Outspoken and evidence-based. For a better knitting experience. A 2023 knitting blog.
Men are not women in taller/larger bodies nor are women men in smaller bodies. As with all mammals, humans are a sexually dimorphic species. You can't just "adjust the proportions" of a sweater and call them a male or female version. Knitwear for men and knitwear for women must be drafted on different blocks, because … Continue reading Knitting Advice Nr. 24 : Knit for your biological sex (men are not taller women)
Because what’s written on your knitting needle might not be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. I own a perfectly fine pair of 3.5 mm circular needles. Conveniently, the size is carved right into them—and it’s a good carving, too, having survived multiple sweaters unscathed. Only problem? The actual size is … Continue reading Knitting Advice Nr. 23: Measure your needles with a knitting needle gauge.
Do you know how a custom-fitted garment is made? By a process of trial and error. Usually, this involves using loads of pins to connect the different parts of the not-yet-entirely-sewed-up piece. But you can't do that with knitted fabric because pins tend to fall off. So, what do you do? You use locking stitch … Continue reading Knitting advice Nr. 21 : Use stitch markers to hold the fabric into place (you need to check the fit before any sewing takes place).
Again, this is somewhat of a contentious issue. In our day and age, 'body positivity' is the norm, and according to this line of thinking, stating that some knits are more flattering than others due to our personal body shapes is viewed as bigoted. I somewhat agree, but I also want people to be truly … Continue reading Knitting Advice Nr. 20: Knit to flatter (embrace your figure)
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)
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)
How using steeks can enable you to obtain an accurate gauge measurement for a knit worked in-the-round.
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).
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 