After a test cut with my test swatch, I decided to go balls to the wall and cut the unreinforced V-neck steek for my tweed sweater.
Me: (Scissors in one hand, sweater in the other) This is going to be a little scary!
David: (Absorbed in his puzzle) Mmm-hmm. So you're going to cut your sweater. (Chuckles at his joke.)
Me: (Beginning to cut.) Yep!
David: WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?
Me: I'm cutting the V-neck for my sweater.
David: YOU CAN'T JUST CUT YOUR SWEATER!
Me: It's called steeking.
David. Oh sure. Just because it has a name, you can do it?!
Fortunately, everything turned out well.
PS. Thank you SO MUCH for all of your good thoughts and kind words! I teared up a lot reading through my comment e-mails. My Dad is still in the hospital, kind of in a holding pattern for now. It's likely he'll need to have surgery again, but we have to wait until the necessary staff gets back from their long weekend. This is really frustrating, but there isn't much that can be done.
The Yarn Harlot had a post awhile ago about not really thinking of herself as a "capital K Knitter" because she had never steeked. I believe she was forced to fortify herself with intoxicating substances the first time. So well done! It looks great.
Take care of yourself. We're all still sending good thoughts your way.
Posted by: Ariel | September 01, 2007 at 11:12 PM
Wow, you are so brave! The V looks perfect. Keeping good thoughts for your dad.
Posted by: kim | September 01, 2007 at 11:36 PM
RFLOL....
Oh my goodness. I don't know if my David would respond that way but he is normally absorbed in puzzles whilst I knit away.
The sweater looks like it is going to be awesome.
I am not sure if I qualify as a K knitter, since the only thing I have steeked was dog sweater leg holes in Noro.
Posted by: chrispy | September 02, 2007 at 12:11 AM
I'm so sorry for the frustration you must be feeling at the moment. It's Father's Day here today - you and your dad are in my thoughts. x
Posted by: Nora | September 02, 2007 at 12:26 AM
You are much better than I! I don't want to be a Knitter yet if that's what I have to do.
Posted by: Ebony | September 02, 2007 at 06:03 AM
it looks *so* great! i love the shape of the V. nice going on the steeking. i haven't steeked yet myself, so i'm curious what exactly you did. it looks so nice and tidy.
did you start the sleeves? i think i might see them in the far back of the pic up there...
Posted by: jody | September 02, 2007 at 07:01 AM
It looks fabulous! I've still never steeked...I wonder what my husband would have to say about the prospect of me cutting my knitting? I think he's probably prepared to accept just about anything I say when it comes to knitting, though!
Posted by: whitney | September 02, 2007 at 08:43 AM
Great job on the steeking! I haven't tried it yet. I'm a little scared! And glad to hear that your dad is holding his own.
Posted by: Linda | September 02, 2007 at 08:58 AM
I chuckled at David's joke too! I admire your bravery - I think I shall stay a small "k" knitter forevah! I cannot imagine steeking - yikes! It looks great though - but even so - small "k" here!:)
I'm continuing think about you and your family. Take care - hope everything goes smoothly once the weekend is over and your dad is able to move on to the next step of recovery.
Posted by: stacey | September 02, 2007 at 09:50 AM
That sounds like exactly what my husband would say! lol!
Posted by: Jess | September 02, 2007 at 12:16 PM
It's a long training process ;) Still wishing for good things to come your dad's way, and you too {{hugs}}
Posted by: Carol | September 02, 2007 at 08:50 PM
You're in the Marines of knitters now that you've steeked. That takes balls to cut your knitting! Still sending good thoughts your Dad's way. Hang in there.
Posted by: Kim | September 03, 2007 at 12:27 AM
ooh, congrats! and the stress was worth it, too -- the sweater is super, super cute. :)
Posted by: pamela wynne | September 03, 2007 at 04:37 PM
Brava! The sweater and V-neck look great! I enjoy surprising M; I'm glad you got to surprise David.
Keeping your Dad in my thoughts and prayers.
Posted by: Brenda | September 03, 2007 at 10:01 PM
brave! taking scissors to knitting is never easy! it looks great though - can't wait to see a FO shot!!!!
glad to hear your dad is stable.....
Posted by: stacey | September 04, 2007 at 07:32 AM
I'm glad the steeking goes well. I think cutting your knitting is scary, but oddly theraputic...
My thoughts and hopes are with you and your dad and your family right now...I know how hard it is when someone you love is sick.
Posted by: Arianne | September 04, 2007 at 08:23 AM
It looks great Kristy! Very brave of you. And is it just me, or does David's comment remind you of something Ron would say to Hermione? Or maybe I'm just going through Harry Potter withdrawal...
Posted by: Sara | September 04, 2007 at 11:14 AM
Just catching up with bloglines. Have been back and forth to the lake twice and sick twice in the last 6 weeks. - Has wreaked havoc with my blogarithm.
Blogarithm: Process by which you figure out how many posts you have to read every day, and how often you have to post in order to stay current.
Will hold your dad in prayers for healing...
Blessings!
Posted by: Susan Pandorf | September 04, 2007 at 11:35 AM
Ha ha! Good for David, you've trained him to appreciate the sacred integrity of knitted fabric. ;-) He must have thought you were completely nuts when you cut into that steek!
The neckline looks great, by the way.
Posted by: Beth S. | September 04, 2007 at 03:19 PM
Ack!!!! You're cutting it?!! You are a braver and more talented woman than me!
Hope all goes well for your Dad.
Posted by: tiennie | September 04, 2007 at 10:21 PM
LOL! Gotta love it when boys finally wake up and realize what's going on around them. :)
Posted by: Jessica | September 05, 2007 at 02:53 PM
Hoo boy! Well done you brave, brave soul!
Posted by: Jean | September 06, 2007 at 05:21 PM