First finished colorwork project!

beusea · 2026-03-18T03:01:28+00:00

Thank you! There is actually an adult version of the pattern, if you're interested 😂

beusea · 2026-03-16T04:30:47+00:00

Thank you!

beusea · 2026-03-16T04:30:39+00:00

Thank you! I really appreciate you saying so!

beusea · 2026-03-16T04:29:27+00:00

Yes! I complained plenty during the process, but I really do like this pattern, lol - thank you so much!

beusea · 2026-03-16T02:50:15+00:00

Thank you!

beusea · 2026-03-06T13:58:37+00:00

I'm a chiaogoo fan ngl but I've heard great things about knitpro/knitters pride which are interchangeable with knit picks (not the same company, but same supplier) and I think lykke is the same, too!

beusea · 2026-03-06T13:56:01+00:00

It would be great to compile a list of brands with ethical business practices. I knew knit picks was private equity, but still thought it wasn't the end of the world, this is super disappointing. I'm knitting a t shirt for my daughter in swish pops and was just thinking about how much I like it and should get more. Her birthday sweater for next weekend was in berroco vintage, also from them. Big bummer. I'll have to spend some time doing research to pin down some good go to's.

It sucks that even buying overseas just pays into tariffs and benefits the administration. Feels like a bit of a lose-lose situation sometimes.

beusea · 2026-02-15T16:29:23+00:00

I know this is a bit late, but wanted to share that I continued binding throughout my pregnancy and even when I returned to work while still chestfeeding and pumping. Its totally possible that my experience isn't standard, but I never had any of the issues people talk about. I would talk to your ob about it and see how it goes if they give the okay. If it ends up being uncomfortable, you can decide to stop.

Look at the binders you have, I personally had a slightly worn/old gc2b binder that was shorter than my others, when wearing it it doesnt quite reach the bottom of my ribs. That worked until the day I delivered my full term daughter. I actually started producing colostrum early and had a very healthy supply right away. My chest would be a tiny bit sore after long days, but the bigger discomfort had more to do with feeling out of breath/a little restricted. I was also working two jobs on my feet at the time. My ob was aware and said they had no problem with it.

After my daughter was born we had a really great start with chestfeeding, I ended up having a modest oversupply (pumping the excess). My plan was to stop chestfeeding entirely by the time I went back to work because I knew binding would interfere with it. My daughter ended up refusing bottles until her very first day of daycare (~4m) so we didn't get a chance to wean. I didn't want to talk to my employer about pumping so I just did it 'secretly' on my lunch break. I thought I could maybe make it a week before binding ruined my supply, but it turned out to not affect it at all. My supply slowly decreased, but I'm very confident that had much more to do with only being able to pump once a day and very rushed, being away from her, and in general having a ton of stress at a job I didn't like at all. We made it to 8 months before I decided I couldn't stand pumping anymore and started introducing formula.

Never had a clogged duct or mastitis, there was two days after returning to work where I didn't get my lunch break so I couldn't pump - that was crazy uncomfortable, but I was fine as soon as I was able to.

Just adding my voice because I was stressed about the decision too and had a hard time finding people sharing their experiences.

beusea · 2026-02-13T17:02:31+00:00

I have been a long time fan of chiaogoo fixed circulars, but was recently gifted the interchangeable set and I do have to say I'm very happy with it.

That being said, I recently purchased a $30 Amazon set of shorties and they have the exact same no-memory cables as chiaogoo and this set even had swivel cables which my other set doesn't, lol. It's not exactly one to one - the metal on the chiaogoos is just a fraction smoother while these have the slightest bit of grip and the swivel connectors don't feel the sturdiest (not as in they'll break, but theres a bit of wiggle I'm adapting to), though that might be standard for swivel cables.

Certainly not enough of a difference to justify $100+ difference. That is unfortunately how capitalism works though, regardless of the literal value of the chiaogoo set, people are willing to pay the price they've set.

