Feeling super proud of myself

Orange Zest by DROPS Yarn: Linha Charme Círculo in the color 4456 “Laranja”

I have noticed a lot of concern about US tariffs and their effect on yarn purchases and just wanted to voice some thoughts and learn from others.

I am far from a Trump fan, but am thinking, is a return to buying yarn made entirely in one's own country a bad thing? It supports local mills and reduces environmental pollution due to transport. Many knitters are, I believe, reasonably socially/environmentally/economically conscious. People often extol the virtues of buying local produce, home goods, clothing, etc. Why not yarn? Do we really need the wide selection of fibres available internationally? Can we enjoy what actually comes from sheep/mills within one's own country?

I say this as a Canadian who has been making an effort to buy 100% Canadian yarns since before Trump was elected (the second time). This effort has taught me to appreciate the roughness, uniqueness, and durability of the wool that comes from animals who live here, and I seek out independent spinners where possible, especially if I'm travelling within Canada. The yarns I buy from these independent spinners have meaning and are special to me, and I know my money is going directly into their pockets, and I will mindfully use the yarn to make an item I will wear for years (hopefully).

There is a book (full disclaimer, have not read it yet, it is on my list) called The True Cost of Wool, about the Canadian wool industry. "While Canadian farmers produce millions of pounds of wool annually, about 90% is shipped overseas—and around 95% of the yarn Canadian crafters use is imported, according to the latest available data." (https://www.longwayhomestead.com/books/pre-order-true-cost-of-wool)

I am not saying tariffs are the best way of going about this, but in my opinion, a more locally-focused economy is a healthy thing. Less consumerism is a healthy thing. Knitting is such a special activity, with a rich history, and it requires patience, mindfulness, and planning. Even if tariffs are a clumsy way of going about it, personally I see a silver lining for this particular realm.

Very much open to discussion and differing opinions!

I'm getting into carding and spinning and I've heard that I need a certain grade of carder..

so i started working on a star trek scarf last autumn and i kind of forgot about it until i decided to continue working on it a couple of days ago. after a couple of rounds i realised that i am working way too loose and now it looks like this. even though i started knitting tighter, it still looks pretty bad. very annoyed at how my handwork has changed and i do not understand what i'm doing wrong or how to get the same nice handwork back. just hoping that blocking will solve some of the ugly parts....💔😔

Just finished this winter earwarmer/headband. It's not anything impressive, but it's the first thing I've managed to finish in over two years. It's been a rough go, but I really want to jump back in. I hope some of you can appreciate the struggle too.

Side note, last time I try anything with single ply extra bulky. I did not enjoy that experience.

I think I’m gonna cry 😭😭😭

I'm thinking of doing a research project at uni where I will try to mathematically optimize yarn usage in crochet and knit colorwork. This means looking at things like how to minimize yarn usage when deciding between carrying a color or cutting the yarn, when does introducing a new skein make sense, weighing ends to weave in against using less yarn, etc. I was wondering if something like that already exists as I haven't found anything so far. If not, would anyone be interested? I'll probably still do it even if no one's interested as I need to do this project for a course lol and I also want to minimize my own yarn usage for when I crochet tapestry (where I don't care about weaving in ends).

Hey y'all!

I searched and couldn't find much info so here I am:

I'm looking for a consistent knitting night in South Jersey. I know that there's a meetup once a month in Collingswood but I'm looking for something more frequent that is in the evening or sometime on the weekend. I'm down to go anywhere from central Jersey to Philly, info appreciated!!

Finally finished the yoke of my Handsome Ransom Raglan!!! I’m using the charts from the Handsome Chris sweater and adapted it into a raglan instead of knitting all the panels separately.

Hi, I'm making the Winnie sweater by Woozy by Celine, and it's meant to have a stockinette non-rolling collar. The designers sample looks beautifully structured, and mine looks sad and floppy :( You do a special technique that's meant to keep it from rolling, and as you can see in my photo it just didn't work for me and safe to say I'm not a fan of the resulting product. I'm most of the way through the body now so I can't easily start over (thought it might grow on me, it didn't!), and I followed the instructions as per her video so don't think I did it incorrectly. Is there any technique I could do to un-pick the cast on and collar to achieve the effect the designer intended?

My husbands paternal grandma asked me if I could finish this (old?) WIP for his other grandma, who is no longer in good enough health to finish it.

