I am a high school math, computer science, and engineering teacher. It is always scary to make mistakes in front of students, especially students who can be sooooo much smarter than you. I have founds it is impossible to be perfect 😊. I have learned that it is better to be ok with my mistakes. We live in a society where we are afraid of failing. However, I bet that when you fail at something you really learn. My students cannot stand the thought of failing, so I have decided that failing in front of them, and showing how to react to failure gracefully but positively is more important than the lesson itself. Anyone who is good at anything has failed many times! Also my students become brave and have taught me many things and have made me a better teacher! So show us what you know! You are a great teacher!
My husband wears through store bought socks at the ball of the feet as well as under the heel within months! He is super hard on his socks and the ones I've handknit him have lasted a year already with no signs of wear. When I knit him socks, I use 2.25mm needles with 64 sts and I have a stitch gauge of 8sts per inch. A tight/firm gauge will help with wear. Patons Kroy is a yarn I've used for him a few times and I find it thicker, almost a sport weight but he and I both like it. I have done afterthought reinforcement on the soles with a silk/mohair blend (trying to keep it all natural). Roxanne Richardson has a RUclips tutorial to show you how to do it. There is also reinforcement "thread" that is sold with a certain brand of yarn (Regia, I believe) that you hold double with your working yarn when knitting the foot.
I taught my mom how to knit a couple months ago and I was so excited to encourage her through the parts of learning that discouraged me so much in the beginning. We have crochet for years so it’s like learning a new language. Now she can read a pattern and understand different yarn weights and yardage. She made our entire family slippers by Christmas Eve and in so proud of her!!! 💕
When flying with knitting, I have discovered TSA is more amenable if there is a started project and not just loose needles in the carryon. I carry a project, and extra needles and everyone is accommodating about it.
I like how you said that we should “gift ourselves the time” to practice new techniques. You are so right. Thank you for that reminder. Merry Christmas to you and your family. 😊
My husband also wears through the balls of his socks SO fast, and my main fix is using some form of colourwork / slip stitch structure and a smaller needle so tighter gauge on the problem areas. You can also use duplicate stitch just on those areas which affects the shaping of the sock a bit less - also allows you to use another fibre like mohair or silk if you want something with a bit more strength. Personally I find merino isn't generally hard wearing enough for him. So far, BFL/Nylon has been the winning fibre (superwash because I refuse to hand wash all our socks!) Hope that helps :)
loving the spinning content,, I have just started spinning on a second hand wheel that sat unused for 7 years, had no clue how it worked, Binged a load of you tube content and figured how to get it going, luckily It came with some fleece, but it was still greasy, so had to clean that up. after about 15 hours of spinning I had enough yarn to make a sleeveless pullover and it took three days to knit, I love the feel and drape and all the nobbly uneveness of it, it sure looks like hand spun and has an amazing range of colour in it, Spinning is addictive,
re: socks wearing out -- I've been wanting to try Elizabeth Zimmerman's Moccasin socks (from the Knitter's Almanac), which are designed so that the entire bottom part of the foot can be replaced. I have found that my socks knit at a tight gauge (I use 2mm/US size 0) and using a non-merino wool/nylon blend (I especially like superwash high-twist BFL nylon blends) have lasted the longest.
Omgosh, THANK YOU!! I actually mentioned this technique in my comment a few days ago, but couldn’t remember where I’d seen it. It’s been driving me bonkers!!
I read the comments about knitting on planes. I have also flown internationally and domestic, even this past year, and have never had my knitting needles or scissors taken away. I have had my yarn ball roll down the middle aisle of a plane. My hubbie retrieved it for me. 😊
Hi, this year i had several pairs of socks wear out after not much wear too. My socks wear out in the same place you spoke about, the ball of my foot. My best solution is knitting on size 0, and using more rustic yarn. Not merino. More like german sock yarns, commercial brands like Opal. My more rustic sock yarns that are still superwash have lasted the longest. Online, piratewollen from etsy too. They do not feel soft like merino, but they last. My socks wear in such a big patch i cant darn them. It would be too much work to do this. Good luck!
I love that you're adding spinning to your content. 2021 was my year for knitting with my handspun and spinning with intention. I appreciate you sharing your bullet journals. So helpful!
I appreciate you mentioning it's ok to not have a perfect piece, especially when learning for the first time. As I'm sitting here listening, I'm working on my first open lace scarf. I've already frogged partly and completely once each. I still see mistakes, but now I don't feel so bad about them after your comments (around 18:30). Thank you for that.
I am loving the spinning content and everything in between!! Always fun to see you and enjoy your joyful personality and behind the scene of your designs, family, and knitting journey! Merry Christmas!! Love all of your designs, grateful for all of them!!
I’ve flown with knitting to and from Canada to USA and Mexico and Europe and haven’t had issues. What our government website suggests is not bringing the traditional straight needles made out of metal, and using more blunt typed like wood and circular. I knit a hat to and from Mexico with smaller sized metal circulars with no issue in my carry on. I think the stopper and circulars is a great idea.
With regards to socks wearing out- l would look for sock yarns that are made with some stronger or longer wools. West Yorkshire Spinners is one that comes to mind immediately, it is made with a high percentage of BFL. Even sock yarns that just say "wool" rather than "merino" may work better. Fine wools feel wonderful and often dye beautifully so they are really common to find, but the soft is a tradeoff for strength. (I would also avoid Targhee for your socks, it is a wonderful sproingy wool but it is also too fine to be long lasting in socks, at least in my experience.)
An old Swedish technique for making socks last longer is to knit strands of hairs into the heel (granted that someone in the family has long hair). Just take some hairs from a brush and knit them together with your sock yarn. ☺️
Thanks for the spinning journal ideas! I have been just writing sporadic narratives, but your method will lead to much more intentionality and I will give it a whirl in 2022. I love your handspun sweater! I do use my yarns for my knits, but spin first for the joy of it and then look for matching projects afterward. That has lead to a huge backlog of yarn. Good for you for avoiding that! Thanks for sharing both your spinning and designing journeys and happy holidays.
I've been a bullet journalist for the last few years (and a knitter for even longer), so I am tickled to see my two loves merge in your video! I love a bullet journal flip-through.
ahhh I'm here for this pep talk I didn't know I needed! I feel all those things and the pressure for things to be perfect and not giving myself space to learn and make mistakes. Loving this episode so much thank you !!
In reference to the question about imposter syndrome... I am an art teacher and it breaks my heart to hear my [high schoolers] say, “I can’t draw”. I always reassure them that they’re in the class because the want to learn! Just remember that - classes are there to teach you, I hope I’m not the only teacher that is happy to show my students the ropes!
People tell me that too and I always say I sucked in the beginning at everything I try at first. It’s not natural talent it’s all from practice and repetition!
Fun story! Charles Schultz was told he couldn't draw (he drew Peanuts cartoons). There are also some really awesome videos on RUclips of people showing their progress through the years as they stuck with drawing. It just requires a lot of practice and learning a few different techniques. Some people naturally/instinctively "see"/"understand" the techniques needed, some do not.
