I don’t think you have to worry at all about your content being boring. You are so entertaining I think you could make knitting washcloths interesting. I do especially enjoy your thrifting.
I follow a ton of knitters who just do the basic boring patterns, sometimes multiple times. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to spend a ton of money on new patterns all year long, we’ll have a good time regardless of what you make. As for learning spinning, some yarn stores do classes for stuff like that! Google search the ones near you to see if any of them offer classes in the evenings or on weekends, and sign up for their newsletters if they do have classes but don’t currently have one for spinning on their schedule, because they may do it later in the year.
You definitely have the heart of a maker! “Scratching the itch “ of ideas that you have in your head is something that has been a driving force for my life.
Colorwork has such a simple learning curve. I think fair isle (aka Norwegian aka Stranded) takes about 30 seconds to learn. You’ll love it! Also, feel free to knit “another basic sweater”. I’d still tune in. I love watching your content and how fast you’ve learned such complex techniques.
Mosaic is where I would start because you only use one strand of yarn on a row so you don't have to worry about floats or tangling yarn. The next thing I'd go for is a faux Isle type pattern - it uses stranded knitting with one solid color and a self striping or a gradient color. It looks really impressive, and you learn floats, but only two balls of yarn to manage. Hats are really great projects for starting with any colorwork.
Personally, I think seeing you knit whatever your heart desires is most interesting, because what keeps knitting interesting is seeing you passionate about it. As long as this RU-vid community empowers you to lean into that whimsy of knitting what you want and having freedom to do different things to keep it fun for you, that’s what you should do! I’m also in my first year of knitting and I love watching your journey while I walk my own too ❤
Everyone needs basics! and everyone's idea of "basic" is so different! I'd love to see you "knit another basic sweater" because that's what I'm also wanting to add to my wardrobe. I get overwhelmed by all the flash, and they're not actually things I'd end up wearing a ton. But also, the yarn choice can REALLY change things up and elevate a garment. I'd love to see a pattern round up of "basics" in each category! cardigans, sweaters, summer knits, etc
Hey watching you knit another basic sweater…with your personality and perspective and excitement would be something I would (and I’m guessing most dedicated knitters) love to experience with you!! ❤
My very humble opinion on colorwork. Want intricate patterns? Stranded is great and more common, so maybe start here.. Looking for blocks of color? Intarsia. Wanna' dabble in intricate patterns that are more geometric? Mosaic. Each is unique. You are already fearless! I am sure one year from now you've tried all.😁
I’d personally LOVE for you to knit some basics! I’ve been knitting same length of time as you and I’m not near as adventurous! But I’m finding I love adding the basics to my wardrobe. I love getting ideas from RU-vidrs on patterns and yarns! I adore watching you!
I am a new knitter. I began learning right before the pandemic, but I have to fit it in around caring for our home and 2 youngest children. Before knitting I was crocheting, and a crocheting friend split some of her stash with me. And before I knew what was happening, more friends and family had blessed me with quite a stash of all sorts of yarns! So as I find patterns that I want to try, I put them in page protecters, shop my stash for the right amount of yarn for each, and put pattern and yarn in a project bag.
As someone who spins with both a spindle and a wheel I did start with a spindle but pretty quickly got a wheel. You don't have to start with a spindle. The skills are similar but not the same. I think people recommend starting with a spindle because of how costly wheels can be but realistically if you know a spindle isn't going to be appealing to you then take a spinning wheel class, often you can rent wheels, to see if it's your thing or just jump in and get a wheel if it's within your budget. There's no point doing something that's not going to bring you joy because it's the 'right way' of doing it.
I'm definitely a one-wip-at-the-time girl, I tried having 2 or 3 projects but it made me feel anxious and like I wasn't making any progress so I went back to monogamous knitting....planning specific projects doesn't work for me either, I go by what I feel like knitting at the moment I finished my current wip. I generally cast on a new project once I'm about to finish my second sleeve and I'm almost done.
