reacting to knitting & fiber arts hot takes 🌶️
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- Опубликовано: 22 июл 2024
- ⚠️ GIVEAWAY UPDATE ⚠️ unfortunately i've realized that youtube is removing comments with people's social media accounts and emails included, so please head over to my instagram ( / midsummerknitsdream ) to enter! a winner will be chosen there on friday, march 1st. thanks so much for the support on my channel!! 💘
🧶 VIDEO DESCRIPTION
welcome or welcome back to my channel!! in today’s video, i’m talking about knitting, crochet, and fiber arts hot takes and unpopular opinions. let me know if you’d be interested in a part two since i wasn’t able to get to all of the submissions 👀
🎥 CREATORS MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO
made in the moment: @madeinthemoment
knits by mandy: @knitsbymandy
🔗 WHERE TO FIND ME
instagram: / midsummer.knits
ravelry: www.ravelry.com/people/midsum...
newsletter: eepurl.com/ik-j69
tiktok: / midsummerknits
email for business inquiries: emma@midsummerknits.com
📚 CHAPTERS
0:00 intro
2:09 disliking bulky yarn
3:43 knitting looks better than crochet
5:24 patterns shouldn’t be free
8:13 machine knitting
10:16 fast fashion & social media
12:38 petite knit
14:45 lightning round!
18:11 giveaway deets & outro
💓 ABOUT ME
hey! i'm emma, a 25-year-old knitter, designer, and taylor swift enthusiast. i post videos about my knitting process, knit with me vlogs, and more! if you're interested in knitting, DIYs, or having a more sustainable wardrobe, i hope you'll check out my videos 🤠
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Хобби
My hot take is that calling an entire fibre art ugly is ridiculous lol. They could say people sometimes use crochet for projects that would be better suited to knitting and I’d think that was fair enough. But calling all crochet ugly is absurd! Tysm for this video, it’s interesting to hear people’s opinions
i generally agree & i hope that's how i came across in the video haha. i do think that people wanted to give really extreme opinions even if they had a more nuanced take since i asked for hot takes, so it's likely that most of the people saying that crochet is "ugly" don't really think that 100%! thank you for watching & commenting 🥰🥰
I don't understand why some people try to create a crochet vs knit discussion anyway. We have similar interests so let's just be happy together lol
Whoever made that comment clearly hasn’t seen a Persian tiles blanket.
I think making free patterns doesn’t take anything away from paid patterns. It might force those designers to be more creative so people want to pay for their patterns but that’s on them. Having free patterns available allows knitting to be more affordable, allows newbies to try things, or could be a way for future pattern makers to practice making a pattern and getting feedback before charging.
Exactly. Knitting is expensive as it is. If they want to release a pattern for free, just let them do it
my hot take is that if someone can look at something and know how to make it, it's okay for them to make it and not pay for the pattern, especially if it's simple.
Free patterns are important. A big thing for the fiber arts community is that it’s accessible. Free patterns are part of what makes fiber arts accessible because a lot of people cannot pay for patterns. Plus it’s the artist’s choice if they want to make people pay for it or not regardless of how complex it is. Also some people need to see a pattern before deciding if they will do it or not so buying patterns online isn’t really an option for them. I personally cannot buy a pattern I cannot read first. Either I only make free patterns I find online or I buy an inexpensive book (I barely have the money to buy any yarn)
I actually disagree that everyone is going to go for a free pattern over a paid one every time! If it's super super basic, like a simple v neck sweater, yes, I'll choose a free pattern. But a lot of people still pay for patterns despite a plethora of free patterns being available for a few reasons:
1. The paid one might fit what you're looking for more. This idea assumes both patterns are identical, which isn’t the case unless again it's VERY basic.
2. They like and trust that pattern-maker. They like the way the patterns are written or the resources and notes provided.
3. They want to support pattern makers in the community. I personally pay for patterns all the time even when there are free versions of the same item available.
I think pattern makers should usually have 1 or 2 free patterns so that people know what their pattern writijg style is like, as that helps drive people towards buying the paid patterns that took more work to make. Yes, free patterns will take away some customers from paid patterns, but there are still many people making money from their patterns because there's still a market for it. Books still sell even when libraries exist, right?
My 'hot take' is that we need to seperate the slow fashion/sustainability debate from fiber arts as a hobby. Sure, it is good to try to be sustainable, but it feels so ingrained into the hobby that it adds a lot of stress and expectations on people who are just trying to have fun and create cool things.
