Thanks for joining this pattern discussion party! I expected controversy over my thoughts on these patterns, but it never occurred to me that the Chicken would be a point of contention...🤣 I'm loving all your thoughts and stories - keep 'em coming!

It has NEVER occurred to me to knit something simply because it is popular.

I think an extra reason that I like to knit the Stephen West patterns is that I learn a lot of interesting techniques. So I feel like a more proficient knitter when I’m done with one of his fun projects.

Oh my gosh 100% on all of these!!!!!!! Yarn is too expensive and my time is too priceless to make just to make! I have to be super thoughtful and strategic to fit this dilapidated temple 🤣😂🤣

I usually choose something that appeals to me. I don't care if it is popular or not. Some very popular things out there I have chosen not to knit because they don't appeal to me for one reason or another. We should all choose our knitting based on our personal preferences. Glad to see this. Good info.

I have found what I love about Steven west is the photography. I love to look at his photos and patterns but I don’t want to wear any of it.

Hello from Toronto. I could not agree more with your choices. As an experienced and prolific knitter with limited time, I have learned to be discriminating as I want my creations to be elegant.

I knitted The Simple Thing instead of the Sophie scarf. Similar and free pattern.

I agree with you about almost everything in this video except the hats. I don't wear hats to be flattering or look good. I live in Minnesota. I wear hats to stay warm and not lose my ears to frost bite. As long as it's in colors I like and does that job? It's a great hat.

The first pattern that came to my mind was your number one. The Sofie scarf. I cannot figure out why it became so popular. I hate it, too…✅

I spent so much money on the MKAL in 2022. I hated it so much. I couldn't event undo it to save the yarn so I flushed over $100 in the toilet. As far as the ranunculus, I felt exactly like you. Then I was on vacation and wanted something to do and started a ranunculus with what I had on hand. I have now knit 3. BUT, I use a size 8 needle and I stop my armhole raglans when they fit me and do waist shaping. I have done striped and solid. I absolutely love it. And I can knit it in 2 weeks. l

You were honest AND kind. Plus great advice. Thank you.

Your channel just popped up on my feed. I really enjoyed and appreciated this video. I especially enjoyed your section on hats and was amazed at how great the bucket hat looked on you as it’s a style I never think about. However, after seeing how complimentary it looked on your, I just may need to try. ☺️ Also, thank you for not playing background music. I find it distracting and unnecessary when channels add during their narration. You look “at me”. You don’t add “filler words”. No background music. Plus…great info. All reasons why I just added you to my subs. ☺️

Love your thoughts on popular patterns. I do not knit patterns that are popular, and for me I’m personally sick of the craze around Petite Knits , and a few other designers as well. While the designs are nice a few are knock offs of vintage patterns and designs. I knit things that I know I will wear and not because of the popularity of the pattern.

So after watching this video, you actually convinced me that I might like to knit the renunculous yet I’ve been very against it for years and didn’t think I liked it but it turns out it has the fit I like. Thanks for a great video.

❤ This is a really good video. You handled the subject very well. I have knit some of the uber popular patterns and I have really enjoyed knitting some much less popular patterns, too. I agree it is perfectly fine for us all to like and need to do different things. All the best, Joyce

I think that turquoise-y blue hat with the cabled brim looked great on you! It makes your eyes shine! Good tip about the black and white pics.

I think you have come up with a great idea & material for a book. I have, let’s say, at least several of the design challenges you described. We all have some element that we are working around. Your ideas on making a fun style better for you are just great!!! This is what I need & look for. Nicole you are quite a stylist!!! Thanks❤

I totally agree with your choices. Not into trends

I just love your energy!! You radiate such positivity and ease ❤

I think I’m with you on just about all of these and for similar reasons!

I am SO with you on the headbands!!!! Took me decades to realize that the back of my head is flat flat flat. Calorimetry was one of the first patterns I knit when I discovered Knitty Magazine, but I just can’t wear them. They did make lots of nice gifts - come to think of it, they may be back in my rotation for “barista” gifts at Christmas time. Great video!

I so agree with on the things that wrap close around my neck!!!

