How to steek like a pro! (3 easys ways for all projects!)

[@devrarobertson8179]

Do I knit? No, not a bit! Did I watch this with rapt attention? Every minute!

[@NimbleNeedles]

ha! well...you could give it a try. i have tons of tutorials for beginners here on my channel :)

[@lindaturner2980]

Norman, you have demystified steeking and made it look simple enough for anyone to try and achieve. Thank you for your most amazing teaching skills. I really appreciate all your podcasts which are always straightforward, down to earth and fun! Sending you best wishes for Christmas and the new year. Linda, UK 💕🧶🎄

[@NimbleNeedles]

Merry Christmas, Linda! 🎄🥰

[@crabwalk7773]

👏👏👏

[@cynthiahutchins5790]

Thank you Norman, I have been trying “new” techniques, but steeking has not been one of them. But now, I will.

[@linlippy3358]

This is the best video on steeking methods I have seen! Thank you Norman.

[@NimbleNeedles]

Oh wow. Thank you! ❤️

[@karenwashburn829]

The first steek that I did was on a commercial cotton/acrylic pullover. I used my sewing machine with a walking foot to secure the edges, then added a button band. It worked great and gave me the confidence to steek my hand knitted sweaters. Thank you Norman for your clear explanations, I always click the ‘like’ button even before I watch your video because I know you’ll be amazing. ❤

[@deca717]

My first sweater steek will be on acrylic. Since there’s a long gradient, I have to knit the body and sleeves together to make the gradient match. I watched around a dozen videos on steeking and only one had instructions for acrylic. And it said to use a sewing machine to secure the edges. The only difference from what you did is that they suggested using a zig zag stitch so the edge can still stretch.

[@NimbleNeedles]

thank you for your kind words! and yeah, sewing machine works well if you know how to use it. I didn't include it here because so many knitters don't actually have one at home or are experienced in sewing stretchy fabrics.

[@catnapper3923]

Thanks for easing fears about this procedure. So many people swear by it and enjoy it! Makes life better to be less fearful. Your clarity and prep are amazing. You make this look easy, but the time spent preparing - demonstrating - editing - and all done so cheerfully - must have been enormous. Thank you for your passion! Just so good!

[@gartina2709]

Dies ist die beste Anleitung zum Thema 'Steek', die ich besher gesehen habe. Mein Garn für eine Jacke liegt nun schon ein ganzes Jahr lang im Schrank, weil ich mir diese Technik nicht zugetraut habe. Jetzt fühle ich mich dazu bereit. Herzlichen Dank!

[@NimbleNeedles]

Das freut mich sehr!

[@krystinatran3355]

I swear, Norman's got a video for everything and Im super grateful for this free resource

[@kathrynrogers4079]

Such a wonderful teacher. Thank you thank you thank you. I couldn’t imagine cutting my knitting before this tutorial. Now I see it is something I can do. Wool is really amazing.

[@NimbleNeedles]

You are so welcome!

[@Mummumster]

I have turned away from steeking for thinking I would ruin the fabric. Now, thank you, I have confidence. I will steek! After knitting since I was 9 I think it is time!❤

[@NimbleNeedles]

Heh! Happy to hear that. Tho...if you never steek, that's okay as well. 🥰

[@miriyummy]

I've been knitting for 55 years and have been extremely steek-phobic. I have watched countless of videos and live demonstrations and this is the very first time that the instructions were given so clearly, and the photography was on point! Thank you so much for this, and I will definitely try one, two or perhaps all three of your methods in the coming months!

[@NimbleNeedles]

wow. very happy to hear that. have fun trying things out!

[@sasabinz7331]

Excellent video, I am currently procrastinating cutting my knitting and finish the cardigan out of fear to ruin it. Now I feel much better prepared and have the courage to do it tomorrow. Many thanks! 🤩

[@NimbleNeedles]

But always remember: try it out on a swatch first 🥰

[@radiante595]

Thank you very much for this video Norman. Your videos have helped me so much. I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

[@NimbleNeedles]

Happy holidays!!

[@Reapunzil]

Doesn't matter what I need for my knitting, I always come back to your videos!

