KnitFix and Chill with Jen & Bess: Recent Episodes
Elizabeth Margaret
A podcast for knitters who want to go deeper.
We’ve been listening - and you want more from your podcast. Information you can use to transform your knits, big conversations on the sticky bits that come up in the industry, and thoughtful & nuanced discussions about the knitting topics that matter to you.
Join us for a walk through Marie in Paris and Breaker, the two cardigans from the Athleisure Collection. We talk about the construction, the fibers, and our different use of bust darts to give you a full overview of our goals and vision for this collection. The Athleisure Collection is now available on our website, onewilddesigns.com!
Do you enjoy the live format, or prefer the pre-recorded episodes? Let us know in the comments, we want to hear what you think!
Wanna meet us IRL?
Jen will be in Portland at the Rose City Yarn Crawl
We will be in Pittsburgh on February 19th, and are working to organize something at a LYS. Details to come!
Links
Marie in Paris: https://onewilddesigns.com/products/marie-in-paris
Breaker: https://onewilddesigns.com/products/breaker
Marsha’s Pride: https://onewilddesigns.com/products/marshas-pride
Keeper: https://onewilddesigns.com/products/keeper
Carol Bralette: https://onewilddesigns.com/products/carol-bralette
Knitted Wit: https://knittedwit.com/
Wandering Flock: https://thewanderingflock.com/
Find us online
https://www.ravelry.com/bundles/one-wild
Let's discuss your fit issues! It's a fit grab bag, and we're answering your fit questions. From vertical bust darts, and how to add them into colorwork or lace textures, to a deep dive into the weeds on armhole and underarm depth, we cover your knitting fit FAQs. Plus, what's coming next for One Wild Designs and where we'll be for the next couple of months. Do you enjoy the live format or prefer the pre-recorded version of the podcast? Let us know in the comments, we want to know what you think!
Wanna meet us IRL?
Jen will be in Portland at the Rose City Yarn Crawl
Links
Alice Tee: https://elizabethmargaretdesigns.com/products/alice-tee
Plusses: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/plusses
Carol Bralette: https://onewilddesigns.com/products/carol-bralette
Marie in Paris: https://onewilddesigns.com/products/marie-in-paris
Breaker: https://onewilddesigns.com/products/breaker
Find us online
https://www.ravelry.com/bundles/one-wild
www.onewilddesigns.com
email at Info@OneWildDesigns.com
IG: @OneWildDesigns
Episode 26
Let's talk about gauge! When is it worth it to modify a pattern when you're not getting gauge? What would Jen and Bess do? (And how much math is involved?) Today we're troubleshooting common problems, including what to do when your row gauge is off, and how you can find the best substitution when swapping in different yarns.
Links
Winter Workshops and 1:1 Consults for knitters and industry: https://onewilddesigns.com/pages/learn-with-us
Sign up for our newsletter: https://onewilddesigns.com/
What to do if you can’t get gauge:
https://www.jpknitsthings.com/post/what-to-do-if-you-can-t-get-gauge
Episode 12 - Gauge Talk: https://youtu.be/j6px8FHXF8M
Tori Tank: https://elizabethmargaretdesigns.com/products/tori-tank
Find us online
https://www.ravelry.com/bundles/one-wild
www.onewilddesigns.com
email at Info@OneWildDesigns.com
IG: @OneWildDesigns
You’ve seen the “what’s on our needles” knitting podcasts, but today we’re talking about what’s in our spreadsheets. Take a look behind the scenes as Jen and Bess co-work on nailing down Jen’s spring tank design. Plus, we share all the details of upcoming UX Knit calls, Winter Workshops, and member Lives!
