I also found the sleeve cap of the Kip to be super challenging. What helped me is realizing that all of the double stitches are going to be flush to the seam between the body of the sweater and the sleeves, so variations in the pattern that occur right by the double stitches aren't going to be very visible at all. (I can't see them in my finished sweater) Some tips: -I used those safety pin stitch markers to mark every single one of my double stitches. This was a life saver for me -When you turn your work, make sure to sit and think for a bit what your first move needs to be in order to get your pattern to line up -As it says in the pattern, there will be places where you will need to slip your previously made double stitch, which can cause you to have a bunch of double stitches on the needles at once. This was where the stitch markers came in handy. -On the other hand, if you come to a spot where you need to CREATE a double stitch, ignore the stitch pattern and make the double stitch. There may be places where you have a knit-knit-double stitch. This is fine. I agree that the pattern could have used some deeper explanation of how to do the sleeve cap. This pattern definitely isn't for beginners, lol
Thank you so much for this! I think the biggest thing I needed to be reminded of was that all the double stitches are too close to the seam to be noticeable anyways. I’ve definitely just been overthinking this hahaha. The stitch marker tip is a great one too.
Hi Bonnie, always love to watch your podcast. I had the same problems with the kip sweater, try just slipping the ds not making a ds, if that makes sense. The patern says so in the first line about the sleeves. I hope you figger it out 😊
I find it kinda funny when excellent knitters struggle with basic crochet - I get that some crafts are easier for some people than others but as a person who learned both crochet and knitting relatively recently, I can confidently say that knitting is much more challenging - so it feels like high level chess players saying playing checkers is challenging for them 😂 But maybe crochet just clicked easier for my brain & hands? I feel like it took a lot longer to mentally grasp knitting and then even longer to physically be able to do it even after my brain understood it… it took sheer force of will (for weeks and months) not to give up and throw the knitting needles out the window 😅 but I’m glad I stuck with it and now am pretty good at both.
For me it’s all down to the yarn tensioning. I haven’t been able to figure out how to hold my yarn while crocheting and I always end up defaulting to throwing my yarn around the hook like I do when I’m knitting which is definitely not the most efficient technique. I’d get better with more practice for sure but I’ve just done so little crochet that it feels very foreign to my hands.
@ yeah the tensioning for crochet is a lot tighter than for knitting - you gotta keep it quite taut, and it’s generally done with the left hand so if you’re not a continental knitter it can feel super weird. For crochet I usually loop it once around my pinky, bring it to the inside of my hand then out between my pointer and middle fingers. I also don’t tension it by sticking out my pointer finger like a lot of people do, I actually kind of grab it with my middle finger and it just gently passes over my pointer finger which actually stays down holding my work. I’ve also seen English knitters turned crocheters that hold their yarn in the right hand and throw the yarn like they’re knitting - I say whatever works and feels right to you is the way to go!
I have been loving my experience knitting with alpaca silk. The fabric and halo is just so gorgeous. Loved how your Oslo turned out. For the Kip I think I just double stitched the slip stitch and it worked out. Maybe just trust the process? It is weird when you have to slip it the second time but I just made sure to keep the two legs together and made sure the the yarn in front stayed in front because it did want to curl around to the back. I’m sorry I should have paid more attention when I was doing it but pretty sure I would have two double stitches going at a time because they were slipped once before knitting that double stitch.
HI Bonnie. Fun podcast thanks and got some knitting in yes.....Isabell Kraemer's Aldous sweater in grey - "Local" yarn by Erika Knight plus alpaca 1 Isager. Love the combo of yarn and jersey....feels like this is going to be an every day - chuck- it- on type sweater. Loving the knit. Where did you perform the Nutcracker ? as my adult son in Boston said he went to see a performance.... 🥰
Not yet unfortunately. It got put on hold over the summer and I really want to pick it back up but keep getting distracted by other projects. I’m loosely hoping to finish it by the new year but we’ll see how it goes.
Be brave and jump in! You will learn so much. I haven't knit this pattern but I suspect it has the "standard" skillset for knitting - so if you finished this you would be well on your way to being able to knit anything.
I would absolutely recommend it as a first pattern. Technique-wise it is pretty straightforward and the majority of the knitting is simple stockinette. I was also very nervous before starting my first sweater but it’s so much simpler than you expect once you go for it. You got this!
I also found the sleeve cap of the Kip to be super challenging. What helped me is realizing that all of the double stitches are going to be flush to the seam between the body of the sweater and the sleeves, so variations in the pattern that occur right by the double stitches aren't going to be very visible at all. (I can't see them in my finished sweater)
Some tips:
-I used those safety pin stitch markers to mark every single one of my double stitches. This was a life saver for me
-When you turn your work, make sure to sit and think for a bit what your first move needs to be in order to get your pattern to line up
-As it says in the pattern, there will be places where you will need to slip your previously made double stitch, which can cause you to have a bunch of double stitches on the needles at once. This was where the stitch markers came in handy.