[@viridiangreen8259]

Thank you Normand

[@NimbleNeedles]

my pleasure

[@claremorley9845]

Happy Holidays!! 😊❤🎉 Thank you for the amazing tutorials!!

[@NimbleNeedles]

Happy holidays! 🥰

[@katywuste9054]

Thank you so very much, you explained and demonstrated steeking so very comprehensively. Love your channel 😊

[@NimbleNeedles]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@cvazsantos]

I had never heard of this before, I'm amazed! Best knitting channel on KZbin!!

[@KittenBowl1]

Very useful, Norman! Thanks! I was afraid of idea of steeking itself so this was a very good video for me. I’ve learned some new techniques. 😊

[@AudreeAdam]

I would've loved that a few weeks ago when I did the Dude sweater! I got so anxious before cutting my hard work.... but it was also sooooo liberating! Great tutorial as always :)

[@r.mcd2921]

Another EXCELLENT tutorial Norman - thank you!

[@marloonie]

This is by far THE BEST explanation and demonstration video I have seen in this topic. Thank you, Norman!

[@NimbleNeedles]

Wow, thanks!

[@juliebeans7323]

I never knew that Steeking was a thing for the longest time.....when i learned it existed, it scared me to death - you've shown me that it's not as scary as it sounds. When i'll try it, i don't know....but at least i understand it now.

[@bernadettekapocias7906]

This was AMAZING! Thank you! I am at the seeking point of my sweater, and this was useful! I was on the edge of my seat! I've subscribed, and I'll pass your video along to my knitting friends.

[@NimbleNeedles]

welcome to my channel

[@karinfurtkamp9655]

Thank you Norman I feel after this demo more confident to give steeling a try.

[@NimbleNeedles]

Well, i hope you meant steeking and not stealing 🤣😅

[@LauraFranklin-h5h]

Thank you for your videos. I enjoy learning the various techniques and appreciate your style of teaching. Happy Holidays.

[@NimbleNeedles]

Happy holidays 🥰🎄

[@E.S.-uo2hk]

Dear Norman, up until now I definitely avoided any pattern that called for steeking, just because I am afraid of ruining the garment... But your video gave me much more confidence and I am willing to try it out. Your explanation is so well done, so exhaustive, so encouraging and so filled with very important details that I feel more confident now. When I will do my first ever steeking project, I will be in front of this video and it will be as though you are here next to me, holding my hand as I will approach this technique. Thank you so much. You are a brilliant teacher and I am aver so grateful that I came across your videos. I am learning so much! Thank you, thank you thank you! And because we are approaching the new year: Happy New Year to you dear Norman!

[@katrinkarlsdottir]

Steeking always terrifies me, but it is never as bad as I imagine it will be. This was very informative, thank you.

[@NimbleNeedles]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Quinleh]

Thank you! I've avoided steeking because it scares me, but now I feel confident that I can do it! ❤

[@MrBluexmas]

Wow thanks for the such an elaborated video! In cooking, there is a saying that 'A sharp knife is a safe knife', same logic as a pair of scissors.

[@NimbleNeedles]

I can only agree. (tho, with kitchen knives I prefer them to be...well..slightly less sharp because too sharp a knife can cut through fingers too quickly :P)

[@bestofemse]

Happy holidays and thank you for the video. I don't have any plans for projects to be steeked, but it was very nice and calming to watch this anyways.

[@NimbleNeedles]

Heh. Yeah, it's not the most common technique...but...you never know, right? It's also a great technique to save a sweater that's too big or small and turn it into a cardigan

[@AnimalMe-x8h]

Hi Norman. Thank you for such an amazing video cant wait to use it on one of my projects. You can't believe how happy I get seeing the notifications for ur videos. Thank you and happy holidays🎉🎉

[@NimbleNeedles]

You are very welcome! Happy holidays 🎄

[@AnimalMe-x8h]

@NimbleNeedles I just had a question Norman. I want to knit a sweater for my grandpa and the yarn I got is baby merino yarn that is sports weight. I want to knit a cabled sweater similar to aran sweater however I can't find any patterns with sports weight yarn. What do I do? Should I just go with a pattern with dk or aran yarn and see how many extra stitches I need.help meeeee

[@NimbleNeedles]

@AnimalMe-x8h sorry, that's nothing I have time to help you with. sorry. ravelry should have tons of patterns with those specifications.

