The part about changing measurements... My shoulders grew suddenly last year, so I have to be very carefully again when choosing projects (and make a lot of sweaters bc several store bought items no longer fit comfortably).
I would add: I really have to listen to my sensory needs. Just because I like the look or feel on my hands, it doesn't have to be nice on my wrists, neck and arms, so I need to choose fibers carefully. Even if it means I can't knit that sweater in this beautiful rustic wool.
Another thing: treating gauge more realistically. There was a time I could knit a whole garment in one gauge and switch to another with a completely different tension.
Right now it's not that time. So instead of fretting over it, I just have to keep checking, trying on, blocking in between etc.
And: working with a new fiber (linen this year) means I am starting anew, because the fiber properties are just different. That's OK. I will simply learn a lot of new and fascinating things. :)
Thank you for sharing your experience and experiments. You are right, there is so much to explore and understand just about the fibers. Just the other day, I chose super wash for a cowl design over a heathery Alpaca blend (I made a sweater) that had been so itchy on my inner elbows. The colors were so beautiful but I stayed determined.
I started Fluens Tee actually about 2 years ago. My second attempt was in linen and I did not love the way it made the short rows look all 'holey'.
Oh yeah, linen XD while I really like it as a fiber, I had a complete design fail in summer when I tried to do stranded colorwork with a 100% linen yarn. And on top, I tried to combine it with raw silk. The result didn't even look like knitted fabric XD
Lior, I too have sensitivity to most wools and cashmere at the neck and shoulders. It is so curious that I can knit with these fibers to my hearts content. And even wear wool hats as long as they do not touch my neck?!? I tend to make sweaters that I can wear a blouse or light weight t-neck underneath. Even a scarf can help greatly. More recently I have found that I am not so sensitive to baby alpaca. I see a cardigan made of it in my future!
I often knit in linen blends like cotton/linen and ones with either silk or bamboo. These plant fibers do not take to blocking for size the same way wool fibers do. Be sure to block a swatch to see how the yarn takes to different heat settings and moisture, especially with any silk blends. They tend to flatten out irreversibly with pressing. You can even press a single strand of yarn to get an idea of what will work best. I usually avoid actually touching the garment with the iron even with a pressing cloth, and just 'steam press' as needed through a damp cloth.
Great tips for ironability of hand knits! I suspect I have the same problem, Sandy. I experienced sensitivity to an alpaca blend too, after I had knitted it into a sweater. It felt great to touch as yarn. Good to know baby alpaca might work.
With alpaca, it depends on the halo for me. I used a wide alpaca brim that could be folded inwards last year to make a felted hat wearable :) also, a friend has started making cuffs and necklines from different fibers, which I want to try as well.
With the sweaters, I run apparently hotter now than in the past, so I have started turning to blends with silk and linen. And I think vests and tees are also a good substitute (and no second sleeve syndrome XD), which I am trying this fall/winter.
And I have started knitting fingering weight yarn at a very loose gauge, which makes choosing very soft superwash merino or silk blends less expensive. I love all the experimenting about knitting :)
Your Mika Vest is coming along beautifully! Today I'm wearing all handmade items, made by me! It brings me such joy to have created all these clothes. A knitted organic cotton tee, linen/cotton pants and knitted shorty socks. I'm slowly gaining understanding about measurements and how to get a good fit. One of the best things about making by hand is the learning that goes along with it. :)
Thank you Jodie. It is an incredible feeling to be wearing handmades and how wonderful you created a whole outfit!! I agree, the learning is the best part of it all.
Do a swatch! For gauge, but also to see if the color, texture, yarn construction, etc. is what you want in the finished item. Multi-colored yarns can look different knitted up. I learn so much from swatching, and it has saved me so much time and anguish when I discovered the yarn I thought I wanted really wasn’t suitable for the project.
Wonderful details Kavi. Not specific about Wardrobe knitting, but the speciality with handmade is if there is patience, we can work and re-work on it and make it perfect to our choice.
Exactly Sanghee! The opportunity to rework is amazing in this medium unlike some other art/craft practice. I am so grateful for that as well as all the learning that comes with it.
Thank you for sharing your process. I have made up a few patterns for myself and I always get tripped up when there are two of something like armies (fingerless gloves). I can rarely get them to match. Better note taking for me.
I used to have that problem too. One solid tip my friend gave me long ago was to not take very long breaks in projects so as to somewhat 'maintain' the gauge. With identical things like sleeves, socks, mitts, it is a good idea to use a bunch of markers to keep track of how many rounds are done in different parts of the item. Say I put a marker every 20 rounds in my sock or a marker on every decrease round on the sleeve. And keep those markers on your first item as reference until you finish making your second one, so they can be close replicas. There are also 'two at a time' methods, but I haven't tried any.