I have super high arches. Actually had one foot lower and the heel moved to make it less so. I used to wear through my socks at the side of the heel and outside ball of my feet. Those are the same spots that start to wear out in my shoes. What I did to combat some of that wear in hand knit socks is tighten up my gauge by going down to a US 0 for most socks. A looser gauge seems to cause friction against itself, as well as against the skin, shoe, etc. If you tighten up the gauge, then wash the socks prior to wearing, so that they have sort of gotten comfortable where the stitches are sitting, then the wear spots disappeared for me, for the most part. For better wearing socks, I also look for a higher twist, 3 or more plies, and not super soft. Super soft yarns are great to knit with, but frankly, they just don't hold up for me. They don't hold up well in sweaters, mittens, and for sure they don't hold up in socks. Love your channel. Super real and I love that. Thank you.
I love your new spinning content. I only knit with handspun. When I first started knitting several years ago I quickly realized that I would never be able to afford all of the beautiful indie dyed yarn that I saw on RUclips. I decided that I would teach myself to spin and dye fiber because it is much less expensive that way. So I use my Christmas money, birthday money, etc. to purchase wool, cotton, flax, silk, mohair, etc, by the pound, and any new dye colors I want to try and that is my supply for the year. I started out buying eight pounds of white wool each January and I dyed with vinegar and food coloring. After a couple of years of doing that I begin adding different breeds of wool and cotton and luxury fibers, real acid dyes, equipment, etc. Now I also buy raw fleeces and I've purchased larger equipment, etc. I haven't made all of my purchases yet with my Christmas money this year but I keep thinking I may want to buy some bare superwash sock yarn to dye because it takes dye in such a beautiful way but everytime I go to the website and see the price per skein I can't allow myself to pull the trigger. I am very thrifty, by necessity, but sometimes I wish I could allow myself to splurge. I am so thankful that I learned to spin and dye because it has become a passion...just another part of my love for all things fiber related. I love fiber and I love the community that has built up around it. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and I pray that you will have a fibertastic New Year!
Andrea, you just explained how to differentiate instruction in a way that is practical and manageable. Both the teacher and students need to consider their options to improve learning. You also underscore the importance of the learner knowing which strategies work best for them. You are an amazing teacher!
Thank you for everything that you share on your videos. I relate very well and have a lot of gratitude for your honesty and willingness to share your experience. Thank you!!
I've always put my needles in a project bag, pencil case, or makeup bag in my carry on to go through security. I've never had problems and I've flown internationally through Germany and Ukraine with vintage metal sock DPNs which are probably the most weapon-ish knitting needles out there.
A couple of suggestions for knitting longer wearing socks: 1) try knitting at a tighter gauge - go down to a size 0 needle 2) try a yarn with a high twist such as Regia or Opal.
I don’t spin and probably never will BUT I love the fibers we knit with and I love hearing about the process of making them. One video with both works well!
I have been a knitter for 20+ years. I just started learning to spin using a drop spindle 6 months ago. My husband came home today with a Schacht Matchless. This is a new journey for me too!
I'm a brand new spinner, working on a drop spindle, and this episode gave me the motivation to get back in after a short break out of frustration that I'm not "good enough." So thank you!
Callouses/rough skin on the feet can also wear holes in socks. I've found that shaving off callouses or using a pumice stone regularly can help cut down on that abrasiveness.
I agree and learned brioche on a swatch using tutorials. When I am doing a lace chart I knit it in cotton on a size that can used as a wash cloth, especially for shawl that increases often. If if you don't know the pattern going straight up it's very hard to understand if you are getting it right when adding extra stitches.
Love the spinning content! Finally taught myself to spin about five(ish?) years ago (intended to learn ~25 years ago but stupid/busy life stuff). I've only spun on spindles thus far; was recently given an antique wheel but haven't tried it yet. I don't spin particularly intentionally and tend to leave much of my handspun as singles. Love to see what other spinners are working on - the fibers, plans, WIPs, FOs... Re perfection - you are so right - it is the enemy of good after all, or so I've heard. As a reformed perfectionist, former hostage of imposter syndrome, some things that have helped : learn to love the process foremost, don't get hooked into some specific, often idealized, outcome (during initial learning phase at least); be constantly open to learning and exploring - embrace the suspense between the not-knowing and learning,, when new information and skills begin to unfold. Happy Holidays!
I took a spinning class from Jillian at a yarn festival. She was an excellent teacher. I enjoy your spinning segments. Thanks for all the great resources. I look forward to your Q&A each week.
Shoe fit really matters when it comes to walking through your socks. Proper arch support & a snug fit at the gusset and toe box helps prevent friction from slipping about. I used to wear through my socks but getting orthotic inserts & better shoes helped a lot.
Merino quite nice for fancy socks, But for everyday hand knit wool socks I go for a German or British commercial 75/25 fingering weight wool to nylon blend. They wear like iron for me. Also try a very tight gauge.
I LOVE the Spinning content. I feel like I've been stagnant with my Spinning. I only spin one way and not even sure of the style. My goal fir 2022 is to progress and to do more "intentional spinning" as you call it, I love the term and it is exactly what I need I tried knitting with my hands-on very early on in my Spinning journey and I don't think I was ready. I look forward to more Spinning content and Spinning along with you.
Hi Andrea, I love listening to you share about your extensive knitting experience--thanks for all you do to advance my skills and understanding. Anyway, I have high arches and have many pairs of hand-knit and running socks that have lasted for years. My husband, on the other hand, who has flat arches, can't get through a year without wearing out the balls and heels of his socks. We finally figured out that the skin on those parts of his feet is very rough and literally wears away at the fabric of the sock from inside. Hope this helps!
Over here--high arches! Same problems! I've learned that (and you probably already know this from knitting heels) that any stitch with ribbing is more durable than stitches that are stockinette or stockinette-ish. So I've seen knitters incorporate some kind of ribbing at the stress points. The ones who can do this in pattern are really amazing!
Oh my I love your Journal! I have been spinning for a little over 10 years now and keep telling myself I should write down what the heck I am doing but I always seem to get distracted...by more spinning and crafting. Thank you for the tutorial on how to go about setting it up! I think I want to try and make a crochet/knit/weave/spinning journal just because there is sooooo much to write about and I think I could fill a good sized journal in a year easy. I am so inspired now :)
Thank you for the spinning content! I have been spinning for 10+ years but am newly inspired to start a bullet journal just for spinning based on yours. My current project is Illuminate, knit in handspun, and it does have energy! Happy spinning 🙂
You really are inspiring me to want to spin with intentions. I just spin the fun colored hand dyed rovings and the they sit in my stash. Your sweater is gorgeous. Also I didn’t realize I could get fiber from farms already processed.
I am a retired science teacher and you are speaking my truth. It is okay to say that you don’t know something. No one knows it all. When I need a tutorial, I go to your videos because I relate to your teaching style. If we continue to learn and to accept instruction, we are among the lucky ones. Thank you for all of your information.
