Spinalcat's Crafty Adventures

Multicolor Navajo ply Originally uploaded by Buxtrosion . I'm pretty happy with my first shot at Navajo plying (also my first time plying on my wheel). By the end of the bobbin, the hand motions became pretty automatic. Sometimes I had trouble keeping the tension on the strands of the loops so they wouldn't ply back on themselves. If I had a real lazy kate to get more distance between the bobbin and my hands it might help. Anyway, I love getting the rounded look of a 3-ply while keeping the color changes in the single. Alden Amos calls Navajo plying "more of a stunt than a technique," but who cares? The big question is what to do with it. It's only about 60 yards.

Multicolor singles Originally uploaded by Buxtrosion . First spinning on my new wheel. I just got a mini tripod like Caro blogged about on Splityarn, so hopefully I can get nice photos more easily as long as the camera cooperates.

Ashford Traveler Spinning Wheel Originally uploaded by Buxtrosion . Double drive, double-treadle Ashford Traveler finished with Formby's tung oil. I finally got it finished, assembled, and oiled. I tested it out by using a short singles yarn left over from the knucks. I added some twist and plied it. I'm really looking forward to spending time on this wheel!

Traveler flyer assembly Originally uploaded by Buxtrosion . Double drive flyer assembly from my new Ashford Traveler.

Ashford Niddy Noddy Originally uploaded by Buxtrosion . Niddy noddy for making skeins, bought when I ordered my wheel. I tested out the finish (Formby's tung oil) on the niddy noddy before my wheel came in.

Knucks from Knitty Originally uploaded by Buxtrosion . Knucks pattern from knitty.com. Done in a wool/alpaca blend I had left over from my first attempt at the cabled hat for my brother. I first tried the textured cuff, but it wasn't quite stretchy enough and the crab stitch crochet edging just didn't agree with this yarn. I don't really crochet except for edgings, but I practiced on smooth yarn and it looked fine. When I tried it on the glove, it just looked lumpy. So I went with a plain ribbed cuff (it's black and fuzzy- really no need to get fancy anyway). Ended up using a plain k1 p1 bind-off. When I tried the sewn bind-off recommend in the pattern, the sewing yarn fell apart! I'm becoming quite picky about the way I cast off, often redoing it several times using different methods. There's no reason to spend hours knitting something only to have an ugly edge!

Knitpicks Dancing sock Originally uploaded by Buxtrosion . Closeup showing garter rib cuff and heel stitch on the heel flap. I think I prefer eye of partridge stitch, but I gave heel stitch a shot.

Garter Rib Socks Originally uploaded by Buxtrosion . Sock recipe from Sensational Knitted Socks using Knitpicks Dancing yarn (hula colorway). This is my first shot at 2-at-once magic loop. The prevention of second sock syndrome was my main motivation to learn this method. I haven't had the issues with dpns that drive some sock knitters to circulars.

Leftover handspun hat Originally uploaded by Buxtrosion . Hat made from Lamb's Pride Bulky and leftover handspun using the construction from the Stitch N Bitch sequined hat pattern. Knitted flower pattern by Sue Thompson at http://www.headhuggers.org/patterns/flower02k.htm

Seafoam stitch Moebius Originally uploaded by Buxtrosion . Closer shot of the seafoam stitch pattern. I haven't really been able to capture the gorgeous color of this handspun. It's purple with flecks of blue and a bit of white. The roving was incredibly beautiful.

Seafoam stitch Moebius scarf Originally uploaded by Buxtrosion . Moebius scarf inspired by Cat Bordhi's Sage Rhythm wrap from her Treasury of Magical Knitting. Mine's less wrap-like and more of a scarf. I also used a daintier version of seafoam stitch from The Complete Book of Knitting. I used a handspun merino/silk blend (the first finished yarn from my Kid n Ewe fiber buying spree).

Ripple Weave sock Originally uploaded by Buxtrosion . Ripple Weave sock by Charlene Shurch (author of Sensational Knitted Socks) from Fall 2006 Vogue Knitting magazine. I used Knitpicks Essentials yarn on size 1 dpns. I finished the first sock in September, got distracted with X-mas gift knitting, and finished the second one in January. These socks are probably my most beautiful FO so far. Working the chart for this pattern can be tedious, but it's worth it! These socks also inspired me to try 2 socks at once using magic loop to prevent a recurrence of the dreaded second sock syndrome.

Mao's Sweater 2 Originally uploaded by Buxtrosion . Mao in his X-mas gift, "Casey's Coat" from Stitch N Bitch Nation. Done in Caron Simply Soft (Mao's allergic to wool).