[@zebnuri7517]

Wonderful! You talked me out of my fear of steeking. Now I’m confident of trying it ❤

[@thriftythreader5998]

EXCELLENT video on steeking! Thank you for taking the time to review and explain all the options. I think a part of me has avoided trying a steek project because that makes the garment FINAL, as in no frogging for another project. Happy Christmas and New Year!

[@NimbleNeedles]

Yeah, i guess that is true. Then again, a lot of yarns are also very fuzzy and almost impossible to unravel as well. So, not sure if that is a hill I would like to die on, in the first place 😅

[@leopoldresch9275]

Danke für die grossartige Anleitung!!

[@NimbleNeedles]

Sehr gerne!

[@leopoldresch9275]

@@NimbleNeedles Ich hab es nach deinem Video endlich gemacht !! und es ist wunderbar geworden !!

[@susanpilling8849]

Thankyou for this. I now feel I could try this next year when I start on new knitting projects. Wishing you a happy holiday season! 🩵🎅

[@NimbleNeedles]

You, too, Susan 🎄🥰

[@viridiangreen8259]

Thank you for sharing your experience with everyone

[@magdalenamaria4046]

A very good companion to steeking, very well put together, you are an excellent teacher 👍 great tutorial 🌟🌟🌟

[@redmoonvenus7327]

Thank you for this very detailed tutorial ! I am feeling safe to try it now 😊

[@NimbleNeedles]

Awesome! That was the plan 🥰

[@karenalbery2773]

I had a line up of a few vlogmas videos to watch and I dropped them all to watch this!

[@NimbleNeedles]

Oh wow! Feeling honored 🥰🎄

[@lieslnew8247]

Another brilliant tutorial, Norman. I can’t see myself steeking any time in the near future but if I do I will be confident doing it thanks to you. 😊

[@lieveguastavino6356]

Norman this is the best video on steeking I have seen!!! Thank you very much! ! Looking forward to videos about button bands and pockets! I wish you eine schöne weihnachtszeit!

[@loveloreal]

I needed this to sew my knit fabric that I've not wanted to cut for two years

[@lisette1580]

Very good explenation of steeking methods, thank you so much Norman. I'll safe it immediately 😊 Happy holidays.

[@NimbleNeedles]

Merry Xmas! 🎄❤️

[@tarininathaghoridurgadevi]

HAPPY HEALTHY WEALTHY NEW YEAR NORMAN ! HUGS !

[@tagladyify]

Awesome tutorial. Thanks Norman! ❤

[@NimbleNeedles]

My pleasure 🥰🎄

[@benb2992]

You are one of few knitters I trust to show me the best options. I was hoping you might do a video sometime on how to match different cast on / cast offs, particularly the long tail. I have watched a lot of videos on it and feel I still can’t get it just right, but maybe I’m just numb 😂 anyway love your style!

[@NimbleNeedles]

personally speaking, I believe that trying to match cast-ons is a wasted effort. It will send you down a rabit hole where you are very unlikely to resurface again. your best bet is startin every project with a provisional cast-on and then bind-off both sides with the same technique. However, I would personally never do that.

[@TheJDiane]

Great and useful concept, very good instruction, thank you!

[@robinnichols6186]

What a great tutorial! I especially appreciate the education about the parallel vs alternating steak stitches. Happy New Year🎉🎉🎉

[@NimbleNeedles]

Happy new year! 🥰🎄

[@crabwalk7773]

👏👏👏

[@hildaandrews8150]

Omg Norman! You brought me back to my childhood for a moment with “oopsala “ (sp?) my mom used to say that. Loved your tutorial even though I used to teach a class on steeking, there’s always something to learn.

[@NatureStarved]

@NimbleNeedles Thank you. All you knit is love. Merry xmas & a happy new year to us all!

