A knitting episode (5): Two sweaters, words for beginning/intimidated knitters & yarn love from NYC 

There is so much overthinking in contemporary knitting. I had a break from knitting that lasted over 20 years, and I'm still stunned at how over complicated the modern RU-vid community is. When I began knitting in the 70s, you just chose a garment pattern that you liked, and then you knitted it. Knitting for yourself or your loved ones is not a competition. Have faith new knitters, make mistakes, learn and enjoy your new skill.

You are perhaps my favorite podcast knitter. Your voice is beautiful and your intelligent musings are calming.

I have no other knitting friends so connecting with knitters online is my only source. It’s been so impactful for me. I also got my yoga certification. I was in my 40’s and am now 50. I never taught but it helped me get through the loss of my mom 😊

Your knitting is elegant as are you and your channel. I like that you raise us up as knitters and leave us with encouragement.

This is the first time I’m watching a video from you, and I really loved it. I like your style of speech, quiet, clear, without any unnecessary fuss or hesitation. It’s a real pleasure to hear you rambling (positively!) on knitting, with a touch of philosophy. Thanks so much.

Excellent thought/quote - “to cultivate curiosity rather than fear”.

Your voice and your overall presence are so calming, and your words are uplifting and resonate with my desire to surround myself with kind people. Thank you for connecting us!

The missing sock issue seems to be one of life’s unsolvable mysteries… I keep a bag with what I call ‘lonely’ socks. Some of their twins I haven’t seen for years, but I somehow hope they will return from whatever alternative dimension they accidentally ended up in.

So much to think about. I started knitting in 2019 and have found the journey very interesting. My only knitting community is via the internet, mainly through RU-vid. My intimidation doesn't come from patterns or new techniques, but from the yarns that seem everyone is using that I can't get. The main reason is the cost. Many of the beautiful patterns now days require, mohair, alpaca and cashmere, it many instances 3 strands held together. I live in Australia and even if I can get the yarns locally they have come from overseas and the cost is greater. For me it is often a cost of $250 to $300 or more for a sweaters quantity if I get a good one that doesn't itch and scratch. Not economical for me, especially if postage is applied. So I feel not connected because of that. I just dismiss many patterns. But I love what people create and I love new techniques, so thats what keeps me attached.

You are such an inspiration in your use of color, design and textures in knitting, and then integrating it all into images of nature and life stories! Wonderful!

Lo, sock loss and missing stitch markers are universal! There has to be a, "Narnia door," in my house!

Yes, yes, just like you, I like each new project to have a new skill for me to learn.

Oh my goodness. Cannot imagine someone not wanting all the help they can get. I consider myself an intermediate knitter and it seems everything I knit I learn something new. I am a very “suspicious” knitter that questions everything in a pattern “why this? Why that? Wouldn’t some other way be better?” And that’s totally fine if I want to go off on my own tangent but in the end when that doesn’t work, at least I can come back and say “ok, I get it now” lol

I’m a new viewer coming to you from Florida and I subscribed to your channel after the first 5 minutes of watching. What a lovely, lovely podcast. I love your positivity and encouragement to knitters of all levels. You’re musings on mistakes, life, kindness and acceptance is so refreshing. ❤❤❤

I’ve been knitting on and off for 60 years. I am always surprised at how much I learn with every thing I knit! Fascinating!! Thank you for all of your sharing. I don’t hang out with other knitters, so I love hanging out with you! Thanks a bunch! Rosie

I’m so glad I stumbled across this video. As a beginner knitter of 8 months, your inspiring words were so helpful! Thank you 😊

As usual your videos are such an absolute delight . Your demeanor. , style and content are such a refreshing welcome to other podcasts . I hope you continue to record and make everyone’s day a little better .

I had the same problem with the term “turn” in a pattern as you a few years ago. I have been knitting for 50 years and was clueless. I took my sweater to a yarn shop and found the help I needed. I frequently use RU-vid for refresher info and new techniques. Great info, thanks Helle.

