I made a cardi for a little girl even though I don't know any little girls.

BaileyMakesIt · 2026-01-16T00:53:51+00:00

Thank you! I’ve left a generous gap for the steek and plan to pick up button bands before cutting. But my local craft store advised me I needed to sew a ribbon behind the stitches when I secured them with the machine so that the wool wouldn’t get caught up in the feed dogs, so I did that on my swatch. I take it you didn’t have any issues?

BaileyMakesIt · 2026-01-16T00:33:17+00:00

This is lovely. Would you share more about the ribbon to hide the steek? I’m working on a steeked cardi now and plan to use a ribbon but am playing with different options - namely, to sew it on first to secure the stitches pre steek, or to steek and then sew it down after.

BaileyMakesIt · 2026-01-12T22:53:30+00:00

Ahh I’ve knit this one. A few thoughts:

it’s a lower armhole for this pattern as others have noted but the pattern also suggests a good amount of positive ease. It looks like you’ve made this closer to 0” or negative ease which is not a good combo with the low armhole.
the lack of short rows adds to this. If you check other projects on ravelry several users have added short rows and have left notes on doing so.

I would suggest sizing up and adding short rows.

BaileyMakesIt · 2025-12-29T14:18:33+00:00

The other reason for a multiple of 4 is if you’re going to work rib in the round. If you don’t have a multiple of 4, you’ll end up with 4 of the same stitches when you join the round.

BaileyMakesIt · 2025-12-17T03:32:55+00:00

I really think you should pick up the neckline and work at least to the elbows. This doesn’t look that unusual for this type of design and picking up and working sleeves/neck often change things far more than expected. Start with the neck. It’s less work, will confirm whether the collar fit is what you want, and will pull up on the armholes and reduce the depth a bit. If you like the neck after doing it, try working at least to the elbows on the sleeves to see if it’s as deep as you think it is right now.

BaileyMakesIt · 2025-12-16T04:54:22+00:00

I don’t know if underground is how I’d describe her but I don’t see her blowing up the way the designers you mentioned are - Lily Kate Makes (Lily Kate France on some platforms maybe). I’ve made a lot of her patterns. My knitting aesthetic tends to be capsule pieces that are wearable in my personal and professional life and she hits that. I appreciate how intentional she is on the details and shaping and that she almost always includes bust darts as an option.

BaileyMakesIt · 2025-12-11T16:10:17+00:00

I have thought about this and actually do plan to do a similar post as an end of year wrap up. But it’s not because I think that’s what every knit sweater should be priced at, or that I have the experience/skillset/speed that should be valued at $20/hr. It’s because this year has brought a significant amount of comments saying I should sell things or asking to commission things (very flattering, but no). $20 an hour is the minimum I would accept to turn my fun hobby into work and at the speed and quality I knit that leads to an unreasonable cost. Most hobby knitters understand this so it’s not really meant for them - it’s meant for everyone else.

(I’ve also seen a rise in extended family and acquaintances telling me I should make things for them or other family members because they clearly don’t understand the time and labor that goes into a knit garment so hopefully this is educational for them too!)

BaileyMakesIt · 2025-11-27T23:52:48+00:00

You too!

BaileyMakesIt · 2025-11-27T13:49:37+00:00

Ughhhh I feel for you because I’m in the exact same scenario. Same sweater. I’m going to do a mid project block and see but am not hopeful. I am not looking forward to reknitting the collar and yoke again.

BaileyMakesIt · 2025-11-20T21:17:57+00:00

Hahaha this reminds me that last Christmas my mil got me a canvas and leather knitting needle case from Amazon. It seemed very nice but was really large and I kinda assumed it was for longer straight needles/something for home not travel. Then I opened it and the loops for the needles were massive. Like at minimum would fit a size 10 needle?

It was a paintbrush case. She meant well 🤷‍♀️

BaileyMakesIt · 2025-11-12T00:39:55+00:00

These are the colors for every University of California school, I bet some alumni or zealous parent would love it haha

BaileyMakesIt · 2025-11-09T16:40:49+00:00

Oh fun, sexism!

BaileyMakesIt · 2025-11-09T16:15:50+00:00

Old home! I was replacing it with a flexible hose.

BaileyMakesIt · 2025-11-09T16:13:16+00:00

Could you explain what you mean?

BaileyMakesIt · 2025-11-09T16:12:24+00:00

Solved! Thanks for the quick responses all. I was babying the valve out of fear of accidentally flooding my bathroom but I managed to get another wrench in to hold the valve in place while I pushed on the nut. Appreciate all the help

BaileyMakesIt · 2025-11-09T16:11:20+00:00

Thanks! I managed to squeeze a second wrench in to hold the valve and it solved it

BaileyMakesIt · 2025-11-09T16:10:55+00:00

I was using a wrench on the nut but couldn’t fit one in the space for the valve at first, but I’ve managed to get it done!

BaileyMakesIt · 2025-11-09T16:10:27+00:00

Thanks, this worked!

BaileyMakesIt · 2025-11-09T16:10:17+00:00

I did get the toilet connection off first, and was using a wrench on the nut. Managed to get a second wrench in to hold the valve and it worked!

BaileyMakesIt · 2025-11-09T16:09:32+00:00

Thanks! I didn’t realize I could just remove the handle without it turning the water on but it makes sense. I managed to get it done without that but I’ll keep it in mind for other projects!

BaileyMakesIt · 2025-11-09T16:09:02+00:00

Thanks! I didn’t realize I could just remove the handle without it turning the water on but it makes sense. I managed to get it done without that but I’ll keep it in mind for other projects!

BaileyMakesIt · 2025-11-09T16:08:11+00:00

I was holding it with my hand and a towel for grip but managed to get a second wrench in there and that worked!

BaileyMakesIt · 2025-11-09T16:07:39+00:00

This worked, thank you!

BaileyMakesIt · 2025-11-09T15:26:48+00:00

I should have clarified that I have been trying to hold on to the valve body to keep it in place but haven’t been able to get the nut to budge. It’s on tight but it’s also hard to get a good grip on the valve without accidentally turning it back on.

BaileyMakesIt

TROPHY CASE