Uploaded December 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
Jaunty SAL with Daedalus: ravelry.com/discuss/dreareneeknits/topics/4386868
In this week’s episode we cover:
1. Short rows in the body vs. closer to the neck. I am comfortable with short rows and understand that they help bring the front neckline down when used close to the top of the neck but am confused how short rows in the body after the yoke do the same. It seems that short rows in the body won’t change the neckline. Can you help explain why some designers add short rows much later and if they will bring the front neckline down so it doesn’t feel like it is choking me?
2. Hello! I have a "holding yarn double" question. I want to make my 4 year old a cardigan with stash yarn, but problem is that all of the patterns I'm considering would mean I'd have to hold two strands together. Not a big deal and I don't mind doing that, but my question is, is there any reason why I shouldn't hold one strand of 80% superwash merino/10% cashmere/ 10% nylon with an 100% acrylic yarn? I would plan to hand-wash this, so that removes any washing concerns, but any other reasons why this wouldn't be a good idea? Thank you!
3. I've only made a couple of socks in my knitting journey but am interested in possibly tackling them again with more success in terms of fit in the future. I would welcome any special tips you have for getting socks to fit correctly....the ones that I have made always are a little wide and end up being slipper socks. Also, what needles are you using for the ooey gooey socks that you have made. I see lots of people using them and am curious.
The Sock Project by Summer Lee: bookshop.org/p/books/the-sock-project-colorful-cool-socks-to-knit-and-show-off-summer-lee/ba355b54df2061fa
No Fear Sock Knitting by Denise DeSantis: bookshop.org/p/books/no-fear-sock-knitting-take-the-worry-out-of-sock-knitting-with-this-beginner-s-guide-denise-desantis/912ce0252ec3d8f3
Custom Socks by Kate Atherley: bookshop.org/p/books/custom-socks-knit-to-fit-your-feet-kate-atherley/9b50e2452bf1c82a
Chiaogoo Needles: thefarmersdaughterfibers.com/products/chiaogoo-twist-shorties
4. I am very new to drop spindle spinning. I've taken one class and I've been practicing. I have some beautiful, just washed and put in a ball of fluff, wool that I bought and then was gifted a bag of alpaca fiber from someone who raises them. She said the alpaca fiber needs one more soak. Does that mean to literally soak it in water and then dry it? Second question, can I combine my wool and alpaca as I spin? Or before I spin? Do you have a resource or ideas for this?
Also I'm currently knitting your comebackagain and am enjoying the process. Thanks so much for all the work you do to give clear directions!!
5. I am one sleeve away from finishing my Metamorphic sweater! Its my first time using Spincycle Yarn. Wondering if you have suggestions about blocking once I'm done? I love the way sweaters come out when I start with warm water and let it cool, (which I learned from watching your podcast) but I imagine this isn't advised with the multicolored Dyed in the Wool? Thanks!
6. I have been knitting a while now and have been storing my handknits in a cedar chest. My chest is now overflowing! I am curious as to how you store your knits? Stacked & labeled plastic bins in a closet? Do you store them by fiber, warmth, favorites? Do you add anything to keep the moths away? Thanks for your help!
Today I am wearing the Ooey Gooey Mitts & Mittens:
Ravelry: ravelry.com/patterns/library/ooey-gooey-mitt-set
My Website: dreareneeknits.com/shop/ooey-gooey-mitt-set
And the Just My Luck Jeans (by Izzie not Lizzie!) forestandthread.com/product/just-my-luck-jeans-pdf-pattern
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
Jaunty SAL with Daedalus: ravelry.com/discuss/dreareneeknits/topics/4386868
In this week’s episode we cover:
1. Short rows in the body vs. closer to the neck. I am comfortable with short rows and understand that they help bring the front neckline down when used close to the top of the neck but am confused how short rows in the body after the yoke do the same. It seems that short rows in the body won’t change the neckline. Can you help explain why some designers add short rows much later and if they will bring the front neckline down so it doesn’t feel like it is choking me?
2. Hello! I have a "holding yarn double" question. I want to make my 4 year old a cardigan with stash yarn, but problem is that all of the patterns I'm considering would mean I'd have to hold two strands together. Not a big deal and I don't mind doing that, but my question is, is there any reason why I shouldn't hold one strand of 80% superwash merino/10% cashmere/ 10% nylon with an 100% acrylic yarn? I would plan to hand-wash this, so that removes any washing concerns, but any other reasons why this wouldn't be a good idea? Thank you!
3. I've only made a couple of socks in my knitting journey but am interested in possibly tackling them again with more success in terms of fit in the future. I would welcome any special tips you have for getting socks to fit correctly....the ones that I have made always are a little wide and end up being slipper socks. Also, what needles are you using for the ooey gooey socks that you have made. I see lots of people using them and am curious.
The Sock Project by Summer Lee: bookshop.org/p/books/the-sock-project-colorful-cool-socks-to-knit-and-show-off-summer-lee/ba355b54df2061fa
No Fear Sock Knitting by Denise DeSantis: bookshop.org/p/books/no-fear-sock-knitting-take-the-worry-out-of-sock-knitting-with-this-beginner-s-guide-denise-desantis/912ce0252ec3d8f3
Custom Socks by Kate Atherley: bookshop.org/p/books/custom-socks-knit-to-fit-your-feet-kate-atherley/9b50e2452bf1c82a
Chiaogoo Needles: thefarmersdaughterfibers.com/products/chiaogoo-twist-shorties
4. I am very new to drop spindle spinning. I've taken one class and I've been practicing. I have some beautiful, just washed and put in a ball of fluff, wool that I bought and then was gifted a bag of alpaca fiber from someone who raises them. She said the alpaca fiber needs one more soak. Does that mean to literally soak it in water and then dry it? Second question, can I combine my wool and alpaca as I spin? Or before I spin? Do you have a resource or ideas for this?
Also I'm currently knitting your comebackagain and am enjoying the process. Thanks so much for all the work you do to give clear directions!!
5. I am one sleeve away from finishing my Metamorphic sweater! Its my first time using Spincycle Yarn. Wondering if you have suggestions about blocking once I'm done? I love the way sweaters come out when I start with warm water and let it cool, (which I learned from watching your podcast) but I imagine this isn't advised with the multicolored Dyed in the Wool? Thanks!
6. I have been knitting a while now and have been storing my handknits in a cedar chest. My chest is now overflowing! I am curious as to how you store your knits? Stacked & labeled plastic bins in a closet? Do you store them by fiber, warmth, favorites? Do you add anything to keep the moths away? Thanks for your help!
Today I am wearing the Ooey Gooey Mitts & Mittens:
Ravelry: ravelry.com/patterns/library/ooey-gooey-mitt-set
My Website: dreareneeknits.com/shop/ooey-gooey-mitt-set
And the Just My Luck Jeans (by Izzie not Lizzie!) forestandthread.com/product/just-my-luck-jeans-pdf-pattern
Ask a question for next week’s Q&A:
https://forms.gle/pKM9gF9SixkdQwmS7
