Setesdal Sweater Tutorial // How to Steek and Attach Sleeves & Collar

Hello friends! 🤗 This is my first ever "tutorial" but since it was my first EVER time steeking a garment, it's kind of more like a walk through vlog.
Each step isn't explained in a lot of depth, my intention was more to give a broad overview for intermediate to advanced knitters who will be familiar with the techniques used and are only needing to see how each is implemented step by step.
Overall I wanted to show how easy steeking actually is! As I said, this was my first time doing it and everything went so smoothly. It's not scary at all and there's absolutely nothing to be anxious about.
To be honest, steeking is the most fun a knitter can have without getting our needles out 😉
| Timestamps for each step below |
0:25 // Marking out where to steek for armholes
1:35 // Biding off stitches at the top of the steeking column
2:00 // Basting stitch as a guide for steeking
2:35 // Sewing the fabric to reinforce before steeking
4:25 // Marking the collar
5:00 // Basting the collar
6:20 // Sewing the collar
7:50 // Seaming the shoulders with a three needle bind-off
8:20 // Steeking the collar
8:50 // Picking up stitches along the collar
9:10 // Creating a folded collar
10:35 // Steeking the armholes
11:40 // Seaming the sleeves to the body
13:05 // Sewing the facing inside the body
~ The sweater used in this video is the 'Setesdal “Lice” Jumper with a Twist' by Arne and Carlos: shop.arnecarlo...

[@amyfolberg4515]

awesome tutorial!!!

[@normabishop2693]

Clear, concise, so well done--congratulations on both firsts. This was immensely helpful--thank you!!

[@miriamwatkins1886]

I put steeking sleeves into KZbin and your video came up with the exact sweater I’ve been trying to finish for 2 years. I’ll probably have to watch it 20 more times and still need help.

[@acornknits]

Thank you so much for your comment, that makes me so happy to hear! If you have any questions or need help with any of the steps, please let me know 💞🧶

[@cynthiabroadbent3836]

Same!!! I have one more sleeve to finish and then I'll be ready for this part!!

[@karenberg4903]

Excellent video tutorial! I have done a a few garments with steeks and your explanation is well done. Its nice to have video's to refer to, when you haven't done a steek in a while😃!! I've never seen a steek for a neck line done this way and have to say this is genius! I am finishing up a Norwegian cardigan (kofte) for my son and I especially love this neck steek, since my pattern has a straight across neckline. This will more comfortable and more fitted to the neck. THANK YOU!!

[@acornknits]

I'm so happy to hear that you found this helpful! ✨💞🥰 Ohhh yes, the steeked neckline with a folded collar is lovely. You'll have no trouble with executing it ☺️ Your son will be incredibly lucky to have such a beautiful handmade kofte!

[@joanie9258]

I just added extra stitches to steek sleeves for the first time. I’m glad I watched this so now I’ll add a facing to hide the cut fabric.

[@acornknits]

Congratulations, that's so exciting! ✨

[@sandrasmith2137]

I am just starting to knit colorwork. I have knitted fine lace shawls for 40 years and can design them in my sleep, but now that I am retired I wanted to try something new. This is wonderful information and so far beyond my skill level that I have to do a lot more practice on other colorwork techniques before I try this, but I now know where to go when I get to this stage. Thank you so much for this information.

[@acornknits]

Thank you, I'm so happy to hear you found this helpful! Although, I disagree that this would be far beyond your skill level - if you can knit fine lace shawls in your sleep, then you *absolutely* have the skill to knit colourwork! It's just a new technique but I'm confident that you'll easily find your rhythm.

[@sandrasmith2137]

@@acornknits I see lots of swatches being cut in my future. I have always seen fine lace shawl designs in my head but now I am starting to see colorwork patterns there! LOL!!

[@cearamichalowske]

I have no intention of steeking anything anytime soon, but will absolutely be returning to this video in the future when I decide to cross that bridge! Thank you!

[@acornknits]

Awwwh thank you Ceara, that's so lovely of you to say 🥰 When the time comes in the future, I'm sure you'll be pleasantly surprised by how much fun it is! Not to mention addictive too...now I just want to steek all the things! 😅

[@linneawestberg6435]

this is insane. im so exited to get to do it sometime!

[@sandramoran-sx5sf]

Thank you so much that was very helpful. I’m knitting a Norwegian lice sweater with very basic instructions so your video has given me the confidence to carry on! Thank you 😊

[@acornknits]

Thank you for taking the time to let me know this walkthrough was helpful, I'm so happy to hear it! ✨💞🌿

[@dededraper7016]

Love your tutorial. Thank you. And that sweater 😍

[@antonsarossy-christon3162]

Thank you so much for this. I'm knitting the Marius Sweater and the pattern has very little instruction regarding the details you covered in your video, I'm saved thanks to you!

[@acornknits]

That's fantastic, I'm so happy to hear my little video was helpful! Ohhhh a Marius Sweater, they're such beautiful designs. What colours did you choose for yours?

[@antonsarossy-christon3162]

@@acornknits For this one I'm going with the classic: Navy blue body, white pattern, and red at the top. I'm planning to knit another one in other colors since this one is turning out so well!

[@acornknits]

@@antonsarossy-christon3162 Sounds fantastic! I really love the classic navy and white combination but also love seeing people put their own spin on it by using different colour variations.

