This is still inspirational, let me explain. After seeing you measure and organize your stash, I started measuring what I finished (I am not ready to face recording and measuring the stash). So, now I know what I used up in 2022 (mostly). I am officially not buying more yarn and I am working on using reducing what I have. Your video and honesty helps me be better prepared for challenges and lags. It may feel like you are not getting through the stash, but as you mentioned, a few of your WIPs are big projects, so when you get to mark it done, it will be a huge difference. It's ok to have months where the numbers are unkind/other efforts get your attention. If you need to make a hat or headband or dishcloth for the feeling of accomplishment, that's ok too. You are still going in the right direction!
Currently working on a cardigan for which I've knit two right fronts so I feel a little pyro-curious too.. But as the Swedish saying goes, "if you have taken satan in your boat, you have to row him back to shore". So I'm giving myself until mid January but then I'll start unraveling
I hope you know how relatable your content is! My 2 cents about the sweater is take some notes of the mistakes and fixes to be made, put it in a project bag and set it to the side for a bit. If fire is your instinct, then maybe a little space will be a good thing. When it comes to sewing up, my mom taught me to use the stitch that looks the best and holds together well. You'll know if it looks good before you've tied it off, and if you don't like it, give it another try. 💜
When I discover a huge mistake and realize that I’m going to be re-doing my work, you’ll find me ripping out while muttering “it’s a good thing that I like knitting” through clenched teeth. So yeah. We feel your pain. And at least you had enough dressmaking experience to know what you needed to fix.
I recently had to do some very aggravating sweater surgery. I finished a sweater in 2019 but never wore it because I never needed to put on anything that warm… until recently, at which point I realized the decreases and cast off at the neckline were far too stiff in the yarn I’d used, meaning I could barely get the thing over my head and it strangled me the entire time I wore it. So I had to unpick a project I hadn’t touched in three years, cast off using a different method, and put the whole thing back together. Because so much time had passed, I couldn’t find my tails or seams, I had no idea what size needles I’d used, I had to work around embroidery at the shoulder seams, and I no longer had the pattern so I could only change my cast-off method and couldn’t rework any other part of the neckline. It took three hours to fix that one thing. Good news is it’s fixed and fits now… and now I know I should always try on projects immediately after finishing them so I can fix any oopsies while my knowledge of the project is still fresh.
Immediately after leaving my comment I remembered another, probably worse, time that I left a project too long… in high school, I was a co-founder and vice president of my school’s knitting club. I started work on a lace scarf, my first ever lace project. But when our membership started to increase, I had to spend more and more time teaching new knitters instead of working on my own project, so I first made a mistake in the lace pattern and then set it aside without fixing the mistake. When I found it again, seven or eight years had passed, but it was so close to done and it was such a fond memory that I didn’t want to unravel it. So I had to decipher my old notes, figure out where I had been in the pattern, fix my mistake, and then finish it while trying to match my tension from way back when. I still remember my surprise when I finished the project and went to put the needles away and realized that I own size 7 needles, they’d just been lost in a bag the whole time!
Just because the project isn't finished and you can't count the usage yet doesn't mean you didn't use any wool up so please be kinder to yourself. Frustration is totally understandable and the decision to step away was the best choice. Some months just get super busy so that is OK; that is life. Your speed of knitting, sewing and crocheting is impressive so taking some time to process is good. Thank you for your wholesome, and relatable content. I appreciate it.
Put them in skamvrån. Direkt translation would be "shame nook" but it was a form of timeout/humiliation punishment in schools (and some households I assume) way back
Love your real life presented with the phrase, "Well, that's the way it goes sometimes." So true. This is the way RUclips aught to be. Thanks for the encouragement. I have many articles I work on that go smoothly, but a considerable, smaller amout that I have to take out part and fix. ❤
Sometimes when stuff goes wrong, I force myself to just start. No matter how frustrated I am. Once I start the un sewing or unpicking, I get a second wind and it gets done more quickly than I would have thought. With me the effort is better than having it nettle my brain, sitting there waiting to be done. It is so frustrating though.
Dear retro claude! Your series help me so much to pace myself and take ALL THE TIME to sew. Hope you are ok out there. Sending lots of love and relaxation. Step by step
xD shit happens, but at the same time, the content/video that resulted from this mistake was hilarious. And makes me feel better about my own crafting struggles to see someone as experienced as you still do things wrong and get frustrated and want to set things on fire lol. Here's to 2023 having much more successful stash busting!!
My stash has actually gotten larger through November and December. In my defence, mostly for specific projects. But then I found a wool store in Montebello Quebec which had stunning hand dyed wool from Quebecois sheep! So obviously I had to get some of that.
That is the most beautiful jumper, and the color you chose is just perfect for the lace. I hope it gets out of the UFO pile soon, I'm sure you'll make it work. You can always send it to me if you are still mad at it by the time you finish it, I'd wear it non stop.
No worries, you now have a whole new year to use up your stash! Yay! I've recently knit so much (I needed a break from my sewing machine) that I can no longer feel the last 3 fingers of each hand. Thanks carpal tunnel syndrome!
As exasperating as that is, it serves your public very well. It helps us to realize that mistakes happen to even the most skilled makers. Totally on board with setting it aside, though. Thank you for sharing all you do. You are an inspiration!
Oh, what a shame! But, once it's ripped back and reknitted, it will be great. The afghan is looking fantastic! Looking forward to seeing more stash busting.
