I will second the comments on Ravelry. You can find the sweater, or whatever, and it lists all the people who have knit the project. I find it really helpful to see color combinations that other people have used. A lot of people will leave notes that are very helpful. I can see how it looks on different body shapes and how different yarns drape. It will also show yarn suggestions so you can see what people have used the most. You can also track your projects. Just a suggestion. I love your projects and you are Braver than me, I haven't knit a sweater for me yet. Love your videos!!
The porcelain sweater has been right at the top of my list of "must knits" for a while now. I had no idea it was so popular,but I can understand why. Maybe you could host a knit along (KAL) when you are ready to do it? I would definitely be up for joining in that one. You are so right about how obsessive it can become - welcome to the world of knitting!
As a knitter myself I would not recommend cotton yarns in colourwork. It often looks less neat than with a woolen yarn. And I understand that you prefer not to use wool but there are also many advantages of wool. I only wash my wool sweaters once in the winter and that also has its advantages in the end. I am very curious about your knitting content!! Other great beginner patterns are the step by step sweater and step by step cardigan by handmade by florence. She also makes nice videos with an explaination. Currently, I'm working on a modified no frills sweater by Petiteknit. And I will be making something with cables this winter but haven't decided which pattern
I am also an English knitter 😊 I was taught that way, I’m from France and here it’s the norm. I had never seen continental knitting before watching knitting podcasts !
Hooray! So fun! A tip for the Musselburgh hat: weigh the yarn before you start and then knit to the halfway point of the weight and then start your decreases. When I knit it this tip saved my sanity because I knew when the true halfway point was in my yarn and both sides were even. Also, I agree--top down sweaters are the best! They are my favorite to knit for exactly the reasons you stated. Also, I love to add a small shawl pattern into my knitting rotation. They usually use a skein of fingering yarn (~400ish yards) and then they serve as fun scarves to wear for winter.
Totally interested in more of this type video ….you are a really good educator….part of the reason I’ve followed you since the old days when you were still overseas. I’m not vegan and I still watched way way back because of how easy and informative your content was in addition to being inclusive ❤🎉
watching this video with a big blanket, eating cookies, waiting for your book to arrive. I found you only a few months ago and your videos have become the ones i look most forward to
I am an English knitter, too. I like that I can take my time and have my tension so even. Keen to follow your first top-down sweater experience. I recently made the Sunde Sweater by November Knits and loved every minute of it. A friend's Mum said it was very professional... I'm only a year into knitting!
I’m knitting the Porcelain sweater right now as I’m watching this!! You can do it :) Side note but maybe it could be useful for somebody. I’ve found really good quality sweater to unravel yarn from at thrift stores. It’s a sustainable and economical way to knit. There are a lot of videos on what to look for and how to best do it.
Beginner English knitter here! First things first, these videos have definitely been my biggest inspiration to give knitting a try, huge thank you Emmy!! 💖 I'm currently working on my first project - the Sophie scarf - and boy oh boy was trying to make it in Continental knitting a task! 😅 Back to English knitting all the way ahah
I had tight tension in ceochet and knitting and while I love the ease of English knitting, I found continental knitting is easier on my neuropathy than English knitting and any crochet. It also eased my tension and made a nicer fabric for me. I fully encourage everyone to find what works for them and not worry about how other people work or if they tell you their method is better. I'm loving watching the intro to learning knitting. I learned to crochet in the '80's and started learning to knit in 2008 and I'm still learning new info all the time.
Have you checked out Ravelry regarding patterns. Many are free! When you do color work, do you carry each yarn with a different hand? It keeps the yarns from tangling up. I took a class in it and was glad I did. It also helps with tension. I wish I had your enthusiasm for trying new things. I love Lopi sweaters and I adore your vest, what pattern did you use? Also check out Elizabeth Zimmerman's books. I got some amazing mail today in the US- your book!!!!
