Since I am 85 years old, and have been knitting since I was a teenager, my fiber and knitting experience has another facet to consider. I endorse everything you said about knitting and fiber, but I have to go one step further and consider relative costs in ready-to-wear and hand knitting. When I began making my own garments, I could knit with excellent yarns for a mere fraction of the cost of a purchasd garment of good quality. Knitting and sewing were considered to be an economical way of building a wardrobe. A gradual shift has taken place over the past 70 years, and I'm now faced with the problematic choice of mediocre knitware in the stores and exorbitantly priced yarns for quality hand knit garments and accessories. I must confess this topsy-turvy event has saddened me greatly. For those who don't have to hesitate to purchase designer knitware or designer yarns at their pleasure, I am sure these thoughts won't resonate. But I believe at least some knitters of earlier generations will agree with this sentiment. . . . Sorry to be so wordy
Totally agree! I’m up there in age also, and have been knitting garments for about 60 years. I like quality yarn as much as the next person, but when the yarn for a cardigan or pullover runs $250 it is pause for thought for sure. The garment industry has evolved so that it is not cost efficient to sew or knit your own clothes. One does it for the sheer pleasure and satisfaction.
EXCELLENT and absolutely accurate comment. I am 63 years old. As a child my mom sewed to save money, that changed DURING my childhood. I have just learned to knit (spurred by the news of my first grandchild, she is here now!). It is DEFINITELY expensive, more so ... and that does not account for my time spent making the garments, knitting the garments. But, I LOVE to knit for my loved ones.
I’m only 34 and I feel this too. I do think you can still find good yarns at decent prices but you have to hunt online and it’s very limiting. I can thrift vintage and beautiful sweaters in quality fabrics for a fraction of the cost of making something. I honestly only knit for the ability to tailor the garment to my needs now. Being able to choose the colors, pattern, fiber content, and fit. I do enjoy when I can find a bargain on yarn though
I started knitting my own garments specifically because I was frustrated with the quality of garments in store/online these days. It felt like everything I could afford at a department store was cheap, poorly constructed synthetic materials. I would buy a department store sweater, only to have it look terrible after a few wears. When I started looking at more expensive brands, they were still often made of low quality materials and didn't have good construction. Interestingly, I also feel sweatier in acrylic or other synthetics because I find that they don't breathe as well as wool or cotton (when I wear synthetics, somehow I'm both cold and sweaty at the same time). While I now try to knit all of my own sweaters, I do still thrift some knitwear. My requirement is that it must be made of a natural material, and preferably vintage. Companies that use natural materials also tend to have better construction, too. I've found that natural materials last so much longer and look much more elevated with much less effort. I've also been able to identify yoke construction much easier, and know what I like best on my body. For example, I don't think dropped shoulders look good on me, so I know to stay away when I find a piece made like that. Sorry to anyone who likes acrylics or synthetics, but I've found I'm so much happier with my wardrobe after getting away from it.
I only very rarely buy knitwear anymore since I can now make my own and enjoy doing it. I have a pet peeve with pilling and if I pick up a sweater from Old Navy for example, it might be cute, it might be brioche, but it's more than likely going to pill like heck. And I hate that enough to put it back, ha, ha. In addition to not buying much knitwear off the rack, I've also changed the type of yarns I buy to knit my sweaters. I used to buy a lot of Rios which I still love to knit with but I don't like how it stretches and hangs with a sweater. Since I don't like pilling and I'm ok with a bit of itch factor, I've found I really enjoy peruvian highland wool, which is pretty inexpensive in my opinion (think Knit Picks Wool of the Andes). I can usually make a sweater for about $30 in yarn costs and that is a total win for me.
I usually avoid commenting on personal things, but you've styled your hair so beautifully this episode I had to make an exception. (Also, I haven't bought a single piece of knitwear in the last decade)
I come from a family of 7 children, my mom & dad both knit. I wore a lot of acrylic in my young age. I also learn to knit at a very young age. I am 64 years old now and I can say that I never bought a wool sweater ,cardi ,scarf, mittens ,hats or socks in my entire life. I consider myself lucky.
That is amazing. And something to aspire to! I’m actually toying with the idea of learning how to sew next year, so that I can really make my own garments in all kinds of fabrics (not just knits)
@@sylvieboisvert Ah. I am in Washington state, USA. I grew up in California and watched the fabric stores disappear in my childhood ... and the prices go up.
