String Things by Mel

String Things by Mel

Hi! My name is Mel and I am a stay-at-home mom living in Vancouver, Canada. I started knitting late 2019 (after many years crocheting) and have been knitting steadily since. As of March 2022, I officially became a stay-at-home mom and it has been wonderful to be home with my daughter.

I consider myself to be an adventurous intermediate knitter and knit items for myself and my daughter. Almost all my knitting has been done while my daughter naps and as she's grown I've had to adapt to her sleep schedule and get creative fitting knitting time in. I hope knitting is something we can do together in the future.

Knitting is a hobby which provides me with relief and relaxation, as well as keeps my brain active creatively and analytically. I love learning new techniques and challenging myself and I look forward to sharing everything I learn along the way.

I hope you enjoy following along my knitting journey!

Find me on Instagram: @stringthingsbymel

Пікірлер

  • @sylviaread8538
    @sylviaread85382 күн бұрын

    So helpful!!!! I now know that the October Sweater would be my preference because I like the staggered start. I would have loved a comparison of how the raglan increases are made. I do not care for the kfb increase...

  • @ruthnebauer-fruhwirth4429
    @ruthnebauer-fruhwirth44296 күн бұрын

    Thank you for this comparison, very helpful. I have the Stripe Hype sweater pattern and I like it so much that I knit it twice. The pattern is very easy to follow, I really like how Veronika Lindberg formats her patterns in a way that you don't get lost and can pick up straight away again. As you implied, this pattern is perfect for either using scraps or yarns of which you have smaller amounts of and don't quite know what to do with them. Highly recommend! In any case, knitting stripes will always be addictive and I feel that striped sweaters knit up in no time :)

  • @user-cw4sz9wh4q
    @user-cw4sz9wh4q12 күн бұрын

    Thanks for the tutorial

  • @permanentwavesmusic
    @permanentwavesmusic13 күн бұрын

    Thank you for this tutorial! so helpful

  • @sophie_vibes
    @sophie_vibes14 күн бұрын

    yay love that you met another knitter who is Laos! Id love to meet more SE asian knitters too (im cambodian and mexican) and suspect they might be more into crochet. my mom recently said she taught herself how to crochet lace to keep her busy when she was pregnant with me. cool how fiber crafts run in our families and help us connect to our cultures! i loooooove the green of your cardigan!

  • @Serenity-fu8xz
    @Serenity-fu8xz16 күн бұрын

    Check out lifted increases❤❤

  • @Serenity-fu8xz
    @Serenity-fu8xz16 күн бұрын

    It’s normal for toddlers to speak in the third person just saying no❤

  • @emilydawson9292
    @emilydawson929218 күн бұрын

    Loved this! Thank you for sharing your everyday with us all. I have a daughter the same age as Darcy and am currently on mater toy leave with our second. I really struggle justify taking the time to craft, often feeling guilty for knitting 🫠🙄, and haven’t found a way to balance all the domestic bits and bobs. I so agree that it’s vitally important to take the time to take care of yourself and enjoy things that fill your cup! X

  • @sandystephanian7676
    @sandystephanian767619 күн бұрын

    Wow, just beautiful. This is by far the prettiest knit dress I have seen. I would love to make one however, I need to follow a pattern.

  • @logikgirl12
    @logikgirl1220 күн бұрын

    That cardigan for Darcie is soooo cuuuute No wonder the designer took yours as an example 🥺✨

  • @logikgirl12
    @logikgirl1220 күн бұрын

    Good to know 👏🏾 Darcie is looking very stylish herself ✨👏🏾

  • @TSUNAMI-MAMI
    @TSUNAMI-MAMI21 күн бұрын

    That cardigan is great on you

  • @mgy32
    @mgy3223 күн бұрын

    Hey Melissa - I just re-watched your presentation on your Haley Genser. Ever since I saw this gorgeous make of yours, I've been smitten. I have gotten ahold of the Sadnes Garn book and actually want to make the one of the cover -- it has some of the cabling of the Haley, but less, and a quarter zip. Anyway, the reason I'm writing is because the patterns are all in Danish, as you know, and I'm wondering how you handled that? Thanks! P.S. As I've continued to watch your channel regularly I've concluded that you knit beautifully. It's as simple as that. you are choose nice patterns and excellent colors for yourself and yarn for your projects. But, truly, you just knit beautifully.

  • @stringthingsbymel
    @stringthingsbymel23 күн бұрын

    Thank you 😊😊 My copy of the book has two languages, both English and either Danish or Norwegian. All of the English patterns are shown first, then the other language towards the back of the book.

  • @logikgirl12
    @logikgirl1225 күн бұрын

    I'm glad to hear about The Knitting Loft, it's located right were I used to live when I was living in North York 😊 I discovered them randomly online as the first Canadian yarn store I came accross. Go Canada Knitters🍁 I love your aesthetic a lot, it always looks store bought, neat and stylish 👍🏾😁✨

  • @MakingCassie
    @MakingCassie26 күн бұрын

    That cardigan is so stunning! Loved this episode.

