I’ll Knit If I Want To: Episode 145
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 ธ.ค. 2023
- Welcome to I’ll Knit (& Spin!) If I want To! I asked y’all to send in some of your questions (from everything from fiber arts, to designing and on!) so I could put together a little video for y’all every Friday doing my best to answer your questions!
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In this week’s episode we cover:
1. Hi Andrea! a few days ago I washed some socks in the washing machine but accidently used the wrong cycle :(( most of them slightly felted but are still good enough, except of a pair of newly finished 3 colors colorwork socks, that I can no longer fit over my heel. Is there anythingI can do? Or is this pair doomed and I just have to find a friend with a smaller foot size and gift them the socks?
2. You mentioned that you spun three braids of fiber together - how did you do that? Like how did you split the roving? Was it multicolored roving? Did you spin three singles and then ply or it is two-ply? We need the deets!!
Fiber shown from Wee Chickadee: www.etsy.com/shop/WeeChickade...
3. Hi Andrea, I absolutely love your new Traveler shawl!!!! When I first saw it, I immediately wanted to cast it on with one of my handspun but I quickly realized that it's not the right gauge. :( I have 860 yards for 150 so a lightweight fingering to a lace. Do you think it could work if I hold it double with a mohair or a sury or would it still be too light? Thank you for answering and for your lovely podcast.
4. Hi Andrea, so impressed that you walk and knit that I have started doing the same. I’ve had to train my dog to walk along side me off leash so I don’t have that distraction and have been having a blast! So thanks for that inspiration. My question is, “what material have you used for the pinup board on the wall behind you?” I think it is important for the design process to have things out to look at for future projects as your brain works on them while were doing other things and it helps the morphing process into an idea or project.
5. HI have a question about blocking and yarn content. I knitted a sweater out of nightshades by Harrisville Designs, which is a cormo and wool blend. The color is gorgeous and it knitted up pretty well, but the fabric created is pretty rough. I haven't blocked it yet as I haven't worked with this particular blend before, and wonder if I should use cold water, warm water, steam (?). There are only a handful of reviews of this yarn on Ravelry and a few mention that the yarn is very soft, so I'm very confused, but hoping that the yarn will soften after a proper blocking (whatever that method is). What would you suggest here?
100 Days of Spindle Spinning Challenge
Instagram: #100daysofspindlespinning
Ravelry: www.ravelry.com/discuss/drear...
I’m wearing the Gib I:
www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...
www.dreareneeknits.com/shop/g...
With the Harlow hat:
www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...
www.dreareneeknits.com/shop/h...
And The Traveler Shawl:
www.dreareneeknits.com/shop/t...
www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...
Instafriends KAL 2023: Instagram - #InstaFriendsKAL2023 & link: / instafriendskal2023
Ask a question for next week’s Q&A: forms.gle/pKM9gF9SixkdQwmS7 - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
My hubby washes all his handknit socks in the washing machine and lays flat to dry. No felting problems!
Faded version of The Traveler Shawl… this got me thinking. 💡 I could use fingering weight doubled and I have the perfect fade already in my stash. If someone would just finish my other WIPs so I could get started right away. 😅
Hi! I'm the one from the first question (about felting socks). If anyone is here for the same reason, I ended up cutting the sock right above the heel - used the leg portion to make some fingerless mitts, and the bottom part does fit me so I just added a rib and got some fun shorties. overall, success!
Such a creative idea!!
On the issue of wool "softness": I have started thinking that there is a different between "rough" wool and "itchy" wool. I think of rough wools as more rustic and sturdy than, say, merino, but not necessarily irritating. An analogy would be maybe denim as a fabric: new denim is stiff, but it's not itchy. I love my sturdy handspun sweaters (mostly Romney) and can wear them next to my skin, but I would not consider them "soft." And I have sensitive skin. What do you think?
I recently learned a great tip for felted knits! You just put quite a bit of hair conditioner in water and let your knits soak it all in. than take it out as you would block it, but- gently- pull it in the old shape. I tried it and it worked quite good. The garment I unfortunately felted, isn't exactly the same, but fits again. yay!
If you like to combo spin you might want to try combo drafting! I combo drafted two complimentary braids together for a Weekender and it’s one of my favorite yarns ever!
Sometimes a soak in salt water helps loosen the felting, on slightly felted but colourwork has all the strands behind the knitted surface that are carried, so they really felt into the knitting. Sometimes you can cut the tight strands if that is what shrunk, but haven’t felted to the knitted surface, then just stitch them down so the don’t flap in the sock, and that is enough to use the socks again.
