The Tour de Fleece has become such a popular spinning event that a sporting event has been named after it, I hear. (I'll never get tired of making that joke.)
The idea is that you spin each day that the cyclists are spinning, set yourself challenges on the mountain stages and post lots of pictures. It is very popular and it's great to see so many using drop spindles.
Woolfest, one of the major shows, happened on 22 and 23 June. If you couldn't visit that one then there are some reviews here and details of other major shows still to happen this year.
As the big holiday begins, Schacht have provided no less than five projects that will be suitable for making with the younglings.
Read on for all of this and the rest of this month's curated collection of spinning-related news, views and reviews; patterns, pointers and finished projects. This is the free issue for July 2018.
Find out how to receive a longer version of HSN a couple of weeks earlier.
Photo right: SpinneAnne's handspun sweater.
With thanks to Goldilox for the first Tour-de-Fleece blog post that I saw. On the first day of the Tour she documented the progress of this tweed yarn.
She used merino fleece, dyed with home-grown woad, blended with "lots of naturally-dyed leftovers".
The details of the carding are here in pictures and words.
http://goldyspinner.blogspot.com/2018/07/tour-de-fleece-is-here-again.html
Guzzi Sue entered fully into the spirit of Tour de Fleece with daily updates. She kicked off her Tour de Fleece in style with a visit to a local wool experience which was an opportunity for spinning, chat and buying more fleece.
http://travelfibreandthread.blogspot.com/2018/07/and-theyre-off.html
Congratulations to Team DIY and dye for coming up with some great challenges, including 'spin your pet'.
This is fur from goldyspinner's cat Jak. She says that "it was not like spinning cotton, it was much more difficult, but I got there in the end." See pictures of this finished yarn and more at the link below.
Spinner and Weaver Michelle enjoyed this year's Woolfest after some years away and shares her thoughts and a selection of pictures from the festival.
The folk at John Arbon love to see the things that people have made using their amazing fibre and yarn.
Here are there pictures form Woolfest 2018 including some projects that customers brought along.
Fran harvested the bark from a dying almond tree to dye these skeins. It's impressive colour if you're not averse to browns and beiges.
She discusses how adjusting the pH of the dyebath affects the colour.
wooltribulations.blogspot.com...dyeing-wool-with-almond-tree-bark.html
If you're a fellow fan of natural colours and enjoy the motivation and social side of a craft-along, then read more about the KnitBritish Nature's Shades-Along.
Cast-on was July 13 which will have already just happened by the time the full version of this issue goes out, but cast-off isn't until the end of August, so I'm sure you're good to join in at this point.
There's something magical about the transformation from green to blue with indigo and woad. After a battle with slugs Fran tries a method using cold water and vinegar to extract the dye from the remaining leaves.
wooltribulations.blogspot.com...cold-water-and-vinegar-dyeing-with-woad.html
Madder gives a particularly vibrant colour as natural dyes go. riihivilla says that "It was really nice to see that also my own grown madder is as good as the one I buy". This skwin was solar-dyed and there are pictures of the process.
riihivilla.blogspot.com/2018/06/cold-dyeing-with-my-own-madder.html
Here's an engaging idea for an educational event.
Terri Drouin-Guerette explains how she turns children into spinning wheels (after all, there has to be some use for them).
The children are absolutely thrilled when Terri tells them, "this is your very first handspun yarn that you made!"
www.interweave.com/article/spinning/how-i-turn-children-into-spinning-wheels
Last month we saw a beautiful video about japanese traditional dyeing, and here are more courtesy ewespecial, which focus on indigo.
Ewespecial says that she can't wait to turn her hands blue again.
NB the layout of the page prevented me from viewing the videos properly. In case you have the same trouble, the videos themselves are here and here.
Can you guess what this quite beautiful mystery object is used for?
Even if you spotted the title just above, it may not help very much.
The answer is in Ann's blog post. She has been trying to buy one for some time but has just successfully bid for two at an auction.
This, as you will no doubt recognise, is a woolly Luke Skywalker getting to know the two droids in a scene from the original Star Wars film.
Holman Wang and his brother have made some children's books telling the story of the original Star Wars trilogy in very few words and photographs of their needle felted figures.
The figures are quite astonishing, and if you're interested in finding out more about needle-felting, then this short film joins Norman Chan as he interviews Holman Wang and takes part in a workshop where a group are taught to make a small figure.
If you're interested in the making of the books then there's a longer video here which is a presentation and talk. It is a much more detailed description of the process and contains some amazing shots from the books.
A quick trip to Zurich may be beyond many of us but there are some great pictures here.
Brazilian artist Ernesto Neto is responsible for this crochet sculpture in the concourse of Zurich's main train station. The 65-foot green and orange work is called GaiaMotherTree. It "creates a temporary oasis in the middle of the bustling station" and you can enjoy it from the outside and the inside.