Being mad at people for making lots of sweaters or using acrylic yarn is so unproductive and toxic in my opinion. Making 10 sweaters by hand is already a lot better than buying 10 bad quality sweaters that were made in sweatshops anyway. I think people tend to forget that the hobby is fairly sustainable anyway (compared to many others) and that forcing your own expectations on the entire fiber arts community is not helping anyone
I’m also not interested in machine knitting myself but I think it’s a valid way to knit + is a way for some people to still create if they have issues with holding needles!
that's a great point, i didn't think of that!! thanks for the information 🥰
if were talking about flatbed knitting machine then I would say its just as hard as knitting by hand because instead of seeing the right side of the work your seeing the wrong side and when it breaks you have to be your own handy man to fix it
The opinions are interesting, I am a crocheter 1st and a beginner at knitting. I have found more knitters that are fiber arts Snobs, LYS businesses that were condescending when they find out you crochet.
Free patterns I have many free and have purchased numerous books, magazines and patterns. Free patterns encourage and promote fiber arts. I can also see your point about designers to some degree. If as a designer publish a pattern book, offer tutorials on social media.
While I appreciate fine fibers, acrylic yarns are my go to, the durability can't be matched and the cost effectiveness makes materials accessible.
I personally have a generous amount of bulky yarn after several afgans and teddy bears. It has its place as do knitting machines, I had a kenner toy one MANY years ago. If your are making hats and scarfs for charity they are great, or for making sock blanks to dye.
In summation none of us should be snobs when it comes to crochet vs knitting, acrylic vs wool, alpaca, silk etc. We should all respect and support one another in our creativity.
We can still have our preferences, but there is no need to to disparage anyone else.
thank you so much for your comment! a lot of the comments on this video gave me perspective on things that i didn't consider, including yours. i agree at the end of the day most of these things aren't really worth judging other people over... if something makes you happy & doesn't hurt anyone, you absolutely should do it & shouldn't be criticized for doing so 🥰
Have to disagree with you about free patterns. When I first started knitting I wanted to read the whole pattern before deciding whether to do the project, to make sure I understood it and felt like I could put in the time required. Free patterns were really helpful in learning how to read patterns, what goes into different types of projects and how they are constructed, and choosing a project based on the techniques involved.
Now that I’m more experienced I can tell more easily from photos, yarn requirements, etc whether a project is for me and I happily pay for patterns. I wouldn’t choose a free pattern over a paid one if the design of the paid pattern is what I’m excited about. Free patterns make knitting more appealing to learn which leads to more customers!
Also, if someone has put in the work to make a pattern, they can do whatever they want with it, whether it’s their hobby or not. They should be able to sell it or post it for free.
to that point, i agree that basic beginner patterns make sense to be free (and i feel like basic designs are already pretty widely available as free patterns or tutorials online). of course every designer can choose whether they want to offer their patterns for free or not, but it's my opinion that more complex patterns should be paid considering the amount of work that goes into them. however, that's just my personal opinion & i know it won't really have an effect on how things work in reality :)
I’m under the impression that people who hate chunky knits have never made one. I’ve never knit anything above a weight 5. But I made a sweater and I love it. I thought I’d never wear it but it was one of my favorite wears this winter. And I knit it so fast. Meanwhile, I haven’t got past the yoke on my fingering weight sweater lol. Guess that’ll be for next winter 😂
i feel like a few people with this take have knit a chunky sweater and feel like they don't get enough wear out of it!! i haven't knit a chunky sweater since i was a kid though so maybe i should give it another shot...
I feel like some designers are charging way too much for very mediocre patterns, while others don’t charge enough for excellent patterns. So I guess, it’s totally subjective. I, personally, prefer to either buy a book/magazine or use a free pattern as a starting point, because I’m pretty good with creating my own designs. I buy individual patterns only as a last resort, if I can’t find what I want in my books and I’m interested in a very specific construction/design element that I can’t understand by just looking at the project photos.
this is definitely a hot take but i also get where you're coming from! i do think some designers tend to design more aimed towards beginner knitters, so they tend to have simpler designs (& ones that may have taken a lot less work from their end vs. a more complex design). it's interesting because i don't necessarily see designers who price their patterns based on complexity or work from their side, i feel like most designers will price all their patterns of a certain type (i.e. sweaters) around the same price... but i do agree that more complex garments should cost more, i just wonder if people would be deterred from buying those patterns if that were the case! thank you for your thoughts, this is super interesting :)
@@midsummerknits I am, personally, willing to pay more for garments that seem to be well constructed, because these are so hard to find. So for me it's not necessarily the complexity, but rather a well thought through fit. And yes, I understand that everyone is built differently, so I'm prepared to modify designs (which I end up doing 95% of the time anyway), but I do appreciate a clean neckline, elevation on the back, the sleeves that are set in correctly, things like that.
