Sorry this post comes a little late as we are already well into July. Still, I think it's worth mentioning for all of you who knit with the intention of wearing your tops. My advice is simple : don't knit tank tops with straps so thin that they wouldn't cover a bra strap. It's not … Continue reading Knitting Advice Nr.25: if it doesn’t cover your bra straps, don’t knit it (it’s not a modesty issue)
Category: Pattern & Yarn industry critique
Knitting advice Nr. 19: Don’t trust brand names or book titles (Vikings didn’t knit)
Scandinavia has a rich knitting tradition, but this tradition doesn't date back to the Viking age (roughly end of 8th century-mid 11th century). Vikings didn't knit. Therefore it makes no sense to publish books with titles such as Viking knits or Viking Patterns for knitting, etc. It's a pity, really. Vikings had lovely sheep and … Continue reading Knitting advice Nr. 19: Don’t trust brand names or book titles (Vikings didn’t knit)
Having to knit as people used to (I’m not enjoying it)
I am knitting socks for my dad for Christmas - plain and simple socks, using some of my stash of fingering weight yarn, made of the usual blend for sock yarn ( 25 % nylon, 75 % superwash merino wool). I am NOT enjoying it. As I knit, I am ruminating on all the pollution … Continue reading Having to knit as people used to (I’m not enjoying it)
Knitting advice Nr. 11: Don’t buy superwash wool (part 3)
That’s it. That’s the advice. Don’t buy superwash. It’s bad for the environment, it’s bad for people living near the plants that scour and superwash wool. This post is part of a serie of posts where I give you a detailed account of what superwash wool is , how it is created and what are … Continue reading Knitting advice Nr. 11: Don’t buy superwash wool (part 3)
Knitting advice Nr. 12: Knit your superwash wool at a tighter gauge (your garment will be more durable)
Superwash wool is meant to be more "convenient": easily washable, and even, some claim, easily driable ! We all know this only partly true. We've seen what happens to our knits that we mistakenly put on an ordinary washing cycle. They don't turn out good. It never occurred to me to put the poor wrench … Continue reading Knitting advice Nr. 12: Knit your superwash wool at a tighter gauge (your garment will be more durable)
Knitting Advice Nr. 11: Don’t buy superwash wool (Part 2)
That's it. That's the advice. Don't buy superwash. It's bad for the environment, it's bad for people living near the plants that scour and superwash wool. Introduction The first superwash treatment: chlorination Chlorination and the structure of the wool fibre the fleece of sheep the wool fibre structure felt Research on chlorination Hercosett process : … Continue reading Knitting Advice Nr. 11: Don’t buy superwash wool (Part 2)
Knitting Advice Nr. 4 : Seam your knits with single crochet (especially the cotton ones).
Many knitters like seams to be invisible and single crochet, for sure, doesn't produce an invisible seam. But here's the thing : invisible seams are not as sturdy as a single crochet seam and a sturdy will help your garment to keeps its shape. We're talking cardigan, sweaters, T-shirts, vests and tank tops here.( I'm … Continue reading Knitting Advice Nr. 4 : Seam your knits with single crochet (especially the cotton ones).
Knitting Advice Nr. 3 : Don’t knit an entire garment in garter stitch (it will sag)
Garter stitch is the name of the stitch pattern you create when you are knitting flat and only using knit stitches on each and every row. Garter stitch isn't a good choice of stitch for knitting an entire garment with as it creates a fabric that sags due to how knit stitches behave when they're … Continue reading Knitting Advice Nr. 3 : Don’t knit an entire garment in garter stitch (it will sag)
Unsolicited Knitting Advice 