I love your honesty in these videos Claude ❤ Often things don’t go right, and it’s great for people to see when they don’t go right so they understand that it’s normal when their things don’t go right either. I hope you find the patience and time to fix your sweater because it looks stunning! 💙 Best of luck!
I love your stash busting series and look forward to your updates, even when the numbers aren't changing! I'm still a beginner knitter and getting a look into your process is really informative and interesting. You always manage to make it feel like I'm having a chat with a friend :)
I have to send you my thanks! I got a small iron and felt ironing pad, and they are making life much easier for my arthritic hands. What a grand idea! Thanks!
TY for not editing out the authentic "learning opportunities" (aka: mistakes) parts & showing us authentic, REAL knitting project progress (or lack thereof). I just started knitting sweaters. I'm glad to see even an expert has to "unknit" to fix problems. That sweater is gorgeous (can't wait to see it finished)!
I like that you keep it real. Thats why I watch your channel. Things happen to all of us and nobody is perfect. Thanks for continuing to keep it real! I appreciate it.
Claude this video is so relatable!! and to have such an experienced knitter as you go through this only makes someone like me feel better with all my own knitting frustrations...I think on certain projects I spend more time frogging/recalculating gauge/doing modifications/finding the right yarn for the project or the right project for the yarn etc. than actually knitting, but all of it is knitting in the end right? I am madly inspired by your stash busting but do not have the courage to count my humungous stash, but I think I will start counting how much I use up in projects finished starting this new year, and not buy anymore and see how that goes...you will be able to count many grams once you finish your blanket and stole! 🧶🧶🧶
After watching your stash busting videos I started shopping my stash and have made several fo’s, from wearables to home decor items, and although I am not as organized as you are I am feeling good about my progress. Cheers, and looking forward to your next video.
But.... that's a beautiful blue and looks so soft... and you're very inventive! I'm just unpicking a fluffy failed top, which may end up in the wip bag.. for the second time. Like you say, you need to give some of these things a bit if space before you come back to them. I love all your videos and you've really helped me start cultivating a better attitude toward slow sewing and pacing. I was making myself more unwell and not enjoying what I was doing by putting myself under pressure.. so thank you for that alone!
Like others here, I appreciate you sharing your progress and projects. I too am trying to work down my stash. I moved it from a large, deep cupboard to a smaller, shallower one and reorganized it so I can really see what I have now. I did manage to migrate one group of yarn from ball to finished works recently and that felt nice. But too often I just stare at the yarn or pick it up and hold it, waiting for inspiration to hit. And I recently found out my LYS is closing so I may be stocking up on a bit from her to match the one skein/two skein balls I have that aren't big enough to knit or crochet a shirt or sweater (which is something I really do want to be able to do). All this to say, I guess we all have our own quirky struggles and it feels validating to hear about yours, so thank you for continuing to share, even on the 0 skeins/burn it with fire months.
The amount of retro Claude videos I have watched since the last stashbusting video… This feels a bit like a blast from the past even though it is a new video 😂
Although you have no skeins to subtract from your tally, you still put out an advent calendar project over the whole of december and you don't want to be uncomfortable with the products :) I also wanted to reduce my yarns since finding your yarn busting series, but I found some really usable yarns on the attic last week... so I didn't buy new ones but rather doubled by "luck" if you know what I mean 😅 anyways, Happy New year!! And good luck with your future projects as well :D
Thanks for the update! I love watching you, especially this stash busting project. I'm working in a lace 1940s sweater very similar to your blue one. It's my first project in 15 or so years and I know it will take me ages to finish so it is good to see where you are up to.
This video was super useful for me. I've just started knitting again after a 15 year gap and there loads of things I'm learning new. It's great to see you putting the jumper together even though it didn't go to plan xxx
Watching your last few videos, I've started stash busting myself as I was shocked at how many balls of yarn you had, then realising that I have about 3 times more than that!!! A good 500 separate balls of yarn (unweighed). Horrifying! So I have done a few projects with the proviso that no new yarn is to be purchased unless I have run out on a project..... Let's see how it goes! Look forward to your next update. 🙂
So sorry!! I know that it is so frustrating when something goes wrong in a project. Take a breather to some fresh air project and fix it later. You do the most amazing work!! The gloves are amazing
Firstly, my two cents on the sweater - can you pick up the stitches that correspond to where the decreases should really start on the sleeves and then rip back to just that spot? You can put in one (or more) lifelines to keep from dropping any stitches you don't want to lose. Second, THANK YOU. I feel like so many of my knitting and crochet projects end up somehow needing surgical intervention or they just dont live up to my expectations. I wonder if it's me or a consequence of inexperience. I'm sure that contributes, but it's good to commiserate with someone way more experienced! I really appreciate that you present your crafting journey honestly, with all the hiccups and mistakes given equal weight to the triumphs.