  • @nancypal
    @nancypal27 күн бұрын

    you should sit down and film for your cat's wellbeing 😂

  • @AtelierCastin
    @AtelierCastin28 күн бұрын

    Such a nice episode ! Love the bright colors for the Paul Cardigan and the Sea Salt Tee !😍 And I can confirm, the Cognac Cardigan will be released beginning of June 🤗

  • @catherineo2855
    @catherineo285529 күн бұрын

    hello from Toronto. Love your Paul cardigan. Do you recommend the mohair that you used? How does it compare with Rowan kidsilk haze?

  • @stringthingsbymel
    @stringthingsbymel28 күн бұрын

    Hello! The mohair is very smooth and soft for me. I haven't used any Rowan mohair yet so I cannot say how it compares.

  • @janbatin4708
    @janbatin470829 күн бұрын

    The podcast was great, and the bird story made me laugh out loud. Happy that your Toronto experience was memorable. 🎶🧶🎶. Forgot to tell you how much I love your cardigan. What a stunning color.

  • @pottery444
    @pottery44429 күн бұрын

    Very nice to see someone from Laos on KZread so proud of you ( I’m fromLaos too )!

  • @naiphan340
    @naiphan34029 күн бұрын

    Yay, me too!

  • @gemsxgabby2534
    @gemsxgabby253429 күн бұрын

    I love the bird story - I would have probably eaten the wrap quickly too!

  • @lauriejarboe6087
    @lauriejarboe6087Ай бұрын

    great podcast and that Paul Cardigan is fantastic!! Congrats on winning Yarn Chicken!! Can't wait to see your embroidery journey.

  • @metasymphony
    @metasymphonyАй бұрын

    I only pay attention to project costs if it’s a comparatively expensive one. I like your idea to compare the more affordable ones as well because some of them end up being my most worn and I’m less precious about wearing them. This is a very insightful video, I’m really glad I came across it while binge watching your podcasts!

  • @stringthingsbymel
    @stringthingsbymel28 күн бұрын

    Thanks for watching!

  • @TheGreenEyedRam
    @TheGreenEyedRamАй бұрын

    I love that appreciate your “me time” is for your “productive work” truly shows how much you enjoy doing what you do and we appreciate all you do for us to watch and learn from.

  • @Ynnsie
    @YnnsieАй бұрын

    Thanks, Mel. I was sorry that you didn't show any photos of Knit City. I was quietly cursing organizers for holding it on Victoria Day weekend when I, along with many Torontonians, skip town. Also, I saw the cognac cardi in your Ravelry and contacted Marine to know when it's coming. End of May she hoped. Nice person!

  • @knitssinprogress
    @knitssinprogressАй бұрын

    Thanks for the recap .. also my knitting list always gets longer after I watch one of your podcasts 😂

  • @shirleydotts8472
    @shirleydotts8472Ай бұрын

    I love the flower you embroidered on Darcy's sweater! So cute! Also, love the Paul cardigan you knitted. Your stitching looks very neat and professional!

  • @louisegentillet9244
    @louisegentillet9244Ай бұрын

    Wow ! You had such a good time there. I love all of your cast on, they all will be amazing garments! Have a lovely day !

  • @corteofs
    @corteofsАй бұрын

    I love the Kollage needles, however find them difficult to set even with the tool and I have a pair that will not hold to the cable after only a few hours of use :-( I hope I can meet them at a booth eventually to see what I did wrong

  • @PelafinaLievre
    @PelafinaLievreАй бұрын

    Thanks for the long episode. I made a proper sized swatch during it, which is impressive for me because I swatched once and got odd results so am doing it the second time.

  • @Knitworking_jen
    @Knitworking_jenАй бұрын

    I admire your restraint at the Knot City Marketplace! I couldn’t resist. Love your highlighter green Paul cardigan!

  • @melissalampman7214
    @melissalampman7214Ай бұрын

    Hi Melissa, I live on a small island off Vancouver Island and I have a friend from Laos, she has lived in Canada maybe,27 years, she is a excellent cook, and very proficient at everything she does! Like you! Take care, Melissa.

  • @metasymphony
    @metasymphonyАй бұрын

    I too travelled with a wet cardigan that I was blocking recently 😆 It took a total of 4 days to dry, but it was worth it

  • @meganarlin4968
    @meganarlin4968Ай бұрын

    I love your Paul Cardigan! The color is just so good! 😍 Always love your videos! ❤️

  • @DD-ig2zy
    @DD-ig2zyАй бұрын

    Thank you for a long episode! Great content.

  • @stringthingsbymel
    @stringthingsbymel24 күн бұрын

    Thanks so much for watching!

