when you make a mistake. I HATE ribbing too. I love the look of twisted rib and will suck it up for the right project. I thought I would never knit socks, but it turns out I love it! I don't knit a ton, maybe 4 pair a year, but such an easy on-the-go project (think all those sports practices) and you can try out beautiful single skeins of hand-dyed yarn and new techniques without a big commitment. DPN's are the devil, but 9" circulars are amazing! I mainly wear them in the house in the winter and love to make a festive pair for the holidays.
Oh 100% DPNs are not my friend. I’m a magic loop girl through and through!
I totally agree with the most :) Mohair is like candies, so nice and sweet but life can go on without it. I adore it, but as much as I don`t eat candies everyday I don`t need to knit everything with mohair. But when I do I enjoy it a lot, like a nice cake :D And big big yes to purling (I am purling Norwegian way, wasy and nice to do) and slowing down. I don`t need to be fast and furious, sometimes I stop just to admire the colors and cuddle my yarn :D I have nothing against the ribbing though :) And oooh, SOCKS! Socks, this is a hot topic! I love to knit them, but I am very careful with the nice ones. I knitted some with durable, thick yarn to keep my feet warm when I hike with my dog in autumn and winter. And they indeed keep my feet warmer than any store bought ones. :) Hugs from Norway! :)
Thank you for watching! In a Norwegian climate, I can see big thick hand knit socks making sense. In New York it's only cold enough for woolen socks about 3 months of the year. And I'm a barefoot person even in the cold months of the year, so sadly I don't think sock knitting will ever be my forte ;)
@@easilyknitfluenced exactly :) we knit what is useful and good for us. Can't imaging f.ex. knitting winter hats in Thailand 😊
I am going to start learning how to knit because I always wanted to knit a pair of socks. Probably totally over-romanticizing it.
I live in South Florida and well sweaters just aren't really a thing down here. I would be able to wear a sweater comfortably about 3 days out of the year.
I am left handed and I think the Continental knitting was confusing. So I am going to try again with English knitting this time round.
I do crochet and for some reason there is a speed thing there too. But I crochet, quilt, learning how to sew clothes, and hopefully knitting as ways to relax. So I don't care about going fast.
I was nodding in agreement until your opinion about sock knitting. 😅I would have concurred 3 months ago, but I've since jumped on the socks bandwagon. Yes, you have to wash it separately and wear them sparingly (for fear of wearing them out), but I find the knitting so much fun. Do I wear the socks? Not all. I just love seeing all the colors in my drawer! I do have friends and family that now want a pair so I'll be busy for awhile🧶🧶
I love the idea of a beautiful sock drawer too! But I don’t think I’m that person sadly. They’ll just end up stuffed in with all my other socks, just not worn 🤪
Listen, when I was a young mom - I was exactly the same! No sock knitting - and I sure didn't have time to hand wash much! So that I get. But now, I'm retired, have lots of free time, don't mind hand washing - so I do knit a pair or so a year. Life happens, we evolve, and at least for me, I've changed. I think it's OK to not like sock knitting! It's quite all right.
And I DO agree with all your other opinions - especially the Mohair and Blankets! Funny.
Amen to that - I’m sure when I’m in another phase of life my preferences will change!
I’m loving your energy and your shows. I think you’ll take off on YT in no time!
Thank you for watching!
I definitely learned to love sock knitting. I love making sweaters and shawls, but i live in the south where we get maybe 2 months of true sweater weather. Plus socks take no planning so when i end up at a lys and dont want to break the bank for an unplanned project, im satisfied geting one skein and making socks!
That’s interesting; do you feel like you get enough sock weather in the south?
@@easilyknitfluenced~ just a comment about wool and the south. I listened to a woman who worked for a batting company for quilts. She said it used to be wool for batting if you live in the south because it breathes better than cotton and wicks the moisture away.
I love your video. I agree with all points. I have not been knitting for too long . Just 5 years. I have never knit a sweater. The whole process scares the poop out of me. But I am very much encouraged. Wish me luck.
