Eek! A steek!
October 27, 2008
A crocheted steek (don't judge my crochet "skills") (it looked right anyway)(Don't judge my photography skills either).
I'd duly crocheted the three center stitches of the steek....then abandoned Mary Tudor again. (I admit, the idea of cutting my knitting so that it's basically turned to spaghetti was hard to do). (That and Joan aka The Fairy Godknitter sent me that beaded scarf and then I got some Veronica yarn from La of Dizzy Blonde yarns......I'm only human. And I have to work.)
Sometime Sunday afternoon, I thought to myself, "This is ridiculous. " (Actually, I said it out loud. I have a tendency to talk to myself. Thank God for cellphones. No one notices anymore.)
And then I picked up a pair of thread scissors and cut the steek. (it did occurr to me about halfway through that I really should have used my GOOD scissors and not closest pair, but then it wouldn't be me.)
And if I didn't take truly awful pictures, you could see that the second picture's top portion is a cut sleeve steek with a little bit of crocheted edge peeking out and a few rows knit on the sleeve , next to the unsteeked sleeve.
I'm not sure that clicking on it and making it bigger will help see it, but feel free to do so and oooh and ahhhh over it. Please.
From Mommy Brain:(who is also a Carrie K)
Your result for What Your Taste in Art Says About You Test ...
Conscientious, Fulfilled, and Spiritual
23 Renaissance, 8 Islamic, -3 Ukiyo-e, -24 Cubist, -26 Abstract and -11 Impressionist!
The Renaissance was a cultural movement that profoundly affected European intellectual life. Beginning in Italy, and spreading to the rest of Europe by the 16th century, its influence affected literature, philosopy, religion, art, politics, science, and all other aspects of intellectual enquiry. Renaissance artists looked at the human aspect of life in their art. They did not reject religion but tended to look at it in it's purest form to create visions they thought depicted the ideals of religion. Painters of this time had their own style and created works based on morality, religion, and human nature. Many of the paintings depicted what they believed to be the corrupt nature of man.
People that like Renaissance paintings like things that are more challenging. They tend to have a high emotional stability. They also tend to be more conscientious then average. They have a basic understanding of human nature and therefore are not easily surprised by anything that people may do. They enjoy life and enjoy living. They are very aware of their own mortality but do not dwell on the end but what they are doing in the present. They enjoy learning, but may tend to be a bit more closed minded to new ideas as they feel that the viewpoint they have has been well researched and considered. These people are more old fashioned and not quite as progressive. They enjoy the finer things in life like comfort, a good meal, and homelife. They tend to be more spiritual or religious by nature. They are open to new aesthetic experiences.
This was a fun test, just browsing the gallery "test" pictures was a treat. Be warned, there's about 36 pictures to go through, three at a clip.
I won! I won! A copy of What If by Steven N Lee from A Reader's Journal. She actually felt badly about announcing the winner of her contest and then going on vacation before sending me the book. As if I didn't have enough on my shelves I picked up over the week:
- My Lady of Cleves by Margaret C Barnes
- It Itches by Franklin Habit
- The Plague Tales by Ann Benson
- Farthing by Jo Walton
- The Perfect Spy by John Le Carre
Next post you'll see why I love Amy and should probably move to MN.
Hez sez, "I will not yield the chair, Madame."
Congratulations on your book win! I hope you will enjoy the book.
I think your steek looks fine and your photography is much better than my own attempts at it. :-)
I took the little survey and my results were as follows (I think it's a hit and miss sort of thing with me this time around, but it was fun!):
Simple, Progressive, and Sensual
14 Ukiyo-e, -2 Islamic, -7 Impressionist, 2 Cubist, -1 Abstract and -16 Renaissance!
People that chose Ukiyo-e art tend to be more simplistic yet elegant. They don't care much about new style but are comfortable in creating their own. They like the idea of living for the moment and enjoy giving and receiving pleasure. They may be more agreeable than other people and do not like to argue. They do not mind following traditions but are not afraid to move forward to experience other ideas in life. They tend to enjoy nature and the outdoors. They do not mind being more adventurous in their sexual experiences. They enjoy being popular and like being noticed. They have their own unique style of dress and of presenting themselves. They may also tend to be more business oriented or at the very least interested in money making adventures. They might make good entrepreneurs. They are progressive and adaptable.
Posted by: Literary Feline | October 27, 2008 at 10:26 PM
Ooooh! Ahhhhhh!
It's scary, isn't it? But exciting, too!
