22 comments on “Podcast Episode 109: Don’t Touch My Knitting”

1. I have a couple of ideas for designers that do patterns in a range of sizes. First, I’m aware that tin can knits publishes sweater patterns in an insane range of sizes (some are like newborn to men’s 3XXL). Also, I am aware that Libby Jonson just published an update to her timely sweater in a range of larger sizes than she initially published it (in response to demand from knitters!). I know that the person who wrote the question said she is isn’t a fan of horizontal stripes and the timely has horizontal stripes, but I knit one in a solid color and I love it—a true wardrobe staple. Regardless, even if she doesn’t like that pattern, I love that knitters asked Libby to grade it for larger sizes and she did it—so that might be a strategy for the listener to try. Ask a designer of something you like if they’d consider adding larger sizes. They might say no, but as a friend of mine used to say, if you don’t ask, the answer is automatically no. I hope that helps!!

   • Excellent. Thank you, Mary!

2. Can you use your ‘Sasquatch ‘ sock as a Xmas stocking?
   And any helpful hints for learning to knit without watching my hands?

   • Yes – I have a video on that, Carole:
     https://verypink.com/2012/03/28/knitting-without-looking/

3. I have a suggestion for people looking for larger sized patterns.

   Knitwear designer Amy Herzog has a system of custom designed patterns which provide users with patterns that utilize their individual measurements and the particular yarn they wish to use.

   She has a wide range of patterns which flatter all sorts of body shapes – hourglass, apple, pear, etc.

   Check it out here: https://customfit.amyherzogdesigns.com/about/

4. My two cents about knitting in the sky – amigurumi!
   That’s the time to crochet something small and if a security person is threatened by my crochet hook, they can have it. I can get a new one for $3 at my destination and my project will be fine waiting with one live stitch.

   As for plus size knitting – I started recently a course on https://www.mybluprint.com/ . It is called “curvy knits”
   and it looks like it answers exactly that (can’t tell for sure, just started).
   this is the introduction
   https://www.mybluprint.com/play?p=33&e=361
   see for yourself.

5. hi, Amy Herzog, Custom Fit is my ‘go to’. Knitting patterns for your gauge and your measurements – simple! I have a huge chest in comparison to the rest of my body (37″ upper bust and 45″ full bust) so have always struggled with placement and number of bust darts but this pattern generating site has resolved those issues. Amy also has books with various sizes and a few Craftsy classes in which she describes different fit solutions for different body types in a no nonsense, non judgemental way.

   Marly Bird is, I believe, a designer who has patterns up to 3X and Asa Tricosa incorporates bust darts into her sweater patterns.

   As everyone else always mentions – love the podcast, I listen whilst walking my dog and enjoy the varied questions.

   Debra (Gloucester, UK)

6. Suggestion for Cheryl: Amy Herzog’s KNIT TO FLATTER. You can send her your measurements and she will send a pattern sized perfectly. For you.
   Amy has classes on Craftsy. Its good to have the book to reference. Best of luck.

7. Hi, about the knitting and crochet thing, I learned to knit when I was 8 years old, and I still knit over 30 years later. But in all those years I have had at least 10 different people TRY to teach me how to crochet, and for some reason I can’t do it! I can make a crochet chain from here to the moon and back, but anything past that becomes a knotted mess!

8. Re: Flying with knitting needles. I’ve flown a lot with my knitting (even while the needle ban was still in force!) and have had my needles confiscated twice – both times I was flying big airlines. As Staci said, it’s entirely up to the security agent at the gate what happens to your needles. It has nothing to do with the country’s laws or the airline.

   I love your podcast and listen eagerly every week, XX

9. I loved the question about designer suggestion for larger women. I too have this larger upper body problem and thought I was doomed to knit dark cardigans. Thanks to the other posters who suggested Amy Herzog; I will definitely check her out. I also wanted to suggest Ysolda Teague. I was made aware of her via The Fruity Knitting video podcast, episode 36. In this episode, Ysolda explained how she has a plus size friend who felt left out of the sweater world and wrote “Little Red In The City.” This book includes sweater/cardi patterns that flatter larger size women. The Amazon reviews rave about the great sizing advice, photography, and using regular & plus size models. I am definitely putting this book on my Christmas wish list. Ysolda also commented that after the book was published, women came up to her at knitting trade shows in tears thanking her for including larger women and how they no longer face knitting only accessories for themselves.

   Stacey and Casey, thank you for your great audio knitting podcast. I love the format. It’s great for walking, errand running, and, above all, learning more about a craft I have begun to center my free time around.