I went to a farm-to-yarn experience to try spinning! The yarn I made was awful but it was enough for me to know I must make my own yarn 😂 I started with a drop then got an e-spinner bc I like to stand & craft 😁 so part of my WIP management is either spinning the yarn OR knitting the yarn…I try not to have a huge stock pile of hand spun…along with an easy car project, an upstairs project, and a crochet project (I know when I first learned to knit I was like “ok, done with crochet!” but I found that I missed it and it provides a lovely pallet cleanser to knitting 🧶 ❤😁)
Okay so I’m not a colorwork expert-I’m a novice. I started knitting in Sept. and I just started the Artus Shawl by Moonstruck Knits (there’s a KAL going on that started on Jan 1st. It has texture, stranded color work and mosaic knitting and it’s such a great pattern, so easy to follow, you get bite size pieces of each without feeling overwhelmed in an entire garment of color work. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!! Absolutely loving the process.
My bit of advice for stranded color work is do not pick a pattern for working flat (back and forth) for your first project! Knitting in the round is much easier than trying to Purl with more than one color. Speaking from experience here 😅.
Lots of popular knitting RU-vid folks have a huge following despite knitting nothing but basic sweaters. Heck, one of the most popular is vocal about only really wanting to do top-down raglans. It isn't the thing being knitted that keeps people coming back, but your personality. I say knit what your heart wants, and don't worry about what your viewers will think; we will still think you are charming. As to color work, I also started knitting last January. I've done a stranded color work hat, and some mosaic socks. Both were very enjoyable, but I'd say the mosiac knitting was dead easy. It was amazing the effects you can get just from slipping stitches.
I have only done mosaic, but my understanding is that it's the easiest colorwork to do. I'd recommend The Shift cowl by Andrea Mowry or the Pressed Flowers hat (that one is charted, but it was easy to learn to use the chart). Both are super fun and gorgeous projects!
Sorry for the multiple comments. I’m listening to this as I work and am stopping to write a comment based on a question or something you say. I also dive straight into the fun when I start a hobby. I learnt knitting because I wanted to knit lace garments, so my third project was a large Shetland lace shawl 😂. I did eventually realise I needed the wardrobe basics too but sometimes you want something a little more interesting to knit too. I’d recommend picking cardigans and jumpers that have some interesting technique to them too. I have a cardigan that has some lackey lace panels and I wear it a lot when needing a warmer layer on a spring/summer day (or for air con when in the office). I have some sweaters that have cables and textured stitches to both make them more fun to knit and also a bit different to wear.
If you do more basic sweaters, I’m totally here for it! I have my eye on two colorwork sweaters, the Lumme Sweater and the Saltburn Sweater, they are both circular yoke stranded color work.
I started with stranded colorwork personally. I think starting with dropping each strand and picking it up with each color change made it very approachable. I began with a 2 color hat(this was my first ever knit project) and am now moving into doodles by pacific knit co which are also suuuuper fun and creative. But you know what you like best, and I am a firm believer in diving in head first to a project you know you'll love. Which is why I think I love your channel so much! Keep on knitting!
Don't worry about knitting the same thing more than once or thinking your content will be boring. As a new knitter myself (starting at the end of 2022) and also coming from crochet, I love watching what you decide to knit and your color choices are fantastic! Even if it is just basics or the same thing in other colors, it inspires me to continue learning and growing with my knitting journey. Your personality makes the content not boring :) I watch you while I knit on my own ever-growing WIPs, lol.
I think stranded and mosaic colorwork are easy to learn. I am a spinner and I am with you, I did not enjoy drop spindling at all, I maybe did it twice. Wheel was much more relaxing. When I did my what I knit in 2023 video, I was shook by what my favorite made of 2023 was. It really helped looking at everything I knit, to get a better idea of what I need to knit.
Do it! Spinning is amazing. It can be super relaxing. It"s kind of what I use as meditation. It's like rocking in a good rocking chair. I'm also about the basic a bit this year. My goal is to get a sweater done that really fits. I'm very broad shouldered, so modifying a nice basic sweater so that it's about 2 sizes larger across the shoulders than everywhere else, has been my challenge. Take care and I know I'm here for the long haul. Cheers!
