A VERY real month of Stashbusting | Spring 2024
VloĆŸit
- Äas pĆidĂĄn 27. 06. 2024
- It's been a tough few months on the knitting front. I won't lie things have been getting to me. I wasn't even sure I was going to upload this episode but here we are. As a result it's a long one. I know I said I called it a month but it ended up being more like 2.5 months đ
So if you're interested in some very real knitting content where I don't really make anything and have a crisis in the middle of it..... This one's for you!
What I'm wearing:
Please be aware that these may be affiliate links.
Grey knitted jacket: freevintageknitting.com/free-...
Lottie Floral Button Tea Blouse: - AD tidd.ly/4cBICdv
Ghost Whisperer by Park Williams: www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...
Textured Shawl Recipe by Orlane Sucche: www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...
For more information about the supplies I used in this video see below:
Please be aware that these may be affiliate links.
Over It Slip Over Pattern: www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...
Studio Donegal Soft Donegal: yarnandknitting.com/product/s...
Navy blue yarn: Vintage
Service Stockings pattern: Vintage from my collection
Project Bag from The Woolly Tangle on Etsy: - AD tidd.ly/3L1QF7N
The Beekeeper's Quilt by Tiny Owl Knits: www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...
Green Hand Dyed Yarn: -AD tidd.ly/3znQ8KT
Mohn Cardigan by Engineering Knits: - AD tidd.ly/4bkWZSD
West Yorkshire Spinners Elements DK: - AD www.lovecrafts.com/en-gb/p/we...
Rowan's Kidsilk Haze in Purplicious: www.woolwarehouse.co.uk/yarn/...
Drops Kid Silk: www.woolwarehouse.co.uk/yarn/...
Fyberspates Scrumptious 4 Ply - Mulberry: www.woolwarehouse.co.uk/fyber...
Antiquity Blouse by Fabel Knitwear: - AD tidd.ly/4blirqr
Folklore Ruffle Top by Fabel Knitwear: - AD tidd.ly/3VKyQ1U
Waistcoat Pattern: Sirdar 9122 - sirdar.com//en/products/0064-...
Suzanne Bryan's button band tutorial: âą Picking Up Stitches - ...
It doesn't cost you anything extra, but if you purchase something through these link I make a small commission for referring you. This helps to fund more sewing projects!
âIf you enjoyed this video or found it helpful, please consider buying my a cup of coffee. This helps me to buy fabric and notions so that I can make more sewing videos for you! All contributions greatly appreciated: ko-fi.com/retroclaude
Follow me elsewhere for more sewing inspiration:
đžInstagram: / retroclaude
đPinterest: www.pinterest.co.uk/retroclaude/
đïžEtsy: retroclaude.etsy.com
âKo-fi Shop: ko-fi.com/retroclaude/shop - Jak na to + styl
When I am having a bad couple of days, immune system-wise, I will often only get as far as gathering my supplies. Then, I will just stare at it for hours, convinced I will never knit again. I'm sorry to say this, but it really helps me to know this happens others. Now, I have to get up and do my balance exercises.
Good luck with your exercises! And you're not alone âșïž
Happens to me all the time. Lots of love â€ïž
Definately not alone đ As a person with idiopathic autoimmune illness (aren't all of them idiopatic?) I relate so hard.
It takes extra effort but when I encounter similar issues with unclear knitting patterns, I'll copy and paste the text into a document and change the bits that I find confusing. For example, I remove all the sizes I don't need, write out the full term of abbreviations that confuse me (you can do ctrl + f to find them all and swap them all at the same time), and usually make the font bigger as I don't like to wear my glasses while I'm knitting.
Funny enough, it all kind of ties in with the start of this video - I'll do that to patterns I want to knit when I don't have the energy or hand flexibility to actually knit
That's such a good idea. I could even make myself a screen reader friendly version!
@@RetroClaude I hope it works out for you! Happy knitting
Great tips thanks! I might try this out
I very much appreciate you being real with your crafting reality. I'm in a very different situation, but I do often learn helpful things from you about dealing with my own craft reality. I always feel a little more encouraged to just have fun with it, and do what I can. It is always good to see what you are up to. I just picked up a very nerdy cross-stitch project after a year. Take care till next time. đŠđ§¶
Thanks for your comment! Happy crafting!
Omg Doggie reveal! What a pretty boi! (also hi Claude's bf).
