This is the first episode in a series of minisodes inspired by topic requests that come from our generous Patreon supporters! Ya'll are the best! Juliet asked us to talk about photographing our finished knits. While we're definitely not professional photographers, we've put together some tips that will help you get great shots of your projects so you can proudly share your knits with the fiber community! Want more Make Good? Follow us on Instagram @makegoodpod Join our Patreon! We're so gr...
Aug 23, 2022•15 min•Ep 83•Transcript available on Metacast We're in the depths of a brutal heatwave here in New Hampshire, so we're beating the heat by dreaming of autumn. You know what that means: Rhinebeck Sweaters! (If you're not familiar with Rhinebeck, that's the NY Sheep and Wool Festival. ) What's on our needles this week: Jessica: Easy V by Caitlin Hunter Karen: Sunshine on my Shoulders by Lissy Jane Want more Make Good? Follow us on Instagram @makegoodpod Join our Patreon! We're so grateful to our Patreon supporters, who help us do this e...
Aug 16, 2022•29 min•Ep 82•Transcript available on Metacast Today we're talking about "trusting the process" - by request! In our letter we talk about how to adapt knitting techniques for one-handed knitting. One-handed knitting resources: Elisabeth Ward's Youtube Channel Mary OneHandKnitter's YouTube Channel One-handed knitting aid Healing Fibers...
Aug 09, 2022•29 min•Ep 81•Transcript available on Metacast This week we're answering questions from listeners: Valerie: how to balance knitting gifts for others with knitting for yourself; Sima: What to do when your swatch gauge and your FO gauge just don't line up; Micah: How to organize supplies for lots of different types of crafts; Jordan: What to do when you DON'T SWATCH and your row gauge is off; and Michelle: What aspects of our lives have grown and changed as a result of our knitting What’s on your Needles? Oakmoss by Alicia Plummer Easy V...
Jul 26, 2022•30 min•Ep 80•Transcript available on Metacast We're talking about substituting yarn weights this week! Gauge, schmage. (You're going to need to swatch.) Resources: Tin Can Knits: Knitting a Garment at a Different Gauge Jacqueline Cieslak: Yarn Substitutions at Different Weights Jimmybeans Wool: Knitting Calculator (broad estimates) Sister Mountain - How to Estimate Yardage in Knitting Patterns What's on our needles this week: Oakmoss by Alicia Plummer Easy V by Caitlin Hunter Summer Knitalong - CABLES! Anything you want... but m...
Jul 19, 2022•30 min•Ep 79•Transcript available on Metacast This week we're revisiting something that came up during our episode about ply week before last and talking about directional twist in yarn. What's on our needles this week: Oakmoss by Alicia Plummer Easy V by Caitlin Hunter Podcasts we like to listen to! Jessica: Love to Sew Sounds Like a Cult Spooked Karen: I Don’t Even Own a Television Beach Too Sandy, Water Too Wet The Opportunist Wild Thing Summer Knitalong - CABLES! Anything you want... but make it with at least one cable! We hope ...
Jul 12, 2022•26 min•Ep 78•Transcript available on Metacast This week's episode is about the things (in addition to finished objects!) that we get from knitting. What's on our needles this week: What’s on your Needles? Oakmoss by Alicia Plummer Tied Knots by Justyna Lorkowska Summer Knitalong - CABLES! Anything you want... but make it with at least one cable! We hope you'll join us! #makegoodcables (no year, please!) Send us your letters! dearscratch@scratchsupplyco.com Please include your pronouns! Support make good: a knitting podcast...
Jul 05, 2022•29 min•Ep 77•Transcript available on Metacast This week's episode is all about ply - it's a deep dive on the construction of yarn! Craft Yarn Council Standard Yarn Weight System Tutorials: Avoid twisting your stitches by Arne and Carlos How to join in the round without twisting from Cocoknits What's on our needles this week: Sunshine on My Shoulders by Lissy Jane Tied Knots by Justin Lorkowska Summer Knitalong - CABLES! Anything you want... but make it with at least one cable! Casting on June 1. We hope you'll join us! #make...