@@yuliyaminina8367 totally, that makes sense! & i agree, as i'm learning more about designing i find these elements really impressive too. i also see buying patterns as a sort of future investment in a way since i learn how to structure a piece in the way shown in the pattern!
on the dropped shoulder take; it's one thing to not like the look, but the lazy part felt rather unnecessary? drop shoulder construction has been used historically and across the globe for many different types of garments, it's not something that was conceived in order to make things "easier." also if they mean top down yokes many a person has said they like those because they're too "lazy" to seam lol
my interpretation is that the person commenting this meant it was “lazy” if a designer always uses this construction, maybe because they haven’t taken the time to learn or look into other constructions…? i’m not sure since you can only write a small amount in an instagram question box though 😅
I don’t get the hate on drop shoulder? Like I love sweaters more when they have a drop shoulder. All of this was a shock to me 😭
it’s so crazy that you have completely right opinions
hahaha i try my best 🥰
Congrats on 1K here and 10K on insta!!! You always put so much thought and care into your content and you deserve the love and support! 💖
Definitely agree with you on the fast fashion mindset creeping into knitting. I just saw a reel where someone posted several sweaters they knit in January and I was like, "wait, how?! I knit one adult sweater all of last year!" And I know that's totally reasonable for some people, if I spend my time doing other things I'm not going to get knitting projects done, and that's my decision! 😂
But it's important to remind myself that I have my own unique relationship with knitting. It doesn't have to look like anyone else's! If I'm putting into it what I want and gaining satisfaction there that's all that matters. I do love what social media has done for the knitting community, but it is easy to fall into the trap of comparison that's everywhere on the internet.
thank you so much rebekah, you're such a great & supportive friend 🥰🥰 also thank you for validating my thoughts on the influence of fast fashion & social media - i definitely need to keep your tips in mind!! i'm sure this will be something i continue to grapple with but i hope i can develop a healthier mindset going forward 💗
Tooootally agree with you on the fast fashion portion! You put into words what I think about a lot. I’m a sewwer too and cranking out trendy things even more prevalent over in that community and it kind of drives me bonkers too. Especially if they’re an account that talks about mindful making😂 of course, no one is immune to the trap of trends
Oh an congrats on 1k!!!!
absolutely, i feel like it's just easy to get sucked in & lose sight of your values, especially when you're both a fiber artist (/sewist) in addition to being a content creator. sometimes i feel like fiber arts don't align that well with social media since there's so much emphasis placed on having cool finished objects all the time 🥲 it's definitely something to keep in mind!!
thank you so much!! 💘💘
@@midsummerknits for suuuuure. so much pressure in this society to be mindful about consumption and constantly generating new things at the same time! Difficult to navigate!
Congrats on 1k Emma! So well deserved, the thought that you put into your content really shines through. 😄
thank you so much mandy!! 🥰🥰
I feel like when people online share that they made 10+ projects in a week they don't tell you when they start and I tend to do it to like I currently have 13 wips and since I work on one each day it tends to look like I finish 2 or 3 sweaters and 2 pairs of socks in a week
mine is ppl who only sell finish products should also sell the pattern for it. I want the god damn pattern 😭 PLEASE. you’d also get a lot more sales on ur store i’d think.
That’s a way to bring in more customers for sure. For example, today I was looking for a specific style of fingerless glove, couldn’t find a pattern for the ones I want to make and I’m not going to buy already made $60 to $90 fingerless gloves in the design I want to make. If that business put out the pattern, they would have got my money instead of none at all. Two forms of revenue are better than one and you are appealing to two different markets.
also congrats on 1k!!! so amazing and deserved ❤
thank you bestie 🥰💘
I love machine knitting, especially as someone who sells stuff on the side it helps me get out lots of items quicker, mainly hats
interesting, that makes sense! do you charge a different amount for a machine knit vs. hand knit hat?
I love your videos and the way you explain things, I totally agree with many things ! A free scarf pattern is what got me started. I'm now more than happy to pay for pretty patterns, but I'm glad for the first one. Also for the raglan, I think it's nice to have drop shoulder, as it's easier, and for beginners like me : it enables me to do a project with a clean result
the plus size knitting design take is so good! i love it
definitely, it's something i need to keep in mind but definitely great to support designers with inclusive sizing 🥰🥰
Congratulations on 1k Emma ❤ RUclips recommended your channel so glad to meet you! Nice podcast and nice video! I love crochet and knitting! Thank you for sharing 😊
thank you so much for checking out my channel, i really appreciate it! 🥰
swatching is really useful but I don’t go all the way to blocking it!
haha for me it depends on how much time i have. i think blocking it can also be pretty informative though - there have been a couple of times i've liked a finished garment but it ended up blocking bigger than i expected 😅 (that's only really the case with very fitted garments though)
I agree on your opinion on swatches. I messed up on a cardigan by using different yarn by not swatching. I learnt my lesson the hard way .
haha i've absolutely learned it the hard way too, i feel like most people do 😅
i loved this video!! all these hot takes... and yet urs are all correct!! good job
hehehe thank you rebecca 🥰🥰
Now we push for 2k subscribers!!
haha thank you!! i believe we'll get there 🥰
⚠️ GIVEAWAY UPDATE ⚠️ unfortunately i have realized that youtube is removing comments with people's social media or email included 😅 please go to my instagram (linked in the description) instead to enter!!
