It has been done. And it was good. Wanna know how?
1. This pattern instructs you to mark the centre stitch for the steek. I wisely marked it a few times while knitting so I would know where it was, then I added a few more to be sure.
2. Using a smaller crochet hook and yarn I chained on each half of vee of this centre stitch. There's a good explanation of what I did here--much better than I can explain. I followed the little diagram and it work perfectly. Then I ended up with a ridge down the middle that looks like this:
3. I made sure the middle of the sweater wasn't distorted--this took a few tries with the crochet--it's not my best needle-work skill and then I tried it on for Mandy and for good measure. I think I over blocked it because it grew a bit, but another wet blocking when I'm done should cure that.
4. Then I gathered my supplies: scissors--I ended up using the short ones, sweater, a glass and the potent potable of choice--today I chose Bushmills (I couldn't find my Glenlivett).
Of course, this part is optional, but a shot does loosen up that part of your knitting brain that doesn't like putting scissors to knit stitches.
And it's yummy.
5. If you look at the space between the two crochet chains there is a ladder of stitches that runs up the middle. This is what you're cutting, and it's pretty easy to see.
6. Then you cut. Once you do the first few snips and see that the whole thing doesn't unravel into a mess, the rest is easy.
7. Voila, now it's a cardi. The crochet steek is so neat you could just wear it as is (weaving in the ends of course). I'm going to pick up stitches a couple of stitches in from the crochet steek and do button bands--but I have to wait for my yarn from Amy. So for now I'll do a Rachael:
A second drink to celebrate is also a fine idea.
I did a double take there for a second because my kids have the same bunk bed against a blue wall. With all the animals piled on they look the same! :) Retro Prep looks great!
Posted by: Sharlene | March 23, 2005 at 10:35 PM
Do you think Laphroaig would be overkill for Step 4?
Posted by: grace | March 23, 2005 at 10:37 PM
Oh, how very very cute are you???? This is inspiring. Not that I'm going to take a scissors to my R.P. any time soon, but I will steek something some day, I promise.
Posted by: indigirl | March 23, 2005 at 10:52 PM
Bushmills. Good choice. That crochet steek is super neat!
Posted by: claudia | March 23, 2005 at 11:11 PM
Wow! You make it look almost easy. Personally, I prefer Bushmills to Glenlivet, so I think that your choice of beverage may have contributed to your success.
BTW, the haircut and colour look great.
Posted by: Chelle | March 23, 2005 at 11:37 PM
Woohoo! Steeks! I can't wait.
Posted by: Jessica | March 24, 2005 at 01:44 AM
It looks brilliant! Well done :) (I'd go for Laphroaig, too.....)
Posted by: Heather Cawte | March 24, 2005 at 06:08 AM
Hoooooooray!!!! You are darling.
Posted by: Rachael | March 24, 2005 at 06:50 AM
Most excellent result.
Posted by: Pubah | March 24, 2005 at 07:28 AM
Great job! The scissors and the liquor so close to the knitting had me worried for a second - but you make it looks so easy!
Posted by: Shelby | March 24, 2005 at 08:02 AM
*applause* That looks fantastic!
Posted by: Kristi | March 24, 2005 at 08:42 AM
Lovely job! Also, you drink very cutely.
Posted by: susan | March 24, 2005 at 09:26 AM
clap clap clap! fantastic demo. it almost makes it seem not-scary. and the resulting cardi is way cute!
Posted by: Ann | March 24, 2005 at 09:36 AM
Wow. Thanks for sharing. That is pretty fantastic.
Posted by: lisa | March 24, 2005 at 09:44 AM
Super job! Thanks for the informative post. I love the part about drinking. Steeking just got a whole lot less mysterious!
Posted by: Diana | March 24, 2005 at 10:10 AM
Holy Mother of Meat! The idea of a steek still freaks me out.
Posted by: Miriam | March 24, 2005 at 10:25 AM
Steph...that is awesome. It's good to know in case a cardi is preferred after the fact. Looks great and the boose definiely helps out! ;-)
I bookmarked that sight!