Oh Immy, this is so incredible to see! I have been watching your videos for years while I knit! I started watching you when I began the journey of reducing my waste back in 2018 when I was living in Wales. Now I'm back home in Canada and now to have you knit "with me" is just incredible! I started my knitting youtube channel back in February and I posted a video about my autumn knitting plans a few weeks ago, if you're interested 🤍
I'm also a beginner with knitting, and since I've started watching your videos, I have been diving into that! I'm making socks for the first time. They're patchwork socks that'll look like foxes (hopefully). Also I want to make a beanie with matching colours and fox ears, a sweater with a forest theme and colours. Also, now, after watching this video, I absolutely need those songbird mittens! 😍
You might want to check out Tunisian crochet. It’s quite different and a lot of fun. Also you are an inspiration because I knit and crochet and still struggle to make garments. I’m most comfortable with afghans and things that don’t require fitting. Seeing how far you’ve come motivates me. Thanks.
Oooo, yes, anything knitting, crocheting and sewing are very interesting to me. I so admire your patience with these crafts. I have never completed a knitting project, so you are deffo motivating me. Have a lovely time in the UK from N Yorks, UK.
You are so ambitious with new projects and it's so fun to watch and get inspired. I received your book in the mail today and I'm so excited to start digging into it!
You are so right about getting frustrated at first and to really just enjoy the process. I’m mostly a crocheter but also dabble in knitting, Tunisian crochet, sewing, cross stitch, and embroidery. I love fiber arts and would love to see more from you about it!
i knit english style too and occasionally i’ll try to teach myself continental, but i find my tension is way off. i’ve been knitting for over 20 years and it’s just second nature to throw my yarn 🤣 excited to follow along with your fiber journey ☺️ also, i saw someone mention in a comment that colorwork with cotton yarn doesn’t always look nice, but i don’t knit with wool yarn and i think my colorwork in cotton has turned out quite nice. steaming/blocking is key ☺️☺️
Your video just kept me company while knitting! I have knitted the porcelain sweater last winter and I loved it but the knitting back and front colourwork was a little bit challenging and I was glad when it was back in the round! I am knitting the Sunday Sweater by Petite Knit right now (which is very much a beginner pattern). I am looking forward to more knitting video froms you but all your videos are great to knit to 😅
I'm very jealous as I have tried soooo many times to knit and crochet and I just can't! My tension is great one way and terrible the other! I just cannot achieve any kind of consistency so I've given up. I'm also extremely lucky that my mother-in-law is amazing at these things, so she does them for me! I have lots of other skills thankfully! Love, love, love your videos and am looking forward to seeing the culmination of your projects xoxoxo
I’m crocheting an easy blanket right now. I want to crochet a hat, a bottle cozy, a cup cozy and a spa set. I’ve made the spa set in the past and looks so nice in white and fun to give as gift. Also dish clothes.
Hello Immy! Maybe you could try quilting small items to get more used to sewing ? It would be perfect zero waste projects since you could reuse thrifted fabrics, and there would be no stress involved with small quilting projects, like coasters,napkins, pillow cases, etc. I love all your projects!
if you knit colourwork I recommend you look into „colour dominance“ - it changes the appearance of your knit depending on which strand you hold where and if you accidentally change that in the middle it can look a bit messy. I don‘t know what your stance on wool is but it‘s recommended to use „grippier“ and lighter yarn like wool for colourwork. Colourwork with cotton is definitely possible but it will look quite different than the pattern photos.
Love crafty youtube videos and also put them on when I'm crafting, so wouldn't mind knitting/crocheting videos from you :) I'm intrigued by the baby book! Would be so cool! I have a lot of sewing projects with a deadline at the moment, so probably not the best idea to start something new right now, but if, it would be a book like that!
I’ve been following you for a few years now and I’m loving your knitting and crochet journey! ❤I’m currently doing some stash busting projects and unraveling my first knit and crochet sweaters as well
Finally a new video about knitting! 🤩I'm in my do-it-yourself era too and want to crochet everything I see on youtube (now I have some more things thanks for this video)! At least, I'm determined to crochet all the Christmas presents...
Yes please share more as I love to put these videos on whilst knitting/crocheting as well! Loved hearing about your journey, mine is quite similar but the other way around - started with crochet about 6 years ago and only this year picked up knitting! Currently working on my first knit jumper (top down) and terrified of picking up stitches and the double folded collar but step by step 😂🤞🏼.
I loved hearing about your projects! I am finishing up my Nightmare Before Christmas Sally socks. And I am so dang excited to wear them!!! I have lots of WIPs I need to finish and I am trying very hard to be disciplined and not start a new cast on.