The reason I love your channel is your content. You've got a great eye for fashion and how to make knitwear part of your fashion vision. This helps me. This inspires me. I also think you've got a great balance between a 'beginners mind' and a desire to take on more complicated patterns and skills. That being said, I'm with you on the colour work craving. I've been knitting, off and on, since I was a kid but was never brave enough to try patterns that both challenged me and that, frankly, I would like to actually wear. Watching you has pushed me outside my own comfort zone and I'm bravely trying patterns that both scare me but also I want SO BADLY in my wardrobe. 2024 is wide open and all I wish for you is that you never lose your enthusiasm and ability to not take yourself too seriously. Lotsa love and best wishes for 2024!
@@jamiethrogmorton2540 I'm thinking the Broch Beanie by Ysolda Teague might be a good (and by good, I mean beginner friendly) pattern to start. Thoughts?
That's the way I plan my knits. I have an enormous queue of things I want to knit in Ravelry, but the order is totally fluid for me. One of the patterns in my queue is always there because it's a one skein shawl I've already knit for gifts several times and will also knit for myself. I have a LOT of yarn in my stash and a lot of if it has been "assigned" to at least one pattern, sometimes as many as 10. I try to stay within the top 10 things in my queue for my "next knit" and reshuffle the queue a lot. It gives me a very loose structure that keeps me ticking things off from my queue, but also the flexibility to change my mind often and choose something else I want if I'm not feeling the next thing on the list. Wear the things. You can wash all of them! I live in Texas and it's hot here 9 months out of the year. I've been avoiding sweaters because I don't want to knit a lot of things I can't wear. In the last few months I've been stashing more cotton blends and have my eye on some linen blends. I'm going to give a Tee pattern a try in one of those and see if I can make a sweater I can wear in a place where we just finished a year with 78 days of temps at or above 100 degrees.
I also started spinning (literally this month) I bought a Eel Wheel Nano from Dreaming Robots-way more affordable than other e-spinners or large wheels but more investment (accountability) than a drop spindle. I’ve loved it so far!!!
Great video per usual! Your "roadmap" to 2024 is a perfect analogy. The route is there but there are many other options along the way. I like Kim's (of Kim and Jonna) method. She puts sweater quantities of yarn together with their patterns in bins. Then she can pick and choose among all of those for the next project. Although she did do a survey and is knitting in the order that people voted for! I have started to print off patterns and store them with the yarn which makes it so much easier to remember what I had in mind. I love mosaic knitting but have avoided stranded because the best yarn to use is just too hot for my climate. I have tried it with some hats and it is super fun though. Honestly, you could knit nothing but basics and dishcloths and we would still tune in every week! Don't burn out by doing two a week like a few other podcasters have done. Much rather have 1 a week Nora over no Nora! Thanks again!
When I started knitting colourwork in 2023 I picked small 2 stranded colourwork patterns, specifically a cowl and the Maple Leaf hat on ravelry because it was free. There are many ways to do 2-stranded colourwork, but I would highly suggest that you swatch and check how tight your knitting while managing those strands. My knitting with 2 stranded got so tight that my cowl didn't fit, but when I sized up my needles on the 2nd attempt in the maple leaf hat I got the perfect tension on my floats and a perfect fit. Also regarding your spinning curiosity, see if any of your local yarn shops have spinning workshops where you can use a wheel they have. I hear a lot about spinning guilds on channels like jillianeve and maybe that's something you can look into, she mentions that some guilds will let you rent wheels if you want to try them. I got a second-hand wheel this autumn and it has been such joy to play with making my own yarn and then knitting with that yarn. The local yarn shops should have leads, especially if they have community nights where people come together to craft!
I'm a long-time knitter who has recently tried mosaic knitting. It's so fun! Andrea Mowry has a bunch of mosaic patterns. Also, the pressed flowers are a mosaic pattern collection with various patterns. They are so cute!❤❤❤. Keep two projects at least and a Guage swatch for a next project. If you have to figure something out you'll have something else to knit. Plus you'll get more knitting accomplished! I know it's hard to reign it in but there are weeks I don't knit because I'm waiting for another needle to come or some other reason. Thanks for sharing❤❤❤ On Kim and Johna's podcast she talks about grouping up the yarn and patterns together and putting them in a bin so she can more easily decide because she already prepared. Checckout a local fiber guild for spinning. Our tiny area in washington state has a program where you can borrow or rent equipment.
Honestly, one of the ways that you can keep it fresh is every so often talk about how you’re changing the patterns to fit your body. I’ve only really changed the length of sweaters but figuring out how to change the bust/abdomen or shoulder seams whatever. I think how the math changes, would be really helpful!!
