So Steek’n Simple is the project for you if you’ve always wanted to try steeking (cutting into your knitted fabric) but were afraid to try (and who isn’t?). Mohair yarn is the fiber to choose for steeking because it clings to itself with a nearly unbreakable bond. As a result, all your cut ends really don’t want to go anywhere but where you tell them to stay.

So what’s the benefit of steeking this project? The body of the shawl can be knit in the round, avoiding any nasty purl stitches. And, you can change colors as often as you like because all those yarn ends will be cut away. So go ahead and go crazy with multi-colored stripes!

This pattern makes either a shawl or a scarf. Start out with a scarf and if you have more yarn and more ambition, keep going until you hit shawl width.

So Steek’n Simple is a great project to use up any scraps of silk and mohair lace weight yarn you may have about the house. What if you don’t have any? Buy a couple different colors and knit simple repeating stripes, or work the ribbing in a different color than the body, like the gray and black scarf.

Skills Needed to Successfully Complete This Pattern: cast on, knit, purl, work in ribbing, knit through back loop, bind off, steek (tutorial included)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Scarf: 7” wide by 64” long
Shawl: 22” wide by 64” long

MATERIALS
Scarf: 364 yds/330 m (50 g)
Shawl: 835 yds/760 m (90 g)
of a lace weight 70% mohair/30% silk blend yarn

US #5 needle, wood preferred
3 stitch markers
Scissors, tapestry needle

GAUGE
17 sts and 28 rows = 4”/10 cm in circular stockinette stitch
Matching row gauge not crucial for this pattern, but variation will change yarn requirements.