Steeking might be seen as the Final Frontier by some knitters, but there are times you just have to take a Leap of Faith!

Grab your high-wool-content yarn and give it a try! At least half the test knitters who worked on this project were first time steekers, and although a couple admitted to having heart palpitations while making the cut, every single project came out beautifully. Video links showing 2 options for working the crochet steek reinforcement as well as a link to a fantastic steeking tutorial written by Kate Davies will give you all the information (and probably much more!) that you need to know.

Worked in fingering-weight yarn, this sweater is a nice layering piece for winter, and it will double as a spring or fall jacket. Pick a yarn you love, because this versatile piece will quickly become a wardrobe favorite!

This pattern will be an enjoyable knit for any “intermediate” or better knitter.

Techniques include:
Working in the round
Simple cabling
Grafting (top of hood)
Picking up stitches (around arm holes to work the short-row sleeves, and around the neckline to begin the hood)
Three-needle-bind-off (seaming shoulders)
Whip-stitching the steeked edge into place
Sewing in a zipper (although this would also make a lovely open-front cardigan if you’re not into sewing zippers)
Working a slip stitch or single crochet chain (or machine stitching) to reinforce the steek before cutting.

A detailed schematic makes this sweater easy to modify if you tend to not fit the “standard” set of measurements.

Materials needed:

1910 (2015, 2122, 2282, 2444, 2600, 2736, 2854, 2967) yds
fingering-weight yarn. Blue sample pictured was made from
Three Irish Girls Adorn Sock Yarn 80% merino / 20% nylon 430
yds / 100g skein Because it is steeked, high wool content is
recommended, but superwash yarn works fine. (Most of the test knitted samples were done in superwash)
US Size 3 / 3.25mm circular needle
Set of five dpns, US Size 3 / 3.25mm
Set of four dpns, US Size 2 needle / 2.75 mm (or 1 size smaller
than main needle size, for sleeve ribbing only)
5 stitch markers
1 separating zipper 24 (24, 24, 26, 26, 26, 26, 28 28)” in length
cable needle
yarn needle
Size 2 / B crochet hook (for crochet steek reinforcement)

Please check out the gorgeous projects completed by the fantastic testers who worked on this project: ShelbyWoo, tatacharlotte, Alibeee, Yarn-dar, kyorei, & iammo, Thanks so much, ladies! You are the best!