8 garments I knit but didn't wear this year / lessons learned - The Woolly Worker Knitting Podcast
Hello, I'm Vanissia, welcome to this special episode of The Woolly Worker Knitting Podcast where I go over 8 garments that I sadly never wore after knitting them in the first place. This podcast is a place for me to chat away about my knitting, plans for the future, yarn acquisitions, etc. I keep a very detailed description box, but if you have any questions, drop me a message :)
12h CHARITY KNITTING LIVESTREAM
Details: On the 2nd of January, to celebrate my podcast anniversary, I will be hosting a 12h-knitting livestream, to fundraise a goal of £3000 for the charity Samaritans, in the UK. Read more about them here: www.samaritans.org/scotland/a...
There will be lots of knitting, giveaways, surprises, sponsors, podcasting guests, trivia, polls, and activities, it'll be 12h of fun, relaxation, and nerdiness. A way to finish off 2023 and welcome 2024, all together, and for a cause close to my heart. I'd love to see you there, so save the date, spread the word, and participate in the activities if you can! I am so excited about this, and would love to chat more about it so my DMs are always open :D
Magnum Opus vote: here is the link for the last round of votes, if you want to do them all at once:
forms.gle/Xwu3TFWHdhCadnJHA
You're also welcome to vote on instagram, and I will add up all the votes!
Woolly Worldwide:
Snap a pic of your favourite knit, in your favourite place, and send it to me by email, ravelry, on discord, or post it on instagram with the hashtag #woollyworlwide to be featured in a big photo gallery with everybody during the stream. I will pick my favourite photo and gift you a sweater quantity (to be announced soon). Open worldwide. Make sure to let me know where the photo was taken and what pattern you are showing off!
Where can you find me?
Contact: thewoollyworker@gmail.com
Instagram: / thewoollyworker
Ravelry: www.ravelry.com/people/TheWoo...
Ravelry Group: www.ravelry.com/groups/the-wo...
Kofi: ko-fi.com/thewoollyworker
If you are interested in supporting the channel, for just the price of a cup of coffee, you can do so with this link. Any proceeds will go towards the channel to bring you good quality yarny content! Thank you ♥
Or if you'd like to gift me a pattern directly, here's my ravelry wishlist: www.ravelry.com/bundles/thewo...
NEW: DISCORD SERVER
Click on this link to join: / discord
Hope to see a lot of you there, don't be shy, and participate in the community!
- Timestamps -
0:00 Intro
4:31 Reviewing knits
45:36 Final thoughts
48:21 Charity Livestream Update
- MENTIONED IN THE VIDEO -
If I've forgotten anything or you'd like more information, feel free to send me a message or leave a comment.
🧶 (4:31) Terni Slipover - The Knit Purl Girl (ep 4)
Sandnes Garn Alpakka in Grabeigemel (2650)
www.ravelry.com/projects/TheW...
🧶 (9:40) Balloon Sweater - PetiteKnit (ep 4)
Filcolana Arwetta in Marzipan (977) and Tilia in Snow white (100)
www.ravelry.com/projects/TheW...
🧶 (14:24) Primrose Slipover - Along Avec Anna (ep 6)
Along Avec Anna Merino and Soft Silk Mohair both in Celadon
www.ravelry.com/projects/TheW...
🧶 (19:49) April Cardigan - PetiteKnit (ep 7)
Drops Flora in Beige (7) and Filcolana Tilia in Chai (364)
www.ravelry.com/projects/TheW...
🧶 (24:15) Mist Sketch Sweater - Florence Miller (ep 9)
Isager Alpaca 1 and 2 in the shades E0 and 46
www.ravelry.com/projects/TheW...
🧶 (28:22) Pictus Pullover - Tetis Knit Garden (ep 11)
Hawkshaw Sheep Gritstone and Shetland Blend 4-ply in Curlew and WoolyKnit Merino in Cosecha Gold
www.ravelry.com/projects/TheW...
🧶 (34:58) Northwoods V Neck - Jessie Maed (ep 16)
Variety of stash yarns, details on ravelry
www.ravelry.com/projects/TheW...
🧶 (40:35) Cozy Classic Light - Jessie Maed (ep 18)
Zakami Alpaca Cashmere Silk fingering in Liquescimus
www.ravelry.com/projects/TheW...
- Other Things Mentioned -
Sponsors:
- Hedgehog Fibers
- Wool Warehouse
- Zakami
- My Measurements -
To give an idea of how garments fit on me and what ease I wear them with, here are my measurements:
- 88cm / 34" bust
- 160cm / 5'3" tall
Great episode Vanissia. I’ve been knitting for 50 years and it is only been in the last few years that I am successfully making garments that work for my wardrobe. I think it takes a long time to know what shapes look good on your body and to acknowledge that at different times of your life you like different shapes. I have found with some sweaters that I did not like them initially after I made them but a year or two later, I did start wearing them and enjoyed them. I should also say that none of these were a waste of money. You have to remember how much enjoyment you got out of the knitting most of them. That has a value attached to it itself.
thank you so much for this comment Lisa, it really helps put things in perspective!
I agree
I see you and I play my 54 years' card ;0) my mum taught me to knit when I was 4. I have a very vivid memory of playing in front of the house. My dad called to me and said if I came in early for my bath I could do some knitting. I ran in so fast! I also remember knitting clothes for my Sindy( UK equivalent of Barbie).
@@india1422 😂
What a beautiful comment, thank you for sharing your wisdom about appreciating crafted projects!
New Viewer Interesting to look back and see what did not work, and then to fix it in the future. My recommendations as a 60 year knitter. 1: always use a smaller needle for the ribbing. this is the traditional go-to solution for loose ribbing, so common a problem that all vintage patterns include it. 2: Don't use mohair!!!!! You don't like it (neither do I and am amazed how popular it is) but use a substitute or go 'plain'. 3: If you are not enjoying a knit project, STOP and do something else. Even a Test Knit - it is valid feedback. As you have paid for the yarn you are not doing the designer any harm. 4: work out what colours you do like and use them again and again - different mixes but basically the same and you will be pleased. 5: Like with Like - don't mix yarn types. There is a reason that cotton/wool mix feels so different - cotton is a completely different type of yarn - plant based, not animal. Does not stretch the same, does not take colour the same etc. Having said all that, experience comes with time and I am sure this year you will have greater success. Mind you, 8 out of 33 is not bad. Now a subscriber
Thank you very much for all this advice !! Definitely a learning curve. At first i thought knitting was just about making stitches, but it's so much more, and there is so much to get better at, like fit and colouring !