[@NimbleNeedles]

Happy holidays! 🎄

[@mongrain8934]

Well Norman, you covered all there is on steeks! I thought I would have to ask about the sandwiched hem but there it is. ❤❤❤

[@Tania-xu7xe]

Amazing, thank you so much. You're such a brilliant teacher. I now feel confident to give this a go. Guten Rutsch

[@NimbleNeedles]

Guten rutsch! 🥰

[@islandgirl54-o3o]

The best I've ever seen! Thankyou so much, now im not afraid(as much lol)Merry Christmas!!

[@irenegijselhart7499]

Thank you Norman, this video was just what I needed. 👍

[@antinn7448]

Excellent video, once again.

[@sharonlevine483]

Lovely job as always, very clear. ❤. Thanks.

[@crabwalk7773]

👏👏👏

[@videotutu01]

Thank you, Norman! This video is so valuable. I now feel much more confident to attempt a colorwork steeked cardigan in 2025!

[@NimbleNeedles]

You can do it!

[@MT-bc6xf]

Great lesson. Thank you.

[@chardennis9370]

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all. We have had many gifts through the year and lots of tips. Hope Santa is really good to you because you deserve it from all your viewers lots of praise. All the best for 2025. ❤🇨🇦

[@crabwalk7773]

👏👏👏

[@NimbleNeedles]

heh. Let's see. Though I am actually quite satisfied right now. I don't really need any presents. Some quite time with my partner without work is actually all I need and want :)

[@FrancescaGougeon]

Thank you for a wonderful tutorial! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family if you celebrate those. If not, happy holidays to you and your family!

[@NimbleNeedles]

Happy new year to you, too!

[@carmenz8764]

Norman, du bist fantastisch!!! vielen Dank! ❤

[@NimbleNeedles]

Gern geschehen!

[@historianKelly]

Norman! I'm almost 60 & didn't know what steeking was until today LOL 😂 That was yet another wonderful, comprehensive tutorial! To be honest, I'm not a personal fan of fair isle or decorative stitching - has nothing to do with my willingness to try, it's just not my style. I do love a good cardigan! Not a huge fan of regular sweaters, even in Winter. I'd much rather wear a short-sleeved shirt with a cardigan. I'm also a huge fan of cotton or cotton-blend yarns. I've made myself several cardigans, and it never occurred to me to knit ITR then snip it open! I greatly appreciated your use of multiple crafts here! Knit, crochet, sewing, embroidery, felting (this last being only one I have yet to try). My Nana was right, it helps to know multiple, related activities. It seems to me steeking would also come in handy if someone wants to insert a hidden zipper in their knit item? This reminds me of inserting a hidden zipper in sewing. Thanks for sharing your wealth of knowledge & being so nice to listen to! Happy Winter Holidays! ❄️🧣🧤🩵

[@NimbleNeedles]

yes, the technique is awesome for zippers/pockets. But you will have to sew/crochet a little bridge to cross over to the other side on both ends (but it's the same technique just going horizontally).

[@nicholecarruth1224]

Great, just a super great video.

[@Strikkofanten]

Thank you. You are the best. ❤❤

[@NimbleNeedles]

You're welcome 😊

[@gabrielacanova4625]

Still scared to death to put scissors to knitted fabric for anything but cutting loose ends after weaving them in BUT in your video steeking looks like a walk in the park, something I too can do. SO I'm in. I'm going to make some swatches and work on them. Thank you so so much!!!

[@kl4888]

Love your tutorials! I’m hoping that someday you have a guest interview on Fruity Knitting. 😊

[@NimbleNeedles]

heh. So far they never asked but then again, I typically don'T fall into the category prolific designer. So that's just to be expected :)

[@kl4888]

@ but as far as I’ve seen you’ve got the BEST tutorials! In that you have added greatly to the design aspect of knitting. 🙂 (still hopeful)

[@paulamoore2007]

That was the best steeking video I have ever seen. Thank you. Could you use a thin line of fabric seaming glue to reinforce it further? It doesn't dry stiff.

[@NimbleNeedles]

definnitely. You could even use a ribbon as facing and attach that with fabric glue. since you typically hand wash, it shouldn't be an issue.