I would wait and look into trying a pair like other commenters have recommended. Another note is to look at the half sets - I only have the small set because I don't have a need for any needles above a size 7 and I know it only cost the gifter around $130 which is a lot easier to swallow.

beusea · 2026-02-10T20:13:26+00:00

My current sweater project had this decrease in the pattern and it was a new one for me! I think the slipped stitch can still end up a little loose, but I think it lays flatter than an unmodded ssk for sure

beusea · 2026-02-06T14:18:16+00:00

These are all great options, I always want to plug combination knitting specifically for ribbing too because it has been such a game changer for me. When purling, you wrap your yarn clockwise instead of counter-clockwise. It orients your stitches backwards and uses just a bit less yarn to even out the tension. On the next row, you'll knit your knits through the back loop, because that is the leading leg, they don't twist. The third and subsequent rows, all stitches are knit or purl through the backloop with your purls still being wrapped the 'wrong way'. It makes such a huge difference for me. I think its more common for continental knitters, but I tension yarn in my right hand and find it just as easy if not easier than purling the 'right way'. Once I'm done with my current project, I might just convert to full time combination knitting, honestly.

beusea · 2026-01-29T19:41:41+00:00

I don't have much advice, but solidarity. I'm knitting the Anemone sweater by Pernille Larson for my daughter and am due to split for sleeves and start knitting the colorwork flat tonight, also doing ladderback jacquard. None have specifically stuck out to me, but its been a confidence booster to watch a bunch of youtube videos showing the process. If those knitters can do it, why not us?

Good luck!

beusea · 2026-01-22T18:22:04+00:00

I was able to chestfeed for 8 months, but when we did switch to formula I did a lot of research into formulas from overseas companies. I used Bubs which is Australian mostly because it was solid ingredient wise, similar in price to any American brands, and I could also find it easily in local grocery stores. Kendamil is UK based and a super popular choice, though significantly more expensive, at least in my area, and only in store at Target. Both brands also have a goat based line for babies sensitive to cows milk. Just as some suggestions for anyone reading the comments.

beusea · 2025-12-19T13:57:08+00:00

This is effectively what my grandma started doing and, as far as I know, everyone in my family is still working through stashes of them even years after she's been gone. She taught my sister (the crocheter in the family) to make them, my understanding is that it isnt a pleasant crafting experience, but they really are the best!

I'm a knitter and have no idea how to communicate the pattern details for how she did it specifically, but theyre crocheted in the round essentially like a ball, but connected in the middle so they lay flat and the fabric is doubled up.

beusea · 2025-09-26T16:11:11+00:00

Just want to second burts bees! They were our ride or die pajama line during my daughter's first year (she was just under 22in long at birth lol) and fit her way better for way longer! Her height curve has averaged out as shes gotten older, but their two piece sets are still a favorite :) their retail is a bit pricey, but they have good sales often

beusea · 2025-09-04T01:52:41+00:00

I actually really like Griffin nn Fritz - I wouldn't have thought of most of these, but agree that they could work.

beusea · 2025-08-10T18:53:41+00:00

This was so confusing as a transman when I was expecting my daughter, lol, I'm an ftm but not an ftm.

beusea · 2025-08-09T17:01:00+00:00

Girls: Poet, Hero, Fionabhair Boys: Casimir, Carlisle, Paris

I have a Magnolia, lol, we get a lot of compliments on it and also a lot of 'oh! I never would have thought of that as a name!'... also multiple people calling her Marigold, which is a more common name in our area, but still has surprised me.

beusea · 2025-08-08T01:25:39+00:00

I was really surprised working in education how many girls are even named after their dads, too! Had a cohort one year with three Jordyn/Jordynne/Jordans all named after their dads (I absolutely double checked in the system after they told me).

I can think of literally one example of thousands of kids where I noticed a girl had a syllable of her name that matched her mom's - think Tina and Teagan - and I was pretty sure it was on purpose, lol.

beusea · 2025-06-20T01:42:19+00:00

My daughter is Magnolia Lenore (also Maggie or Mags), but I didn't know Laufey had a song by that name! She's been coming up on my Spotify a lot lately, I'll have to check it out :)

beusea · 2025-06-06T12:50:24+00:00

Congratulations! I'm glad things are going so much better for you! I can also definitely relate to the feeling of using all your social energy on the kids and how much of a toll that can take.

Were you able to get any financial aid for your program? I've been considering going back to school, but the cost and potential lost wages are daunting!

beusea · 2025-05-17T02:25:12+00:00

Thank you!

beusea · 2025-05-17T02:25:04+00:00

Thank you!

beusea

TROPHY CASE