Posted by: Cheryl S. | October 27, 2008 at 10:27 PM
oooh! ahhh! pretty steek!!
i got some olivia from dizzy blonde studio. i love love love this yarn. i can totally see how it distracted you. :)
Posted by: Opal | October 28, 2008 at 03:06 AM
A sleeve, we have a sleeve! Yay. Looking good!
Posted by: Marina | October 28, 2008 at 03:21 AM
I can't judge? What in the world will I say, then?
Posted by: Kim | October 28, 2008 at 04:25 AM
Yay you! See? Cutting a steek isn't so bad. Now it's sleeves - the end is in site!
So, I guess you've lost the chair, huh? Sort of like me and my 1/4 of the couch.
OMG did you see Mad Men on Sunday??!!
Posted by: Brigitte | October 28, 2008 at 05:17 AM
You steeked!!!! I'm tearing up, I'm so proud of you. I'm sure Hez was particularly impressed with your steeking skills?!
Posted by: Kim DeMille | October 28, 2008 at 05:18 AM
Eeeek! A steek! Thanks for not showing closeups of the scissors slicing into the yarn. Those always make me feel faint.
Congrats on your win! And hey, you'd be a welcome addition to MN. :)
Posted by: Chris | October 28, 2008 at 05:36 AM
Oh, sharp pointy things & knitting -- very brave!!!!
Posted by: Dave | October 28, 2008 at 05:54 AM
I am soooo proud of you. I knew you could do it. Now finish the thing already!
Posted by: Chris | October 28, 2008 at 06:13 AM
Oooh, you are brave! Good job!
Posted by: Carrie | October 28, 2008 at 07:00 AM
oooooh, steeking. I haven't done that yet. Yours looks awesome. \o/
Posted by: ames | October 28, 2008 at 08:19 AM
Woo hoo! Congrats on the steeking. It's looking great.
BTW, moving to MN is nearly always a good idea -- I'd live there myself if I had my druthers.
Posted by: Jodi | October 28, 2008 at 08:50 AM
I can't wait to see that Mary Tudor once it's finished! I love the look of the colors you chose for it.
Congratulations on everything!
Posted by: Crafting Jen | October 28, 2008 at 08:51 AM
Congratulations on successfully cutting a steek! I have to do it soon on the Dotty vest I'm knitting, and frankly it worries me a lot!
Hez looks pretty comfy in the chair. Surely you can sit someplace else, right???
Posted by: Bridget | October 28, 2008 at 10:53 AM
Consider me oooohing and aaaahing.
You should move to MN. think of all the knitters you already know.
Posted by: Jeanne | October 28, 2008 at 11:06 AM
You did it! A steek that is a thing of joy and beauty -- very nice. Lots of oohing and aaahing going on over here...
Posted by: Jocelyn | October 28, 2008 at 12:19 PM
You brave, brave girl! I confess, I've never steeked--but that's probably related to the fact that I don't like doing that style of knitting.
Posted by: Miss T | October 28, 2008 at 12:44 PM
I knew you could do it. Now finish the damn sweater!
I saw the photo and couldn't figure out how you had won your own cat. No, I'm not very bright. /sigh
Posted by: Cookie | October 28, 2008 at 02:04 PM
I'm impressed with your steeking - I wouldn't have the nerve!
Posted by: Elspeth | October 28, 2008 at 03:04 PM
Carrie K,
You have won a copy of Testimony by Anita Shreve!
Please send me your mailing address and I'll forward it to Miriam at Hachette Books who will mail the books out.
Congratulations!
Tara
Posted by: Tara | October 28, 2008 at 05:43 PM
I'm so glad you finally did it. I personally think sewing on the machine is faster than crochet, but that's a personal choice. Keep it up, it gets easier.
Posted by: Angelika | October 28, 2008 at 05:48 PM
Congrats on your win!
Your steek looks great... besides I have never crocheted one and wouldn't have the first clue how to do that!
Fun quiz too... thanks for the link!
Posted by: CarolyninAlaska | October 28, 2008 at 05:58 PM
I had no idea you were interested in What if? or I'd have sent you my copy. I donated mine to the library.
Posted by: Bookfool, aka Nancy | October 28, 2008 at 05:59 PM
I have that painting hanging in my living room , the exact same one, Botticelli is my fav
Posted by: KeanaLee | October 28, 2008 at 07:51 PM
Yay! Steek! Steek! Steek! Good work. So have you watched Slings and Arrows yet??? Perhaps as a reward???
Posted by: Julia | October 28, 2008 at 09:05 PM
I agree with Jeanne, you should move to MN ;) Good work with the steek. I would be terrified to cut it too. That was a fun quiz. I chose abstract over most of the others and am judged non-conformist, visionary, and independent. :)
Posted by: Stefanie | October 29, 2008 at 06:04 AM
Ooooh... Aaaahhh.. You rocked the steek! I've never done a crocheted steek. Was it tedious? Was Hez helpful?