I agree that the comments from other knitters on ravelry explaining how they modified a pattern can be very educational and inspiring. I love how cleverly the knitters customize what they're making. Creative diversity on display!
I realized you were referring to Matte Hood. :) Yayyyy for the second one. I'm so glad the pattern is practical and enjoyable for you. Thank you, I'm working on grading the vest and sending it to the TE currently. :)
I would add: I really have to listen to my sensory needs. Just because I like the look or feel on my hands, it doesn't have to be nice on my wrists, neck and arms, so I need to choose fibers carefully. Even if it means I can't knit that sweater in this beautiful rustic wool.
Thanks Lior. This is so true for me. My body hates any wools especially my neck and arms so I have to pass up all the beautiful wools and wool blends. Unless I can wear something under it so that no skin touches the wool.
I hear you! I have had a bad experience with an Alpaca blend too. Recently I came close to choosing the same one again for a cowl project but I caught myself and had to choose some superwash instead. That's true, wearing something underneath is always an option and needs to be considered well for a project.
Does the super wash not scratch? I live in Florida so it mostly warm can you recommend some yarns that are beautiful but not itchy? I’m so tired of regular acrylic
Superwash is treated to remove or flatten the "scales" of the fiber. So for the large part yes, it is much softer. And takes color well, so yes, it is available in beautiful colors. Malabrigo's superwash lines are really popular. Universal, Berroco might have some options too. But on the other hand, I am trying to avoid superwash as much as possible because of the harmful processing involved and also it tends to stretch out badly. I wrote a post long ago about how to work with superwash here:
That said, Knit Picks Wool of the Andes, Knit Picks Palette (non-superwash wool) have really worked well for garments. Knit picks palette is a heathery yarn but softens very well and I am able to wear it without any problem. Wool of the Andes is a nice rounded yarn and very smooth.
If you are considering hand-dyed options, merino wool is really soft and widely available.
The part about changing measurements... My shoulders grew suddenly last year, so I have to be very carefully again when choosing projects (and make a lot of sweaters bc several store bought items no longer fit comfortably).
I would add: I really have to listen to my sensory needs. Just because I like the look or feel on my hands, it doesn't have to be nice on my wrists, neck and arms, so I need to choose fibers carefully. Even if it means I can't knit that sweater in this beautiful rustic wool.
Another thing: treating gauge more realistically. There was a time I could knit a whole garment in one gauge and switch to another with a completely different tension.
Right now it's not that time. So instead of fretting over it, I just have to keep checking, trying on, blocking in between etc.
And: working with a new fiber (linen this year) means I am starting anew, because the fiber properties are just different. That's OK. I will simply learn a lot of new and fascinating things. :)
Thank you for sharing your experience and experiments. You are right, there is so much to explore and understand just about the fibers. Just the other day, I chose super wash for a cowl design over a heathery Alpaca blend (I made a sweater) that had been so itchy on my inner elbows. The colors were so beautiful but I stayed determined.
I started Fluens Tee actually about 2 years ago. My second attempt was in linen and I did not love the way it made the short rows look all 'holey'.
Oh yeah, linen XD while I really like it as a fiber, I had a complete design fail in summer when I tried to do stranded colorwork with a 100% linen yarn. And on top, I tried to combine it with raw silk. The result didn't even look like knitted fabric XD
Omg, that sounds like a hardcore experiment. :D But that does sound like an interesting fiber blend - linen and silk.
It would, if it were a blend ^^" but it was one color linen, the other silk. And of course that didn't work at all.
Lior, I too have sensitivity to most wools and cashmere at the neck and shoulders. It is so curious that I can knit with these fibers to my hearts content. And even wear wool hats as long as they do not touch my neck?!? I tend to make sweaters that I can wear a blouse or light weight t-neck underneath. Even a scarf can help greatly. More recently I have found that I am not so sensitive to baby alpaca. I see a cardigan made of it in my future!
I often knit in linen blends like cotton/linen and ones with either silk or bamboo. These plant fibers do not take to blocking for size the same way wool fibers do. Be sure to block a swatch to see how the yarn takes to different heat settings and moisture, especially with any silk blends. They tend to flatten out irreversibly with pressing. You can even press a single strand of yarn to get an idea of what will work best. I usually avoid actually touching the garment with the iron even with a pressing cloth, and just 'steam press' as needed through a damp cloth.
Great tips for ironability of hand knits! I suspect I have the same problem, Sandy. I experienced sensitivity to an alpaca blend too, after I had knitted it into a sweater. It felt great to touch as yarn. Good to know baby alpaca might work.
With alpaca, it depends on the halo for me. I used a wide alpaca brim that could be folded inwards last year to make a felted hat wearable :) also, a friend has started making cuffs and necklines from different fibers, which I want to try as well.