Oh so relatable! Yes, no change on the numbers, but you're working on a couple of large projects which will make a big dent when they're done. Plus Clodmas must have been an extraordinary amount of time and effort on your part, so it's no wonder that something else had to give. If you want tiny projects for small leftovers, @seamstressed is collecting 1" pompoms to make a bonkers dress! If postage to Germany is tricky, you can send any over to me and I can send them with mine. Each pom takes anywhere from 2-5 metres, depending on yarn thickness, and takes 5-10 mins (depending how absorbing the tv is 😉). So satisfying to bust through my bag of 'Random yarn that came in a kit on the front of a magazine', highly recommend 👍
I can relate so much to this video.. oooh the little nuggets of joy knitting can bring haha I actually have a watch that measures my stress and I kid you not, it constantly tells me I'm stressed when I knit haha probably not good is it?! It says relaxed when I look at yarn on the internet though haha I really enjoyed your not new year's livestream yesterday :) sometimes I honestly forget we're not on video chat and you're actually talking to lots of us 🤣 Happy new year Claude 🙂
I have a lot of works in progress, I'm always trying to finish them xD sometimes they dont go well though and thats just part of it. we all learn through practice, even those of us who've knitted/crocheted/sewed the whole life
Watching your videos has inspired me to get through my stash at last! Also revisiting my love for vintage knitting and clothing. ;) Cant wait for more videos!
I loved this 🤣🤣🤣. I enjoy watching you work through your stash, as I am thinking of working through my own. And you are right, sometimes that's just the way it goes (I say as I'm hoping to get a top I'm knitting done tonight, before the end of the year). Better luck next month!
Good morning Claude, I just wanted to say I've binge watched all your videos (some twice) and am so impressed with the techniques and skillset you've shared. My lovely foster Mum was a seamstress so I grew up cutting fabric, stepping on pins and playing with her remnants. I was fortunate to have the most beautiful handmade Barbie clothes growing up, satin ballgowns and lined coats, my Mum was amazing! I love making and crafting and nearly always have a project or 10 on the go just like her. Except knitting, she did teach me, the English way but I'm slow and my yarn craft has been all about crochet for the last 10yrs. I've noticed the way you knit and it seems sooooo efficient and less likely to drop stitches, would you consider some beginner knitting videos?Most of the comments on here seem to be from experienced knitters so I'm not sure how popular this suggestion will be, but I'd love to relearn and you're an exceptional teacher. Anyways G'day from sunny Australia, thankyou so much for the wonderful content. 😊
I'm not a knitter but I still love your approach to videos. Showing that mistakes are ok and just part of the process is very helpful. Thank you so much. Happy new year!
So absolutely relatable! I appreciate your content and your honesty in showing us the things that work well, as well as things that don’t go as planned. I’ve got a project in the naughty cupboard, a cardi that had to be totally frogged after I had bound off and everything. Might pick that up and give it a go soon. By the way, love the color of the sweater you are knitting. It’s gorgeous! Be kind to yourself! Wishing you and yours a wonderful New Year 🎉
Claude, I love that we have had so many videos from you recently. I really enjoy your vids. And thank you for showing us amateurs that accomplished textiles folks can make errors also. And I love watching you problem solve and correct your issues. I don’t think you should put this beautiful sweater in the UFO pile. For me, I find if I take 24-48 hours to let my frustration settle, I can approach problems with a fresh mind. So please think on this and finish it. I would love to see you enjoy this beautiful sweater all finished.
Such a shame about the measuring mistake of the jumper. It's such a pretty pattern and a lovely colour. It will be well worth the effort of putting it right and will look lovely on. Happy new year, Claude.
I really feel for you right now 😅 but I love that you show those aspects of knitting and sewing in your videos. Sometimes nothing works properly and even if it is frustrating, it is ok ! Hope your January turns out better in terms of stash busting. Happy new year !
Thanks for sharing even the progress which is not (yet) measured in numbers. I usually also set things aside for a while if the frustration overwhelms any pleasure I have in a project. And sometimes ”a while” means a year or two… I’m doing my own stashbusting alongside you, to get my stash to fit into the designated space for it, and it is going well. The best thing about it is that it has brought about a shift of perspective, and I’m really enjoying the challenge of the limitations this far. At current rate, I think I’ll reach my goal in about half a year, and then a couple of months after that there should finally be enough space in the dressers for me to buy more yarn again.
May I offer an idea for a change of scenery in the yarn department that won't include a certain "set it on fire" lace jumper? You could try dyeing the greenish cotton-silk yarn. It will be something new and experimental. If it goes well, great! If it doesn't, you tried something new and even though it didn't work you really weren't fond of the yarn beforehand and now you are X bowls lower on your stash busting. So it's a win-win situation, no? 😊
Your stash busting project got me inspired to start organising my own messy yarn stash 😄 my next goal: log my yarns by weight, color and type 🤓Thank you Claude for sharing your ideas and projects with us!!!
I love your content so much! It just makes me feel better, there's not a lot of other way to say it (Also, super fan of your shawl!! I'm a really bad knitter but I may give it a try) Happy new year Claude!
I love your commentary on your "watching paint dry" segments of videos! It's so informative and relatable, and you have a fantastic voice to listen to as I work on projects! You presented a lot of interesting knowledge about historical knitting during this -- would you ever consider doing a standalone video? I would love to see some videos as I start working on larger vintage projects!
I feel your pain. However you have made a lot of progress so it will pay off in the future when these are finished. I set myself targets and then beat myself up when I don’t reach them - even if they are impossible to reach - something to let go of in 2023.
Thanks for sharing, I would have blocked the main sweater and work with the longer armhole of sleeves gathering at shoulder to make it fit but that’s just me. Hope you made it work out, lovely colour and design.maybe you could alter the sleeve lengths to match body the easier option, try it on to see if armhole feels comfortable first.
As I watch, I'm slowly unpicking my 4ply all stockinette fitted, seamed, jumper because I bumped the pattern at some point and followed the pattern for the back from the armscye upwards. So bust shaping and then did the back again. Didn't notice until I'd actually fully cast off!