Hi I would love to see how you knit the porcelain jumper! I am more of a crocheter and am making a freehand waistcoat which I am going embroider with wool. Please carry on sharing! 🙏
You seem so so so sympathic to me Immy :) I think you look beautifully natural in all of your videos and I envy you for your patience and effort whilst learning things like knitting and improving your cooking skills! I wish I would be sticking to the things I like as much as you do! All the best wishes from Germany
Would love to see a video for each thing you make, I love crafty videos! I’ll be plodding away with my first ever jumper this winter, a very slow knitter so hoping to finish in time for winter 2025 lol
Wow love this video! Gets me excited to try knitting again. My first project was made with cotton yarn and it did not turn out how I wanted. The texture was perfect but the sizing was just of. I will try to undo it and make it again. I would be really interested in your research about cotton yarn! ☺️🤞🏻☕️🍂
I just finished the Halibut sweater by Boyland knits as my first colourwork and it was a lot of fun. Definitely got stuck on "sleeve island" though, I ended up undoing half a sleeve to change the decrease amount and it felt never ending. I love knitting top down and being able to kind of see how it's fitting as you go plus the bonus of no seaming, highly recommend looking up how to pick up the underarm stitches with minimal holes. I also undid my first sweater, as soon as i finished it last year i knew i didnt like it and only wore it twice. Currently looking for a nice simple oversized sweater pattern to knit up but not 100% on the style i want 😅 I'm about to go into summer so will be doing more sewing than knitting but I do want to start on this one so I have it ready for winter.
Just found your channel and I can’t get enough! I am also vegan, interested in gardening and fermenting and all of those things. Also I love to knit, crochet and read books so I’m excited about all the things you are doing and reading. I’ve not been brave enough yet to make anything that has to fit except for hats so you’re inspiring me to try something like a sweater. We just bought a new house and I’m making a couple of throws for guest bedrooms that I’m excited about. Have you ever tried any of the mosaic crochet patterns? Those look a little more like knitting and are fun to do! Looking forward to some videos about your projects and of course the food! Take care, Julie from Omaha NE
so fun you mentioned finnish knitters! as a finn, I've definitely seen SO many beautiful finnish knitwear patterns, but I feel like we're lacking on the crochet ones. I've ended up following youtube crochet tutorials even though it would sometimes be easier to have a proper pattern in my language since I often need to adjust things and get a different yarn etc.
Another plus about top-down sweaters is that if you aren't sure if you have enough yarn for the whole thing, you can knit the body to the length you're comfortable with, then weigh how much yarn you have left, split that in two for the sleeves, and that way you'll know your sweater will fit and cover all the important bits 😂 and just deal with adjusting sleeve length with whatever is left.
If you have friends with babies I highly recommend starting to sew some baby clothing. Thats how i truly learned how to sew and I have several friends that started with that as well. The patterns are really small, you don't need much fabric and it's much faster than clothing for adults, so if the result doesn't work out its much less frustrating. Additionally the clothing sits wide and doesn't have to sit perfectly for a baby so its less pressure. Through sewing baby clothing I learned how to sew with patterns and how to sew generally and after I made several things I felt confident enough to try some easy adult patterns as well. Once you get into it its addicting and so fun, the start can be truly frustrating though so start with easy things
I would love to know where you buy yarn and which type of yarn you choose. Also I would love to know if a person wants to learn to knit, do you have any resources or ideas to learn? Thank you!
I'm loving hearing about your knitting projects! I just finished the Sophie Shawl by PetiteKnit and am working on the Autumn Alpine sweater by Caitlin Hunter (my first color work sweater!!). I'm really wanting to make a cozy sweater next and am leaning toward the Eun Sweater by Ane Fiskum.