With the sweaters, I run apparently hotter now than in the past, so I have started turning to blends with silk and linen. And I think vests and tees are also a good substitute (and no second sleeve syndrome XD), which I am trying this fall/winter.
And I have started knitting fingering weight yarn at a very loose gauge, which makes choosing very soft superwash merino or silk blends less expensive. I love all the experimenting about knitting :)
Thanks for the reminder about silk...
All good ideas to know about, Lior. Thanks for sharing your experimenting!
Your Mika Vest is coming along beautifully! Today I'm wearing all handmade items, made by me! It brings me such joy to have created all these clothes. A knitted organic cotton tee, linen/cotton pants and knitted shorty socks. I'm slowly gaining understanding about measurements and how to get a good fit. One of the best things about making by hand is the learning that goes along with it. :)
Thank you Jodie. It is an incredible feeling to be wearing handmades and how wonderful you created a whole outfit!! I agree, the learning is the best part of it all.
Do a swatch! For gauge, but also to see if the color, texture, yarn construction, etc. is what you want in the finished item. Multi-colored yarns can look different knitted up. I learn so much from swatching, and it has saved me so much time and anguish when I discovered the yarn I thought I wanted really wasn’t suitable for the project.
You are right! Swatching can tell us so many things if we care enough and take time to create a sizable one.
I just made the Mika hooded cowl for my daughter for Christmas and it came out wonderfully—a very well written pattern!!
Thanks!
Omg, this makes me so happy! Thank you so much for letting me know. I hope you are able to add the project to Ravelry sometime.
Wonderful details Kavi. Not specific about Wardrobe knitting, but the speciality with handmade is if there is patience, we can work and re-work on it and make it perfect to our choice.
Exactly Sanghee! The opportunity to rework is amazing in this medium unlike some other art/craft practice. I am so grateful for that as well as all the learning that comes with it.
Thank you for sharing your process. I have made up a few patterns for myself and I always get tripped up when there are two of something like armies (fingerless gloves). I can rarely get them to match. Better note taking for me.
I used to have that problem too. One solid tip my friend gave me long ago was to not take very long breaks in projects so as to somewhat 'maintain' the gauge. With identical things like sleeves, socks, mitts, it is a good idea to use a bunch of markers to keep track of how many rounds are done in different parts of the item. Say I put a marker every 20 rounds in my sock or a marker on every decrease round on the sleeve. And keep those markers on your first item as reference until you finish making your second one, so they can be close replicas. There are also 'two at a time' methods, but I haven't tried any.
I agree that the comments from other knitters on ravelry explaining how they modified a pattern can be very educational and inspiring. I love how cleverly the knitters customize what they're making. Creative diversity on display!
I love that so much too. There are always some hidden gems waiting to be discovered in that area of Ravelry. :)
Oops the correct name is the Matte hood. I’m going to make it again soon. Eager for that lovely vest to be ready!
I realized you were referring to Matte Hood. :) Yayyyy for the second one. I'm so glad the pattern is practical and enjoyable for you. Thank you, I'm working on grading the vest and sending it to the TE currently. :)
I would add: I really have to listen to my sensory needs. Just because I like the look or feel on my hands, it doesn't have to be nice on my wrists, neck and arms, so I need to choose fibers carefully. Even if it means I can't knit that sweater in this beautiful rustic wool.
Thanks Lior. This is so true for me. My body hates any wools especially my neck and arms so I have to pass up all the beautiful wools and wool blends. Unless I can wear something under it so that no skin touches the wool.
I hear you! I have had a bad experience with an Alpaca blend too. Recently I came close to choosing the same one again for a cowl project but I caught myself and had to choose some superwash instead. That's true, wearing something underneath is always an option and needs to be considered well for a project.
Does the super wash not scratch? I live in Florida so it mostly warm can you recommend some yarns that are beautiful but not itchy? I’m so tired of regular acrylic
Superwash is treated to remove or flatten the "scales" of the fiber. So for the large part yes, it is much softer. And takes color well, so yes, it is available in beautiful colors. Malabrigo's superwash lines are really popular. Universal, Berroco might have some options too. But on the other hand, I am trying to avoid superwash as much as possible because of the harmful processing involved and also it tends to stretch out badly. I wrote a post long ago about how to work with superwash here:
https://craftdoodling.substack.com/p/a-handknitters-guide-to-superwash
That said, Knit Picks Wool of the Andes, Knit Picks Palette (non-superwash wool) have really worked well for garments. Knit picks palette is a heathery yarn but softens very well and I am able to wear it without any problem. Wool of the Andes is a nice rounded yarn and very smooth.
If you are considering hand-dyed options, merino wool is really soft and widely available.
You’re amazing I so appreciate your expertise and kindness.
🤗 ❤️