Hi! I'm the one from the first question (about felting socks). If anyone is here for the same reason, I ended up cutting the sock right above the heel - used the leg portion to make some fingerless mitts, and the bottom part does fit me so I just added a rib and got some fun shorties. overall, success!
I recently learned a great tip for felted knits! You just put quite a bit of hair conditioner in water and let your knits soak it all in. than take it out as you would block it, but- gently- pull it in the old shape. I tried it and it worked quite good. The garment I unfortunately felted, isn't exactly the same, but fits again. yay!
On the issue of wool "softness": I have started thinking that there is a different between "rough" wool and "itchy" wool. I think of rough wools as more rustic and sturdy than, say, merino, but not necessarily irritating. An analogy would be maybe denim as a fabric: new denim is stiff, but it's not itchy. I love my sturdy handspun sweaters (mostly Romney) and can wear them next to my skin, but I would not consider them "soft." And I have sensitive skin. What do you think?
Faded version of The Traveler Shawl… this got me thinking. 💡 I could use fingering weight doubled and I have the perfect fade already in my stash. If someone would just finish my other WIPs so I could get started right away. 😅
Thank you for yet another great design, Andrea ❤ I find that I can knit literally every single one of your designs, I absolutely adore your style! I have just received the mohair that I will add to my traveller shawl and I can’t wait to cast it on! An interesting fact- my very first ever knit shawl was the Thaliah shawl which I now use daily while working by the computer. It sits perfectly on my shoulders and keeps me warm and stylish on all the zoom calls 🤭 Today’s question about machine washing hand knit socks reminded me of a very interesting Norwegian sock yarn. It’s called Vandre from Rauma Garn and it’s 100% non-superwash sock yarn. On the label, it says that before using the socks made from this yarn, they should be first machine washed at 40 degrees Celsius with full spin. This makes the wool even more durable and interestingly enough not felted! The yarn has 50% of wool with super long fibres and washing them at a high temperature makes the fibres more dirt and damage resistant. Just a fun fact for all the sock lovers 😊
The passioknitspinner here on yt was the first peraon I ever knew to do a combo spin, years and years ago, and she has some really great videos on how to go about tackling it. Her combo spins are amazing!
Sometimes a soak in salt water helps loosen the felting, on slightly felted but colourwork has all the strands behind the knitted surface that are carried, so they really felt into the knitting. Sometimes you can cut the tight strands if that is what shrunk, but haven’t felted to the knitted surface, then just stitch them down so the don’t flap in the sock, and that is enough to use the socks again.
Harrisville Designs Nightshades is a great yarn and definitely softens up with blocking! One of my favorite go to sweaters is knit with this yarn in the color last call.
I love wearing my Gib - just a nice cosy sweat-shirty sweater that is so comfy. I finished it about a month or so ago, and have been wearing it several times a week! Thanks again for the lovely pattern.
If you like to combo spin you might want to try combo drafting! I combo drafted two complimentary braids together for a Weekender and it’s one of my favorite yarns ever!
I have to tell you that I've knitted many of your sweaters and shawls (I am obsessed with your patterns!) and seeing you wear the Gib warms my heart. It is my most favorite handknit and my constant go to. I knit it in BT Imbue Boro and I think I have to knit another, my first repeat! Thanks for all of your inspiration, guidance, and sweetness!
I’m absolutely enjoying the 100 day spin. I needed this in my life to start every morning. It’s been fun and I’m finally feeling comfortable with my support spindle. Working on my wheel to finish a sweater spin😊
Hi Andrea! I’m finishing medical school and in the process of applying to residency programs. One of my top programs is in Maine! Is seems like there’s such a lovely little knitting community over there, which is a huge draw. I’m currently knitting the feel good shawl. Only a few rows left! Was my first experience with brioche and I’m hooked.
I have good experience with using hair conditioner when something is excidantly felt. Just put your felted items in hand warm water with a generous amount of hair conditioner. Let it soak for 5 min. Then stretch the felted item in the water. It will be easier to stretch it. It won't undo it totally but I have two sweatsers that are wearable again after this treatment
I started a Traveler shawl this week and I'm doing a fade with my new year countdown yarn from Coast to Coast Yarn Company! The countdown is coffee themed so it will fade from cream to dark brown. I think for the second triangle I might go in the opposite order from dark to light again. I'm really enjoying working on the shawl so far!
