Welcome! I'm Renee and I'm on a journey to learn how to knit. I'm having SO much fun learning to knit, starting to knit a sock and garments, learning about different protein and plant based fibers. I’m here in the Pittsburgh Pennsylvania area.
I'd say it's not the easiest heel for me but the one that fits the wearer. You'll figure it out. Some yak is prickly for me, especially my decolletage. I have what I'll call "princess skin". Myak yak yarn has no prickle factor for me.
Hi Renee. The ribbing on your red hat is looking very neat and tidy - a sure sign that your knit and purl stitch tension is improving. Right now, I'm knitting a pair of socks in the Midnight Orchid colorway using Little Sprouts pattern and I'm loving how they're working up. The Shadow wrap heel is a favorite of mine and, I can't be sure, but the heel you knit that you called a Shadow Wrap Heel didn't look like what I'm familiar with. I'm certainly not an expert on sock knitting but the SWH usually has a diagonal line of stitches (from edge of the instep stitches angling down to the bottom back of the heel) marking the increases and decreases of the short rows. Hope that makes sense.
You do a great job shrin all the info on your podcast. I was reading some of the comments and I agree with the one that said start over on your flax. My first sweater I did not even know about gauge as well it was acrylic, I put hours into it and was so proud for just a few minutes. Lol. It was all out of shape and a terrible fit. Gave it away. Keep going. You have all the desire one needs to be a great knittter.
I admire your enthusiasm for trying new things and practising them. I personally don't even do gauge swatches let alone practising a heel. I just go for the whole project and boy, have I had to redo so many errors lol
I have tried Magic loop and determined then it wasn’t for me. But I may revisit it. There are some aspects of a sock, like the heel, that I use two 9inch circulars and I’ve enjoyed that.
While I’ve been knitting for many years, it’s so refreshing to see a new knitter out here trying garments, socks…items that are pretty advanced for a beginner, and having fun with it! Many of the channels out there are advanced knitters and seeing the level of knitting they’re capable of can be very disheartening, especially when some of us will NEVER get to that level; not because we don’t want to, but because we don’t have people around us to show us how to do things properly. Watching videos is one thing; having a real person next to you is something totally different! I love your enthusiasm and can’t wait to watch more! I’m learning, too! Socks have always intimidated me, but you’ve dug right in and tackled them! Maybe I’ll try again, too!
Leslie, thank u SO much! I know what you mean about all the extraordinary knitters making podcasts. I do also somehow find ones here and there that are more beginner. And I like that too!
Have you looked at dropping down stitches to correct a missed purl, rather than ripping back? I believe Roxanne Richardson, Nimble Needles, and VeryPinkKnits have tutorials for it. Having a crochet hook handy makes it much easier too.
Hi Renee. I’m north of Pittsburgh and a fairly new knitter as well. I struggle because of comparing myself with others knitting. I gotta stop that and know knitting is a process of learning which never ends. I really enjoy watching your journey. You’ve helped me very much. Thanks for uploading the videos. And thanks for your honesty and being so genuine.
Hi, Beverly. Hello! I’m north of Pgh too near Cranberry Twp but still in Allegheny cty. Oh no. Comparison is the thief of joy, is t it? Do you have any local yarn stores you like?
Renee, I’m loving your sock heel experiments and comments. I’ve only done the slip stitch heel and gusset, but I do find your opinions very interesting. I hope to try mittens soon, too. I’m a relatively new knitter, and not as bold as you are!