10. In regard to flying with knitting needles: I have traveled the world over and have only had my needles -confiscated once – returning to Texas from Portugal on United Airlines. I didn’t have the little end caps for my cord or the device to remove the needles. The agent was nice enough to find a paper clip that worked fine and I kissed the needles goodbye. We then went up the the United lounge to await our flight we sat down across from a lady knitting away with metal needles! She had no idea why they didn’t take hers.

11. In addition to her CustomFit patterns, Amy Herzog has a great book to help sort out the best styles based on your body shape, “Knit to Flatter”. It also covers modifications to make a sweater work even better.

    • I checked Knit to Flatter out from the library recently. It looked so good its on my buy list. =)

12. An anecdote about quiting smoking and knitting. I used to work in a yarnshop, we had a couple of male customers who came to learn to knit in order to quit smoking. And it seemed to work ! The process is simple : when you want to smoke, you just grab your needles and knit a few stiches until the craving is gone.

13. I know a sasquatch sized pair of feet!! Size 15 mens… but I am not sure exactly how big sasquatch feet actually are!! 😉

14. The person who lost their knitting needles and a project danging-ling from a security agent got me angry. To pick and choose a passenger randomly and take away their knitting, is so so wrong. These guys definitely have a control issues an should be fire. I went on a train and it was so wonderful to have freedom with my precious knitting.

    The Big busted woman could buy this book for sweaters: The Knitter’s Handy Book of Top-Down Sweaters eBook: Basic Designs in Multiple Sizes and Gauges. Author Ann Budd

    I am stickily a knitter. Crochet is great for finishing off edges for me. I tried to learn crochet but have wobbily edges. Crochet patterns are difficult to understand. Crochet takes extra yarn makes the fabric thick. I live in a warm climate an want to use sport yarn especially an good cotton. I love to spin my cotton from an American Source and use organic cotton. All is great with crochet for the fabric you want to produce. The only thing I would like to learn in crochet is stuffed toys animals. I love the journey of knitting and using good quality yarn. I do not care for the storebox brand yarns of acrylic and to spend time knitting something I want to relish the yarn I knit with. We all have to find a yarn and hobby that makes our heart sing. I enjoy meeting all kinds of people and what they produce with their yarns.

15. https://www.ravelry.com/groups/knitting-at-large

    There WAS a blog for plus sizing knits that I seem to not be able to locate now, but above is the Ravelry page. I’ve also contemplated an Amy Hersog pattern. I’m currently working on a cabled hoodie from one of the “Big Girl Knits” books. I’d love to hook up with a knitter with the same issues I have. I’m on Ravelry as ClairBear226.

    • Thank you, Clair. I joined the knitting-at-large rav group 🙂

16. Hi Staci, I´ve always had problems finding knitting patterns as I am short and busty. So my advice is to check out Customfit from Amy Herzog. You choose the pattern and add your gauge and measurements and the web gives you a pattern perfect for your exact size. I´ve never had a better fit. So happy and with you one swatch for yarn!!!
    https://customfit.amyherzogdesigns.com/about/

    Thank you for your podcasts!

17. I have to chime in on the crochet vs knitter comment/question. I was a crocheter first and as a blanket statement they love their free content and cheap yarn. I did too for a while. I also have very low income friends that legitimately can’t afford nice yarn or pay for patterns. They have yarn envy and ask for the nice stuff for presents and such.

    Now that I have good skillz I buy the nice stuff for pretty much everything. I’m a much faster crocheter, so boy do I go through $$ in yarn fast! I’m working on an overlay crochet blanket that I’ve spent at least $500 on yarn. I’ve modified a modified pattern so I’m buying yarn as I go. The way the color changes go my OCD is ok if all the dye lots don’t match b/c the colors don’t touch much.

    https://www.ravelry.com/projects/Lauralaney/sophie-loves-lilla-bjorn-winter-blanket-border

18. My favorite sweater designer is Marie Greene! She focuses on top down sweater designs. She has a unique construction method that addresses the issue of too much fabric under the arm. Her shoulder construction is amazing. One of the reasons I chose my first sweater was because I saw many pictures of larger sizes when I clicked on Projects in Ravelry. She has a private Facebook group called Olive Knits-Knitter’s Lounge which is an awesome community. You can find her @oliveknits on Instagram. My dream would be for Staci to create a video for one of her designs. My favoring knitting teacher and Designer….my life would be complete!

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