Hi everyone!  Today's Midweek Ramble is a good one and one meant to be two parts fun, one part educational.  Take it with a grain of salt if you find that your opinions vary from mine.  And in the comments below, share your own 'rules to follow and one to fudge'.  I'd love to read your take!  


Also, please know: if you are allergic to wool, don’t use wool. My recommendation here in terms of sticking to the fiber content suggested in a pattern is assuming you can use the fiber suggested. If you can’t, don’t. 👍

Show notes and links to all of the videos I mention here:
https://www.woolneedleshands.com/show-links/mar15

#knitting
#knittingpodcast
#woolneedleshands

I knitted a cardigan recently that had me use the swatch as a pocket. It made it feel more purposeful that way.

I think paying attention to your gauge in general is a knitting skill more people need to focus on. I’m busy making a sweater, when I read the gauge and the needle size I KNEW I wouldn’t achieve it. I went down one needle size, but I also switched from an Worsted weight yarn to a DK. I achieved gauge and I have a lovely fabric. However, I only knew to try this based on observing my knitting in general. It’s a good skill to develop.

As an artist, I always encourage people to buy small amounts of the highest quality supplies they can in a monochromatic palette (black, white, and grey). This lets you see how the supplies should work while giving you a workable palette and not spending a fortune on it all. I love that you brought this rule up for knitting, because that's exactly what I did when first starting to knit more "seriously". It helped me a ton, because we didn't have much money to spend on hobbies at the time. At first I just bought two sets of DPNs in the sizes I needed to make the socks I wanted + a couple skeins of yarn. Then I added from there.

A wholehearted AMEN to blocking! I would even go as far as suggesting to block when you lost vision for a project.
I just experienced the magic of falling back in love with a half finished sweater that I blocked when I didn’t feel like conintuing. Now I can’t wait to get back to it 😍

"at the same time's evil cousin is the sneaky little "meanwhile" . THAT has bitten me a few times. Always great watching your videos. Your knitting two socks at a time on a 40 inch needle has given me my sock knitting mojo back, thank you so much for that .

When Tayler was talking about fudging gauge it really connected with me. I recently read Knitting Bag of Tricks by Patty Lyons and the book made it so gauge finally clicked with me. It helped me realize how easy it is to do the math to figure out what size you'll get using your swatch and how if you like the fabric of your swatch it's so much easier to do a bit of math to figure out what size you should knit compared to knitting multiple gauge swatches until you hit gauge then realize the fabric is not right.

Thanks Tayler for validating the way I've been feeling about this!

Blocking turns a "project" into a "garment". It makes your yarn from behaving like a "strand" to behaving like a "fabric"! The change is even more evident and surprising with lace knitting! I blocked a test sample of lace and it opened and unfolded like a flower in bloom!! 🤩 It's crazy!!

Another great service video! Thank you. Additional thot: changing needle material (metal to wood, for example) can sometimes help get gauge so other changes may not be needed. Looking forward to your next episode.

Taylor, Love your channel. On this Wednesday chat I put on my Apple earbuds to listen and then remembered that I had laundry in the dryer to fold. I don’t like folding laundry, but… listening to you podcast while I folded the laundry made it an enjoyable experience. I also took time to clean bathroom mirrors (one very large one) and that too was more enjoyable. I think I’m going to set a new habit (pattern) and listen to the Wednesday podcasts while I work, especially at a chore that I don’t really like. Also, your podcasts are so professional. I have a YouTube channel I started that (hopefully) combines knitting (or whatever creative project I’m working on) with counselling techniques. My channel is not as streamlined, focused and as professional as yours but I decided I needed to start somewhere and learn as I go. Once again, thanks for your channel. I really enjoy it. (This is from Sue Johnston in Orangeville, Ontario, Canada… retired counsellor age 68- life is fun).

I agree about the supplies. For YEARS (like 20) I loved the idea of knitting but not the act and stuck with crochet. I tried out a nice set of stainless steel needles wanting to give knitting another shot and now I'm in love!

Always useful info. Tayler, thanks! Also, earthtonesgirl mentioned how kind and supportive you were to her during her recent difficult patch. Obv it meant a lot to her. 😊

I like having a set to help me find the right size needle that gives me gauge rather than buying a one needle size at a time. When starting out, you may only have the size the pattern calls for and then you realize you need one size down or up. When I’m ready to start a project I want to start right then and not wait until I can get to a store. I really like how you store your needles but I can’t apply it to me because I vary the cable length used throughout a project.  I will start with a short cord and then go longer as I increase stitches during the project.  I am a relatively new knitter, but I am totally addicted! I really love keeping up with what you are up to on your projects and love your sweet personality!  Btw, I can’t seem to find your SPECIAL THANKS link….maybe I’m looking too hard.😂

Love those specs Taylor! The tip about using Favorites and the bundles is spot on - I refer back to these constantly when I’m looking for a specific pattern to cast-on; I also have started a habit of culling or clearing out selections I’m no longer interested in. Thanks for another great ramble!

"Once you go beyond a needle size, now you're starting to compromise the fabric of the swatch."

I strongly take issue with this statement, especially if you are using the recommended yarn. The point of swatching to obtain the recommended gauge is essentially to match your tension to the designer's. If you are a tight knitter and the designer is a loose knitter, you can go up two needle sizes and get EXACTLY the fabric the designer intended.

OTOH, I agree in the case of yarn substitutions, which can get very tricky, and this is where experience comes in. As you recommended, you need to examine the photos and check the drape or hand of the fabric. Zoom in and look at stitch definition. When I'm subbing, I might start with 1 needle size down, then switch to the recommended size, then one size up. An experienced eye can judge the fabric fairly easily and make a decision as to the best needle size, even if it doesn't quite match gauge. An inexperienced eye might benefit from help at their LYS or local knitting group.

IMO, with non-fitted items like shawls or scarves, a full swatch isn't always necessary - just one big enough to see what the fabric will look like. But I do like to swatch at least a bit. And in my experience, when it comes to wool vs acrylic, as long as the weight and the twist are pretty much the same, it's usually safe to sub. When you start getting into silks, mohairs, linens, cottons, alpacas, then you can run into issues. But of course, much of what I'm saying can be way outside a beginner's wheelhouse.

Wow!  Another video just chuck full of information that is incredibly useful!!  I always learn so much from you in these rambles. I know you put a great deal of time and energy into gathering this information and it is appreciated ❤.  A side note: I love your glasses - can you tell me where you got them??

I so agree with reading the whole pattern before you start!! Then I go back and highlight what is very important to me! I may not remember the point when I get there  and also great to help me next time I knit the project

Haha!!!! “At the same time….” - the bane of my knitting existence back in my early days!!!!! I STILL check for those diabolical words!!!

I have been caught by "while at the same time" more than I want to admit! I am getting better at reading the pattern first and marking that part so it is easy to see. I have only been knitting for 7 years! Now that I say that out loud I realize I am a stubborn learner. My poor school teachers! Thanks for your Vlog! I learn so much!

I love your channel because I can knit and listen to you at the same time. For me your  not all about visuals just no nonsense, effective and interesting advice. Thanks Taylor..😊KarenAnne from Garstang UK…