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. Attaching pockets to block or not to block. The current project I'm asking about is a crochet project, but it will apply to my knitting projects as well. I'm crocheting a pocket scarf for a friend. I'm ready to attach the pockets. What would be a better practice, to block the scarf and pockets separately then attach or attach the pockets first then block the scarf. I'm worried if I block prior to attaching, I might block the pockets larger than the width of the scarf.

2. I love your podcast and get weekly inspiration from your gorgeous makes and insightful answers to questions! Here is my question: When a designer instructs a knitter to knit, for example, 2 inches of ribbing, I have always assumed that meant 2 inches unstretched. But sometimes that amount of ribbing seems too skimpy when the garment is finished and worn! Any tips on how to deal with this? Thank you!

3. Good Morning! I am a newer spinner and have completely gone down the rabbit hole. As much as I spin, I always end up making the same yarn: a twoply DK weight with low twist. I just bought a lazy kate, so I can start doing threeplys, but I am wondering what I can do to increase my twist? I always worry my beautiful colors will turn into rope. The yarns I have been attracted to recently have a lot of twist! Is there a good video that can help? Thanks!

Jillian Moreno’s Ply Class: https://www.craftsy.com/class/plyto...

4. This has nothing to do with knitting!! But I know that you also do a lot of cooking and I’m curious how you manage your own nutrition needs with your kids and husband. I have three children who are in or approaching their teenage years, and we all have very different dietary needs and issues—we have two vegans, two meat eaters, three lactose intolerant dairyfree people and one hardcore cows milk guy. I could go on and on! I’m wondering if you have any tips for meeting everyone’s needs without cooking multiple meals at every meal!! Thank you!!

Downshiftology: @downshiftology

5. Hi Andrea! I have been a long time fan of your patterns and knit a bunch of them (from several sweaters to a number of shawls and even some accessories). In the last couple weeks I just binge watched all your I'll Knit If I Want To episodes and really enjoyed them. My question for you is, I am 38 weeks pregnant and hoping to join the March to May knit along, I got your Weekender pattern recently and thought it would be a good one with a more relaxed fit, in your opinion should I knit the pattern based on my pre pregnancy bust or go with what I am at the moment? I'm not a super fast knitter, and I'm not sure how much time I'll have ones this little guy makes his debut, but I want to try. Thoughts?

6. Where did the name Drea Renee Knits come from? What is the inspiration and story behind your company name?

DRK March to May KAL Ravelry Forums:

Sweaters: https://www.ravelry.com/discuss/drear...

Shawls: https://www.ravelry.com/discuss/drear...

Join on Instagram with the hashtags: #DRKMARCH2MAYKAL23

DRK Spin It to Knit It…Along Weekender Style Ravelry Forum:
https://www.ravelry.com/discuss/drear...

Join on Instagram with the hashtags: #DRKspinittoknitKAL and #DRKspinsTHEWEEKENDER

Big Cozy Cardi KAL: https://thefarmersdaughterfibers.com/...

Trine Weekender KAL: https://spincycleyarns.com/pages/trin...

I am wearing the DRK Everyday Cowl:
https://www.dreareneeknits.com/shop/b...
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...

And the Birch Pullover:
https://www.dreareneeknits.com/shop/b...
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...

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