Since I also sew my own garments, all your points apply to all clothing I purchase. For example, while I can make my own jeans, it is not a process I enjoy so I choose to purchase them. Thanks for this thoughtful video,
Oh my goodness, every visit to a store like Country Road now is me staring at the knits, reading labels and getting out my phone to see if i can easily find yarn and pattern for less than the label price. Most of these will never become projects, but this with a hot coffee is one of my fave ways to waste an afternoon. Or morning. 🥰
I loved this subject and it’s got me thinking! I’m a newish garment knitter now and I’m already looking at things differently in the stores. What still holds true is I love the fine gauge items. I do want to try and knit a fine gauge at some point, but I’ll always gravitate to those types of items in the stores.
My knitwear purchases have also definitely changed since I started knitting my own sweaters. When I first started knitting sweaters I was like you in that I would still buy sweaters if there was something about them I wouldn't make myself, but now that it's been a couple years, I know that sweaters are my favorite thing to knit so I'm already getting an abundance of them so I just don't buy them at all anymore. I suppose if I saw one that I absolutely fell in love with then I might? but it'd have to be pretty special. Though the sweaters I bought during that sweet spot of starting to knit sweaters so I had a better understanding of what I like, but before I felt like I was just going to knit myself SO many anyway, are some of my all time favorites!
My Husband Knows My Passion For Sweaters... He Buys Me One For Christmas Every Year. He Only Recently Experienced The Handknit Sweater Glee, And Never Takes It Off. 🤦🏽♀️ I Dont Think I'll Be Getting Any More Store Bought Sweaters For Christmas. 😂 Only More Yarn For His Sweaters. 😂
Great video and perspective on things. I definitely am more intune with how things fit me now and also won't buy things that I think I could knit for the same or less money. The other advantage to knitting (at least for me as a retiree) I don't spend as much time in stores shopping because I'm home knitting HOWEVER my husband thought this was going to save us money 😂😂😂😂😂😂 - I need to stop buying yarn!!! That's a whole other topic!
So true! What I used to spend on bulk buying sweaters I now spend on yarn 😂😂😂 but my rate of success in producing something I love is much much higher!
I also became aware of construction more since I knit. And I still made a mistake recently while buying a dropped shoulder jersey sweater/top from cos. I just don't like how it sits on me (176 cm, quite square and broad shoulders but with a small bust) . I think the seams are too harsh/hard too. Thank you for the video, good to talk about this during this time of over consumption. 🐏
Hi Michelle, thank you for the video and for sharing your thoughts. I found that since I started to knit the garments, over 4 years now, I stopped buying the knitwear in the stores: I cannot justify having more sweaters when I don’t get enough wear of those that I knit.
I grew up with my mother being a seamstress and my gran was a master knitter so I had basically everything handmade and thanks to that I’ve always been very deliberate with my purchasing. I also dig around my local thrift store for sweaters to unravel - it takes time, but reuse and save 🙌🏻 currently knitting a short sleeve top from a pink wool/alpca sweater I found for $12 CAD😃 I’ve recently inherited a sewing machine so I’m also wanting to pick up sewing. Too bad my mom lives in Estonia and I’m in Canada so she can’t really guide me.
@@easilyknitfluenced Emma from @granolagear has a few helpful videos on how to get started with sweater-to-yarn thrifting and I started with those and went digging for treasure.
I agree with most of what you said. But I will make exceptions for cotton sweaters, even if I could make them myself. I don’t particularly love knitting with pure cotton and I find that machines do a much better job with finishing cotton sweaters (particularly ribbing) than my hands do. Since I’ve started knitting, I’ve also gravitated away from synthetic fibers for all my clothes…even pants. While I will make exceptions for things with rayon/viscose or a little spandex, I no longer purchase clothes with polyester or acrylic in them.
For sure - I don’t love knitting with pure cotton either. Love a cotton merino though. I will only purchase synthetics for very specific purposes, like if an item of clothing has pleats in it. As far as I know, it’s not possible to keep pleats in clothes without at least some synthetic fiber mixed in
For cashmere yarn I would highly recommend ula & Lia. They do a kickstarter every summer to source cashmere, baby yak, baby camel, etc yarns directly from Mongolian farmers. It’s usually a July order for December/January delivery but the kickstarter prices cannot be beat for luxury fibers. Even the full price on their website is far lower than most comercial brands
Great video, thank you. Oversized fisherman's rib / brioche knitwear is my go-to buy instead of knit, its just too much yarn / time commitment for that garment 😊
I am 4'10" so I run petite. Which in the clothing world means short. I hate shopping because I either have to go to a speciality shop and spend an arm and a leg or spend 3-4 hours shopping and find something that is just okay. So now I am starting to just make my own clothes. I started out crocheting. But recently bought three large skiens of DK yarn which is a superwash merino blend. I am going to try and learn knitting. Just not sure where to start.