I love that you are adding spinning content. I am a new spinner and have a Schacht Matchless, I just ordered a Schacht Ladybug to have a second wheel for samples and trying to spin different fibers while my first wheel is set up for a long spin. I really love spinning too and can’t wait to make my first sweater using my own hand spun. Thanks for sharing your spinning journal!
Look forward to each of your videos - thanks! I just knit a hat for my granddaughter from my own handspun -it's not perfect, but she loves anything I make for her!
I *love* the spinning content! I started spinning with a drop spindle, then bought a used Kromski minstrel. I signed up for an online class, but I had too many questions, so I've stalled out. Watching this is giving me the push to find in-person instruction. I just learn best that way. Thank you for all the great information that you bring each week! 🙂
I am a history teacher about to start a brand new course to teach and your comment about being truthful and impostor really resonated with me! It is so hard to be vulnerable but if you can advocate for your self or be willing to do research you can learn. Thank you so much for sharing your truth!!
I've noticed you have very beautiful handwriting and wonder if you have any artistic abilities. Wishing you a wonderful holiday and a blessed and healthy New Year, Andrea...to you and your family. 🎄⛄❄️💖💕 Absolutely loving your extended video showing your progress with spinning!!!🤗
Regarding wear patterns in socks. Mine wear in heals & ball. I once was in a sock technique class, the class participants talked this subject, and asked about darning. On student, said they purposely twisted the stitches in her 'wear' areas and they wore much longer. I did try this with some skepticism. Mostly cause i have a sensitive foot, and thought it would be uncomfortable. But it wasn't irritating and the areas wore longer. It worked! But not sure why. What's your opinion as to why this worked?
It is so wonderful to listen to you talk about knitting your sweaters with your hand spun. I knit my sweaters with hand spun, but it sure is nice to see what you have done, which pattern you used, how you adapted it and so forth.
I have high arches and wear out my socks at the ball of the foot (and sometimes heel). Tighter stitches help, so 2.25 or 2.0 mm needles, along with a yarn with some nylon. Brands with a tight twist in the yarn also wear better, so some examples are Opal, Trekking/Zitron, or West Yorkshire Spinners. I have tried carrying a laceweight (in same or similar fiber content) along with the main yarn from just before the ball through to the toe, and that wears well but is not always great for the sock design. I have tried pre-darning the sock across the ball of the foot-that is, darn it as if it had a hole but do it after you finish knitting the sock and before you wear it. Also time consuming, but it wears well. The other thing is to make sure the sock fits snugly enough that there won’t be excess wear due to being too loose. To that end, I often add a little bit of ribbing down the length of the foot, two or three k1p1 ribs on each side of the foot, which gives a bit of stretchy snugness to the sock. But again, that can be tricky if the sock foot is patterned. Finally, I hand wash my socks and I try to catch the development of thin spots and fix those with duplicate stitch before a hole actually forms. The war on sock holes is a real battle for some of us, and I just try to remember that you can’t win them all.
Happy Holidays!🎄🎁🎅 I am looking forward to tackling new projects and learning new knitting techniques I haven't tried. Wishing you all the best for the new year!🎉🥳🧶🧶🧶
Just FYI about flying with your knitting: also check if your scissors are allowed. My notions bag was searched multiple times in Germany and they measured the length of my scissors. I thought they were going to be confiscated. Either bring a snip (like the Cocoknits one) or leave your scissors in your checked luggage.
I really like that you are keeping the spinning section attached to the knitting videos. I'm just a knitter for now, but I live learning about fiber and techniques that go into spinning yarn. I love that you are including us in your spinning journey 😊
Love the format of Knitting & Spinning content, it is a lovely combo. I find it interesting to learn about the origin, structure and techniques for hand spinning. As long as it's fiber, I'm in! I always enjoy your episodes here in Ireland, and appreciate you sharing your enthusiasm for your craft(s)! Thank you for being a bright spot to look forward to. "Go raibh maith agat" (thank you in Irish).
I love your interchangeable needle case you showed in this episode. Could you provide the name and/or link. I’m also a new spinner and I really appreciate your comments about learning to spin. I discovered I did lots of little spins trying things out and trying to get comfortable. I recently used some of those spins up in your pattern the shift. It was a great pattern for my early spins.
Thanks so much for the info you posted on bullet journals. I started with the video you referenced, then bought the book and am about to start my own journal. I’m really hoping this will work for me! It’s sounds like a great blend of calendar, task list and journal for notes etc. LOVE the index idea at the beginning.
Back when I still flew, it seemed that one TSA Agent would interpret the rules one way and another had her own understanding. Hopefully, they are better trained now but it was frustrating. I never had a problem with needles in my checked luggage but ten years ago, they were still randomly confiscating them from other knitters so I packed them. I'm hooked on books anyway, so that was ok. I'm glad to hear that it's becoming more consistent. Good topics - as Stephen West says; "Say yes, don't stress". You're saying it more specifically, with great examples and it's a great message. As a non spinner, I still found that process interesting and made me appreciate the hand spun I have purchased even more than I did. So as you did today, you put a clear 'label' in, telling folks where to tune out if it's not of interest and that's a cool way to manage it to keep both groups happy. Another idea might be to put that first so that non spinners might like to skip ahead and yet still complete the video which makes YT happier. Happy New Year.
I was taught to knit regular sewing thread with the bottom of the foot. It sounds cuddly but it protects the yarn from a lot of rubbing. I hate autocorrect, if it sounds fiddly!
If you wind the left over bits on your bobbins into balls or cakes you can then pull from the inside and outside of the ball. This will allow you to create a two ply yarn and hopefully not have as many random left overs. Hope this is helpful.
Hello, and thanks for these podcasts! I have been following along since the start :) I was glad for the question about sock holes in the ball of the foot, because that happens to my partner as well. And he also has high arches - how funny that that might be linked! I don’t have the solution to this issue, but I did recently get The Knitter’s Book of Socks by Clara Parkes, and I noticed one pattern that is supposed to be nearly indestructible - the Annapurna Socks by Anne Budd. It has a reinforced sole, so it might be worth a try. Here is a description from Ravelry: The leg and instep are worked in the two-row slip-stitch pattern commonly used to add strength to heel flaps. The last inch or so of the heel flap, the heel turn, and the toe are worked with two strands of yarn held together. The sole of the foot is also worked with two strands of yarn in a technique Mary Snyder used for her Padded Footlets in Favorite Socks (Interweave, 2006). Even if you don’t plan to climb mountains, you’ll find these socks extremely comfortable (and warm!). Also, I have flown a lot internationally with knitting needles - all over Africa and Asia. The only time I had my needles taken away was over 10 years ago in Portugal. That was a circular needle with metal tips, probably 3.5mm so not even that threatening! It was disappointing, but hey, it only happened once so far! When I am in doubt, I take a project on board with wood or bamboo needles and put any metal needles in my checked bag.
Thanks so much for letting people know its ok Not know everything ? Just loved your explanation of this . I worked in a yarn shop for many years and taught beginning knitting and if I could only get that thought a-crossed it was so freeing to the beginners . Just LOVE your Podcast your so real and accessible . Many Hugs , Happy New Years !!!!
