February 16, 2009
Steeking
So yesterday morning, I decided that I was overthinking this whole steek thing, and that millions of people had done it before and it was a proven method. Right?
And all that knitting I'd been doing wasn't going to unravel. I should just stop stuffing about, and just do it. Right?
I almost believed myself. So I decided to just do a little test run on my swatch. What if I did it wrong, and I stuffed up the whole sweater? So out came the trusty Janome, and I did a couple of rows of machine stitching on the pretty little swatch.
Twinkie "helped".
I read a few blogs before I decided on my steek. Eunny had some great information about the whole process, but doesn't actually recommend machine stitching. Her recommended methods are handsewing or crocheting the steek. I was too impatient to handsew it, and I can't crochet for crap, so I looked about a bit more, and decided to go ahead with the machine sewing. I chose a narrow zigzag stitch rather than a straight stitch, because of years of sewing knit fabrics has taught me that a zigzag stitch has better "give" than a straight seam.
Then, I cut it. I had to take a few very, very deep breaths, then I started snipping.
I do believe that at that point I may have exclaimed "#%^&!! It worked!" Even the back looked nice.
That made me feel more confident about the whole process, so I took to Autumn Rose with the machine.
As this was a little more important than the little swatch, and would see more wear, I did actually sew each side twice.
I was tempted to do it 10 times or more, but figured that it might be overkill.
To make sure I only cut what I was supposed to, I put a magazine inside the sweater. I didn't want to snip a hole in the back, and watch it slowly unravel. Then, I started to snip. Carefully, tiny little snips with nice sharp, small scissors.
Yes, I was concentrating.
And then it was done. Pulling it apart was a little scary.
All in all, it wasn't so bad. It was over quickly, and I didn't cut any of the wrong threads. (!)
And suddenly, it looked like a neckline!! And I could finally try it on to make sure it fit.
It fits! It didn't fall apart! I'm loving it sick! (TM Rosered)
Posted by Donna at February 16, 2009 04:15 PMComments
Oh well done. Fabulous work Donna. I held my breath watching, just like I did when I did my own. You are so much faster at this than I was. To get to this point took me FOREVER. So well done. It's gorgeous.
I think having Twinkie there was probably really so helpful.
Posted by: bells at February 16, 2009 05:22 PMYou truly are brave! It's going to look amazing when it is finished. Very clever indeed.
Posted by: Charmaine at February 16, 2009 05:59 PMCool! I was holding my breath too. :D One question though, do you think Knitpick's palette yarn is suitable for steeking without sewing? It seems like most yarn for steeking are 'hair-ier' so as to hold it together and palette seems kinda smooth for that...
Posted by: Kessa at February 16, 2009 06:06 PMLove it - now for a big glass of wine or martini - looks AMAZING
Posted by: missfee at February 16, 2009 06:15 PMI too was holding my breath the whole time I was reading this post! we're all behind you, admiring your bravery :) (do you keep looking at the photo-sequence again and again, just to relive it?!)
go you!! I'm so glad it worked and it fits so beautifully.
Posted by: Kylie at February 16, 2009 07:09 PMOMG Donna you did it!!! Amazing! And it fits you so perfectly!! Huzzah and 3 cheers and all that. And I'm loving it sick too!! Heh!
Posted by: Rose Red at February 16, 2009 07:54 PMWow, it looks great!
Posted by: Wanda at February 16, 2009 07:59 PMOMG! OMG!OMG! You cut it!!!
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEKKKKKKKKKK!
It's spectacular!!
You had me holding my breath while reading that and I'm sure I had my 'concentrating' face on too.
Posted by: Carol at February 16, 2009 09:15 PMIt will be awesome when it's ready! I have to start loosing weight so I can knit one to myself....
Posted by: Marika at February 16, 2009 09:37 PMLooking fantastic already! :)
Posted by: claudine at February 16, 2009 10:10 PMWell that scared the bejeezus out of me. I'm probably a few weeks behind. Will you cut my steek?
Posted by: Ailsa at February 16, 2009 10:24 PMYeah! Looks great on already too! In the home stretch now.
Posted by: Madame Purl at February 16, 2009 10:36 PMCongrats on your first steek! Now admit it, wasn't the thought of cutting worse than actually doing it?
Posted by: Marina at February 16, 2009 10:55 PMIt looks wonderful.
Posted by: Samantha at February 16, 2009 11:31 PMHooray for the steek! I have yet to do a steek, but will if I ever knit anything that requires it. One of these days, I will complete a sweater....