That’s awesome, and good luck! I would recommend Petiteknit’s beginner patterns. She is top of this game for a reason and I started with her Anker Sweater. You’ll pick it up quickly I’m sure!
I really appreciated petite knits “novice sweater” as my first sweater it’s round yoke if you like that. Florence Miller also has her “step by step sweater” that is a top down raglan sweater with a full video tutorial that would probably be even better for you since you are new to knitting.
I actually probably won’t buy a sweater anymore. Unless I find something in a thrift store that is an occasion sweater that I would not want to take the time to knit myself (like a thanksgiving sweater or Christmas sweater)
The only place I’ve ever really bought sweaters from is the thrift stores. Now that I knit it is actually more dangerous bc first I check the content then I check the seams. I have bought ugly sweaters w great yarn (even cashmere) and then frog them. Sweater quantity of yarn for $10 give or take, takes some extra work but it can be worth it. Some are bought to be worn as now that I have my husband and teenagers finally trained that YARN DOES NOT GO IN THE DRYER they are mostly safe.
I was just talking to my friends about this as black Friday deals roll around. I'm way less tempted by the deals, if anything I'll look through store bought sweaters as "research" foe designs I want to knit myself. Once I see the fibre composition it's usually a deal breaker.
I am primarily a garment knitter, for myself. I never buy retail for knitwear. Never! I appreciate the slow fashion of knitting. I often frog or alter what hasn’t worked in a hand-knit. That said I’m not talking about tee shirts, and I don’t work so there’s that.
That’s the thing, my work is pretty relaxed but I still have situations where I need a very tailored outfit which is hard to achieve with hand knitting 🤕
Since I am 85 years old, and have been knitting since I was a teenager, my fiber and knitting experience has another facet to consider. I endorse everything you said about knitting and fiber, but I have to go one step further and consider relative costs in ready-to-wear and hand knitting. When I began making my own garments, I could knit with excellent yarns for a mere fraction of the cost of a purchasd garment of good quality. Knitting and sewing were considered to be an economical way of building a wardrobe. A gradual shift has taken place over the past 70 years, and I'm now faced with the problematic choice of mediocre knitware in the stores and exorbitantly priced yarns for quality hand knit garments and accessories. I must confess this topsy-turvy event has saddened me greatly. For those who don't have to hesitate to purchase designer knitware or designer yarns at their pleasure, I am sure these thoughts won't resonate. But I believe at least some knitters of earlier generations will agree with this sentiment.
. . . Sorry to be so wordy
Totally agree! I’m up there in age also, and have been knitting garments for about 60 years. I like quality yarn as much as the next person, but when the yarn for a cardigan or pullover runs $250 it is pause for thought for sure. The garment industry has evolved so that it is not cost efficient to sew or knit your own clothes. One does it for the sheer pleasure and satisfaction.
You are right. Knitting is not a cheap way to build a wardrobe. Or making a gift for someone.
I totally agree, you said it very well❤
EXCELLENT and absolutely accurate comment. I am 63 years old. As a child my mom sewed to save money, that changed DURING my childhood.
I have just learned to knit (spurred by the news of my first grandchild, she is here now!). It is DEFINITELY expensive, more so ... and that does not account for my time spent making the garments, knitting the garments.
But, I LOVE to knit for my loved ones.
I’m only 34 and I feel this too. I do think you can still find good yarns at decent prices but you have to hunt online and it’s very limiting. I can thrift vintage and beautiful sweaters in quality fabrics for a fraction of the cost of making something. I honestly only knit for the ability to tailor the garment to my needs now. Being able to choose the colors, pattern, fiber content, and fit. I do enjoy when I can find a bargain on yarn though
I started knitting my own garments specifically because I was frustrated with the quality of garments in store/online these days. It felt like everything I could afford at a department store was cheap, poorly constructed synthetic materials. I would buy a department store sweater, only to have it look terrible after a few wears. When I started looking at more expensive brands, they were still often made of low quality materials and didn't have good construction. Interestingly, I also feel sweatier in acrylic or other synthetics because I find that they don't breathe as well as wool or cotton (when I wear synthetics, somehow I'm both cold and sweaty at the same time).
While I now try to knit all of my own sweaters, I do still thrift some knitwear. My requirement is that it must be made of a natural material, and preferably vintage. Companies that use natural materials also tend to have better construction, too. I've found that natural materials last so much longer and look much more elevated with much less effort.
I've also been able to identify yoke construction much easier, and know what I like best on my body. For example, I don't think dropped shoulders look good on me, so I know to stay away when I find a piece made like that.
