A note on socks. I love knitting sweaters, cardigans, tees and camisoles the most, however I almost always have a pair of socks in the making, here’s why: 1. They’re a cheap gift to friends. I don’t have the money (or time, for that matter) to gift multiple sweaters. 2. They’re portable. No matter if you’re 10% or 90% done, the WIP itself fits in a small bag. Also, all you need per sock is about 50 g of yarn, so even the balls are smaller and it’s usually just one (vs, for example, a merino held together with mohair for a sweater). 3. They’re complex. Knitting socks is also a way to keep perfecting techniques such as the german twisted cast on, picking up stitches or german short rows depending on the type of heel, decreases, the kitchener stitch, and possibly cables and lace depending on the pattern. 4. This one may only apply to people leaving in colder climates but… where I live (Minnesota) you NEED a pair (or 20) of WARM socks. It’s crazy to me how, even expensive socks in stores are no more than 20% wool or alpaca, the rest being synthetic fibers, usually polyester. Don’t get me wrong, you CAN find socks with higher content of wool and/or alpaca but a) not that easily and b) definitely not for cheap. So I do like being able to say screw it and make my own. Thank you for taking the time to read my rambling.

@starcrossedknits

Жыл бұрын

i mean honestly all solid points! all my sock knitter friends have definitely pointed out how even though it's a small project, you still get to challenge yourself, which i can definitely see the appeal of. ive been making accessories for that reason when i want to learn or practice techniques but not on a full garment. i think i just dont like the small circumference issue of doing it on a sock, especially colorwork! but i just was given a huge stash of yarn this week from a friend who's moving (video of the stash coming soon!) which includes a lot of one-off skeins of sock yarn so now i'm kinda considering casting one on for that reason alone - it's a lot easier to find a use for small amounts of funky yarn.

@carmena8431

Ай бұрын

Nothing Bea yeah, nothing beats my knitted socks for warmth. My workplace is out in the elements and whilst my colleagues often complain of the cold whilst wearing double thermal socks, my feet are consistently warm in my knitted socks. I, however, love very few people enough to knit them a pair of socks.

with the deep armhole thing, I AGREE. my first sweater ever was a fair isle piece with super deep arm holes and i had to frog it because it fit so poorly (partly because of my own errors as a beginner but also partly because of the design). i'm quite short so my knits aren't very long, and deep armholes mean whenever i raise my arms up the whole sweater comes with it lol for me, i can't see myself ever knitting baby items. i understand why people do, but 1. i would never have a purpose for them-- i want to be a dad, but intend to adopt and am really not interested in adopting a baby. 2. they're basically unusable after a few months, and as someone who doesn't intend to parent more than one child (and again.. no babies) that just seems impractical. plus, very few of my close friends/family intend to have kids much less infants so i wouldn't really be able to pass them on. 3. a baby isn't going to appreciate that knit. if a friend or family member has a baby, i'd rather wait until that child is older to make them something they can appreciate. they'll still grow out of it, yes, but it will mean so much more to them and will in the end be more worth making (imo). the only exception is maybe a baby blanket, because the recipient could still cherish that for many years even when it's technically too small for them. plus baby blankets can also be used as lap or even pet blankets when the baby isn't a baby anymore. edit: also- i had no idea what assigned pooling was so i looked it up and YEP i have the exact same thought, whyy does it look like a nasty patty 😭

@starcrossedknits

Жыл бұрын

so many baby knits are so impractical like what baby is gonna wear a cream colored mohair sweater?? but i did end up making my newborn niece a soft little hat with bear ears and it was kind of special to be able to make something to help keep her warm and comfy, even though she'd outgrow it in a month! it was a quick (

I'm with you on the deep armholes and the beige and the super chunky sweaters lol. Personally, im not a fan of plain stockinette pullovers - like... why would I make something I can go buy at a store for potentially really cheap? They are just boring to me. I have gone through many phases with knitting the past 11 years though and I have made things I never thought I would now. So you may be right on changing in the future :) We evolve, plus as you have more things you've made you tend to want to get experimental more often because you just love knitting and the item itself isn't always as important. Thats whats happened with me, at least.

@starcrossedknits

Жыл бұрын

i totally get that!! and then other people who have minimalist clothing taste might feel like "why would i knit something i won't wear all the time"? i truly love how everyone has different preferences on stuff like this, it's so fun to see how 2 people who love the same hobby can feel totally different about what they want to make! personally i do like having one semi-mindless stockinette project going for when i want to just fidget while watching movies and not have to read a chart or look too closely

Feel with you. Have a big family and everyone wants knitted and crochet stuff. And every time I am knitting for myself the question is that your? I want that too

@starcrossedknits

Жыл бұрын

That's so hard!! I feel grateful that no one in my life is demanding things very often, but stay strong!!! It's your hobby time and you should spend it how you want to!