Posted by: Cathy at February 17, 2009 12:30 AMThat is just amazing....stunning...I'm speechless!
Posted by: angie at February 17, 2009 01:28 AMGorgeous!! You did good. :)
Posted by: Tammy at February 17, 2009 03:47 AMYeah you did it!!
it looks great!
Awesome!
Posted by: Janet at February 17, 2009 05:20 AMYou are braver than I. It looks beautiful.
Posted by: gemma at February 17, 2009 05:51 AMWow. I can breathe out now - had such a sense of impending doom. Looks great, like a jumper!
Posted by: Kate at February 17, 2009 06:50 AMYay! It looks good on you too! You're so brave! And all done with flair! :)
Posted by: Shelley at February 17, 2009 09:31 AMWow I can really see how hard your concentrating on the cutting. Well done on a great job. I am sure that you will be knitting more sweaters with steeks from now on. What a great fit too.
Posted by: Sue at February 17, 2009 09:42 AMGreat Job! I will admit to letting out a little "eek" while scrolling through steek pictures.
Posted by: Suzanne at February 17, 2009 10:27 AMAh now I get it . It looked like the hole was for sleeves but you already have sleeves. It looks beautiful and top marks for bravery!
Posted by: diane at February 17, 2009 04:29 PMoh wow! you are so brave. That is still a frontier I am not ready to cross... wow.
Posted by: happy spider at February 17, 2009 06:04 PMYay, Donna!! Oh, it's going to look so pretty finished up - glad you survived The Steeking!!
Posted by: CraftyGryphon at February 18, 2009 02:58 AMIt looks awesome! Congrats on your first steek going so well. I'm still not brave enough to even think about steeking.
Posted by: Restless Knitter at February 18, 2009 03:06 AMCongrats! It looks great! I would have never thought of using a zigzag stitch. Every tutorial I've seen always sews it straight.
Posted by: jae at February 18, 2009 03:38 AMLovely, lovely work. Excellent knitting, wonderful color choice... and it FITS!! Congratulations on the steeking. Wasn't that kind of fun, in a sick sort of way? Don't you want to try it again some time? Don't you feel clever? OF COURSE YOU DO!
Welcome to the dark side. You'll like it here. We have brownies.
PS. Good move with the magazine. I've steeked enough to get casual about it and once chopped a three-inch hole right over the heart in a cardigan.
Posted by: JulieT at February 18, 2009 06:00 AMLovely, lovely work. Excellent knitting, wonderful color choice... and it FITS!! Congratulations on the steeking. Wasn't that kind of fun, in a sick sort of way? Don't you want to try it again some time? Don't you feel clever? OF COURSE YOU DO!
Welcome to the dark side. You'll like it here. We have brownies.
PS. Good move with the magazine. I've steeked enough to get casual about it and once chopped a three-inch hole right over the heart in a cardigan.
Posted by: JulieT at February 18, 2009 06:00 AMCrap. Sorry about that double post. But the jumper is double lovely! REALLY!
Posted by: JulieT at February 18, 2009 06:01 AMWell done! We knew you could do it.
Posted by: Lynne at February 18, 2009 07:01 AMWell done! I was nervous for you. I've never steeked before, but when I do, I will draw on your bravery. That sweater is beautiful! Though I don't know how you didn't faint in that heat with a sweater on!
Posted by: Lex at February 18, 2009 10:16 AMGreat job - but I was nervous all the way through for you! So glad it worked out and it looks wonderful!
Posted by: Jeanne at February 18, 2009 11:36 AMoh, i love the magic! and twinkie too!
Posted by: debbie at February 18, 2009 11:42 AMcongratulations. it wasn't so bad now, was it?
Posted by: marti at February 18, 2009 12:52 PMBrave Girl!!!!With Twinkies help of course!!Well Done andway,Im a long way off doing a project like that,havent the patience!
Posted by: cath at February 18, 2009 09:38 PMOh that would have been scarey to cut such work but it already looks lovely on your tiny figure. You should be really happy cause it looks great already.
Posted by: Leeanne at February 20, 2009 03:12 PMI was holding my breath when I saw the pic of you cutting the beautiful knitted piece. It does look scary but you did it! Congrats & it looks fantastic.
Posted by: Ann at February 22, 2009 01:47 PM
It's a beauty! Congratulations on your first steek - I think Twinkie's moral support was essential...
Posted by: Sherpa at February 16, 2009 05:16 PM