Great job first. Love watching you. Wpi (wraps per inch) grist(how tight the spin is) Other then those two things your journal is great. I have on for yarn spinning and one for dyeing. Fun fun
Love this new combo of kitting and spinning. Quick tip for the spinning journal- note your singles ratio and ply ratio. Makes it much easier if you have to go back and spin a bit more for a project. Or just a great reference for future sampling of the same or similar fiber.
I'm not a spinner yet, but thourghly interested and love watching you talk about it. Your sweater is gorgeous. My mother was a home ec teacher and she would always say a flying horse would never see it, talking about small imperfections. She wanted me to move forward from perfectionism. When you mentioned that is made me think of lessons now that she's gone. Thanks so much for sharing! You are such a gifted teacher with such sound advice. Becky
Really enjoy your conversational style! On the sock wear question…I’ve been doing a year long experiment to help inform this for myself, tracking lots of info on the yarn and techniques and noting wear and wash. I’d also encourage high twist and long staple, really tight gauge, and take a look at your feet/skin! I was getting holes very quickly when it finally dawned on me these were happening in the spots where my skin was also the roughest. I’ve had the best results with sock wear after getting a foot file and good cream, along with the sock making techniques.
I’m so glad you’ve added a spinning section! I really need to get back to my wheel and you’re inspiring me - in more ways than one! I just finished knitting Inclinations with handspun and love it 😆
Late to the party. Love learning about your spinning even though I’m not at all close to being able to do it. Your pink yarn and cream - in a shawl something like the socks you made with the colour peeping through 😍 any way you’ve probably already done it 🤩
I have always used my handspun in preference over bought yarn. I enjoy the process and the joy of looking at a finished garment and knowing I made it from start to finish. Well almost as I don't own the sheep etc but still I much prefer using my handspun. Fortunately I have grown children who still love to wear my handspun so thats a constant source of ready wearers for my garments. Wait til you start dyeing the yarn too.... a whole new world will open up for you!
Both me and my BF have high arches and our socks last for years. My brother is the flat footed one that wears through not only his socks but his shoes since he could walk. I think it may have more to do with how you walk than anything. Just a guess.🤷♀️
Good point! I wonder if shoe fit may play a factor as well. My husband likes a snug fit in his shoe, vs myself. My foot slides a tiny bit (a feel I prefer after wearing clogs so much). My socks wear thru
On the knitting needles thing: metal circular needles often look like blasting caps on their metal scanners. This is made worse by the fact that a lot of non-knitters kind of just assume that knitting needles should be wood or plastic, so things like Hiya Hiya sharps can freak some people out. I would recommend only bringing the needles you're actively using on the plane in your carry on, and if you're really worried, using bamboo needles for the plane (some Takumi needles are cheap and very workable). Also, TSA will almost always want to take the needles out of the bag to get a closer look at them. I really recommend some cheap point protectors because every time they do, a few stitches at least has inevitably fallen off my needles.
I have high arches and I haven't experienced holes in my socks, they last for years. I would guess it's more of an issue with gauge, although I'm sure you knit for your husband and you and he's getting holes and you're not so that doesn't account for that difference. I have a tight gauge, especially on socks. Thank you for the spinning journal layout ideas. I'm new to tracking/journaling but just bought a journal for both knitting and spinning (two separate journals). I like the idea of keeping track of what you're doing, especially since I rarely finish something without picking up something new then going back to the older project.
I am so excited that you have incorporated spinning into your podcast. I am a new spinning and the passion for spinning that you describe is exactly how i feel. :)
I love your sections on spinning! I used to fly about 8 times a month and thankfully I've never had my needles taken away! After carrying them on at least 20 times, I did have a pair of snips taken away. I'd put straight needles, dpns, and metal stitch holders in my checked bag- because it's up to the TSA agent at security even if technically knitting needles are allowed. Also haven't had any problems internationally so far, going to or coming back to the US (from Europe, Canada, Mexico & South America), I haven't had any problems :)
Loving the spinning content! I have been spinning for a year and have recently bought a sweater quantity of fibre to spin up. It’s one of my goals to spin it up and knit it into a sweater early next year so your nurture sweater looks like a good starting point. Happy Christmas to you and your family. 🌲 🎉
I love what you had to say about giving ourselves time to learn AND the resources! I loved knitting early on because I was producing something and didn't feel guilty for spending time doing what I enjoy. Later when I got better, I didn't want to use my lovely fiber for learning something that may not turn out. I appreciate what you shared. P.S. where did you get your needle case? 🤩
Hi Andrea! I have seen “The Noble Character” podcast and while I’m not sure of “how”, she knits slip stitch heels and uses the same slip stitches on the ball of her foot.
For the sock question: So far I haven't had any holes blow out in my hand knit socks. I have used a lot of Regia and Opal (75% wool, 25% nylon) but my favourite socks for my cold climate winter wear are the same make up but nonsuperwash. I find the nonsuperwash to be warmer but the heels do wear out sooner than the superwash ones. Not sure if that info helps for you picking out sock yarn! And there are some good videos on youtube for reinforcing socks. There's one that shows 3 different techniques, so try and check those out and reinforce the balls of your feet and hopefully that'll help prevent holes from forming!!
I have high arches and I also tend to wear out wool socks(store bought) in the ball and heel. I knitted a bunch of my first wool socks last year and haven’t worn them enough to say about those, though.
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I am a high school math, computer science, and engineering teacher. It is always scary to make mistakes in front of students, especially students who can be sooooo much smarter than you. I have founds it is impossible to be perfect 😊. I have learned that it is better to be ok with my mistakes.
We live in a society where we are afraid of failing. However, I bet that when you fail at something you really learn. My students cannot stand the thought of failing, so I have decided that failing in front of them, and showing how to react to failure gracefully but positively is more important than the lesson itself. Anyone who is good at anything has failed many times!
Also my students become brave and have taught me many things and have made me a better teacher!
So show us what you know! You are a great teacher!
My husband wears through store bought socks at the ball of the feet as well as under the heel within months! He is super hard on his socks and the ones I've handknit him have lasted a year already with no signs of wear. When I knit him socks, I use 2.25mm needles with 64 sts and I have a stitch gauge of 8sts per inch. A tight/firm gauge will help with wear. Patons Kroy is a yarn I've used for him a few times and I find it thicker, almost a sport weight but he and I both like it. I have done afterthought reinforcement on the soles with a silk/mohair blend (trying to keep it all natural). Roxanne Richardson has a RUclips tutorial to show you how to do it. There is also reinforcement "thread" that is sold with a certain brand of yarn (Regia, I believe) that you hold double with your working yarn when knitting the foot.
I taught my mom how to knit a couple months ago and I was so excited to encourage her through the parts of learning that discouraged me so much in the beginning. We have crochet for years so it’s like learning a new language. Now she can read a pattern and understand different yarn weights and yardage. She made our entire family slippers by Christmas Eve and in so proud of her!!! 💕
When flying with knitting, I have discovered TSA is more amenable if there is a started project and not just loose needles in the carryon. I carry a project, and extra needles and everyone is accommodating about it.