Also big hugs re: pattern frustration and stash numbers. We don't watch you cause youre perfect, we just like hanging out with you. I really appreciate the raw honesty of this vlog
Thank you! đ
Exactly, I watch because I need a âfriendâ to chat to me and share in the issues I have too without having to actually socialise ( as Iâm often unable to)
Itâs so relieving to find more and more people on socials not making everything perfect and making me feel like I am not enough.
I honestly feel like you would such a nice person to hang out with.
Donât feel stupid! I think most of us get turned aroundâŠespecially when something are not how we think they are. Iâve been knitting close to 50 years and still have repeated false starts on some projectsâŠoften very simple ones. Having a good cryâŠwalking awayâŠdeep breaths are all validâŠso is deciding a project is not worth the frustration. đđđŠđŠ
I think it's completely reasonable to have a good cry when you're feeling frustrated but please be kind to yourself because you're not stupid you just have a brain that works different to how the pattern is written. So really the pattern is the problem, not you.
I just love how she can laugh about herself. Never too serious and yet keeping it real.
"In other news: my knittings gone wrong!"
Ooh Claude. That FUCK at 16:00 really came from your toes didnt it. I 100% feel you. As a plussize gal patterns and sizing are a nightmare sometimes. Thank you for the wonderful videoâ€â€
Nice to meet the boyfriend, even if he is in witness protection! - Ha-ha! But cute doggy! I'm sorry for your struggles but proud of your spirit to forge ahead! That was some lovely yarn you ordered!
I swear by putting a right side marker on my projects. Especially the ones with garter stitch or some intricate lace.
I'm right there with you! I put stitch markers to mark the right side like nobody's business. For those who have trouble differentiating the words in the pattern, putting a stitch marker on either side of the project with a little bead or piece of paper with 'R' and 'W' on it might be helpful - then they don't need to stand for right or wrong, just the corresponding row.
I'm so glad you included that clip of the screen reader! As a part of my job I make documents accessible for screen readers sometimes, but I've never experienced the user side. I've thought occasionally that if I ever created patterns I would like to make sure they're accessible for those who use screen readers, so it would be interesting to hear more about how patterns can be written and edited to be accessible for those who use screen readers!
Try playing them back to yourself and focus on where you need to add in headings and subheadings. Itâs surprising how many times we forget that paragraph spacing etc which create a mental punctuation for a primarily visual user, simply wonât translate. But if you take time to write out, âend of button bandâ as a subheading, the visual user wonât care and the screen reader will read it out so anyone relying on that can orient themselves.
Or if you canât have headings, investigate the possibility of numbering every single paragraph. Make all paragraphs short. And then provide a paragraph index. So at least people can jump to the instruction they need.
There are an endless combination of reasons people might need a screen reader. Donât try and assume one use case. Unless you are really pressed for space, phrases such as, âthis will be folded to create the point of the hood and is worked inside outâ, or, âthis is the end of the pocket flap, 40 rows total â. It might seem overly obvious, but you donât know what the user is battling and that might be the context they need.
If the text is referring to a diagram, also consider a set of descriptions for that in a separate box too, with reference figures in the pattern text so someone who references both can understand which bit is being discussed. For example, there is often a diagram for making up a garment or explaining exactly where to measure. This would need its own set of text.
Often by making the pattern clear enough that the screen reader can use it, it also becomes easier for the human to read too.
On days i just can't pick up my project, i like watching my "friends" on CZcams make their crafts.
I'm so sorry you had to go through that, but I also find your pattern reading frustration so relatable. When I'm in a bad flare I typically have to either follow video tutorials or make something that I can freehand, otherwise I end up as frustrated as you were
Boyfriends/fiances/husbands getting involved is one of my favorite things ever, HI SIR.
I also knit swatches when I want to knit but donât have the energy for a full project! I love swatches because they genuinely do save so much time and energy, and future me is always so grateful to have the swatch and not have to re-make an entire project because I didnât swatch. Always happy to have a new Claude video! â€
I'm a total convert to swatching!
Yeah, I always always swatch. I might not always block my swatch (it depends on how super accurate I need to be and how big and important the project), but I swatch. And I'm baffled at my knitting friends who don't and end up paying for it. Even when gauge "doesn't matter", apparently, because it's not a garment, it does matter because the project might end up too small to be useful or too big and you run out of yarn.
@@RetroClaude Welcome to Team Swatch!
It looks like there are three different yarn recommendations for the Mohn sweater: a fingering weight, a sport, and a DK, but the gauge is a worsted weight gauge, using needles that would typically be used for DK weight yarn, and would result in 22 sts over 4'', not the 20 called for in the pattern (I realize that the stitch pattern could very well result in something looser than you'd typically get with the same yarn and needles, and that different knitters get different gauges with the same yarn and needles. So it would be a bit frustrating to work out what the right needle/gauge combination is!
