Hello! For today, we're chatting about some of my favorite resources on the interwebs for improvising or modifying your hand-knit sweaters. Enjoy! WorldKnits Calculators: www.worldknits.com/knitting-calculators/ How to Improvise a Top Down Sweater: ktslowcloset.com/2013/03/08/how-to-improvise-a-top-down-sweater-part-1-casting-on-and-marking-raglans/ My old blog post: greenhornknitterblog.wordpress.com/2016/02/10/improvising/ Kitty Article: Socks 101 knitty.com/ISSUEspring05/FEATsocks101.html Knits that Fit App: knitsthatfit.com/ Stashbot for iOs: apps.apple.com/us/app/stashbot/id928131718 StashBot for Android: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mobytestudio.stashbot Frankensweater Saga Video Series: www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/stripe-hype-sweater Learn about the Franken-KAL: www.patreon.com/posts/franken-kal-93627163?Link&

@elizabeth4053

5 ай бұрын

Question about the FrankenKAL: I love the idea but can’t cast on at the moment. Is it okay to join now and review the process to gain knowledge and ask questions but cast on later? I have never joined a Patreon. Oh. And apparently I have signed up for Patreon but with a different email than my KZread. Is that a problem? I’m on your email list with even a different email (my techie family insists on different emails for everything) but haven’t gotten a response yet. TIA 💕🧶

@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS

5 ай бұрын

@@elizabeth4053hi! Yes! You can totally join in now, but cast on later. No worries at all. ❤

@valerielewis7334

5 ай бұрын

Thank you for this information-so helpful 😊

@clc1302

5 ай бұрын

This video is priceless! I hope you get a bunch of views!

@elizabeth4053

5 ай бұрын

@@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS will join then and start reading and picking up ideas! I’m excited 🙋🏻‍♀️🧶💕

I've always said that patterns are like cooking recipes. Once you've learned the basics well enough, making modifications is a normal part of the process. ✨ Season to taste! ✨

@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS

5 ай бұрын

Yes! 100%. Couldn’t have said it better Shannon. ❤️

@leaschmitt2496

5 ай бұрын

I swear I have never followed any pattern to the letter thusfar

@shannonagain89

5 ай бұрын

@@leaschmitt2496 I probably haven't either 😂 I was a very adventurous beginner! Most of my first "projects" when I was teaching myself to knit was working up and frogging various sock heel and toe variants, trying different cast ons and bind offs, toe up, top down, ALL THE WAYS to see if I liked the techniques, grading them on all on simplicity, aesthetics and fit 🤪

@petapendlebury9024

5 ай бұрын

Re books I've just bought one of the knitting books printed during the war (I think there were about 8 in the series?) and the back section is all about taking your generic pattern - that they also provide in the book - and then ringing the changes. Would be fantastic information for any knitter and the patterns they already own. I'm a vintage knitter and currently working on their classic cardigan in a lovely Sandnes Garn navy 4ply wool. Being from the 40s most will be knitted flat. Soooo much great information on knitting and probably one book would be enough as I think the general information is similar across the series, the patterns change in each. Knitted vest and knickers anyone??? 😂

Brilliant Tayler! As a person with adhd, I value immensely your work of wading through so many apps and giving us a shortcut for all the frustrating moments ❤ I will definitely explore these resources.

@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS

5 ай бұрын

There is so much out there and it is indeed a struggle to muck through it all, but when it comes to curating these shortlists of resources for y'all, I love doing it and it makes it all so much more worth it when I see how truly helpful it is. Mission accomplished. Thank you so much for watching.

Ashley Lillis’s “how to knit a simple raglan sweater” is great to see beginning to end process. Between this channel and Ashley’s, I have the false confidence I could knit a sweater 😂

@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS

5 ай бұрын

I'll definitely check this out. Thank you Josh! And that's not false confidence. You can totally do it. It's bonafide confidence. 😉

@lieslnew8247

5 ай бұрын

It is also worth looking at Knitting your first sweater by Handmade by Florence. Her instructions are so simple and she gives heaps of tips along the way.