I really like your optimistic nature! This video was very inspiring. After last year, I know that I no longer like certain necklines and dropped shoulders on myself. I also prefer wool that has a certain stability/integrity. I don't like alpaca that much. I'm also going to try my hand at socks. I've never been that interested in them, even though there are so many beautiful patterns out there. Besides, my husband would really like some!🧶😊
Colorwork is such a wonderful journey! You can learn the basic technique and get knitting in one day, but you’ll be entertained and learning for a lifetime. I’ve been knitting colorwork for years, but this year, I’ve been perfecting my Fair Isle two-handed purling. 😊 I would start with Fair Isle/stranded if that’s what you want to make in the end because mosaic and other alternative color works, while using fewer yarns, can be confusing/difficult in their own ways. Just start with what you want to do, and start small! Hats, mitts, etc-it will take a while to work out the tensioning. ❤
Start with Stranded or Mosaic. Stranded is pretty easy, really. But you’re a very adventurous knitter so honestly I don’t think it matters where you start. Do what excites you and you’ll be successful.
I also like to just dive in and figure it out. BUT, learning how to catch floats before you start and understanding dominant color will make your first piece more successful. I also found it interesting to see different styles of knitting color work. I use both hands, but some people drop the yarn and others use a finger ring or even just hold both yarns together on the same finger. Norman from Nimble Needles has some great videos on technique and color dominance. Love your plan of 2-3 knits at a time. I always like to have 1 travel project and one I can knit while I watch tv and one where I can learn something new.
I think my favorite knit of 2023 was my Lumme sweater by Sari Nordlund. I wear it all the time. But I do wear all of my knits, with the exception of one. My Sunday sweater has self striping mohair in it and I don’t like the look in my sweater. And the ones that are too oversized from 2022, I still wear. I love basics. There’s something so pretty about them to me.
Hey we all need to knit basics etc so you shouldn’t worry about sharing this with your audience. People tune in to you because you are at the start of your knitting journey (as am I) and your personality is soooooo engaging and friendly we’d all tune in regardless of the actual content 😌 😊
You have become one of my favorite knittubers. Thank you for changing the text color and background color of your picture inserts. I am not sure if it was just that one episode, but I am able to watch your videos without migraines, so thank you.
WEBS has great spinning classes. Go scratch that itch. It is relaxing, just not portable(though I have an e spinner and that is portable). Mosaic knitting is the most accessible colorwork. Suggest a cowl or hat for first stranded just so you can work on tension. Check out Jamie Lomax doodle patterns-they are fun and scrapbusting!
I really like your 'just dive in' -approach, so that's what I would suggest for colorwork: Find a project you love and that still feels (slightly) feasible. Maybe I would not suggest intarsia for a first colorwork project, but if you feel like it: why not? Just have fun and we will join you!
Going from easiest to hardest: Intarsia (like maybe a half-square-triangles blanket or pillow top. You just wrap the yarns at the color change. Easy-peasy, flexible for designs. Mosaic-big bang for the effort. Looks way harder than it is. Takes longer to knit because the fabric is compressed vertically to the extent some stitches are slipped. Only carrying one yarn per row. Colorwork-first try a pattern with no long gaps between colors, because in those you’ll have to catch those long floats. As long as the colorwork areas have close, smaller repeats, it’s the best place to start carrying and managing two yarns at one time. THE important tip is to keep the stitches on your right needle (already knitted) stretched out so the floats stay loose. Start with a hat or a cowl in the round, so you don’t have to do the colorwork flat, which is doable but clunky. And, choosing one color-changing yarn with a solid will give a bigger impact without having to change the contrast color. My recommendation: just go for it! You’re naturally a skilled intuitive knitter and will likely enjoy it all. 🎉 PS the cow licking the camera--whaaaat? 😂😂😂
WOW! The ultimate colorwork guide! Thank you so so much!!! Apparently I was very much in need of some chapstick when I filmed this 😅 I feel like my lip-licking was so distracting, so I embraced it with my cow friend 😂
You are a naturally talented & skilled as a knitter. You also seem to be more on the adventurous side so with that in mind, I’d say go with what inspires you & makes your heart sing! Now on the other hand mosaic is easy because it’s done with slip stitches so you are only working one color per row. It’s a KISS approach to color work.
