Steeked Sweater 101

[Jan in CA]

I'll be doing my first steeking in a week or so... yikes! It's non-wool so I'm doing some extra securing first.

[ewalker]

I'll be doing my first steeking in a week or so... yikes! It's non-wool so I'm doing some extra securing first.

What is steeking?

[Jan in CA]

What is steeking?

Steeking is when you cut your knitting. Look at the pictures in this thread and you'll see how Ingrid did a sweater. It's usually done with a feltable wool even though you don't usually felt it. It's done with wool like that so that the little guard hairs on the wool cling together preventing it from unraveling.

Because my sweater is not feltable wool I am going to use both a crocheted steek and the sewing machine to secure it.

[Ingrid]

Good for you Jan! Remember EZ's advice and after you cut for the first time, lie down in a darkened room for a bit.

[Jan in CA]

Good for you Jan! Remember EZ's advice and after you cut for the first time, lie down in a darkened room for a bit.

[Jan in CA]

Question about sewing machine steeks.. I tried zigzag on my swatch and made a mess. It stretched out the fabric and of course I forgot to move the ends out of the way.. Do you use straight sewing machine stitching? One row on either side? Do you have to adjust anything?

[Ingrid]

I've only used straight stitching, as small as the machine would allow the knitted fabric to still go through.

[Jan in CA]

Okay...one row or two on either side of the steek?

[Ingrid]

To be safe, I've done two on each side, mainly since I don't get along with my sewing machine. If you also crocheted, as you mentioned, one should be fine.

[Jan in CA]

Thanks, Ingrid. I'm making a few more swatches to try again. Thank heavens I didn't try it on my sweater first!