@joshmccall

5 ай бұрын

@@lieslnew8247 watched and agree! Thanks!!

@joannsteinly5325

5 ай бұрын

@@lieslnew8247 thanks for sharing!

Ugh this video is just the best! I've been knitting for less than a year and already I'm obsessed with the idea of making my own sweaters and cardigans. Everything I make I just keep thinking about how I could make it fit better... if only I knew how 😅 Thank you for these tools I'm definitely saving them.

For colourwork sweaters, if you can get your mitts on a copy of Tin Can Knits "Strange Brew", it is chocked full of "recipes" for both top down and bottom up stranded sweaters in several sizes and yarn weights.

i made one of my best-fitting sweaters using EZ's % system--miraculous! thx for the calculator thingy--bookmarked. also, thx again for introducing us to Yarn Hero--i'm using her yarn in 2 sweaters this year. ...i bet your next ep abt books will mention Ann Budd's "KNitter'sHandy Book of Top-down Sweaters," yes? it's my sweater bible,esp since it includes styles besides raglan and round-yoke. have a happy & healthy 2024!

So glad to have found this as I've been sitting here going "am I crazy?" while planning out a sweater for me and one for my fiance. His is going to be a v--neck with modified sleeves which include cabling, and heavy fair isle colorwork on the body and wrists. I started by finding a sweater that had roughly the shape I was looking for, mainly the neck as I have never knit something like that before. Mine is also entirely modified, and I've been mapping it out and finding out what fiber I want for ages; it is going to be a full intricately cabled sweater holding a variegated pale colored merino or something similar to a pale cream wool/acrylic mix (until i change my mind) with tight forearms ending in a sort of ruffle in lacework. I have been slightly panicking since starting the design phase that I would never be able to do it even if I studied everything because well... I don't design knitwear. At least, nothing but hats and those are pretty hard to mess up compared to something like a sweater.

I just found and bought Knits That Fit a few days ago. I also use my ancient copy of Sweater Wizard which has more sleeve and construction options. I hope Knits That Fit adds more ways to construct a sweater going forward, but I do like it. My first knitting teacher taught me how to calculate a sweater using my gauge based on a simple stockinet pieced sweater pattern. She showed me how to do the math myself to make the sweater work. It made me incredibly brave in my subsequent knits, and I think the ratio of my improvised sweaters vs those from a pattern is 60/40.

@susinok

5 ай бұрын

My favorite books on sweater construction are the ones that show you the concepts. I am looking for a good resource to calculate a set in sleeve and arm-scythe.

As always, a well researched, informative podcast. Thank you for all your hard work to make excellent content.

@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS

5 ай бұрын

My pleasure Raschelle! Thank you for watching. ❤️

Wow! I wish I had these apps years ago. My methods have been knit, frog because it's too long, rinse and repeat. Thank you so much!

Hi, thank you for this. I find that there is a lot of resources for raglan sweaters but nothing for a round yoke with wedge increases. I believe that once you know your preference for neck circumference for raglans, just knit until it fits😀

I wish you could be my knitting teacher! You and your family would love to live on the Oregon Coast, right?😄

I started my sock knitting using the Tincanknits simple sock pattern. Super easy 😊

This is very interesting. I started knitting last year and have not used patterns much. Just a few free ones. This is the time I am budgeting for patterns. Thank you for encouragement coz I have on some occasions wondered how I will progress without patterns. Greetings from Kenya.

Tayler, this is epic! Thank you sooooo much, going to use all of them! Take care and much love from the UK xxx

@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS

5 ай бұрын

My pleasure! I'm so glad that this was helpful!

My fingers are itching to get started. I can’t wait for my mohair to get here to start my Frankie ❤

Mind BLOWN about the knitting increase/decrease calculator. That has always been a struggle for me when the math isn’t easy! Thank you!!

