Can not remember the last time I guest blogged. However I do remember feeling a bit under appreciated, thinking to myself that I would never blog again. There is a tremendous amount of work that goes into these blogs; I have no idea how Anne manages to write them so frequently. Of course I can have a look at google analytics to see exactly how many of you have viewed the page, but it’s not really the same as seeing actual comments. I love reading your comments, the more, the better, and makes writing a post worthwhile in knowing that it’s been read. That said, if I receive 75 comments, there will a free Craftsy class (Anne’s new Sweater class) offered to one of you that have left a comment on this post and in addition, I promise to blog about our major renovation last year (finally—I know).
Our dear Anne was summoned to Craftsy’s Colorado studio once again to shoot a video for her new class: Essential Skills for Sweater Knitting, see trailer for class here. This class is a survey of key factors for successful sweater knitting. Perfect timing as Anne has been busy designing 6 new sweaters; more about these later. The Craftsy class consists of 7 lessons.
In lesson 1, Anne explores how to choose a style—which sweater to make. I have a sweater in mind that I would like to design and knit myself. Growing more and more confident with my knitting prowess these days, as I knit along in the Blanket Statement club, quite the experience, learned so much with this endeavor. In fact if you know a burgeoning knitter, I highly recommend the Blanket Statement Club, up to 16 different patterns to knit/read, such a great way to obtain knitting experience and have a lovely blanket as a result. Sorry for the aside, back to Craftsy class.
Lesson 2, learn how to read patterns, lesson 3 – selecting the right yarn and tools. Lesson 4, swatching for consistent results, I’ve learned the importance of swatching, perhaps underrated, but so very valuable.
Adjusting fit, lesson 5 and one of the things I love most about knitting and creating custom garments. Can hardly wait to begin my sweater. Lesson 6, knitting individual sweater pieces and lastly lesson 7, finishing, seaming and blocking.
May I present to you some of Anne’s latest creations—most will be available in May.
Gearhead – Unisex Pullover, shown here in BNW’s Stone Soup DK.
Triticum – Open Cardigan, Knitted in Spirit Trail’s Tayet (blue), debuting at Maryland Sheep and Wools.
Mayan Puzzle Jacket, shown here in Briar Rose’s Wistful (brown), debuting at Maryland Sheep and Wools.
The Misters’, unisex combination pullover/cardigan, knitted with Briar Rose Joyful (orange). Wouldn’t it be great as a vest too? In the process of convincing Anne to pattern one more version . . .
Cam Cable, pullover, shown in BNW’s Kent DK
Pedal Pusher, cardigan and knitted with BNW’s Confection Worsted
It is truly amazing the amount of detail and effort required to create a sweater. Anne recently offered to make me another sweater, but I had to decline, for I’m not worthy of such a indescribably wonderful gift. I tend to be very hard on my clothing; for example, I like to rest my folded hands in the neck line of my sweaters, causing unnecessary damage, stretching of fibers to the breaking point, and consequently ruining such a cherished gift.
When new to knitwear some years ago, I would mistakenly machine wash sweaters in hot water and dry in the dryer, making fibers shrink and become brittle and/or felt. No doubt it is like having someone place a condensating glass upon a piece furniture you created and massaged 10 coats of Danish oil into, the resulting water ring – fortunately this is repairable, whereas a sweater sustaining the damage mentioned would not be.
Even if you have taken Anne’s Sweater Fitness Class, the Craftsy Essential Skills for Sweater Knitting class provides information of a different sort. Don’t get me wrong, if you ever have an opportunity to take a class with Anne in person, you should immediately seize upon it; her teaching skills are remarkable, not only will learn all you need to know, but a lot more.Leave a comment, and you are automatically entered to win this Crafty Class featuring Anne.
Comments conclude for Craftsy free class offering April 27 11:59p (eastern time).
Feeling the love and appreciation, thank you all for the kind and generous comments. See you soon.
Mister Knitspot
Congratulations Bertha on receiving Anne’s Craftsy Sweater Essentials Class, enjoy.
194 thoughts on “I’m Back (With News of Sweaters)”
I really enjoy seeing a post from you Mr. Knitspot. It’s great to hear the goings on at Knitspot central and hear your perspective on knitting and Anne’s wonderful designs. Keep dropping by the blog to share. I’d love to hear about the renovation, the end results have been amazing.
I will definitely be partaking in the new Craftsy class. I just haven’t been able to get to one in person. The other Craftsy classes by Anne have been great I’m sure this one will be too.