Sorry to anyone who likes acrylics or synthetics, but I've found I'm so much happier with my wardrobe after getting away from it.
I only very rarely buy knitwear anymore since I can now make my own and enjoy doing it. I have a pet peeve with pilling and if I pick up a sweater from Old Navy for example, it might be cute, it might be brioche, but it's more than likely going to pill like heck. And I hate that enough to put it back, ha, ha. In addition to not buying much knitwear off the rack, I've also changed the type of yarns I buy to knit my sweaters. I used to buy a lot of Rios which I still love to knit with but I don't like how it stretches and hangs with a sweater. Since I don't like pilling and I'm ok with a bit of itch factor, I've found I really enjoy peruvian highland wool, which is pretty inexpensive in my opinion (think Knit Picks Wool of the Andes). I can usually make a sweater for about $30 in yarn costs and that is a total win for me.
I usually avoid commenting on personal things, but you've styled your hair so beautifully this episode I had to make an exception. (Also, I haven't bought a single piece of knitwear in the last decade)
I come from a family of 7 children, my mom & dad both knit. I wore a lot of acrylic in my young age. I also learn to knit at a very young age. I am 64 years old now and I can say that I never bought a wool sweater ,cardi ,scarf, mittens ,hats or socks in my entire life. I consider myself lucky.
That is amazing. And something to aspire to! I’m actually toying with the idea of learning how to sew next year, so that I can really make my own garments in all kinds of fabrics (not just knits)
@@easilyknitfluenced another expansive hobby that is well worth it
Interesting. I am curious, where do you live? Country?
@@julierogers1155 Canada, province of Quebec
@@sylvieboisvert Ah. I am in Washington state, USA. I grew up in California and watched the fabric stores disappear in my childhood ... and the prices go up.
Since I also sew my own garments, all your points apply to all clothing I purchase. For example, while I can make my own jeans, it is not a process I enjoy so I choose to purchase them. Thanks for this thoughtful video,
Oh my goodness, every visit to a store like Country Road now is me staring at the knits, reading labels and getting out my phone to see if i can easily find yarn and pattern for less than the label price. Most of these will never become projects, but this with a hot coffee is one of my fave ways to waste an afternoon. Or morning. 🥰
I loved this subject and it’s got me thinking! I’m a newish garment knitter now and I’m already looking at things differently in the stores. What still holds true is I love the fine gauge items. I do want to try and knit a fine gauge at some point, but I’ll always gravitate to those types of items in the stores.
My knitwear purchases have also definitely changed since I started knitting my own sweaters. When I first started knitting sweaters I was like you in that I would still buy sweaters if there was something about them I wouldn't make myself, but now that it's been a couple years, I know that sweaters are my favorite thing to knit so I'm already getting an abundance of them so I just don't buy them at all anymore. I suppose if I saw one that I absolutely fell in love with then I might? but it'd have to be pretty special. Though the sweaters I bought during that sweet spot of starting to knit sweaters so I had a better understanding of what I like, but before I felt like I was just going to knit myself SO many anyway, are some of my all time favorites!
I love that, I feel like I’m in a sweet spot right now too! Curious to see how it changes as time goes on 👌🏻
My Husband Knows My Passion For Sweaters... He Buys Me One For Christmas Every Year. He Only Recently Experienced The Handknit Sweater Glee, And Never Takes It Off. 🤦🏽♀️ I Dont Think I'll Be Getting Any More Store Bought Sweaters For Christmas. 😂 Only More Yarn For His Sweaters. 😂
Great video and perspective on things. I definitely am more intune with how things fit me now and also won't buy things that I think I could knit for the same or less money. The other advantage to knitting (at least for me as a retiree) I don't spend as much time in stores shopping because I'm home knitting HOWEVER my husband thought this was going to save us money 😂😂😂😂😂😂 - I need to stop buying yarn!!! That's a whole other topic!
So true! What I used to spend on bulk buying sweaters I now spend on yarn 😂😂😂 but my rate of success in producing something I love is much much higher!
I also became aware of construction more since I knit. And I still made a mistake recently while buying a dropped shoulder jersey sweater/top from cos. I just don't like how it sits on me (176 cm, quite square and broad shoulders but with a small bust) . I think the seams are too harsh/hard too. Thank you for the video, good to talk about this during this time of over consumption. 🐏
Hi Michelle, thank you for the video and for sharing your thoughts.
I found that since I started to knit the garments, over 4 years now, I stopped buying the knitwear in the stores: I cannot justify having more sweaters when I don’t get enough wear of those that I knit.
Same! How many knit sweaters does a person need?
I grew up with my mother being a seamstress and my gran was a master knitter so I had basically everything handmade and thanks to that I’ve always been very deliberate with my purchasing.