@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS

5 ай бұрын

Oh I feel you Nikki! When I discovered that it was a game changer. ❤️

Thanks for sharing all the great resources. Looking forward to reading the Knitty sock article.

@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS

5 ай бұрын

You’re welcome! And I’m betting that article will be one you come back to time and time again. ❤️

This is the third video of yours that has popped up with the topic I'm currently wrestling with! 😂 I was given a bunch of yarn that's perfect for a sweater, but trying to find the perfect pattern has been troublesome. So, I think I'll just design my own. 😊 Thank you!

@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS

5 ай бұрын

I'm so glad that this info came when it did for you and I hope it helps you on your sweater designing journey. I know they've certainly done that for me. Happy knitting Janet!

I can't thank you enough, Tayler! The knitting calculator for increases and decreases for a cuff or a tapered sleeve is soo helpful, especially because I always shape the sleeve the way I want it to be. This makes everything so much easier!

Great episode, thanks! So here’s the thing: I grew up improvising, calculating, multiplying and “composing.” It wasn’t until “yesterday” that I learned there were patterns - I followed some - and learned a whole bunch. I found that, to understand how something is constructed, you really have to engineer one yourself. Sometimes it’s wise to do a “sketch” in less expensive yarn before you invest in pricey stuff. That said - I like Tin Can Knits’ Strange Brew (they’re doing a KAL soon on designing a color work yoke sweater) and a book I recently picked up called Top-Down Sweaters by Ann Budd. I like top down for trying on as I knit; Arne and Carlos like bottom-up for colorwork so that the stitches look “happy” not “sad” (I found they were right when I tried to add Christmas trees at the bottom of a top-down sweater and found the stitches pointed droopingly down.). It’s all fun, there is no wasted time, I look at all of it as a big classroom where I am sometimes successful and sometimes less - always learn - use elements of one thing and another to make, as you call it, FrankenKnits, and I love the entire process. Part of being an artist is MAKING YOUR OWN ART, not someone else’s. Part of learning is FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS of a designer you trust. XX

Thank you so much for sharing. You’re tips are so helpful 😊😍👏🤩❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

These tools look so helpful. I had to design and knit my own fair isle sweater for a knitting program a few years ago and these tools would have been very helpful. ❤️

thank you for sharing all this information with us!

Thank you for these fabulous resources.

This is so helpful! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Thank You for this video, it is fantastic with content. I haven't heard of many of the sites you gave information on. I will be checking out these sites for assistance as I progress in my knitting journey

My favorite resource is an ebook by Andy Satterlund on designing your own top down seamless sweater.

Thank you for the great resources! ❤

@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS

5 ай бұрын

My pleasure! Thank you for watching!

Thanks Tayler! This was great

@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS

3 ай бұрын

My pleasure Deb! Thank you!

I really want to give a top down sweater a try. It looks like I'm running out of excuses! Thanks for all the great info, Tayler!

World knits calculator is a game changer 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS

5 ай бұрын

Right?! It's so helpful. ❤️

Excellent Tayler, I love your work! I knew that I would, especially because years ago when I bought yarn from you, you took the time to answer my questions so thoughtfully and with a caring attitude. It was appreciated then and appreciated now. Thanks!

@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS

5 ай бұрын

This means a lot Janet. Thank you. Truly. ❤

Really well done! Thanks for the info.❤

Hola Tayler! Thanks sooooo much for taking the time and energy to compile and organize these resources for the rest of us. I will definitely be rewatching and taking notes. There is so much to learn with this wonderfully amazing hobby of ours! I can't wait to dive into the info you shared. 😊

As always, you have created a wonderful video for your viewers. Thanks to you, I used the calculator you provided the resource for. I used it to modify the neckline of a sweater and what a difference! It is really quite unbelievable how easy it was to do and how well it turned out. Thank you so much for introducing the resource and for instilling the confidence to give it a try!

Thank you for all of this wonderful information. I am going to definitely knit a custom sweater now!

