Have you ever steeked??**Update w/pic...advice??**

[dillonandmarasmom]

I am thinking I want to convert a top down raglan into a cardigan. I just don't like how it's fitting. So, I looked into steeking and thought I could manage the crotchet technique.
*But* my crotchet stitches are not that even, and from what I haev read, to do this technique well, your crotchet skills should be atleast 'good'. I would label mine 'fair'. I am a bit nervous. The whole iddea of then cutting up a column of ladders freaks me out.
So, I am reconsidering pulling out the sewing machine and sewing up two sides of the middle front instead, then cutting. I am thinking it would be more secure.

Has anyone steeked?? If so, what is your preferred method?

Here's the sweater now. Do you think I should change it over to a cardigan??

[flapjack]

PM nausicaamom and make sure she sees this thread I'm 90% sure she's a steeker...

[ekortering]

I *believe" Eunny Jang has a crochet steek tutorial on her website. I'd google "crochet steek" and see what you find.

[Knittin' in the Shade]

I've steeked, using both the crochet method and the sewing machine method. I prefer the crochet becuase it's prettier, and neater, IMO. The trick with steeking, really though, is the yarn that you've knit with, and the design of the sweater. It really needs to be a wool yarn so that the stitches will "grab" each other, and the thinner, the better - you will have best results with a sportweight or DK weight yarn, just "eh" results with a worsted, and I wouldn't even consider it for anything thicker than that.

[mommyddeville]

I read this as "have you ever streaked?" and I was wondering why you'd ask that in a knitting forum.

So now, I've never steeked. I've never streaked, either.

[AdinaL]

Eunny Jang's tutorial is *great* and she goes through crochet, handsewing, and doing nothing at all.

http://www.eunnyjang.com/knit/2006/0...he_should.html

That is part one, I think there are four parts.

[dillonandmarasmom]

Originally Posted by ekortering

I *believe" Eunny Jang has a crochet steek tutorial on her website. I'd google "crochet steek" and see what you find.

This was the first place I looked. I guess I am most concerned now about my yarn. It's an alpaca silk blend. It is snagging a good bit, which is promising, but, from what Theresa mentioned, it may be a bit on the bulky side. I may give it a go...

[norcalmommy]

Just do it, Darcy! Have a nice big glass of wine first, though

(Do you have any of the yarn leftover to do a swatch and then cut a steek, just to see how the yarn will react and to give you some confidence?)

[dillonandmarasmom]

Hey there, Gillian!!
I actually blocked it yesterday (thanks to some quick advice ala Ravelry) and it seems to have grown quite a bit, so I may be able to avoid steeking.

But, yeah, wine will be with me should I decide to go for it...

[dillonandmarasmom]

I updated the first post with a pic...still waivering on whether or not to steek

[3for3hb]

I like it the way it is but I'm curious to see it steeked.

[Knittin' in the Shade]

I wouldn't, I think it's great just the way it is It fits you well, and looks good! (Plus, I don't think the alpaca/silk will steek well. Silk is some seriously slippery stuff)

[mamasthree]

I like it--I don't think it wants to be cut (ouch, sounds painful!)

[dillonandmarasmom]

Okay, so I have decided I like it as is.
But, with all my research about steeking, I am tempted to knit something just for this purpose!