I don’t know how to tell you that “you are an inspiration to knitters”. Now for me I have never been intimidated by other knitters and what they can do but as a learner that I will someday will be able to do. I have enjoyed this podcast so much and how you are kind with your words to others about we as knitters can achieve anything and we will learn as we go along. To never give up or in another words “reach for all those stars”. I find I have grown so much as a knitter in my retirement years because of more time. I’ve knitted my whole life but simple things such as pee-shoes has my Memere would call slippers or mittens for the kids. Children’s sweaters, hats, scarves but now that I’m able to find big women’s sizes, which I couldn’t find in earlier years, I’m beyond excited and can’t put down my needles. Don’t worry things don’t fly off my needles either and that’s fine. One more thing I fly with metal needles all the time and never have a problem and I hope that continues. You take good care of yourself and happy knitting!! Kathy from Massachusetts ❤❤❤

Very inspiring, Helle! Thank you very much for the encouraging words ❤ beginner knitter here ✋🏻😊

Your garden and the inside of your home look so so lovely!

I am a 20+ year knitter of simple things. I do not have knitting friends and you have encouraged me to try a sweater. Now that we have more size inclusive patterns i believe I will just jump in and try it. This video gave me courage. I have a couple of socks to finish first. I loved all of your beautiful garments. I hope you will continue to share your knits on RU-vid. May you have a wonderful week.

The bright pink will actually be fabulous I have a friend who's sort of got the same coloring as you and she looks great in that color.

Your podcast is one of the few that really gets me excited, that I wait until the kids are off to bed before I sit down to watch. I even put aside my "complex" knitting and picked up my socks WIP so I could do some mindless stockinette whilst watching. Love the length of this podcast too, so don't apologise for "rambling on" or that it was too long - I was hanging onto to every word....I await your next episode eagerly.

I, too, love cables. Also, your comments about stitch markers disappearing made me laugh because I use a lot of them and then my husband finds them under pillows and cushions and couches and tables! 21:21

Thank you, Hella, for "Showing up"! I really enjoyed your podcast. Now I have added more projects to my knitting queue! Wishing you a joyful week. Enjoy your knitting.

I love Amy Palko on You Tube, because she inspires and has fun and she makes interesting choices for yarns and patterns and talks about her process and she is the reason why I now rip back and make my knits correct. It is cathartic and no longer fearful or groan about it. I learn from it and enjoy doing it correctly. I feel you are much the same. I knit my first sweater, and it turned out nice! I love how you encourage to expand your horizons. Learn a new technique and play. You will grow and learn and move on to the next new thing. Mistakes are how we learn. Do it. Try it. Learn.

Hello, i do love your video’s, when i first looked at this one, i thought how lovely you looked in the pale pink, but then you stood up to show the rest of the sweater and i thought “wow” how lovely and how talented you are with your knitting, thank you for showing,i also love the background of your home where you sit,the all white colour scheme is so nice. Thanks. Pamela hall

I always hesitate to leave comments because I don't want to make the podcaster feel like they need to take the time to answer my comment. I don't want to distract anyone from knitting! But your comment about connecting makes me realize that unless I do comment you might feel like you're having a one-way conversation. I really enjoy your videos. They bring me joy and I'm always inspired by your projects! I also returned to knitting a few years ago after a nearly 25 year gap. I just recently finished the Vegas Top by Susanne Mueller with yarn that I bought back in 1987 on sale when I was visiting my family in Germany! Talk about feeling joy!

Thank you for being an encourager. Your knitting is beautiful!

This was an amazing episode. Therapy for your everyday knitter. You are talking about things I think and feel. I always wondered what these prolific knitters do other than knit🤔 You are so encouraging to the beginning knitter and how to take it slow and one project at a time. Very sound advice. It helps that you have a soft comforting voice. Thank you for a knitting voice of reason.

