Stranded knitting goes faster and makes a lot more sense when you're knitting it if you work in the round. But how do you make a sweater or other project that needs to have openings if you work in the round?
Cutting a steek in your knitting is not as scary as it sounds! © Sarah E. White.The answer is steeks, which are just little extra pieces of knit fabric that you cut open when the knitting is done to make the required opening, whether that's a cardigan front or an opening for a sleeve.
Cut my knitting? Are you crazy?
No, really, it's OK. Knitters have been doing this for generations, and it's really not that difficult once you get over the initial fear. That's why I suggest, if you've never knit a steek before, you ought to make a swatch to steek for practice so you won't be afraid of ruining any "real" knitting should you do it wrong or cause your knitting to unravel (which is pretty unlikely, especially if you're knitting with wool, which is grabby anyway).
Have you ever knit a steek? I'd love to hear about your experience, and your encouragement for folks who haven't tried it before.
Comments
I always place an old book or thick magazine behind the steek I am cutting, that way another part of the project cannot possibly be snipped by the scissors in error.
Once a steeker always a steeker! First time is scary. But so long as time is taken and the job not rushed there is nothing to worry about!