Jun 28, 2022•30 min•Ep 76•Transcript available on Metacast This week we're talking about Works in Progress (sometimes known as WIPs). Sometimes a WIP will become a UFO (UnFinished Object). What's on our needles this week: Sunshine on My Shoulders by Lissy Jane Tied Knots by Justyna Lorkowska Summer Knitalong - CABLES! Anything you want... but make it with at least one cable! Casting on June 1. We hope you'll join us! #makegoodcables (no year, please!) Send us your letters! dearscratch@scratchsupplyco.com Support make good: a knitting podcast...
Jun 21, 2022•37 min•Ep 75•Transcript available on Metacast We feel a bit knitting-adjacent this week - we're talking about buttons, and answering a Dear Scratch letter about cozy mysteries! ** Alternatives to buttons:** Shawl pins - https://www.etsy.com/search?q=shawl%20pins Screw in closures - https://juldesigns.com/screw-in-closures/ Holeless Buttons - https://www.purlandhank.com/shop-online/hole-less-buttons Sweater clips - https://www.etsy.com/search?q=sweater+clips Knitting themed cozy mysteries: Peggy Ehrhart: Knit & Nibble Mystery Series ...
Jun 14, 2022•33 min•Ep 74•Transcript available on Metacast We'll be live on YouTube on June 6 at 6pm EST! Click here or go to makegoodpod.com/youtube. This week's episode is all about mosaic knitting! In our Dear Scratch letter, we talk about what to do if your gauge is way off only on one particular type of project. Tiny Tutorial on Mosaic Knitting from SweetGeorgia Yarns Barbara Walker's Mosaic Knitting (1976) A few patterns we love that feature mosaic knitting: Pressed Flowers by Amy Christoffers Crystal Star Wrap by Jen Peck Dissent Cowl...
May 31, 2022•28 min•Ep 73•Transcript available on Metacast This week we're talking about knitting for babies - what to make and (most controversial topic of all) what color to use! Some baby knit patterns you might want to knit: Hats Bearly Bonnet by Pure Stitches (free download) Beloved by TinCanKnits November Balaclava Mini by PetitKnit Socks / Baby Booties Thickmas Socks by Summer Lee Little Squirrel by TinCanKnits Garter Stay-On Booties by Lisa Chemery ** Sweaters** Baby Novus by Laura Nelkin Gramps by TinCanKnits In Threes : A Baby Cardigan Rom...
May 24, 2022•32 min•Ep 72•Transcript available on Metacast We're talking about textured knitting this week! Some of our favorite designers for textured knits: Norah Gaughan - cables, twisted stitches, exploration of pleats Brandi Cheyenne Harper - garter, ribbing, bulky texture Irene Lin - textured fabric, cables, bobbles, lace Blue Sky Fibers What's on our needles this week: Sunshine On My Shoulders by Lissy Jane Rift by Jacqueline Cieslak Get ready for our summer KAL! This round's theme is CABLES! We'll be kicking things off June 1. Se...
May 17, 2022•36 min•Ep 71•Transcript available on Metacast We're talking about all the different ways you can use stitch markers. This week's letter is about how to preserve swatches from projects you've given as gifts. What's on our needles this week: Rift by Jacqueline Cieslak Sunshine on my Shoulders by Lissy Jane Support make good: a knitting podcast...
May 10, 2022•37 min•Ep 70•Transcript available on Metacast Our magical leaders - Rowan Tree Travel Edinburgh yarn shops: Ginger Twist Kathy’s Knits Some of the makers and artisans we got ot meet on our trip: Di Gilpin and Sheila Greenwell of Di Gilpin Knitwear Charlotte Flower - Charlotte Flower Chocolates Julie Rutter of Black Isle Yarns Emily Williams of Flutterbyknits Yasmin & Travor of Island at the Edge Croft Tania Jones of TJ Frog The Canisp Sweater: https://flutterbyknits.com/pattern/canisp-sweater/ Some other places we loved: Scottish Cranno...