Shirley from England here.. I’ve just discovered you ❤ happy days ❣️I’ve passed on your video to my ladies in my Knit&Natter group.. you are sooo much on my wavelength about speed knitting and being brave about trying to knit sweaters and not worrying about mistakes etc. I’ve sent it to give them inspiration to continue.. xxx

I love your calmness and connecting with other knitters is so important one never feels alone since I do not have knitting friends around me 😊

Hahaha, it's funny what you say about losing socks. I have the exact same feeling, that my washing machine swallows socks, because some socks seem to never make it back. 😂

I learn so much every time I watch your podcast… please keep up your journey!❤

I love to watch your channel. It is calming and inspirational. Thank you ❤❤❤

Really enjoy both your musings and your knitting! I am an avid knitter with a huge library in my house, and have been writing down your book recommendations, I will add Howard's End. The quote you shared resonated with me, so I join the conversation by commenting. Thank you for your content, it is well appreciated. I do love your Spot sweater, in another of your videos. It's just so beautiful, the colour transitions are perfect. Greetings from smoky Canada (94 wildfires burning in my province, sadly), please keep the videos coming, we're out here enjoying your visits with us! ❤

Love your videos ! Thank you 🙏🏼🌹

Oooh my gosh I feel what you said about being intimidated by sweaters as a beginner-ish knitter. My grandmother taught me how to knit at a very young age and whenever I said "I don't want to knit another scarf! I want to knit something BIG!" she'd say that "big" was too much for me to manage and we'd stick to scarfs. This might have certainly been correct when I was 4, but I kept her words well into my late teens, by which point I had knit a few scarfs, hats and at least two dozens of socks for my friends. I always figured that I wouldn't be able to finish a project that required more commitment.... turns out I was completely wrong. I timidly started to knit a sweater by my own design (well, I basically just winged it and hoped for the best) last october with less then low expectations. Two months later it was done and I was AMAZED that I had actually completed it. I then immediately started knitting another jumper, more confident and able to look out for what I hadn't been able to incorporate before. Finished it a month later. Felt amazing. Tonight I started approaching a sweater with a pattern. Patterns are a whole other story to me. But after some time reading through it and getting familiar with the pattern style and abbreviations and actually having a plan of how this whole thing is constructed I feel way more positive. I guess what I want to express here is that anything is possible, you just have to take the first step. 😊

That’s hella beautiful color yarn ❤ this episode! I needed that encouragement about knitting skills today! Thank you for posting.

Wonderful podcast. You’re knitting is perfection!

Your knits are all my favorite. Was looking forward to your next video. Love your estetic. 💜

I loved this whole podcast so much ❤

I so look forward to your knitting videos, you have great talent

Awesome podcast, thank you! Love your style, your knitting is so inspiring, thank you.

Great quote! There is so many ways to connect and this is an awesome way to do that even though we do not see each other.

Hello! I’m a newer knitter and thoroughly enjoy all of your podcasts! ❤ Thank you for the encouragement! 🎉

Thank you for another lovely podcast.I so appreciate your words of wisdom .

Thank you Helle, another delightful hour spent in your company. Happy knitting.

You are working on such beautiful projects. As a Knitwear designer, I clearly see that we never stop learning. Sometimes we can be a little hard in ourselves but we have to remember that we all started somewhere. Enjoying this craft along with being patient with the process is key ❤

Your knitting is beautiful and your podcast is so very thoughtful. The podcast Mel Makes Stuff had an episode about reading Japanese knitting patterns that may be helpful. She's incredibly analytical and detailed in her approach to knitting. And she's fearless. The online community helpfulness is a gift. Thank you for taking the time to share.

Good job being a cheerleader for those of us timid at knitting. Thank you for your encouragement

You have such lovely videos. Looking forward to the next one!

So encouraging to listen to your discussion of sweaters. I am definitely an advanced beginner knitter and trying a sweater has been on my list forever. I think I’ll try a sweater this year!

thank you for another lovely video. love your calm voice and projects you are working on. Such an inspiration :) happy knitting!

I love love love the sweater you are wearing in this video! It's definitely in my dream knits list now!

Hi Helle, I’m loving watching your podcast. You have a wonderful knack of finding beautiful patterns and lovely yarn. I’m so inspired. Thank you for introducing me to new designers.

Love Howard’s End! I truly enjoyed your episode today and so happy to have found your channel. Beautiful knitting!

Love watching and look forward to seeing your beautiful knits!