This is definitely one of the most helpful knitting videos! Thank you so much for this!

A couple of decades ago I bought software called "Sweater Wizard" that is now defunct and obviously won't run on modern PCs. Since then I've been looking for a replacement and nothing really existed--which is why I tuned into this video. How exciting that there's now an app available! I will be purchasing it in mere moments! Thank you!

@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS

4 ай бұрын

Oh I'm so glad that this may be a good sub for that program. I hope it fits the bill Jen! ❤️

Thanks Taylor, that was amazing! You really are a gem. ❤

@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS

5 ай бұрын

I'm so glad you think so. Thank you for watching! ❤️

Very fun. Great vlog.

This day forward I shall refer to my socks as Feet Sweaters 😊😅. Thanks for all the resources Tayler!! Always appreciate your videos.

@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS

5 ай бұрын

I mean, it seems only fitting. ❤

Love the topic !

Great info!! Thanks ❤

Great service! Thank you

Fabulous suggestions. Thanks!

This is great!!! I’m definitely checking these out!!

For years I was afraid of knitting a sweater because I was too intimidated. I knit all kinds of crazy patterns but a sweater..? Nooo too scary. Until finally a friend convinced me to start with a simple raglan sweater. He basically explained the construction and the logic behind it to me. So my first sweater was without any pattern. I used an online raglan calculator to figure out how many stitches to cast on, how many increases and so on... I am a small guy, so it didn't take me that long to knit it - and I've been hooked on sweater knitting ever since! I like knitting from a pattern and I'm always fascinated to find how different constructions - especially around the shoulder - can be (from top-down yoke sweaters, to raglan to something different...). But I also like do knit a freestyle top-down raglan from time to time. The KnitsThatFit App sounds great, definitely will check it out :)

@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS

5 ай бұрын

This is really cool. In fact, I feel you here because, like you, it was that experience back in 2016 (the one I blogged about that I share here) that really opened the sweater-knitting door for me. Once you realize that it's not some abstract science reserved for only the gifted designers, you start to feel yourself become emboldened to explore all of the facets of sweater-knitting. It's a really cool enlightenment. Your experience here illustrates that and that's so special.

Stashbot is $4.99 and I bought it!

Thank you so much! My problem is my Guage matches, but must change during the knitting process. So frustrating. 😢

Thank you! I really enjoyed having you explain these great apps and articles. They'll be very helpful to me! Good work!

Many thanks for the recommendations. Can't wait to knit my own custom sweater.

Thank you so much

I am looking for your broadcast where you talk about you new equipment for the pod cast. thanks in advance. laurie

That app sounds like a dream!!! I am going to give it a go. Custom fit plus a pattern to follow. Best of both worlds. What’s funny is my knitting journey has been the total opposite to what seems like everyone else. I’ve been knitting sweaters for over a decade and only tried my first pattern this year 😂. I only started following knitting podcasts recently and I guess I got the bug when everyone is all “this pattern” and “that pattern” so thought I’d give it a go. I enjoyed it and it’s the fastest I’ve ever knit a sweater but tbh even with loads of modifications it still doesn’t fit right. I’d love to know I’m not the only one out there, I’ve yet to find my circle when it comes to fellow chaos knitters 😂.

A most excellent episode! Thank you for doing the research and sharing these invaluable resources.

Love this episode! Thank you for the resources! I am looking forward to your book suggestions, too!

Bravo! Thanks for these extremely helpful tools!. Wish I had them years ago.

This was a very informative video. Thank you. I am always playing around with my pattern and I do enjoy doing this. Love having all these resources to go to now.

Amazingly helpful !! 😊😊😊

@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS

5 ай бұрын

I'm so glad! Thank you for watching!

great episode!!!

@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS

5 ай бұрын

Thank you!

This information is priceless. Thank you!

@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS

5 ай бұрын

My pleasure!

Thank you so much for this fantastic roundup!!!

