Fearless Steeking with Cynthia

Nothing strikes fear into the heart of knitters as cutting a steek into your work for the first time. Even the most experienced knitters will hesitate before taking the plunge. In this class we will learn the following skills to give you nerves of steel for your next steek project:

• Why create a steek
• Creating, identifying, and marking the steek stitches
• Beginning of Round: color changes across the steek
• Stabilizing the cutting area - 4 different ways
• Making the cut!!!!!!
• Picking up stitches along the cut and ideas for the finished edge.

This class requires some preparation beforehand so that you have something to work on during class. PLEASE COME TO CLASS with a swatch already made using the following directions:

Steek class preparation work

A steek is a spot where you are going to CUT your knitting. To make this as

simple as possible for you to prep, you will knit a flat sample with the "steek

stitches" in the middle.

Please use DK (#3) or Worsted Weight (#4) yarn in two contrasting colors and

appropriate size needles.

Most any fibers can be steeked. Slippery yarns just need more care and

stronger securing. They are fussier. So it is your choice as to what yarn you use.

Key K= knit P= purl MC= main color CC= contrast color CO= cast on

BO= bind off st)s)= stitch(es) ws=wrong side rs= right side (public)

Knitting directions:

Cast On: Using Main Color (MC) and long-tail cast on, CO 49 sts

Rows 1-3: (MC) K

Rows 4(ws), 6, 8, 10, 12, 14: Using the color you finished the previous row with:

K3, P to last 3 sts, K3

Row 5(rs): K (MC)

Row 7: K 24 MC, change to CC and K 25

Note: you may tie the ends with a removable knot for ease of handling, or knit

the two colors together in the center stitch. Leave tails 2 or 3 inches long.

(Row 8 reminder:) Sts same as row 4, but since you ended row 7 with CC, that is

what you will use here.

Row 9: K with CC

Row 11: K 24 with CC, change to MC and K 25.

Row 13: K with MC

Repeat Rows 7-14 three times more (4x total) ending on row 38. You will have 9

stripes

Row 39-41: with MC K

BO in pattern.

Wet finish if you wish.

Bring to class:

Your knitted piece and some of the same yarn you used. Either or both colors

Needles in size you used for your piece

A needle at least two sizes smaller than you used for your piece

Ruler/tape measure

Tapestry needle

Scissors

Notebook

If you have these: C or D crochet hook, needle felting tools

If you need some help with your homework, please come see Nadine at the shop and we’ll get you sorted out.