  • @karenmiller1665
    @karenmiller1665Ай бұрын

    I was so excited to see that you are making the top sol. Two of my adult daughters asked me to make this for them and I have already purchased pattern and am waiting for my yarn to be delivered.

  • @CharlotteEliza
    @CharlotteElizaАй бұрын

    you've definitely become my favourite knitting channel. I'm obsessed with the green colour you chose for your cardigan! So nice to watch fellow BC knitters ❤❤

  • @stringthingsbymel
    @stringthingsbymel24 күн бұрын

    Thank you so much 💓 💗

  • @adagreve9836
    @adagreve9836Ай бұрын

    Winning yarn chicken is so satisfying!

  • @stringthingsbymel
    @stringthingsbymel24 күн бұрын

    It really is. I almost wish I was playing yarn chicken with every project haha.

  • @boutiquelamaillerie
    @boutiquelamaillerieАй бұрын

    It was so wonderful to meet you ! ♡ Thank you so much for the mention and we love your podcast. x More of PetiteKnit accessories are coming soon (!!!)

  • @stringthingsbymel
    @stringthingsbymel24 күн бұрын

    Wonderful to meet you too! Looking forward to more PetiteKnit accessories.

  • @boutiquelamaillerie
    @boutiquelamaillerie19 күн бұрын

    @@stringthingsbymel We receive some new one ! ♡

  • @JulieCrawfordknittedbliss
    @JulieCrawfordknittedblissАй бұрын

    I'm so glad you like the Cats in Sweaters kit!! And Lichen and Lace embroidery yarn is brilliant ❤

  • @liseturgeon2221
    @liseturgeon2221Ай бұрын

    I already start my Paul cardigan , received my cascade yarn Wednesday, thank you for the infos and we were very happy to meet you and your friends a Knit City Toronto , ❤

  • @stringthingsbymel
    @stringthingsbymelАй бұрын

    I'm so excited you're making a Paul Cardigan too! Thank you for the chat; it was great to meet you in Toronto!

  • @louisegentillet9244
    @louisegentillet9244Ай бұрын

    Hello Mel ! I knew your account with a book review and I really liked your vibe. And this new review confirms that hearing you talking about a book you like is such a peaceful moment ! I really like your channel in general but this videos are my favorites! Have a lovely day! Louise

  • @sewneedled1040
    @sewneedled1040Ай бұрын

    Hello from a fellow stay at home mom of 3 young boys. I love watching your channel for that reason alone cause I just feel you! It’s nice to know I’m not the only one out there. Aside from that I love your yarn choices and projects, so just thanks for being here! Hope to say hi if you’re coming to flock!

  • @stringthingsbymel
    @stringthingsbymelАй бұрын

    Your boys are so lucky to have you! Thanks so much for watching and hope to see you at Flock too!

  • @janetshepherd9062
    @janetshepherd9062Ай бұрын

    She’s On a roll mama, let her go! Darling Darci!😂😂🎉

  • @theresefleming2054
    @theresefleming2054Ай бұрын

    This child is absolutely adorable! This made my day. This channel is my current fave, both for your format and your persona😻

  • @stringthingsbymel
    @stringthingsbymelАй бұрын

    ☺ Thank you so much!

  • @coral1396
    @coral1396Ай бұрын

    Omg what a great video, exactly the information I was looking for, thnank u!!!

  • @chairenn
    @chairennАй бұрын

    Loved watching this, it was like spending time with you 🥰 I really admire how you approach project planning. Goes to show that you can be both passionate and analytical at the same time!

  • @stringthingsbymel
    @stringthingsbymelАй бұрын

    Glad you enjoyed it!

  • @user-gs8tl9ks6j
    @user-gs8tl9ks6jАй бұрын

    Very nice episode. You are very methodical and yes, organized… Your daughter reminds me of my Julia who was into roads, drawing, reading and questioning everything - challenging at times. She is now 26 and finishing PhD in aerospace engineering. You are a great mom, and I loved listening about how you manage finding time for knitting and your family. How is Darcy’s blanket?

  • @stringthingsbymel
    @stringthingsbymelАй бұрын

    The Sweet Shop Blanket is going very, very slowly. Maybe I should actually make a deadline so it gets done sooner rather than later. 😅

  • @HauteKewture
    @HauteKewtureАй бұрын

    I am still thinking about your process of measuring before and after blocking and doing comparisons to the final schematics of the pattern measurements. Shooketh and in awe at your precision

  • @margaretstewart1547
    @margaretstewart1547Ай бұрын

    So sweet! Did Darcy say “Now for my next trick”??!? 😂😂😂❤❤❤

  • @verylikecheryl
    @verylikecherylАй бұрын

    Professionalism, artistry, expertise, skill, clarity, regularity. Editing, presenting, creating, responding, planning. Yes. It’s deinitely work. And you are good at it ❤