What Is Steeking?
Steeking is a technique where you knit a piece in the round and later cut it to create openings (e.g., the front of a cardigan).
In the Daingean Cardigan workshop we include full video tutorials to guide you through the process safely and confidently. We’ll support you right through the thrilling steeking process.
Exploring Steeking
Carol’s recent colourwork class in Barcelona inspired her to explore new steek techniques, leading to the eye-catching Daingean Cardigan.
The steek she used on the fingerless mitts for her class was a crochet steek that used single crochet, which can be a little bulky.
In this cardigan, she plays with a slip stitch crochet chain that is much more streamlined but holds the stitches beautifully.
And if your a curious knitter, Carol also demonstrates a felted steek option!
Modify The Cardigan To Fit Your Style
If you can already knit colourwork and want a new challenge the Daingean cardigan will not only allow you to learn how to steek, but also walk you through some body and sleeve modifications options for a tailored-to-you fit.
You can knit your cardigan with either short or long sleeves, making it your perfect wardrobe staple for your style.
Plus, you will have three different waist shaping options to choose from!
What's included in the workshop?
- Daingean Cardigan | Casting On & Joining In Round (4:42)
- Daingean Cardigan | First Increase Round & Short Rows (6:10)
- Daingean Cardigan | Chart Overview & Colourwork Basics (6:54)
- Daingean Cardigan | Increases in Chart & Trying on Cardigan (4:03)
- Daingean Cardigan | Working Increases - Round 23 (2:56)
- Daingean Cardigan | Trapping Floats (3:07)
- Daingean Cardigan | Lifted Increases (RLI) on Inc Round 2 (3:16)
- Daingean Mitts | Chart Overview & Casting On Bridge (5:46)
- Daingean Mitts | Working Colourwork Inside Out (2:47)
- Daingean Mitts | Binding Off Thumb Bridge Stitches (3:47)
- Daingean Mitts | Crochet Steek (5:47)
- Daingean Mitts | Cutting Steek (1:17)
- Daingean Mitts | Picking up Thumb Hole Stitches (3:34)
- Daingean Mitts | Working I-Cord Thumbhole Opening (2:25)
- Daingean Mitts | Whip Stitching Edge of Steek (1:58)
Pattern Reviews
"If you haven't done colourwork or steeking, then this is the project to try them out."
-Janda G.
"As usual, the pattern is very clear and easy to follow. Have to say I’m anxious/nervous about the steeking, but will soldier on and know help is there if I need it!"
-Kathy B.
Daingean Cardigan Pattern Information
SIZES
To Fit Actual Bust Circumference Up To: 32.75 (36, 38.75, 42, 44.75, 48, 50.75, 54, 56.75, 60.75)” / 83 (91.5, 98.5, 106.5, 113.5, 122, 129, 137, 144, 154.5) cm
2 – 4” / 5 – 10 cm of positive ease recommended.
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Bust Circumference: 35 (38.25, 41, 44.25, 47, 50.25, 53, 56.25, 59, 63)” / 89 (97, 104, 112.5, 119.5, 127.5, 134.5, 143, 150, 160) cm buttoned
Size 38.25” / 97 cm modelled with 3.25”/ 8 cm positive ease.
Length from Back of Neck 23 (23.25, 23.75, 24, 24.25, 24.75, 25, 25.5, 25.75, 26.25)” / 58.5 (59, 60.5, 61, 61.5, 63, 63.5, 65, 65.5, 66.5) cm, not including neckband
YARN
Stolen Stitches ‘Nua Sport’ (60% Merino, 20% Yak, 20% Linen, 153 yds / 140 m per 1.8 oz / 50 g); colours:
MC: Mosquito Coast (9801)
Long Sleeve Version: 8 (9, 9, 10, 10, 11, 11, 12, 13, 14) skeins
Short Sleeve Version: 6 (6, 7, 7, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10, 10) skeins
CC: Cerebellum (9817) 1 skein
Approximate Yardage:
MC, Long Sleeve Version: 1170 (1241, 1338, 1424, 1493, 1587, 1683, 1814, 1896, 2010) yds / 1071 (1135, 1224, 1303, 1366, 1452, 1540, 1660, 1735, 1839) m
MC, Short Sleeve Version: 841 (862, 937, 1007, 1067, 1155, 1224, 1328, 1396, 1500) yds / 770 (789, 858, 921, 976, 1057, 1120, 1215, 1277, 1372) m
CC: 104 (106, 108, 110, 114, 116, 122, 125, 126, 128) yds / 95 (98, 98, 100, 104, 106, 111, 114, 115, 117)
NEEDLES & NOTIONS
US size 4 / 3.5 mm circular needles, 32-40” / 80-100 cm long for St St
US size 4 / 3.5 mm dpns if magic loop not used for sleeves for St St
US size 5 / 3.75 mm circular needles, 32-40” / 80-100 cm for colourwork
US size 5 / 3.75 mm dpns if magic loop not used for sleeves for colourwork
Always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed, as every knitter’s gauge is unique.
Tapestry needle, waste yarn, markers, 9 (9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 10, 10, 10, 10) buttons 0.75” / 20 mm diameter.
GAUGE
24 sts and 32 rnds = 4″ / 10 cm in St St blocked with smaller needles
24 sts and 30 rnds = 4″ / 10 cm in Stranded Colourwork blocked with larger needles.

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Meet Your Teacher
Carol Feller trained initially as a textile artist and then as a structural engineer. While both of these backgrounds are very different the influences can be seen in her design work which is well-shaped, flattering to wear and enjoyable to knit.
She strives to design clothing with a difference: not overly complex, but still giving a very unique end product. She likes to work with different construction methods, so long as they enhance the knitting experience and make for a more intuitively put-together knitted item.
Carol has been widely published in books and magazine and travels the world teaching in yarn shops and fibre festivals. The classes she teaches cover a wide range of subjects from cables and chart reading, through garment shaping and customisation right through to short rows and colourwork. In her classes you'll move from learning the basics to refining your knitting skills and fixing problems.
Want a Yarn Kit For Your Cardigan?
We are offering two yarn options for this knit:
Stolen Stitches 'Nua Sport' - The yarn is a blend of merino, yak and linen. The smooth stitch definition of this yarn makes it a dream to knit colourwork with. It lies very smoothly even before it’s blocked!
Studio Donegal 'Darnie' - This option is going to be what we knit the summer top version in, as it’s a better yarn combination for warm weather knits being 55% wool and 45% cotton. (There is a possibility that you will have to knit it a bit more loosely to get gauge, so don’t skip the gauge square!)
Browse our yarn kits using the links below!👇
Can I Use A Different Yarn?
Yes of course you can!
The sample cardigan was knit in Nua Sport because it is excellent for colourwork and steeking.
However, you can substitute with a similar yarn that meets gauge and has a good stitch definition. Just be sure to swatch and block your yarn before starting.
Looking for More?
Browse our Learn-to-Knit Project Workshops below. Each one has different tips and techniques to help
build your knitting skills. From cables to colourwork, you'll find something new in each course.