Oh, the many months where I have used zero balls of yarn 😅 End of year, I am trying to round up items to either finish or frog. And I am trying not to be upset about frogging items that I’ve sunk a lot of time into. If I won’t wear them or don’t like them, it’s best that I reclaim the yarn and try something new. Fruity knitting just spoke about sunk cot fallacy and confirmation bias in knitting a bit, and I feel a little called out… 😅 so I’m tying to be more OK with letting things go. Happy 2023 Claude! 🎉
Before you open your knitting why not forget how the jumper should look and work with what you have.Try the jumper on(tack it together),I think it will look good.Then in set the underarm and half way up the body of the sleeve .Then tack the rest of the sleeve and gather it into the body. If you don't like it then you can open it.
I understand completely about wanting to set projects on fire after is pisses you off in some fashion. Also found out while tiding to make room for the brother coming home for chrissie, that I have 3x 120L tubes chocka full of WIPS/UFOS that were stashed in many difference safe places. I should really sort those out into frog, finish or sell as is for someone else to do or use, but I'm working on 2 new projects right now coz why not 🤣🤣
I'd actually watch the shit out of a video about fixing a big knitting mistake, including the "how to handle your anger" part. I'm a very inexperienced knitter, and although I'm dextrous enough to make my finished work look really nice, the road there is seldom... easy.
I've never come across pressing for blocking. Might give it a go on the jumper I'm knitting as it has lace sections. I recently blocked 5 hats in the UK in December and it was painful...
Oh no.Not a knitter but have been in a similar situation with my sewing. Sometimes it is better to leave it for a week or two. Just long enough for the anger and panic to decrees.
I'm working on my first pullover with lace and it has been on time out because I cannot get the lace pattern to work on the second sleeve. The first sleeve was fine! But this second one has been a nightmare. Sometimes knitting and sewing gets so frustrating.
I feel you, Claude. I started picking up my first sweater project again during the holidays, it's worked flat and I was working on the front and solved some issues with the decrease, almost out of yarn, when I've now realized today that I probably won't find anymore of the same yarn in the color I need. It's Drops BabyAlpaca silk which I bought second hand and while it isn't listed as discontinued, I can't find a red color and all the other colors seems to be on sale on the websites, so yeah. Hopefully I can win the yarn chicken to make it into a vest.
If you're on Ravelry, people sometimes list yarn for sale, could be worth looking there? Or if you've got a local yarn shop, ask them if they've got any? My local yarn shop always has odd balls of yarn reduced - ends of lines, ends of dye lots, etc.
I love this series and it is very relatable. Knitters know knitting is incredibly stressful *that* saying is the non-knitters myth 😂 Since you commented on the armhole depth being very long on the sleeves, could you remove repeats from them instead?
Can't remember what needles you have but if you have knit pro (knitter's pride) needle I find the colored cables slightly softer than the purple. And I've been told that the blue cables from the mindful collection are really great and they work with all the others knit pro needles.
Does it fit, though? It looked really pretty as a sleeveless top! Maybe you can attach the sleeves to a stocking-stitch version of that same pattern, like a tank top.
Such a bummer about the sweater sleeves. That's the thing with knitting versus sewing - so much more time put into knitting before you can see that there's a fit problem.
This is still inspirational, let me explain. After seeing you measure and organize your stash, I started measuring what I finished (I am not ready to face recording and measuring the stash). So, now I know what I used up in 2022 (mostly). I am officially not buying more yarn and I am working on using reducing what I have. Your video and honesty helps me be better prepared for challenges and lags. It may feel like you are not getting through the stash, but as you mentioned, a few of your WIPs are big projects, so when you get to mark it done, it will be a huge difference. It's ok to have months where the numbers are unkind/other efforts get your attention. If you need to make a hat or headband or dishcloth for the feeling of accomplishment, that's ok too. You are still going in the right direction!
Currently working on a cardigan for which I've knit two right fronts so I feel a little pyro-curious too.. But as the Swedish saying goes, "if you have taken satan in your boat, you have to row him back to shore". So I'm giving myself until mid January but then I'll start unraveling
That's such a good saying! I will have to steal that.
Knitting IS relaxing!!! Completing projects is stressful...😉
I hope you know how relatable your content is! My 2 cents about the sweater is take some notes of the mistakes and fixes to be made, put it in a project bag and set it to the side for a bit. If fire is your instinct, then maybe a little space will be a good thing.
When it comes to sewing up, my mom taught me to use the stitch that looks the best and holds together well. You'll know if it looks good before you've tied it off, and if you don't like it, give it another try. 💜
Excellent advice!
When I discover a huge mistake and realize that I’m going to be re-doing my work, you’ll find me ripping out while muttering “it’s a good thing that I like knitting” through clenched teeth.
So yeah. We feel your pain.
And at least you had enough dressmaking experience to know what you needed to fix.
You're right. I know what to do. It won't be too difficult. It'll be fine 😊
@@RetroClaude it’s going to be beautiful!
I recently had to do some very aggravating sweater surgery. I finished a sweater in 2019 but never wore it because I never needed to put on anything that warm… until recently, at which point I realized the decreases and cast off at the neckline were far too stiff in the yarn I’d used, meaning I could barely get the thing over my head and it strangled me the entire time I wore it. So I had to unpick a project I hadn’t touched in three years, cast off using a different method, and put the whole thing back together. Because so much time had passed, I couldn’t find my tails or seams, I had no idea what size needles I’d used, I had to work around embroidery at the shoulder seams, and I no longer had the pattern so I could only change my cast-off method and couldn’t rework any other part of the neckline. It took three hours to fix that one thing. Good news is it’s fixed and fits now… and now I know I should always try on projects immediately after finishing them so I can fix any oopsies while my knowledge of the project is still fresh.
