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NEEDLES & KNITS

WOOL SHOP

Machine-Sewn Fair Isle Steeking

6/17/2014

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Tove is pulling the knitting apart in order to expose the stitches to the machine seam.
Why Steeking?
Steeking is used with Fair Isle knitting, by adding extra stitches (5 extra is common) while knitting in the round. The three stitches in the middle are used for reinforcing with a sewing machine, using very small stitch length and stitch one and five are used for seam allowances, or picking up stitches or whatever the  pattern calls for.  It is much easier and faster to knit Fair Isle in the round as opposed to knitting flat – it is much more cumbersome and time consuming to purl in Fair Isle.There are also other ways of steeking without a sewing machine, such as crochet steeking and others.
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Diagram from Sandnes Uldvarefabrik
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Here is the beginning of the arm hole. The machine seam has already reinforced the knitting. (The picture does not clearly show the machine stitches)
Here is the actual cutting of the steek. Starting from the bottom of the arm hole, use sharp scissors to slowly cut up the middle of the steek column.
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Cutting!!!!
The finished steeking of the arm hole is shown here. The edges are now secure and are ready to pick up stitches.
Video of Tove picking up stitches near the cut edge for the arm hole band.
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The finished  vest - arm hole and neck line were steeked. Sumbo was not sure how she wanted the neckline shaped, so it was knitted straight up and steeked later.
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Basted neckline
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Cut neckiline
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Rowan Easter Chicks

4/7/2014

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We would like you to meet Ernie and Esther, the Easter chickens.  Tove and Lorri knit these for Easter and thought you might like to as well. The pattern by Janice Anderson is free on the Rowan website and can be found at knitrowan.com. This pattern is a great way to use up leftover yarn and have some fun at the same time!

Since Tove and Lorri both hate sewing up (really who doesn't?), they knit their chickens on the round and started with 15 stitches and divided the stitches equally onto double pointed needles and increased accordingly.  Tove's chicken, Esther, the solid yellow one, was knit in Rowan Baby Merino Silk DK,688 Sunshine, gauge: 26 stitches = 36 rows.  Lorri knit Ernie the multicoloured taller chicken, on leftover sock yarn Fabel Print Drops 903 yellow/pink, gauge: 26 stitches = 34 rows. This pattern is a great way to use up leftover yarn and have some fun at the same time! Don't forget to send us pictures of your Earnie and Esthers!
Happy Easter everyone and enjoy the chocolate bunnies!


Be sure to check out the Gallery of finished projects from our Needles and Knits Customers for more inspirations and ideas!

Be sure to check out May's blog on Steeking.  Tove will be steeking a beautiful Rowan fair isle vest knit by Sumbo. Here are some pictures of her vest that will be steeked. 

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Rowan Yarn

3/21/2014

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This month we are very excited to share with you, the Rowan line that can be purchased at Needles & Knits. If there is a Rowan yarn you would like that is not in stock, it can be ordered and shipped quickly.  Currently in stock at Needles & Knits you can find:
* Drift
* Kidsilk Haze Glamour
* Kidsilk Haze Trio
* Pure Wool Worsted
* Baby Merino Silk DK
* Pure Life Revive
* Kidsilk Creation
* Wool Cotton 4 Ply
* Fine Art Sock Yarn
* Creative Linen

Needles & Knits also sells many of the Rowan Pattern books that have some absolutely stunning patterns to be knit or crocheted.  The staff at Needles & Knits can help you find a particular Rowan pattern or help you choose a Rowan yarn for any pattern you select.

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Come into Needles & Knits to see the beautiful texture, softness and colours of these yarns. 

Just in time for summer knitting is Creative Linen and Wool Cotton 4 Ply.  Creative Linen is 50% linen and 50 % cotton and it comes in 20 colours that are perfect for your spring and summer knitting patterns.  Download PDF Shade Card. It comes in 100g balls and the yardage is 200m/219y.  Knit on 4 ½ mm needles, the tension is 21 sts = 28 rows. 

One of our favourites because of its versatility is Pure Wool Worsted which is a soft, 100% wool that is machine washable worsted weight yarn.  It comes in 50 beautiful vibrant shades ranging from soft neutrals to brights and deep darks. Download PDF Shade Card. A 100g ball has a yardage of 200m/209y which is excellent and a tension of 20 stitiches = 25 rows on 4 ½ mm needles.

Here are some Rowan patterns knit with Pure Wool Worsted.


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Rowan Alba
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Rowan Volendam
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Rowan Sandrift
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Fine Art Rowan Sock Yarn
Another beautiful yarn ideal for lace stitch knitting is Kidsilk Haze Glamour.  It is a fine lightweight glamourous yarn made from a blend of superkid mohair, silk and a thread of sequins.  The sequins make it ideal for evening or dressy wear and adds just that bit of sparkle to any project.

The yarn weight is 25 g with a yardage of 162m/177y; the tension is 18- 25 sts = 23 – 24 rows on a 2 ¾ - 4 ½ mm needle.

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It comes in 8 lovely shades as shown below.
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The Stellar Wrap and Glisten Gloves are both knit in the Kidsilk Haze Glamour and are Rowan patterns.
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Rowan Stellar Wrap
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Rowan Glisten Gloves
Baby Merino Silk DK is a luxury yarn that Rowan has developed specifically for babies.  It is a machine washable blend of merino wool and silk and is wonderfully soft.  It comes in 28 beautiful shades that range from mid tone brights to soft neutrals. 
Download PDF Shade Card. Here are some Rowan patterns that have been knit in Baby Merino Silk DK.


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Walnut
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Apricot
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Marta
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Kipling
The yarn ball weight is 50g and the yardage is 135m/147y; tension is 22 sts = 30 rows on 4 mm needles.

Last but not least, is the Rowan Fine Art sock yarn made of 45% merino wool, 20% kid mohair, 10% mulberry silk and 25% polyamide.  It is great for knitting socks, shawls and other accessories.   


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A 100g ball has a yardage of 400m/437y; tension of 32 sts + 42 rows on  2 ½ - 3 mm needles.  It comes in 14 beautiful shades Download PDF Shade Card

Once your projects are done, please send us a picture to ( email address to be decided  ) with the yarn used, pattern name and your first name.  We put all projects knit with yarn purchased from Needles and Knits on the website under "Gallery".

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  • Welcome
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