February 07, 2006
Steeks Galore!
So lots of people seem to be terrified of steeks. Well, I will tell you that they're simply made of yarn. See:
So there. Although if you've been paying really close attention to Zauberflote, you may notice that I changed my steek technique here. I had been doing "columns" and now I'm doing "checks" and I don't really know why. Someone asked me a while back which I thought was better; I honestly don't know and scientifically I can't figure out why there would really be a difference. I think the column steek would be easier to cut since you're giving yourself a clearly defined line; the check steek is fun to make, though, and for some reason I feel like it looks better. Odd thing is, I can't describe why I feel that way.
I also shot a bunch of photos of the newly born front neck steek (five more rows done tonight) and corresponding decreases; most of them came out really badly. Here's the best one:
You can't see all that much but hopefully you can tell that there's a neck starting out there.
Regardless, I have a request: See the stitch markers I'm using in these photos? I love this kind of stitch marker and I have a box of them, but they keep just sort of... disappearing. And for the life of me, I cannot find a knitting store which carries this kind of stitch marker anymore. If you happen into a shop that has them, can you please let me know so that I can call them and have them sent to me? Thanks!
Anyhow, I forgot to mention that while I was at KNY yesterday, there was a guy there who works as a knitter/designer for a top level fashion house. He was finishing the most incredible knit garment I have ever seen in person. He knit this thing which would have probably taken me about, oh, a year to make, in something like 7 or 8 days. Granted, he said he was knitting about 12 hours per day and that his hands hurt like hell. The garment will most likely be in a show for Fashion Week and if I can track down a photo online, I'll link for you. I don't want to tell who the designer is or what type of garment it is; I figure I should let it have its debut on the catwalk. But wow, this thing was amazing!!!
In other news, there is no other news tonight. Except this: Does anyone out there watch "CSI: Miami"? Is it me, or is David Caruso a really odd actor? He's sort of just... stiff. And always overly intense - like, one emotion that lasts, well, an entire TV series? Was he like that on "NYPD Blue" too? Granted, I wouldn't kick him out of bed for eating crackers, but either he needs to get laid or his writers need to be slapped.
Posted by Jon at February 7, 2006 03:11 AMI was looking for the same kind of stitch markers. A friend told me that there's a store here that sells the stuff. So, I'm going to go and check it out today. If I actually find it...and if you'd like to. I could get you some and send them over.
That'd be quite a dream job for me...knitting for a fashion house. I think I can knit 12 hours a day without problem...but if it starts to hurt, then I'd stop.
Posted by: Elemmaciltur at February 7, 2006 03:45 AMI agree that checkerboard steeks just look better. But lately I've been doing striped steeks on everything -- just because, as you said, they're easier to cut because you have a straight line to follow!
Posted by: Wendy at February 7, 2006 06:58 AMSorry no knitting comments.
But I think that David Caruso is a horrible actor. He always has the same expression no matter what in all of his shows and movies. He is the one bad thing about CSI MIAMI. I know I am mean and evil but, man, I just can't stand him for some reason!
I love those stitch markers as well........if I find some, I'll let you know.......They do have a tendency to flip off and disappear.....but, I still love them.
Posted by: Christine Coffman at February 7, 2006 09:18 AMJon I have a little box of those stitch markers and I hate them! I thought they looked *so cute* but when I started using them - no. I got them from Hobby Lobby. What? You don't have one of those across the street from your office? heh Send me your address and I'll be glad to fix you up. :)
Posted by: Laura at February 7, 2006 09:47 AMNot just you. His delivery just strikes me as odd as well. I find it a bit annoying and would rather watch one of the other CSI's. Thankfully there are enough of them!
THose are great stitch markers, I have(had) them myself, but they do have a tendency to disappear quite handily. I don't remember where I picked mine up either. Thanks for the steek info as well. I'm about to do my first steeks when I start my olympic knitting.
Posted by: Risa at February 7, 2006 04:06 PMHey Jon,
Is it the instructions that have you change the look of the steek? I am not there yet. I am actually going to be there in a few more rows.
Also, if you can't get those stitch markers I sell them in my yarn shop and will mail you some.
Posted by: Janis at February 7, 2006 04:57 PMNever have been able to understand why David Caruso gets any acting jobs. His "style" seems to be stiff arrogance -- yuck!
Posted by: Donna at February 8, 2006 07:03 PMI was told that the checkerboard steeks anchor the yarn better because it's woven via the checkerboard. However, having never yet cut open something like that, I can't speak from personal experience.
And I don't watch CSI: Miami because of David Caruso. He's ugly and can't act. Ugh.
Posted by: Jon (in Denver) at February 9, 2006 03:57 PMYeah - they sell those stitchmarkers in JoAnn's and Hobby Lobby stores. Good luck!
Posted by: Jenn at February 9, 2006 09:06 PMWhy can't I post a comment here? It gets rejected for "questionable content"? Maybe because I agree with you on David Caruso!? ;o)
Posted by: Bettina at February 10, 2006 01:20 AM(I tried censoring it although there was nothing to censor, let's see what happens): Funny, I also think Caruso is a very bizarre actor in CSI:Miami and he is the one reason why I cannot stand to watch this show. Does he EVER look into people's eyes when he acuses them of something? He seems to always focus on something far away just to the left of the other person's ear. ;o)
Hi from Denmark!
Posted by: Bettina at February 10, 2006 01:22 AMI saw those split ring stitch markets over at KnitPicks.com in case you can't find them at any of the other sites listed. The item number is 80025.
Posted by: A'tuin at February 10, 2006 01:04 PMI only know one person who likes David Caruso, but he's got a thing for red-headed boys. I suppose that's what it would take. I, too, don't watch the Miami version of CSI because of him.
Posted by: Debbie at February 10, 2006 02:26 PMI think I've seen them in the Patternworks catalog too.
Posted by: Rana at February 17, 2006 07:21 PMMy husband and I always laugh about Caruso. I think he's the William Shatner of crime drama. His style is so over the top and falsely dramatic. I think they purposely give him those cheesy lines too to enhance it!
Posted by: Juls at February 19, 2006 07:14 PM