Links
Winter Workshops and 1:1 Consults for knitters and industry: https://onewilddesigns.com/pages/learn-with-us
Alternating skeins and knitting with hand-dyed yarn:
https://elizabethmargaretdesigns.com/blogs/elizabeth-margaret-designs/alternating-skeins-and-knitting-with-hand-dyed-yarn?_pos=1&_sid=8433bc241&_ss=r
Episode 5 - Using Color in Your Handknits: https://youtu.be/Ndkn4h_5sZc
Find us online
https://www.ravelry.com/bundles/one-wild
www.onewilddesigns.com
Email Us: Info@OneWildDesigns.com
IG: @OneWildDesigns
Episode 24
What are the differences between designs for breasts and without breasts and how do you adapt them? Why is shoulder width important and how does it work in ease and construction? Is there a benefit to knitting a sleeve flat vs. in the round? Today we're answering your fit questions!
If your question wasn't answered today, please let us know what it is!
Links
Alice Tee: https://elizabethmargaretdesigns.com/products/alice-tee
Early Sowing: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/early-sowing
Soft Structure: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/soft-structure-for-children
Want to get on our new combined mailing list? Sign up here: https://onewilddesigns.com/
Find us online
https://www.ravelry.com/bundles/one-wild
www.onewilddesigns.com, or email at hello@KnitFixAndChill.com
Bess's website: https://elizabethmargaretdesigns.com/
Jen's website: https://www.jpknitsthings.com/
Or find us on IG at @elizabeth.margaret.knits, @JP_Knits_Things, and @OneWildDesigns
Episode 23
A recap of our time in New York for the Wool and Folk and Sheep and Wool festivals. We cover what knits caught our eye, what Indian restaurants we recommend, and our one tip to get the best New York festival experience. Also, what's coming next for One Wild Designs?
Links
Alice Tee: https://elizabethmargaretdesigns.com/products/alice-tee
Plusses: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/plusses
Tech Tip Talk book: https://www.techtiptalk.com/
Want to get on our new combined mailing list? Sign up here: https://onewilddesigns.com/
Find us online
https://www.ravelry.com/bundles/one-wild
www.knitfixandchill.com, or email at hello@KnitFixAndChill.com
Bess's website: https://elizabethmargaretdesigns.com/
Jen's website: https://www.jpknitsthings.com/
Or find us on IG at @elizabeth.margaret.knits, @JP_Knits_Things, and @OneWildDesigns
Today we’re covering a bundle of measurements that’s often left out of fit conversations - the athletic build. We define exactly what we mean when we talk about an athletic build, and what kind of adjustments this body type could benefit from in raglan, drop shoulder, and circular yoke construction.
We also reveal all the details of our upcoming (as in, coming out tomorrow, Oct. 5th) collection, Body of Work!
Wanna meet us IRL?
We’ll be at Wool and Folk (meetup details TBD). You can find Jen at the Queen City Yarns booth at both the preview event and on the day of, and Bess exploring around the festival. Find tickets here: https://www.woolandfolk.com/
We’ll also be Sheep and Wool for a meetup, on the hill on Sunday @10:30am for Sunday brunch-style knitting.
Links
The “Athletic Build” blog post: https://www.jpknitsthings.com/post/the-quote-un-quote-athlete-build
Armhole depth resources: episode 3, episode 13, episode 14, and episode 18
Body of Work (all the patterns and deets!): https://onewilddesigns.com/
Find us online
https://www.ravelry.com/bundles/one-wild
www.onewilddesigns.com, or email at hello@KnitFixAndChill.com
Bess's website & newsletter: https://elizabethmargaretdesigns.com/
Jen's website & newsletter: https://www.jpknitsthings.com/
Or find us on IG at @elizabeth.margaret.knits, @JP_Knits_Things, and @OneWildDesigns
A behind the scenes look at what it's like working as a knitwear designer in the fiber arts industry.
Episode 19
We asked our KAL peeps what they most frequently style their knits with. Today we're sharing our own knitwear styling go-to's. We explore styling different bottoms, wearing knit dresses, and how to find your own style among changing trends.
Wanna meet us IRL?