I love the cable neckline on your teal sweater……I wish I had the pattern because I would love to knit this sweater 😊

Definitely knit the Emotional Support Chicken! Such a fun knit ~ not to mention that your happy/giggle mood will be enhanced with every stitch. Finally, the way it's knit...the structural form...is fascinating to watch unfold. Did mine in Noro Silk Garden LO from previous projects with beautiful results. 'Tis true that knitting one is pretty much an impossibility!

Just discovered your channel when it popped up in my feed. Instantly subscribed! I love everything you said and agree , Knowing yourself and what you like and look good in is essential! I think that everyone in my knitting group has knit at least one sophie scarf but, like you hate anything around my neck like that. I'd also expand the West KAL to any KAL - as I've gotten older and defined my style, I find that I don't really like most of the KAL shawls that I've done. Great video and I'm looking forward to watching more.

Appreciate your analysis.

I really enjoyed your explanations for why things do and don't appeal to you. I have a similarly shaped, proportioned and fringed head so hats can be tricky. I tend to wear them further back on my head like a snood and pin them into place.

Wow, I love fabric around my neck, makes me feel safe. Always had a long neck and now that I developed doublechin with age, I can also kinda hide that with a scarf or turtleneck. I do not like plain knitting with nothing going on, but I may want that first scarf. We are not the same and that is the beauty of discussion, so we can get a broader wiev of the topic! Great video!

So true! And you look great! Thanks for showing us the beanies - I love them but have to agree with everything you said about them. I like a beanie with a fold-up rib, too. And the dark teal one did look good on you. I might try the 2 bucket patterns you put up. And the lovely olive one. I love the colour and style of your jumper today but on me I need a set-in sleeve. You are very right to stress the importance of choosing carefully. I find most people who make their own clothes soon work out what style suits best. Too much work when it doesn't look super-cute. It becomes even more important as time goes by. I like some of the ones you said you wouldn[t do, such as that first scarf. subscribed.

I feel you are missing out on the Ranunculus. I have made many, never in fingering weight. I made it in DK and worsted, I love the fit, I only allowed 6 inches or less in ease. I am 5’3”, size 14-16 and don’t like my knits to be too loose. Happy knitting.

Loved this episode, and I totally agree with all 5! I have determined I’m best doing the Stephen West MKALs after they are over so I can decide for myself where I want to place each color.

I appreciate your comments about Stephen West’s mystery KAL’s. I can see that he’s an extremely talented designer/knitter and I am in awe of his creativity. But… his designs, the avant-garde ones you mentioned, are just not Me either. So that’s me, not him, and does in no way diminish how absolutely stunning his designs are. On the other hand, the Emotional Support Chicken is simple, fun, and adorable. I came across it on someone’s blog about a month ago, having no idea it was so popular. I just knew I had to make one, clicked on their link, and purchased the pattern. Just about finished the second chicken. Thanks for your explanations of why you didn’t just jump in other popular pattern band-wagons.

Loved your episode and needed to hear it. Really love the look of shawls on others but not on me and no one I knit for wears them either

Great ideas for your scarf and wraparounds.

Fantastic topic! It syncs so well with the recent stash editing videos. I was born with a short neck. As much as I LOVE blouses with ties and cunningly arranged scarves... I can't wear them. Hats are very much the same kind of thing. Some make me look terrible. Cloches are a good example. Love them, but must pass them by. This video was such a great reminder to take a hard editorial line when it comes to choosing both yarn AND patterns. One more thing: I guess you knit during your off hours from the diplomatic corps. You handled a difficult presentation very well.

What a great episode! I have been waiting for someone to address the 'Why is everyone knitting the Ranunculus?' Your reasoning speaks to me. 😊

Love your honesty!!! Really tired of seeing FOMO knits.

I agree with you . I am tempted sometimes to make the popular patterns out there, but don't want to be wearing what everyone else is. I want to be unique and wear what looks flattering on me. It is hard to not buy a pattern when you look at how terrific the garment looks on the model- you have to know what style looks good on you, and be realistic. Thanks for your comments on this topic.