I waited way too long to make my first sweater - 8 years! Jump in - it's easier than it looks. I made the flax by Tin Can Knits in a child's size, which helped me understand the construction. Now I've made several pullovers for myself (all simple patterns). You can do it!!
Yes I agree! My first sweater was a child size one in a yarn I had in stash that I knew I’d never use for anything else. So it really took the pressure off. Since then I can’t stop knitting garments
Pro Sock Takes. They can take a beating better than those thin cotton ones. Holes are easier to repair. I keep a bit of the left over yarn for that. The knit textures feel great on the sole. You don't have to wash as often, because wool isn't getting as sweaty as cotton and airs out. But use the designated sock yarns with their around 20% sturdy fibers.
That seems to be the consensus in the comment section. I’d have to be so precise on sizing though….i might try some vanilla socks later in the year with yarn I already have
We NY girls must think alike! I never knit a sock or a blanket. I choose vintage sweater patterns that take several months to complete so I don't get an unmanageable amount of output. I don't love ribbing either ( although most vintage patterns have a lot of it). Purling doesn't bother me; the way I do it is very smooth (and continental). Like you, I'm not obsessed with mohair. I've used it a few times, mostly just as an accent.
Where do you get your patterns? My mother used to knit too, and she told me that everything was knit flat and seamed back then, knitting in the round wasn’t a thing
@@easilyknitfluenced Circular needles existed, but they weren't as facile to use as the ones available today. Many vintage patterns are knit flat. You don't have to drag your whole sweater around with you, plus the seams add stability to the garment and also enable you to make minor alterations (like in a sewn garment). Today's popular patterns often have no shaping and are not form fitted, so seams seem a bother. My patterns come from books, old newspapers (online) and groups that share / sell copies of out-of-copyright designs.
@@easilyknitfluenced, your mother is correct (of course 😊 ). The old patterns are basically constructed the same way a shirt or jacket would be constructed - just with knitted fabric rather than woven. However, I have some baby patterns (cardigans) from the 30s that have you knit one front side, the back, and the second front side all in one piece. Some of the needles from the era were longer than the ones available now, but they still call for a lighter weight yarn, so all those stitches fit on the needles.
The first cable needles had something resembling a fixed spring between them. The one I inherited ate yarn from time to time. It's no wonder circular knitting needles didn't catch on before the plastic cables.
However, sleeves, socks, leg warmers, mittens and similar items were knitted in the round. We used double pointed needles, like sensible people... 😊
I agree with almost all of your points. Except for the mohair (just for myself). Here are three more reasons why mohair is great (I also knit without it of course). First - it does a very good job at reducing pills. I knit a lot with unspun yarn. Mostly Nutiden which is extremely soft and fragile (very different from Plotulopi). I love it for many reasons but it pills A LOT. Mohair helps a ton with that. Second - I do not like hand dyed yarn at all because I hate any kind of inconsistency. Mohair can give amazing colour depth to a solid/flat yarn. Especially if the colour is a bit different from the colour of the base yarn. Third - I enjoy a thin, light-weight, drapey fabric for some of my garments. This is so easy to achieve with mohair. I use a lace weight merino plus mohair on 4mm needles and its amazing. I don't feel like knitting an oversized fingering weight sweater on 3mm needles just to end up with something where you can see tension issues everywhere. I would have to buy it in store to like it.
Yes, it absolutely helps make tension look beautiful. I didn’t realize about the pills though, that explains a lot. I’ve made a video complaining about pills in a really expensive yarn I bought a sweater quantity of 🤦🏻♀️
Safe to say I’ll keep using mohair, but a lot less frequently than if I followed the designers’ suggestions
I loved this video, thank you. It helped me to recognize my true passion with knitting. ❤❤❤ I love wearing sweaters & yet it took me a couple of yrs to finish my 1st one. At first I said no more! sweaters aren’t for me. Yet I enjoyed the adventure - mistakes were made, but some things I was amazed I’d learned on my own. So I’m back at my 2nd sweater. Determined not to trust that experience to be my final opinion. It was tedious & not perfect, but I am so proud of having at least challenged myself. Came to the conclusion that though it seems to take me forever, it was the most rewarding part of my knitting journey. I hope to make more.