Immediately after leaving my comment I remembered another, probably worse, time that I left a project too long… in high school, I was a co-founder and vice president of my school’s knitting club. I started work on a lace scarf, my first ever lace project. But when our membership started to increase, I had to spend more and more time teaching new knitters instead of working on my own project, so I first made a mistake in the lace pattern and then set it aside without fixing the mistake. When I found it again, seven or eight years had passed, but it was so close to done and it was such a fond memory that I didn’t want to unravel it. So I had to decipher my old notes, figure out where I had been in the pattern, fix my mistake, and then finish it while trying to match my tension from way back when. I still remember my surprise when I finished the project and went to put the needles away and realized that I own size 7 needles, they’d just been lost in a bag the whole time!
Just because the project isn't finished and you can't count the usage yet doesn't mean you didn't use any wool up so please be kinder to yourself. Frustration is totally understandable and the decision to step away was the best choice. Some months just get super busy so that is OK; that is life. Your speed of knitting, sewing and crocheting is impressive so taking some time to process is good. Thank you for your wholesome, and relatable content. I appreciate it.
This was great and so relatable to all knitters and other crafters. Sometimes works in progress need to go in the naughty cupboard for a bit 😂.
Put them in skamvrån. Direkt translation would be "shame nook" but it was a form of timeout/humiliation punishment in schools (and some households I assume) way back
Love your real life presented with the phrase, "Well, that's the way it goes sometimes." So true. This is the way RUclips aught to be. Thanks for the encouragement.
I have many articles I work on that go smoothly, but a considerable, smaller amout that I have to take out part and fix. ❤
Sometimes when stuff goes wrong, I force myself to just start. No matter how frustrated I am. Once I start the un sewing or unpicking, I get a second wind and it gets done more quickly than I would have thought. With me the effort is better than having it nettle my brain, sitting there waiting to be done. It is so frustrating though.
I do that with sewing. I unpick what I've done wrong so I can come back to a blank slate. However unpicking knitting I find much more frustrating! 💚
For myself I’m like Claude said, I meed some distance or I will set it all on fire. But, Im a redhead 👩🏼🦰 so?
Dear retro claude! Your series help me so much to pace myself and take ALL THE TIME to sew. Hope you are ok out there. Sending lots of love and relaxation. Step by step
xD shit happens, but at the same time, the content/video that resulted from this mistake was hilarious. And makes me feel better about my own crafting struggles to see someone as experienced as you still do things wrong and get frustrated and want to set things on fire lol. Here's to 2023 having much more successful stash busting!!
My stash has actually gotten larger through November and December. In my defence, mostly for specific projects. But then I found a wool store in Montebello Quebec which had stunning hand dyed wool from Quebecois sheep! So obviously I had to get some of that.
Local yarn!! How exciting ☺️
That is the most beautiful jumper, and the color you chose is just perfect for the lace. I hope it gets out of the UFO pile soon, I'm sure you'll make it work. You can always send it to me if you are still mad at it by the time you finish it, I'd wear it non stop.
look foreword to these videos every time :)
I so do relate to the utterance, "Not today, Satan" ❤️ #yes
I love the shade of blue on the lace top. I’ve managed to use 10 balls of yarn from my stash since November, I’m impressed with myself lol.
That's brilliant!! Well done!!
Thanks for being my companion while I finished my Swedish weaving afghan at the end of last year and the beginning of this year!
No worries, you now have a whole new year to use up your stash! Yay! I've recently knit so much (I needed a break from my sewing machine) that I can no longer feel the last 3 fingers of each hand. Thanks carpal tunnel syndrome!
Oh no! I hope the numbness eases up soon 💚
As exasperating as that is, it serves your public very well. It helps us to realize that mistakes happen to even the most skilled makers. Totally on board with setting it aside, though. Thank you for sharing all you do. You are an inspiration!
Oh, what a shame! But, once it's ripped back and reknitted, it will be great. The afghan is looking fantastic! Looking forward to seeing more stash busting.
I love your honesty in these videos Claude ❤ Often things don’t go right, and it’s great for people to see when they don’t go right so they understand that it’s normal when their things don’t go right either. I hope you find the patience and time to fix your sweater because it looks stunning! 💙 Best of luck!
I love your stash busting series and look forward to your updates, even when the numbers aren't changing! I'm still a beginner knitter and getting a look into your process is really informative and interesting. You always manage to make it feel like I'm having a chat with a friend :)
I have to send you my thanks! I got a small iron and felt ironing pad, and they are making life much easier for my arthritic hands. What a grand idea! Thanks!
TY for not editing out the authentic "learning opportunities" (aka: mistakes) parts & showing us authentic, REAL knitting project progress (or lack thereof). I just started knitting sweaters. I'm glad to see even an expert has to "unknit" to fix problems. That sweater is gorgeous (can't wait to see it finished)!
I like that you keep it real. Thats why I watch your channel. Things happen to all of us and nobody is perfect. Thanks for continuing to keep it real! I appreciate it.
So relatable! I love these videos so much, I knit while watching them. Thank you for sharing!
