I'm musing, so if you're an experienced knitter (dutchoma, tamum to name a few) can you tell me

[rantinghousewife]

leafing through a pattern book, I spotted a fair isle top, reading through the instructions, it says that you knit steeks in and then cut it (I followed this bit, I know what steeks are) and then you pick up and knit the edgings on. Now I don't think I'm going to attempt this (not brave enough to start cutting my handiwork), but how does this work? I'm really curious, particularly as it says that you don't have to sew the steeks!
If I ever attempted that, I think the thought of that would bring me out in a cold sweat but, I really want to know how it's done.

lol elizabeth zimmerman once said she had to lie down in a darkened room for an hour after steeking...

am confused though-after steeking you secure the stitches with a machine, yes? So isn't it just like picking up and knitting any other edging?

If you're picking up the steeks, presumably that keeps it safe? Not sure how.

I can't stand the thought of cutting, so even though I'm mad for knitting in the round, I doubt I'll ever do this?

yes, that shetland wool is very sticky. but i did think you had to machine over the steek...

www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring03/FEATsteeks.html has some good general steeking instructions - but they do include machining. I've read other patterns where that step is omitted, with all-wool fuzzy yarns like shetlands, but am not sure I'd be brave enough

HELLLLLLLLLP! I thought I was an experienced knitter (sort of!) but I've never heard for steeks. What on earth are they?

Oh, lots of replies, fantastic.
Littlefish, steeks are extra stitches which you machine and then cut into.
It definitely says in the pattern that there is no need to sew or machine the steeks, which is something I've never seen before. I'm definitely not going to attempt it just now but maybe in the future I might have a go. (And probably take a deep breath before I do!). So I'm guessing (from what you've all said) that it's the properties of the wool that will hold it together.