And you won a book to boot! Way to go!
Posted by: Sonya | October 29, 2008 at 08:41 AM
I'm so impressed that you steeked! Seriously. I'm not sure I would ever have the nerve to actually cut my knitting. Maybe someday! Can't wait to see the finished sweater...I mean, you are past the hard part now right? :)
Posted by: Rachel | October 29, 2008 at 09:57 AM
Carrie- I'm glad you strapped on those big girl panties and took control of that steek.
Didn't hurt a bit, did it Hez?
Posted by: Lorraine | October 29, 2008 at 10:53 AM
Oooooh! Ahhhhh! Look at that steek! I mean, really. I'm flummoxed.
Posted by: Bookfool, aka Nancy | October 29, 2008 at 04:38 PM
I am suitably impressed by your steeking skills!
(And by your book winning skills!)
Posted by: Angie | October 29, 2008 at 06:07 PM
All my bases are belong to your steek. For behold, it is a mighty steek.
Posted by: heather | October 29, 2008 at 08:13 PM
I've only done the one project with steeks but I remember the queasy feeling. You did good!
Posted by: twig | October 29, 2008 at 09:58 PM
Can't wait to see Mary Tudor completed. And, crocheted steeks? What a concept. How is it done?
Took the quiz and I am so very Ukiyo-e.
Posted by: Bev | October 30, 2008 at 09:13 AM
Can't wait to see Mary Tudor completed. And, crocheted steeks? What a concept. How is it done?
Took the quiz and I am so very Ukiyo-e.
Posted by: Bev | October 30, 2008 at 09:13 AM
Can't wait to see Mary Tudor completed. And, crocheted steeks? What a concept. How is it done?
Took the quiz and I am so very Ukiyo-e.
Posted by: Bev | October 30, 2008 at 09:13 AM
carrie K -
Sophanne here- Do you think Mr. Sophanne needs to autoclave the mouse or his head or both? That cracked me up!
Posted by: sophanne | October 31, 2008 at 03:54 AM
To cut such beautiful knitting. You are so much braver than I. Those colors are gorgeous!
Congratulations on winning!
Posted by: crzjane | November 01, 2008 at 10:09 AM
You're so brave! I haven't tried steeking yet...
Posted by: BethC | November 01, 2008 at 12:54 PM
Traditional, Vibrant, and Tasteful
9 Islamic, 7 Impressionist, -1 Ukiyo-e, -9 Cubist, -4 Abstract and -7 Renaissance!
Traditional, Vibrant, and Tasteful
Islamic art is developed from many sources: Roman, Early Christian, and Byzantine styles were taken over in early Islamic architecture; the architecture and decorative art of pre-Islamic Persia was of paramount significance; Central Asian styles were brought in with various nomadic incursions; and Chinese influences . Islamic art uses many geometical floral or vegetable designs in a repetitive pattern known as arabesque. It is used to symbolize the transcendent, indivisible and infinite nature of Allah.
People that like Islamic art tend to be more traditional people that appreciate keeping patterns that they learned and experienced from their past. It is not to say that they are not innovative personalities, they just do not like to let go of their roots. They like to put new ideas into details and make certain that they will work before sharing them with others. Failure is not something they like to think about because they are more interested in being successful and appreciated for their intelligence. These people can also be or like elaborate things in their life as long as they are tasteful. They tend to prefer geometric patterns and vibrant colors.
I don't know how well that works for people who know what all the style categories are as they're taking the test, though.
Posted by: dewey | November 02, 2008 at 10:53 AM
Ug, don't remind me about steeking, I actuall yhave to find some time to do that with Ringbloomst.
Maybe January.
Posted by: Rebekah | November 02, 2008 at 12:09 PM
I am so excited to see steek-in-progress-of-becoming-sleeve photos! And, yes I CAN tell what I am looking at... good on you for bravery!
Posted by: Birdsong | November 02, 2008 at 03:59 PM
Steeking! I'd have to have a drink before cutting that lovely knitting.
Posted by: Jennifer | November 02, 2008 at 07:19 PM
It's a beautiful steek. Oooh, aaah!
Posted by: Big Alice | November 03, 2008 at 03:06 PM
Oooh and Aahhh is right! How did I miss all this excitement - the steek is thrilling and scary and wonderful! :0)
Posted by: Charity | November 03, 2008 at 07:06 PM
Ooooh love the way Mary Tudor is looking :)
Posted by: mrspao | November 09, 2008 at 01:07 AM