-On the other hand, if you come to a spot where you need to CREATE a double stitch, ignore the stitch pattern and make the double stitch. There may be places where you have a knit-knit-double stitch. This is fine.
I agree that the pattern could have used some deeper explanation of how to do the sleeve cap. This pattern definitely isn't for beginners, lol
Thank you so much for this! I think the biggest thing I needed to be reminded of was that all the double stitches are too close to the seam to be noticeable anyways. I’ve definitely just been overthinking this hahaha. The stitch marker tip is a great one too.
I have the same yarn winder, it’s wonderful! And I agree with you about petite knits, her patterns are wonderful! Also I have the same sock blockers!
Hi Bonnie, always love to watch your podcast.
I had the same problems with the kip sweater, try just slipping the ds not making a ds, if that makes sense.
The patern says so in the first line about the sleeves.
I hope you figger it out 😊
I find it kinda funny when excellent knitters struggle with basic crochet - I get that some crafts are easier for some people than others but as a person who learned both crochet and knitting relatively recently, I can confidently say that knitting is much more challenging - so it feels like high level chess players saying playing checkers is challenging for them 😂 But maybe crochet just clicked easier for my brain & hands? I feel like it took a lot longer to mentally grasp knitting and then even longer to physically be able to do it even after my brain understood it… it took sheer force of will (for weeks and months) not to give up and throw the knitting needles out the window 😅 but I’m glad I stuck with it and now am pretty good at both.
For me it’s all down to the yarn tensioning. I haven’t been able to figure out how to hold my yarn while crocheting and I always end up defaulting to throwing my yarn around the hook like I do when I’m knitting which is definitely not the most efficient technique. I’d get better with more practice for sure but I’ve just done so little crochet that it feels very foreign to my hands.
@ yeah the tensioning for crochet is a lot tighter than for knitting - you gotta keep it quite taut, and it’s generally done with the left hand so if you’re not a continental knitter it can feel super weird. For crochet I usually loop it once around my pinky, bring it to the inside of my hand then out between my pointer and middle fingers. I also don’t tension it by sticking out my pointer finger like a lot of people do, I actually kind of grab it with my middle finger and it just gently passes over my pointer finger which actually stays down holding my work. I’ve also seen English knitters turned crocheters that hold their yarn in the right hand and throw the yarn like they’re knitting - I say whatever works and feels right to you is the way to go!
I love the fish too!! I haven’t figured who to give to yet…
I do the same "improved" SSK - soooo tidy!
I have been loving my experience knitting with alpaca silk. The fabric and halo is just so gorgeous. Loved how your Oslo turned out.
For the Kip I think I just double stitched the slip stitch and it worked out. Maybe just trust the process? It is weird when you have to slip it the second time but I just made sure to keep the two legs together and made sure the the yarn in front stayed in front because it did want to curl around to the back. I’m sorry I should have paid more attention when I was doing it but pretty sure I would have two double stitches going at a time because they were slipped once before knitting that double stitch.
Thanks for the tips on the Kip. I definitely need to just trust the process hahaha 😂
HI Bonnie. Fun podcast thanks and got some knitting in yes.....Isabell Kraemer's Aldous sweater in grey - "Local" yarn by Erika Knight plus alpaca 1 Isager. Love the combo of yarn and jersey....feels like this is going to be an every day - chuck- it- on type sweater. Loving the knit. Where did you perform the Nutcracker ? as my adult son in Boston said he went to see a performance.... 🥰
About the Kip sweater. Try writing straight to Rebecca (the Crea Bear), she also has a youtube channel and seems pretty approachable.
I was going to say the same thing.
You’ got an Amish Swift! My favorite kind. Mine was 3-D printed by a high schooler.
I love it so much! So simple and compact. 3-D printing one is such a good idea!
Hi Bonnie, love your podcast, I was wondering if you ever finished your wishbone sweater? I loved the color you were knitting it in. Thanks
Not yet unfortunately. It got put on hold over the summer and I really want to pick it back up but keep getting distracted by other projects. I’m loosely hoping to finish it by the new year but we’ll see how it goes.
Great video! New subscriber... crazy question.... what products do you use in your hair? It's seriously curly perfection!
Thank you! I use a combination of Innersense and Curlsmith products. I’m planning to put together a Google Doc with my routine in the next week or so!
Would you suggest the Oslo for a first sweater? I’ve been looking for a pullover pattern to knit but I’m intimidated mainly because I’m left handed.
Be brave and jump in! You will learn so much. I haven't knit this pattern but I suspect it has the "standard" skillset for knitting - so if you finished this you would be well on your way to being able to knit anything.
I would absolutely recommend it as a first pattern. Technique-wise it is pretty straightforward and the majority of the knitting is simple stockinette. I was also very nervous before starting my first sweater but it’s so much simpler than you expect once you go for it. You got this!