I also dig around my local thrift store for sweaters to unravel - it takes time, but reuse and save 🙌🏻 currently knitting a short sleeve top from a pink wool/alpca sweater I found for $12 CAD😃
I’ve recently inherited a sewing machine so I’m also wanting to pick up sewing. Too bad my mom lives in Estonia and I’m in Canada so she can’t really guide me.
That’s something I want to try - I haven’t really looked into which sweaters are the easiest to unravel etc
@@easilyknitfluenced Emma from @granolagear has a few helpful videos on how to get started with sweater-to-yarn thrifting and I started with those and went digging for treasure.
I agree with most of what you said. But I will make exceptions for cotton sweaters, even if I could make them myself. I don’t particularly love knitting with pure cotton and I find that machines do a much better job with finishing cotton sweaters (particularly ribbing) than my hands do.
Since I’ve started knitting, I’ve also gravitated away from synthetic fibers for all my clothes…even pants. While I will make exceptions for things with rayon/viscose or a little spandex, I no longer purchase clothes with polyester or acrylic in them.
For sure - I don’t love knitting with pure cotton either. Love a cotton merino though.
I will only purchase synthetics for very specific purposes, like if an item of clothing has pleats in it. As far as I know, it’s not possible to keep pleats in clothes without at least some synthetic fiber mixed in
For cashmere yarn I would highly recommend ula & Lia. They do a kickstarter every summer to source cashmere, baby yak, baby camel, etc yarns directly from Mongolian farmers. It’s usually a July order for December/January delivery but the kickstarter prices cannot be beat for luxury fibers. Even the full price on their website is far lower than most comercial brands
Amazing, I’ve never heard of them but will check them out, thank you!
Great episode. Absolutely I identify with buying a lot less knitting wear at stores. Happy Thanksgiving 🍂🍁🐿️🦌
Thank you! And same to you 🥰
Great video, thank you. Oversized fisherman's rib / brioche knitwear is my go-to buy instead of knit, its just too much yarn / time commitment for that garment 😊
Ohhh I might join you there. I’ve never knit a full brioche garment yet
I am 4'10" so I run petite. Which in the clothing world means short.
I hate shopping because I either have to go to a speciality shop and spend an arm and a leg or spend 3-4 hours shopping and find something that is just okay.
So now I am starting to just make my own clothes. I started out crocheting. But recently bought three large skiens of DK yarn which is a superwash merino blend. I am going to try and learn knitting.
Just not sure where to start.
That’s awesome, and good luck! I would recommend Petiteknit’s beginner patterns. She is top of this game for a reason and I started with her Anker Sweater. You’ll pick it up quickly I’m sure!
I really appreciated petite knits “novice sweater” as my first sweater it’s round yoke if you like that. Florence Miller also has her “step by step sweater” that is a top down raglan sweater with a full video tutorial that would probably be even better for you since you are new to knitting.
❤yes, garments that I could knit 🧶 I don’t buy anymore 🤗
So true!
I actually probably won’t buy a sweater anymore. Unless I find something in a thrift store that is an occasion sweater that I would not want to take the time to knit myself (like a thanksgiving sweater or Christmas sweater)
The only place I’ve ever really bought sweaters from is the thrift stores. Now that I knit it is actually more dangerous bc first I check the content then I check the seams. I have bought ugly sweaters w great yarn (even cashmere) and then frog them. Sweater quantity of yarn for $10 give or take, takes some extra work but it can be worth it. Some are bought to be worn as now that I have my husband and teenagers finally trained that YARN DOES NOT GO IN THE DRYER they are mostly safe.
I started knitting sweaters four years ago and haven't purchased one since...i have a long torso and I like being able to customize the length
I have a long torso too! And this makes it doubly hard now when the trend in all the stores is for cropped sweaters
@easilyknitfluenced For sure! I am almost the same height as you, but being 60 with a bit of a belly...the cropped style is a NO GO!
I was just talking to my friends about this as black Friday deals roll around. I'm way less tempted by the deals, if anything I'll look through store bought sweaters as "research" foe designs I want to knit myself. Once I see the fibre composition it's usually a deal breaker.
Agreed. So much polyester and then at a crazy price!
I am primarily a garment knitter, for myself. I never buy retail for knitwear. Never! I appreciate the slow fashion of knitting. I often frog or alter what hasn’t worked in a hand-knit. That said I’m not talking about tee shirts, and I don’t work so there’s that.
That’s the thing, my work is pretty relaxed but I still have situations where I need a very tailored outfit which is hard to achieve with hand knitting 🤕
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