Eek! A steek!

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."

Comments

[Literary Feline]

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.

[Cheryl S.]

Ooooh! Ahhhhhh!
It's scary, isn't it? But exciting, too!

[Opal]

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. :)

[Marina]

A sleeve, we have a sleeve! Yay. Looking good!

[Kim]

I can't judge? What in the world will I say, then?

[Brigitte]

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??!!

[Kim DeMille]

You steeked!!!! I'm tearing up, I'm so proud of you. I'm sure Hez was particularly impressed with your steeking skills?!

[Chris]

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. :)

[Dave]

Oh, sharp pointy things & knitting -- very brave!!!!

[Chris]

I am soooo proud of you. I knew you could do it. Now finish the thing already!

[Carrie]

Oooh, you are brave! Good job!

[ames]

oooooh, steeking. I haven't done that yet. Yours looks awesome. \o/

[Jodi]

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.

[Crafting Jen]

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!

[Bridget]

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???

[Jeanne]

Consider me oooohing and aaaahing.

You should move to MN. think of all the knitters you already know.

[Jocelyn]

You did it! A steek that is a thing of joy and beauty -- very nice. Lots of oohing and aaahing going on over here...

[Miss T]

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.

[Cookie]

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

[Elspeth]

I'm impressed with your steeking - I wouldn't have the nerve!

[Tara]

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

[Angelika]

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.

[CarolyninAlaska]

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!

[Bookfool, aka Nancy]

I had no idea you were interested in What if? or I'd have sent you my copy. I donated mine to the library.

[KeanaLee]

I have that painting hanging in my living room , the exact same one, Botticelli is my fav

[Julia]

Yay! Steek! Steek! Steek! Good work. So have you watched Slings and Arrows yet??? Perhaps as a reward???

[Stefanie]

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. :)

[Sonya]

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!

[Rachel]

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? :)

[Lorraine]

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?

[Bookfool, aka Nancy]

Oooooh! Ahhhhh! Look at that steek! I mean, really. I'm flummoxed.

[Angie]

I am suitably impressed by your steeking skills!

(And by your book winning skills!)

[heather]

All my bases are belong to your steek. For behold, it is a mighty steek.

[twig]

I've only done the one project with steeks but I remember the queasy feeling. You did good!

[Bev]

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.

[Bev]

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.

[Bev]

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.

[sophanne]

carrie K -

Sophanne here- Do you think Mr. Sophanne needs to autoclave the mouse or his head or both? That cracked me up!

[crzjane]

To cut such beautiful knitting. You are so much braver than I. Those colors are gorgeous!
Congratulations on winning!

[BethC]

You're so brave! I haven't tried steeking yet...

[dewey]

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.

[Rebekah]

Ug, don't remind me about steeking, I actuall yhave to find some time to do that with Ringbloomst.

Maybe January.

[Birdsong]

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!

[Jennifer]

Steeking! I'd have to have a drink before cutting that lovely knitting.

[Big Alice]

It's a beautiful steek. Oooh, aaah!

[Charity]

Oooh and Aahhh is right! How did I miss all this excitement - the steek is thrilling and scary and wonderful! :0)

[mrspao]

Ooooh love the way Mary Tudor is looking :)