I would just add "like with like" is not as important when it comes to shawls. That's the place I like to mix it up! Also wondering, what do you think about her using the twisted rib, in addition to downsizing needle size?
@@KarenStrickholm Twisted rib is not something I usually bother with. I don't enjoy ribbing so make it a simple (and short) as possible. So downsizing needles is usually enough for me. When it comes to 'like with like' not only do I find it works better, but it certainly washes better. One time my husband knitted a jumper for our first grandson. He striped acrylic with wool. (separated by this time). When the parent washed it - it shrank in stripes....
One option for garments in colors you don’t like is over-dyeing it! A bottle of dye is usually quite affordable, and can dye multiple projects! I started buying dye a few months back and I want to dye so many things I don’t love anymore. I’ll get around to it eventually haha
thank ill definitely try this next year!
I would definitely recommend over dying the items you like the design of but not the color of you don't not have someone wanting them as is. The neutral shade should take color well, either warm or cool, depending on preferences, best wishes!
I really appreciate your honesty! It's so rare among knitting podcasters
Oh thank you! I try, aha!
i really appreciate your honesty about your knits! it's so comforting knowing that everyone has a "fail" knit piece and it's not something that just happens to me😅
thanks very much and yeah that was the goal!
Even your "fails" are gorgeous and you should be proud of these accomplishments. Personally, I think giving the garments to your mom, if she will wear them, means you'll still be able to see them (and get them back later if you'd like) and know that they will be loved and used. Sometimes mohair tempers over time, so if your mom wears them for a bit, they may become a bit less itchy over time.
Very good point !! I will await her response to this offer aha, she did inherit my very first mohair jumper with drops kid silk for that exact reason !
Great episode- thank you. One suggestion I would make is to consider broadening your colour palette. I had my ‘colours done’ many years ago and that helped me with choosing colours for my knits. With your fair skin and blue eyes, I would guess you are a ‘spring’ which includes some beautiful brighter colours. Season’s greetings from Australia. Alex
thank you and yes, very good observation, way too many beiges there that don't suit me, and i know i love my blues and nowadays even pink! I have some brighter yarns in stash that i think will work much better!
I think a greyish beige would also suit you really well and blues and greenes and certain white. Or a rosy blush like the dark blush from drops alpaca. Try to stay away from yellowish beige. You seem pretty direct so I hope my comment makes you curious not upset. Greetings from Germany :)
thank you and no no problem at all, this is all super helpul!
@@thewoollyworkerExactly what I was thinking when watching - I'm a light summer and warm beiges wash me out just like you. Check out the light summer and light spring palettes.
Really enjoyed your episode. Here’s two thoughts. 1. Spend some time evaluating what colors you love and that you feel you glow when wearing. Or look at paintings or even printed fabrics to see what you’re really drawn too. And let yourself explore brighter, more clear toned colors. You can always look at prints you adore, paintings to lead you toward a color combination for new knit wear. If you see a color combination you love, you can retreat it with your yarn selection. No need to stress or reinvent the wheel if you don’t need too. 2. For the sweaters you feel proud of and do like, is it possible to line them with a fabric that does feel good? Or just line the neck and wrists? A nice soft stretchy knit fabric could “float” inside the sweater and keep you protected from being bothered by the itch. You knit beautifully. Itd be nice to see how you feel if you left the dulled neutrals behind and focused more on clear, brighter colors. Really enjoyed your assessment and it’s helped me think a lot about my future choices.
I was going to say get a wool shaver and take those mohair bit right down to the soft wool.
Really agree about the colors. Sometimes neutrals are not your friend!
thank you, that was very insightful! I'm looking forward to using brighter colours this year and also trying out new colours I maybe haven't given a chance to in the past. Great ideas to look at fabrics or paintings !
Thank you for making this video. Over the last months and weeks I gifted quite a lot of my knitted garments and shawls to people that are dear to me: friends, family, hairdresser, etc. It gives me so much joy to give something I have made with my hands and good quality materials to someone who will hopefully love and use it more than I do. I enjoyed making it with the intention of loving and wearing it myself, but I don't enjoy having it in my closet if I find it itchy or not fitting well or in a color that doesn't make me happy. My recommendation is: let go of the items that are not your favorites, and enjoy your favorites to the max. There will always be more yarn, more patterns, more learning and more joy. There is plenty.
thanks for sharing, definitely something good about giving those things a nicer home where they will get used, as opposed to just staring at them all year and feeling guilty ! Will definitely be making more next year, so why keep these !
If these were my projects I’d choose to Let them all go on to new owners. I’d let family pick first then the rest to the charity shop. I’d count them all as valuable lessons hard earned. Starting the New Year with no worries about past projects.
Very true and would probably be a weight off my shoulders to be honest!
Good idea. Other people who can wear them would love to have these beautiful knits.
Great idea! Start the year with a fresh project palette.
A tip for underlayers, I really like uniqlo heattech, they are super thin so won't look bulky under any sweaters and have a scooped neck option that I find is not visible under almost any neckline! Really enjoyed this video as a beginner knitter, and learnt that I should probably avoid mohair!
thanks, yeah i have one and i love it !! And yeah maybe try your hand with one small item but it's definitely not for everyone, despite what instagram makes it look like lol
I second this! I basically live in Uniqlo heattech which I wear under everything. I’m surprised people can wear woollen sweaters on their skin, even cashmere would be too itchy for me without an underlayer. It also helps keeping your woollen sweaters cleaner!
Oh my, I’m crushed for you. But I truly TRULY love your willingness to share your flops with us. It is extremely helpful to see, no matter how long we’ve been knitting. My suggestion (old enough by far to be your mom, and from years of crafting made my fair share of flops) will sound harsh but it’s really for the best. No matter why you don’t like the FOs, get them out of your house. period. If you love both color and content of the yarn, and I mean LOVE, go ahead and frog it and find a pattern you know fits your body. Everything else, find someone who adores the item, gift them with well wishes and move on. Saved items that we gaze on with guilt but never ACTUALLY utilize bring absolutely no value to our lives. Needlessly inflicting ourselves to all that went wrong just makes it worse. So, how to prevent future flops? Another viewer suggested having your colors done, great idea! Take that info and the list of fibers you can’t tolerate to heart and vow not to go down that path again. I look forward to the livestream for charity. You’re a treasure! 💜Blessings to you from Hilton Head SC USA.
thank you!! I do agree that id feel happier with them out of the house aha ! Big fan of that way of approaching life. This year will be all about colours and less neutrals! Or at least greys, which i prefer over beige !