I’m watching this while knitting my sophie scarf 😂 it’s my go to gift tbh

I loved this video. I'm a new knitter so I thought maybe it was just me. It was nice to hear your explanations as to why you don't like the patterns. So helpful thank you!!

I agree with each one that you spoke about. I have picked some other ones that are popular, like the ones from the Creabea. Also, I like the patterns from Kutovakika and Ozetta, but I recognize that the styles they have are ones I like. That makes such a difference.

Like your cheerful positive attitude to knitting. Thanks from U.K. 😊

Nicole, I really enjoyed this video! I'm with you on the chicken. It's one of those viral patterns that I'd like to join in on 😊 And from one delicate KZfaqr to another, thank you for speaking with such kindness--and for asking the same of your viewers!

I just found you this morning and I will be back. The sweater you are wearing is wonderful! I ordinarily hate drop shoulder with all the bulk under the arm. But the fit the designer built in makes all the difference and looks so good on you. I agree with all your comments. And I have to say I have pictures of my mother in her day dress in the 50’s (that’s what moms did then) with the head band in a twist. She wore it house cleaning. It was cloth but essentially the same.Thank god those days are gone.

Sophie pattern, very simple as you said, novel so it went viral. Let’s see, roughly $8/pattern x 15k (min) purchases = $120,000. Good gig if you can get it.

oh my goodness! I agree with you on all these patterns. That trick with Stephen West's Shawls (switching them to monotone) is a great one. I like that you also present options. Thanks!

Thanks for your honest opinions. I agree with almost everything you say. Someone also once told me not to make something unless I could think of at least two occasions on which I would want to wear the garment. One popular pattern I definitely won't be knitting is the Beekeeper's Quilt where you knit little hexagons, stuff them and then sew them together.

I have a finite amount of time to knit, this makes it important to me to pick the right pattern. I agree with your analysis and I think it’s an important reminder to knit things that we will love when they’re done.

So many good advice in this video! As a yarn collector, loooong time crocheter and beginner knitter I see trends in yarns, patterns and designers. Fortunately I have never been one to bow down to peer pressure, so I tend to only go for things I like (the "I" is extra much in caps). I considered the Sophie scarf since it seemed like a good beginner pattern, but I couldn't see myself wear it, in any way, so I qickly decided it was not for me. You talk about a thing I find hard to do myself: know my style and know what looks good/flattering on me when it comes to head shape, body shape etc. I would like to get better at that because I think that will make it a lot easier to consider the next thing: wearability. I crochet and knit a lof of things that are fun to make, has fun colors, that inspires me in the moment, but the thought of "how much am I going to wear this thing" seldom crosses my mind before starting. I would love to make more things that become staples in my wardrobe, like that sweater you are wearing in the video. Thank you for the inspiring video!

I’m sooo surprised…I agreed with you about every one of your picks !!!! I was glad you didn’t put any shade on my sock patterns !!!! 😊 it’s ok , we should learn to trust our instincts ❤️ you gave a very balanced critique. Thank you for your insights.

Thank you from Norway for lots of good tipsfor what to be awear of when we fall in love with beautiful patterns. 🎉

Thanks for some new project ideas! LOL! Sophie Scarf here I come! I also appreciate the bucket hat pattern you shared!

If everyone else is knitting a pattern, I don’t want to. I want my work to be a little different from others.

Your video podcast was just suggested to my feed. I loved it and have subscribed! I agree with you about Stephen Wests MKALs. I’ve made one of his shawls, the Bolting, twice and have loved both. I’m also on my third Parachutey. I get so many compliments on my first two and folks are just amazed when I tell them it’s a Steven West pattern. They look up the pattern and say I can’t believe how good it looks when it’s not in crazy colors! Now to go check out some of your other videos.

