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decisions are a killer
Posted on | October 3, 2007 | 9 Comments
Ever have a project you’re working on, and you just can’t decide how to proceed? I’m in that place, and I’m really not happy about it.
As soon as I make a decision, “I’m going to do a crochet steek and wash and block my sweater TONIGHT,” I get conflicting advice that makes me rethink everything.
Here’s my dilemma: I want to wash and block my sweater before steeking. The wool still has a fair amount of lanolin in it, and I think washing it will help it to stick together when I take scissors to it. I’m not knitting a button band, so being able to pick up stitches is not a concern for me.
I’m also not planning to run my sweater through my sewing machine. I’m going with a crochet steek, or no reinforcement at all. Crazy, I know. But Norwegians have done it for decades (centuries?) and this is really sticky wool. I’m not worried. I’m more worried about sewing in the zipper, actually.
The problem is that conventional wisdom dictates you steek BEFORE washing and blocking. That washing and blocking help felt the newly-cut fibers a tiny bit, making them stronger. Most of this conventional wisdom assumes a machine-reinforced steek, however, which doesn’t apply in my instance.
I’ve asked advice on forums, I’ve e-mailed people on Ravelry, I’ve read Eunny’s tutorials, I’ve called members of the fiber guild. I’ve made a nuisance of myself, generally. And I’m still unsure what to do.
One thing I am sure of, though, is that I am doing something with this sweater TONIGHT! Because SAFF is 23 days away!!! And if that’s not enough to be excited about, how about this:
The mancub got his braces off today! (His teeth are tinged blue because he immediately started chewing bright blue bubble gum!)
He was afraid he’d forgotten how to blow a bubble, but he needn’t have worried.
Comments
9 Responses to “decisions are a killer”
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October 3rd, 2007 @ 11:21 am
You can do it! I know nothing about steeks, but you’ve gone to all the best steeking sources I can think of. Do you have a swatch you could practice on, to see how the wool sticks both pre and post washing? Either that, or (you’re steeking at the armscyes, right?) wash the yarn for the sleeves when you wash the body, so the yarn will shrink evenly. This is knitting after all – I’m pretty sure there’s no wrong way. (Assuming you cut the correct stitches, of course!)
October 3rd, 2007 @ 11:50 am
You can do it – I have faith!! I agree with Carrie – maybe try it on a swatch first? I’m swatching my first steekable project right now and I added steek stitches to practice on ;)
You’ve come so far on this sweater – I’m so excited to see it!
October 3rd, 2007 @ 2:41 pm
If you want to wash and block your sweater first, go for it. Do that, then crochet, then cut. See pp 23-24 of “Sweaters from Camp”, or call me and I’ll read it to you.
October 3rd, 2007 @ 2:51 pm
Not sure what to tell you on that one. I was too chicken to do steeks so I split for arm holes and went from there. LOL Good luck on whatever you choose.
October 3rd, 2007 @ 3:25 pm
Crochet before washing, wash and block, then steek. It’s not the last time the sweater is going to get washed, so those ends will have another chance to felt. The crochet reinforcement will be fine. You will be able to cover up any little faults when you sew in the zipper. When that’s all done, drink a beer. Shoot me an IM and I’ll drink one with you.
October 3rd, 2007 @ 4:50 pm
I like the idea of a crochet steek, it seems to make more sense somehow. A friend of mine just steeked her sweater and she used a liquid fray check…just as a back up…so she could sleep at night ;-)
October 3rd, 2007 @ 5:25 pm
Whatever you decide make sure you take pictorial evidence to show us all how it goes.
October 4th, 2007 @ 8:55 am
While I can’t advise on the sweater I can say that I’m looking forward to seeing you wear it!! What an accomplishment!!
Oh…and the blue teeth look pretty cool!!! LOL!!! (Does no more braces = more yarn money for Mom??) LOL!!!
October 4th, 2007 @ 12:32 pm
Sorry, no advice for the sweater – WAAAAAY out of my league, for sure. Mancub’s choppers look GREAT! Um…Girlcub (?) is getting her braces soon…Should be scary.