MEL MAKES STUFF Episode 020: Finished Sweater and Scout Shawl, Eye-Searing Colorwork and a NEW BOHUS
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- čas přidán 21. 04. 2023
- A regular episode about my knitting projects and modifications, and some new colorwork knitting.
FINISHED OBJECTS:
Enamorado Sweater by Valentina Bogdanova
Fox Hill Farm Romney Worsted
Shibui Silk Cloud in Mineral
Scout Shawl by Florence Spurling
Dirty Water Dyeworks Bertha Sport in Mushroom
Farmer's Daughter Fibers Squish Fingering in Monarch
Valentina Colour Works Classic Merino Fingering in Serpentine Stone
Other colors hand-dyed by me
WORKS IN PROGRESS:
Bouquet sweater by Junko Okamoto
Harrisville Designs Highland in Garnet (MC) and Seagreen (CC)
Fruity Knitting Jacquard Floats: • Sanquhar Gloves, Lambi...
Ysolda Ladderback Jacquard tutorial: ysolda.com/blo...
The Blue Shimmer by Anna-Lisa Mannheimer Lunn
Poems of Color: Knitting in the Bohus Tradition by Wendy Keele - ISBN 1-883010-12-8
Cascade 220 Fingering in Indigo Frost Heather (MC), assorted fingering/jumper weight yarns for yoke
You have packed so much information in this video that it may require a second or third watch. I’m fascinated by the jacquard approach to floats in some circumstances. Your recordings are in a class of their own for the detail and depth of information. Such beautiful. Knits.
❤️ thank you so much!
Thanks for your wonderful podcast. I loved it and so went back to your first podcast and am now watching through all of them in order and learning a LOT. So many podcasts aren't really very informative, so I greatly appreciate the level of thought and detail that you put into yours!! Thanks again and happy knitting. I'll be eagerly awaiting your future podcasts!
Welcome Yael! So glad you’re enjoying my videos ❤️
You always have such fascinating projects. I aspire to be a knitter as versatile as you.
So happy to have found you, a podcaster with the style I like.
That intarsia shawl is AMAZING GORGEOUS
Really enjoyable episode with a lot of interesting information and beautiful knitting. Thanks so much
Hi Mel, I found you by chance and watched this episode and then spent the next three days watching all the episodes. I've been watching a lot of CZcams knitting podcasts this past 6 months and yours is right up there as one of the best. Its intelligent, informative and isn't pushing products. I understand why people do that, but it gets so annoying.
I'm an older woman who knitted her first two top-down sweaters on circular needles in the past month. Yep, I'm from the 'old school' and honestly had no idea what the whole circular needle thing was all about. The finished products are not great, and I made mistakes, but I'm on my way. I've got a lot of knitting to do! Thanks for the inspiration and great instruction.
your colors for the bouquet sweater are genius. Really unexpectedly beautiful. One of the most incredible benefits of being a knitter, i.e. yarn lover, is to become more adventurous with color. Beautiful stuff as always!
Thank you! Agreed, playing with color is one of the real joys of knitting, there always seems to be more to explore there.
Your scout shawl is amazing and I'm happy to hear you say you don't think it's super difficult. I'm going to pick out colors for one soon. Love the look of that project.
I've never heard of jacquard floats! Thank you so much for showing them!
Everything is gorgeous!! I also appreciate all your comments on your projects.
Thanks for all the information and your thoughts on patterns, yarns etc. I especially appreciated that you talked about how BOR creates a jag in the middle of the back sometimes. Now I will definitely start doing something about it 👌 Thanks for keeping me company 🥰
Your work is exquisite....
Well, I've just binge watched all your podcasts from Episode 01. I've loved watching the stories of your garments AND learning so much from you x
Welcome back you were missed. I love your technical aspect when looking at knits.
Love everything. Thanks!
Your sweater is gorgeous 😍 I'm not particularly into the shawl, but I do appreciate the work that you had to put into it. Your bright sweater is fantastic ❤❤
Mel, every time I watch your videos, I walk away with so much inspiration and just in awe of your work! The scout shawl, the sweater (I can never remember the name 😂) and your bouquet dress are just jaw-droppers ❤ Now I want to start a colorwork project!!
Yessssss do it! Although that might put a cramp in your summer knitting momentum 😜
I absolutely LOVE your wine and green color choice for that sweater. WOW! I would have never considered that pairing but I am now obsessed with the combo!
Just fabulous as always Mel. Love your FOs and all the details you show and explain in your works is so so SO informative. Thanks again for all the learning, inspiration and joy. Karen 🥰
Thank you Karen!!