Thank you! I've also just discovered that I've been doing tuck stitches wrong, which has massively thrown my gauge calculations out! đ€Šđ»ââïž As I never usually work with DK weight it all feels so unfamiliar.
Hearing you say you felt stupid made my heart hurt- you are certainly not stupid. I know you cant control feeling that way and things suck, but I just wanted to say that I appreciate every video that you make. I look forward to watching them and I really admire your strength to continue to do the things you love despite the adversity you face.
Sympathising with you about feeling stupid. And the crying it out. Figuratively handing the tissues and cup of tea to you. And a hug.
Watching you strategise about you knitting in your PJs while I'm also knitting in my PJs is weirdly fun, like we're having a craft-y slumber party (in a completely parasocial way haha). Sending you hugs and good vibes so that all your projects will go smoothly!
I can so relate to feeling stupid sometimes. I'm currently knitting a loose top on 3mm needles. Yesterday I had to rip back almost 15cm of work because I had misread the pattern and done increases wrong, then again because I had miscalculated the sizing, and then twice more because each time I picked the ripped-out stitches back up I messed something up and couldn't figure out how to fix it. It's not even a complicated pattern... the brain fog is real. Sometimes everything beyond plain stockinette on something you've already cast on previously is just too much.
I think I managed to keep going only because I tell myself that I enjoy knitting, so ripping back = more knitting...
I'm the same on crash days, I plan future projects in my head or on paper. It reinforces to Present Me that this is temporary and Future Me will have energy to create again
Patterns written for Dyslexics, what a great idea! Would make so much easier.
Yes!!! Letâs make that happen!
I think it would be a great accommodation service to re-write a pattern in a way that's accessible for people with dyslexia or similar disabilities.
its not just you! modern knitting patterns can be super vague (i even have a published BOOK w a lace pattern w wrong stitch counts) and it takes me multiple read throughs to get info into my head without the added difficulty of dyslexia
if youre able, I find highlighting the numbers associated w my size makes it easier to read, especially if ive forgotten what size i was making. As for the right side wrong side, I place a stitch markers on the actual fabric of the right side so i can keep it straight especially when the pattern isnât established yet, which provides a visible difference between the sides. (you can do it a few rows in so its not on the edge causing more confusion)
Not sure if youâve already thought of these ideas, but this is what i find useful :)
I hadn't thought of them! Thank you! The highlighting is such a simple idea!!
I have been low energy the last few weeks and this is making me feel so much less aloneđ hope you feel better soon and sending any spare energy i have
first, I love seeing how much your face lights up when your boyfriend walks in. second, I always end up converting patterns to a document so I can use a dyslexic friendly font on it. I use opendyslexic bc it's free. Third, thanks for always being so open about your health struggles. it's one of the reasons I'm finally pursuing a proper diagnosis for my (unfortunately worsening) health issues. stay amazing
Gratz on the BF, be good to one another!
Oh Claude, dilemmas that only knitters understand! Been there and done it. I feel your pain! These yarns can be used elsewhere in other projects đ
The lilac matches the greens so good! It's a nice pop of colour. Thanks for uploading your knitting videos - they are my favourite to watch.
When you put on your blue fuzzy sweater thing with your pjs đ I got so excited because I have a pink fuzzy sweater thing that my chronic illness self also wears đ â€
If you have any of the navy left over maybe make that the center of the hexipuff flowers because if you have a dark varigated yarn it will also go with it
Oooh that's a great idea thanks!
I am so glad I'm not the only one who struggles with the W for wrong side and the R for right side - not only do they both sound like 'R', but I know lots of people with the surname 'Wright', and you 'write' a sentence - so I'm perpetually confused. Oh, for the unambiguous F (front) and B (back) of sewing instructions. (FYI I'm also mildly dyslexic, which means I massively sympathize with anyone who struggles with decoding written instructions. Written pattern instructions are the bane of my existence, thank goodness for CZcams).
I'm also disabled (both mentally and physically) and I have a strategy for knitting patterns. Mind you that I'm not very good at knitting yet because I'm doing since last October, but I just either print pages of pattern I would need and use colourful highlighters to mark what information I need to be conscious of or I just read whole pattern once when I have good day, then read it in chunks and write down shortened version, like I did with one sock pattern, I basically shortened 2 pages to half of a page, because I included only instructions I needed to make this exact size. And I do big spaces between new things, so there's cast on sts, empty line, every knitting row is new line, instructions are spaced out in new line, I also mark in colours amounts of stitches to cast on or places where there's something new happening in a row, so I won't do stockinette for whole row when I needed it for only half. It might be annoying for some people but I enjoy it and it helps me so much. And I know it seems wasteful, but I write my short versions by hand and my handwriting is tiny, so it never takes more than 1 page. But of course you could do it digitally and highlight in software, I just try to train my hands as much as I can. I prefer to spend my energy once at the start of the projects than frog every 10 minutes, what happened before I started doing all of this.