I don’t know much about spinning but have enjoyed the exposure to it through you! So appreciate your teaching tips!
I like how you said that we should “gift ourselves the time” to practice new techniques. You are so right. Thank you for that reminder. Merry Christmas to you and your family. 😊
I just love how you light up when talking about knitting with your hand-spun yarn!!
My husband also wears through the balls of his socks SO fast, and my main fix is using some form of colourwork / slip stitch structure and a smaller needle so tighter gauge on the problem areas. You can also use duplicate stitch just on those areas which affects the shaping of the sock a bit less - also allows you to use another fibre like mohair or silk if you want something with a bit more strength. Personally I find merino isn't generally hard wearing enough for him. So far, BFL/Nylon has been the winning fibre (superwash because I refuse to hand wash all our socks!) Hope that helps :)
Thanks for sharing!
That's very helpful, thank you!
Changing your gauge (knitting on a smaller needle) for your sock should help massively. Try a BFL/nylon blend if you can.
loving the spinning content,, I have just started spinning on a second hand wheel that sat unused for 7 years, had no clue how it worked, Binged a load of you tube content and figured how to get it going, luckily It came with some fleece, but it was still greasy, so had to clean that up. after about 15 hours of spinning I had enough yarn to make a sleeveless pullover and it took three days to knit, I love the feel and drape and all the nobbly uneveness of it, it sure looks like hand spun and has an amazing range of colour in it, Spinning is addictive,
re: socks wearing out -- I've been wanting to try Elizabeth Zimmerman's Moccasin socks (from the Knitter's Almanac), which are designed so that the entire bottom part of the foot can be replaced. I have found that my socks knit at a tight gauge (I use 2mm/US size 0) and using a non-merino wool/nylon blend (I especially like superwash high-twist BFL nylon blends) have lasted the longest.
Omgosh, THANK YOU!! I actually mentioned this technique in my comment a few days ago, but couldn’t remember where I’d seen it. It’s been driving me bonkers!!
I read the comments about knitting on planes. I have also flown internationally and domestic, even this past year, and have never had my knitting needles or scissors taken away. I have had my yarn ball roll down the middle aisle of a plane. My hubbie retrieved it for me. 😊
Hi, this year i had several pairs of socks wear out after not much wear too. My socks wear out in the same place you spoke about, the ball of my foot. My best solution is knitting on size 0, and using more rustic yarn. Not merino. More like german sock yarns, commercial brands like Opal. My more rustic sock yarns that are still superwash have lasted the longest. Online, piratewollen from etsy too. They do not feel soft like merino, but they last. My socks wear in such a big patch i cant darn them. It would be too much work to do this. Good luck!
I love that you're adding spinning to your content. 2021 was my year for knitting with my handspun and spinning with intention. I appreciate you sharing your bullet journals. So helpful!
So fun! I'm planning to focus on my handspun much more this year!
I appreciate you mentioning it's ok to not have a perfect piece, especially when learning for the first time. As I'm sitting here listening, I'm working on my first open lace scarf. I've already frogged partly and completely once each. I still see mistakes, but now I don't feel so bad about them after your comments (around 18:30). Thank you for that.
I am loving the spinning content and everything in between!! Always fun to see you and enjoy your joyful personality and behind the scene of your designs, family, and knitting journey! Merry Christmas!! Love all of your designs, grateful for all of them!!
I’m more dangerous without my knitting than I ever will be with knitting needles😜
I’ve flown with knitting to and from Canada to USA and Mexico and Europe and haven’t had issues. What our government website suggests is not bringing the traditional straight needles made out of metal, and using more blunt typed like wood and circular. I knit a hat to and from Mexico with smaller sized metal circulars with no issue in my carry on. I think the stopper and circulars is a great idea.
With regards to socks wearing out- l would look for sock yarns that are made with some stronger or longer wools. West Yorkshire Spinners is one that comes to mind immediately, it is made with a high percentage of BFL. Even sock yarns that just say "wool" rather than "merino" may work better. Fine wools feel wonderful and often dye beautifully so they are really common to find, but the soft is a tradeoff for strength. (I would also avoid Targhee for your socks, it is a wonderful sproingy wool but it is also too fine to be long lasting in socks, at least in my experience.)
Oh I got some of this for Christmas, I will have to try it out!
An old Swedish technique for making socks last longer is to knit strands of hairs into the heel (granted that someone in the family has long hair). Just take some hairs from a brush and knit them together with your sock yarn. ☺️
I do this on accident all the time but I never knit socks 😂
@@TaylorOwen 😂
@@TaylorOwen pop pop
Does cat fur count?? I hope so because my projects are approximately 50% cat fluff by the time I finish them… bluddy needy cats🤣
Thanks for the spinning journal ideas! I have been just writing sporadic narratives, but your method will lead to much more intentionality and I will give it a whirl in 2022. I love your handspun sweater! I do use my yarns for my knits, but spin first for the joy of it and then look for matching projects afterward. That has lead to a huge backlog of yarn. Good for you for avoiding that! Thanks for sharing both your spinning and designing journeys and happy holidays.
I've been a bullet journalist for the last few years (and a knitter for even longer), so I am tickled to see my two loves merge in your video! I love a bullet journal flip-through.
ahhh I'm here for this pep talk I didn't know I needed! I feel all those things and the pressure for things to be perfect and not giving myself space to learn and make mistakes. Loving this episode so much thank you !!
In reference to the question about imposter syndrome... I am an art teacher and it breaks my heart to hear my [high schoolers] say, “I can’t draw”. I always reassure them that they’re in the class because the want to learn! Just remember that - classes are there to teach you, I hope I’m not the only teacher that is happy to show my students the ropes!
People tell me that too and I always say I sucked in the beginning at everything I try at first. It’s not natural talent it’s all from practice and repetition!
Fun story! Charles Schultz was told he couldn't draw (he drew Peanuts cartoons).
There are also some really awesome videos on RUclips of people showing their progress through the years as they stuck with drawing. It just requires a lot of practice and learning a few different techniques. Some people naturally/instinctively "see"/"understand" the techniques needed, some do not.
I have super high arches. Actually had one foot lower and the heel moved to make it less so. I used to wear through my socks at the side of the heel and outside ball of my feet. Those are the same spots that start to wear out in my shoes. What I did to combat some of that wear in hand knit socks is tighten up my gauge by going down to a US 0 for most socks. A looser gauge seems to cause friction against itself, as well as against the skin, shoe, etc. If you tighten up the gauge, then wash the socks prior to wearing, so that they have sort of gotten comfortable where the stitches are sitting, then the wear spots disappeared for me, for the most part. For better wearing socks, I also look for a higher twist, 3 or more plies, and not super soft. Super soft yarns are great to knit with, but frankly, they just don't hold up for me. They don't hold up well in sweaters, mittens, and for sure they don't hold up in socks. Love your channel. Super real and I love that. Thank you.