As always so interesting and very informative. Can't wait to see the dress finished. Lovely projects. Thanks
Oh! I love the wine & sea-green colors. It’s very pretty & the design is amazing. Now I want to explore colors not usually seen on projects. So much work on sweater , may try colors on a shawl.
I love your comments and thoughts on the pattern and construction details. Thank you
Always so informative and inspiring! Thank you, Mel! 😁 Oh… and the Intarsia made my jaw drop. You were going on about how easy it was to do the intarsia and then I saw the patterns that you were doing in between the intarsia and I thought well no wonder! 🤣 Amazing work. Again, so inspiring for someone still learning to walk in knitlamd. 🤓
I agree with other comments that your color choices in the dress project are fantastic. You are so fun to watch because you are fearless and create lovely projects.
Wow! Amazingly brave!! Those floats would make me nuttier than I already am.
😂
Absolutely love the sweater you are wearing!
The Blue shimmer is also wonderful.
Wow, and here I though that I didn't like the Scout Shwl, but now I am super intrigued by yours. Also, the Harrisville Designs Highland in Garnet is gorgeous!
That happens to me too, sometimes I have to see a pattern a bunch of times and then suddenly it grows on me!
I dream of making a sweater like the last one but it's something that is for the future after I have many more sweaters under my belt.
I have a lot of difficulty thinking in advance about those pattern choices such as motif placement associated with the end of round. It’s a great idea to do that shift when you can. Your thoughtful knitting is inspiring.
That eye searing color work is speaking to my soul!!!
Iso enjoy and learn a lot from your creativity and analytic thinking. Your knitted items are beautiful. Thanks 5:48
❤ your podcast. Such interesting knitting information.
That garnet + sea green yarn was on your thumbnail, and I sub'd to your channel straight away as I knew this would be amazing when I finally got chance to watch you! Xx
I learn so much from your videos! Your color choices and projects are so inspiring. Thank you for sharing!
OMGOODNESS I can’t believe your knitting, it is so gorgeous, I love the Scout Shawl and have looked at it before but didn’t realise it was intarsia and a good pattern as an introduction, I have never done intarsia so I think I will have a go at it ❤
Another excellent video. You are focused, organized and inspirational.
Your knitting works are gorgeous ! 😊💗
You are an excellent teacher❤
Really glad I found your podcast!!! The inspiration of your projects is what I want and you are really creative and not afraid to try the fun stuff!! Thanks! Ps I’ve made the bouquet sweater and love your colors and how it highlights the beautiful motifs!!! 🎉❤
Wow your shawl is gorgeous beautiful
Just discovered you - thanks to Jonna of Kim and Jonna. Amazing podcast - so informative and inspiring. Your work is beautiful.
Thanks. Great knits. Love that shawl! I think all the color choices are fantastic. It’s a showstopper.
Since I'll be at KnitCity too I sorta hope it will be cold to see that dress of yours. You're such an amazing knitter, I always learn something from your videos. Thanks for the fab content!
I’m going to knit city as well! Hope I get a chance to meet you. You never know what the weather will be so bring your sweater and then you’ll be easier to spot!
Fantastic as usual. You are the most informative and talented podcaster Ever!
You’re making me blush - thank you ❤️
Mel loving your Bouquet Sweater Dress. I also made the Bouquet Sweater fell in love with the pattern but in the end frogged it as I did not like the way the yoke fit. I hope to try again at a later date as I enjoyed knitting the pattern. Thanks for the heads up about the Harrisville yarn. Enjoy Knit City Montreal!!!
Oh my goodness, you have SUCH an amazing eye for colour! I'm so inspired by your choices... truly one of a kind! It'd be so interesting to hear you talk more about your colour choices and what inspires you - do you look at inspiration photos, or do they come from thin air? Love your work!
Thank you!! I can definitely talk more about color choices in the future 🥰
I like your vlogs so much! 😊 It's both informative and thorough 👍💖
Bouquet--great color choices! (challenging sweater--you go, knitter! 🙂) the P sts in the Bohus are extra-interesting; g2g look for Bohus patterns...
It’s a fun rabbit hole to dive into!
Oooh, just gorgeous knits. Intarsia was a big big 'thing' in the 80's and I was glad to wave it goodbye in the 90's along with the power suits, big hair and shoulder pads, but your lovely shawl/scarf is enticing me to revisit colourwork. I hope you do find the time to record a KCM vlog as I would love to watch it.
I remember those 80s intarsia knits from my childhood, and at that time I always thought they looked so dated and uncool… but I have to admit that I’ve been looking back at a lot of those patterns recently and thinking I might give one a go 😂🤣
What is KCM?