I don't have dyslexia but my ADHD makes me get lost in patterns really easily too. I have to read then ahead of time 3 to 4x before I start. Sometimes I'd print them & break out highlighters to get just my bits out. Then I started knitting my own designs. Objectively it's harder but to me it's easier đđ
As usual delighted to watch your videos! Especially when they are so relatable! I just had a chat with a friend about our struggles with ME/long covid stuff and we were lamenting how annoying pacing can be! I'm motivated NOW! Give me energy body!
I've just picked up two knitting machines (for free!) which is something I've been very excited to try but I'm very worried about troubleshooting from scratch! It's both reassuring and distressing that even very experienced crafters struggle too!
Wonderful to get to almost meet the boyfriend and most importantly the vizla!
I am also working on my Mohn cardigan. Iâm a slow knitter and I also do lots of sewing and other things. My hands are bugging me a little. Iâve started wearing these lightweight bamboo gloves when I sleep. They provide a very light compression (honestly, I saw them on Facebook and thought âthat will never do anything!â And then I got a pair and they are not too tight-I have a pair that are quite firm with the little sticky dots on them that are helpful for sewing with a machine, these are much softer-but my trigger finger has gone away, my hands donât fall asleep when I Iâm sleeping and they seem to help a great deal. Far more than expected from a Facebook ad item!). Would it help if you had a buddy who would read out patterns for you? Yes, I am volunteering. I am a former English teacher with good reading skills and Iâm told have a pleasant voice. It would have an American accent, a Midwest American accent, but Iâd be happy to record patterns for you if youâd like.
hey im really glad you put these videos out. I love how genuine you are, and show your struggles- I suspect i might have ME, though its not recognised in my country and i cannot get it diagnosed- Instead im being thought of as histerical, especially given im female as far as offical documents are concerned, and have anxiety-
Showing you working, sometimes struggling through your situation, it makes me feel okay. That its ok that i struggle, and that i need to care for myself and my needs. Even though i cant work thats ok.
Thank you so much for these videos.
Look after yourself and I hope you find some rest đ
@@RetroClaude thank you so much, and the same to you
Chronic illness/disability really feels like a comedy of errors sometimes, gosh. All the "but I can't do [x] because of [y]" and the "but *this* caused *that* to happen" etc etc.
I totally feel you about feeling "stupid". It can be really scary for me actually to realise that I'm not able to comprehend the situation, especially when it involves talking to other people for some reason. I find it very frustrating when I'm struggling with something in the moment that I used to be able to do or I know I usually can do (since my cognitive stuff varies). As always, thanks for sharing these moments with us. Helps us know we're not alone
Your decision about the slip over pattern has encouraged me to unravel a new sock pattern I was working on. I wasn't enjoying the pattern and the long pattern repeats . I have brain fog which could be due to multiple chronic health conditions and I was getting upset trying to remember the pattern. I knit for my mental health, so I'm going to try another sock pattern after resting my hands for a bit .
Claude, I just want to say I love the way you're real in your videos. As another crafter with ME/CFS I love hearing you talk about how you're pacing yourself and preparing things for the future you who is having a less symptomatic time. I have been in exactly the same mental state where your brain just will not put all the pieces together while figuring out a pattern and just when you think you've corrected it you look again and realise (and swear aloud) that its still wrong. Thank you for sharing your reality because it reminds me I'm not the only one.
"This is what it sounds like when you try to use a screen reader with a knitting pattern." *gymshark ad* đ€Ł
I snort-laughed at what shall henceforth be known as âSlipgateâ! đđđ
Love your content as ever, Claude. Oh and love the incidental Retro Boyfriend reveal! Welcome, good Sir, to Claudeâs Fandom! Obviously you are privileged & know the Real Claudeâs name, persona and life, but welcome anyway to her online fandom.
Thank you so much Claude for continuing your CZcams career. We all benefit so much from it- even though Iâm a crocheter, not a knitter, I absolutely love your unique style & take on disability & the online craft or historical dress communities. â€â€â€
Your videos are so validating for me! I know they can be very draining to make, and I know you sometimes have doubts, but please know that I find so much value in them, as do many others!
