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June 03, 2007
The Mystique of Steeks.
First off, I'm a horrible blogger as I missed my second 'blogiversary' on the 31st. Oh well, so I'm a bit late, what else is new. Thanks to everyone for your concern over my tooth, though it turns out to not be a tooth issue. Thursday, I went to the specialist my dentist referred me to for the root canal, and it ended up being a muscular issue, with the TMJ. This was good news and bad news. One: I didn't have to have a root canal (good). Two: The pain didn't stop (bad). Saturday, I went back to my dentist to cast a bite guard for sleeping. My mom massaged my face yesterday and I have to say I haven't had a single shooting pain today. Definite plus.
In knitting news though, I've become obsessed with the idea of fair isle sweaters and steeking. I broke out my black and white JaggerSpun Maine Line to knit a steeking swatch. I knit circular on size 2 needles (10 stitches to the inch). I'm actually trying to make accurate gauge swatches since a sweater will be coming up in my future.
On the back side you will see the extra rows I've added. Had this been a real garment, I'd have added more rows.
Then, I reinforced the stitches to be steeked by crocheting half the white stitch with half the black stitch all the way up both halves of the white stitch.
I warn you right now, if you scroll any farther down the page, I will cut this swatch! I'll do it! I'm crazy! I got nothin' to lose!
You didn't listen to me, I told you I was going to do it...
The steeked swatch.
and the back side.
All in all? Not so scary. Fun in a daredevil sort of way actually! I'm loving the steek right now. As I said, I want to make a Fair Isle Sweater. So much so I bought a 3.75 pound Shetland fleece at the Hoosier Hills Fiber Fest yesterday. It's really lovely, but my batteries died before I could should you a picture of the gorgeous 5-6 inch staple length. To make up for it, go HERE if you want to see some yarn prøn. I'm drooling over her work. In fact, I have ordered one of her books, but some of her out of print books are selling for $165. Crazy.
Posted by Holly at June 3, 2007 10:35 PM
Comments
Glad to see you are still adventurous as ever!! I have been following your blog and so admire your dyeing and carding. Email me when you get the chance I'd like to purchase some of your yarns. Sorry to hear about the tmj, I ground through 3 of the guards (softones) until I got the hard one and it works. Email when you can. Miss you, but bet you dont miss where I'm at, lol. take care Mollie Hayes
Posted by: Mollie at June 14, 2007 11:18 AM
omg.. that looked just too painful :)
Posted by: Mia at June 11, 2007 08:19 AM
my hero!
Posted by: Kirstie at June 5, 2007 10:49 PM
You are indeed a crazy woman. 10st to an inch on size 2? Outta your freakin' gourd. ;)
I can't get anything done. I keep starting new projects. I'm going to be buried in them before it's over. HELP!
Posted by: Dana at June 5, 2007 09:45 PM
WooHoo! Steeking! I don't think I'm brave enough to cut my knitting, but you go girl! Hope you feel better soon!
Posted by: tabbyj at June 5, 2007 10:00 AM
I'm quietly gearing up for the Venezia Pullover that was in IK a few issues back. I just have to get used to doing colorwork and get used to the idea of cutting my knitting!
I hope your tooth (jaw?) feels better soon!
Posted by: elizabeth at June 4, 2007 04:57 PM
Glad to hear about the tooth. Neither are fun though. I haven't ventured into the steek world or fair isle as yet. I don't think I have the patience for that. Yours looks great though.
Posted by: Peggy at June 4, 2007 01:37 PM
OH you wild and crazy girl!! Cutting your knitting!! REBEL!!!!!!!
Posted by: Lora at June 4, 2007 10:31 AM