I love your new spinning content. I only knit with handspun. When I first started knitting several years ago I quickly realized that I would never be able to afford all of the beautiful indie dyed yarn that I saw on RUclips. I decided that I would teach myself to spin and dye fiber because it is much less expensive that way. So I use my Christmas money, birthday money, etc. to purchase wool, cotton, flax, silk, mohair, etc, by the pound, and any new dye colors I want to try and that is my supply for the year. I started out buying eight pounds of white wool each January and I dyed with vinegar and food coloring. After a couple of years of doing that I begin adding different breeds of wool and cotton and luxury fibers, real acid dyes, equipment, etc. Now I also buy raw fleeces and I've purchased larger equipment, etc. I haven't made all of my purchases yet with my Christmas money this year but I keep thinking I may want to buy some bare superwash sock yarn to dye because it takes dye in such a beautiful way but everytime I go to the website and see the price per skein I can't allow myself to pull the trigger. I am very thrifty, by necessity, but sometimes I wish I could allow myself to splurge. I am so thankful that I learned to spin and dye because it has become a passion...just another part of my love for all things fiber related. I love fiber and I love the community that has built up around it. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and I pray that you will have a fibertastic New Year!
Andrea, you just explained how to differentiate instruction in a way that is practical and manageable. Both the teacher and students need to consider their options to improve learning. You also underscore the importance of the learner knowing which strategies work best for them. You are an amazing teacher!
Thank you so much!
Thank you for everything that you share on your videos. I relate very well and have a lot of gratitude for your honesty and willingness to share your experience. Thank you!!
I love your handspinning segments. Your yarns are lovely! Very inspiring.
I love when people share as they are learning…. As we all have skills we are good at and plenty to learn.
I've always put my needles in a project bag, pencil case, or makeup bag in my carry on to go through security. I've never had problems and I've flown internationally through Germany and Ukraine with vintage metal sock DPNs which are probably the most weapon-ish knitting needles out there.
A couple of suggestions for knitting longer wearing socks: 1) try knitting at a tighter gauge - go down to a size 0 needle 2) try a yarn with a high twist such as Regia or Opal.
I don’t spin and probably never will BUT I love the fibers we knit with and I love hearing about the process of making them. One video with both works well!
I have been a knitter for 20+ years. I just started learning to spin using a drop spindle 6 months ago. My husband came home today with a Schacht Matchless. This is a new journey for me too!
Wahoo! So exciting!
I'm a brand new spinner, working on a drop spindle, and this episode gave me the motivation to get back in after a short break out of frustration that I'm not "good enough." So thank you!
This episode was so inspiring. It’s good to think about how we learn as individuals and to give ourselves space to identify our own needs.
Callouses/rough skin on the feet can also wear holes in socks. I've found that shaving off callouses or using a pumice stone regularly can help cut down on that abrasiveness.
Good tip!
I agree and learned brioche on a swatch using tutorials. When I am doing a lace chart I knit it in cotton on a size that can used as a wash cloth, especially for shawl that increases often. If if you don't know the pattern going straight up it's very hard to understand if you are getting it right when adding extra stitches.
What a lovely idea! Beautiful washcloth and good practice!
Love the spinning content! Finally taught myself to spin about five(ish?) years ago (intended to learn ~25 years ago but stupid/busy life stuff). I've only spun on spindles thus far; was recently given an antique wheel but haven't tried it yet. I don't spin particularly intentionally and tend to leave much of my handspun as singles. Love to see what other spinners are working on - the fibers, plans, WIPs, FOs... Re perfection - you are so right - it is the enemy of good after all, or so I've heard. As a reformed perfectionist, former hostage of imposter syndrome, some things that have helped : learn to love the process foremost, don't get hooked into some specific, often idealized, outcome (during initial learning phase at least); be constantly open to learning and exploring - embrace the suspense between the not-knowing and learning,, when new information and skills begin to unfold. Happy Holidays!
I took a spinning class from Jillian at a yarn festival. She was an excellent teacher. I enjoy your spinning segments. Thanks for all the great resources. I look forward to your Q&A each week.
Shoe fit really matters when it comes to walking through your socks. Proper arch support & a snug fit at the gusset and toe box helps prevent friction from slipping about. I used to wear through my socks but getting orthotic inserts & better shoes helped a lot.
Merino quite nice for fancy socks, But for everyday hand knit wool socks I go for a German or British commercial 75/25 fingering weight wool to nylon blend. They wear like iron for me. Also try a very tight gauge.
Thank you for sharing your spinning journal. I have wanted to make one and didn’t know where to start!
I love the addition of your spinning. I can't wait to get my wheel. It has been on back order since November. Hopefully I will have it by February
I LOVE the Spinning content. I feel like I've been stagnant with my Spinning. I only spin one way and not even sure of the style. My goal fir 2022 is to progress and to do more "intentional spinning" as you call it, I love the term and it is exactly what I need I tried knitting with my hands-on very early on in my Spinning journey and I don't think I was ready. I look forward to more Spinning content and Spinning along with you.
Hi Andrea, I love listening to you share about your extensive knitting experience--thanks for all you do to advance my skills and understanding. Anyway, I have high arches and have many pairs of hand-knit and running socks that have lasted for years. My husband, on the other hand, who has flat arches, can't get through a year without wearing out the balls and heels of his socks. We finally figured out that the skin on those parts of his feet is very rough and literally wears away at the fabric of the sock from inside. Hope this helps!
This is probably a really good point that I should pay better attention to!
Looks like it's time for Pete to get a pedicure!! I had not thought of this. Thank you for sharing!
Over here--high arches! Same problems! I've learned that (and you probably already know this from knitting heels) that any stitch with ribbing is more durable than stitches that are stockinette or stockinette-ish. So I've seen knitters incorporate some kind of ribbing at the stress points. The ones who can do this in pattern are really amazing!
Great podcast - you are so natural and funny! Totally enjoyable!
Right on Sista! Keep it real! So appreciate your vulnerability and honesty. Genuine!
I'm so excited about all this! Love all the knitting, bulleting journal and spinning content. It's just wonderful! Happy Holidays!!!- Kimberly
Oh my I love your Journal! I have been spinning for a little over 10 years now and keep telling myself I should write down what the heck I am doing but I always seem to get distracted...by more spinning and crafting. Thank you for the tutorial on how to go about setting it up! I think I want to try and make a crochet/knit/weave/spinning journal just because there is sooooo much to write about and I think I could fill a good sized journal in a year easy. I am so inspired now :)
Thank you for the spinning content! I have been spinning for 10+ years but am newly inspired to start a bullet journal just for spinning based on yours. My current project is Illuminate, knit in handspun, and it does have energy! Happy spinning 🙂
You really are inspiring me to want to spin with intentions. I just spin the fun colored hand dyed rovings and the they sit in my stash. Your sweater is gorgeous. Also I didn’t realize I could get fiber from farms already processed.
I am a retired science teacher and you are speaking my truth. It is okay to say that you don’t know something. No one knows it all. When I need a tutorial, I go to your videos because I relate to your teaching style. If we continue to learn and to accept instruction, we are among the lucky ones. Thank you for all of your information.