Haven’t worked with mohair yet. Purling is fine. Ribbing, I agree. It’s like eating breadsticks waiting your meal to be served!
Re: speed. I wish I was ok saying I just enjoy the process, but secretly I wish I could finish my projects faster. But I have older hands & they cramp up if I knit too long a stretch, so I have to take breaks.
It’s a no to blankets, shawls & scarves for me. Sock knitting, ambivalent feelings about it. But b/c I invested in patterns, books & yarn, if I’m in the mood. I’ll do it. But I agree, it’s not necessary for me to have them either.🙂
Thank you for watching! Ive gone through phases of life that were very busy or otherwise stressful where my knitting took a backseat or stopped altogether. And I still make tons of mistakes! 😂 lots of silly ones too, like not reading the pattern properly and picking the wrong needle size or number of stitches.
I’m happy you’re getting back into it. Happy knitting!
I agree with you on every single thing except for the socks. I do like to knit socks. I don’t wear them much in the summer though and definitely not when I garden. 😂 I wear them with my Birkenstocks and my chunky loafers mostly. For a while I was too precious with them and then I made myself get over it. I do wash them in my washer on the wool/handwash cycle and just hang them to dry. It’s pretty easy. I’m also also an English knitter and don’t mind purling, but avoid 1 by 1 rib like the plague. I will only knit stockinette hats.
Cool! I wonder also how often I’d wear them in my climate. I hate having hot feet so other than the winter months, I’m barefoot anyway
I love knitting socks and if they fall apart - you frog, salvage what you can, & add to a scrappy blanket.
That’s a good idea. I also have so many other random scraps lying around!
I am 100000% a process maker. I have crochted 6 full size blankets and only one is for me. I have made baby blankets for friends and toys for nieces and nephews, I’ve knits hats and socks for my family. The only things I have ever knit or crocheted for myself is one hat and one blanket. And honestly I’m happy that way. I love knitting socks it brings me so much joy but fun colorful socks aren’t my style so I gift them to my siblings. My mom wears a lot of hats so I make her hats. I’m not a huge knit/crochet wearer or user but I can’t go a day without knitting or crocheting so inevitably I make mainly for others. Also one of languages of love is gifts so I’m honestly happier making for other than I am when I’m making for myself.
I love gifting knits too! I’d say I’m a mix of process and product, some items I love to wear and others were just for the experience or the fun of knitting something new
I agree with all the points you have made. As far as the sock knitting is concerned, I completely agree 1000%. I have knitted a simple pair of socks for my husband recently and they look awful now!!
I dread to think! If I'm rough on my socks, my husband is another level ;)
Hmm. On ribbing. It can seem fiddly. But, I wonder how you throw…there is a way to move the yarn over the needle right after knitting or purling the last stitch, so it’s ready to go immediately as the next stitch comes up. Plus a little tug while one repositions the yarn takes care of any gaps that might show where one changes from purl to knit, and vice versa if one is a loose knitter. This whole thing became a smooth seamless changeover, that is faster, and is hardly noticed.
On blankets, take them apart and re-wind the yarn to use for something you do like.
I definitely will once I find the time and the will to rewind a blankets worth of yarn😢
I once heard some say they don't knit anything they can buy for a few dollars at Walmart. That was their problem with sock knitting. Honestly after knitting my first pair and feeling them on my feet gahhh. I just want more. My husband loves them as well. So I'm knitting him another. And it is a sacrifice because he goes through socks! I call his heels weapons of mass destruction! But I'm still knitting them because of how much loves them. I'll have to learn how to darn better.
I don’t think I could give them to my husband either, his socks seem to get shredded so fast 😭😭😭