Episode 21: Pattern Recognition

Episode 21: Pattern Recognition (31:27)

We dissect the art of pattern writing from a knitter's view and try to figure out why even though we love some books we never knit from them.

Looking at the pattern
We talk about what we look for when we look at patterns: the good, the bad, and the pretty.

Corset Pullover (scroll down)
Cosmicpluto's Corset Pullover
Japanese patterns
Forecast (still no schematic!)
Gloria (that's it on the cover)
Brainy Alison
Josephine Top (scroll down)
Sunrise Circle (scroll down)
When we look at a pattern, we look for certain things:

• Lots of photos
• Search for FOs online
• Gauge over only pattern drives us batty
• True weight of the yarn used
• Be specific about how the yarn is used (i.e. bigger yarn at a tighter gauge)
• Tell us the size shown & (in our dreams) the size of the model. Or at least tell us the intended amount of ease.
• Descriptors about how drapey it should be.
• Schematics are the bomb. Please always include one.

We love this book, sort of
We talk about books that we love that we never knit from. Nicole says that we are going to talk about three books, but we only talk about two of them. Sorry.

Weekend Knitting
Perfect Pie Shawl
Petticoat Socks
Turkish cast-on
Jenny's Salt Peanuts
Loop-d-loop
Lace Leaf Pullover
Bobble U-Neck
Assymetrical Corrugated Pullover
Knitcore's cable vest from Loop-d-Loop
Cabled Riding Jacket
Summer Glau!

Thanks for listening!

Music:
Dig Me Out: Sleater Kinney
U-Dot: Continental
+81: Deerhoof

Comments

[Knittah]

Another great episode! I can't wait to hear what other books you love but haven't knit from. I've got a stack.

And Jenny, I can tell you exactly what Summer Glau sounds like. I saw her at DragonCon a year ago. She has a typical American voice, with a little tiny bit of Texas twang. She is very funny. Someone in the audience asked if it is true she can kill someone with her brain (referencing a Firefly episode). She just smiled and nodded, in a lovable cunning way. Love her!

[Deborah]

I had to laugh when you discussed Weekend Knitting! I know exactly what you mean. Yes! I need to make that bulky cashmere sweater for when I'm chopping wood for my cookstove! I love that book and have borrowed it from the library so many times just because I love to look at it. I've made the legwarmers (my 7 and 9 year old daughters love them!), the flower washcloths and the fingerless mitts (great little gifts, both). I'll probably never knit anything else from it but I still want to own it because of the mood the book conveys. .

Once again, a great episode!

[Jen M]

I am with you on patterns telling you how much ease is designed into the pattern. I actually emailed that request to Interweave Knits once, and I got an email back that explained that they wanted knitters to decide for themselves how much ease to include in the garment, so they did not include that info in the pattern. Personally, I think that knowing how much ease was originally included would be a good starting point for deciding for myself how much to include, but Interweave did not agree :)

[Jocelyn]

I totally agree on the pattern recognition portion of the episode. I'm actually knitting the Turbulence Pullover in Knitting Nature which (I think) mentions the needle size thing. I'd never seen that anywhere before. I think the reason that most of this information is not included in patterns is the space constraint in magazines. All that info takes up space that could be used (in totality) for advertising.

I really enjoyed the second part of the episode about the books. I'd love to hear what books other listeners have but will never knit from. Maybe you can ask people for their contributions to this topic? The reasons you gave were particularly insightful this morning, so I'd love to learn about that, too.

[Debra]

I haven't listened yet, but just wanted to let you know that I wasn't going to turn my pc on tonight... until I remembered that it was Tues and than means new episode to listen to... I can't wait. Thanks for a great and consistent podcast!

[JulieB]

OK, what were you two doing at my house last night? I watched that exact episode of Angel.... It kinda freaked me out when you started talking about it! I've never seen Firefly, so now, obviously, I'll have to go find it on DVD.

[Sara]

I loved the pattern episode. I've been knitting for about 3 years, but never ventured into "sweaterdom". I'm currently trying to work on the Simple Knitted Bodice, but I'm using cotton yarn, which I hate.

You girls seem to be very experiences with different sweater pattern. Based on your own experience, what would be your recommendation for the best first sweater project? Something you really liked making and didn't have any really complicated bits.

And I totally understand about living Weekend Knitting. I live in Indiana (winters about 35 degrees) with a husband who is always cold. So the huge, chunky wool sweaters that I've always drooled over buying are impractical for me.

Thanks, Sara

[tarahsolazy]

The book I keep gazing longingly at is Alice Starmore's Children's Collection. I so want my kids to be little fey elves in those awesome knits. Love your podcast, you figure heavily in my knitting fantasy life right now, as my three month old requires too much holding to allow for much real knitting. Oddly, less knitting enhances stash aquisition, in my world.