Thank you so much for the honesty of this video Vanissia! It was so so refreshing. I find when I'm watching knitting podcasts and looking at beautiful FOs it's so easy to assume every project is perfect and I'm the only one who has projects that don't really work out..! Good to know that it happens to all of us knitters and it's just a part of the learning process in discovering what works and what doesn't! It seems like a lot of your flops could be fixed with some nice undergarments - have you tried Uniqlo? Not expensive and great for layers. Really looking forward to the stream! X
Thank you for the recommendation and kind words, I really wanted to shed a light on the not-so-good aspects of knitting as it can be easy to get caught up in the "perfect image" of social media ! And all the comments are reassuring me I'm not alone in that, so it works both way!
Hi! Your sweaters are all beautiful! What you need is a buy a couple of nice pima cotton t-shirts, either round neck or henleys and that will protect your skin from mohair and having a white backdrop with your skin colour will make any colored knit look nice
Thanks for the tips!
I was cleaning house and listening to this podcast for the first time and was stopped dead in my tracks when you said this...."I don't want this garment or the yarn in my house anymore". I had to laugh at your level of revulsion towards this vest project. I can totally relate to those "ugh" projects! Subscribed.
hahahaha aw im glad it made you laugh ! Hope you enjoy the podcast :D
One way to soften rough/rustic wools is to give them a long soak (like an hour or more) with a good amount of hair conditioner (any cheap conditioner will work). It doesn't make them merino soft, but it can improve their texture quite a bit. I've also read about people softening mohair by freezing it. It might be worth some research.
thanks! maybe ill try soaking them in conditioner !
If you aren’t excited and happy when you are knitting, stop. As an older knitter this trend of everyone doing what everyone else is doing it’s pretty mystifying. It also kills off creativity! So do only what makes you happy, very happy. The balloon sleeve, beautiful, maybe a silk long tee layering piece underneath? You need to keep please, you need it.😊 I really loved them all. Mountain climbers always wear very thin base layers so check out some sites for that type of wear. With the world being in such a mess I would hold onto what keeps you warm, not kidding. I looked up some long sleeved undergarments, try 32 degree brand, very low cost, LL Bean has silk, and Real Silk life is another. I would encourage you to keep them. I am very sad that I have given away so many of my items and have started remaking many of them, lol, so I guess you never know.
thank you so much for the silk recommendations, i'll deifinitely look into that !
Thank you Vanissia, very interesting to see what you didn’t like among your projects. I think that they are all very beautiful and I hope that some of your second chances will work out and that the rest will find another happy owner. Just want you to know that I’m very thankful to you for the episode on how to use Ravelry, it really inspired me and showed me how useful it can be, so now I have my whole stash catalogued and am adding my projects bit by bit, you are a very good teacher and I see you as a fantastic influence in the knitting community.
awww i'm so glad to hear you say that !! Thank you for taking the time i really appreciate it and it's all worth it!
Thank you for being so open about what worked well in terms of garment knitting. Enjoyed the episode will tune in and support on 2nd Jan!
Thank you so much! It means a lot :)
Great episode Vanissia, thank you! The subjects you pick for your extra episodes are great, they’ve really think about my knitting choices, past present and future, in a different way.
thank you so much for saying! I do have a lot of fun making these extra episodes so hope to do many more next year!
Not that many videos where people share their experience with the garment after they presented it in the master class 😏 Thank you! It made me feel I’m not alone 😂 I have a few items knitted last year that I wore once and never touched again. I learned how to knit at age 7, I’m 58 now. I put attention that I simple patterns are usually more wearable. It’s boring to knit them, and usually with small needles, and thus longer process, but they fit better, easy to match with different bottoms, they look more expensive, and they are timeless. When I choose some complicated pattern, it may be fun to knit, but… I do not wear it 🫤 2 most worn sweaters are from bouclé yarn, 100% wool, I bought it for really cheap in eBay 😊 it’s old stock, French yarn, probably from 70s-80s based on the label. So my advice - look at such market places, I do not know what you have in the UK except eBay, I live in the US. Regarding mohair… polyamide mohair is itchy, makes you sweaty, like all synthetic fibers do. Mohair on silk is soft and creates pleasant feel on skin. It’s more expensive but usually 100g enough for small size sweater oversized fit. Cheaper mohair is great to mix with plain yarn like merino wool or bamboo, cotton, etc. One thread in the mix doesn’t make the whole garment itchy but creates more soft look for the sweater. For the seethrough pullovers I use camisoles. I do not allow myself to show bra, not because of age, I never liked it, even when it was kind of trendy 🙄 . Uniqlo has good camisoles, with builtin bra and without, with wide straps to cover bra straps. It’s very useful item for warm and cold weather, good as an undergarment and as a top with cardigan, shirt
thank you! That was all super insightful and useful to read. I appreciate your experience and knoweldge about these things! Will definitely stock up on the uniqlo :p
Thanks for taking the time to put this together, love listening to all your comments and seeing your makes. Happy New Year.
thank you so much and happy holidays!
Thank you for another great one. You have such a detailed and thoughtful way of thinking about your knitting. 😊 can’t wait for 2 January 😊
Thank you so much!
Thank you for sharing your experience with your knits. It's actually very good that the vast majority were hits, not fails. Looking forward to your live ❤
thank you very much !
This was a really interesting, thoughtful and helpful episode. Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you for this video, we all can learn so much from discussing what doesn’t work for us. Your knitting is beautiful and I am always interested to see what you are working on.
Thank you so much!
Great insights! Such a good idea to reflect on what didn't work as that will help with project & yarn choices in future to give you the knitted wardrobe of your dreams.
So true!
I love this episode. I am a long time knitter and you really made me think....I love how honest you are, thank you
thank you very much!
