Knit and Chat, Anyone? Chill Vibes & Staple Tee Progress
Hey knitting pals! Welcome back to the Staple Tee KAL! Our fifth livestream was all about knitting the body of our tees and having a good ol' fashioned knit and chat! We chatted, we knit, and we even got a sneak peek at some exciting new designs! It was the perfect Sunday afternoon.
If you missed the livestream (or just want to relive the fun), grab your yarn and needles, and let's dive into the recap!
And if you haven't joined the KAL yet, it's never too late! Just sign up for the Staple Tee KAL here.
Please note that this blog post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking one of those links, I earn some yarn money at no extra cost to you!
Key Highlights
Community Connection: We spent a lot of time just chatting and getting to know each other better. Knitting isn't just about the finished product, it's about the friends we make along the way!
Self-Care Talk: We talked about the importance of taking care of our bodies while knitting, especially our hands and wrists with all that cotton! Remember to take breaks, stretch, and consider trying yoga or even acupuncture (which I've been loving lately!).
WIP Show-and-Tell: We saw some gorgeous WIPs (and even a few finished tees!) and chatted about different yarn choices and color combos, like that amazing rainbow tweed someone is using!
Troubleshooting: We tackled a few questions about fit, yarn choices, and pattern adjustments. (Remember, there's no such thing as a silly question!)
Knitting the Body: I demonstrated knitting the body of the tee, focusing on maintaining even tension and consistent stitch counts.
Casual Conversations: The chat veered off into all sorts of fun topics, from museums to movies, to BTS, and future knit-alongs.
And that's just the beginning! We covered so much more in the livestream, so be sure to check out the replay for all the details and demos.
A Closer Look at the Details
Knitting the Body and Building Community
The livestream started with a warm welcome and two quick updates on the KAL schedule.
Schedule Change: I posted a poll on Discord to find the best date and time for our July livestream. We're thinking a mid-week session might be better for everyone!
Prize Submissions: The prize submission form is LIVE! If you've finished your Staple Tee (woohoo!), be sure to fill it out for a chance to win some awesome goodies. You can find the form in the Discord channel or in the description of the livestream replay.
Chatting & Knitting
This livestream was all about chill vibes and knitting together. We didn't focus on any specific techniques, but we did chat a lot about our projects and lives in general. It was a super chill knitting session, just like I promised.
Knitting Injuries & Self-Care
We also talked about the importance of taking care of our bodies while knitting. Knitting can be tough on our hands, wrists, and even our necks and backs, so it's important to take breaks, stretch, and do some strengthening exercises.
I even shared a few of my go-to stretches during the livestream, but if you're looking for more ideas, Check out my blog posts on:
Your body will thank you!
Behind the Scenes Sneak Peek
I gave you a sneak peek of some exciting new designs I'm working on, including a made-to-measure rib sock pattern (coming soon!) and the Staple Tank (stay tuned for more details on that!). I also hinted at a potential future design for Staple Shorts – how fun would that be?!
Ready to join the fun and knit your dream tee alongside a supportive community of knitters?
It's never too late to join the Staple Tee KAL!
Show & Tell Time
And of course, no knit-along would be complete without a little show-and-tell! I shared some of the amazing WIPs I've been seeing on Discord and talked about the creative ways you all are using color and texture in your Staple Tees.
Participant Interaction
Chatter from the KAL Community: All the Feels!
It was so much fun to connect with everyone and see the creative energy flowing! There were some beautiful color combinations and creative modifications, including a rainbow tweed yarn, a variegated pink and mustard yarn, and a cool checkerboard design.
We also had some great questions, tips and discussions about:
Knitting with Linen: If you're using linen yarn, be prepared for it to soften up after washing and blocking. It might feel a little rough at first, but it will become much softer with wear.
Set Timers: One knitter shared a great tip – set timers to remind yourself to take breaks and stretch throughout your knitting session.
Try It On: Remember to try on your tee as you go to check the length and fit. This is the best way to make sure you're happy with the finished product! Knit Extension Cords from Twice Sheared Sheep are a lifesaver for this step – they make it super easy to try on your WIP without having to bind off your stitches. Simply slip your stitches onto the cords, try on your tee, and then slide the stitches back onto your needles when you're ready to keep knitting.
Embrace the Community: Don't be afraid to ask for help or share your own tips and tricks with your fellow knitters.
Homework Time
Your "homework" this week is to simply keep knitting the body of your tee! Enjoy this relaxing part of the pattern, and don't forget to share your progress on Discord.
Upcoming Livestream Preview
Next Up: Sleeves! (July 10, 7 PM EST)
Get ready to pick up those sleeve stitches and make your Staple Tee even more fabulous! In our next livestream on July 10th, we'll be diving into all things sleeves. I’m particularly excited to show you how to pick up sleeve stitches without creating those dreaded underarm holes (I've got some tricks up my sleeve 😉)
We're in the final stretch of the KAL, so let's get those sleeves knit up and make this a summer to remember! See you there!
Additional Resources
Remember, taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of your knitting! If you're feeling any pain, take a break and stretch. (I'm not gonna lie, I've learned this lesson the hard way after a nasty run-in with a repetitive motion injury a few years back. So take it from me, prevention is key!) Check out my blog post for some helpful tips:
We're halfway through the KAL, but it's never too late to jump in and join the fun! Head over to our KAL information page to sign up and get all the details. Come on over and say hi – we'd love to have you!
Bonus Tip! Download my FREE Gauge Log + Project Tracker! It's super handy for keeping track of your gauge for your Staple Tee.
The Staple Tee
Don't miss out on knitting the perfect tee! Grab your Staple Tee pattern now and join the KAL!
Missed the last livestream? No worries! Catch the replay to join in on the fun, whether you're #teamlive or #teamreplay!
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Shop My Favorite Supplies
〰️ Shop My Favorite Supplies
Check out these tools & yarns that I Love (and You Might Too!)
Please note that this blog post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking one of these links, I earn some yarn money at no extra cost to you!
Twice Sheared Sheep
Ever wish you had a ruler attached to your knitting needles? Well, now you can! This clever little gadget is a stitch marker and a measuring tape all in one. Just slip it onto your needle, set the slider to the length you need to knit, and keep on going until you reach your mark. Boom, perfect length every time! No more fumbling around for a tape measure or accidentally knitting too many rows.
Arcane Fiber Works
Their yarns are perfect for adding a little extra flair to your Staple Tee (and they're pretty irresistible for any project, if you ask me).
Use code NEWWAVEKNITTING for 10% off!
Kollage Square Needles
The square shape of these knitting needles makes them ergonomic, which means they are easier on your hands, wrists, and arms! These are my go-to needles for preventing arm pain.
Use code NEWWAVE10 for 10% off your order!
Twice Sheared Sheep
Need a little extra wiggle room to try on your Staple Tee as you knit? Twice Sheared Sheep's Knit Extension Cords are a lifesaver! Just slide these genius little tubes onto your needle tips, and voilà – instant cord extension! They grip your stitches tight (even on the tippy-tip of your needles!), so you can try on your work in progress without worrying about dropping stitches.
I'd love to hear about your progress on the body of your tee! Share your yarn choices, modifications, and any questions you have in the comments below. 👇
Relive the excitement of our final Staple Tee KAL livestream! Join us as we celebrate your beautiful creations, announce prize winners, and share our gratitude for this amazing community.