I'm such a wimp

[redhedlvr2]

I really want to get the Falling Stars Kit from Knitpicks.  I'm also terrified of doing steeks but feel compelled to buy the kit NOW because they might sell out.  Talk about pressure.   I know me, though.  Taking on new projects that are over my head is a bad habit  This sweater is just too pretty to have sit unfinished and collect dust.  So I need to get over my steek fear.  Has anyone on my flist made things with steeks?  I saw this technique, which is very pretty, but I have flashbacks to putting that zipper in my grandson's sweater a few years ago which are rather alarming.

Comments

[henrycat.livejournal.com]

I made my first steeked item (http://www.dawnbrocco.com/patterns/zippedup.html) a few years ago, and found the idea of steeks quite scary despite having knitted for over 30 years. After reading Eunny Jang's (http://www.eunnyjang.com/knit/2006/01/steeking_chronicles_the_should.html) series of blog posts about steeking I ended up using the hand-sewn steek. You also could consider using the crocheted steek since your sweater is finer gage yarn. What I liked about the hand-sewn steek is that it seemed to let me have more control than using the sewing machine, plus the steek was stretchier.

The main thing is not to worry about the steek unravelling when you cut it. The yarn you're going to use is quite "sticky" and it almost doesn't need a sewn edge to the steek. I used Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride and the cut edges haven't unraveled a bit, really.

[redhedlvr.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the links. I did see eunnyjang's blog, but I was at work and didn't have a lot of time to spend on it.

Knowing myself and the way I knit, I agree that using a hand stitch will be the best way to go and lay off the caffiene that day, hee he. Also, I have lots of wool left over from the various shawls I'm knitting, I think it will be a similar gauge, and I'll just do up a test swatch to get the feel for it.

I went ahead and ordered it, because, I'm going to make it work! Power of positive thinking and all, right?

Thanks for the tips.

[redhedlvr.livejournal.com]

I meant to add but hit post instead, that tunic is fantastic! I'll bet it had tons of those pesky charts, right?

[henrycat.livejournal.com]

It was a lot of fun to knit and not as complicated as it might look. I made it in the "old sage" color of Lamb's Pride, and it's wonderfully soft and warm. One thing that's amazing about Lamb's Pride is that it doesn't seem to pill at all. I think the mohair helps with that as it's such a long fiber.

Yes, the pattern had charts which I like to use (am very visual) but it also had the directions completely written out.

[perclexed.livejournal.com]

Go for it. I mean, you're interested, it's a good price, and it's not like you have to knit it right now. Yes, it may take a bit of time to work up to the skill level and/or steeking, but I think you can.

I haven't personally done it, but have a cardigan kit that will require it. It'll take ages to knit, as it's done on US 1s or something like that, but I know it will be amazing once complete.

Also, let me ask you this. Will you regret it if you DON'T get it now?

[redhedlvr.livejournal.com]

I ordered it. And a few extra balls of wool for increased bust and length. And some of those Harmony needles. You know, free shipping if your order is over $50! hee he

Anyway, yes, this will take a while. The instructions call for a US size 2, but I think the most difficult and time consuming part will be the stranded yoke. The SCARY part, of course, will be the actual cutting. Things are going so well with the shawl that I'm really in a knitting grove. The shawl is for Eldest Daughter. The sweater is all mine!

Thanks for the support.

[perclexed.livejournal.com]

I really like the Harmony wood needles. I am very, VERY thankful I bought a set of interchangeables a few years ago. I had to rebuy a few tips when the size I needed had wandered off somewhere, but they've more than paid for themselves.

And YAY GO YOU! I think you'll really enjoy this project. Is it knit bottom up or top down? If you're not sure about the stranded, do a pair of easy stranded mittens to start. I'm about to cast on a pair of Norwegian ones for the rav Stranded group KAL for fall. Well, I'll cast on when I have a couple other projects completed. But that'll get you used to the stranded on something small and finite before you get to the yoke. or even a pair of wristlets if mittens are too much of a pain.

Honestly though, just going slowly and making sure I took frequent breaks got me through my first mitten, as well as the Bohus wristlet. I need to finish the second of each, but I'll ge tto them. Some day.

This entire comment meandered. Short version - go you. Yay knitting!

[redhedlvr.livejournal.com]

I did a stranded project the same year of the infamous zippered hoodie for my grandson. It was a top down, yoke just like this on, only I made it for one of the grandkiddies. I'll have to snag a quick pic someday soon. My main issue with that project was, yep you guessed it, CHARTS! I just couldn't wrap my head around the idea of have a blacked out square on the instructions that meant nothing. "Just go on about your knitting and don't mind me. It's been lovely having you glare at me though." hee he

I think I get more anxious when I'm making something for myself, which I don't do often and I really want this to turn out nice. First I have to finish the shawl and resist the temptaion to start the sweater when it comes in. Which is another reason I order by snail mail. It gives me time to put projects in a fair priority and not just have five things going at once.