Spinalcat's Crafty Adventures

These socks remind me of old damask wallpaper patterns, with their ornate curves in half-drop orientation. Deeply textured cables stand out in even dark yarns. The pattern flows harmoniously over cuff, heel, gusset, and toes. Photo gallery here . The prototype was worked in Knit Picks Essential Tweed, now called Stroll Tweed. Excellent options available from your LYS are Regia 4-ply in Tweed or Solids. I used a US 2 (2.75mm) needle, and the pattern is written for 2 circulars or magic loop. Ravelry project page for the prototype is here , Ravelry pattern page is here . The pattern is $6 for a PDF download. Ravelry membership not required.

A fancy name for a hat that’s quick, easy, and makes a great gift for anyone. The 6-fold symmetry of the decreases on top of this stretchy ribbed hat form a snowflake when worked in the ice-blue stripes of this shade of Silk Garden Lite (#2046). Photo set here , Ravelry project page here , Ravelry pattern page here . This project works up extremely fast, and I really enjoyed working with the Silk Garden Lite. It was nice to let it do its own thing after a couple of false starts with fancier designs. The snowflake thing wasn't even intentional. I just thought that 6 would be a nice number of paired decrease sets. :) The dk weight yarn makes the hat fit easily into a jacket pocket, and the stretchy ribbing means it fits almost everyone. Free download now

This is a laceweight chained 3-ply that I spun from the Iris colorway of Carin Engen's bombyx/merino blend . I anticipate having about 900 yards total from 4 oz.

I've made it to the edging on my Leaf & Trellis shawl . I'm a little concerned about how attaching the edging to the provisionally cast on stitches will go. Some of them are pretty fuzzy at this point. I haven't been working on the cat mittens , but maybe I will on my upcoming trip. I'm also itching to start a design project or two. I've got a couple of patterns almost ready to release, and a couple that need to be graded for multiple sizes. I'm almost to the heel on the 2nd toe-up handspun knee sock of a pair. The shop sample of my Sidewinder Hat pattern is in the shop, hard copies for sale are in the binder, and the class is on the schedule. The next class is going to be Nov 24th from 2-4pm.

More photos here . I took Carin Engen's "Faux Pots and Purses" class at Yarndogs last Friday. The thing I made in class was hilariously fugly. I made this Sunday night and I love it! The wool was Lorna's Laces combed top in Ravenswood. I'm making knee socks spun from the same fiber. This is a really fun project. Carin's supposed to come back to Yarndogs 4 times in 2010.

This is the Sirenia cowl, worked in Trendsetter Tonalita. The pattern has been professionally tech edited and is just about ready to go, but I'd like somebody to try the pattern before I put it up for sale. I can give you a free copy of the final pattern and provide the yarn at a reduced cost. Here's the color card for the yarn. And the color card for its sister yarn which should also work, Tonalita Fusion. If you've done entrelac before, you know it's hard to put down. I'm looking for somebody who can start soon and complete the project in about a week after receiving the materials. Your job is to follow the pattern exactly as written and contact me with any issues or clarifying questions you may have. If you happen to be an experienced knitter, pretend you aren't. I'm categorizing this pattern as "ambitious advanced beginner." Knit, purl, decrease, pick up stitches, and follow directions. If you are interested, contact me and I will...