While I am a passionate crocheter and will jump, with enthusiasm, into any new crochet technique, I am more tentative when it comes to knitting.  One knitting technique that sounds almost like magic is steeking. Steeking requires knitting a project, such as a cardigan, in the round. Then you cut through your knitted stitches. This technique would turn what looking like a pullover,  because it was knitted in the round, into a cardigan. I would be afraid the entire project and hours of work would unravel.

But crochet to the rescue! Did you know that crochet is frequently used to reinforce the stitches before steeking, making them safe to cut.

If you are a knitter and crocheter and want to try steeking, check out this great free article from Interweave Knits detailing the process.

Steeks: Cutting the Edge

Crocheted Crochet steek reinforcements firmly bind together the sides of two adjacent stitch columns to hold the cut ends securely in place. The method is ideal for sticky or smooth animal fibers still at relatively dense gauges: the applied binding adds security even to yarns that don't felt readily, but it relies on a firm base fabric to stay in place. Crocheted steeks are not suitable for plant fibers or for superwash wools, since the base fabric must have some natural cling. More . . .

Best wishes,