I am going through cancer treatments for the next year, and being exhausted and very achy is part of that. I'm a crocheter, and I can emphasize with the struggle of not being able to do what I consider to be my therapy. Right now I am making small amigurumi projects to sell for extra money, so I feel so bad when I can't accomplish what I need to when I have the time. On another note, I absolutely love the color palette you chose for the sweater, the lavender is a gorgeous addition, great choice! As for your duck, I would just look up a tutorial for a big amigurumi duck. You might even find a no sew, or low sew version of one. A lot of it is magic circle, worked in the round and if you use a bigger yarn, it will work up quickly. I hope you are feeling better as of this video posting, I am sending you many hugs and lots of love! â€
Random stranger sending you "lots of love", too. May your health improve daily, & may your crafts always exceed your expectations!
Always so excited for new videos from you. Really appreciate your honesty about the less than ideal things, even though you could edit all of it out, because that's the reality of life and crafting. You're a great inspiration, and I applaud that you can handle knitting, especially in vintage. I've only been crocheting for 1 year and I can't even imagine how you do it.
Your process and frustration is so relatable. Makes me feel like I have an Internet craft friend!
Happy to hear that Iâm not the only one that canât wrap their head around wrong and right side because of how it sounds! I always have to think at least twice, and double check Iâm doing the right thing.
Love your videos!!
Hi Claude, I'm a crochet designer but definitely not up for the crocheted duck. I don't know if you saw it but there is a crochet version of the emotional support chicken that is made flat and seamed - I bet you could could make some minor changes to that to make it into a duck! You inspired me to make the emotional support chicken and I spoke about you and that in my last podcast episode. Thanks for another fabulous stashbusting video!
I think it's totally valid to have a visual target rather than a numerical one - though I do realise that each is really unto their own.
My stash is a precarious pile of stuff inside and piled on top of the plastic boxes wedged into the corner of our living room. There's a cardboard box with the rest of an order and other 'overflow' immediately in front of it. My summer goal is by hook or crook - or knitting and re-shovelling, however you want to view it - get rid of that box.
The Hug-Me-Tight shawl/vest that you showed reminded me that there was a Hug-Me-Tighter shrug on the free vintage knitting pattern website that you suggested ages back. The yarn that I considered using for that is somewhere in the stash tower...
Yay for a new Retro Claude video! Thank you for explaining your pacing methods in such detail. Itâs really helpful to me as someone with chronic depression. And I love the idea of âhelping out future (me)â.
Sorry to hear about all the frustrating times but hope it helps to let it all out!
I do feel there is a LOT of variation in yarn weight categories. Iâve seen some Arans that are as light as some DKs so I agree that US yarns might tend to the thicker side?
The heathery yarn is gorgeous and the waistcoat is looking fab so far.
Canât wait to see your Mohn cardigan eventually - it will be lovely with all the beautiful colours youâve picked.
Thank you for always keeping it real. It feels so much better knowing we're not alone out there. Also, hey, boyfriend reveal! I'm happy you've found someone around whom you can be yourself and who cherishes you for it; you deserve it!
I found you through the last video you posted and have spent the last week or so binging every single knitting video on your channel. I care for my partner who lives with severe ME and I've found this series so comforting. These videos have really helped me as a new knitter and I've had them on in the background while I've been making my first ever project from a pattern. Being in a very low-income household I was starting to get the impression from the rest of the internet that knitting would not be an accessible hobby but your videos have completely reframed my thinking and taught me the importance of planning and resourcefulness.
Happy to see you again! I empathize with patterns and quitting them when it dampens all enjoyment. No energy to waste on things that don't bring joy. I sometimes test patterns and I always make comments to increase ease of use. Even if a pattern is technically correct, if there is a simpler way to write something down why not do that? Really, making things accessible helps EVERYONE not 'just a small group'
totally charmed by your realistic language skills , refreshing contrast to the USA video makers and while watching am at long last ie 20+ years since I bought cotton dk yarn at a charity shop for 20p a ball started on making everyone crochet net bags as Yule pressies. Can't bring myself to start knitting knee high socks using the wool bought at Oxfam this spring but one day soon before winter I hope . Don't want my poor executors to have a pile of yarn and textiles to disburse post mortem so I'd better crack on with my stash which is enough for another 20+ years taking me thru to my 90s
Love the doggy! Wonderful colour coat he has.
Missed you so I was watching your entire backlog of videos. Thank you for this one!