The sculpture was created with a finger-crocheting technique that took 27 people several weeks to complete.
There are many pictures and video here on Colossal's page.
Sarah links to the same article by David of Southern Cross Fibre that inspired me to try the technique, and it's been a firm favourite method of mine ever since. It's a very quick way to spin a high yardage if you're taking part in a yardage competition like BritSpin and if you want a more woollen yarn from your combed top / roving.
Sarah demonstrates the technique using her own pictures and shows her own learning curve through many skeins of yarn spun this way.
knittingsarah.com/2018/06/26/lessons-in-long-draw-fauxlags-rolags
it may be obvious that holding a yarn double will result in a yarn twice as thick as the original but what yarn weight does that translate to?
Thanks to LBHandknits for this cheat sheet.
Being in pain is no fun and can be avoided.
These tips relate to the Tour de Fleece, but are very good general tips, whether you're taking part in a spinning event or just enjoy spending lots of time spinning.
www.interweave.com/article/spinning/5-tips-to-spin-the-tour-de-fleece-injury-free
I'm sure we've all been there - when working with black or dark yarn, it can be difficult to see what you're doing.
I have to be honest, some of the tips in Hannah Baker's list are a little underwhelming but all is not lost - scroll down to the bottom of the page - the tips in the readers' comments are far better!
www.interweave.com/article/crochet/10-tips-working-black-yarn
It's one of the many questions that has a 'correct' answer and a real answer that you'd never even admit to your best friend.
If you like Yvonne, click the image to find her page, you can use next and previous to explore more cartoons, and join the mailing list for a regular digest email.
Thank you very much if you've had a go at any of these on your computer or tablet, particularly to the one or two people who've written to tell me that they've enjoyed them.
I've set them up with 35 - 42 pieces, just the right number for a coffee-break challenge and you gradually reveal the cartoon.
Are you a teacher, pattern designer, dyer, equipment manufacturer or supplier?
Would you like to reach the growing readership of thousands of hand spinners and at the same time help to support Hand Spinning News ?
Thanks to EvinOK for this review of Carol Feller's Knitting with Rainbows. It contains 11 patterns designed to make the most of gradient yarns, but EvinOK says that they work "equally well with solid yarns as they would with purpose-dyed gradient kits, and anything in-between".
Yarny is a small character made of yarn who can unravel his body and use the yarn to solve puzzles.
The first game was beautiful and had an emotionally-engaging story.
This is a review of the sequel, from a parent's viewpoint. it involves new characters for more complexity and allows you to play with family and friends, with an emphasis on co-operation rather than competition.
Here is a video trailer which is pleasing to watch even if you're not a gamer.
Sometimes just a picture is enough
Diane put this mohair yarn into the dyepot as balls rather than skeins, so the outside of each ball would take more dye than the inside.
She maintained the gradient by taking the yarn from the balls inside-to-outside and then outside-to-inside. The woven 'hay blankets' look wonderful.
The brightly-coloured handspun yarn in this project is broken up with a neutral colour. The result is more tasteful while still showing those strong colour changes in the yarn.
Suzie describes how she fractal-spun the Hilltop Cloud batt. The 'primary' and 'secondary' gradients aren't usually as clear as they are in the picture of Suzie's wound ball.
There's a link to the Pacific Coast pattern too.
itsastitchup.co.uk/blog/fo-rainbow-toddler-cardigan-in-fractal-handspun
As a former jewellery designer, Tammy Kanat has moved from one extreme to the other with these huge circular / eliptical weavings.
She uses materials like wool, mohair, silk, hemp, and jute to create her sculptural pieces
www.thisiscolossal.com/2018/07/massive-circular-weavings-by-tammy-kanat
This is one of the sexiest of sexy spindle shots. Spinneanne has been making this sweater using fibre from threewatersfarm and is using her TdF time to spin for the sleeves.
A very good tip with this picture, Anne is spinning "thinner splits of roving to get about the same width of stripes"
Also in the running for sexy spindle shot this month is this impressive collection of supported spindles belonging to TeatimeCreations. On day 9 of the Tour de Fleece, she'd moved on to spindle 10!
I have little information about these mittens, but I see from the tags that some of the handspun yarn was dyed using cochineal.
A selection of free seasonal patterns which will work well with handspun yarn.
Donna Druchunas is a kindred spirit in that she hates wearing shoes, outdoors or indoors.
But there comes a time when you need something over your toes to keep them warm.
In the latest Knitty, Donna has written this pattern for a part-ribbing, part-garter slipper long with an article about slippers through the ages and across cultures. This will appeal to you if you enjoy interesting constructions.
http://knitty.com/ISSUEff18/FEATff18OKR/FEATff18OKR.php#PATT/
This is not just one pattern but a collection of five varied projects from Schacht that are suitable for making with the youngsters during the school holidays.
