I’ll Knit If I Want To: Episode 253

Описание: Welcome to I’ll Knit (& Spin!) If I want To! I asked y’all to send in some of your questions (from everything from fiber arts, to designing and on!) so I could put together a little video for y’all every Friday doing my best to answer your questions!

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Please enjoy 25% off of all my independently release sweater and shawl patterns with the discount code M2M26 thru Sunday, March 1, 2026 at midnight EST! (Please note that you should type the code in yourself and make sure to apply it before finishing your purchase, as the discount cannot be added retroactively.) Happy knitting!!

In this week’s episode we cover:

1. To wet block brioche or not……are there fiber combos/content that you would not wet block if used for brioche knitting? I attribute my love for this stitch as well as my ability to successfully create with this stitch all to you. You offer beautiful patterns with well written instructions in addition to tutorial support. I’ve completed a Cinnabar, an Attune and a Harlow flip all with different weight yarns with different fiber content (all wool) and all have wet blocked beautifully (soaked in warm water until cooled), maintaining the structure of the stitch. I’m finishing a Raina shawl now, using a fingering weight wool which is definitely the lightest weight I’ve used. A recent podcast discussed not blocking a piece or steam blocking it instead for fear of loosing the structure of the stitch.

2. Hi! I recently completed the traveler hoodie for my daughter and my husband loved the hood drape/shape and asked if he could get a sweater with that hood. So of course, I’m looking at the traveler. I’ve been wondering what modifications I would need to make other than the torso and sleeve lengths. Should I just knit a larger size, to account for a wider back? or add short rows for a deeper shoulder slope? I also wonder if I should start with a man-shaped basic design and incorporate the hood? But I feel like that would be more daunting than adding length and short rows.

3. Hi Andrea! I have a question about increases on sweaters being knit with Sandnes Garn Duo (a DK cotton-merino yarn). I’ve noticed since I have knit a few garments with this yarn that my increases (M1L and M1R) are really visible on the right side of the finished garment, even when blocked. The stitch between them looks bigger and looser than the other stitches before and after. I then tried lifted increases, which were less visible, but left little holes. What do you suggest? Should I just go with the flow and ignore the wonky rebel stitch? Is there a solution? What would you do? Thank you for the time and energy that you put into your weekly chats! They are really helpful and fun!

Increase tutorials: m1R and m1L -    • Knitting Tutorial for m1R and m1L Increases  
RLI -    • Knitting Tutorial: Right Lifted Increase (...  
LLI -    • Left Lifted Increase  

4. I'm finally starting the Gib II that I purchased a while ago, because I just found and bought a sweater quantity of dark brown(the color of the sheep) hand spun and I think the Gib II will be perfect. But I was unsuccessful using the tubular cast on and I did the Old Norweigian instead. My question: the set up row for 2x2 ribbing included a crossed stitch 1/1 RPC. I did it, it looks fine, but is the purpose to give the neck more structure? Is this set up row a good idea in general for a top down sweater, or is it better to skip the collar for a top down sweater and pick up and knitt a collar at the end?

5. I have been knitting for two years and am passionate about swatching. My question is, as a designer, do you include quantity for swatch in the amount of yarn needed? Depending on the amount of yarn stated, I often order an extra skein. I have found as many times as not, I needed or didn’t need extra yarn. I make the swatch according to pattern as knitting in the round or flat, and prefer to cut each end when knitting in the round which makes it unable to rip out in case it will be needed. I know this isn’t a big problem, I’m just trying not to have a leftover skein. I like to have some leftover in case I might need to repair, but not a full skein. I understand if modifications are made, this will impact yarn usage as well. Thank you, I truly appreciate your knowledge and willingness to teach and share.

Today I am wearing the Shift Cowl:
Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...
My Website: https://www.dreareneeknits.com/shop/t...

March 2 May Knitalong!
Sweater forum on Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/discuss/drear...
Shawl forum on Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/discuss/drear...
Hashtag for Instagram: #DRKM2MKAL26

Jaunty SAL with Daedalus: https://www.ravelry.com/discuss/drear...

Jaunty-along intro video:    • Jaunty-along!  

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