Pair varigated yarn with a basic mohair if you dont mind it. It "blends" down the varigation a bit and makes it more easily usable. Or use it for colourwork/details in an otherwise very basic coloured piece. At least that is how I get myself to use those

@starcrossedknits

Жыл бұрын

those are great ideas! i was just given a bunch of yarn from a friend who’s moving (will probably make a video of going through it all soon!) that includes some variegated yarn so maybe i’ll do some swatching before i write it off to donate/give away!

I’m with you on the requested gift knits. I used to do them. That stopped when I realized how much I hated the process of knitting for someone else when I have a TBK list a mile long full of projects that I want to knit for myself. I mean to hate yourself for saying yes at every other stitch is wild! But the lesson learned had staying power. I even had to put my foot down with a boss who tried to gaslight me into knitting her a replica of a scarf that took me forever to knit in fingering weight yarn. 🤨 It’s the feeling entitled to other people’s hard work and precious time for me! Forget your money! Chiiilllleeee!

@starcrossedknits

Ай бұрын

right?? i feel like it was always the random coworkers demanding stuff too hahah like as if i would ever expect them to spend HOURS of their personal free time on me?!

i think you would like the moby sweater which i am currently knitting now!! it doesn't have either of the cables you mentioned not liking haha also i was WAITING for you to say socks 🥲 i will be annoying and provide my defense of knitted socks: 1. i personally love knitting socks on two circular needles as opposed to the other methods you mentioned, and talked about that in my recent video about knitting socks!! hehe 2. i've also never really worn out socks that i've made despite wearing them for a few years at this point (plus throwing them in the washer since mine are all superwash), but i'm also not the most ~active~ person so maybe that's why? 3. i guess the last point i have is that knitting socks can be a nice break from making garments all the time & stressing about fit! garments are kind of the main thing i knit, but they can definitely be stressful at times and socks usually provide a nice reprieve from that. also on that note, they're a great travel project! i'm sure there's a 0% chance i've convinced you to try out socks, which is totally fine LOL but this is just my reasoning for enjoying them!!

@starcrossedknits

Жыл бұрын

Yesss I was planning to make a cableknit sweater last fall and I narrowed it down between Moby & one of MFTK's (sweater 20-something, I can never keep track lol). Thankfully no cables on either of those that weird me out! And actually I was thinking as I was editing this video that I definitely do see the appeal for socks as a travel project! Like if you're a commuter and you want something that can easily fit into your purse on the go. But since I started WFH before I started knitting that hasn't really been relevant for me. But you are literally the influencer who has swayed me the most to think about MAYBE trying to knit a sock one day, especially those cute eyelet ones you made recently! If I do, I'll def try with two circulars since that does sound way better

@midsummerknits

Жыл бұрын

@@starcrossedknits haha I also work from home so it doesn't apply toooo much for me but I fly a good bit to visit my parents and travel so it's definitely nice to have a travel project!! I totally get not being a ~sock knitter~ but I think it's worth a second try at least 🥹

i sooo hardcore agree with you especially the round yoke one. I do want a knit blanket though i just haven't gotten to it haha

As a Dark Winter, I would also never knit something beige for me either, as it looks horrible on me. Are you a winter too? Maybe the hate for beige springs from that. It normally looks horrible on Winters. As well as the muted or pastel tones that are so loved in the knitting world 😅 Beige works for Soft Summers and Soft Autumns. As my sister is a Soft Autumn, I gave all my store bought beige stuff for her over the time and might knit her something on this colour if she wants.

@starcrossedknits

Жыл бұрын

yes i think i'm a winter too! definitely look best in high contrast colors, although i still like some pastels. but there are some colors that look like garbage on me but i think look great on other people (yellows and oranges for instance) but i just don't feel that way about beige!!

This is the first video of yours I've seen and I feel like you're my spiritual twin now ha. I am very sensitive to fabrics and fibres and feeling claustrophobic in garments to the point of wanting to cut myself out is so relatable. The only thing I disagree with is socks but I used to 100% agree - the thing that changed my mind is its a small area to play with techniques e.g. colourwork, full on textures and fun yarns that feel too busy for garments as I prefer simple, timeless pieces that I know I'll still like in 10+ years (I'd rather not take risks in a sweater quantity lol). Also I had to look up assigned pooling and I see why you didn't show any examples, a lot of them look like something off a petri dish or when you google what a symptom looks like and instantly regret it. It's very cool and I kind of love it and think it's really fascinating and may try incorporating into my mixed media art but yeah, not for garments for me. I think most of these things are things I appreciate other makers making and I love learning about it vicariously but aren't for me personally. Anyway, love your sense of humour and have subscribed!