@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS

5 ай бұрын

My pleasure! Thank you for watching!

Tayler, thank you so much for sharing all this information! It is amazing and greatly appreciated. I really love your content. ❤

@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS

5 ай бұрын

My pleasure! So glad it was helpful. Thank you for watching. ❤️

Thank you for all the resources!! I have a long list of knitting projects for the year, and now an improvised sweater is on there too! Now we wait to see just how many I get through!

@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS

5 ай бұрын

My pleasure Valerie! And I know the struggle. 😉❤️

Tayler!, I bought that app 8 seconds after watching vid. Awesome! I’m so excited thanks. I love free styling sweaters this is rad! Yup I said rad lol Knits that fit fan girl born here

@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS

5 ай бұрын

Yay!! Have fun playing with it. It’s such a cool tool! ❤️❤️❤️

Wonderful video! So much useful information. I really love what you on this channel.

@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS

5 ай бұрын

Thank you so much! I’m glad you’re enjoying everything. ❤️

Great resource options, Tayler. I have used the Crochet Studio App in the past. Although specifically designed for granny squares and blankets I have also used it to help me picture colour combos for my knitting. 😊

@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS

5 ай бұрын

My pleasure Liesl! And I have never heard of this app. I need to check it out!

Watching this while trying to grade... if only there was an app for that. Good to know what's out there for some design help. Nice to see some approachable resources for the everyday knitter.

@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS

5 ай бұрын

I hear that! Knitters need those resources so they can take matters into their own hands from time to time. That autonomy is so important. Happy grading Jimmy! ❤️ PS: I love your videos!

@jimmydoesknitting

5 ай бұрын

@@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS Thank you so much! I really appreciate how much work you put into yours. I know it's a lot to get the quality you present.

I was shortlisting patterns for my first cardigan last night and I found the recipe pdf on revelry/web archive. I’ve made a sweatervest before but I think the recipe is a good idea for the 2nd cardigan. Once I get some more experience.

@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS

5 ай бұрын

I still have yet to knit a proper cardigan and I feel like 2024 is the year of the cardigan for me so I'll be doing a shortlist of my own here real soon, but the Karen Templer series I mention here also offers insight into improvising a cardigan and I think I may follow that (you may be referring to that when you say recipe?). Fingers crossed. 😉

💖💖💖

Question on the top down knit hat. Would the decreases be easier because it starts from the top. I’ve become frustrated by a bottom up with the interchangeable coming apart, 3X! I hope this was the podcast that mentioned the top down. TY

Thank you so much for those valuable resources. I was wondering if anyone could recommend a set in sleeve head calculator to match a given armscye as the one I used to use no longer appears functional.

The online app I use to create my swaeters is Phrancko's Seamless Set-in Sleeves where you can create a custom-fit sweater pattern, top down, in the round, to your specific size measurements with the yarn of your choice.

@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS

5 ай бұрын

This sounds interesting! Thank you.

Such great information Tayler!! Thank you so much. I don't really knit sweaters for myself as I am a larger person and am always disappointed in the fit. However, I love to knit sweaters for my grandchildren. This is invaluable info. 😃

@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS

5 ай бұрын

My pleasure Maria! I'm glad that this may be helpful for you. ❤️

Hello Tayler ! I 've been watching your channel lately and I love your content! I started knitting a year ago when I was sick and I couldn't move a lot but then I realized that I found a new passion, something really special and now its part of my life ❤ .. I wanted to ask you what app do you use for storing new or furure projects .. I have seen that you show on screen but i haven't seen the name .. maybe there's a video where you talk about it but I haven't found it yet.. 😅

@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS

5 ай бұрын

Welcome! I’m so glad that you found knitting. It truly is a wonderful thing. And thank you for watching. ❤️ The app I use is called Ravit and it’s a third party app for the platform Ravelry.

@lanegragf

5 ай бұрын

​@@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS Thank you ! I'll look for it 😊❤

Hi Taylor! Total newbie, enjoying your podcast. Why are “6 Super Bulky” yarns completely different sizes one to another?