You are still doing fantastic even if November and December didn’t lower your stash
Thanks for sharing. You keep me motivated
So many factors make your videos enjoyable; but I have to say that watching your hands work is rather like listening to a beautiful piece of music.
Claude this video is so relatable!! and to have such an experienced knitter as you go through this only makes someone like me feel better with all my own knitting frustrations...I think on certain projects I spend more time frogging/recalculating gauge/doing modifications/finding the right yarn for the project or the right project for the yarn etc. than actually knitting, but all of it is knitting in the end right? I am madly inspired by your stash busting but do not have the courage to count my humungous stash, but I think I will start counting how much I use up in projects finished starting this new year, and not buy anymore and see how that goes...you will be able to count many grams once you finish your blanket and stole! 🧶🧶🧶
After watching your stash busting videos I started shopping my stash and have made several fo’s, from wearables to home decor items, and although I am not as organized as you are I am feeling good about my progress. Cheers, and looking forward to your next video.
But.... that's a beautiful blue and looks so soft... and you're very inventive! I'm just unpicking a fluffy failed top, which may end up in the wip bag.. for the second time. Like you say, you need to give some of these things a bit if space before you come back to them. I love all your videos and you've really helped me start cultivating a better attitude toward slow sewing and pacing. I was making myself more unwell and not enjoying what I was doing by putting myself under pressure.. so thank you for that alone!
Like others here, I appreciate you sharing your progress and projects. I too am trying to work down my stash. I moved it from a large, deep cupboard to a smaller, shallower one and reorganized it so I can really see what I have now. I did manage to migrate one group of yarn from ball to finished works recently and that felt nice. But too often I just stare at the yarn or pick it up and hold it, waiting for inspiration to hit. And I recently found out my LYS is closing so I may be stocking up on a bit from her to match the one skein/two skein balls I have that aren't big enough to knit or crochet a shirt or sweater (which is something I really do want to be able to do). All this to say, I guess we all have our own quirky struggles and it feels validating to hear about yours, so thank you for continuing to share, even on the 0 skeins/burn it with fire months.
This ending is so relatable. I think we can all understand.
Been there. Feel your pain. I've just run out of yarn and had to do a creative sleeve head in another colour. Stash busting at its finest!
The amount of retro Claude videos I have watched since the last stashbusting video…
This feels a bit like a blast from the past even though it is a new video 😂
It felt like that for me too!
We've all been there with you
Although you have no skeins to subtract from your tally, you still put out an advent calendar project over the whole of december and you don't want to be uncomfortable with the products :)
I also wanted to reduce my yarns since finding your yarn busting series, but I found some really usable yarns on the attic last week... so I didn't buy new ones but rather doubled by "luck" if you know what I mean 😅
anyways, Happy New year!! And good luck with your future projects as well :D
Thanks for the update! I love watching you, especially this stash busting project. I'm working in a lace 1940s sweater very similar to your blue one. It's my first project in 15 or so years and I know it will take me ages to finish so it is good to see where you are up to.
The stitch that closes up the seam is the correct one. I'm sorry the sweater ended up being so frustrating but I think you made the right choice!
Interesting to hear I'm not the only one with upstairs and downstairs knitting projects! Unless I get super into something and it travels with me
This video was super useful for me. I've just started knitting again after a 15 year gap and there loads of things I'm learning new. It's great to see you putting the jumper together even though it didn't go to plan xxx
Love Angeline the Baker in the background! Recently learned that song on the banjo. :)
Loved the video! I love your personality, your realistic perspectives and comments! Happy New Year, you'll bust that stash yet! Lol!
I love the shawl you are wearing.
Watching your last few videos, I've started stash busting myself as I was shocked at how many balls of yarn you had, then realising that I have about 3 times more than that!!! A good 500 separate balls of yarn (unweighed). Horrifying! So I have done a few projects with the proviso that no new yarn is to be purchased unless I have run out on a project.....
Let's see how it goes!
Look forward to your next update. 🙂
Love your knitting episodes!!!
So sorry!! I know that it is so frustrating when something goes wrong in a project. Take a breather to some fresh air project and fix it later. You do the most amazing work!! The gloves are amazing
Firstly, my two cents on the sweater - can you pick up the stitches that correspond to where the decreases should really start on the sleeves and then rip back to just that spot? You can put in one (or more) lifelines to keep from dropping any stitches you don't want to lose.
Second, THANK YOU. I feel like so many of my knitting and crochet projects end up somehow needing surgical intervention or they just dont live up to my expectations. I wonder if it's me or a consequence of inexperience. I'm sure that contributes, but it's good to commiserate with someone way more experienced! I really appreciate that you present your crafting journey honestly, with all the hiccups and mistakes given equal weight to the triumphs.
Thank you. Love your program
unravelling and redoing is part of the process
it's sooooooooooooooooooooooo annoying
but so worth it in my opinion ^^
good luck
Oh so relatable! Yes, no change on the numbers, but you're working on a couple of large projects which will make a big dent when they're done. Plus Clodmas must have been an extraordinary amount of time and effort on your part, so it's no wonder that something else had to give.
If you want tiny projects for small leftovers, @seamstressed is collecting 1" pompoms to make a bonkers dress! If postage to Germany is tricky, you can send any over to me and I can send them with mine. Each pom takes anywhere from 2-5 metres, depending on yarn thickness, and takes 5-10 mins (depending how absorbing the tv is 😉). So satisfying to bust through my bag of 'Random yarn that came in a kit on the front of a magazine', highly recommend 👍
This is such a great new year gift, thank you for posting 😘!