Oh wow! I learned so much about finding the right yarn. While watching this podcast, I noticed your knitting skills are superb! Can you recommend videos of how you pick up stitches. Necklines appear to be the biggest issues for all of us. Thank you!
You are such an extraordinary knitter! I love the end of the year videos and it is nice to see how others handle f.o.s that are unsuccessful. I definitely have some of those and am toying with the idea of frogging certain ones. I will definitely try tune in for the stream.
Thank you so much! Makes me really happy to hear, and wow, ive never frogged an entire one, so yeah also getting ready for this idea aha!
Great episode again thanks Vanissia. Good idea to run through the garments not worn and focussing on why. SO important for all of us to learn so we can refine our knitting selections! Lighting personally of no concern to me....too interested in what you are saying to even notice 🥰Your Holly sweater looks gorgeous - well done for finishing 👍
thank you for all this! And yeah definitely wanted to take a moment to pause and think about WHY !
This is a great episode. I love the analysis of how things can flop for yourself. And I'm taking a lot out of it here. Looking forward to more of these kinds of videos to learn more about it ✨🐑
so glad you enjoyed it! And yeah i really like to analyse my knitting so more to follow!
I love this video, I learned so much from it. Thank you. Happy New Year!
Thanks a lot! Happy new year!
I really enjoyed this episode, your honesty is so refreshing. And you made me laugh many times, ”I do not want this garment or the wool in my house anymore” 😂. I totally relate to that feeling. I once binned a completed project because I had that feeling.
Thank you so much! I really like watching other content where people talk about the not-so-great aspects so I want to make sure I don't avoid it aha !
Thank you for this! It is so comforting to know, that knitters on youtube don't always have only successful projects. 😊
thanks for saying, i think it's important!
Great episode!! Loved hearing your insights 😊
Thanks so much!
OMG this is so refreshing, thanks so much for sharing. Got me thinking about some of my own languishing knits...
glad you liked it!
@@thewoollyworker always do ☺️ looking forward to catching some of the live stream!
Thanks for passing on the wisdom that cost you time and money to learn. You've summed up perfectly how I feel about holding silk mohair with another yarn. I see many v-neck cardigans in my future, using up my stash mohair. 🎉
thank you and yes, definitely using the stash but being mindful of what to avoid, and then not buying anymore!
This episode popped up and I listened for a bit and immediately subscribed. Your honesty is appreciated but your ability to convey your thoughts so quickly on the fly is especially impressive. I have tried to make videos before and I'm full of Umms and ahs. I can also appreciate the fails as I've been knitting for 48 years. i can also relate to wanting to love a garment. @Lisafall is absolutely right about the enjoyment of knitting but don't forget about the life lessons you learn too.. they are hidden within the fabric, guaranteed. Happy knitting! from Canada.🍁
aww thank you, that made my day !! I have definitely gotten better at podcasting with practice, i was full of ummmms before ! Happy knitting :D
Many of your "fails" looked so good on you but it's really about what YOU feel best in, isn't it?! Thanks for sharing your journey!
thank you, and yeah it can be very personal !
What a great idea for an episode! It's rare people talk about what didn't turn out as planned. My personal fail is my Leith cardigan : I think the fit is awful on me, absolutely hated knitting the double knit button band and it doesn't look so neat (probably my bad here but still). I am really sad because I thought Rebecca was looking so cute in her version. Thankfully I like the yarn so I am thinking of unraveling the whole thing and knit another striped sweater. I would wear your Jessie Made sweater knitted with you Zakamy yarn with either a beige bra or camisole. Just love this sweater. 😊 And Merry Christmas! 🎉
Thank you! And that's a shame, especially when you're extra excited about the project and have a vision for it! But yeah i thought it was helpful to also consider the money, time, and enjoyment spent on it, to see if there was any redeeming factors, and some of those projects i still very much enjoyed making ! Will try and find those camisoles ! Merry christmas :D
@@thewoollyworkerdid you think of changing it to zipper instead of button?
@@louisebb4183 Good idea: will try that before unravelling!
Yes! It is so annoying to look at the photos and see how good a garment looks, but knowing how uncomfortable/or something it is to wear. All these garments look so good on you that from an outsider's view there is no reason why not to use them, but as a knitter I know what you mean. Gladly there are often people who love them! I just gifted a long cardigan for my mum today and she was so happy with it, and I don't feel like wasting money and time on something I don't wear anymore. 😊
thank you! interesting that it looks good from the outside perspective aha. And yeah i will learn from this for sure!
This is such a great helpful video for us all. If you don’t have great homes for these wonderful garments you might develop a small for sale wardrobe and recoup the yarn price. The ones you don’t like and don’t feel good from itch factor or shape should find good homes but all taught you. It’s very hard to look at sweater designs and photos and translate what would look good on us. Part of the fun is creating our choices so they are experimental but you will learn what are your strong points are in all the areas. Especially as you are so prolific. As I am older and been long out of knitting I wouldn’t dare knit a style I had not worn before to see if I even like it or could wear it with my body. So I would go looking and trying on similar styles in a shop that would be potential to knit. Somehow my best looking clothes were ones I decided I was looking for in my head first as looking good on me and would fill a definite need in my wardrobe. Then the variables to decide how to make it and modify it and what similar patterns there are to choose from give me tons of info. Same in knitting as sewing. And you looked cute and so much better than you think in your photo ops even the ones you hated most. You have a cute shape and manner so with adjustments with color contrastes under or belted you could style them differently. I have your same coloring and took years to figure out how to not just bright color shop but intensity or saturated colors looked great. You could make a sweater vault with your rejects (that are comfortable to wear) so that you can set them aside and consider them in a different light in a year. And then Decide. You are so smart and interesting and helpful. Thank you for all your videos. We all need these things to think about as we are creating one of a kind garments. As I am out of the newest knitting loop until recently I have been watching knitters just to learn what yarns do what and what ways to use them. Blending yarns is totally new and partially responsible for the sensitivities we have with mohair, etc and the price of garments we knit. Again, kudos for leading the pack in honesty and how to 🎉🎉❤better knit for our own bodies and wardrobes. These aren’t failures, possibly good marketing photos being successful in enticing the product and you are learning at a rapid pace. Thanks for taking us along. Upping the game for everyone.