@starcrossedknits

Жыл бұрын

yay welcome my sensory issues twin!!! assigned pooling in mixed media art would actually be so cool, it definitely has a really interesting organic look to it! just a little too sickly for every day wear for me personally hahah. that's true about socks, i've sort of been using bags and headbands and accessories like that as my stand-in for practicing colorwork (after i failed to find a fairisle sweater pattern with armholes i could stand lol). but socks do work great for that. i just hate the little circumference!!!! but idk the comments on this video so far are kind of making me feel like i might need to give them another chance..

I like cotton socks. Finding yarn to do that is hard, so I just buy my socks.

Completely agree on that specific cable pattern + on assigned pooling!! Assigned pooling projects sometimes remind me of the film Annihilation (if that makes any sense)??😭😭😭 like they look weirdly organic. And horseshoe and antler cables-not sure if they’re the same thing but they look similar enough to me-just don’t look very cable-y to me. Again i think they just look weirdly organic and i’m not about that!!

@sanpellegrinolimonata

Жыл бұрын

On the other hand, i’m currently knitting up a sock haha. I like that I can just buy one skein of yarn and that’s enough for the project, so i can buy a project’s quantity of really nice yarn without having to get a mortgage. plus they’re easy to carry around as WIPS. I wish i were faster at knitting them though

@starcrossedknits

Жыл бұрын

YES "weirdly organic" totally summarizes multiple categories of knitting textures that ick me out. i looove the movie annihilation though!

3:26 you're absolutely correct, it does feel like a straightjacket! I knit a Louvre sweater from Petiteknit and have the same feeling. It makes me wonder why the pattern is so popular becase the deep armhole isn't useful - it uses more yarn and feels uncomfortable, impeding arm movement, which goes against why people choose a raglan design in the first place: to achieve those exact benefits! Rustic yarn - I used to really sensitive to scratchy yarn, what fixed this for me was sheer stubbornness lol. I knit my first sweater and was determined to wear it all winter no matter what. Eventually the wool soften, or I grew desensitised to the scratchiness. Now, rustic yarn doesn't bother me, but low quality alpaca, man that pokes

@starcrossedknits

7 ай бұрын

the first sweater i ever knit was with low quality alpaca and putting it on feels like literal TORTURE

Ooohh hoo!! This was a SPICY episode and I loved it! Just recently came across your YT channel from insta! Agree with the comment that some people are too dramatic with their boundaries like chill 😂

I think @handmadebyflorence looks stunning in beige and I don’t know how she does it 🤨 I stand by variegated yarn though you definitely have to design with it in mind ie use for color work hold with another color use a speckled etc. but I’m also rather extravagant with color so 🤷‍♀️

@starcrossedknits

Жыл бұрын

I think it helps that she's just stunning, period! Actually totally agree with you, I think variegated yarn as an accent color in colorwork can look super cool!

I feel the same about socks. But I bought the stuff for it because my husband wants socks. Maybe next year...☺️ I don't get how a certain pattern or designer that many knit poddies go gaga over. If someone requests it will b gifted with all its imperfections. ☺️ I HATE variegated yarn. Very few projects I saw w variegrated turned out ok. I predict u will design a hot/viral pattern. Thanks for sharing.

@starcrossedknits

Жыл бұрын

some people in these comments have suggested using variegated yarn in colorwork projects when the main color is plain and that sounds kind of cool to me!! maybe something i'll consider. that's sweet of you that you bought the sock stuff for your husband, i hope he is patient about you putting off knitting them for as long as you want :D

I don’t think I’ll make an adult size moby or Ingrid sweater

@starcrossedknits

Жыл бұрын

oo why not? have you made the kid sized ones?

It's ok to have sensory issues. It feels like you've had to defend your sensory challenges a lot in your life. Im sorry if you've been unsupported in your needs.😢

Personally, I don’t think there’s anything selfish about “selfish knitting” (which I don’t really like that term anyways). Knitting is our hobby and we don’t really have any obligation to make anything for anyone else! Of course it’s nice to do so if that’s something you want to do, but knitting takes a lot of time and energy, and shouldn’t be something you have to do for everyone in your life! Maybe that’s just me though

@starcrossedknits

Жыл бұрын

no i totally agree! and like who else is having their hobby time called "selfish" constantly?? it's so interesting that this is such a thing in fiber arts

I don't think I'll ever knit a Ranunculus sweater/top - I just don't think they are attractive. Also, I don't get the combining mohair with other yarn in a project, I'm just not going to do it.

@starcrossedknits

Ай бұрын

agreed on the ranunculus 🫣 i like mohair held with other things but i probably use it less than a lot of other knitters