Oh my! Your bohus is glorious! I have seen one before and I'm very tempted. Yours is making the urge to cast one on come ever closer 😍
I'm also excited to see so much intarsia going on! I haven't tried it yet but many of my vintage knits require it so it looks like I'll be tackling that soon too. Your scout shawl is a stunner. I'm a little nervous to try it because I've never purled fair isle but the temptation is certainly taking over from the fear 😆
That DRESS!!!! *swoon*
Hello Mel! Omg it is so surreal to hear my name ❤ I'm SO happy you found my advice helpful, you absolutely made my week if not month with the mention 😊
Blue Shimmer's yoke is a very enjoyable satisfying knit, even if the rest is not that much. I definitely need more bohus in my life. I made Lunenberg pullover this winter, but my strategy for hiding the jog there was to have a fake button band with a few purl sts in front which is also where I hid all the ends haha
Just finished the Japanese open-sleeve sweater after watching your advice on it a few times. I agree that no japanese knowledge is needed for it. A combination of stitch count + schematic in cm + chart has produced a perfect item. I made it out of holst supersoft held single on 3mm, with the same stitch count as in the book and it turned out great, no idea what magic it is :)
Looking forward to your next podcast! Watching twice as always
Thanks for your contribution to this episode, Nadia! I’ve had my eye on the Lunenberg for a few years now, the faux button band sounds like an interesting solution. I’m so glad to hear your Japanese pattern project turned out well, being able to tackle those patterns without fear opens up a lot of new beautiful possibilities 🥰
Loved the techniques highlight with intarsia. I’m just starting my journey into colors and although I could never wear a sweater like that (I live in Florida…today it is 85 degrees already) but I can see some lovely accessories being done in color. One day! 😁
Mel your projects are just STUNNING!
very helpful information about subbing yarn
Yay!! A new video!!🎉
I always love your episodes Mel. Thank you for another great one. Your garments are absolutely beautiful and I love love love your color choice on all of them. Be well and Thrive my knitting friend! Kind regards, Stephanie from California
Thank you Stephanie!
A new video from you always makes my day! Cannot wait for the finished bohus
That’s nice to hear, thank you!!
Your Enamorado is gorgeous. My very first colorwork project was a bottom-up body and sleeves design. I was completely boggled by joining the three pieces and keeping the colorwork pattern correct. Plus I had tension and float issues on the large diameter body vs. smaller diameter sleeves. In retrospect the wrong choice for a first try, but the fit was fine and everything afterwards seemed easy by comparison. The orange in Scout is actually my favorite , although orange is not usually my first, second, or even third choice. I guess it is the combination, I can see why you followed the sample palette. I love ladder back jacquard, especially with cotton or similar smooth yarns where the floats are particularly prone to showing through.
That definitely sounds like it was a challenging sweater - but you’re totally right, after a project like that, anything would seem easier!
So I just binged all your videos and I learend a lot about knitting, and your process. What did I get out of it? First, it is ok to rip out stuff, a lot of stuff, and try something different. Second, I need to be trying on and measuring my wip very often. Thanks for your videos! love them....
So happy you posted! That scout shawl is amazing and motivating me to master colourwork flat, so I can attempt this once I gather enough appropriate stash for it. I also love the Enamorado sweater, it looks really good on you with the crop! Have fun in Montreal :D
Thank you!!
Melissa, your projects are always so inspiring! The scout shawl has been on my “dream knitting” list for awhile, as has the blue shimmer. Not sure what I am waiting for?? 😂
The Blue Shimmer yoke flies by, if you aren’t looking for the time commitment of the Scout - just saying 😉
Was excited to watch your new podcast. Love all your finished objects. Beautiful designs and wonderful colour choices. When are you going to teach?
Thank you Alyson! I’m open to teaching if the opportunity arises 🥰
LisaR: You really have great content topics! I love the attention to details ..especially ones that done a bit differently, make a polished finish. The seam placement change is a big improvement !
It may be that when some of these yokes were designed , there were ways a thing was done forever .The join became invisible to the makers , accepted long ago as a necessary thing hidden from front view ? most women had long hair ? Much more hair style and gender inclusive to have it clean in back :) The little things ❤
Thank you so much! I also wonder if the Bohus knitters may have made this sort of adjustment to the yoke themselves, regardless of what the chart said. I’d love to be able to see some of the original yokes in person someday.
