<p>It's been a week of finishes and new beginnings. Off the needles, I've completed a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/malabrigo-yarn">Malabrigo hat</a> and love the color pooling. You don’t hear me say that very often.</p><p>I've finally finished my <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/amande">Amande socks</a>—though I must say I rather hated working both the nupps and wrapped stitches techniques. Sometimes you have to try things to understand what you decidedly do not enjoy.</p><p>My new obsession is <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/big-love-8">Big Love by ANKESTRIK</a>, a top-down cardigan with fascinating construction that I'm knitting in gorgeous <a target="_blank" href="https://gilliat.fr/">Gilliat yarn</a>. The pattern begins with a provisional cast-on at the shawl collar, and I minimised the inevitable ribbing alignment issues by using a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=turkish+cast+on+knitting">Turkish cast-on</a> and knitting across the first row rather than working the ribbing pattern.</p><p>For the shoulders, I chose <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=chinese+waitress+cast+on">Chinese Waitress cast-on</a>, which creates a lovely firm yet stretchy edge perfect for shoulder seams. The Ravelry community provided essential modifications—<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/lv2knit/big-love">working the fronts two inches longer than the back</a> prevents the sleeves from rotating forward due to the unusual construction.</p><p>Many knitters went up a size or two for the sleeves, so I did my own spot-checking for sleeve pickup. Remember: Your measurement x gauge (stitches per inch) = Number of stitches you need for <em>your</em> desired size.</p><p>This sweater connects to larger work I'm doing on a capsule collection based on my Changing Clothes manifesto. I've been thinking more intentionally about getting dressed—not for others' gazes but for my own comfort in what I call "Secret Pyjamas." The goal is creating sustainable, perfectly fitting garments made by hand, including finally tackling my Everest of well-fitted trousers.</p><p>Behind the scenes, I've moved podcast hosting to <a target="_blank" href="https://brendadayne.substack.com/">Substack</a> after twenty years with Libsyn. Yes indeed, I’ve been podcasting since 2005. Where has the time gone?</p><p><em>Music: "</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.musicbed.com/songs/who-knows/100756"><em>Who Knows</em></a><em>" by </em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.musicbed.com/artists/the-national-parks/44696"><em>The National Parks</em></a></p><p>If you’d like to help support the podcast, you can do so via <a target="_blank" href="http://ko-fi.com/brendadayne"><strong>Ko-fi</strong></a> or <a target="_blank" href="https://www.patreon.com/brendadayne"><strong>Patreon</strong></a>, or by spreading the word to a fellow knitter.</p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://brendadayne.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1">brendadayne.substack.com</a>