I can relate so much to this video.. oooh the little nuggets of joy knitting can bring haha I actually have a watch that measures my stress and I kid you not, it constantly tells me I'm stressed when I knit haha probably not good is it?! It says relaxed when I look at yarn on the internet though haha
I really enjoyed your not new year's livestream yesterday :) sometimes I honestly forget we're not on video chat and you're actually talking to lots of us 🤣
Happy new year Claude 🙂
I have a watch that tells me when I'm stressed too. It comes up 'excess stress detected' 🤣 you don't say!!!
@@RetroClaude hahaha such a relaxing hobby we have
Buying yarn because it's cheap is what most of my unwanted stash is made up of. I have grown and learned to look the other way!
I have a lot of works in progress, I'm always trying to finish them xD sometimes they dont go well though and thats just part of it. we all learn through practice, even those of us who've knitted/crocheted/sewed the whole life
Watching your videos has inspired me to get through my stash at last! Also revisiting my love for vintage knitting and clothing. ;) Cant wait for more videos!
Most relatable video I’ve ever watched. I am sorry for your unraveling, we’ve all been there and will be there again!
I loved this 🤣🤣🤣. I enjoy watching you work through your stash, as I am thinking of working through my own. And you are right, sometimes that's just the way it goes (I say as I'm hoping to get a top I'm knitting done tonight, before the end of the year). Better luck next month!
Good luck with the top!
You can place the cords in hot water to help make them more flexible.
Bloody love this series!!! I hope the new year brings a bit more luck!! X
Oh, that frustration is so relatable. Now I am invested in seeing what you did with it, no pressure though!
😂😂😂 Oh man! Well…what a fun video nevertheless. Hugs, friend.
Good morning Claude, I just wanted to say I've binge watched all your videos (some twice) and am so impressed with the techniques and skillset you've shared. My lovely foster Mum was a seamstress so I grew up cutting fabric, stepping on pins and playing with her remnants.
I was fortunate to have the most beautiful handmade Barbie clothes growing up, satin ballgowns and lined coats, my Mum was amazing!
I love making and crafting and nearly always have a project or 10 on the go just like her. Except knitting, she did teach me, the English way but I'm slow and my yarn craft has been all about crochet for the last 10yrs.
I've noticed the way you knit and it seems sooooo efficient and less likely to drop stitches, would you consider some beginner knitting videos?Most of the comments on here seem to be from experienced knitters so I'm not sure how popular this suggestion will be, but I'd love to relearn and you're an exceptional teacher. Anyways G'day from sunny Australia, thankyou so much for the wonderful content. 😊
What you're looking for are tutorials on Continental Knitting, there should already be a bunch out there - so maybe you can start learning at once :)
Happy New Year!
Happy new year to you Claude. Love your voice, and your content. Greetings from Australia!
I'm not a knitter but I still love your approach to videos. Showing that mistakes are ok and just part of the process is very helpful. Thank you so much. Happy new year!
So absolutely relatable! I appreciate your content and your honesty in showing us the things that work well, as well as things that don’t go as planned. I’ve got a project in the naughty cupboard, a cardi that had to be totally frogged after I had bound off and everything. Might pick that up and give it a go soon. By the way, love the color of the sweater you are knitting. It’s gorgeous! Be kind to yourself! Wishing you and yours a wonderful New Year 🎉
Claude, I love that we have had so many videos from you recently. I really enjoy your vids. And thank you for showing us amateurs that accomplished textiles folks can make errors also. And I love watching you problem solve and correct your issues. I don’t think you should put this beautiful sweater in the UFO pile. For me, I find if I take 24-48 hours to let my frustration settle, I can approach problems with a fresh mind. So please think on this and finish it. I would love to see you enjoy this beautiful sweater all finished.
Such a shame about the measuring mistake of the jumper. It's such a pretty pattern and a lovely colour.
It will be well worth the effort of putting it right and will look lovely on.
Happy new year, Claude.
I really feel for you right now 😅 but I love that you show those aspects of knitting and sewing in your videos. Sometimes nothing works properly and even if it is frustrating, it is ok ! Hope your January turns out better in terms of stash busting. Happy new year !
Thanks for sharing even the progress which is not (yet) measured in numbers. I usually also set things aside for a while if the frustration overwhelms any pleasure I have in a project. And sometimes ”a while” means a year or two…
I’m doing my own stashbusting alongside you, to get my stash to fit into the designated space for it, and it is going well. The best thing about it is that it has brought about a shift of perspective, and I’m really enjoying the challenge of the limitations this far. At current rate, I think I’ll reach my goal in about half a year, and then a couple of months after that there should finally be enough space in the dressers for me to buy more yarn again.
May I offer an idea for a change of scenery in the yarn department that won't include a certain "set it on fire" lace jumper? You could try dyeing the greenish cotton-silk yarn. It will be something new and experimental. If it goes well, great! If it doesn't, you tried something new and even though it didn't work you really weren't fond of the yarn beforehand and now you are X bowls lower on your stash busting. So it's a win-win situation, no? 😊
Your stash busting project got me inspired to start organising my own messy yarn stash 😄 my next goal: log my yarns by weight, color and type 🤓Thank you Claude for sharing your ideas and projects with us!!!
I love your content so much! It just makes me feel better, there's not a lot of other way to say it
(Also, super fan of your shawl!! I'm a really bad knitter but I may give it a try)
Happy new year Claude!
