I’ll Knit If I Want To: Episode 224 @dreareneeknits

Uploaded July 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

Welcome to I’ll Knit (& Spin!) If I want To! I asked y’all to send in some of your questions (from everything from fiber arts, to designing and on!) so I could put together a little video for y’all every Friday doing my best to answer your questions!

Sign up for my newsletter here: Sign up for the DRK Newsletter: eepurl.com/diPxsr

In this week’s episode we cover:

1. Should summer yarns like linen and cotton be blocked? If yes what would you use instead of wool wash?

2. I just wanted to say how much I enjoy your podcast - you’re so down to earth, and I always come away with such useful tips and inspiration. Thank you for all that you share!
I’m thrilled to be attending Rhinebeck this year and I’d love to knit your 2025 Rhinebeck sweater. I’m not the fastest knitter so I was wondering if you have a release date set for your pattern? I’d love to get started as soon as possible!
Thanks so much and looking forward to seeing what you create this year.

3. What was the hardest thing you learned to knit?

4. I want to make the Melt Shawl but just saw it has brioche in it. I've never knitted brioche, will I have an issue?

5. Hi Andrea! First, thanks so much for these videos! I binge them while I knit and your info came in handy when you inspired me to sign up for a yarn spinning class and I couldn’t decide on wheel or drop spindle. I took both because I remember you saying one method helped you understand the other method so I thought maybe it would be the same for me (it was!). Question(s): you have said you didn’t always block knits, and also that now that you block you don’t necessarily use pins, so I’m curious what you did with your knits in the beginning when you’d presumably wash without blocking? Basically I want to know the difference between washing and not blocking and blocking without pins (I hope that makes sense). I was also wondering what you mean when you say you write patterns later. Do you take notes as you knit and then just organize them, or does this mean you go back and count rows and stitches after you’ve finished a design? Finally, how do you determine how much yarn to buy (as a designer) if you don’t have a project in mind yet? If you get to these, thanks! It’s always great to hear your insights. I’m currently enjoying a vellichor knit!

Stashbot

Today I am wearing Boho Blush:
Ravelry: ravelry.com/patterns/library/boho-blush
My Website: dreareneeknits.com/shop/boho-blush-shawl

Wren Wrap Dress: fridaypatterncompany.com/products/wren-wrap-dress-pdf-pattern

Ask a question for next week’s Q&A:
https://forms.gle/pKM9gF9SixkdQwmS7

Demonstrating the finishing of the Left Shoulder of the Traveler Hood

$I’ll Knit If I Want To: Episode 269 Welcome to I’ll Knit (& Spin!) If I want To! I asked y’all to send in some of your questions (from everything from fiber arts, to designing and on!) so I could put together a little video for y’all every Friday doing my best to answer your questions! Check out Thanks, I made it! Here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIMEyFptX-O73qKX-D8aydTeGl84jZ3p&si=XNniIUkUY j2e1o Sign up for my newsletter here: Sign up for the DRK Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/diPxsr 1. Which of your shawl designs would you recommend for a big cozy wrap that I could knit in thicker wool to keep me warm in front of the computer in AirConditioned office? Which shawl shape is the best in your opinion to wrap around shoulders? Range Shawl- https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/range-4 Jaunty- https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/jaunty-6 2. I’m interested in making the frost lines with spinsters daughter worsted as my MC and dream state as my CC. I only have one colorway of dream state (but I do have multiple skeins). Would it be easy to modify the pattern so that there is only one CC instead of 2? Thanks! 3. Double Knit button band - first time! I am currently finishing up a cardigan and thought I would try a double knit button band. I have made quite a few cardigans and feel confident in my skills. I have started this band over at least four or five times now. I decided to continue working until about half of the band is complete to see how it looks and to see if it’s too loose or too tight. It still seems to be cinching up a little bit, but not as much as the first couple of tries. My gauge needle size is 6mm and I am using 5.5mm. I am using Aran weight superwash wool. I am also trying to knit very loosely. My question is whether or not some of the cinching can be stretched during blocking (to relax it) or should I start over and make sure that it’s even as I go. I keep setting the project down because I just don’t know what to do. I would like to continue with the double knit button band because it looks so nice. Thank you for any help!!! 4. Hi Andrea! I recently finished spinning two braids of the same colorway, each as a fractal spin. The resulting skeins coordinate beautifully, but each one leans toward different parts of the color palette. I’m planning to knit the Jaunty, and I’m wondering how noticeable those subtle differences might be across a larger project. Would you alternate the skeins every couple of rows, or knit one skein at a time and embrace each skein’s personality? When knitting a larger project with multiple skeins of handspun or yarns like Spincycle Dyed in the Wool, how do you decide whether to alternate skeins or let the natural color shifts happen? 5. Hi Andrea! Love your new shawl pattern. Just curious, what is the difference between neps and bobbles? I am knitting my first bobble project currently and also wonder - with these whimsical little textural elements do you do anything special when blocking to not flatten them or make them weird? Im probably overthinking this part but I have my concerns. Thank you! Nupp tutorial: https://youtu.be/n1yHwaAkpeI Bobble tutorial: https://youtu.be/rt38F9v1kxE 6. I have a random question! I love how you buy graphic T-shirts and crop them to fit your style. After you cut them, do you leave the raw edge, or do you sew a hem? Also, would you ever consider doing a quick tutorial or YouTube video showing how you crop your T-shirts? I’d love to learn your technique! Today I am wearing my Jaunty Shawl Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/jaunty-6 My Website: https://www.dreareneeknits.com/shop/jaunty And Tie Dress: https://twooninefabric.ca/products/pdf-tie-dress-pattern-sewing-therapy Fiber Friends KAL: https://www.ravelry.com/discuss/dreareneeknits/topics/4405212 Ask a question for next week’s Q&A: https://forms.gle/pKM9gF9SixkdQwmS7$

How to join a folded collar while knitting from the top