Name
Easy-Peasy Fearless Steeking
Date
Thursday, May 13, 2021
Time
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Photos

Session Type:
2-Hour Class
Skill Level:
Intermediate
Teacher
Simone Kereit
Category
Finishing, Knitting, Tips & Techniques
Class Details:

Steek your knitting for button bands or zippers! Try your hand at cutting up your knitting! No colorwork experience necessary!

Steeking is an age-old traditional method of knitting a colorwork piece in the round so you have only right side rows to deal with while juggling two colors of yarn and then turning your circular knitting into something open, like a cardigan or other flat piece, such as a colorwork blanket. Traditionally the edges are secured using a variety of methods and then the knitting is cut, after which the "raw" edges are cleaned up and secured, and an edging or button band (or zipper) is added to finish off the piece.

In this class we will work with a simple flat swatch done in just one color, so you don’t have to spend a lot of time on homework! (No need to spend hours on a pretty and elaborate colorwork pattern just to learn.) Simone will teach you an easy manual way to add a steek. We’ll look at where the steek goes, learn the basics of a crochet steek (reinforcing the sides of the knitting with crochet before cutting), where to cut, how to clean up or cover the edges, and where and how to pick up stitches for a button band—or how to add a zipper after the steek is cut. We will also discuss how to set up and outline a steek in colorwork, even though we are just working on a one-color sample in this class.

Technique Requirements: knit/purl, cast on/bind off, working in the round, have knit a few accessories, basic finishing techniques

Homework:

Using a NON SUPERWASH WOOL yarn (anything that feels "wooly" and a bit grabby, such as Lettlopi, woolen spun yarns such as Harrisville Designs, Shetland yarns etc.) in worsted weight/Aran weight:
Cast on 30 sts.
Row 1: Knit.
Row 2: K3, p 24, k3.
Repeat these 2 rows for about 6 to 7”. Bind off.

You are welcome to use lighter weights of yarn, if that’s what you have on hand. If so, work a swatch about 6” to 7” wide and long.

**You have to use non-superwash WOOL yarn; this will NOT work with cotton, acrylic, bamboo, silk, or superwash treated yarns!**

Supplies for Class:

• Swatch (Homework)
• Crochet hook a couple sizes smaller than needle used to knit swatch (i.e. if you used a US 8 (5mm) needle for your swatch, use a US 6/G or 5/F (4 or 3.75mm) hook)
• Same weight yarn used for swatch, if possible in a contrast color or same color, up to you. You could also use a sturdy sock yarn in a contrast color, for Aran and worsted weight
• 2 Scrap pieces of contrast color yarn (this can be anything, sock yarn, etc)
• Darning needle
• Sharp scissors
• Extra yarn from swatch for picking up button band stitches
• Needles used for swatch
• Removable markers
• Optional: short zipper to practice how to sew it into the steeked opening (you can re-use this for something else later). To practice pretty much any zipper will do, but ideally you want a zipper labelled Sweater, Jacket or Sport zipper (for your actual cardigan you need a zipper that separates, i.e. comes apart so you can put your cardi on!)
• sewing needle and thread, to sew in zipper