I also vote start with stranded colorwork. Pamplemousse Pullover from Tif Neilan if you want a sweater that works up in about 3-4 weeks and I'm in the snail stitches club mind you. It's not as scary as you think it might be. I did an assessment a few weeks ago and decided I want all of my knits and now I want all of them in black. I bought one of those lumos lights. I love it and my plan for the year is to make what I want for myself and use the colors for gifts. At the very end of the year I went to my LYS and bought 4 sweaters worth of yarn all in black but different yarns. Mohair, a linen, a recycled , wool and in different thicknesses etc. I feel good about it and excited. Thanks for all the inspo.
I highly recommend socks for your stockinette in the round / TV knitting! (And you can totally do any kind of colorwork!) Love hearing your non-goals map list. 😊
Color work is so satisfying !! Check out the Autumn Alpine sweater from Caitlin Hunter ( or her other color work items ! ) As for spinning , JUMP IN !! I started on a wheel...... then got addicted to supported spindles ....now looking at electric wheels !!! SO MUCH FUN !!!
I would recommend stranded Colorwork for your first Colorwork! Look for a pattern that is in the round, not flat, as flat is a little more to wrap your head around for your first.
I’m here for the colourwork knowledge! I haven’t just been saving patterns, I’ve been buying yarn for projects when I have no clue of what I’m getting myself into. Mumble mumble I’ve been knitting on and off since I was 7 which was a long time ago and have never been brave enough to go beyond cable jumpers and cardigans until you burst into my life and made me realise that of course I can knit a dress in fingering yarn. You are officially amazeballs
😂 we've all been there!!! I always like to have the tools on hand for when I'm ready to try something! So now you're prepared!!! This comments section has turned into the ultimate colorwork guide !! That's why I love it here. I'm so happy you feel the CAN-DO energy through the screen! We've got this!!! 💛
My advice on spinning: skip the spindles. I highly recommend a Lendrum for an easy to learn wheel. It doesn’t take up a huge amount of space and is easily portable. You might also look at an espinner. One like an EEW 6. Not a huge investment and takes treadling out of the equation. For easy, mindless knitting, I recommend socks. Check out the Crazy Sock Lady. She has great patterns and tutorials. If you want to learn more about the different properties of different sheep, I recommend watching the breed study Trish of Fiber Love Diary did a couple of years ago. I learned so much!
I’ve seen a lot of people knitting several versions of the same pattern and I wondered how they didn’t get bored. I’ve knit one twice, but the first time as per pattern (heavily cabled) and the other time as a basic stocking stitch body. So I’m pro knitting a pattern once. But I would suggest trying multiple patterns from a single designer as some of them do a lot of different construction styles. One of my favourites is Annamaria Otvos. Sadly she passed away a few years ago. Her work was beautiful and her patterns are easy to follow for people of all experience levels. She also had a group on Ravelry that you could pop any questions in as you are going and I’m sure someone would come in and answer them, even though the group probably isn’t an active one anymore (I haven’t been active in Ravelry forums for a few years now, so I’m not sure the activity status of that group anymore).
I knit a pair of gorgeous stranded colorwork socks in 2023. The best advice I found for colorwork was to stretch it out on your needles so it doesn't get too tight. Can't wait to see what you knit in 2024!
Dear Nora we watch your channel for you sweet personality and cheery voice, you are my favourite company while knitting ❤ I as a long time knitter also prefer to work a project at time, I find that I make less mistakes because I am more focused, and finish earlier. I also make a loose list of things I wanna knit in in the year, with yarn stored in packs with the pattern I wanna use, but I don't schedule them, I start them when I feel to do so. Happy knitting year!
l spin yarn! I hated using a drop spindle. I got an Ashford Kiwi 3. They fold up and you can store it just about anywhere! The price is super fair, and it's a great beginner wheel. I highly reccmend it!
When I started stranded colourwork I found ysolda teague's tutorials and blog posts really helpful. A free beanie and beret pattern comes out every year for shetland wool week and doing those were a fun way to practice fair isle techniques in a quick knit. For intarsia ... la bien aimees intarsia bandana? It knits up in a couple of hours. I've queued up the kfo mosaic sweater and I totally xmas sales splurged on kfo yarn in blood orange and cherry blossom (background colour). Wish me luck!