Posted by: Eilene | March 24, 2005 at 10:37 AM
AMAZING. Simply amazing! That cardi is awesome and wow ...
Posted by: Samantha | March 24, 2005 at 11:10 AM
Yaaaay, Steph!! Isn't it a wonderful feeling?? :D
Posted by: Mandy | March 24, 2005 at 12:08 PM
Wow, I definitely like that better than the sewing machine option. Again my lack of crocheting ability could be a problem, but I learn quick... It looks great!
Posted by: Vicki | March 24, 2005 at 12:45 PM
Hm. Perhaps one of my old sweaters has a new life headed its way....
Posted by: Natalie | March 24, 2005 at 01:43 PM
This is a great tutorial! Thanks!!! I have a sweater, the one from Last Minute Knitted Gifts, I need to steek because it's way too hot.
Posted by: Patti | March 24, 2005 at 02:12 PM
Woohoo!!!!!! I still don't trust the crochet thing. I'm going to have Janine teach me how. For now I always sew the hell out of the steek before I dare cut.
Posted by: Nathania | March 24, 2005 at 02:48 PM
Great demo, Steph. Definitely worth bookmarking, and you made it look like fun.
Posted by: MJ | March 24, 2005 at 05:55 PM
Great demo, Steph. Definitely worth bookmarking, and you made it look like fun.
Posted by: MJ | March 24, 2005 at 06:18 PM
Funny...I didn't think the scotch was optional...
(Never is here, where I also use glenlivet)
Posted by: stephanie | March 24, 2005 at 11:33 PM
ohhh I've never heard of this "steek" before! I bet steek would work wonders with that noro striped cardi i want to make. if i make it as a pullover and steek it, all the colors will match up perfectly!!
And I am also wondering what, old tired sweater could use a bit of a cardi makeover!
Posted by: wendy | March 24, 2005 at 11:39 PM
how awesome! great job. you cracked me up with the drink photo. i was thinking 'you don't want to drink then cut'. i'm so glad it worked out for you. AND it looks fab!
Posted by: lynette | March 25, 2005 at 10:53 AM
I have to lie down now.
Posted by: itLeslies.com | March 25, 2005 at 12:32 PM
That was so painless, thanks in part to the scotch...but wow I am so amazed!
I just bookmarked this post for future reference...!
you so smart...
Posted by: heather | March 25, 2005 at 03:19 PM
Woohoo! Congratulations! And, congrats on your excellent choice of festive adult beverage. It's also my steek tonic of choice. ;-)
Posted by: Lolly | March 25, 2005 at 09:06 PM
I must admit I got nervous reading this post. Glad it all worked out well. I haven't tackled the great steek test yet. I don't drink, so I'm going to have to eat large quantities of chocolate courage before giving it a try.
Posted by: cari | March 26, 2005 at 11:41 AM
wow, great job! boy i'm bookmarking this right now. i'll have to come back when i'm ready to steek. you made it look so easy! thanks for the easy to follow explanation and great pics.
Posted by: froggy | March 26, 2005 at 01:36 PM
You're my hero! I just can't get my head around the part where it doesn't unravel when you cut -- I can't accept it!! Anyway, I love this post, because if a non-knitter stumbled across it and just looked at the photos, they would be mystified. (Knitting and booze? Huh?) But we knitters don't question the fact that you had a shot before the snip. Hilarious.
Have I told you lately that I love your hair?
Posted by: alison | March 27, 2005 at 12:31 PM
You know, yours is the best tutorial I've run across. If you witnessed the appalling steek I did on the sweater I was wearing at Amy Singer's book party (and you wouldn't have, because I turned the atrocious edges under), you'd know I was looking for A Better Way. Thanks!
Posted by: Shannon | April 25, 2005 at 02:53 PM
I can't wait to try your method. i have a beautiful royal blue, purple, and jade wool sweater from Nepal (found at Goodwill for 2.50) pullover that I would like to wear as a jacket (it's really big). I was going to cut it and use grosgrain but I think knit or crochet edges would be much more appropriate. Thanks!
Posted by: Martha | March 03, 2007 at 01:47 PM