[dj]

Hi Ladies,

Thanks so much for introducing me to Ravelry, where I now spend WAY too much time...would you be averse to one of us setting up a "group" for fans of the podcast? All the other podcasts are doing it... :-)

[Tasha]

If you need more fodder about books never knit from, give me a shout. I swear I'm starting to think I haven't knit from any of mine.....

Ya'll are so fun & informative.

[Crissy]

I vaguely remember hearing somewhere that the farm where "Weekend Knitting" was shot is the Morehouse Merino farm and that the man with the white beard runs it along with his wife. I bet you can probably visit, but I don't know if they'll let you live there ;)

[Jill]

I was babysitting yesterday and downloaded all of your episodes onto my ipod to listen to while walking the baby. Well, wouldn't you know it I started walking and listening and walked from from the baby's house to Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA (5 miles) and back. (10m total) You guys are not only great to listen to but you are great for my soon to be toned legs and butt. Keep up the great work!

[Susie]

I want to thank you both for not only putting on a great podcast, but for being so consistent in doing it. I was scrolling through my podcast bookmarks the other day and so many that I enjoyed have simply disappeared.

I realize that a lot of work goes into what you do, so please know how appreciated you are. I look forward to each episode, and have even listened to a few more than once.

Thanks!

[Nonna Deb]

You guys are so cute!
Love,
M

[Karma]

Another spot on episode. I look for the same things in patterns and my top two irks are when a pattern does not have a schematic and the fact that most designs do not tell how much ease the designer had in mind or how much ease is shown on the model. Grr.

I have a bunch of those books on my shelves, too, and I'm sure many of your listeners do as well. I love the idea of Loop D Loop and still have the yarn to knit the Diagonal Princess Seam Jacket. Some day I will do it!

[Mae]

I discovered your podcast this morning and listened to it on the walk to work (I work at my LYS... sigh...) as well as while at work AND on the way home. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I have officially become the knerdiest person... even my boss laughed at me because I walked to work instead of biked just so I could listen to your podcast.
Oh sigh.
THANKS THOUGH!!!!

[Leslie]

First, I'd like to agree with Susie. I really appreciate the consistency in your podcast. I love planning my Tuesday runs around your latest episode. (This week, I listened a little late because last Tuesday I was up in Tahoe. I downloaded this episode as soon as I got home.) Second, I enjoyed this episode a lot. I didn't realize how influenced I am by the styling of the photos. (And there are two hand-knit sweaters at Goodwill to prove it!) I'm now going to factor that in when deciding whether to attempt a pattern. How are you guys doing on your crochet? I'm loving it. I try to work in a little each day amidst my knitting. I'm doing a lot of baby hats as a way to practice. Thanks again for a great episode.

[abby]

(Recently found your podcast, and was so happy that I did! You are hilarious!) I laughed out loud on the train about the Brioche Scarf from Weekend Knitting. I bought the yarn for it at Rhinebeck in 2005 (I think), and every time I sit down to start, the cast-on floors me. And I start another stockinette sock.

I think that the book was photographed at the Morehouse Merino's farm... just five miles from Rhinebeck! Their shop is beautiful, too.

[Sally Villarreal]

Thanks for the tips. I'm an aspiring designer (of published one crocheted "whimsy" to date.) I'll keep that in mind. I'm lusting after the Morrigan Sweater from No Sheep and having trouble with ease and fit and the fact I'll have to resize it to fit.

I've did the "close enough" gauge for the "Go Everywhere, Go with Everything" cardigan in "Stitch n' Bitch." I made it for my sister (about a size 8), but it ended up (almost) fitting me (much large than a size 8.) That's why Cherry Bomb worked for me. I had to swatch it about 5 times before I was happy.

I think color gets me in trouble. If I see something in a color I love, I'm drawn to it. Also, I think I sometimes miss good patterns because I don't like the color. I see so much fun stuff in the Koigu book, but would I ever really wear a short sleeve top of multi-color modular knitting? (Actually, I might.)

I've listened to them all. Yay!

[Dena]

Hey-I finally took my friend Cirilia's advice and listened to your podcast for the first time last week. Now I'm almost caught up listening and I love it. It's everything I'm looking for in a knitting podcast.

FYI, there's a store sample (at WEBS) of the Lace Leaf Pullover knit in Valley Yarns Florence. It's one of the go-to sweaters at the store when we're feeling chilly. It's cheap and soft enough next to your skin.

Oh, if either of you do make it out here for Rheinbeck, seriously think about making the drive out to WEBS. It's less than two hours, and worth the drive. We're closed on Sundays though.