If your felted socks are only a little too small to get on you can try soaking it in water with a fair bit of conditioner mixed in and then gently stretch it out and let it dry. It won't fully reverse felting but does help.
My relative washed one of my hamdknit sweaters, and it came out toddler sized But you know what. I threw it into a bath of water and I stretched it like I've never stretched anything before and I cannot believe it myself, but I wear that sweater to this day and I ACTUALLY LIKE IT MORE Throw those socks in a tub of water and stretch the hell out of them. You*might* be able to save them I'm not sure because they're smaller circumference but I do believe in you!
These are always my favorite episodes of yours!! The ones that are a bit longer (around 40 minutes) and at a point in time in your designing, knitting, and spinning schedule that allows for so much show and tell. I’ve loved joining in the #100daysofspindlespinning challenge and have actually been posting every day. We’ll see how long that lasts, but nonetheless having a great time 🪄 Maybe I’ll have enough at the end to make a wild, mish-moshed traveler shawl
Regarding the felted socks if they are lightly felted you could try soaking them in a bowl of water with some hair conditioner stretch them as much as you can while wet. Let them air dry and then use a de-pilling tool once dry.
I love love this new shawl one of my favorites and thank you for making it that we can use all different types if yarns and really make our own. I would love to spin my own yarn but can't afford the wheels I do have a drop spindle so now need to find someone to show me how you are do talented and I look forward to your videos each week be well happy knitting 😊
I started support spinning last night. I about cried I couldn't find a video about or muddle my way around getting started with wrapping the fiber on the spindle. But I'm glad I'm stubborn. I kept trying, watching videos and putting all that together with my intuition then it really felt like all of a sudden I was spinning and long draw drafting with my left hand! and it felt so natural! I don't long draw and definitely not with my left hand. But I can only give a good flick with my right. I'm still wobbly with it but I'm past that cry and give up point and it feels good! But I need a better whorl. I made mine out of clay. It spins nice till you add the fiber then it slows down.
Thank you for the demo of how to wear a shawl. I've been so frustrated with wearing shawls that I've mainly been knitting cowls instead - even though there are a lot of shawl patterns I'd like to try. I am going to give Traveler a try. I've ordered Farmer's Daughter Foxy Lady and Mighty Mo in Hawk Boy. Planning to hold them together to knit the Traveler Shawl small. I hope it works. First time holding two yarns, and first time with mohair. A little nervous to use mohair because I'm really sensitive to the wool itch.
I love this shawl! I know you mentioned in the newsletter a potential spin to knit along, but I couldn't wait! I'm spinning up a combo spin with three braids as fast as I can (I've never done a three ply before, so this will be fun). I'm hoping to have it done, rested, and washed before I go on vacation so that I have a nice relaxing visit when flying and doing the crazy family thing.
Andrea, I really enjoyed the part about how you work with color to find the combo you like best. My question is exactly what do you do next to spin them together? I'm new to spinning and I cannot even begin to imagine how you spin 2-3 braids together to achieve a combination of all the colors. I watch your episodes every week and will be anxiously awaiting your expert response to my question. Thank you from northern MI.
Question…. I am a knitter, weaver and crocheter and teach these skills privately and at my LYS in Ann Arbor, MI. A good friend suggested your video podcast “I’ll Knit if I want To” and I love and look forward to Fridays! So much so that I am now very interested in learning to spin on a support spindle. (I did spin a bit on wheel many many years ago). My question is, where do you suggest I start? Spindle? Tutorials? Books? Any suggestions would be helpful!
I had a pair of socks that felted and thankfully I soaked them and put them on a blocker that is bigger than my normal blocker and it stretched them out enough to be able to slip over my heel again
Hi Andrea, thanks for the great podcast ! About blocking : you mentioned using hot water to immerse the garment. How hot is the temperature, approximately ?
Loving the 100 days of spinning! Pretty new to spinning, working on my turkish spindle now. Also just got a supported spindle i am dying to start giving a try! Love your rolags and been wanting to give that a try as well for when i start my supported spindle. How do you make yours? I have been looking into to a blending board!
For the felted socks: would soaking in water and putting them on sock blockers work? I've not had a pair of felted socks, so I have no idea if this would help.
