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!

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In this week’s episode we cover:

1. I've been really enjoying your YouTube channel, and I have a question. You frequently comment that a pattern is good for using hand spun yarn. My question is, what makes a pattern appropriate for hand spun? Why are some patterns better than others for that? 

The Traveler Cowl: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...
https://www.dreareneeknits.com/shop/t...

Nurtured Sweater: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...
https://www.dreareneeknits.com/shop/n...

2. Andrea your videos are so nourishing and I am so grateful for all the knowledge you share. I have two questions: (1) can you post a link to the sewing pattern for the navy sweatsuit you wore this week? annnnnd (2) the topdown, bottomup debate. I have a strong preference for a topdown sweater construction as I find I can better dial in the fit compared to bottomup construction (and I don't think I'm alone in that regard!), and as a matter of course I will reverse engineer most sweaters that are constructed bottomup in order to work them topdown. From a designer's perspective, how do you decide whether to construct a sweater bottomup or topdown? With many Nordic patterns, bottomup construction seems to be more of a design convention as opposed to a technical imperative. Absent the matter of convention, what drives the decision to design a sweater topdown or bottom up? I've noticed certain stitch patterns perhaps lend themselves better to having decreases worked in pattern rather than increases so perhaps that's one consideration, but are there others?

Sweatshirt: https://www.stephtime.com/shop/p/the...

Pants: https://www.stylearc.com/shop/pdfsew...

3. Hi Andrea! I've been craving a cozy hoodie lately. It's not my usual style but I really want something to really snuggle up in during my first New England spring. I just ordered yarn for your Traveler Hoodie and am excited to get started but I have a couple questions about sizing and adjustments. First, I'd love to have a really generous hood. do you have any advice for knitting a larger hood on the Traveler? Second, looking at the sizing and schematic I think I'd like a smaller size on the bottom (size 3) and a larger size around the bust (size 4 or 5 ). Do you have any advice on merging the sizes? I do it when sewing but haven't tried it in knitting! Thank you for your help!!!

The Traveler Hoodie: https://www.dreareneeknits.com/shop/t...
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...

4. I love your DRK everyday sweater and have knitted it in three different lengths. Is was my first sweater and it was really easy to follow. After knitting all 3 I would like to have a slightly higher back neck but don't know how to add the extra rows. I think another 4 rows might just be enough. Can you explain how I can add them please.

DRK Everyday Sweater: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...
https://www.dreareneeknits.com/shop/d...

5. Hello Andrea. First off, I want to say, you are an inspiration! It wasn't until I completed your Find Your Fade shawl in 2018 that things changed for me on my knitting journey. It was a challenging piece for me to start. I had attempted it many times and ripped out. But then one day something magical happened...something just clicked! And it ended up being one of my most enjoyable knits. So thank you for that. :) So into secondly, you have done it again to me. I have the spinning bug. I have an espinner and some fabulous fiber from Hello Yarn. My question is this...how do you maintain consistency while spinning? Any tricks of the trade you could share? I would love to hear you ramble on about it when you can. Thank you for being one of the best parts of our community. Much love.

100 Days of Spindle Spinning Challenge
Instagram: #100daysofspindlespinning
Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/discuss/drear...

I’m wearing The Tessellated Cardigan:
https://www.dreareneeknits.com/shop/t...

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...

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