I, too, appreciate your honesty and forthcomingness. Thank you for sharing your journey with usđđđ»đâ€
Your realness and flexibility about your stash and your "rules" is legit inspirational. Don't want to buy yarn, but also it's okay to buy some. You're the knitting emotional support Claude we all need! :D
Knitting and crochet are some of the few things I can do when my body stalls out on me. I am the kind of crafter that always has 90 projects on the go so I always have something for where I am that day.
I have been watching from my private account for a little while now. I do enjoy watching you in the evenings. It is so restful watching you and listening to you!
It wđas so good to see a new Retro Claude video. To me, you looked & sounded a little better in most of this video. (I do realize that that may not transfer to actual reality but I wanted you to know). â€
loved the new video!
31:40 yeah, totally, if you have bad feelings and emotions while making something, it'll be hard to not think of those feelings while wearing it
Have you talked with Stephanie Canada about the discrepancies between vintage and modern pattern? I think you both have a lot of the same thoughts. I enjoy listening to you both. You both keep me thinking and wondering. Thank you for your efforts to make your videos when you are feeling so ill.â€
28:00 I don't think you are. I think recently a lot of designers have gotten lazy and ommited tech editing and clarity from their patterns. It's an ongoing frustration that patterns from the 90s and early 2000s are superior in every single way from more recent patterns, simply because designers aren't held to a high standard. Nowadays anyone can be a designer and anyone can put a pattern on ravelry, sadly that's led to a lot of poor quality patterns gaining in popularity.
Thanks for your kind words. I'm relieved to hear it's not just me đ
I recently bought a pattern (crochet) on Etsy. Itâs beautiful and the designer is clearly very talented. Itâs also very clear. But again, thereâs no oversight to maintain standard terms. So when the author wasnât quite sure how to write something, she just made it up,âŠ.things there are perfectly well known terms for all ready. Itâs not that itâs not possible to understand, itâs just reinventing the wheel unnecessarily and making it more confusing than it needs to be. An editor would have fixed that.
On the other hand, having to use an editor would probably prevent a lot of these things getting published in the first place. We win and lose.
I do look at reviews on ravelry to see if itâs worth bothering with a pattern. If others attempts look like a dogâs dinner then I wonât waste my energy.
While this is frequently true, Lilyâs patterns are usually extremely well written and minutely edited and tested - sheâs also very good at maths and has been putting out good patterns since she was 12, so I was really surprised it was such a struggle with this one with a lack of clarity đź Sheâs really nice and helpful, so Iâm sure she will have provided pattern support if asked, sheâs normally very concerned about getting detail right. Her patterns are actually no.1 on my designer list because of this attention to detail. No doubt sheâll be glad you pointed out any inconsistencies, sheâs only human!
What a lovely surprise to see a new Retro Claude video this morning. I'm currently working on a 1940s eyelet vest top and have just picked up the neckline stitches (1st time doing this) with #13 needles. They're only just long enough! đ Then had to ask for more help as the next instruction made no sense to me! I was admiring your ability to drop those stitches back 2 at a time - I just take a deep breath and rip back. And I think that need to add the lavender colour will result in a beautiful sweater. Glad to see Roxanne's comment about gauge on that as it's on my potential knitting list too.
Knit patterns can be so confusing! Because of this, my limited short term memory, and the fact that I often have to put projects down for days to weeks, I always read through the pattern, make copious notes, especially where things are clarified later in the pattern, and very often use colored pencils and highlighters. I don't blame you for not wanting to continue with a pattern that was so difficult. You're not stupid. Here's a virtual hug for solidarity đ«đ
I so appreciate your realness when it comes to wanting to do a specific project and having to buy more supplies because you have to - not because you necessarily want to. As well as not being able to find certain things when you need them. I totally go through the same crap! Lol
Being frustrated about not being able to go look at yarn colours in person is so relatable
It's great to see a video by you after quite some time! It goes into the chronological playlist of course
Thank you for sharing when you struggle and the challenges of disability and crafting and wanting to learn new things while also recognising the damage to your mental health that can happen if trying to do something that messes with your head. I can relate to the challenges and i needed the be gentle and kind to myself reminder.
I love the idea of lavender with those colours. And no 4" of negative ease would be too much for that pattern
I completely understand your frustration with right side and wrong side. My brain always tries to spell right with a W so I wanted to share a tip that I use. I use a pink stitch marker a couple stitches in on the right side of the work. This helps me keep track of right side and wrong side. I hope this tip helps.
I appreciate your willingness to be honest. I know when my migraines get really bad, it's pretty much all I can do to just listen to an audiobook quietly, let alone knit or craft, so I can definitely relate to 'mentally crafting'...