I’ve been knitting for ~15 years (my grandma taught me in elementary school) and I am SCARED of the porcelain sweater 😂 Got the pattern two winters ago and I absolutely suck at color work Couple things that have helped me: - writing my own simple patterns to really understand the construction of knit pieces (calculating how many stitches I would need for my bust & arms and then doing the math to see how many I need in the beginning) -> also really helpful when you have bought a pattern and don’t like a certain aspect of the fit/design and want to alter it to your preferences - experimenting with different kinds of needles and yarn (i.e. metal, wood, plastic needles; acrylic, merino, mohair yarn) - Ravelry (it has a steep learning curve in the beginning to find your way around) -> I use it to track my projects, add images and look up versions of other crafters. Really great for color and yarn inspiration ☺️
Hello Immy , love your knitted products and cooking. How did you learn to knit? What's the needle size you would recommend for a beginner? I crochet a lot but can't knit to save my life😢. Love watching people knit, so warm and cosy. Thank you ❤
Loved this video and your enthusiasm! I'm currently working on the Arctic light sweater from Kutovakika. She has a great youtube channel with really detailed tutorials on how to make her patterns including some fun knitting vlogs (and knitting books). My current crochet project is a granny square blanket, it takes a looooong time but I love just working on a little square when I have the time. Another YT channel I love is 'those twins who knit' where they talk about knitting and some sewing in podcast style. Good luck with your projects!
I loved this video! Very excited about more knitting/crocheting/crafting content! In a future video, can you please talk about what yarns you use and how you choose yarns re: sustainability and veganism? It would be so helpful! I'm a beginner knitter and feel so discouraged about knitting because almost every project I want to make uses some kind of wool or mohair and I love the look of wool and mohair, but don't want to use them as a vegan. It is hard to find anything that achieves those same looks in a natural fiber. And I don't know how to feel about using acrylic and polyester from a sustainability standpoint and I know many people say that garments made from synthetics don't age well at all. Would love to get your thoughts on all things yarn! For sewing patterns, you should check out Sydney Graham! She has a great youtube channel with lots of good video tutorials. All of her patterns are very beginner friendly, too. My current knitting plans include making some little mushroom ornaments (pattern is Christmas Toadstools free on ravelry!) to give as gifts for the holidays. They are knit in the round on 3.25mm double pointed needles and you only cast on 6 total stitches so quite finicky to get going, but I'm learning a lot! xx
Yes please ! I am also struggling in my knitting journey as a vegan and eco-mind. So please, I would like to know what are your thoughts about the different yarns. Thank you so much for your content ! (Hi from France !)
Why not try linen or hemp yarns? If you live in the Global North this would be quite a sustainable option as linen and hemp grow well in colder climates. I don't know whether there are many linen yarn producers/growers in the USA/Canada, but in EU there are plenty - just google French or Belgian linen or hemp yarn. Personally, I love knitting with linen - it looks great imo, especially after blocking. It's definitely not the same look as wool yarns, but it's pretty soft and warm. I recently knitted a cardigan using sport weight linen yarn and it's really pleasant to wear and really soft (i've got a video of it if you are curious) :) For a warmer yarn you can also try cotton chenille - I haven't found an organic version yet though (there was one USA based producer but they did not ship outside USA).
There are some good knitting books if you want to learn new stitches, The harmony guide to Knitting Stitches is one of them, I bought this book in London a few decades ago but maybe you can find it online.
My #1 advice for you if you're really in love with knitting is a big purchase, but getting a set of interchangeable needles is really helpful. Especially with sweaters. It's very easy to change needle sizes. You'll save money over time too because separate needles in different lengths can be really expensive over time. Another tip, when you find a designer you really like or yarn store - sign up for their newsletter. Some designers give a larger discount for their subscribers only. I love that my LYS (local yarn store) sends out a notice for sales or classes. ☺️ I have a few tips for colourwork I can reply with later! Welcome to the crafty world! 😀
As an avid knitter, yarn shop owner and fan of your channel I looove this content! I was also wondering how you deal with your yarn choice. Sustainably speaking pure local wool from happy sheep is a good option, but for a vegan may be organic cotton, hemp or linen is the best? But you loose warmth. And acrylic aka plastic is vegan but not sustainable at all I guess. It's quite a difficult choice, but no judgment here. As you said the principal thing is to have a nice time doing it and enjoying yourself 🤗
Learning by doing. I knit a couple of years now and I can tell you, you will never be done with learning new skills. Lots of project provides me with new to me technics and there is a lot of things I`ve never done. Ravelry (a free website) can help to find patterns from professional designers.
I started with Petiteknit patterns. She has videos on the techniques for every pattern on the pattern website. Now I just search for videos on any new techniques I need for patterns 😊 So start with finding a pattern you want to make, and look up anything along the way that you need to learn.