I LOVE this! All of this is me. Except for the twist headband. It makes a great neckwarmer. I often like a mindless knit, and the Sophie scarf would be great for that, but I would never wear it for all the same reasons as you. I look awful in beanies but hats are fun to make. I have a whole tub full I don't wear. Some larger sized berets work for me and bucket hats are absolutely my best bet. Not sure where I found the pattern, but look for Brickwork Sumer Sun Hat from the Lavender Chair. Great Crochet Bucket Hat to work up and to wear. I don't wear sweaters at all, I just get too warm. I LOVE making shawls, don't wear them very often, but still what I enjoy making the most. But have yet to make a Stephen West.

I'm thrilled you put the Sophie scarf first. I literally cheered 😂! I tried it, lost count, it was so wonky... I frogged it. To be fair, I've had a TBI and ever since some aspects of counting are very hard for me. I also don't find headbands work for me, either. Love how you stressed this ass your opinion. ❤

I totally agree with you about the Sofi scarf. I have knitted 4 Ranunculus; in 4 different fabrics. I don’t like boxy either so I made them more fitted. I have made beanies and headbands for gifts but don’t like them on me. I did my first Steven West KAL in 2023! Boy, what a year to join! I agree many of his designs and color ways are out there😊

Hello from New Zealand 😊 I just found your channel, looks great. I like to knit what i like to knit, which is usually not what everyone else is knitting! I would rather do what makes me happy and suits my body.

I agree with you on all your pattern choices! And… er, I’m on my third Emotional Support Chicken. It’s such an easy and fun to knit pattern 😊 You will enjoy it 😊 See you at Fibres West!

I love the designs you use on beenies-bucket shapes& berats!! I have problems with my silky, slinky hair!!! And my big ole head!!

Love your sweater, beautiful design and perfect fit! Your podcast topic was really good and appreciated that you showed some in grayscale for taking color out of selections! 😊

I agree with you on all of these!

I am in agreement with you on most things, especially that, if knitting/crocheting for yourself, it is important to choose patterns you will love to wear. I can't wear headbands either and I have problems with beanies because of my bangs. Love bucket hats! I also agree about Stephen West's KALs. I would not wear his designs. This is a well thought out, polite, helpful video. Thanks!

Just found your site. And thoroughly enjoy your presentations. I agree with all of your five choices and the reasons for these. Too much effort and money to knit something just for the sake of being one of the masses! Look forward to your future podcasts!

I love this video, even though I’ve knit both a Sophie Scarf and two ranunculus sweaters 😂 I did start the Mkal in 2022 but didn’t continue and have used my yarn for other glorious projects instead.

Love this channel. The voice and pacing, chef’s kiss. I have tried so hard to learn knitting. I’ve taken classes and 😭 I HATE it. To me it’s tying my shoes over and over again but same time I LOVE sweaters and knitted/crocheted vests and shawls 😭. I think I’ve spent more on Etsy buying knitted and crocheted pieces this past year than I spent on housing 😭 For all you yarn artists, thank you ❤❤❤ Please keep feeding my addiction 😂

Hi Nicole - it's Theresa from the Jasper retreat. Great job on your podcast. I really enjoyed your video! Thanks for sharing. I look forward to watching more.

I just finished .Mr Wests glittering snowscape shawl. I chose my own colors, and the complexity of the patterns was wonderful. I love complex patterns and the finished product was stunning. A gradual color change from Snow White through three graduating blues ending up with navy blue. All that said it took me nearly 100 hrs. to complete.

Thanks for your very generous and kind version of the 5 you wouldn't knit, it's fascinating! Very fun, but more importantly, interesting views, some of which I totally get! Similarly in my age group there's a tendency toward having a curvier and wider shape than one used to, as well as I also cannot do headbands. Hats are also very specific... I cannot do fingering weight pieces, I cannot do complicated stitch sequences or lace... so I will never be making a lightweight shawl, that tiny neck wrap, or the beanies that hang off the head (except for other people) Nor will I make socks. I love color change yarns, and have found myself using ravelry to check on how they look when knitted up. So many of these end up being mixed with a solid color which mutes them down, or make a shawl that must have been the most popular one the year it came out (Nightshift, for Noro).. in which the colors combine in such a way to fully obscure the lovely colorways the yarn designer puts together! UGH! Hahahaha, yes, oh well.... Thanks again! I will certainly see what else you have on your channel here!