Thanks for sharing!
I love that you are adding spinning content. I am a new spinner and have a Schacht Matchless, I just ordered a Schacht Ladybug to have a second wheel for samples and trying to spin different fibers while my first wheel is set up for a long spin. I really love spinning too and can’t wait to make my first sweater using my own hand spun. Thanks for sharing your spinning journal!
Look forward to each of your videos - thanks! I just knit a hat for my granddaughter from my own handspun -it's not perfect, but she loves anything I make for her!
I *love* the spinning content! I started spinning with a drop spindle, then bought a used Kromski minstrel. I signed up for an online class, but I had too many questions, so I've stalled out. Watching this is giving me the push to find in-person instruction. I just learn best that way. Thank you for all the great information that you bring each week! 🙂
I hope you find a class you like! I would love to hear what you think of your Kromski! They make such beautiful wheels!
I am a history teacher about to start a brand new course to teach and your comment about being truthful and impostor really resonated with me! It is so hard to be vulnerable but if you can advocate for your self or be willing to do research you can learn. Thank you so much for sharing your truth!!
I've noticed you have very beautiful handwriting and wonder if you have any artistic abilities. Wishing you a wonderful holiday and a blessed and healthy New Year, Andrea...to you and your family. 🎄⛄❄️💖💕 Absolutely loving your extended video showing your progress with spinning!!!🤗
Happy holidays, Andrea. Thank you so much for your informative and positive podcasts over the Year. They are so helpful xxx
Regarding wear patterns in socks. Mine wear in heals & ball. I once was in a sock technique class, the class participants talked this subject, and asked about darning. On student, said they purposely twisted the stitches in her 'wear' areas and they wore much longer. I did try this with some skepticism. Mostly cause i have a sensitive foot, and thought it would be uncomfortable. But it wasn't irritating and the areas wore longer. It worked! But not sure why.
What's your opinion as to why this worked?
It is so wonderful to listen to you talk about knitting your sweaters with your hand spun. I knit my sweaters with hand spun, but it sure is nice to see what you have done, which pattern you used, how you adapted it and so forth.
I have high arches and wear out my socks at the ball of the foot (and sometimes heel). Tighter stitches help, so 2.25 or 2.0 mm needles, along with a yarn with some nylon. Brands with a tight twist in the yarn also wear better, so some examples are Opal, Trekking/Zitron, or West Yorkshire Spinners. I have tried carrying a laceweight (in same or similar fiber content) along with the main yarn from just before the ball through to the toe, and that wears well but is not always great for the sock design. I have tried pre-darning the sock across the ball of the foot-that is, darn it as if it had a hole but do it after you finish knitting the sock and before you wear it. Also time consuming, but it wears well. The other thing is to make sure the sock fits snugly enough that there won’t be excess wear due to being too loose. To that end, I often add a little bit of ribbing down the length of the foot, two or three k1p1 ribs on each side of the foot, which gives a bit of stretchy snugness to the sock. But again, that can be tricky if the sock foot is patterned. Finally, I hand wash my socks and I try to catch the development of thin spots and fix those with duplicate stitch before a hole actually forms. The war on sock holes is a real battle for some of us, and I just try to remember that you can’t win them all.
Happy Holidays!🎄🎁🎅 I am looking forward to tackling new projects and learning new knitting techniques I haven't tried. Wishing you all the best for the new year!🎉🥳🧶🧶🧶
Just FYI about flying with your knitting: also check if your scissors are allowed. My notions bag was searched multiple times in Germany and they measured the length of my scissors. I thought they were going to be confiscated. Either bring a snip (like the Cocoknits one) or leave your scissors in your checked luggage.
You’re so knowledgeable about yarn and I’m learning so much - now I need that book!
I really like that you are keeping the spinning section attached to the knitting videos. I'm just a knitter for now, but I live learning about fiber and techniques that go into spinning yarn. I love that you are including us in your spinning journey 😊
Love the format of Knitting & Spinning content, it is a lovely combo. I find it interesting to learn about the origin, structure and techniques for hand spinning. As long as it's fiber, I'm in! I always enjoy your episodes here in Ireland, and appreciate you sharing your enthusiasm for your craft(s)! Thank you for being a bright spot to look forward to. "Go raibh maith agat" (thank you in Irish).
I love your interchangeable needle case you showed in this episode. Could you provide the name and/or link.
I’m also a new spinner and I really appreciate your comments about learning to spin. I discovered I did lots of little spins trying things out and trying to get comfortable. I recently used some of those spins up in your pattern the shift. It was a great pattern for my early spins.
I agree that I am interested in the needle case you showed.
Hi! It is the Maxwell Utility Roll by Magpie Fibers!
Thanks so much for the info you posted on bullet journals. I started with the video you referenced, then bought the book and am about to start my own journal. I’m really hoping this will work for me! It’s sounds like a great blend of calendar, task list and journal for notes etc. LOVE the index idea at the beginning.
That is such good advice about allowing yourself time and materials to learn without expectation of the finished object at the end.
Back when I still flew, it seemed that one TSA Agent would interpret the rules one way and another had her own understanding. Hopefully, they are better trained now but it was frustrating. I never had a problem with needles in my checked luggage but ten years ago, they were still randomly confiscating them from other knitters so I packed them. I'm hooked on books anyway, so that was ok. I'm glad to hear that it's becoming more consistent. Good topics - as Stephen West says; "Say yes, don't stress". You're saying it more specifically, with great examples and it's a great message. As a non spinner, I still found that process interesting and made me appreciate the hand spun I have purchased even more than I did. So as you did today, you put a clear 'label' in, telling folks where to tune out if it's not of interest and that's a cool way to manage it to keep both groups happy. Another idea might be to put that first so that non spinners might like to skip ahead and yet still complete the video which makes YT happier. Happy New Year.
You really are the best. Thank you for all you do.
Andrea, I love your sweater! I’m drawn to your upbeat energy😊
Oh thank you!
I was taught to knit regular sewing thread with the bottom of the foot. It sounds cuddly but it protects the yarn from a lot of rubbing. I hate autocorrect, if it sounds fiddly!
If you wind the left over bits on your bobbins into balls or cakes you can then pull from the inside and outside of the ball. This will allow you to create a two ply yarn and hopefully not have as many random left overs. Hope this is helpful.
Hello, and thanks for these podcasts! I have been following along since the start :) I was glad for the question about sock holes in the ball of the foot, because that happens to my partner as well. And he also has high arches - how funny that that might be linked! I don’t have the solution to this issue, but I did recently get The Knitter’s Book of Socks by Clara Parkes, and I noticed one pattern that is supposed to be nearly indestructible - the Annapurna Socks by Anne Budd. It has a reinforced sole, so it might be worth a try. Here is a description from Ravelry:
The leg and instep are worked in the two-row slip-stitch pattern commonly used to add strength to heel flaps. The last inch or so of the heel flap, the heel turn, and the toe are worked with two strands of yarn held together. The sole of the foot is also worked with two strands of yarn in a technique Mary Snyder used for her Padded Footlets in Favorite Socks (Interweave, 2006). Even if you don’t plan to climb mountains, you’ll find these socks extremely comfortable (and warm!).
