For the most part, I’m not a wimp. I’ll drag snakes out of the chicken coop. I’ll go outside in the middle of the night when I hear a noise. I’ll take a shower in the front yard . . but maybe we shouldn’t talk about that any more! 🙂
Why am I so afraid to steek a cardigan. For non-knitters, steeking is when you knit in the round with no front opening, add extra stitches in there, go back when you’re done and reinforce along the “cutting line” (actually a few stitches into the stitching that will stay), then cut, pick up stitches and knit your front bands. Have you ever cut into knitted fabric . . and watched it unravel? That’s probably why I’m so hesitant to do it.
I’ve had Angry Sheep in my queue since 2013. Hardly a month goes by that I don’t look at the pattern, think about which yarn I might use and then put it away. One of the “problems” for me is that so many recommend using 100% wool for steeking because of its “stickiness” and it grabs and isn’t as likely to pull itself out. Most 100% wool pills and just doesn’t hold up as well as blends and superwash wool can be washed in the washer and often in the dryer. I don’t put my sweaters in the washer but occasionally do toss them in the dryer for a few minutes to regain their shape. Superwash wools and really get stretchy.
Reasons for doing steeking? Many people prefer to knit in the round instead of back and forth, which involves purling a row and knitting a row. When doing colorwork, yes, it can be done on the purl rows but it’s so, so much easier to do it on knit rows so, in order to have all knit rows, you have to knit in the round if you want stockinette stitch.
This morning while doing a little research on yarns to use for steeking, because I’m trying to find a source that suggests something besides 100% non-superwash wool, and I came across April Fool’s Socks. While this may not be my “forever favorite go to ” sock pattern, or . . it may . . I think it’s a very good idea to try these for my first steaking pattern. I’d much rather learn on a pair of socks than on a whole sweater.
I think I’ll try those April Fool’s Day Socks . . soon! Then maybe I can decide on a yarn and get the Angry Sheep done.
Dotti says
Could you run a basting stitch on either side of the “cutting” line before you make the cut?
JudyL says
There are several ways to do it. Many do it by sewing machine, and there are several ways to do it with a needle and yarn or a needle and thread. The neatest looking way I’ve seen is with a needle and yarn. Depending on how wide the button bands are, every now and then when the front flips back, it will show. The quickest way, of course, is with the sewing machine but that’s also the easiest way to get a bit of stretching and have the two sides become unequal. It’s a learning experience and, of course, I’ll report back on here how it turns out . . when I do it.
QuilterBea says
Don’t ‘steek”, just leave it as a pullover — its supercute!
JudyL says
I get a whole lot more use out of a cardigan than I do a pullover.
Connie Robison says
The idea of cutting my knitting gives me the heebie jeebies. I just know it will all unravel and turn into a pile of little bits of yarn.
Dotti says
What if you put blue painters tape on the back of the sweater and sew through it with slight basting stitch? Then cut. The tape would keep it even on both sides. Just a thought. Scary thought?
Maggie says
I am knitting my first sweater that will be steeked. It’s an Ann Kingstone pattern, and as practice I did a little coffee cup cozy. Both patterns are from her book Stranded, a great resource about color work.
Robin F. says
I’m with you-steeking scares the bejeezus out of me. I keep thinking that I’ll try it then chicken out. I look forward to your continued adventures with steeking.
justquiltin says
I bought that pattern to use for my ESK steeking badge but haven’t gotten around to starting on them yet. I thought it would be a good first steeking project too.