I'm a sucker for a long cardy and I'm also attracted by the cosy-looking cabled cuffs and unusual lines.
Airic (Celtic for agreeable) would be an ambitious spin/knit project but would be very practical and wearable.
http://www.marveng-puckett.com/wordpress/2018/06/airic-pattern-released/
The yarn suggested for this rug is a raffia yarn. It strikes me that this could be the perfect project for that handspun yarn which turned out less "skin-friendly" than you'd expected, or the one that was positively rope-like.
It appears that the only way to buy the pattern is to spend $8 on a digital magazine, for which you also get 18 other crochet patterns that will allegedly "take your breath away!"
www.interweave.com/article/crochet/pow-first-light-rug-iwcsum-2018
The Shetland Textile Museum liked Anne Eunson's knitted lace fence so much that they commissiioned her to make one for them too.
Thanks to Knithacker for sharing, she has pictures and links to a Facebook page where the process is documented
Scotland is more usually associated with tartan and tweed, but linen and flax are an important part of its history
This touring exhibition aims to combine stories from the past with new works from contemporary designers.
The towns in Scotland, Ireland and the Netherlands that the tour visits have their own stories and this gives the opportunity to include local designers and stories.
28 - 29 July 2018, Redbourne Community College, Flitwick Road, Ampthill, Bedford MK45 2NU
The seventh Fibre East, giving those in the Eastern, Midlands and Southern Regions an opportunity to join in an event which aims to encourage and promote British wool and natural fibres.
The college now provides an indoor venue.
Friday 10 and Saturday 11 August, York Auction Centre, Murton Lane, Murton, York, YO19 5GF
Supporting the Campaign for Wool.
Exciting treasures to discover; wool from fleece to finished items and other items you will need to spin, weave, knit, crochet, hand dye, cross stitch, embroider or make felt.
Saturday 1 September 2018, Newbury Racecourse, Berkshire
Plenty for knitters and crocheters, feltmakers, weavers, spinners, dyers, and lovers of all things woolly!
8 and 9 September 2018. Dewars Centre, Glover St, Perth
Bringing together independent dyers, farmers, knitters, spinners, felters and weavers. In 2018 nominated for the best yarn festival in the UK. Vendors' gallery marketplace, over 70 vendors, keynote event, social events and classes run over the weekend.
15 & 16 September 2018, 10am to 4pm St John's Hall, Penzance
22 - 30 September 2018
A busy week dedicated to celebrating Shetland wool and textile heritage.
Includes classes, talks, drop-ins, art. See website for the full events listing.
Saturday 29 Sep and Sunday 30 Sep 2018, Masham Town Hall
Craft market and fleece stalls, specialising in British wool to compliment the sheep-related events that fill the square of Masham over the weekend.
29 and 30 September 2018, Skipton Auction Mart, North Yorkshire
For you if you love yarn and are passionate about all things woolly. It aims to celebrate the beauty and diversity of wool, cotton, linen and silk fibres in all their forms.
Bakewell Agricultural Centre Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 October
An event for wool lovers in the heart of the Derbyshire Dales.
There will be exhibitors, demonstrations of fibre crafts and a fleece stand selling plenty of local fleece.
Saturday October 6, Queen's Hall and Plas Hyfryd Hotel, Narberth, Pembrokeshire
A celebration of all things woolly. From beautifully hand crafted items, clothing and footwear to knitting wool, fleece and all the equipment needed to make at home. Demonstrations run throughout the day with stall holders sharing their skills and knowledge with visitors plus wool skill workshops such as felting.
Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th of October
Kendal Wool Gathering mixes demonstrations, fun activities and displays, all connected to the cloth on which the townâs wealth was built.
Stands and stalls representing all aspects of commercial wool products, including carpets, looms, spinning wheels and crafts will be on display at a large unit at Kendal Leisure Centre. Outside there will be livestock, walks and talks. Linked fun events take place throughout the Kendal.
Nottingham Conference Centre Goldsmith Street Entrance, Nottingham. NG1 4BU
Workshops Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 November. Market place Sunday 11 November
A word of thanks to everyone who blogs, writes articles or posts pictures on the subject of spinning, knitting, crochet or weaving. This newsletter wouldn't exist without people writing interesting and useful things.
If you do keep a blog, or if you read a particularly interesting blog or website and you're not sure whether I already know about it, please write and tell me about it.
It's always good to hear from readers for any reason (or no reason!)
Finally a reminder that you can receive a longer version of HSN a couple of weeks earlier.
Happy spinning!
Shiela Dixon - Editor / curator
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