[@eddavanleemputten9232]

Frohe Weihnachten und einen guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr! Steeking is new to me, over the past months I’ve encountered several mentions and the very thought of cutting into my knitting seemed very, very scary. But your explanation on the various methods made so much sense and were so clear that I’m saving it for later reference. If I want to transform a sweater pattern into a cardigan one, I now know that to do. I’d much rather be picking up stitches and knitting on a border after having knit something from the top down and in the round, rather than knitting various separate elements and piece together a garment. To me it’s easier to figure out row gauge vs height gauge than it is to neatly sew together separate pieces. Not to mention that I’m not that fond of sewing in ends… and I find it easier to hide yarn ends inside a folded over border… or an icord edge. It’s simply the weird and not-always-so-wonderful way my brain works. Except for kitchener stitching two ends together, where I seem to never really have trouble with sewing. So thank you for your video!

[@NimbleNeedles]

Guten Rutsch!

[@gailaltschwager7377]

Lieben Dank, Norman!

[@NimbleNeedles]

Gerne 🥰🎄

[@susanhaag2857]

I love this so much ❣️🧶🧶

[@mikyrosenblum1240]

Thank you very interesting!

[@patp2573]

Thank you

[@ByHookorbyNeedles]

I will say I am still not totally convinced that I can steek, but my confidence has grown some since watching this. I work a lot of fair isle in acrylic (I have wool sensitive wearers and also vegans who I knit for) and my question to you is if I were to make a 7 stitch (or possibly wider) steek and used a hair curling iron to 'melt/felt' the steek before cutting, how secure this would be? I guess I need to make a swatch and test it, eh? lol But what are your thoughts? Could laying a hot curling iron near/against an acrylic steek for long enough to melt the yarn create a secure steek? As always your videos inspire. How I wished I had started to follow you sooner.

[@crabwalk7773]

Wow! Such a new idea ❤

[@ByHookorbyNeedles]

@@crabwalk7773 Ahhh, but will it work? lol... I thought initially of an iron, but realised steeks are usually long and narrow and so thought a long hair curler iron might work. Like I say I should give it a go and see - in my mind I am thinking if the yarn melts there is no way its unravelling lol...

[@jennaforesti]

If you use something to melt the yarn, maybe use some parchment paper to protect your iron from the melted yarn.

[@ByHookorbyNeedles]

@@jennaforesti oh yeah, definitely would need something to protect the iron or hair curler etc.

[@NimbleNeedles]

well, it could possibly work BUUUUT....it's also a bit easy to burn too much. So, I wouldn't know how to control that consistently (and also avoid damage to your curling iron). So, the sewn method I showed in this video will work for acrylic as well. I mean, your solution definitely sounds neat but I'D definitely test this first on a swatch or two to be entirely sure.

[@pjenkins8206]

Excellent video, thank you! Norman, do you have a video on facings for V necks and arm holes? Again, thank you. ❤

[@NimbleNeedles]

Not yet! sorry :(

[@pjenkins8206]

I really enjoy your tutorials and excellent explanations. ❤

[@meatdog]

This is terrifying! But I need to learn this . Thank you so very much for this tutorial.

[@NimbleNeedles]

as I said in the video. you can always try it out on a swatch first. then it will be less terrifiying!

[@jennaforesti]

I've been looking for a video explaining this for a little bit. Thanks for posting this. Has anyone used a seam ripper to cut open the steek?

[@NimbleNeedles]

i haven't. Dunno...you can always try it on a lil swatch when in doubt.

[@nascenticity]

i’m the 666th like lol seriously love this channel tho, you explain knitting things better than almost anyone else on KZbin

[@carolmelancon]

Wonderful tutorial! I really appreciate that you showed the difference of how the wrong side of the cut steek looks in colorwork with the column vs. checkerboard method. I also find the columns easier for my eyes to follow when crocheting and cutting. (By the way, where did you get those lovely scissors? I would love to get a pair. I tried searching art deco and art nouveau embroidery scissors, but was unsuccessful finding them.) I recently finished a colorwork shawl with long (about 4 feet) steeks for the two "arms" that took me 230 hours to complete. After securing the steeks with crochet, I went over them with a felting needle for that little bit of extra security before cutting. The steeked edges were to be encased in a knit binding and the felting helped the edges stay flat which made it easier and neater when sewing the picked-up binding closed. I'm so glad I took the extra time to do the felting.