Thank you Vanissia for your honesty about your makes. I agree that we sometimes make the wrong decisions about yarn to design pairings. I too agree that the right yarn makes all the difference. I sometimes wonder ... Should I stick with acrylic? Ugh. I hate to say it, but it keeps its shape and holds up to wear. That being said, I have drawers full of sweaters I don't wear in beautiful expensive yarns. We also fall prey to our favorite podcasters and their excitement over all the luscious yarns available out there. I can't wait to watch your charity marathon! Thanks again for sharing your insights. ❤
thank you for the lovely comment! I do sometimes wonder if i should go back to superwash merino but i really dont love the experience of knitting with it. Definitely hard to not be too influenced by what others are doing !!
Really interesting comments about each project...I'm glad you found a way to improve a few of them 🤞
thanks and yeah, i think the Primrose slipover is an easy fix !
You are a breath of fresh air as I sometimes think it’s only me that finds I’m not happy with my finished garments for some reason or other but I do enjoy the process. I have sensitive skin also and need to wear undergarments. I have long sleeve round neck tees also I bought very fine long sleeved tops with a higher neck from Primark to wear under my rustic wool Arans. They work well for me. They were £8 so not dear. I do knit with acrylic/wool mixes and even they itch me. Years ago I knitted with mohair cost a fortune and found I couldn’t wear it so wouldn’t even try again I do love the look mind you. Great podcast as always have a happy 2024 x
awww thank you so much !! I love the look of mohair too, but then it would be a nice saving if i stopped using it lol! Happy new year :D x
Loved this video! Helpful to share that we all have some flops. I think the mist sketch looks great on you so hopefully that one can find a new life. Shape and colour are really nice.
thank you! And yes it's my favourite colour of all of these !!
I feel you on this so much!! I made so many beige garments and then I realized it didn’t suit me at all. Now, I knit colorful things or charcoal and black. I have to keep myself from looking at beige-fluencers 😂 I also don’t do test knits anymore. I will pay the money for a finished pattern that I can finish on my own time and see the projects of others for. Not having to apply and make a decision under pressure makes me make better garment decisions.
I agree with this a lot !!
It is not a crime to knit and not like the result, it is an awful feeling when something you have put so much time in is worthless. I love your videos, just dont be hard on yourself. You are a very fine knitter.
thank you so much ! x
Hi Vanissia, thanks for this very honest video. All of your garments look so gorgeous and so I was surprised at some of them that you don’t wear, but your reasons are very understandable. I agree that one of the biggest obstacles to making wearable knitwear is not always the garments themselves, but finding the right undergarments to wear with them (particularly when you have a very rustic wool) . So please let us know if you have any success with this! At one point in time everyone was wearing thin cotton turtlenecks under their winter wool sweaters, and I kind of wish they would make a comeback because those solved all of the itch problems. Anyway, your video helped me to feel like less of a failure for when I have a garment flop, so thank you!!
thank you so much!! Like you say, if i want to keep knitting in rustic yarns, im going to have to find undergarments that are tried and tested, or else ill have to stick to very soft merino ! And yea, thin cotton seems to be a good start ! Let's make it come back lol
Really enjoyed this! It’s great to hear you’re a loose knitter. I’m a self-taught clumsy knitter which I’m working on with KZhead & ravelry. I started off a very tight knitter and worked hard to loosen my gauge, worried I’d gone too far - after listening to you I’ve a better idea how to adapt it and feel more confident.
thanks and yeah i feel i hear a lot about tight knitters and sometimes felt a bit alone and like most of the advice didnt apply to me, so it's nice to hear other people having looser tension out there !
I love the Teti’s garden on you! It sounds like yarn sensitivity is something for you to consider in the future. But I love these on you! I wish I were your mom! 😄😄
aw thank you! and yes ive definitely learned my lesson now and will really consider before buying those yarns, even if i am attracted to them !
Happy Holidays! See you on the 2nd for sure 😊
Same to you!
Thanks for this episode, I think it helps us to know that we are not the only person who is not always happy with our projects. I have found there’s always a little voice in my head telling me when something is not going to work, but it took me a while to start listening to it 😂. I used to think, but what if I do this or use this other yarn instead, etc., and really tried to make things work. But they usually didn’t. So now when, when I hear that voice telling me “this yarn is not right”, or “I’m not sure I like this color”, I have learned to stop and put it aside for a week or so. Then when I come back to it, it’s easier to see what’s not right, some times it’s as simple as changing needle size to get a loser/tighter fabric, and sometimes it’s realizing wrong yarn for this project, but either way it’s better pushing on and finishing something you won’t wear. Your sweaters are all beautiful, so sorry they didn’t work for you. For the ones where it is the mohair that is bothering you, have you tried washing/blocking them a few times to see if they will soften up? This worked for me with a wool sweater that I found itchy. I’ve heard some people even use hair conditioner to soften their wool, but I don’t know if it works on mohair.
So true! And ive not found washing/conditioner to help much with mohair sadly! It's more about how high the neckline is and what i am wearing underneath that can help!
I enjoyed watching this video, and seeing your projects from last year. Listening to you, it sounds like you may want to only create projects out of your favorite yarns that your skin doesn't have a sensitivity to. You may enjoy the finished project so much more. But honestly, the projects you showed in this video all look really great on you. You do lovely work, and I look forward to watching more of your videos ( I just joined your channel).
thank you so much! And yes, definitely learned a lot from this past year and want to focus on yarns ive tried and tested and love, instead of trying new things all the time aha!
Really interesting listening to this episode. We learn so much from our mistakes!
thank you, and yes for sure!
I am surprised you're not cold enough in Scotland to wear mohair. I spent this past summer in Edinburgh and I was definitely not warm enough most of the time 😂 so back in London now 😂 And I am also surprised you're not wearing any of these, I love them all!
I think if I spent more time outside I would, but even if I'm walking, i warm up, and then in places, they have the heating on, so I just never feel like it's what I need !
Loved this episode- I would definitely frog the Tetis sweater and repurpose the yarn. I agree 💯 sometimes (especially during my first year of knitting) I did not pick all the right projects. I already frogged a cardigan I tested because it was too big and repurposed it on a Lento for a friend. And I will be frogging another 2 sweaters and repurposing the yarn. Really relatable! Hope you had a lovely Christmas!
thank you!! And maybe next year will be the year i frog entire projects who knows !! never done that before
This was really interesting! I need to go through my sweater wardrobe too. For sure you are NOT alone in this…we all have knitting fails. It is ok to let them go. I think the biggest take-away is to carefully consider choosing the right yarn for the project. For you in particular, paying attention to whether you can wear it next to skin. Merino is always good I think. I would also consider trying Cormo as a comfortable yarn to wear.
thank you very much, and yes definitely need to be more picky and really think about what i choose to knit with !