I hear ya on the coloring. My favorite thing to do is perms. Never did like coloring and so I never did do that. On the drop spindle, the reason it is suggest to start with that is, you learn about drafting easier on the drop spindle than on the wheel, or at least that is the thought.
I love this Nora! I'm not a fan of "goals", "intentions", that kind of language. I have a Play Book! Things that bring me joy just by thinking about them, but they are in no particular order. I'll see when and where they show up over the course of 2024. 😊
THAT is what I'm talking about!! There's such a huge difference between having actual set in place goals and just having some ideas in mind that you'd like to be aware of throughout the year. Playbook, map...exactly!!
I would watch you talk about knitting any garment, simple or complicated. We’re all here for your fun, unique personality. Well, knitting too because….yah.
I did my first stranded colorwork cowl last year with the Leisure Arts book “I Can’t Believe I’m Fair Isle Knitting.” I used acrylic yarn from stash which was too heavy and thick so the cowl wasn’t really wearable (could be a cute pillow, tho!), but I did learn the technique and I’m planning to make more projects with fair isle this year! And I’m totally here for the basic wearable raglans! I’m still working on figuring out my personal style but I feel like I’m going in the right direction. 😅
I personally prefer mosaic. Unlike traditional stranded knitting, where you're working with two or more yarns at any given time, with mosaic, you're only working with one yarn at a time. Check out AlterKnit by Andrea Rangel, Only Yoking by Putano and The Nordic Knitting Primer by Kristin Drysdale. I have all three books in my yarn library and have found each to be very helpful. - Cheers!
I love your content!! Kepp up all the fun things!! Colorwork... Mosaic is a good starting place. Then, Stranded. Make sure your floats are not tight. Intarsia... Uhg!!! It depends on how many bobbins you have hanging. Just a few wouldn't be so bad, but 10 or so, and it is a headache! Try it, you may like it. Keep an open mind. I wouldn't start with intarsia!!
My intentions for this year are very similar to yours ……I’m going to have only one garment, one accessory and a pair ( or 2!) of socks on my needles (I’m obsessed with socks…..) as they’re so portable I carry them with me at all times for those odd moments I get some downtime! 😊❤
Hello! I understand what you are saying about not wanting to make knits that are too basic or knitting the same thing twice. However, I actually enjoy that type of content! It shows me what patterns are worth it, and tells me more about you because it showcases your style and which garments you will use the most. Personally, the basics are the garments I look for because it fits within my wardrobe the best and I do not think that is boring at all! I found you a few months ago now and you are my favourite podcaster, I love the effort you put into your videos and knits. You can tell you enjoy the craft and your voice is very soothing. I hope you have a lovely week.
As far as learning to spin on a wheel, look to see if there is a weavers and spinners guild in your area. They will often have wheels you can use and borrow. Also an Electric Eel Wheel Nano (EEW Nano) might be an affordable and compact wheel for you to try.
Hi from me, a happy hanger-outer 😂. I also have hesitated to wear my handmade items because I'm afraid to wear them out (literally and figuratively) but I'm going to try to wear them more this year! Also, I don't know what other word you could use instead of "intentions" or "goals" but this year, I have a "Wouldn't it be Loverly" list of knitting techniques or types of projects I'd like to make! The list is more of a reference and less of a checklist 😊❤ I'm looking forward to more hangout sessions with you here and on IG!
When you know how to knit socks, I would recommend trying colorwork with socks, because it makes up a small part of the sock. And when you don't like it, you can easily restart it and did not put that much work in it. A sock was my first colorway project and I really enjoyed it 😊
Mosaic color work would be my recommendation on where to start. You’ll get that 2 strand color work satisfaction while only working with one color per row (for that reason some people don’t consider it color work)😊 If you want to work on tensioning your yarn holding 2+ strands for color work, the next step up for me was two stranded color work and playing around with holding the yarn in different ways to see what was most comfortable ☺️
I didn't knit myself anything this year, I gifted everything. Hats, baby blankets, dish cloths, cowls, scarves. This year I'm planning knitting some sweaters for others.