Such amazing projects, as always! Any sewing plans? ❤
Thanks Lisa! ❤️ I did spend all weekend sewing, so there might be some of that in the near future 😉
@@melmakesstuff glad to hear it! Enjoy Montreal- the city of my birth!
Gosh, I always love your videos so much. You have really cool projects and a lot of great info!
I’m knitting the scout mini shawl right now! I wanted to try colour work flat and boy it’s….interesting. I was wondering if you have any tips for that? Or maybe one just has to power through. 😅
As for weather here in Montreal, the end of May is really hit or miss. It could be 50 degrees and raining or like the past two years there’s a freak heat wave. It’s usually not too hot yet so hopefully you get to wear that gorgeous sweater.
Fingers crossed for the weather! Colorwork flat… does just take some getting used to. I usually knit colorwork two-handed but found that too awkward on the purl side, so now I actually just drop one yarn and pick up the other when I’m working a wrong side row. Marie Wallin does that herself on both right and wrong side rows, so I think that gives us all permission to do it 😉
@@melmakesstuff hehe that’s great. :) Thanks so much!
I’m interested to know if you think the jacquard floats would use more yarn ? I love the sweater you are wearing and the shawl is absolutely stunning, I e done a little bit of intarsia and wasn’t keen on it but I’m very tempted after seeing this shawl 😊
That’s an interesting question… with how loose I tend to keep my regular floats, I think the jacquard floats might actually use less yarn! Just eyeballing it, it seems like the difference would be negligible. I probably wouldn’t worry about needing significantly more of the contrast color for jacquard vs regular floats.
Hi Mel, so glad i have found your channel. You and I seem to think so much alike - are you a software developer or in a similar technical field by any chance? I've been binge watching all your other episodes over the past week 👍👍
Did you consider bobbins for the sea foam green, in lieu of the long stretches of floats? It is gorgeous, like most everything you make.
Thanks! I thought about intarsia for about a second, but since this is knit in the round I didn’t want to mess with figuring that out.
@@melmakesstuff Good point!
"Purling in color work." Back in Episode 007 you talked about not wanting to purl the Marie Walen Oak cardigan color work so you knit it in the round and steeked. My brain has been whirling since. You mentioned purling in color work again on the Scout Shawl today. Would it be possible to knit color work flat by cutting the yarn at the end of the row and just sliding the stitches back to the beginning on your circular needles? Maybe not worth it on the Scout Shawl but if knitting both front sides and back of a cardigan flat could that work? Lots of ends to weave in at the edges of every row but could they be captured inside a button band that was doubled over? Also, this could be a problem if you had to rip out rows. But anyway, knitting makes me think. I love getting into the weeds of "what if?"
Mel, I found you through Jonna at Kim and Jonna. I like your thought process and I've been binging your channel. You are a thinking woman's kind of knitter and clearly the boss of your own knitting! -Angela G.
Thanks for your comment Angela! I don’t see any reason you couldn’t do what you suggested and cut the yarns every row; the only thing is that the stitches at the edges would likely get a bit disorganized. There are some less-used steek methods that leave lengths of yarn instead of a knitted steek, I’m experimenting with one of those right now so there will be more to come on this in the future!
The Scout Shawl is stunning! But fair isle on wrong sides is not right up my knitting skills.....
I wasn’t ready for it for a long time either! Once you wrap your brain around reversing the pattern chart, it’s not so bad🙂
Your shawl is beautiful ❤️ How do you decide which color is dominant? In some much simpler projects I held the lighter colour dominant
I hold the color I want to “pop” more in the design to the left. I sometimes find it easier to think of the colors as foreground and background, and then hold the foreground color to the left.
I don't get why North Americans all focus on colour dominance. I've never had a problem with it. For me it's all about tension. I love the intarsia shawl though.
What a comment lol! I’m interested - are you able to switch which hand you’re holding each yarn in, or the positioning of the yarns on your finger if holding both yarns in one hand, without seeing a difference in your work? I’m immediately able to see a difference in my own knitting if I accidentally change hands.
@@melmakesstuff I hold both yarns in the same hand but it makes no difference which yarn is closest to the top of my finger. I have seen an episode of Arne and Carlos where Arne says the same thing, except he holds one in each hand.
The Arne and Carlos podcast about dominance is dated 4 Feb 2018. Cheers Lynn
Actually now I've watched the podcast I see I was wrong, Arne holds both in the same hand.
Ah yes, I remember this video when it came out back in the day, and thought it was an interesting take. I’d love to see this perfect tension you’re getting, if you’re able to share where I can see your work on social media (IG or your CZcams channel)? Perhaps all of us North Americans can learn a thing or two 😉