Also, I have flown a lot internationally with knitting needles - all over Africa and Asia. The only time I had my needles taken away was over 10 years ago in Portugal. That was a circular needle with metal tips, probably 3.5mm so not even that threatening! It was disappointing, but hey, it only happened once so far! When I am in doubt, I take a project on board with wood or bamboo needles and put any metal needles in my checked bag.
Thanks for all of these great spinning tips! I am fairly new also….so very helpful. Keep them coming! - Love your handspun sweater. GREAT job!
Thanks so much for letting people know its ok Not know everything ? Just loved your explanation of this .
I worked in a yarn shop for many years and taught beginning knitting and if I could only get that thought a-crossed it was so freeing to the beginners .
Just LOVE your Podcast your so real and accessible . Many Hugs , Happy New Years !!!!
I love your knitting needle pouch. I really need to get a better solution for needle storage myself. Could you share where you got this one?
Listed in another video: Maxwell Knitter's Utility Roll at Magpie
Great job first. Love watching you. Wpi (wraps per inch) grist(how tight the spin is)
Other then those two things your journal is great. I have on for yarn spinning and one for dyeing. Fun fun
I have WPI, but thank you are the Grist addition suggestion!
Love this new combo of kitting and spinning. Quick tip for the spinning journal- note your singles ratio and ply ratio. Makes it much easier if you have to go back and spin a bit more for a project. Or just a great reference for future sampling of the same or similar fiber.
Great idea!!
I'm not a spinner yet, but thourghly interested and love watching you talk about it. Your sweater is gorgeous.
My mother was a home ec teacher and she would always say a flying horse would never see it, talking about small imperfections.
She wanted me to move forward from perfectionism. When you mentioned that is made me think of lessons now that she's gone.
Thanks so much for sharing! You are such a gifted teacher with such sound advice. Becky
Really enjoy your conversational style! On the sock wear question…I’ve been doing a year long experiment to help inform this for myself, tracking lots of info on the yarn and techniques and noting wear and wash. I’d also encourage high twist and long staple, really tight gauge, and take a look at your feet/skin! I was getting holes very quickly when it finally dawned on me these were happening in the spots where my skin was also the roughest. I’ve had the best results with sock wear after getting a foot file and good cream, along with the sock making techniques.
I’m so glad you’ve added a spinning section! I really need to get back to my wheel and you’re inspiring me - in more ways than one! I just finished knitting Inclinations with handspun and love it 😆
Late to the party. Love learning about your spinning even though I’m not at all close to being able to do it. Your pink yarn and cream - in a shawl something like the socks you made with the colour peeping through 😍 any way you’ve probably already done it 🤩
I have always used my handspun in preference over bought yarn. I enjoy the process and the joy of looking at a finished garment and knowing I made it from start to finish. Well almost as I don't own the sheep etc but still I much prefer using my handspun. Fortunately I have grown children who still love to wear my handspun so thats a constant source of ready wearers for my garments. Wait til you start dyeing the yarn too.... a whole new world will open up for you!
Both me and my BF have high arches and our socks last for years. My brother is the flat footed one that wears through not only his socks but his shoes since he could walk. I think it may have more to do with how you walk than anything. Just a guess.🤷♀️
Good point! I wonder if shoe fit may play a factor as well. My husband likes a snug fit in his shoe, vs myself. My foot slides a tiny bit (a feel I prefer after wearing clogs so much). My socks wear thru
Love this video! I needed to hear this for my homeschooling!!!
On the knitting needles thing: metal circular needles often look like blasting caps on their metal scanners. This is made worse by the fact that a lot of non-knitters kind of just assume that knitting needles should be wood or plastic, so things like Hiya Hiya sharps can freak some people out. I would recommend only bringing the needles you're actively using on the plane in your carry on, and if you're really worried, using bamboo needles for the plane (some Takumi needles are cheap and very workable).
Also, TSA will almost always want to take the needles out of the bag to get a closer look at them. I really recommend some cheap point protectors because every time they do, a few stitches at least has inevitably fallen off my needles.
I have high arches and I haven't experienced holes in my socks, they last for years. I would guess it's more of an issue with gauge, although I'm sure you knit for your husband and you and he's getting holes and you're not so that doesn't account for that difference. I have a tight gauge, especially on socks.
Thank you for the spinning journal layout ideas. I'm new to tracking/journaling but just bought a journal for both knitting and spinning (two separate journals). I like the idea of keeping track of what you're doing, especially since I rarely finish something without picking up something new then going back to the older project.
I am so excited that you have incorporated spinning into your podcast. I am a new spinning and the passion for spinning that you describe is exactly how i feel. :)
If people wear out handknitted socks easy. Perhaps consider thicker wool. 6-8 ply? Regia and opal also sell 6ply.
I love your sections on spinning!
I used to fly about 8 times a month and thankfully I've never had my needles taken away! After carrying them on at least 20 times, I did have a pair of snips taken away. I'd put straight needles, dpns, and metal stitch holders in my checked bag- because it's up to the TSA agent at security even if technically knitting needles are allowed. Also haven't had any problems internationally so far, going to or coming back to the US (from Europe, Canada, Mexico & South America), I haven't had any problems :)
Loving the spinning content! I have been spinning for a year and have recently bought a sweater quantity of fibre to spin up. It’s one of my goals to spin it up and knit it into a sweater early next year so your nurture sweater looks like a good starting point. Happy Christmas to you and your family. 🌲 🎉
Hi! I would love any spinning podcast recs. As a new spinner I love seeing all of your projects and hearing you talk about all of it!
I love what you had to say about giving ourselves time to learn AND the resources! I loved knitting early on because I was producing something and didn't feel guilty for spending time doing what I enjoy. Later when I got better, I didn't want to use my lovely fiber for learning something that may not turn out. I appreciate what you shared.
P.S. where did you get your needle case? 🤩
Hi Andrea! I have seen “The Noble Character” podcast and while I’m not sure of “how”, she knits slip stitch heels and uses the same slip stitches on the ball of her foot.
Only issue with boarding with knitting needles was coming back from Mexico. No problem with domestic or other international travel.
For the sock question:
So far I haven't had any holes blow out in my hand knit socks. I have used a lot of Regia and Opal (75% wool, 25% nylon) but my favourite socks for my cold climate winter wear are the same make up but nonsuperwash. I find the nonsuperwash to be warmer but the heels do wear out sooner than the superwash ones. Not sure if that info helps for you picking out sock yarn!
And there are some good videos on youtube for reinforcing socks. There's one that shows 3 different techniques, so try and check those out and reinforce the balls of your feet and hopefully that'll help prevent holes from forming!!
Thank you for your in-depth explanations. I am new to knitting and always learn something from your Friday vlogs. Happy New Year 🎇
So glad you are enjoying them!
I have high arches and I also tend to wear out wool socks(store bought) in the ball and heel. I knitted a bunch of my first wool socks last year and haven’t worn them enough to say about those, though.