I love that shawl as well!
I enjoy watching your paint dry. I always learn something...not necessarily sewing or knitting. Sorry about the unpicking.
I love your commentary on your "watching paint dry" segments of videos! It's so informative and relatable, and you have a fantastic voice to listen to as I work on projects!
You presented a lot of interesting knowledge about historical knitting during this -- would you ever consider doing a standalone video? I would love to see some videos as I start working on larger vintage projects!
I feel your pain. However you have made a lot of progress so it will pay off in the future when these are finished. I set myself targets and then beat myself up when I don’t reach them - even if they are impossible to reach - something to let go of in 2023.
Thanks for sharing, I would have blocked the main sweater and work with the longer armhole of sleeves gathering at shoulder to make it fit but that’s just me. Hope you made it work out, lovely colour and design.maybe you could alter the sleeve lengths to match body the easier option, try it on to see if armhole feels comfortable first.
ANother option for knitting glove fingers is to double knit them so you are working flat, but creating a tube.
As I watch, I'm slowly unpicking my 4ply all stockinette fitted, seamed, jumper because I bumped the pattern at some point and followed the pattern for the back from the armscye upwards. So bust shaping and then did the back again. Didn't notice until I'd actually fully cast off!
Oh, the many months where I have used zero balls of yarn 😅 End of year, I am trying to round up items to either finish or frog. And I am trying not to be upset about frogging items that I’ve sunk a lot of time into. If I won’t wear them or don’t like them, it’s best that I reclaim the yarn and try something new. Fruity knitting just spoke about sunk cot fallacy and confirmation bias in knitting a bit, and I feel a little called out… 😅 so I’m tying to be more OK with letting things go. Happy 2023 Claude! 🎉
Before you open your knitting why not forget how the jumper should look and work with what you have.Try the jumper on(tack it together),I think it will look good.Then in set the underarm and half way up the body of the sleeve .Then tack the rest of the sleeve and gather it into the body. If you don't like it then you can open it.
Sometimes projects just need to go and sit in the naughty corner for a while. That's just how it is
I understand completely about wanting to set projects on fire after is pisses you off in some fashion. Also found out while tiding to make room for the brother coming home for chrissie, that I have 3x 120L tubes chocka full of WIPS/UFOS that were stashed in many difference safe places. I should really sort those out into frog, finish or sell as is for someone else to do or use, but I'm working on 2 new projects right now coz why not 🤣🤣
I know the feeling! I keep finding things 🙈 I know Roxanne Richardson does Finish It February so I may tackle a few of them then!
I'd actually watch the shit out of a video about fixing a big knitting mistake, including the "how to handle your anger" part. I'm a very inexperienced knitter, and although I'm dextrous enough to make my finished work look really nice, the road there is seldom... easy.
Distance sounds right 👍
I've never come across pressing for blocking. Might give it a go on the jumper I'm knitting as it has lace sections. I recently blocked 5 hats in the UK in December and it was painful...
Oh no.Not a knitter but have been in a similar situation with my sewing. Sometimes it is better to leave it for a week or two. Just long enough for the anger and panic to decrees.
Always looks forward to your stash busting videos!
Would you consider putting the Greenock B466 Jumper on your kofi to purchase? :)
Would u share the pattern for your lovely shall please? I cannot express how much I enjoy, learn and am inspired by your videos. Thank you! Happy 2023
There's a link in the description. It's Textured Shawl Recipe free on Ravelry 😊
I'm working on my first pullover with lace and it has been on time out because I cannot get the lace pattern to work on the second sleeve. The first sleeve was fine! But this second one has been a nightmare. Sometimes knitting and sewing gets so frustrating.
I almost always use an invisible stitch bc I can do it quick and it isn’t bulky. Everyone has their favorite I don’t see why it matters
I feel you, Claude. I started picking up my first sweater project again during the holidays, it's worked flat and I was working on the front and solved some issues with the decrease, almost out of yarn, when I've now realized today that I probably won't find anymore of the same yarn in the color I need. It's Drops BabyAlpaca silk which I bought second hand and while it isn't listed as discontinued, I can't find a red color and all the other colors seems to be on sale on the websites, so yeah. Hopefully I can win the yarn chicken to make it into a vest.
If you're on Ravelry, people sometimes list yarn for sale, could be worth looking there? Or if you've got a local yarn shop, ask them if they've got any? My local yarn shop always has odd balls of yarn reduced - ends of lines, ends of dye lots, etc.
Good luck! I hope you find some more yarn 💚
Ravelry would be my advice too!
I love this series and it is very relatable. Knitters know knitting is incredibly stressful *that* saying is the non-knitters myth 😂 Since you commented on the armhole depth being very long on the sleeves, could you remove repeats from them instead?
Can't remember what needles you have but if you have knit pro (knitter's pride) needle I find the colored cables slightly softer than the purple. And I've been told that the blue cables from the mindful collection are really great and they work with all the others knit pro needles.
Thank you for the tip! I've got knitpro ones so will look up some different cables 💚
If the jumper bit fits, why not reduce the sleeve, that mat be easier. Happy New year x
Does it fit, though? It looked really pretty as a sleeveless top! Maybe you can attach the sleeves to a stocking-stitch version of that same pattern, like a tank top.
It doesn't quite fit. It's riding up a bit so I think my only option is unpicking 💚
Such a bummer about the sweater sleeves. That's the thing with knitting versus sewing - so much more time put into knitting before you can see that there's a fit problem.