May 03, 2022•34 min•Ep 69•Transcript available on Metacast What's on our needles this week: Sunshine on my Shoulders designed by Lissy Jayne Saraswati Top designed by Julee McKessey Send us your letters! dearscratch@scratchsupplyco.com See you in two weeks! Support make good: a knitting podcast...
Apr 05, 2022•27 min•Ep 68•Transcript available on Metacast We mentioned I-Cords in last week's episode! This week we're talking about what they are and how you might be use them in your projects. * Tools to create Knit an I-Cord: * Lucet - a forked hand tool used in cord making: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucet I-Cord Knitting machine - Emma Fahrlander demonstration video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-GET864Lbo French Knitter - also called a knitting Nancy or a spool knitter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2deLwV1zXmA I-Cord Uses: Draws...
Mar 29, 2022•32 min•Ep 67•Transcript available on Metacast Designers' posts about waist shaping (not an exhaustive list, just a few that we like!): Andrea Rangel - Dissent Mods Adding Waist Shaping Amy Herzog - Waist Shaping Yes You Need Some The Make Good Stashdown is still going! It will continue until March 31, so there's still a little time to join. Join the fun by posting photos with the tag #makegoodstashdown (no year, please!) Send us your letters! dearscratch@scratchsupplyco.com Support make good: a knitting podcast...
Mar 22, 2022•35 min•Ep 66•Transcript available on Metacast If we keep answering five question an episode, we might get caught up one of these days! The Make Good Stashdown is still going! It will continue until March 31, so there's still plenty of time to join. Join the fun by posting photos with the tag #makegoodstashdown (no year, please!) Send us your letters! dearscratch@scratchsupplyco.com Support make good: a knitting podcast...
Mar 15, 2022•32 min•Ep 65•Transcript available on Metacast Sure, there are advanced techniques for eliminating those little knitting annoyances... but sometimes you just want a quick fix that will make the problem a little less obvious. Resources Five Ways to Neatly Bind Off the Last Stitch What's on our needles this week: Soorik designed by Gudrun Johnston Gresham Wrap designed by Michael Vloedman The Make Good Stashdown is still going! It will continue until March 31, so there's still plenty of time to join. Join the fun by posting photos with...
Mar 08, 2022•33 min•Ep 64•Transcript available on Metacast From neck to hem, cuff to cuff, we're pulling apart the sweater and learning how to refer to all the little pieces they're made of. Pattern links for examples of design elements NECKS: Crew Neck - Love Note by TinCanKnits V-Neck - Cumulus Blouse by PetiteKnit Scoop Neck - Worsted Boxy by Joji Locatelli Metropolis by Tanis Lavallee Turtle Dove II by Espace Tricot Boat Neck - The Weekender by Andrea Mowry Ballet Neck - Dissent by Andrea Rangel Cowl Neck - Star Crossed by Jacqueline Cieslak...
Mar 01, 2022•35 min•Ep 63•Transcript available on Metacast This week's episode is about the test knitting process - what to expect, how to do it, and when you should probably give a testing call a pass. (Hint: It's if you don't want to to knit the thing.) * Resources: * yarnpond.com @fattestknits School of Sweet Georgia Modern Colourwork Knitting What's on our needles this week: Soorik designed by Gudrun Johnson Gresham Wrap designed by Michael Vloedman ** The Make Good Stashdown is going strong!** It's the last week of February - on...
Feb 22, 2022•32 min•Ep 62•Transcript available on Metacast This week we're tackling the less-scary-than-it-seems issue of steeking your projects. Cardigans, armholes, necklines - your scissors are your friend, we promise. View the transcript here * Anatomy of a Steek: * Brooklyn Tweed diagrams: Steeking Securing a Steek Crochet technique: Tin Can Knits Tutorial Hand Sewing technique: Aleks Byrd Tutorial Back Stitching Diagram (hand stitching): Embroidery How To Machine Sewing technique: Interweave Tutorial Finishing a Steek Hidden under a ribbon: He...