We’ll be in Baltimore at Lovely Yarns on September 20th from 7-9pm: tickets available here https://www.lovelyarns.com/service-page/an-evening-with-jen-bess?referral=service_list_widget
We’ll also be at Wool and Folk: tickets available here https://www.woolandfolk.com/
And Sheep and Wool on the hill on Sunday @10:30am for Sunday brunch-style knitting
Links
Sarah Pullover: https://elizabethmargaretdesigns.com/products/sarah-pullover
Therese Dress: https://elizabethmargaretdesigns.com/products/therese-dress
Find us online
https://www.ravelry.com/bundles/one-wild
www.knitfixandchill.com, or email at hello@KnitFixAndChill.com
Bess's website & newsletter: https://elizabethmargaretdesigns.com/
Jen's website & newsletter: https://www.jpknitsthings.com/
Or find us on IG at @elizabeth.margaret.knits and @JP_Knits_Things, and now at @OneWildDesigns
Today we're talking all about our favorite EASY modifications for a great fit, with lots of info on measurements - plus a sneak peek at some upcoming designs.
KAL Discount Code for 15% Off: ONEWILDKAL
Wanna meet us IRL?
We’ll be in Baltimore, MD and Harrisburg, PA in mid-September (more details coming soon!)
We’ll also be at Wool and Folk: tickets available here https://www.woolandfolk.com/
And Sheep and Wool on the hill on Sunday @10:30am for Sunday brunch-style knitting
Links
Bess is wearing her Therese Dress: https://elizabethmargaretdesigns.com/products/therese-dress
Find us online
https://www.ravelry.com/bundles/one-wild
www.knitfixandchill.com, or email at hello@KnitFixAndChill.com
Bess's website & newsletter: https://elizabethmargaretdesigns.com/
Jen's website & newsletter: https://www.jpknitsthings.com/
Or find us on IG at @elizabeth.margaret.knits and @JP_Knits_Things, and now at @OneWildDesigns
Bess shares her response to Jen's workshop on Fit (Ep 14.1).
In this episode Bess talks all things fit feels. Plus, why making clothes that actually fit you is an anti-capitalist rebellion.
While Bess is on vocal rest, Jen takes you through a look at what exactly is "good fit."
Casting on a sweater but want to love the final product? Step one is choosing the right size. We recommend that you get familiar with the schematic and your own measurements, and walk you through the process in this episode!
Want to meet IRL? Catch us at String Theory in Chicago June 20th - tickets available here.
Links
Jen is working with sumptuous yarn from Wool & Palette.
Articles: Evaluating patterns Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.
Article: What does it mean for a garment to "fit?"
Check out a size chart - here is Ysolda Teague's free size chart for women
Article: Using upper bust to choose a size Article: Knitting demystified: Bust Shaping
Find us online www.knitfixandchill.com, or email at hello@KnitFixAndChill.com Bess's website & newsletter: https://elizabethmargaretdesigns.com/ Jen's website & newsletter: https://www.jpknitsthings.com/ Or find us on IG at @elizabeth.margaret.knits and @JP_Knits_Things
The good, the bad, the way it hurts your hands - we're breaking down gauge. Knit the perfect swatch, know what your choices are if you can't get the pattern gauge, and get clear on when you can cut corners.
Looking for us IRL?
Catch us at String Theory in Chicago June 20th - tickets available here.
Links
Bess is wearing the Carol Bralette and the Renard Silk Dress.
Article: What to do when you can't get gauge.
Find us online www.knitfixandchill.com, or email at hello@KnitFixAndChill.com
Bess's website & newsletter: https://elizabethmargaretdesigns.com/
Jen's website & newsletter: https://www.jpknitsthings.com/
Or find us on IG at @elizabeth.margaret.knits and @JP_Knits_Things
Let's talk about planning for your dream knit photoshoot! We're talking about what it takes to create the photos we use for social media, pattern layout, newsletters, marketing and more! We hope you'll find some helpful tips whether you're a "professional knitter" or just someone who wants to share your finished objects with the world!