Thank you for encouraging us beginners. The end of May is my 2 year anniversary of learning to knit. I'd say I'm a courageous beginner or maybe a beginning intermediate. I like that you shared how you watch videos over and over and over again just to learn something new. Me too.

😄😄😄😄 in terms of disappearing socks and stitch markers...I can relate to that!!! Lovely podcast.

I just love your aesthetic….very classy, elegant and modern at the same time. I also love your thoughtfulness and insights. I look forward to seeing your next video.

That was so lovely, thank you Helle.

I love your yarn choices and the color combos that you choose- so beautiful!

OMg! Your wisdom on knitting for beginners is awesome. Thank you. We do need some more explanation sometimes and all of us were beginners!😍

I loved sitting down with this, Helle! May I just point out that many Danish yarns producers sell very fine light fingering yarns (Isager, Holst…) with high metrage, which is not only more cost conscious for the knitter but also allows for some interesting combinations of fibres, quite apart from the trend with silk mohair. This initially puzzled me in an old Marianne Isager pattern book 15+ years ago, but now that I have followed through, I am very much in favour… my last year‘s discovery was combining Trio and Highland, the fabric is sensational! 😍

That sweater turned out so well!

I really enjoy your content. Your words and knitting have inspired me. Thank you!

Oh My! Your Sarang Sweater is Just Divine the Colour on You is Beautiful 💗

Thank you for sharing your knitting experiences, it is valuable for me ! The best success in your practice!❤

I respect your philosophy so much. Do you have common sense yet you encourage growth and adventure in knitting. Thank you for your wise words and encouragement.

This was nice to hear. I can’t deal with chart only patterns. My brain doesn’t deal with that. We pay a lot for patterns. There’s always something new to learn. Also chuck in left handed and it can become interesting.

I love your videos so much 😊 Yes same problem with stitch markers and socks too 😅

Thank you for another video! I’m excited to curl up with my knitting to watch!

This episode really resonates with me. I've only recently begun knitting garments and trying new techniques, and I agree with you, there are so many available resources and stretching my skill level is satisfying and motivating. Thank you!

So very happy to see you again!! I LOVE the sweater!! ❤

Enjoyed your video. Knitting is not just a creative work but it's also about your life's journey, experiences, inward thinking, a joyful experience, sometimes with a sigh here and there. Thank you.

Love your podcasts. You are so inspiring and calming. Your knitted garments are gorgeous! I really enjoyed your travel podcasts.

Aww, you are so nice to us . Thank you.

Absolutely elegant, thank you for sharing!

Thank you for your words of inspiration and connection❤ Many of us do not have other friends to knit with as is mentioned in other comments below, so this gives us a wonderful way to share our love of knitting with one another.

So true about and knitter shows all she or he knits and I get so discouraged although I have knitted for years. You however are a gorgeous knitter and share the difficulty of the project. Thank you.

The new sweaters are beautiful and look great on you. I love the kimono shape one you are doing. Could never wear the flamingo! 😂 you are very encouraging to new knitters!

I love what you said about not being judgmental … you strike me as a kind and so thoughtful person and I love that. Love your sweaters. 💖

Seon Kimono is so beautiful, I can't wait for the English version. 🙂 Love your podcast, Greetings from Croatia 🤗

Hella I was so much looking forward to another video of yours! The CONNECTION has definitely been made, I have actually watched most of your videos (while knitting) and I feel there is an uncanny resemblance to my life. I am a knitter, a teacher of English, I do yoga, I am passionate about gardening, a nature lover... I could go on like this... I have an exactly identical cat! But when you mentioned Eckhart Tolle I literally had goosebumps! Even my son, who likes to sit beside me sometimes, glanced at your video and made a comment " Mom she is just like you!" Of course, I do realize it is pure coincidence but I just feel strangely connected as if I have known You forever ;) You are such a wonderful teacher, I love listening to your stories, musings, observations, and snippets of knowledge that I find really inspiring. At the same time, everything you say seems so familiar so similar to the voice in my head. I hope I do not sound like a crazy stalker ;) I just wanted to let you know how I feel and that you have an avid follower. "Bonne chance" with your Crocus sweater I think it is the most amazing knit you have inspired me to make 🌷