Feb 15, 2022•43 min•Ep 61•Transcript available on Metacast Garter stitch is one of our favorite fabrics: elastic, stretchy, and squishy! NOTE: Karen said some nonsense about how to do a steeking panel during the question portion. Her nonsense was not correct. Listen to next week's episode instead of what she said here and you'll be much happier! First historical mention of garter stitch from The Lady’s Assistant for Executing Fancy and Useful Designs in Knitting, Netting and Crotchet Work here Book Recommendation Knitting for Radical Self-Care b...
Feb 08, 2022•30 min•Ep 60•Transcript available on Metacast Stretches we mentioned in this week's episode Front of wrist stretch: turn palm up and use the other hand to pull fingertips down and back (toward the floor/elbow) Palm stretch: backs of hands facing each other, hook your thumbs and pull (gently!) Palm stretch 2: stretch your pinkies back with your other hand Knuckle decompression: pull gently on each finger with other hand Myofascial release of the forearm - squeeze one forearm with the other tight enough that you can move the skin back and...
Feb 01, 2022•33 min•Ep 59•Transcript available on Metacast It's called "frogging" because you rip-it, rip-it, rip-it out. Then there's tinking, which is just knitting in reverse! (Technically that would be gnittink, I suppose, but let's just go with it.) I did a kind of iffy job of explaining using dental floss as a lifeline. Interweave explains it better here . What's on our needles this week: Until recently: Lotta by Marie Greene Soorik by Gudrun Johnson (from The Shetland Trader, Book Three: Heritage ) Great Gingham Pullover...
Jan 25, 2022•31 min•Ep 58•Transcript available on Metacast What is the Make Good Stashdown? It's our first KAL of 2022 - you pick your project, works through some stash, and post pictures with the hashtag #makegoodstashdown Patterns suggested in this week's episode (but do what you want): Slipstravaganza by Stephen West Sea Glass Sweater by Wool & Pine Sea Glass Tee by Wool & Pine The Stay Pull by Park Williams Northeasterly by Skeinanigans Recollect Cowl by Jennifer Steingass Whatever by Julie Knits in Paris Fox Paws by Xandy Peters Luc...
Jan 18, 2022•33 min•Ep 57•Transcript available on Metacast In Episode 55 we talked about how to the weight of mystery yarn; this week we're talking about ways to identify its fiber content. Grab your notebooks, goggles, and adventurously scientific spirit. Here we go! Smell Test Animal fibers: it will smell like a wet sheep! Maybe a barn/hay smell too Silk: may have an earthy or fishy smell Synthetic fibers: generally no smell, maybe oily/artificial smell Plant fibers: generally no smell Felting Test Animal fibers (including silk): will felt if non-...
Jan 04, 2022•38 min•Ep 56•Transcript available on Metacast We're digging deep into your stash to help you identify yarn that might no longer have any identifying information. (Eek!) This week's question is about choosing patterns when knitting socks for larger feet. WPI (wraps her inch) and Yarn Weight Charts Ravelry standard yarn weight chart - WPI, ply, gauge ranges Craft Yarn Council WPI Chart SweetGeorgia Spinzilla Series for Calculating Fiber Quantities Here's a link to a WPI tool , in case you're having trouble visualizing it! Tool...
Dec 21, 2021•34 min•Ep 55•Transcript available on Metacast We've chatted about lots of types of hats in this episode. Please enjoy some pictures to show you what we did our best to describe! Beanies or Toques https://images4-g.ravelrycache.com/uploads/PaulaMknits/671969296/CARA1_medium2.jp CARA Mütze by Susanne Müller Beret or Tam https://images4-f.ravelrycache.com/uploads/jamestwashere/663878350/ravelry_beret_photo_edit_medium2.jpeg Best Beret by James N Watts https://images4-g.ravelrycache.com/uploads/ginni/761038924/50841238548_0b7bdcb6c3_b_mediu...
Dec 14, 2021•40 min•Ep 54•Transcript available on Metacast 