In this episode, Bess walks us through the construction and fit of the Carol bralette, a pattern that will be live in Spring '23.We wanted to dig into this with you as an episode because Carol is offering something really unique in the knitted bralette arena - a true sports-bra like level of support, and torso-first grading with four cups per size. We also thought it would be a great opportunity to talk about using negative ease in your garments!Next episode we'll be talking about trends, and can't wait to share some of y'all's spicy takes and most loved and hated trends. As always, we're always brainstorming episode ideas, so if there's something special you'd like us to talk about, share it below!For the shownotes for this episode, visit https://www.knitfixandchill.com/shownotesFind us onlinewww.knitfixandchill.com, or email at hello@KnitFixAndChill.comBess's website & newsletter: https://elizabethmargaretdesigns.com/Jen's website & newsletter: https://www.jpknitsthings.com/Or find us on IG at @elizabeth.margaret.knits and @JP_Knits_Things
This week we're tackling four questions about handknit sweater fit from watchers/listeners:
- How to accommodate hips without adopting A-line shaping (thanks Tonya!)
- Talk about math on top-down raglans and dig into neckline shaping (thanks Fran!)
- A demo of why adding rows in the back of the yoke of a sweater is NOT the same as working neckline shaping using short rows
- Perfect fit for intentionally oversized garments (thanks Jackie!)
- How to adjust patterns when your breasts are in the "wrong" place (Thanks Jess!)
- Should you work a shorter bust adjustment in an oversized garment?
Next episode we'll be talking even more about fitting breasts, and digging into Bess' bralette pattern.
We'd love to invite you to chime in on the comments section - do you think you'll try any of these strategies? Do you have follow up questions? Let us know!
Find us online
www.knitfixandchill.com, or email at hello@KnitFixAndChill.com
Bess's website & newsletter: https://elizabethmargaretdesigns.com/
Jen's website & newsletter: https://www.jpknitsthings.com/
Or find us on IG at @elizabeth.margaret.knits and @JP_Knits_Things
Links
Bess is wearing Local Meadow, and she used organic fingering merino from Knitting Niqabi
Want to see what the fuss is about? Peep Bess's Bralette here
Jen refers to a blog post about raglan shaping - you can read more here and if you want a deep dive on why you need front neck shaping, you can read that here.
Today we’re joined by Harper Bee, who’s distinctive style includes multiple stitch textures, delicate details, and a commitment to size and price inclusion. We’re talking about slow design, the smushy conflict between business and art, and the ways we bring our values for our work as real life humans.
Looking for links?
A Sweater for Usagi (Harper’s newest sweater pattern)
Postscript - Jen’s sweater is out on March 9
Bess’s yet-unnamed bralette - sneak peek!
Find us online
www.knitfixandchill.com, or email at hello@KnitFixAndChill.com
Bess's website & newsletter: https://elizabethmargaretdesigns.com/
Jen's website & newsletter: https://www.jpknitsthings.com/
Or find us on IG at @elizabeth.margaret.knits, @JP_Knits_Things, and @Disyarning
In today's episode, Bess and Jen talk about how to use variegated yarn in your knitting projects, tips for including multiple colors in your knitting projects, and choosing yarns that fit into your wardrobe. We share all of our favorite resources, and explain how we choose colors for our design projects. Whether you prefer trendy colors or timeless neutrals, we hope that you'll find something informative!
Next episode, we'll be talking with Harper Bee (@Disyarning) about Slow Design - make sure to hit subscribe & notify to get an alert when that episode is available!
Looking for links?
Sherwin Williams Color ID Collections
Knitting Socks with Handpainted Yarn, by Carol Sulkoski
Color Confident Stitching, Karen Barbé
Wool and Palette - Sign up for Emily's newsletter and get a PDF of her "Going Beyond the Rainbow" color guide.
A note on microns, from Hannah (thanks for sharing, Hannah!):
Micron count is a measurement about the fineness of the fiber. Lots of things affect it, including what the sheep encounters in a certain season, but especially including the age of the sheep. By encouraging people to look at micron count, we are driving market pressure towards younger sheep, and may encourage the culling of older animals. You can definitely use micron count to predict whether or not you can wear a fiber against your skin.