[@cynthiabroadbent3836]

@@acornknits I've made mine in the opposite. Cream/white as the base and blue as the accent. I have the body and one sleeve finished so far.

[@kibbecapsule7571]

OH MY GOD THANK YOU ❤️ You just answered my most pressing question : "Is it possible to knit a big tube of colorwork in the round and add a nicely shaped collar afterwards?" I could find answers for sleeves, but not so much for the collar. You juste made my idea of a sweater possible 😊

[@acornknits]

YAY!! That's so great to hear 🙌

[@juliemansius9921]

You are a life saver! I knit the same sweater and it’s been in the naughty corner for months because I had no idea what to make of the very basic instructions in the pattern for steeking. I should be able to tackle this next weekend. Thank you!

[@acornknits]

That makes me so happy to hear! I hope it all goes well and you have a blast steeking and assembling your setesdal sweater 💞✂️🧶

[@monkeymind7246]

Is it a pattern that is readily available?

[@Lavendare1023]

Wow! That is not a pattern for me. Knitting Mets Dressmaking. You did a marvellous job. 💐

[@acornknits]

I never thought of it like that, you're absolutely right- it really is knitting crossed with dressmaking! 😅 Thank you so much, it was definitely a lot easier than expected 😇✨

[@Voolenvine]

This was SO well done, Natalia! 👏👏👏 I've yet to steek sleeves so I'm definitely coming back to this video when I decide to tackle a similar pattern 😄 ... also, now I've also got that groovy music stuck in my head. It's so chill -- I love it!

[@acornknits]

Awwwh shucks, thank you! 💞✨😊 I remember you talking about your experience with steeking the Damejakka Loppa and that once you steek your first garment, you'll just want to steek *all the things*. I totally understand what you mean now! 😅

[@seblewongelasrat5785]

Thank you ❤

[@monkeymind7246]

Thank you for a great explanation. Can I ask what wool you used? I am making a jumper with super wash - should I do anything different as it is a super wash? Thanks

[@acornknits]

I used Rauma Garn Finull which is a non-superwash wool yarn and worked wonderfully! But I've steeked with superwash yarns before and it will also work well, you just want to make sure that you reinforce your stitches very well to prevent them from unraveling. A zig-zag stitch on a sewing machine would be perfect to do the job!

[@gromicho]

Thank you so much ❤️

[@acornknits]

You're welcome! I'm so happy you found this helpful 🥰

[@audreyward3693]

This is very helpful, I want to do one for my husband. I don’t have a sewing machine, do you think I could do those steps by hand? Thanks

[@acornknits]

I'm so glad to hear it - you definitely should, they're such a great project! And yes, you absolutely can do this by hand without a sewing machine 😊 Instead of using a sewing machine, you use a crochet hook to do a single crochet reinforcement - I actually did this on another project and it worked so well (the Vair pullover by Gudrun Johnston). The crochet method is more time-consuming but gives a lovely, polished finish. If you search 'crochet reinforcement steek' on KZbin there's a few really helpful tutorials 💖🧶

[@Camperheart482]

Thank you for the Great tutorial 🤗 I just have one question: Have you blocked your sweater before or after steeking? 🙈😅

[@acornknits]

Thank you! 💞 I've steeked several sweaters and I never block them beforehand. I personally prefer to wait until everything is assembled before steeking. Although I think it would be perfectly fine to block the sweater before steeking 😊

[@chin2tog]

Hi There! Thank you for the video it is really helpful! I do have a question though, where do you pick up the front stitches for the collar? Is it in between the two lines that you have sewn? or is it below the two lines (if you're looking at the sweater with the bottom closest to you). Thank you in advance for your help!

[@acornknits]

Thank you! I picked up the stitches for the collar below the two lines that were sewn (if you're looking at the sweater with the bottom closest to you). This is so the lines act as a barrier to prevent any stitches which unravel from where the collar was steeked, from reaching the stitches that are picked up for the collar. I hope that makes sense! ☺️🧶

[@chin2tog]

@@acornknits Thank you SO much! This is perfect! I really appreciate the help and this definitely makes sense! I am working on a design and will definitely put this video as recommended watching!

[@acornknits]

@@chin2tog you're welcome, I'm so happy to hear that it helped. Good luck with the design, I bet it's going to turn out beautifully!

[@catlange]

So there is no way to knit a Norwegian sweater the way you would knit an Icelandic sweater? In the round bottom to top with grafted sleeves? So you can do away with the stressful part of the steeking!😅

[@acornknits]

Oh absolutely, you could definitely adapt this style of pattern so there's no steeking needed. But nothing quite compares to the feeling of cutting into your knitted fabric...terrifying and thrilling 🤣

[@gerikyte3286]

How do you determine how long to cut for the sleeves

[@acornknits]

I use the width of the sleeve to determine how much need I need to cut so the sleeves can be attached. The explanation is between 0:40 to 1:30 - but essentially, if your sleeves are 20 cm wide (when laying flat) then you will need to cut 20cm into the body to attach them. Hope that helps! 😊🌿

[@Grova]

Is it just my phone or is the footage incredibly choppy around the 13 minute mark?

[@acornknits]

Omg you're right, it is super choppy around the 13 minute mark! I'm certain it never used to be like that...so weird 😵‍💫