Such a wonderful panoply of sweaters, coming to us all at once, who knows how long they took to create?! I’ve taken Anne’s sweater class in person twice, and am looking forward to owning the Craftsy class as a refresher. Thanks for your post, David!
So excited for the Sweater Craftsy class! One day I hope to take Anne’s sweater class in person, but until that time, this class will be perfect.
I haven’t made any sweaters yet, but if I ever do manage it, I’m sure Anne’s class will be invaluable in doing a good job. Not to mention all her beautiful sweater patterns!
i love the pedal pusher sweater you are wearing. I would love to knit my husband a cardigan but have yet to find the perfect thing… I may have now stumbled across it. Also I have been waiting so very unpatiently for the remodel pictures and details. Every time I read the blog I lament a little the fact that it is not the new kitchen…. But all of the yarns goodness makes up for it!!
David,
You are so sweater worthy. Looking forward to seeing you next month.
Beautiful sweaters! I’m still holding out for the pattern to that glorious cream coloured cabled pullover of yours…
I rarely comment but would love to take this class!
I’m so excited to see all of the sweaters and anxious for the patterns. Sweaters are still my favorite items to knit and Anne’s “Leaving” is one of my two all time favorite sweaters! I’m sure these new patterns will be just as wonderful.
Every sweater is wonderful. Thank you for the post and I cannot wait to see your first finished sweater!
I haven’t been able to take a class in person, but I have taken a Craftsy class or two of hers. I definitely recommend them. I have been following your blanket progress on Ravelry and think you’ll be ready to design a sweater in no time. Thanks for the give away.
Beautiful sweaters! Looking forward to seeing the full information…
Thanks for the opportunity to win Anne’s new class. I have her others, and she is indeed a wonderful teacher!
i really love that blue open sweater!
Thanks for the great blog! Glad you’ve had a chance to post again. It’s great to hear your ‘voice’ again! 🙂
I can’t wait for these sweater patterns to be released. I’m currently working on a pullover version of Sticks and Stone in Briar Rose Joyful and it’s been a wonderful yarn to work with. I’m looking forward to Misters’ release so I can snag a bit more Joyful. But I may have to jump on my Ommegang in the Stone Soup first – I’m really looking forward to trying this one out! And I’m sure a sweater class from Anne would make these beauties even better.
Donna
Blog posts truly represent a lot of work! (No wonder I haven’t blogged in forever…) Kudos to you, Mister Knitspot, for taking the time to put together and publish this one!
This new class sounds like a great overview of everything a knitter needs to know in order to confidently embark on a sweater adventure. Speaking of sweater adventures… I hope you’ll update us on yours when you get around to designing and knitting the one you have in mind. It’ll be fun to follow along!
Anne’s designs are gorgeous. I admire the patterns she uses but am most impressed with how the sweaters are structured. I would love to take her class. Thank you for giving one of us a chance to win one.
Oh I can’t wait to order Mayan Puzzle Jacket pattern. Also I have been looking forward to seeing the kitchen remodel. Thanks for the post.
Would love to win one of Anne’s classes. Thanks for the post and I will be looking forward to the kitchen remodel post.
you two are amazing- I don’t know how you manage to do all you accomplish!
David, you are SO appreciated! I really like the look of that new orange sweater. I will definitely check out its release.
Thank you for the blog post. It is great to hear your perspective on Knitspot. The sweaters are lovely. I especially like the orange Mister’s cardigan.
I am constantly amazed at the sheer volume of beautiful creativity that flows from Anne’s brain! All lovely!
I’m so looking forward to hearing about the renovation! I think all your hard work definitely makes you worthy of a sweater. 🙂
Thank you for taking time out to show us such great photos of the new patterns coming out! They are all on my must knit list as usual. Now if I could only figure out how to add more knitting hours to my days! lol
I am an avid reader of Anne’s blog- and a Mister Knitspot admirer. Can’t wait for these new patterns to become available!
How lovely! Just because we don’t comment doesn’t mean we’re not reading and appreciating! Knitspt is a happy moment in my day. 🙂
Thank you for sharing photos of all of the recently finished projects Anne’s been writing about. It’s wonderful to see the finished products – all with her signature style of finishing and eye for detail.
Can’t wait to read about your major reno – love before and after photos!
The Triticum in blue is fantastic!
I took one of Anne’s classes, essential guides to finishing hand knits and learned so much. Another class would be terrific! I just hope I don’t have to pick one favorite out the new sweaters. They are all beautiful. Must. Knit. The. All!
Always great to hear from you, Mr. Knitspot! And love seeing your knitting progress. Hope to hear more from you on the blog and see you in more of Anne’s sweaters.