As a fairly new knitter, I was intrigued by Ranunculus and all its outcomes. I wanted to go to that party! As a 72 year old I look for new challenges and new shapes so I'm just blocking my second Ranunculus! I love it, the yoke is so pretty. I made modifications so that it's not too wide and the sleeves have more ease. I agree with you 100% on beanies. Slippy hair, big head, they just look awful on me but I need a hat for winter. The turned back brim is the answer to frame the face. I have some Drops Air left over from Ranunculus that I think will do just fine.

Hi. First time viewer. I totally agree with you about Steven West's mystery shawls. They just aren't my style. I learned 15-20 years ago that mystery knits are not my thing. The pattern I was working started out beautiful and in synch with my style. The last clue totally blew it. The designer threw a major curveball. I ended up ripping out the whole thing. In hindsight, I could have come up with my own ending, but I wasn't that confident of a knitter yet. Now, concerning the Ranunculus. I too am a shortish, curvy woman. Based on your picture we may be very similar, me just an inch or so shorter. I had my doubts about Ranunculus but decided to give it a try in some stash yarn. Because of the pattern's generous ease and my curves, I ended up with a sweater that fits me just how I like, about 4 inches of ease. I get compliments every time I wear it. I have knit Ranunculus 3 times now and have plans for more. It is a fast knit and works with any yarn weight. Since the latest update to the pattern has more sizes, you can play with needle sizes and yarn weight to get many types of fabric. Being a confident knitter now, I don't hesitate to length the body or sleeves to suit my style. Don't be worried about a boxy sweater with big bat wings. The photos are deceiving because the model probably doesn't weigh over 100 pounds.

I truly enjoyed this video.

Yes this is a great topic! We get to pick what we knit and wear! I look best in set in sleeve patterns. I don't know that top down yoke designs are the best for me and there are SO many beautiful yokes. Sign

"I'm delicate" made me smile so big! same.

I agree on almost all of these! I do have Ranunculus in my favourites and I do hope to one day knit it (hope, because I am swimming in "maybe one day" patterns and the list is always growing) because I think I could pull it off, but it'll probably be a while yet before I cast it on. HARD agree on the scarf, though. I, too, cannot stand having things against my neck. Drives me nuts and sometimes even makes me gag, for some reason.

Excellent advice🎉

I have to agree with you on some of this. Especially Steven west. I always think I dodged a bullet there. I’d just not wear it even though I’d enjoy knitting it.

Excellent points about hats! I have similar reservations about toques/beanies, but seeing the bucket style on you made it clear what I was missing. It's the extra brim width that keeps those of us with wider glasses frames from feeling like a turtle struggling out of its shell 😂

I love your honesty, it's so tempting to knit the in thing, I've fallen into that trap more than once. I have knitted 2 Emotional Support Chickens, and I love them. I knitted the Hitofude Cardigan because everyone was a few years ago, it was so beautiful, but I looked dreadful in it. Such a shame!

I agree with pretty much everything you said!

I made the Jay sweater. My favourite. I wear it a lot.

Loved this video. Glad it came up in my feed. Agree with review of Sophie scarf, started it and never finished. Love Stephen west designs and use of color. Also not a big fan of the boxy sweaters i need some shaping to flatter my figure.

I totally agree on all of those! I have chosen not to knit them as well for most of your same reasons! Thank you.

I have an emotional support pickle. Love it. Keeps me calm.

Very interesting video- I love how you are thoughtfully considering how you personally would interact with these patterns. Which is why I think you’re totally missing out on Stephen West’s MKAL! One of the best things about the knit-along is seeing how other people change the pattern to suit them. You would love personalizing your pattern. I have a friend who knits them every year in worsted/DK yarn with half the stitches, and turned the latest one into a poncho. Someone usually does the pattern in one color. I turned my twists and turns (leaving off the chicken feathers) into a hap shawl by adding a button and loop on opposite ends of the bat wings. Just go into it with the attitude that you aren’t blindly following the pattern, you’re part of the design process, and have fun!