Hi Renee, you've certainly given yourself a challenge with your tshirt and doing it with linen too. It looks like your sleeve might not be centred at the top of the shoulder properly perhaps? I haven't knitted that pattern, but the short rows should be centred on the armhole/shoulder. Try the other side and see what happens 😃
Hi Renee! So good to see you again. Your enthusiasm is infectious... and I'm here for it and all the things. I like watching your knitting journey... it's inspiring. I'm currently working on a pullover. I'm hoping to have it finished by the end of this month or maybe earlier. Congrats to the winner! Until next time. Have a wonderful day! 🙂
I'm really enjoying your exploration of knitting. My favourite mitten pattern is the Thumbless-Fingerless pattern by Karli Whitmore, free on Ravelry and very simple. Hope you have a chance to try them 🙂
I can't believe you've made all that progress with your tshirt/sweaters and you being a fairly new knitter too. I love the look of the light Orchid Patons sock yarn. They didn't have it in stock when I went to my local Joann store. I am eyeing the jaguard prints too on Amazon. I love sock yarn that mimics a Fairisle pattern.
Thank you for the purl soho hat suggestion! I've added it to my library. The selbu mittens were a big flop. I think I need woolier yarn to get better tension, so your hat idea might replace those gift knits. I am also going to gift knit vanilla socks. I just finished a pair for myself in paton kroy's midnight orchid😂, so now onto the gift socks!
@@AdventurerKnits I hope so. Last year was my first year with gift knitting and I made 6 Greek Mosaic Beanies. I really enjoyed it. I have to start early though, I'm pretty slow!
Hi Renee! I hope you enjoy your travel and get some knitting time in too. Thanks for the podcast suggestions! Be sure to check out Finnish Knitting Stories with Jana (pronounced Yah-na, not sure of the spelling). She makes me smile, she's full of joy!
Hello Renee! So glad to see you progress so quickly! I’m just now attempting a scarf as a newbie and I have no idea what I’m doing😅Hope you’re doing well!
Enjoyed as always, - good luck with the moving - and your little venture after - you are now a true knitter with a number of “WIP” what fun - a joy to see😊 your enthusiasm !😊
Renee, thanks for another enjoyable episode! I admire the way that, as a fairly new knitter, you challenge yourself with new techniques in each project. You certainly gave your channel an apt title! As you learn all these skills, you’re assembling the foundation to be an excellent knitter. As you were mentioning podcasts that you like to watch, I was wondering if you’ve discovered the YT channel, “A Friend to Knit With” with Leslie Friend. She is a beautiful Pittsburgh-area knitter and has several patterns, including one for fingerless mitts.😊
Thank you so much, Deidre. 🥰. I’m feeling encouraged! I love Leslie Friend’s channel so much! I stumbled upon it and was delighted to find she’s a Pittsburgher too!
Hi Renee, i have the yarn to start Florence Miller’s step by step cardigan. Hopefully I will cast on this weekend. I knit her pedal drop socks. The socks are so lovely and her tutorial was fabulous! Happy knitting Karen 🧶
Where do I start…. I think at the end as that’s clearest in my mind. Sophie Scarf … Steven West has just brought out a scarf similar to the Sophie but with rounded edges you might like. As for the one you are making now why not practice embroidery you were talking about or splash die it Indigo or Saffron . Either would be fun I think. So watching you knit and try and explain it is like watching my two grandchildren learning to walk, it’s very similar I am in the UK and they live in Kenya, the feeling is just the same as watching you and not being able to help . However both are a lovely experience. I’m sure I had more to write but this will do for now. Happy Knitting Anix🍓
Just came across your knitting adventures. I just picked up knitting and started with tin can knits too! Just finished my first socks 💜 Love your honesty thank you for sharing
Hi, I love your experimental and curious approach to knitting. Im so opposite and thus not very experimental. 😅 I love the magic loop and do the heel flap and gusset All the time, as I fejl they are comfy and heel hugging.
I just found you Today. Binge watched all your episodes and boy oh boy you are Fearless! I love your excitement for knitting. And btw, you ate a natural podcaster.
I love binge watching knitting podcasters when I find a new one! Thank you! I don’t realize I’m fearless, so that’s fun for me. Thank you so much for the kind feedback. 🥰
You are continuing to make progress on your knitting journey. I just finished some baby things for a baby. Now working on socks and hats for Christmas gifts. I am not usually a sweater knitter. I prefer smaller projects, so I applaud your bravery taking on sweaters.