Hi Vanissia - thank you so much for sharing your experiences, what a great video! I am also at a place, where I am "auditing" my hand-knit garments. One more thing to consider, when you have knit something and don't like the colour, is overdyeing the piece. I don't have a big dyeing setup, so what I do is simply using the fabric dyes from the drug store. I know Dylon has dye for hand-washing (rather than using the machine-dye). It is always a risk, but has paid off for me so far :) - also for colour, I generally go for navy, as it is a dark enough colour, has more dimension than black, looks fine in different shades and goes well with everything in my wardrobe. Regarding under layers - I almost always wear a long sleeve top under my hand-knits. My favourites are the heattech turtlenecks (or boat-neck, when the sweater has a lower neck) from UNIQLO , and they have lasted me for years. They do add a lot of extra warmth though, so if it is already to warm for you, maybe look into some of their other options :)
thanks for the recommendations!! i sense some clothes shopping soon ... and i would like to try overdying one day for that very reason! I got some rit dye
That was an interesting podcast, Vanissia ! Thank you so much for your honesty and caveats. I also do have problems with mohair but been tempted to use it nevertheless because it looks so beautiful. But I find it itchy and to warm, just like you do. My biggest returning failure is the neckline of my raglans. They always end up to loose. I wish you happy holidays, success with your live stream and lots of happy knitting in 2024 ! Looking forward for your knitting plans and podcasts…
Thanks for the kind words and for sharing!! Good to know im not alone in getting caught up in the mohair craze aha. Wishing you happy knitting too !!
❤
Most necklines are too wide I find. I now knit the smallest size neck and add some quick increases. Mohair is far too itchy ... making a very lux decorative throw for my couch using all that luscious mohair yarn I've got in stash. Super episode.
Terrific episode, I feel we can all learn from each other and help one another make better informed decisions. In your case, it seems it was mostly the feel of the fabric that bothered you. Going forward, I’d love to hear how you navigate the scratchy factor! Not to make your life more complicated, but I actually thought the colorwork pullover looked super cute on you! Maybe steeking would be an option, as you said. Then you’d more obviously wear something under it that could show, but you’d not lose all the hard work. I think we ALL have maker flops. Its part of the process. This was interesting to see.
thank you, definitely choosing different yarns now and being more mindful! My mum has now claimed the pictus so at least it will get loved !
Great thanks I love your finished objects
Thank you! 😊
I'm not normally a watcher of knitting videos but this popped up in my feed and I was interested. The main theme of this vid for me (apart from mohair hehe) was colour. You have beautiful bright cool-toned skin; cream, brown, beige and warm greens are not your friends. Cool, light, clear colours like pastel pink, blue, aqua, and icy grays and whites would look amazing on you.
thank you! I agree that beige is really not my neutral, but blues and greys are great! Would love to try more pastel pinks this year and maybe aqua/etc !
I think you got sucked into some online trends that don't work for you - beige, mohair, rustic yarn. It happens to all of us now and then. For as popular as beige is on Instagram, it really doesn't look good on a lot of us. I love the way the mohair garments look, but I just can't wear them. Even knitting with the mohair gets my eyes watering.
I very much agree! Good to know now and be more aware of it. Also good to know I'm not the only one getting sucked in!
It was good to see your honest appraisal of knits that didn't work for you. Re the v-neck stripey sweater that you need an under-layer for, perhaps an old-fashioned English "vest", a cotton but stretchy undergarment that you'd easily find in Marks & Spencers. I do like your colour choices - they are unusual and fun.
Thanks for the tip! Will have a browse
You are a talented knitter! I really enjoyed the way you disseminated your handmade garments and came to some conclusions as far as fit, material, color and style that works for you. I purchased silk camisoles, silk tank tops, and a silk tee shirt undergarments this year. I don't like my sweaters to cling to me and I wanted a smooth, flowy feel under sweaters. I purchased them through 'QUINCE', an online retailer as a gift to myself this year. Good luck in finding the right undergarments.
thank you very much! And that's a great recommendation, you sold me !
This is so relatable! I have had so many knitting flops and I really appreciate you sharing yours. As far as color goes, a few years ago I figured out what my “season” was for my skin tone and hair and it really helped! I’m sure someone already mentioned that in the comments. But I try to stay within my seasonal palette now which still gives quite a large range of options it just helps me pick the right ones for me. As far as shapes go, I still have issues with picking the right silhouettes for me too so I really appreciate you sharing all of these! Just subscribed :)
thanks! Funnily enough, this video really inspired me to focus on colour seasonality, as you can see in my latest 2024 knitting goals video, if you check that out, you'll see i definitely relate to this advice !!
@@thewoollyworkerohh how fun! I am off to watch that video now 😊
Great video! I have some long sleeve bamboo underlayers. I originally bought them for hiking as an underlayers but they are just perfect for wearing under my knitwear! So far I have only bought from BAM and I'm veryhappy with them
thank you! I've never tried bamboo underlayers ! Will try and have a look :)
This video is not for knitters who are looking for info on the do’s and dont’s of knitting certain types of patterns. Thought this was about actual fails but you made all your items beautifully and perfectly and also seemed very impressed with your work. I totally misunderstood what this video was about.
This is a great video. It’s really made me think about how much I wear my knits and consider my future knitting plans a bit more carefully. For under layer I have two suggestions that work for me: One is boatneck t-shirt under a slightly more open round neckline. The other of for the cosy classic light, a skin tone camisole or vest, it hides the shape of the bra pretty well but it isn’t super obvious or too warm.
thanks for the tips! really helpful
Very much looking forward to watching this video, I appreciate the honesty! I often wonder with knitting podcasts whether these FOs actually get worn... I realized a couple of days ago that I'd have to frog my Douglas Cardigan by Andrea Mowry, which was already 90% done (only cuffs and buttonband missing). It's too tight on my shoulders and arms, and since it is a bottom-up design, I only realized when I was almost done. (also I was hoping that the fabric would relax a lot more with blocking). It really annoys me, I dedicated a lot of time to knitting this cardigan. But I think this will be the perfect video to watch while I start the frogging and reminding myself that I'm not the only one with kitting fails. ;)
aw no that's a shame !! I hope you managed to frog it, and that you find a new cardigan to do !