[@NimbleNeedles]

hm...you can still buy them here. www.frenchneedle.com/collections/scissors If you are not afraid of the price ;-)

[@miuginger]

❤È veramente bravo,grazie ❤

[@tabernaclehands]

Thank you ❤

[@NimbleNeedles]

You're welcome 😊

[@Sunny-ry3un]

Hey Norman, danke dir für das tolle und hilfreiche Video. Bisher habe ich „ steeking“ ( wie heißt das nochmal auf deutsch 😂) noch nicht versucht aber mein Marie wallin cardigan hätte mich damit sicher weniger nerven gekostet 😉. Much love for you and merry Christmas ❤

[@NimbleNeedles]

Ich glaub, da gibt es gar kein echtes Wort, weil es eigentlich keine deutsche stricktradition ist. In Bayern, etc, werden janker immer in Teilen gestrickt.

[@marthejohansen397]

Is it possible to find the pattern for your sweater? Love it❤️

[@NimbleNeedles]

possible. It's by Navia of Faroe Islands

[@cherylelinsmith743]

Hi Norman, just got another Addi Rocket size 11 16 inch needles to work on a new cowl pattern. I keep all my Addi in there pouches. I’m finding the art case I’m using isn’t big enough to store them and they slide around. What do you recommend to store them in with partitions. I’ve checked the craft store but nothing like that. It’s all for paints and stuff.

[@NimbleNeedles]

i am quite unsure how this question is related to steeking? here is how I organize my knitting needles: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nn-mYnV_bZKjftE

[@cherylelinsmith743]

@ Thanks Norman, sorry I’ll work it out.

[@ElvaMeldal]

I edited my comment.* Since i watched the whole video. Steeking woolen sweater isn't necessary but i think it will make it neater and sharper. I want to try at least 😅 **Wow i am on my next project on putting a zipper in a woolen sweater. I have done it one other time but in a knitted overalls. Could i use this video for ideas? And also, should i hand wash my sweater before or after I steek it? Thank you for this helpful video and all your videos are so helpful.

[@drikool3597]

Hi Norman, Thank you so much for this video, everything crystal clear. One question: Would be possible to apply the cotton stitch securing method to the wool projects since will create less volume? Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and best wishes for 2025 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄. Italia

[@NimbleNeedles]

definitely. Didn't I say so? You can absolutely do so and in fact a lot of knitters do that - either by hand or using a sewing machine.

[@ivancia110]

I did cut my knitting once because my vest was too big and I didn't want to unravel and redo everything. The yarn was felting like mad and it even would be a big trouble to unravel. I simply went to a tailor and asked for an overlock stitch. It worked perfect then, but would think more than twice before doing that on purpose. This must be a very specific yarn and still I feel I decrease the durability, and I'm very much concerned with the quality of my knitwork.

[@askedgeorgia17]

Hi Norman, You said you can’t felt super wash yarn. The idea that occurred to me is, can you use sheep wool for the steeking stitches? Then I guess they would felt?🥰

[@NimbleNeedles]

Well, you could..but that would require intarsia...so..not sure if that makes things easier 😅

[@andreaschwab4232]

​@@NimbleNeedlesOr maybe use Mohair for reinforcing the steek on a superwash yarn (that might help felt it a bit)?

[@valeriaswanne]

>have yarn >pick out pattern >buy the needles >read the pattern >mfw steeking

[@crabwalk7773]

👏👏👏

[@denizterzioglu3125]

🎉🎉🎉

[@mishkalarsoncreations]

It comes from old Scottish

[@NimbleNeedles]

well, since it's a technique from the Shetland Islands, that sort of doesn't come as a surprise. However, as far as the most current research indicates, the term is barely a hundred years old. So, _old_ scottish is probably a far stretch ;-)

[@СтасЛевкович-о5й]

Це фейк😮😮нічого не тримається, полотно розлазиться на розрізі😢

[@NimbleNeedles]

if you say so...lol. feel free to share a better method any time.

[@stonytina5177]

"Steek" is Dutch for "stitch" and "stab", just like in German.

[@NimbleNeedles]

yeah, the languages are very closely related, after all :)

[@Isabelle33gironde]

Thank you