The passioknitspinner here on yt was the first peraon I ever knew to do a combo spin, years and years ago, and she has some really great videos on how to go about tackling it. Her combo spins are amazing!
Thank you for yet another great design, Andrea ❤ I find that I can knit literally every single one of your designs, I absolutely adore your style! I have just received the mohair that I will add to my traveller shawl and I can’t wait to cast it on! An interesting fact- my very first ever knit shawl was the Thaliah shawl which I now use daily while working by the computer. It sits perfectly on my shoulders and keeps me warm and stylish on all the zoom calls 🤭
Today’s question about machine washing hand knit socks reminded me of a very interesting Norwegian sock yarn. It’s called Vandre from Rauma Garn and it’s 100% non-superwash sock yarn. On the label, it says that before using the socks made from this yarn, they should be first machine washed at 40 degrees Celsius with full spin. This makes the wool even more durable and interestingly enough not felted! The yarn has 50% of wool with super long fibres and washing them at a high temperature makes the fibres more dirt and damage resistant. Just a fun fact for all the sock lovers 😊
My relative washed one of my hamdknit sweaters, and it came out toddler sized
But you know what.
I threw it into a bath of water and I stretched it like I've never stretched anything before and I cannot believe it myself, but I wear that sweater to this day and I ACTUALLY LIKE IT MORE
Throw those socks in a tub of water and stretch the hell out of them.
You*might* be able to save them
I'm not sure because they're smaller circumference but I do believe in you!
You are just a joy! ❤
Thank you so much! ☺️
cut those felted colorwork socks and sew them into a sweet little zipper project pouch lined with adorable quilt cotton fabric!
Thank you so much for the demonstrations on how to wear shawls. SO helpful!
A. B. 3. 😂 I love when this happens
Harrisville Designs Nightshades is a great yarn and definitely softens up with blocking! One of my favorite go to sweaters is knit with this yarn in the color last call.
Those braids of fiber are so Gorgeous 😮🥰 LOVE the colors . Anxious to see what you do with them ☮️
What a wonderful demonstration of picking colors for a combo spin
LVR the episode on color and spinning. Just started spinning (on spindle) and boy is that a rabbit hole with potential epic proportions!
I’m absolutely enjoying the 100 day spin. I needed this in my life to start every morning. It’s been fun and I’m finally feeling comfortable with my support spindle. Working on my wheel to finish a sweater spin😊
I love wearing my Gib - just a nice cosy sweat-shirty sweater that is so comfy. I finished it about a month or so ago, and have been wearing it several times a week! Thanks again for the lovely pattern.
I have to tell you that I've knitted many of your sweaters and shawls (I am obsessed with your patterns!) and seeing you wear the Gib warms my heart. It is my most favorite handknit and my constant go to. I knit it in BT Imbue Boro and I think I have to knit another, my first repeat! Thanks for all of your inspiration, guidance, and sweetness!
🎶 Alllllriiiiight 🎶 🤣♥️ I love this pattern so much. It’s inspired me to get my wheel out again 🥰
These are always my favorite episodes of yours!! The ones that are a bit longer (around 40 minutes) and at a point in time in your designing, knitting, and spinning schedule that allows for so much show and tell. I’ve loved joining in the #100daysofspindlespinning challenge and have actually been posting every day. We’ll see how long that lasts, but nonetheless having a great time 🪄 Maybe I’ll have enough at the end to make a wild, mish-moshed traveler shawl
Hi Andrea! I’m finishing medical school and in the process of applying to residency programs. One of my top programs is in Maine! Is seems like there’s such a lovely little knitting community over there, which is a huge draw.
I’m currently knitting the feel good shawl. Only a few rows left! Was my first experience with brioche and I’m hooked.
Can’t wait to try the shawls. Oh the yarn choices is so exciting ❤
Andrea I love your weekly podcast. Learn so much. Which Synder spindle did you get and is that good for beginners?
I am game to try the traveler shawl with a fade …
Regarding the felted socks if they are lightly felted you could try soaking them in a bowl of water with some hair conditioner stretch them as much as you can while wet. Let them air dry and then use a de-pilling tool once dry.