Thanks for this view of the "other side" of knitting. I've got a big pile of fails, while over the years I've been learning what suits me and fits me. I too am in the no-moh camp - so itchy. A good substitute is CaMaRose Midnatssol (or other suri blends, I suppose, but this is the one I've used). Happy New Year!
Gabo Wool Baby silk yak is softer and slightly thicker than midnatssol if you're open to some new adventures. It is the only fuzzy yarn I can wear without discomfort.
Beautiful makes, Vanissia. A suggestion for under garment-silk base layer such as those sold by Terramar Silks might work to eliminate the irritation from the mohair. And, I agree with others to try over dyeing, which also would make good video content. Another thought-if you have a local yarn store that carries the yarn you used might be interested in purchasing pieces for sample knits. All my best for a joyful 2024!
thank you, i never thought of silk undergarments but it makes so much sense! And yeah if i overdye this year ill definitely record the process ! And what a fantastic creative idea for the sample knits ! Will look into that ! To you too :D
hi, I love this podcast. There is another option: over-dying a finished garment in a dark color.
ohh thanks, good idea!
Hi Vanissia, my sister finds Uniqlo heatech (not the fleece or extra warm)tops allow her to wear itchy wools. It's a fine but dense material. Lovely to wear and very long-lasting. Worth a look maybe. They do various styles including vest tops. This podcast was really interesting, I think with experience you get to see past IG and designers photos. I so agree re all these knit/purl textured designs, not for me, but then I can't understand the Ranunculus love - I feel it flatters no-one. Looking forward to your New Year Livestream! Happy Christmas!
thank you! i have a couple from them that i love so will definitely buy more. And yea so true about IG! and i agree re the ranunculus aha ! not for me. Happy holidays!
Really good episode Vanissia! I’ve spent a lot of time over the years knitting things that don’t work for me and giving then away to charity so have often pondered why too. For me I’ve found I need to not follow instagram trends for colours and styles because they rarely work for me. I’m also attracted to the beige aesthetic but it really doesn’t work for my pale skin tone, it’s been a costly lesson 😂 However I adore your balloon sweater, that’s a lovely soft colour and if you do decide to part with it let me know 😊
thank you! and absolutely agree regarding instagram trends, it's SO hard but i need to pull back and stop for a second and wonder if this is for me! Definitely a costly lesson!! They know how to pull us in. Message me on insta regarding the balloon sweater if you want!
Merry Christmas Vanissia, Isn't it funny how we see ourselves. I think the Pictus, looks stunning on you! I think it's the silhoutte, you look like a a ballerina in it, it really suits your posture. The april Cardigan is gorgeous on you, too. The costy classic light looks amazing on you, but I guess that doesn't address the itch factor. I think its the Yellow stripe in the V neck jumper that kind of jars when you look at it, It's still beautifully made as are all of your knits. I'd love to see you knit with less neutrals and more colour. As you have fair skin and hair I think you need to add warmth with colour rather than wash out with neutrals, but, again that's just how I see you. I really enjoyed this episode, you're very generous with your podcasts. Happy New Year x
aw thank you, the ballerina comment made me smile aha! Definitely will focus on colour this year and im super excited for it ! Happy new year :D
Thanks for another interesting episode. We all make things that don’t fit, are the wrong colour, size etc. That’s how we learn I guess. When things don’t turn out how I want I usually reknit them and if still don’t work I frog them and do something else with the wool. For an under layer I recommend a fine silk long sleeved tshirt, or one in cotton, or a cotton mix. Uniqlo have fabulous base layers and are not expensive. Sunspel have beautiful fine cotton tshirts but are a bit more expensive.
thank you very much for the tips! And good to know im not alone in making the "wrong" things every now and then! Impressive that you can follow through your idea to the very end!
C'était très courageux de ta part de faire un épisodes sur tes "flops", même si certains sont vraiment très beaux. Je pense que tu as besoin d'avoir plus de caracos et de débardeurs dans ta vie, de jolis sous-vêtements en coton/élastane peuvent t'aider à porter tes pulls plus facilement. As-tu pensé à t'offrir un test de colorimétrie, ou à le faire toi-même ? C'est bien utile pour déterminer les couleurs qui nous vont. Bises Vanissia.
merci beaucoup! Et oui, tu as bien raison! J'ai fait un mini-test en ligne et je suis "printemps" mais ce serait chouette d'avoir un test encore plus professionel, je trouve ca super interessant et ca pourrait payer au long terme ! Peut etre en 2024 ...
Rosamunde has thin tops that work both during the summer and winter. They're made of bourette silk and merino. I love them for layering.
Good to know!
The green isager with the colourful yoke is really nice and now that you've altered the funnel neckline I hope you give it a whirl. It looks really good. I feel the same way about mohair as you...I understand the temptation because it looks good.
glad to know im not alone !!
Great video Vanissia! I love your honesty and thoughts on what you would change. In terms of base layers, I don't know if you have a uniqlo near you but I really like their underlayers for my knits. I run cold so in the winter i like their thin thermals, but they also have the AIRism brand which are really thin and come in a range of colours for a range of skin types. They are seamless and have low necklines so would hide under the lower knits. Hope that helps!
yes i will definitely try more of their stuff !! They are very seamless. Thanks!
I honestly think the £55.28 cropped one looks stunning on you! It's my favourite
aw thank you!
Very good episode. Very interesting. I think the Balloon sweater is beautiful and it will be a shame if you can't make that work for you. I agree with you about the Pictus pullover. I think it might work as a cardigan but perhaps it would look good on a friend that likes to wear a lot of dresses. I like the Cosy Classic light so I would try and find something to go under it. Thanks for a great episode.
thank you for sharing your thoughts! I think im just gonna have to remake the balloon sweater with a different yarn, either suri alpaca, or just lace alpaca !
Just found your channel while scrolling ! And of course subscribed😊
Aw I am glad !!
