Securing and Cutting the Steek

Continuing on my mission to take the "EEK" out of steeks, today we're talking about how to secure steeks.

Technically, if you're using a sticky wool, like Shetland, you don't need to secure a steek before cutting.

But that gives a lot of people the EEKs - so here are two ways to give yourself a little extra peace of mind before cutting your steeks. 

Securing Steeks with a Sewing Machine

Securing a steek with a sewing machine is the fastest and most secure way to do it. But it does require a little bit of extra care. 

It's helpful to use a walking foot if you have one, as this will help prevent stretching out the knit stitches.

Be sure you are only sewing through one layer of fabric. This is especially important because of the way the stitches will settle into the knitting – it will be very difficult to see to remove if you do it wrong!

Stitch slowly and carefully, being sure not to stretch your knit fabric. Doing so would distort the final garment permanently. Stitch one line of stitches on either side of the area to cut. Then you’re ready to cut the steek!

Cut carefully with a pair of sharp scissors, right down the center of the steek stitches.

Make sure you’re only cutting through one layer.

​Once the steek is cut, you’re all finished! You can enclose the cut edge if you want to, but those sewing machine stitches are really going to hold everything in place, so it’s not required.

Securing Steeks with Crochet

To secure a steek with single crochet, you’ll crochet half of two stitches together, all the way along the area to be cut.
The crochet stitches will lean to one side – you can use this to your advantage by making sure they roll outwards. This will leave you a clear path to cut.

If you're planning on picking up stitches, you may want to go ahead and pick them up before cutting the steek.
​
When you’re ready to cut the steek, cut carefully with a pair of sharp scissors, right down the center of the steek stitches. Make sure you’re only cutting through one layer.

Once the steek is cut, you’re all finished! You can enclose the cut edge if you want to, but those crochet stitches are really going to hold everything in place, so it’s not required.

Once you've cut your steeks, you'll just proceed with your pattern. For me, this included a fit check, followed by sewing the sleeves into the armholes.