Somehow your uploads always coincide with my migraine weeks, so they're always a godsend for something to listen to when trying to bear through! Looking forward to getting back to my projects when I can keep my eyes open đ
You really are so clever! Just to get a pattern and be like âyeah Iâm changing the constructionâ blows my mind! I donât think Iâll ever be able to do that with my knitting.
Itâs also really nice to see the reality of it. Some podcasts make me feel so much pressure to try and knit as fast as possible and then onto the next thing but I really enjoy seeing your slower pace and the true process of your knits x
Yay retro Claude video! I love your videos and how honest and open you are about your struggles not only health but knitting. Your a truly inspiring content creator
I have an autoimmune illness and get frustrated with exhaustion. I so understand that pacing thing. Praying for you. Nana Cherry
Thank you for sharing your knitting challenges. Your videos are always very helpful for me. đŠ
One day in the throes of a flare up I attempted to cast on a pattern five whole times before I gave up-your method of prep work is much better!!
About expectations of paid-for knitting patterns: you absolutely should expect the pattern to be correct and readable! It's so frustrating that what seems bare-minimum often isn't even provided. But still, you made this vlog very entertaining to watch! (And the bf/dog cameo was very cute!)
Thank you for keeping it real, Claude! I appreciate you sharing your stash-busting journey even when things don't go to plan.
I completely understand the pattern frustration, as I've come across various styles of pattern writing, some of which were... a bit not good. Hopefully the designer rectifies the mistake!
There's a broader discussion to be had here about pattern accessibility in the crafting community - I find it appalling that there are so many resources available nowadays, yet some designers just can't be bothered.
As always, I'm looking forward to your future content, and rewatching old videos and compilations in the meantime. Take care!! đ
Your boyfriend seems nice. The dog is a very handsome Vizla !
I'm 23 minutes in and love this chatty format. I'm a newbie with knitting, so I am learning a lot !
Hope you are feeling well.
Back to the video.
Thank you for taking us along! You're not unreasonable about the unclearity of the pattern. But I recogninze the frustration that comes with it when I'm tired and not in my best energized mode. I'll usually start something easier and wait till I feel better. Take it easy, the project will be fine!
I felt this video in my disabled soul. Currently don't have use of my hands and I start crying whenever I try to knit and it hurts too much. It's so frustrating when you're sick and just want to feel a bit better... But then your body has other ideas đâ€ïž
I used to love Fabel Knitwear too because I was SO thrilled to find a designer who makes size-inclusive vintage-inspired patterns. I tested the Capulet Blouse when I was a little smaller, but grew out of it after lockdown lol. And since then, I have been burned by two of her patterns not fitting my body at all. It was so disappointing, but I totally understand being tempted by her patterns because they look lovely.
I've also been having a lot of issues with my knitting for the past six months. I recently had a really big issue with a tank top I'm making and ended up having to come up with my own modifications to make it fit properly because the underarms were comically HUGE! I'm hoping my knitting will get better for the rest of the year đ
So happy for you and your new boyfriend too! And what a cute dog he has! đ¶
Oh my gosh, I'm really excited to hear you're interested in designing your own patterns! And I SO appreciate that you want to make them fully size-inclusive, thank you so much! â€
Me and my Dyscalculie ('reading' disabled when it comes to numbers and calculus) has always stopped me from reading knitting/crocheting patterns. So I only "free" knit and crochet. I love your can-do-spirit, despite all the hurdles.
đđ»Bravo You!!đđ» âșïžđđ»đłđ±
I love Squid School of Vintage Knit patterns. :) I might just have too many projects on the go from them. They are so worth the cost, but I don't already have a stash of Vintage patterns so I completely understand not wanting to spend money on it. :)
Is it worth getting shade cards from wool wearhouse. I live in aus and have brought from there and brought shade cards to get a better idea of yarn and colour.
I cannot wait to see the green purple when the yarn comes in because they are some of my favourite colours. And I really want to make the engineering knits pattern too.
Oh I can so relate to all of this! That Sl was definitely NOT an S1! I donât think people realise the effect that dyslexia and brain fog can have, we are intelligent people but just because something isnât written in an accessible way it can really get you down, I really felt for you in that moment! And those fuuuuuuuucks!
Iâve done a couple of test knits for patterns and not been afraid to point out accessibility flaws for this reason - half of the time they just havenât thought about it! Iâve had to copy and paste instructions and write them fully out or make certain bits bold so I can comprehend them - I think it would be great for you to write your own patterns to make them truly accessible from your own experience! I have found Victoria marchant an excellent pattern designer from this respect! Of course at your own pace but I would be really excited for you to release patterns - you can do it Claude!