I’m a beginner knitter. I finished 5 sweaters till now and I’m working on the sixth at the moment. I buyed two books, the first is by Sjöfn Kristjansdottir with basic knitt patterns for sweater and cardigans and my second book is „knit this“ from Veronika Lindberg and there are more advanced patterns. At the moment I’m knitting my first brioche sweater from the knit this book and I had to beginn three times, because I didn’t understand how I can knit brioche. But I love the challenge to learn new skills and try new things. To knit a Sweater was not scary like socks. Socks are complicated, because they are so tiny and I don’t know why I’m feeling this way about socks 😂😂 O what I want to say, I like your pattern choices, my Ravelry favorites are know inspired by you many pattern with cables an laces. I grap my sweater and knit and listen to your podcast. Is very relaxing 😌

I have just discovered your podcast and love it! Thank you so much for your thoughts and teachings......the way you articulate things is just so spot on and so good. This video came to me just at the right time......I have been so overwhelmed with all the projects and things going on in the knitting world that I started to loose my creative wantings and you helped me put things in perspective. I am a very tight knitter; fairly new but more than a beginner, and i have struggled with the two sweaters that I have attempted. So 2024 is going to be different for me and I will persevere so thank you and thank you for caring! and Thank you for the videos of your travels - they are amazing.

I truly enjoy what you present. I have felt compelled to listen and come back for the honest thoughtful sharing. Thank you 🙏🏻

The all over cabled “ romantic” sweater is gorgeous and fits you so well ! I can imagine this sweater in a jacket version ; it would be lovely too ❤! 😂

Thank you for another thoughtful and helpful video. Your sweaters are simply gorgeous. I really appreciate your comments on being a beginner knitter and proceeding from there, however fast or slow. I think knitting can be a simple habit (😂) or a complicated one. Using the resources we have access to can help us decide the different avenues we travel on our knitting journey. I sometimes feel overwhelmed with the possibilities but also enjoy the variety. Your yarn purchases are beautiful. I look forward to what you’ll create.

Wow! The Saranga sweater blocked out beautifully! Your videos are so cozy and aptly named… a nice mental break from the usual. It’s fun to talk about knitting and muse about other subjects at the same time. Thank you for not shying away from philosophical thoughts and questions. Time spent engaging with you is time well spent, so a longer chat is always welcome. 😊 Okay… and I’ve now finished the video. That pep talk! Thank you so much. Exactly what I needed. I’ve been thinking I needed to get to the point where I could knit sweaters, and I’ve been knitting for a while, but have been afraid to commit to a sweater….. but recently, I have slowly come to realization, including with the help of this podcast, that I can totally knit a sweater. 😊🧶💚 Can’t wait to hear about your warm weather knitting plans!

I recently found this channel and tonight when I sat down to knit I watched a couple of random episodes. I just felt I had to comment on this old episode and say thank you for the words of encouragement and knitting wisdom. Helle, your channel is the definition for the Danish word hygge. ❤

❤❤ such insightful advice! NOT only for knitting but every aspect of life! Somehow I really needed to hear this! Mastering takes practice accepting that you make mistakes the willingness to be wrong .. when you do all that you will become better and built confidence! Love it! ❤❤

Glad that I decided to click on your podcast last time, your projects are very inspiring to see even though I might never make one...well maybe that snow crocus sweater. Here's to lost stitch markers!

Hello. Thank you for your lovely message to new knitters

Your knitting work are so beautiful and thank you for your great inspiration 🧶🧶🧶🌺🌺🌺

Oh I love your musings, it’s like having a cup of tea with an interesting friend 🥰 and then there’s your knitting 😌🤩 I’ll always jump, if it’s something that interests me I can only gain from the experience. Plan for the worst, hope for the best and jump, it’s all an adventure. Thanks for the joy 😘

I really love your sense of style, and enjoying every knitting video. Thanks for sharing all of this :)

SO excited !!!! I just ordered yarn from Denmark, can't wait to see how it feels in reality. thank you for suggesting more yarn brands and patterns, as I always search for another project,