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. The very 1st DRK pattern I knit was your Everyway Shawl. In fact, I knit 2, one for myself and one for my sister. Its still one of my favourite shawls to wear after all these years. Thank you for the years of warmth and comfort I get from this shawl. I was wondering what was the 1st pattern you designed for DRK and what was your inspiration for creating it.
2. I love your patterns, and I’ve made several of them! I really appreciate the way you write up patterns and give instructions. I never feel uncertain about what I’m supposed to do! My question is specifically about Vellichor. I’m hoping to use some summer-friendly yarn for it - an alpaca, silk, and linen blend. I’ve done a little swatching, and with a US 3 needle I’m spot on for stitch gauge - 29 stitches for 4 inches. However my round gauge is quite off - 58 rounds for 4 inches, instead of 48 rounds. I measured after blocking the swatch. Would this cause any problems for me? I considered trying a larger needle, but I’m fairly certain that would cause my stitch gauge to be off. I noticed the pattern mostly instruct to knit to certain lengths, so that all seems fine. I think I’d be most worried about the sleeves since I’d have more rounds there than expected when I go to pick up stitches. Is there anything else I should be worried about? Do you have any advice?
3. Andrea you are so passionate about so many fiber crafts. I was wondering if you ever dabbled in crochet or had a desire to. Are there any other crafts you enjoy besides fiber based ones? Thank you! Hope you enjoyed your family time!
Tipsytessie: instagram.com/tipsytessie/?hl=en
4. How did you choose your tech editor? Did you look for certain qualifications? I am hoping to use my math degree and combine it with my passion for knitting but I am curious what designers like you look for in editors.
Meaghan and I chatting: youtu.be/g_U8QPVk4_I
Meaghans YouTube Channel: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPh8Bj7oydRy4axZqxyZcj9uQN36r-fgG
5. I am currently knitting the ribbing for your Weekender Light. This is my first time using fingering weight yarn. I am using a 4 ply super wash yarn with some nylon content. I have heard horror stories about super wash growing and growing and growing some more. Do you think I could turn the slip stitch faux seam on the front and back (and maybe add one to the sides) into a sturdier semi-seam to help keep things in place? The technique is essentially kitchenering the sides of a purl stitch together to form a sort-of seam for structure (from the Autumn League sweater by Two of Wands if it helps.) It would look like a column of normal knit stitches rather than the beautiful line of slip stitches. Or does the nylon in the yarn or the number of plies make something like this unnecessary? I am very nervous about my sweater growing and getting out of shape after I spend all the time knitting a fingering weight gauge. Thank you!
Today I am wearing Ooey Gooey
Ravelry: ravelry.com/patterns/library/ooey-gooey
My Website: dreareneeknits.com/shop/ooey-gooey
2025 Rhinebeck Ooey Gooey KAL
Ravelry Forum: ravelry.com/discuss/dreareneeknits/topics/4368040
Facebook Forum: facebook.com/groups/1076153613959074
Instagram Hashtag: #RhinebeckOoeyGooeyKAL
Ask a question for next week’s Q&A:
https://forms.gle/pKM9gF9SixkdQwmS7
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. The very 1st DRK pattern I knit was your Everyway Shawl. In fact, I knit 2, one for myself and one for my sister. Its still one of my favourite shawls to wear after all these years. Thank you for the years of warmth and comfort I get from this shawl. I was wondering what was the 1st pattern you designed for DRK and what was your inspiration for creating it.
2. I love your patterns, and I’ve made several of them! I really appreciate the way you write up patterns and give instructions. I never feel uncertain about what I’m supposed to do! My question is specifically about Vellichor. I’m hoping to use some summer-friendly yarn for it - an alpaca, silk, and linen blend. I’ve done a little swatching, and with a US 3 needle I’m spot on for stitch gauge - 29 stitches for 4 inches. However my round gauge is quite off - 58 rounds for 4 inches, instead of 48 rounds. I measured after blocking the swatch. Would this cause any problems for me? I considered trying a larger needle, but I’m fairly certain that would cause my stitch gauge to be off. I noticed the pattern mostly instruct to knit to certain lengths, so that all seems fine. I think I’d be most worried about the sleeves since I’d have more rounds there than expected when I go to pick up stitches. Is there anything else I should be worried about? Do you have any advice?
3. Andrea you are so passionate about so many fiber crafts. I was wondering if you ever dabbled in crochet or had a desire to. Are there any other crafts you enjoy besides fiber based ones? Thank you! Hope you enjoyed your family time!
Tipsytessie: instagram.com/tipsytessie/?hl=en
4. How did you choose your tech editor? Did you look for certain qualifications? I am hoping to use my math degree and combine it with my passion for knitting but I am curious what designers like you look for in editors.
Meaghan and I chatting: youtu.be/g_U8QPVk4_I
Meaghans YouTube Channel: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPh8Bj7oydRy4axZqxyZcj9uQN36r-fgG
5. I am currently knitting the ribbing for your Weekender Light. This is my first time using fingering weight yarn. I am using a 4 ply super wash yarn with some nylon content. I have heard horror stories about super wash growing and growing and growing some more. Do you think I could turn the slip stitch faux seam on the front and back (and maybe add one to the sides) into a sturdier semi-seam to help keep things in place? The technique is essentially kitchenering the sides of a purl stitch together to form a sort-of seam for structure (from the Autumn League sweater by Two of Wands if it helps.) It would look like a column of normal knit stitches rather than the beautiful line of slip stitches. Or does the nylon in the yarn or the number of plies make something like this unnecessary? I am very nervous about my sweater growing and getting out of shape after I spend all the time knitting a fingering weight gauge. Thank you!
Today I am wearing Ooey Gooey
Ravelry: ravelry.com/patterns/library/ooey-gooey
My Website: dreareneeknits.com/shop/ooey-gooey
2025 Rhinebeck Ooey Gooey KAL
Ravelry Forum: ravelry.com/discuss/dreareneeknits/topics/4368040
Facebook Forum: facebook.com/groups/1076153613959074
Instagram Hashtag: #RhinebeckOoeyGooeyKAL
Ask a question for next week’s Q&A:
https://forms.gle/pKM9gF9SixkdQwmS7