@Katepwe

5 ай бұрын

It will definitely depend on the company plus I think there’s a range within all weights.

That second app sounds so cool! Does it actually write up a pattern for you? Does it give you the option to add bust darts? I'm considering making a sweater for my mom that includes some!

@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS

5 ай бұрын

So it does write up the pattern for you, but I’m not sure about bust darts. That’s a great question. 🤔

Thx for another great video. I’m doing blankets this year, and one I want to make I can’t find a pattern.

@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS

5 ай бұрын

My pleasure Patti! Happy blanket knitting!

Such a useful video, thank you! Could the Knitting Calculator be used to figure out how to pick up stitches for collars or armholes when not all of the stitches are to be picked up? Just use the decrease calculator function to determine the pattern of picking up stitches?

@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS

5 ай бұрын

Wow! I never even considered that, but I suppose so. I guess you would just fill in the calculator with the armhole stitch count and then the number of stitches you need to pick up and use the instructions to determine where to skip stitches (decrease points). Great question!

@tkm2743

5 ай бұрын

Thanks! I just worked on a sweater where I had to not pick up 18 neckline stitches to work the collar and there was no information how to do it. It was a bit of a nightmare for me as it was my 2nd sweater, so when I saw your video the problem was fresh in my mind and it made sense to me but I wasn’t sure. Thx for confirming; I’ll try it next time!

Another reason I learned all that math

❤🌈

Where was the purple sweater in the thumbnail from?

What is the purple sweater in the background of your picture?

KZread unsubbed me! Ack! Have to keep an eye on these things. :P

Where is the purple sweater from in your thumbnail?

@andreamiller6200

5 ай бұрын

I came to the comments to see if this was answered (does not seem to be yet) as I too would love to know the answer about this purple sweater!

@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS

5 ай бұрын

The photo of the purple sweater is just a stock photo that clearly shows a sweater so folks understand that the resources I’m talking about here are related to SWEATER knitting.

Anyone else choose goldfish?! lol

@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS

5 ай бұрын

There will always be goldfish. 😎

Why does it seem like an awful lot of content creators are talking about modifications? Does the average knitter not understand what knitting is, fundamentally? How to make changes... or even their own creations? Is the average knitter a paint by numbers painter? Incapable of understanding what they are doing without direct instructions every step of the way? Is everyone paralyzed by making a mistake? Unable to understand that mistakes are how you learn? Mistakes are experiences. You will not fundamentally understand until you make mistakes. It is okay to try and it not work out, the 1st, 2nd, or even 3rd time. It's not a failure until you give up. And I don't mean start over. Starting over is the hardest, bravest, and most character building thing you can do. Admit it didn't work and try again from scratch. Learning is never a waste of time. This applies to all of life. Not just knitting. And you won't even learn that, until you become brave enough to try with something as silly and small as knitting.

@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS

5 ай бұрын

There’s a lot you’re unpacking here and some interesting questions you’re asking/assumptions you’re making about “the average knitter”. I can’t speak for “the average knitter”, but I would argue that if you’re noticing a trend towards modification and improvisation of knits, then you’re seeing first hand that the “average knitter” is most certainly not a “paint by numbers, incapable, or paralyzed” individual, but rather a risk-taking, ‘subvert the dominant paradigm’-minded, experience-seeking problem solver willing to go outside of their comfort zone, make some mistakes, and learn from them in order to knit something truly individual. And isn’t that awesome? I think so. 👍

@Brinalea1031

5 ай бұрын

I believe a lot of knitters knit for relaxation and enjoyment and would rather knit from a pattern for a stress free experience. I am sure most intermediate knitters can read their work and can make modifications if they desire to. Why post such a condescending comment anyway? We should be supporting each other in our craft and not trying to make other knitters feel bad. Remember there are knitters of all skill levels that enjoy this podcast.