So I'm turning 40 this year and I thought it would be fun to tackle my "I'd love to learn..." list! One of the top things that I've been wanting to finally get the courage up to learn is steeking! Yep - you got it! The dreaded cutting of our knitting! It sounds and looks scary but also fun! I remembered when I first learned to sew I thought zippers and buttonholes would scare me forever...but guess what - they aren't so bad once you learn. So once I reminded myself the same goes for steeking I knew I could do it.
But who wants to learn to do something a bit scary and intimidating alone? Not me! It's always more fun to have friends for support, people to learn from, lean on, and laugh & cry with! So Andrea of Drea Renee Knits and Caitlin of Boyland Knitworks and I are teaming up to take on the steek! We're going to have a EEK stEEk-along!!! That's right! We're going to take the "eek" out of the steek and we want YOU to join us! So don't fear the steek!
For my swatch I'll be using Quince & Co. Lark and will be coming up with a fun colorwork chart to practice on!
WHAT IS THE "stEEk-along"?
It's a fun, casual and ongoing project for anyone to join in and conquer the steek and eventually work up to steeking accessories and garments! We're starting off easy and simple - by steeking a swatch.
PROMPT #1 - SWATCH N' STEEK
Date: Monday, April 3rd, 2017
So our first prompt and challenge is for us all to knit up a swatch (a full swatch in the round - like you are knitting a tube or sleeve - not a swatch in the round where you carry long strands behind).
Today we invite you to share a pic of your yarn and a pair of scissors. We will be using these yarns over the next week to make our swatches.
Use hashtag #swatchnsteek and #stEEkal on Instagram to join in!
PROMPT #2 - PREOP :)
Date: Anytime between today and Monday, April 10th, 2017.
Did you use a pretty colorwork chart for your swatch? Show off your swatch before you snip it!
Use hashtag #preop, #beforethesteek and #stEEkal on Instagram to join in!
PROMPT #3 - SNIP YOUR KNITS
Date: Monday, April 10th, 2017
Then....this is gonna be seriously so fun....on Monday, April 10th we're all going to snip our knits on Instagram together!!!! Woot woot!!!! I'm so excited! We're going to fearlessly snip our knits TOGETHER!
Use hashtag #snipyourknits and #stEEKal on Instagram to join in!
HELFPUFL LINKS
Not sure what steeking is all about? Here's some handy links to learn a bit more so you can jump in with us! If you visit both of the links below you can find tons of information and multiple posts by both Kate Davies and Helene Magnusson all on steeking - the how, what's and why's.
https://katedaviesdesigns.com/tag/steeks/ AND http://icelandicknitter.com/en/support-tutorials/
And there's more to come!!!! We've got some other fun things planned to keep us busy with steaks coming soon!
So don't fear the steek! We're all going to do this together! We're going to move forward with some fearless snipping and snip our knits together! Wahoo!
Are you in? Will you join myself, Andrea and Caitlin? We can't wait!