Knitting advice Nr.14: Don’t undervalue your home-knitted / crocheted Christmas gifts (they’re luxury items)

~ Séverine Scott ~ 1 Comment

For far too long, I was feeling self-conscious as I gave away my handknitted Christmas gifts. I would say something around the lines "I'm broke so I could only afford to knit you a little something". These days are gone as I have realised how mistaken I was! I was evaluating the value of my … Continue reading Knitting advice Nr.14: Don’t undervalue your home-knitted / crocheted Christmas gifts (they’re luxury items)

Knitting advice Nr. 13: Don’t use a Russian bind off for half-mittens (it’s too loose)

~ Séverine Scott ~ Leave a comment

I really like the Russian bind off as it makes it so easy to control your tension compared to traditional bind off. When you use the traditional bind off, it's very easy to end up with a bind off edge that is less wide than the rest of your fabric. This can be a problem, … Continue reading Knitting advice Nr. 13: Don’t use a Russian bind off for half-mittens (it’s too loose)

Update to Knitting Advice Nr. 11: Don’t buy superwash wool (part 2)

~ Séverine Scott ~ 1 Comment

I have made a significant update on this post. The updated part is at the end of the text, in the section called : "Research on chlorination". In this update, there is an explanation on the trade-off that is the Hercosett process : less damage on the structure of the wool fibre and the possibility … Continue reading Update to Knitting Advice Nr. 11: Don’t buy superwash wool (part 2)

Knitting advice Nr. 12: Knit your superwash wool at a tighter gauge (your garment will be more durable)

~ Séverine Scott ~ Leave a comment

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)

~ Séverine Scott ~ 3 Comments

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.11: Don’t buy superwash wool (part 1)

~ Séverine Scott ~ 2 Comments

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. I am aware that these posts about superwash are likely to be the most unwanted and contentious ones I will ever write on this blog. But I have to. … Continue reading Knitting advice Nr.11: Don’t buy superwash wool (part 1)