Knit Cardigan/Learn to Steek
by kpedrowright
Arts & Crafts Journey Overview
Follow this step-by-step arts & crafts journey to see real progress updates, challenges overcome, and practical experience.
Progress Updates (9 total)
Update #1: Knit Cardigan/Learn to Steek
I’m starting the Wave Cardigan, a pattern I’ve had saved for a long time. I’ve only recently advanced enough in knitting to take it on - it includes stranded colorwork, German short rows, raglan increases, and steeking.
Obstacles Faced: Part of the process will include learning to steek - a technique that allows you to cut your knitting with scissors! I’ve never done this before so I’ll have to teach myself
Update #2: Knit 30 rows of colorwork
25% completeI’ve knit about 30 rows of colorwork and raglan increases and switched to a longer cord to accommodate the increased stitch count. You can start to see the wave pattern forming now!
Update #3: Finished the raglan increases
35% completeI’ve finished the raglan increases, put the sleeve stitches onto scrap yarn, and connected the body.
Update #4: Started the body
40% completeI’ve started the body and the next iteration of the colorwork pattern. The two lines in the front are where the cardigan will be cut with steeking after the body is finished
Update #5: Finished body of cardigan
50% completeI finished the wave pattern and body of the cardigan. The sleeves are on hold on orange yarn.
Update #6: Finished the ribbing
55% completeI knit 1x1 twisted rib for about 6cm, did 2 rows of double knitting, and finished with an Italian bind off.
Challenges Overcome: Now the body is basically done! Later I’ll need to add details like a button band
Obstacles Faced: The Italian bind off, however, took me 3 tries. I’ve attempted it before but never been successful, but I did figure it out eventually!
Looking Back: Double knitting wasn’t at all what I thought but it was also really easy. I was able to do it on the first try.
Update #7: Struggled through the first sleeve..
70% completeI started the first sleeve and about halfway through I realized I had made a major mistake in the color work pattern for the waves. I had to resist the urge to just keep going and live with it but it would have ruined the whole effect! Now I’m just up done with this sleeve and can start the next one!
Obstacles Faced: I had to frog the entire sleeve and start over. It was discouraging but once I got back to the point I had to frog I felt a lot better and going back was definitely worth it.
Update #8: Finished the sleeves and wet blocked
75% completeI finished the body and the sleeves, soaked it in water for 30 minutes, and set it out to dry!
Obstacles Faced: I wasn’t sure if it would expand enough when wet blocked - I knit a size down and didn’t do a gauge swatch - but the sizing ended up looking great!
Update #9: Steeked!
80% completeI found the courage to steek! I used a small sewing machine to sew a straight stitch and a zig zag stitch down each side of the center and cut it with scissors! Such a scary thing for a knitter to do but it worked out great!
Challenges Overcome: Learning a new skill like this is a mile stone for me - I’m continuing to grow my skill set and take on more and more challenging techniques.