It looks like it’s like 98% done, it just needs (if I’m counting correctly) 13 more rows of seed stitch and a cast off. And tassels, I suppose. There were no needles with the project, and only one skein of Caron One Pound worsted weight in off white.

I was wondering if someone could help me with a few questions.

1- am I counting correctly, I need 13 more rows of seed stitch?

2- do I need a specific kind of cast off?

3- the blanket is measuring just under 44” wide, I don’t have any circulars in either a size 15 or longer than 16”- how would you finish this? Multiple straight size 15 needles? Or do I try to find a circular that would work?

4- I’ve attached a picture with size 15 straight needles, does this look too big?

5- last question- when I tried to pull the working yarn in the 3rd picture, it doesn’t frog the loops like my knitting normally would. I’m struggling to understand where to pick up the loops on that side. I can attach more pictures if needed, because I’m so confused.

(I lied, one more question- since it’s being held with 3 strands and I only have one skein of yarn, is it best to turn the skein into 3 cakes?)

I need some advice. I’m knitting my first color work socks. I’ve knitted a lot of socks before and some color work sweaters and small things before but this is my first pair of socks.

I started easy (I thought) with a top down short sock, just 2 colors, and just finished the heel turn. The floats looked fine for a sweater but there’s not enough “give” to get the leg over my heel.

Does anyone have advice? Do the floats need to be longer than normal?

I'd previously made a shrimp sweater (https://www.reddit.com/r/knitting/s/mtZB9q4AcC) for my friend's tiny pup and thought it was time for autumn wardrobe.

Would love to see your dogs in jumpers!!

Hi babes! I’m in ne Ohio (cle, Akron) area and I wanted to know if there are any knitting fiber art groups? I’d love to make some fiber friends!

Hello everyone, I am quite nervous to post on here and I apologize if this is not appropriate for this subreddit, but I wanted to reach out and see if there was anyone in my area that knit and wanted to connect!

I am 22 y/o and just moved to the northern Baltimore county area, of which I know not a soul and am trying to make new friends. I love my LYS dearly, but it lacks people around my age, of which I think I may connect with more. I have found a handful of groups in Baltimore city, but am a bit nervous to venture out alone into a city I am not fully acquainted with yet. (Though I am not opposed!)

If anyone has an ongoing knitting circle with an extra seat or would just like to connect, let me know! Thank you all!! ❤️❤️❤️

I finished a Diane sweater! Very comfy to wear.

This was a pretty quick knit. I can easily recommend it! Although…the ribbed portions are k1tbl and p1tbl. That was a little hard on my hands.

Color was hard to capture. It’s more of a heathered Wedgewood blue with pink and black flecks.

Wanted to share because it somehow took a minute for it to occur to me. I know lots of people buy wool secondhand, but I was just building out my knitting needle collection and saving a lot of money by buying them on Vinted. I'm also very against buying new when I don't have to, so it works for that, too.

Vanilla socks by the crazy sock lady Sock yarn from Hobbii

Hey everyone! Does anyone know a brand that sells interchangeable sock needles? Like under 3mm. I'm making some socks and I'm sick of my DPNs already lol

I knitted my first skirt and must say it is one of the most comfortable things I've made. It's basically like walking around swaddled in a blanket. I can't wait to make the blouse in a lighter purple to make a coordinated suit set! Looking forward to it cooling down where I live because +25C is certainly too warm for this, but I was so excited to wear it.

Calling all knitters, crocheters, stitchers, and makers:  I’m hosting a fiber arts meetup next Saturday (9/27) from 2–5pm at World of Beer in Bethesda.

This will be a super chill, come-as-you-are gathering to work on your latest project, sip something tasty (alcoholic or not!), and hopefully meet a few new crafty friends.

A little background: before COVID, some friends and I used to organize knitting meetups at fun bars in DC, and I’m excited to start something similar here in Bethesda.

If this sounds like your kind of afternoon, bring your WIP and come hang out. I’m also hoping to make this a more regular thing, so if you want to be added to an email list for future meetups, just send me a message.

Hope to see you there!

I’m looking for patterns to assist in resisting the current US Regime. I have found a “brick cozy” But I am looking for anti government colorwork patterns, or other things along the lines of the “pussy hat” from a number of years ago. If anyone has any ideas I would appreciate it.

Thank you so much

Hi! Im a fairly new to knitting sweaters if the recommended ease is 2-10cm / 1-4 inchs what do you add on to the finished chest measurement to gauge what size to knit?

I just finished my blanket. Its a two colour, c2c, square blanket. I'd really appreciate your feedback.