On stranded colourwork, I got really psyched out by a hat where I went rogue … slippery cotton … long floats … definitely didn’t stretch right in the end! Then I thought that being an English style knitter etc would stand in my way. But no!! Three things I learned since: - I like to size up needles in the colourwork section (like US 7 instead of 6 if that’s the body needle) which ppl suggested would keep even gauge between colourwork and body and that works for me! - don’t pull your floats too tight - feels awkward to have them be loose, but I heard to spread out my stitches on the right needle instead of bunch them up and that keeps the float the right length. - ppl say non superwash wooly wool is better suited to colour work … and I think that’s probably true … but I also like superwash so oh well! Cotton colourwork was not my jam tho …
Hi Nora, love your YouTubing presentations and content. As for the Colorwork conundrum, let's start with, I am not an expert in knitting. Far from it. However, I have done stranded, mosaic and intarsia with each having there own pluses and minuses. As a newbie colorwork knitter I would suggest; 1) a smaller project like a hat or cowl to kick off the adventure 2) mosaic requires far less yarn management than the others 3) pick really fun colors to keep your interest 4) garments are usually drop shoulder construction to maintain the colorwork so check out the pattern carefully to see how easy it is to add your own personal touches 5) I know how you like to thrift shop for yarn, however, for stranded knitting be sure to use a rustic wool that will bloom (not superwash), it will really improve the end result dramatically I don't consider myself fearless but my first colorwork was a Marie Wallin sweater called Lily using Rowan's Felted Tweed. I modified the heck out of it because I am a rather full-figured woman (needed to do some FBA [Full Bust Adjustments]) and require more up top but not in the shoulders. I changed needle sizes, added short rows, made it long sleeve and yarn managed to make the sleeve colors match the bodice. Take away, learned a ton but found it a rather long...very long process. However, it is one of my best sweaters. Only regret is I didn't make the body longer, it's still wearable but I prefer it a bit longer. Good luck.
I’ve been knitting for awhile but recently started dabbling in colorwork. I use stranded colorwork and I am a bit of a loose knitter but have to consciously knit loosely in the colorwork section. You will not have any issues. I’m very impressed with your skills and can’t believe you’ve only been knitting a year!
Hello Nora! First: you’re fantastic. Second: colourwork is awesome, a very playful ground. My (humble) tips for first steps onto this new playground: - I’d start with a small project, and I’d start one that is worked in the round (eg a hat or mittens). - I’d start with “jacquard” (not intarsia); and I’d start with 2 colours. - I’d pick 2 colours that you can easily associate with the chart (eg a darker colour= the black on the chart). This avoids unnecessary brain gymnastics at the beginning. - I’d start with a pattern that has short floats that do not need special catching in the background (eg max. 4-5 stitches of a colour before switching to the other). The “ladder technique” is great - but I’d keep that one for a later step. First challenge is to keep the right tension of the threads “running backstage”, for the knit work to keep its elasticity and for the pattern to be smooth and nice upfront (otherwise you’ll have a new Ranunculus-episode-3 - hilarious! - where the colourwork hat/mittens do not fit your head/hands because the floats are too tight…). Hope this helps! Greetings from cold Scandinavia/Sweden, where we wear a lot of colourwork as colourwork is double-layered, so double-warm (check out Selbu from Norway). Happy 2024 with all its stitches and twists, and colors and floats! /kim.
Thank you!! I'm already just loving the beginning of this comment 😂 you're speaking my language! KIM!! Thank you so so much! What a fantastic cheat sheet! I'll be sure to refer back to this one when the time comes! Thank you!!!
I updated my Ravelry queue with patterns that I have sweaters quantities of yarn, in no particular order, and when I finish one project, I scroll the queue to see what jumps out!
@@akaNoraKnits probably not how everyone uses the queue, but helps me to see a visual of potential next makes! Also if you keep your stash updated in Ravelry you can update the queue with the yarn you plan to use.
