The Steek

Years ago, when I attempted my first steek, I knew nothing about steeking.  There was no internet then, only word of mouth help.  Wasn't good help.  Today we have such an invaluable tool to find our answers.

When I saw Murial's cardigan I knew it was the pattern I'd been seeking for years.  Of course I had to download it; a free pattern from Knit Picks.  It is knitted in the round and I knew that it would have to be steeked!  Oh my.  Much to my surprise the pattern is written with so much detail, on steeking, that my fear evaporated instantly.  Today I steeked.  Wow!  I have decided to put in buttonholes, so now I had to find the proper button.  I have lots and lots of buttons.  I got out my container of buttons that are all sorted and on lengths of string.  I found two different buttons that would work, one a light green and the other a dark green.  The dark green will be perfect!  Antique buttons with a shank.  I say antique because they are from my MIL's stash and probably as old or older than me!  Now all I need to do is put the cardigan on and note the bust point, for a button, so it won't gap.  I will knit the left band first so I can count the stitches to be able to figure where the buttonholes will be placed.  Ah, math!  Glad I do like math!  I will also place markers where I will attach the buttons and put in a stabilizer, between the front and back of the band, for extra stability when sewing the button on.

I can remember reading Elizabeth Zimmerman's note about steeking.  "Cut on basting, then lie down in a darkened room for 15 minutes to recover.  You will never fear to cut again".  That was from page 61 of Knitting Without Tears.  In another quote she suggested a glass of wine and a cold cloth on your forehead.

I was feeling very confident when I did my steek because of the instructions with the Classic Lines Cardigan  pattern.  The band will fold over and cover all of the steek. 

It all worked just like it was supposed to.