People have written such kind, encouraging comments and I too applaud your adventurous spirit. Here comes the “but” - not at all unkindly, I would encourage you to unravel your Flax sweater and start again in a non acrylic yarn. It has its place for sure and is affordable but it will stretch out of shape and pill. You put all that time and effort into a project and you deserve to have a garment that looks good and wears well. I too am knitting the Flax Light sweater and it is a great first sweater pattern. You are doing well but those mistakes on the garter stitches on the sleeves will bother you. Consider your project as a great learning experience and think about starting again, in a yarn that will stand up to many wears and washes. Keep knitting, you are doing great!
Great video!! I am finishing up the toe on my sock and then I am going to start my gift knitting. I am trying out the Speedy Selbu Mittens by Skeindeer Knits using Lion Brand wool-ease. One mention on buying a practice skein....I did that with the dark rose color way in Lion Brand wool-ease and my next purchase was another dye lot and totally different!! I didn't think that would happen with such a common yarn, but it sure did. Just wanted to give you a heads up about that!
I, put different color stitch markers at the garter panel to alert me. I, also did a chart in my journal to track the stitch pattern for the garter panel row. It slowed me down, but was helpful.
You certainly are adventurous! So many projects at once. For a new knitter I think that is amazing. I always have a pair of socks on the needles( DPN’s). Also almost finished with a Festive Cardigan by Skeindeer . My sister in law sent me yarn from Norway. So that is very special., knitting is a wonderful skill and it has helped me through many trials as I fight cancer for the last six and a half years. Keep up the good work and enjoy your knitting. PS I would buy another cable,in fact I have.😅
Nancy, thanks so much for the kind feedback! I do hope you’re doing well or better now. I can only imagine how knitting would be such a wonderful companion for mind and body. I love the encouragement to just buy another cable. It makes me feel …normal? 🥰
Hi Renee! I found your knitting channel through your reading channel. I’m amazed at how much reading you get done - and now, you’re knitting! Do you ever sleep?!😂. I like to listen to audio books while knitting. The dual activity improves my immersion into the book and my knitting productivity. At the moment, I’m listening to “The Secret History” by Donna Tartt while knitting my 3rd Sophie Shawl. I knit the first two as gifts, but this one - knit with Rowan Pure Cashmere in “Lipstick” held double with Spincycle Dyed in the Wool in “Devilish Grin” - is staying with me! Happy Apartment Hunting!!!
Hi Renee only found you today but I’m so glad , good for you trying mittens I personally can not get on with DPN’s 😢 really must persevere you have given me inspiration 😊. Congrats on your 5k award …. Congrats also on your 250 subscribers but as I’m writing this I see you have now reached 311 !!! Woooohooooo xxxxx
Renee, congratulations on your subscribers! I admire your fearlessness in trying all kinds of knitting. The “mittens” in your title caught my attention, because I want to knit mittens, too. I started with socks, but have no desire to knit sweaters at this point, because I know for a fact I am not patient enough to finish one. I look forward to seeing your sock and mitten progress!
Love your podcast, I think that rather than swap cables for waste yarns I wold spend 5 dollars on another cable. watching from winter rain in New zealand.
Hi Renee. Ive just subscribed a couple of minutes ago and I binge watching your previous episodes. Im a left handed knitter and handstitcher. I show on some of my episodes how I knit as a keft handed knitter. All knitting patterns are for right habded knitters and I found it difficult to follow graphed only patterns and most US designers. I learnt to knit at 6 years sitting in front of my Dad so Im also a mirror image knitter. I didn't realise this until I started knitting when I retired a few years back. Its tricky but I think I have it now..hopefully. Best wishes and enjoy knitting xx
Oh how interesting, Barbara! What’s the name of your channel? My mother and I were just talking about this. Since I apparently knit right handed, I don’t notice a difference with patterns, but it would be challenging!