Hey Vanissia, thanks for the podcast! It is a lovely refreshing view from the other side of handcraft, and I do wish we see more candid and thoughtful reviews like yours in the community. Speaking of yarn choices, have you tried knitting with pure cashmere? I have very low tolerance of scratchy yarn too, and it really frastrates me when I spend a few month on making something that I can't even wear. Cashmere is so expensive but now I save up for it and make every skin layer with it. It's like £100 and 3-4 months of work for a jumper that I will wear till it disintegrates, which I think is pretty good.
Thanks! I have a sweater quantity but have been too afraid to knit with it in case i am disappointed aha but i think this would be the way to go !!
@@thewoollyworker Exciting! Tell us how it goes! Cashmere is so much more forgiving than mohair and rustic wool, even if you have to frog (as I have a few times) the yarn will be nice and reuseable. It's great.
I haven’t come across your podcast before. I liked your theme😊 It takes several attempts to find what suits one’s body and colours. I can recommend very thin threads of cashmere or alpaca instead of mohair. Rauma does that and Filcolana. I personally find Tilia mohair prickly. A Danish company called Garna does 👌yarn. But pricey👼🏻
thank you very much ! and yes ive tried alva from filcolana and really liked that
New here. I love the new trend of bringing up the ones not used and why. I really think you look better in colors, where you get a bit of contrast to your skintone. The burgundy in the video is lovely on you!
thanks ! I love to hear the truth too, even if it's not as rosey. And yes, i think I want a bit more colour now!
I really enjoyed this video thank you. It's natural I guess to just post FOs immediately but that doesn't tell the whole picture. I also liked your honesty about test knits. I take test knit/sewing posts with a pinch of salt to be honest. I hope you find some good tops to wear under as sounds like that will solve many of the issues.
thank you and yes definitely intersting to know what happens beyond the photoshoots aha! And totally agree with test knits, after having done many this year, i have changed my opinion of them a bit ! Will report back during the year on finding good tops!
Thank you for this episode, it is good to know I am nit the only one that has knitted something that turned out less “successful”. Suggestion for your ribbing challenge: try twisted ribbing - I also had similar challenge to you & changed to twisted ribbing and that solved the problem for me. Thank you for your honesty about what you consider “flops”, we call those ones “paying school fees”😊. Have a blessed 2024!
yes i love twisted rib!! next tip im gonna try is to do the ribbing from the wrong side !
Thanks for sharing this. I always struggle with yarn choice too. The only project I am truly disappointed with is my ribblesdale vest. It took me 2 months to make and it fits great however as soon as I showed my husband he pointed out that the ridges in the brioche really accentuated my bust line in a way that I shouldn’t wear it to work, which was my main reason to make a vest as it’s too hot for sweaters in the office. So disappointed and I think it’s another reason I need to scroll through the projects to see what it looks like on someone with my figure instead of just falling in love with the model photo.
aw no that's a shame ! but yeah very good point about looking at modelled photos and immediately thinking that that's what it would look like on us ! Except it then doesn;t .... which is also why i love projects that have a lot of photos on ravelry, gives a better idea!
Happy Christmas Vanissia!!! Perhaps knitting bralettes to wear underneath some of the light colored or itchy garments? You can control the length and neck line. I love 3 of the sweaters on your list (pictus, mist, and cozy classic) the pictus is gorgeous. You looked great in all of them! I hear you regarding the finished garments that didn't meet your expectation.. I have quite a few of those..for me it's the time lost on knitting those pieces that depresses me (I'm a slow knitter) I like Isager's mohair too..other good ones are Rowan kidsilk haze, biches&buches, Purl Soho tussah silk mohair, Ito.. I don't like Drops mohair. To me it itches and shreds alot, also has a plastic sheen and not as soft as the others
thank you!! And yes, i was planning to knit a couple bralettes actually so i could layer up! Thank you for the kind compliments. And i hear you on the time lost ... that's why i also wanted to focus on whether i was enjoying the process or not, so i could at least tell myself the time wasn't "wasted" ! I don't like drops mohair either !
I'm with you on the feel of mohair and the overly warm nature of these items.
glad to hear im not alone!
I'm. always knitting sweaters for myself that I never wear. Too small, too big, sleeve issues, itchy, wrong color. Your video has inspired me to take the time to figure out what is wrong and make more garments that I will wear in 2024. Thank you.
oh you're welcome ! sorry to hear you've also struggled with lots of different things not being quite right ! good luck in the future :D
I totally understand how a garment just doesn't feel right but most of your fails actually look great on you (not a fan of the first vest). Especially the Pictus. It's not my style at all but the way you wore it in the video looks really good on you! Uniqlo makes some very thin undergarments that I really like. Definitely worth checking out. I made one lovely crew neck sweater in a beige that doesn't suit me at all. I am not ready to part with it so I have been wearing it with tiny little silk scarfs in great colours to get the beige away form my face and it works quite well. This could also help with itchiness around the neck. Excited for January 2nd!
Thank you!! Will try to stock up on the uniqlo and maybe wear the little scarves to help with the lack of colour !
How do you knit so many projects?? Impressive. I love the color of that last project on you. Keep making these great videos.
thank you! Have a lot of knitting time after work I suppose ! And yes, I want to wear that last one more !
Layer recommendations - try the 100%% silk camis, undershirts, and turtlenecks used by skiers and hikers. They add zzerro bullock and good protection frrr9m outer garment. Thanks for your detailed analysis, I really learned a lot!!!!
thank you, ill definitely look into silk undergraments!
I made one garment with mohair and after sweating and realizing it's just too warm/itchy, I pass on most mohair combos... Sad because I like the halo effect mohair gives. If you re-do the slipover neckline, I think it would look good to omit the mohair since it can match the hem. I enjoyed the vid! Sometimes people wax poetic about their makes, so kinda refreshing to hear you speak on how some patterns/yarn combos don't get worn beyond a completion photo.
I definitely will undo the neckline and redo it without the mohair !! Will be a nice objective. And I'm glad you enjoyed the topic, I feel like there's a bit too much "perfection" out there aha !
the tetis test knit color work pullover looks absolutely gorgeous on you. if i’m not too terribly late, i hope you keep it. it’s classic but very different and new at the same time. maybe your idea of making it into a cardi would work, too? the (i think it was a jessie maed) v-neck would look great with a white pima cotton round neck shirt. you’re a very talented knitter - keep up the good work!
thank you ! I gave both of these to my mum in the end !