steektype

Steektype is a term occasionally found in knitwear design and textile discourse to describe a proposed typology for categorizing how steek openings are implemented in knitted garments. The word appears to combine steek—a technique in which extra fabric is added along a seam or center line to allow cutting a piece knitted in the round—with type, indicating a classification scheme. There is no widely adopted standard definition, and steektype discussions typically appear in pattern notes, designer blogs, or forum discussions rather than formal reference works.

A steektype would, in principle, distinguish attributes such as the location and orientation of the steek, the finishing method used after cutting, and the way the steek interacts with colorwork or patterning. Practical differentiators might include whether the steek runs along a center line or an edge, how the cut edge is reinforced (for example by secure stitching or crochet techniques), and how the steek affects gauge and drape.

As a concept, steektype is primarily of interest for pattern documentation, archival clarity, and design communication. If adopted, a standardized scheme could aid knitters in reproducing patterns and designers in comparing construction methods.

See also: Steek; Knitting; Textile terminology.

References: No formal, widely recognized definition exists; references are limited to niche knitting resources and designer notes.