You can find merino in commercially spun yarn in a range of fineness. But if you want to experiment with variety in breed specific yarns, you’re going to need to start spinning. There are two reasons for this - first, the mill machines are able to work on yarn within a certain range. Super low micron count fibers cannot go through the same process that mid-range fibers can. There are very few mills domestically who can handle super low micron count fibers like cashmere, so if a low carbon footprint is important to you, that might be another factor to weigh.
Second, farmers can get a much better price selling those fibers directly to spinners than they can selling it through a mill. So if you want to get your paws on some of those breed specific yarns in lower - or higher! - micron counts, consider spinning some up.
Also, we'd like to note - Farmers growing very small batch fibers have written to share concerns about the conversation around micron counts and the calls for including that information. It’s not practical for farmers at that scale to be constantly measuring micron counts. Personally, we consider farm yarn to be it's very own thing, and would rarely be evaluating it for against-the-skin wear.
Overall, tl;dr, we'd love to encourage listeners & watchers to make room in the wardrobe for all types of fibers. For more info on using yarns that you might find scratchy, check out Jen's article here.
Find us online
www.knitfixandchill.com, or email at hello@KnitFixAndChill.com
Bess's website & newsletter: https://elizabethmargaretdesigns.com/
Jen's website & newsletter: https://www.jpknitsthings.com/
Or find us on IG at @elizabeth.margaret.knits and @JP_Knits_Things
About
Bess & I have been designing patterns professionally for a few years now, and thought we'd share some of our early mistakes, lessons learned, and tips for new designers and the design curious. We'll talk about working with a tech editor, design as a business, and feuding with your projects. Let us know your thoughts!
Links
- Jen's pattern Soft Structure, which uses superwash yarn that definitely will pat back into shape 🤣
- Looking for a Tech Editor? Check out the Tech Editor Hub.
- Lots of designers get started finding testers at Yarnpond. If you're a knitter and you'd like to do some testing, you can create an account and get started.
- Bess's new pattern Hypatia is a re-release of one of her first designs, re-worked from the ground up.
- Stay tuned for a testing call for the bralette Bess is working on!
Find us!
- Look for us online: www.knitfixandchill.com
- Bess's website & newsletter: https://elizabethmargaretdesigns.com/
- Jen's website & newsletter: https://www.jpknitsthings.com/
- Or find us on IG at @elizabeth.margaret.knits and @JP_Knits_Things
Today we're talking Bess' The Ruffle Addendum - and how a sweater can be well graded and knit by a talented knitter and still end up poorly fitting. Join us for a discussion of some basic fit modifications for your handknits, including armhole depth and bust darts.
Look for us online: www.knitfixandchill.com
Bess's website & newsletter: https://elizabethmargaretdesigns.com/
Jen's website & newsletter: https://www.jpknitsthings.com/
Or find us on IG at @elizabeth.margaret.knits and @JP_Knits_Things
Join us as we talk about what knitters can and should reasonably expect from their knitting patterns. We talk about size inclusion, shape inclusion, pattern hand-off, and share our tips for knitters looking to get a pattern and choose a size that will serve them well.
Look for us online: www.knitfixandchill.com
Bess's website & newsletter: https://elizabethmargaretdesigns.com/
Jen's website & newsletter: https://www.jpknitsthings.com/
Or find us on IG at @elizabeth.margaret.knits and @JP_Knits_Things
In this episode, we talk about our experiences substituting yarn in your handknit sweaters, understanding the drawbacks and limitations of single-ply, and the value of knitting forever vs. creating something beautiful but more ephemeral.
Look for us online: www.knitfixandchill.com
Bess's website & newsletter: https://elizabethmargaretdesigns.com/
Jen's website & newsletter: https://www.jpknitsthings.com/
Or find us on IG at @elizabeth.margaret.knits and @JP_Knits_Things