My hot take is ownership. I do not like when someone blasts the online community with a rant that they created a pattern and it is their creation. First, at the best of times, your skills are part of a centuries old craft. Skills were given to you.....Second, just try to defend a copyright. Try it. Tell me the time and money wasted was worth it. If you like to design, go for it. If someone makes a similar product, take it as a compliment. Let's face it life is far too short. Have fun.
I completely agree with everything you said!! And congratulations Emma! 🫶🫶
thank you so much bea!! 🥰🫶
size inclusive should go both ways!! xs - xxxxxl is NOT inclusive
And when the finished circumference of the xs is 38" or 41"!!!! that is definitely not size inclusive
interesting, i haven't heard this take all that often! how small do you think patterns should go to be size inclusive?
@@midsummerknits I think xs needs to be 32" finished circumference though I've seen requests for 28" (for more fitted designs). For looser designs, my personal opinion is 34" as that's already 6" of positive ease for plenty of people. Also, congrats on 1k!!! :)
Yes I’m all for bigger size ranges! As someone who used to be really small, I think the difference is that you can usually take something in if there isn’t a small enough size, but there isn’t always enough fabric to let something out. So I do think bigger sizes should be prioritised, also because medium is actually small compared to the average person. I really wish it was easier to get clothing that accommodated different proportions and disability!!!
Emma..congratulations on both of your milestones! New subscriber here . New to kn: mostly hats, mittens and The Sophie Scarf by Petite Knits. I love your free or not pattern message. $5 is affordable to me. I realize sometimes it’s that designer’s only source of income . So paying a $1 or two more is something I don’t mind . Free downloads are appreciated.
No interest in machine knitting. It’s like reading: I prefer to hold the book vs a machine (audio reading to me) if this analogy makes sense.
thank you diane!! funnily enough i've also talked about audiobooks on my channel before, since i've experimented a bit with "reading" (listening to) audiobooks while knitting vs. reading the physical book. i still generally prefer reading physical books, but listening to audiobooks can be nice since i can do it while knitting & multitask lol. i guess the difference is i can still derive a similar amount of joy from listening to an audiobook vs. reading, but i'm not sure that would be the case with machine knitting... maybe i should try it out someday just to see how it is :) thank you for your comment again!! 🥰
congrats on 1K! 🎉
thank you so much dora!! 🥰
It's much easier to sit behind the screen and be like "NAH I DISAGREE WITH THAT" lol. This was a fun video to watch!
LOL yeah i know i was not the most opinionated in this video 💀 i tried my best but i didn't want anyone to take things the wrong way haha
I decided not to knit any petite knit patterns as she has declined to make size inclusive patterns 😢 there are so many really pretty and comparable simple patterns by other designers 💖 I love the idea of supporting new/smaller designers
i just looked at the moby sweater pattern and it has up to size 5X (which i think counts as size inclusive, please correct me if i'm wrong)! maybe you're thinking of my favorite things knitwear...?
you’re so right! I was thinking of MFTK
I looked into it and I think PK is making new patterns inclusive but older patterns haven’t been regraded yet?
Such a super fun video! 😁🤩
I'm not participating in the giveaway, since I'm in Europe and I try not to avoid overseas shipping as much as possible. 😊 And also I'm privileged enough to be able to buy myself plenty of beautiful yarn - so it would mean so much more for somebody else. 🥰
But I can tell you how I've found you anyway haha: LilyKateMakes is my favourite designer, and she has shared a pic of you in your gorgeous The One That I Want top - and I checked out your profile and really liked it, so here I am. 😊
thank you so much lota, your always support means a lot to me 🥰🥰 it's so thoughtful of you to not enter the giveaway!! & thanks for letting me know how you found my account anyways!
first off, new here and love the video! it’s so interesting hearing people opinions especially as someone newish to the fiber arts community.
the topic of machine knitting was weird to me at first because the processes just feel so different, but at the same time sewing machines exist. i wouldn’t say that using a sewing machine isn’t valid so why would i say that for knitting?
in the same vein, it’s also me being a little jealous that they can make things so fast haha
not a hot take but i think more people need to learn that you shouldn’t make anything for people who don’t appreciate it and just expect something…cough my grandma cough…