Cut and secure the front steek. — Mary Jane Mucklestone, Modern Daily Knitting Field Guide No. 17, Lopi
The fear is real!
I don’t think it matters how many times you have knit a sweater that requires steeking, it always is a nerve-racking experience. I mean, take a scissors and cut your knitting? Seriously?
A pullover becomes a cardigan… snip, snip, snip!
And despite the nerves… it is like magic. My previous favored mode for steeking was Ysolda’s method described here. But I am having some fears about having enough yarn to knit the two button bands so I was not willing to waste any on crocheting. And you know what? It just might have won me over! It worked very well!
But those floats! Gah, I just love them!
Said sweater had a little spa treatment after steeking and is drying… sigh. I am hopeful that I will be able to start the button bands today!
But let’s talk about that ribbon, shall we?
Winston’s mom has been sending me links to Etsy shops that had fabric that she thought might be perfect for hats! AND!! One of those shops had ribbon! The ribbon is just luscious! It is not stiff at all, and the colors!! Once I have those button bands done I will be carefully stitching it over the steeked edges. I almost want to wear the sweater inside out so everyone sees this ribbon! LOL
Soon to be hats for Winston!
I tried to patiently wait for my Daytripper to dry, really I did! But I gave in and cast on my Marled Purl Strings! I love how this sweater starts out! Last week Jane asked what my yarn was… it is Holst Garn Coast. If you have not tried knitting with Coast… you should immediately remedy that! It is lovely and it wears beautifully! Just enough cotton to be a summer sweater and just enough wool to hold its shape incredibly well!
Purl Strings No. 2 is underway!
I also want to wind up a skein of Miss Babs Deep Sea Jellyfish sock yarn so I can cast on Carole’s Picot Edge Socks. (Ravelry link, sorry about that!) Anyways, I am in need of a “semi-mindless” knit and these socks are so much fun! Enough to keep your attention but a sock that you don’t have to be focused on every stitch!
The reading this week though!
Vesper Flights by Helen Macdonald
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really enjoyed listening to this book. It is a collection of essays about nature (and us, in a way) I enjoyed Macdonald’s storytelling but I did not always connect with her thoughts. However it is beautifully written and I recommend it!
In the Shelter: Finding a Home in the World by Pádraig Ó Tuama
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
There are some books that seem to have been written for you, this was that book for me. It was exactly what I needed and the words were a balm to my spirit. If you are in need of reassurance in a sea of doubt – read this book. If you are questioning life – read this book. If you are feeling lost – read this book. If you just want to get lost in the beauty of the writing – read this book.
I highly recommend!
The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street by Helene Hanff
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
I really wanted to love this book like I loved 84, Charring Cross Road… but, sadly, I didn’t. I missed the dialog back and forth… though there were funny moments. This is a journal of Helene Hanff’s trip to London… some of which I find incredibly implausible! (I mean who has a hysterectomy and even feels like doing anything, much less a transatlantic trip!) It also made me wince a bit at the embarrassing Americanism in it. (give out my address and phone number because they will buy me dinner… so tacky.) My recommendation is to absolutely read 84, Charring Cross Road but skip this book.
That is all I have for today! What about you? Do you have any book recommendations this week?
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Your Daytripper looks lovely, including the yarn, steek, and that ribbon! When I saw the chicken and chicken wire fabric, I thought you might be making a quilt for Vivi, but I’m anxious to see Winston’s hats and knitting on your Purl Strings. I’ve been on hold for Vesper Flights for ages, and now I’m more anxious to read it, along with Pádraig Ó Tuama’s book. I often have questions, need reassurance, and feel lost, so this book sounds like it might have been written for me, too. I read Duchess this week also, and it was a big disappointment.
Oh! You are doing so much knitting and I love it!! I can’t wait to see that Day Tripper! It’s come together so quickly!
And what a week for reading, too. Thanks for you honesty about the Hanff journal – now I know it’s okay to pass by that one. Enjoy the rest of your week ????
Oh Kat! Your Day Tripper is just gorgeous and that ribbon!!! (It would look great as a patch on some jeans too, just sayin’.) Love the fabrics for Winston’s hats, but I think Viv needs something made out of the chicken fabric!! I got the Duchess book from the library but returned it after reading about 10 pages. I just couldn’t….and I did love 84 Charing Cross Road.
Oo, thanks for the reco on the Coast. I was looking at it this afternoon, wondering what half cotton and half wool is like. I’m thinking a spring / autumn dress.
STEEK! EEK! Looks like you were made for it. Gorgeous knitting and pretty fabrics for little W!!!
That ribbon is truly spectacular! It’ll be such a great touch to an already-beautiful sweater. Have you ever done button bands before cutting the steek? I want to try that one of these days. I also want to try out Coast for a sweater one day, but I need to knit through much more of my stash first.
I love Coast! The Yarnery here in St. Paul stocks every color. That ribbon is perfect. Just finished reading Long Bright River by Liz Moore. It was recommended by a friend, and I really was moved by it. I thought it was about despair, disinvestment and sisterly love. Then I saw it described as a thriller. Hmmm. Two thumbs up.
That ribbon will be perfect with your Daytripper. I’ve never knit a sweater with a steak but this might be the one that pushes me into it!
This post has the delight of Christmas morning to me!
Yay for the steek! and that ribbon 🙂 I can’t wait to see how all that fabric turns into a hat (or two, or three?) for Winston!
Lovely projects, all, Kat. I’ll look forward to seeing the hats for Winston! (Your fabrics are all so cute — but that’s . . . a LOT of hats!!!!) And steeks are pure magic. (I’ve only done one, and it was nervewrackingAF, but it worked out beautifully.)
Oh that ribbon is the perfect finishing touch for that Day Tripper. I have never done a steek but it is on my list. My sister has done several and has promised to hold my hand while I cut my knitting. I have two skeins of Coast in my stash just so I could give it a try. Until you mentioned the yarn, I forgot they were there. Ha. I would like to read O Tauma’s book. I felt the same way about Vesper Flights. I thought the essay construction and writing was beautiful but sometimes her ideas didn’t match my own.