I love love this new shawl one of my favorites and thank you for making it that we can use all different types if yarns and really make our own. I would love to spin my own yarn but can't afford the wheels I do have a drop spindle so now need to find someone to show me how you are do talented and I look forward to your videos each week be well happy knitting 😊
I started a Traveler shawl this week and I'm doing a fade with my new year countdown yarn from Coast to Coast Yarn Company! The countdown is coffee themed so it will fade from cream to dark brown. I think for the second triangle I might go in the opposite order from dark to light again. I'm really enjoying working on the shawl so far!
You in your knits with your arms full of wool 🤩
Your new shawl is wonderful, it will get in my queue for sure, but only after all the Christmas gifts.
Ummm….”where I talk about spinning and a little knitting “😜🤷🏽♀️♥️
Sorry to hear about the felted socks. Perhaps you can use the felted fabric as boot liners in case you don't find a person to match them up with.
I have good experience with using hair conditioner when something is excidantly felt. Just put your felted items in hand warm water with a generous amount of hair conditioner. Let it soak for 5 min. Then stretch the felted item in the water. It will be easier to stretch it. It won't undo it totally but I have two sweatsers that are wearable again after this treatment
I started support spinning last night. I about cried I couldn't find a video about or muddle my way around getting started with wrapping the fiber on the spindle. But I'm glad I'm stubborn. I kept trying, watching videos and putting all that together with my intuition then it really felt like all of a sudden I was spinning and long draw drafting with my left hand! and it felt so natural! I don't long draw and definitely not with my left hand. But I can only give a good flick with my right. I'm still wobbly with it but I'm past that cry and give up point and it feels good! But I need a better whorl. I made mine out of clay. It spins nice till you add the fiber then it slows down.
I love this shawl! I know you mentioned in the newsletter a potential spin to knit along, but I couldn't wait! I'm spinning up a combo spin with three braids as fast as I can (I've never done a three ply before, so this will be fun). I'm hoping to have it done, rested, and washed before I go on vacation so that I have a nice relaxing visit when flying and doing the crazy family thing.
Andrea, I really enjoyed the part about how you work with color to find the combo you like best. My question is exactly what do you do next to spin them together? I'm new to spinning and I cannot even begin to imagine how you spin 2-3 braids together to achieve a combination of all the colors. I watch your episodes every week and will be anxiously awaiting your expert response to my question. Thank you from northern MI.
Thank you for the demo of how to wear a shawl. I've been so frustrated with wearing shawls that I've mainly been knitting cowls instead - even though there are a lot of shawl patterns I'd like to try. I am going to give Traveler a try. I've ordered Farmer's Daughter Foxy Lady and Mighty Mo in Hawk Boy. Planning to hold them together to knit the Traveler Shawl small. I hope it works. First time holding two yarns, and first time with mohair. A little nervous to use mohair because I'm really sensitive to the wool itch.
I had a pair of socks that felted and thankfully I soaked them and put them on a blocker that is bigger than my normal blocker and it stretched them out enough to be able to slip over my heel again
Small holes in the wall are easily fillable. No worries.
The way you wear the shawl gives off some Hunger Games vibes and reminds me a bit of the Katniss cowl/vest.
Question…. I am a knitter, weaver and crocheter and teach these skills privately and at my LYS in Ann Arbor, MI. A good friend suggested your video podcast “I’ll Knit if I want To” and I love and look forward to Fridays! So much so that I am now very interested in learning to spin on a support spindle. (I did spin a bit on wheel many many years ago). My question is, where do you suggest I start? Spindle? Tutorials? Books? Any suggestions would be helpful!
“And by horizontal, I mean vertical.” 😂😂😂
Hi Andrea, thanks for the great podcast ! About blocking : you mentioned using hot water to immerse the garment. How hot is the temperature, approximately ?
Have you ever used hair conditioner to soften?
One more spinning question: how do you make a rolag?
Loving the 100 days of spinning! Pretty new to spinning, working on my turkish spindle now. Also just got a supported spindle i am dying to start giving a try! Love your rolags and been wanting to give that a try as well for when i start my supported spindle. How do you make yours? I have been looking into to a blending board!
Loved your combo spin discussion. Do you worry about fiber types?
For the felted socks: would soaking in water and putting them on sock blockers work? I've not had a pair of felted socks, so I have no idea if this would help.
If your felted socks are only a little too small to get on you can try soaking it in water with a fair bit of conditioner mixed in and then gently stretch it out and let it dry. It won't fully reverse felting but does help.