I have knitted the Ranunculus four times, but actually agree with your comments. None of mine look like the pictures on the pattern and are more of a fitted sweater in worsted or dk weight. I always get complements on the lace yoke which was a good intro to lace knitting with the KZfaq videos. Ravelry has lots of examples which are different to the original.

I agree with everything on your list. The one other pattern that I see constantly that I won't knit is the Love Note.

I appreciate your bringing some of the points about knittted items. As a new knitter, I went and leapt into making the Weekender only to find out that I had used a thicker yarn than called for. Appparently, it does matter. I also made the wrong size, I didn't want it to be too small. Then only to find out boxy knits are not my favorite style. I now look at patterns that have boxy fit, wide neck lines etc are really cute on some but not on me. With experience comes wisdom...

I love how people make these popular patterns their own and make them truly unique. In the Stephen West mkals, there's usually a couple of people who will knit them in one colour which leaves the texture to do all the heavy lifting. Others use their handspun which makes them SUPER unique and many, many people modify them to their own taste. Don't like the shape? Change it! Don't like a feature? Swap it for something else? Know you'll never wear it? Gift it to a loved one or charity. The joy of a Westknits MKAL is always learning something new, feeling like an absolute knitting boss when I cast off and the total permission from Stephen to do whatever I want with his pattern. It really is knitting freedom. But the best thing of all is the camaraderie and support within the group. Newbies are welcomed and encouraged to try it, the videos make finishing it a realistic proposition for newish knitters and the help and hints and tips from people all around the world in every timezone is what is so wonderful about the internet and the human spirit. Go on, try one, just one. You know you want to! See you in September?? 😉

Part of my crochet journey has been paying attention to the details. There’s a difference between an item that looks good and an item that I will actually wear. I’m working on a cardigan now that I think will make me much happier than my first two sweater attempts- because I paid attention to what I actually wear. And I’m with you on the weird shaped head and preferring v-necks. I have to keep headbands like those pinned down with just SO many pins otherwise swish! There they go off my head!

I am new to your channel. But, what a great idea for a video. Knitting time is so precious. We should be mindful of what we knit and not just joint the FOMO bandwagon. I really could relate to this video. I felt you were very fair in your analysis of the pattern.

Not sure why the KZfaq algorithm recommended this (i don't even knit lol) but I'm glad it did. You are hilarious and fun to watch!

I adore the Sophie!!! I’m an advanced knitter and for some reason the rhythm of the Sophie keeps me engaged. Like Elizabeth Zimmerman writes, there is something so perfect about garter stitch.

I am so happy about this! I can’t make something I won’t wear. I buy patterns but never make them. I end up making my own stuff up and calling it mine. Glad I am not the only one:)

I agree with EVERYTHING that you said!!!!!!!!

This was great! Right off the bat, I also can't have anything around my neck. So never even considered making the Sophie scarf but realized there is the Sophie shawl. That I might make. I also have trouble with hats always sliding up off my head, no matter how I set it on my head. With that said, I made a Bisbis Beret by Sari Nordland. It stays put. I will make another in a bit firmer yarn with some body. And agree about the shawls though love Stephen. And finally, I bought the fiber fill the other day for the emotional support chicken. It's just fun and knitting absolutely can be a fun. I enjoyed your video and Oscar's thoughts. haha

I am totally with you on each of these patterns for the same reasons. In fact, I bought the ranunculus pattern and have been hesitating to make it because I’m not sure I would wear such a boxy sweater. And I also have the same issues with headbands and beanies. It’s refreshing to know that I am not alone in these things. However, I have absolutely no interest in an emotional support chicken! Lol.

You are absolutely spot on with each of your points! I just knew the Ranunculus and the Sophie Scarf had to be in there :D and while I also love Stephen West and SOME of his designs, I just don't want to risk joining an MKAL and finding out halfway through that I really don't like the design. The chicken - I like it, it's super cute, I've seen it in several podcasts now, but I'm probably not going to knit it UNLESS I make a whole set and use them as couch cushions, in which case they would have to adhere to my colour scheme of blues, teals and turquoises....

Agree about the Sophie scarf!! I would never wear it for the same reason.