Uploaded August 2026 | 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
Gauge tool: www.twistedtidewater.com. Shared by Amy!
1. I am currently finishing up a languishing WIP of the Traveler Shell and I have a question about blocking before knitting the button band. In the Comebackigan and DRK Everyday Cardi, you recommend blocking before knitting the button band, but in the Traveler Shell you do not. The button bands are different (double knit versus rib), so I would assume that is the reason but I’m curious why you recommend blocking before a double knit and not a rib. If the stitch pattern is expected to grow, as in the Traveler Shell, is it better to knit the button band before blocking?
2. i Andrea! Lately I’ve been having lots of fun knitting some of your recent patterns (currently working on Poppy and the Flock pullover). These two patterns have k3p2 ribbing, and I was curious about the purpose of the slipped stitch every other round. Is it for structural reasons like tightening things up or preventing flaring? Or is it more for decorative texture or neatness? I haven’t knit anything else with this ribbing before but it looks really nice! Thanks as always
3. Hi Andrea. I am loving working on my Flock Vest! Such a fun pattern. I have always been hesitant to knit striped and colourwork sweaters because I feel like I don't know how to count the the rows/ rounds. I have noticed that while working on the Flock Vest that the row on the needle is already part of the stripe and that if I count the V's it's always one row less than what it should be but on the next row it will be the correct number of rows/ V's. Is the row on the needle always part of the total number of rows worked? In colourwork this really messes with my brain because I never know which row/ round I'm on. Hoping you can demistify row counting for me because I really want to knit the Framed sweater next. Thank you so much!
4. Hi Andrea! I have a food/recipe question for you. I love how you often include recipes at the end of your newsletters and I have enjoyed discovering new food blogs and recipes from what you've shared! I was wondering how you keep track of and organzine recipes you keep on rotation for your family? Do you print out the recipe, save it digitally, or some other method? I find myself going through food blogs and then I forgot to go back to the recipes I want to try because I don't have a way to organize them all. Any tips would be appreciated!
5. Hi Andrea! Love your podcast and your patterns and you!—my question is about the Traveler Hoodie. What is your design reasoning behind the two slipped side stitches instead of 2 knit stitches? Is it to ‘cinch’ up the sides or make it easier in the pattern repeat? Both? Would 2 knit stitches create ‘droopier’ sides? Thanks so much!
6. Hi Andrea! Thank you for your weekly videos - I so look forward to them each week! (Currently at home with a sick kiddo and was delighted to realize it was Friday and you had a new video for me to watch :) My question is somewhat related to this actually… I am a passionate knitter, excited beginner/intermediate sewist, and long-time aspiring knitwear designer/entrepreneur… and I have a 3 year old and a 6 month old. I’ve been struggling lately with what I can only call creative frustration. Life feels busy and fragmented and I don’t have much time or energy for making, despite longing for it desperately. Could you please share about your journey creating & building your knitting career alongside motherhood and share any tips or advice you have for new(ish) moms who are makers/wannabe entrepreneurs too? Thank you so much!! Side note: my daughter has multiple serious food allergies and I’m so grateful for your willingness to share about your health journey alongside creating!
Today I am wearing Antipodes
Ravelry: ravelry.com/patterns/library/antipodes-3
My Website: dreareneeknits.com/shop/antipodes
Antipodes KAL on Ravelry: ravelry.com/discuss/dreareneeknits/topics/4411829
Facebook: facebook.com/groups/1819939809141225/events
Discord: discord.gg/jAynqQqZfn
Instagram: #RBantipodesKAL
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
Gauge tool: www.twistedtidewater.com. Shared by Amy!
1. I am currently finishing up a languishing WIP of the Traveler Shell and I have a question about blocking before knitting the button band. In the Comebackigan and DRK Everyday Cardi, you recommend blocking before knitting the button band, but in the Traveler Shell you do not. The button bands are different (double knit versus rib), so I would assume that is the reason but I’m curious why you recommend blocking before a double knit and not a rib. If the stitch pattern is expected to grow, as in the Traveler Shell, is it better to knit the button band before blocking?
2. i Andrea! Lately I’ve been having lots of fun knitting some of your recent patterns (currently working on Poppy and the Flock pullover). These two patterns have k3p2 ribbing, and I was curious about the purpose of the slipped stitch every other round. Is it for structural reasons like tightening things up or preventing flaring? Or is it more for decorative texture or neatness? I haven’t knit anything else with this ribbing before but it looks really nice! Thanks as always
3. Hi Andrea. I am loving working on my Flock Vest! Such a fun pattern. I have always been hesitant to knit striped and colourwork sweaters because I feel like I don't know how to count the the rows/ rounds. I have noticed that while working on the Flock Vest that the row on the needle is already part of the stripe and that if I count the V's it's always one row less than what it should be but on the next row it will be the correct number of rows/ V's. Is the row on the needle always part of the total number of rows worked? In colourwork this really messes with my brain because I never know which row/ round I'm on. Hoping you can demistify row counting for me because I really want to knit the Framed sweater next. Thank you so much!
4. Hi Andrea! I have a food/recipe question for you. I love how you often include recipes at the end of your newsletters and I have enjoyed discovering new food blogs and recipes from what you've shared! I was wondering how you keep track of and organzine recipes you keep on rotation for your family? Do you print out the recipe, save it digitally, or some other method? I find myself going through food blogs and then I forgot to go back to the recipes I want to try because I don't have a way to organize them all. Any tips would be appreciated!
5. Hi Andrea! Love your podcast and your patterns and you!—my question is about the Traveler Hoodie. What is your design reasoning behind the two slipped side stitches instead of 2 knit stitches? Is it to ‘cinch’ up the sides or make it easier in the pattern repeat? Both? Would 2 knit stitches create ‘droopier’ sides? Thanks so much!
6. Hi Andrea! Thank you for your weekly videos - I so look forward to them each week! (Currently at home with a sick kiddo and was delighted to realize it was Friday and you had a new video for me to watch :) My question is somewhat related to this actually… I am a passionate knitter, excited beginner/intermediate sewist, and long-time aspiring knitwear designer/entrepreneur… and I have a 3 year old and a 6 month old. I’ve been struggling lately with what I can only call creative frustration. Life feels busy and fragmented and I don’t have much time or energy for making, despite longing for it desperately. Could you please share about your journey creating & building your knitting career alongside motherhood and share any tips or advice you have for new(ish) moms who are makers/wannabe entrepreneurs too? Thank you so much!! Side note: my daughter has multiple serious food allergies and I’m so grateful for your willingness to share about your health journey alongside creating!
Today I am wearing Antipodes
Ravelry: ravelry.com/patterns/library/antipodes-3
My Website: dreareneeknits.com/shop/antipodes
Antipodes KAL on Ravelry: ravelry.com/discuss/dreareneeknits/topics/4411829
Facebook: facebook.com/groups/1819939809141225/events
Discord: discord.gg/jAynqQqZfn
Instagram: #RBantipodesKAL
Ask a question for next week’s Q&A:
https://forms.gle/pKM9gF9SixkdQwmS7