Also hello to BF and dog! Was lovely to see you together đ take care xx
I really liked this video. Thank you for showing the brutal reality of what crafting days are like for you.
take care
â„
Just doing what you can is awesome. And the crossover vest thing looks amazing. I will love seeing it finished whenever that happens.
You need to be kind to yourself Claude! You shine and are entertaining even when your physical and/or mental health is putting you through your paces. I think I can speak for everyone here that I could sit and listen/watch you ramble about whatever you like and still be thoroughly entertained :D
About the DK weight, I've found that my WYS Croft DK is far lighter than some King Cole DK I'm using for a baby blanket even though the button bands recommend the same needles and have the same tension. They are the only DK I have on hand, so I don't know if WYS is lighter than standard or King Cole is heavier.
Please give Sadie pets from me
You're right! I've just checked mine against some Sirdar I have in my stash and it's definitely finer. đ€đ»đ€đ»đ€đ» It all works out in the end!
I also struggle with directions in both my daily and professional life. I don't have any cognitive disabilies, but I still feel like a dense MF sometimes. But I managed to it into a career as I now work as requirements analysist for a IT-department at a government firm. This ability to interperet information in multiple ways has been crutial to the success of several important projects I've worked on.
In my private life I still cry weekly when I don't undertstand, but hearing my collegues say things like "If she doesn't understand what you wrote, then it's not clear" is such a blessing.
Cognitive disability or not, we are not stupid. We are just a lot harder to fool. And I mean that!
This is why I struggle so much with knitting patterns.
Its really hard when i want to work on a project but can't, because im generally never well enough to do...anything else? So theres the frustration of having the one thing I can do taken away, but also my brain issues mean I intensly hyperfixate on things to the point where it feels like my head is filled with bees if I can't do that specific thing or anything else to distract me from that feeling đ looking through ravelry, planning projects, organisisng my yarn stash, all really helps. Sometimes when I can't do that either or ive already done it i pick up random hobbies that don't require much physical movement but can keep my brain bees at bay, like doing sudokus or other puzzle games. But it's a never ending struggle because i also get bored very easily and knitting/crochet is the only thing that has sustained my interest for years. It's The Thing, and when I can't do The Thing, it really really sucks, and I don't want to/can't do anything else.
As a fellow dyslexic knitter, the struggle of reading and comprehending patterns is so real. When Iâm struggling through a portion of a pattern (besides calling my mom for help) I highlight the portions of pattern for my size which some times helps reduce all the extra information and allow me to focus on the important information.
I'm a beginner knitter so I always to all the things to make my life easier, lots of markers for extra info I'm likely to forget. I'm using knit companion on my tablet to move lines and hight sections on each part I need to complete or where I've stopped, it also makes a cute booping sound to confirm some actions. I would one day like to be an accomplished knitter like you. Tbh I thought the retro and vintage slip over were way cuter (I love the cross overs at the front!) cheering you on from the internet ether.
I love your stash-busting/ knitting videos so much! I would also love to see you try more crocheting but I get if you don't feel like it so muchđ
I can 100% identify myself with the frustrations you had with the pattern. I also sometimes end up calling myself stupid even though I realise it really isn't good for my mental health.
What I do is read through the entire pattern and highlight and underline the important parts like shapings and such (possibly with different colours). Then I read through it again to make sure everything makes sense and I haven't missed anything. Although for the sake of honesty I still might end up making silly mistakes đđ but mostly they happen when following stitch patterns.
So happy about new BF!
I'm sorry you've had such a rough go of it. hope it improves for you and thank you for being brave enough to share
Totally agree with quitting. I never thought about it like that. I have had a few things that got a negative emotion attached to it, and I never did wear it or use it. The investment fallacy is what got me. I'd already put in so much time thinking about it, getting everything I needed to do it, etc., etc. I really kind of liked your response. It kind of took a load of me, too.
Love your videos, but I felt for you a lot with this one. You are clearly clever and very talented, keep the sass going whether it's with a slip over or anything else!
Ps. I'm making a gorgeous cardigan, totally missed a buttonhole, laddered down to fix, couldn't, messed it up and spent 3 days thinking about how to fix it all and trying to stop the stitches beside it looking loose, before deciding to f* it and carry on in the hope washing/blocking sorts it out. The struggle is real!
Dear Claude, I must admit that I'm watching youre Videos for a while now and never left a comment until now. I'm very sorry about that. I love your work and always look forward to your next video.đ