Heya Nora, I love that you jump into the deep end with everything that you do! That hand sewn/embroidered floral dress is stunning! I also have no interest in dyeing yarn, but I really want to learn to spin. I wish you luck in all of your 2024 endeavors. Your vid’s are great, you seem to be yourself & always are striving to do better,I think this makes your videos engaging. Can I share: I’m currently knitting a simple cowl while I’m searching for a pattern for a top- either another sweater or a summer/spring top. Everything I fall in love with is knit from the bottom up, which was my last sweater. I don’t mind this type of construction, but you’ve inspired me to try something new (technique wise) with each project. So… keeping my hands busy & we’ll see. Thanks for sharing. Take care, Anna
Thank you so much, Anna! I really don’t know how to be anyone but myself, so I am so glad y’all are here for it! Good luck with your bottom up construction! I have only knit one bottom up garment, but I actually enjoyed the way you just get right in to the knitting! I hope you learn from the experience!
Basic sweaters are great and there are so many with lot of different little details - make what you like and we'll enjoy following along, for sure! Would be a great opportunity to sponsor a KAL for newer as well as more experienced knitters maybe!
Really enjoy all of your content! This year, I’m sticking with one pair of socks and then a garment or other accessory - finish either before casting on another plus I’m only shopping my stash this year too so, no buying new yarn. And, I tend to prefer easy to wear basic garments so I have a few colors (pink, teal, red) already in stash other than my usual blue, grey, charcoal, dark green and burgundy/wine/maroon. With color work, I started out with fingerless mitts, a hat and a small section on the leg of a sock.
My favourite for trying new techniques is cowls and shawls, people always told me hats but I just don't wear hats that much (makeup on the forehead lmao) so I'd rather have something I can pull up over my hair from the back. There's so many beautiful ones out there and they make great gifts if you are just wanting to try out the technique but the colour isn't for you or you don't need another cowl haha
I love the basics……Felix, Esmeralda, lento, flax….. I have done some colorwork circular yokes. Geometric patterns are easier to memorize and having only two colors at the time is better than three or more. Mosaic is easy because you use only one color at the time.
For colorwork, I have tried stranded, intarsia and fair isle. I would recommend stranded colorwork, maybe start with 2 colours (to help with yarn management) and that that pattern doesn't involve catching long floats (meaning that there is less then 7 stitches between each colour part). I would also suggest to watch some videos about how to manage the yarn: I learned that after a couple of sweater and I believed it was a pain before learning that. Now, I never end up with tangles: very helpful to know! 😅
I think that mosaic is very pretty in the finished product but a touch boring and repetitive sometimes. Andrea mowreys night shift cowl is a great place to try mosaics. It doesn’t take too long to get in the swing for a colorwork piece. There are lots of different ways to hold your yarn. You just have to find the right one for you. Intarsia is pretty but a bit of a pain in the ass to get set up. I look forward to your approach to each one. HAPPY NEW YEAR.
I adore color work I knit it a lot!!! if you’re going to do anything to begin with I would start with mosaic because technically you’re only using one color at a time and you’re slipping your secondary color. Patterns like the pressed flowers shawl is Definitely a good start. Other wise Jennifer Steingas makes some wonderful color, work sweaters that fit beautifully.
'Tolsta tee' by the Rebecca Clow 'Sibling sweater my size' and the 'Souffle' by Laura Penrose Knitty Mcpurly has some colour work sweaters that are on the easier side, eg the Fosette Lento sweater, by Jonna Hietala
I like to do one project at a time and I have a container with project bags made up with yarn and pattern inside. I usually just put hand in container or send hubby to grab a bag and that’s what is on my needles next
Your personality is what makes your content so enjoyable. I think I could watch your commentary as you knit a stockinette tube a mile long and enjoy every minute. Also, if you do get suggestions on where one could maybe go for a spinning class without their own wheel somewhere in CT let us all know! I'm in the Hartford area and I want so badly to start spinning but my home and lifestyle has no room for a wheel. I did get a drop spindle for Christmas and it's beautiful and I'm interested in learning, but I feel like the starting and stopping that comes with that will deter me from getting in a groove Also also, I'm a hairstylist as well and laughed out loud when you talked about dying yarn. Color was my jam but updos not so much. I'm looking forward to someday putting my love of color to work on wool instead of human hair 😂
Stranded/fair isle. There’s a free patons fair isle hat pattern. Do it in the round. Won’t take long and it’s all you need to get the info you’ll need get going. And you’ll have a hat. Love your videos.