So looking forward to these new patterns. I so enjoy Anne’s talent.
First, Welcome back! I love that you are contemplating a sweater project. I bet knitting a sweater would also help you develop some skills for ‘remodeling’ sweaters after they have taken a beating. I was astonished the first time someone showed me how some knitted projects can be mended either subtly or sometimes by creating a contrasting design element to replace the old section. So delighted Anne is doing Craftsy classes. If only she would do some real live teaching while she’s out here for those, too.
i bet she’d make you the sweater anyway 😉
Wow, great patterns to look forward to!
And, if I don’t win the Craftsy class, I plan to purchase it anyway!
Thank you for taking the time to tell us about the wonderful lineup of sweaters anne has created. I hope to see all of them knit up in bare naked wools in the future.
I haven’t finished the Craftsy class of Anne’s that I have but I can tell she is a wonderful teacher! Looking forward to the new class – it will go on my wish list and hopefully I’ll receive as a gift.
Thanks for the opportunity!
Oh. My.
I think my queue on Ravelry just grew!
hopefully, you feel appreciated now!
somehow i’m not sure any of us “anne fans” would survive without mr. knitspot. the well oiled (club) machine would be rusty around the edges if you weren’t there to keep us in the loop (no pun intended!).
you are clearly very appreciated by anne as she is obviously so “head-over-heels” in the nicest possible way when you are woven (pun intended this time) into her blogs.
in addition, one would have to be completely in-the-dark not to know many of the fabulous photos we see exist because of your expert eye.
hopefully, the more you knit the less “never” thoughts will cross your mind. I’ve stopped thinking i’ll “never” start another project until i finish the one’s I’ve started, “never” but another skein of yarn until i use up my stash, “never” knit lace again, “never” purchase another set of size 5 needles, “never” cast on anything with mohair, etc., etc., etc….. i realized long ago it’s a lost cause yet i’m not unhappy about it!
maybe you could come to one of anne’s classes and “feel how much you are appreciated” by knitters in person. anne couldn’t possibly do everything she does without you.
all the best….
I having been eyeing the blue sweater for awhile.
Hmmm. My comment seems to have vanished, so will just say again how nice it is to hear from David, and I love the sweaters!
Sweaters are more fixable than you think! The fixes might not match perfectly, though, depending on the size of the issue.
Once you start washing things properly, most knitters actually seem happy to have their gifts get worn out – it means they’re being worn at all 🙂
A lot of the questions one asks when making a sweater are actually all the same things you ask yourself when shopping for clothes, so it’s more automatic than you’d expect.
Great post, Mr. Knitspot!! You are such a great photographer and I may have drooled all over the sweater pictures. I have Anne’s Craftsy Class on “Finishing”. I’m a very tentative sweater knitter – I’ve only knit one and need a “push” to knit another!!
You should post more often Mr Knitspot. I so look forward to reading this blog site. It is the only one I read. I blog for work on occasion and agree with how much effort is required so bravo I say to you!! Thanks for doing what you do – you and Anne! Can’t wait to see these at Maryland.
I especially love the Triticum cardigan, and the Mister’s Fave… very nice designs. I always get a compliment on the Leaving cardigan I knit using Anne’s pattern. Just may have to have some more…
I have never taken a Craftsy class… that would be a new adventure!
Great post David! I love your way with words….and cannot wait to make the Triticum sweater!
OK David. I’m shamed into leaving a comment, though I usually don’t. I’m not leaving it as a chance to win a class, but to let you know you’re read. 🙂
Keep the sticks clacking.
I’d better knit faster.
So happy to have you as the guest blogger, David. I bought Anne’s Craftsy class as soon as it was available. I’m always looking for information that will make me a better knitter. And Anne never disappoints.
The photography is gorgeous. Thank you for all of the photos you do for us. The new designs are very tempting. I know I’ll be knitting at least two.
You are knit-worthy. You appreciate all of the work that goes into a hand knit item. Maybe let Anne make you a sweater and wear it for special times. But you are definitely worthy. What would we do without you? We don’t want to know.
i love Anne’s Craftsy classes! This new class is so timely with all the stunning new sweater designs.
Mr. Knitspot – never feel you are unappreciated! I think all the Knitspot readers know how much of a team effort Knitspot is. I always enjoy your posts and look forward to hearing about and seeing all your projects.
Do the statistics show how many people subscribe through a reader? I read the blog, but I think this is the first times I’ve ever clicked over to the web site. Sorry!
Triticum and Mayan Puzzle look like winners.
SareBearKnits on ravelry
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