Why you'll love it

Learn to steek with confidence in this hands-on knitting workshop! Master how to safely cut your knitting, reinforce steeks, and finish edges like a pro. Perfect for tackling colourwork cardigans and seamless shaping.

Cut with Confidence: A Beginner's Guide to Steeking

Welcome to the wonderful world of steeking—an exciting and transformative technique that opens up new possibilities in your knitting journey!

If you’ve ever marvelled at the clean fronts of colour work cardigans or wondered how knitters manage such seamless shaping, this workshop is your next exciting step. Steeking allows you to knit complex patterns entirely in the round—no more purling back and forth—then cut (yes, cut!) into your fabric to create openings for armholes, necklines, or cardigan fronts. It sounds daring, but with the right guidance, it’s absolutely doable—and incredibly empowering.

In this 2-hour hands-on class, you’ll gain the skills and confidence to reinforce and cut your knitting like a pro. Spaces are limited, so bring your curiosity, your courage, and a trusty pair of scissors—let’s conquer the cut together!

What You'll Learn:

This class will guide you through the essential steps of steeking:
•    Choosing the right materials: Understand the different behaviours of different yarns and how they can affect your steek.
•    Reinforcing your work: Discover the different ways to reinforce your steek including the crochet method and the sewn method.
•    Making the cut: Learn how to cut your knitting safely so that it doesn't unravel or spoil your work.
•    Finishing the edges for a professional look: Look at different finishing techniques so you can decide which ones work best for your projects.

Class Highlights:

  • Bring your pre-knitted swatch (see below), and together we'll tackle this empowering technique by actually cutting your own knitting.
  • A supportive environment where you can ask questions and get expert advice.
  • Tips and tricks so you can steek like a pro!
Skills Needed

Suitable for anyone who has already learned stranded colourwork (eg. Fair Isle). Some basic crochet experience would be useful but not essential.

What To Bring
  • You will need to prepare a specific swatch as homework. This will be the swatch you will steek in class. The full instructions and the chart are in the homework sheet on this page, under Class Prep – download it and print the chart before you start.
  • a contrasting coloured yarn; the same weight or thinner than the yarn you used to knit your sample. You will use this to crochet your steek.
  • the knitting needles you used to knit the sample. You will use these to pick up stitches for a faux button band.
  • sharp scissors: embroidery scissors work well but sewing scissors are also good.
  • crochet hook: the same size or one size smaller than the knitting needles you used to make the swatch.
  • some left over yarn from your swatch
  • a sewing needle and some cotton thread

Here are some we have in stock:

KnitPro Zing Fixed Circular Needles
KnitPro Zing Single Pointed Needles
KnitPro Zing Double Pointed Needles
Skein Sisters Curvy Mini Scissors
Class Prep

Your steeking sample swatch to be knit before class:

For your first attempt at steeking Linda recommends choosing a wool yarn (preferably non-superwash but this is not absolutely necessary) in two highly contrasting colours. The sampler (pictured) was designed for DK weight yarn (8ply) although you can use any weight of yarn. If you choose a yarn lighter than DK, say a single strand of fingering weight (4ply), then add a few extra repeats (the pattern has multiples of 8 stitches) so the total size of the sample is at least 20cm around.

Ensure you use the needle size recommended for your yarn. You are looking to achieve a firm gauge/tension. (A good yarn option to consider would be BC Garn Loch Lomond, an organic pure wool DK/8ply tweed yarn).

Instructions for class homework (to be completed before the class):
Using the main colour, you will cast on 53 stitches and knit the complete Fair Isle chart (in the homework sheet below) in the round. Bind off all stitches. Wet block and dry your swatch.

Download the homework sheet and chart (PDF)

If you need to purchase materials on the day of your class please arrive 20 minutes early and we’ll help you with your selection.

You’ll receive a 10% discount on any yarn, notions and book purchases you make in store on the day.

Class Location

721 New Canterbury Road, Dulwich Hill, NSW 2203

(Get Directions)

Store Accessibility

  • The main shop is accessible to all.
  • The double doors on New Canterbury Road allow for flat access to the shop.

Parking

  • There is plenty of all-day and two-hour parking around Skein Sisters. 
  • Parking along New Canterbury Road, directly outside the shop, allows for access to the shop for those using wheelchairs or disability scooters. 

Public Transport

  • We are a 10-minute walk from Hurlstone Park train station, as well as Dulwich Grove Light Rail station. Buses also run along New Canterbury Road past the shop.
  • See our Contact Us page for more information. 
Cancellation

You can cancel a class booking...

  • Up to 7 days before the class – you are able to cancel and receive a full refund.
  • 7 days – 72 hours before the class – we are able to offer a credit but we cannot guarantee a full refund unless another booking fills your spot.
  • Less than 72 hours before the class – no credit or refund available.

Class Terms & Conditions

Full payment is required prior to the start of the class to confirm your spot.

Minimum numbers – All classes require a minimum of three people in order to go ahead and, depending on the class, a maximum of ten. If your class or workshop does not have the minimum number of students, the class will be postponed and you will be notified within three days of the class date if it has been cancelled or changed. We cannot be held liable for travel or any other costs in the event of a cancellation.

If your class is postponed or cancelled you can use the amount paid to transfer to another event/activity, use it as a store credit, or be issued a full refund.

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