A royal tradition

The baby blanket used by Kate and William when they presented their most recent tot to the world continues a family tradition. Queen Elizabeth II was the first to use the 'Nottingham Lace Knitted Baby Shawl' from G H Hurt and Son when she gave birth to Prince Charles.

The blanket retails at £69.95 and is obviously machine-produced.

For a similar look, handspun and knitted, how about this pattern for a Royal Look Knitted Baby Shawl

thestir.cafemom.com/baby/211959/kate-middleton-royal-baby-blanket

Repurposed Victorian mill is spinning cotton once again

With clinical whiteness and modern machinery, this renovated Tameside mill is a far cry from Blake's 'dark satanic mills'.

The four storey mill was built in 1885 (long after Blake died, which probably invalidates that reference) and stood empty since 1955.

It's so good to hear that the mill is once again being used for fine cotton spinning once more rather than developed into flats. The firm is employing 40 people to produce 16-20 tonnes of yarn a month.

This is a detailed and interesting story. The video at the top of the page is difficult to reach behind the ads, but is worth the perseverance. It shows the machines carding, spinning and weaving the cotton.

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk...tameside-backstreet-re-purposed...

The Bristol Crocodile goes on a jolly to Wonderwool in Wales

Crafting the City were responsible for the giant crocheted croc with the gold tooth. There are some beautiful photos on their blog, featuring some of the live animals and some of the wonderful creations that visitors were wearing.

www.craftingthecity.org...crocodile-goes-on-a-jolly-to-wonderwool-in-wales

Wonderwool Wales 2018

Suzie bravely booked herself onto a coach trip for her first Wonderwool experience and thoroughly enjoyed it, "I was amazed by the number of ridiculously talented people there were in one place and felt quite overwhelmed".

delushioushomecomforts.com/2018/05/11/wonderwool-wales-2018

Woollinn - A Yarn-Fumed Overview

I'm fascinated to read about this particular show in dispatches from a number of fronts.

If you're in Northern Ireland or the Republic, or enjoy travelling over the water, you'll be interested to read about the Woollinn show.

LB Handknits says that she doesn't "actually remember very much of it" due to lack of sleep, yarn fumes or perhaps seeing her own designs on display.

Her pictures give a very good overview and include a worthwhile picture of the noble Countess Ablaze's flamboyant headwear.

She provides links to three other notable yarn shows in the Republic and Northern Ireland.

http://www.lbhandknits.com/blog/woollinn2018

Sweater from scratch!

This is Freyalyn showing off her 'from scratch' jumper

Graduated colours look really good in stranded knitting. I'm not sure that this is truly graduated yarn, or four different shades, but they were made by blending two different colours of naturally-dyed fleece that Freyalyn picked up at Edinborough last year. The pale blue was "stuffed in the indigo vat to exhaust it".

Despite the lack of planning, care and attention (that sounds mean, but you'll understand if you read the post) I think the result looks amazing.

freyalyn.blogspot.com/2018/06/sweater-from-scratch.html

Sampling Tamarind

It's always such a joy to see combing in progress. To see the discreet locks turn into one big combed afro and then pulled into nests which are so much more crimpy and airy than commercially-processed top.

Janelle bought the fleece this year from Maryland Sheep and Wool festival. The donor was a sheep called Tamarind.

Besides combing, she has also tried flick-carding the locks. In a later post she has spun samples of the different preparations using different spinning techniques and has yet

http://tt820.blogspot.com/2018/05/sampling-tamarind.html

Ancient colour

Japan's Classical period featured stunning natural colors and dyeing techniques.

Fifth-generation master dyer Sachio Yoshioka has no time for chemical dyes, and has donated a number of traditionally-dyed samples for posterity at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

"I was so amazed to see what fabulously rich and varied colours could be achieved by the use of natural dyes", said Rupert Faulkner, senior curator.

This is a beautiful and fascinating video, and well worth settling down for the 15 minutes that it takes to watch.

Thanks to ewespecial for sharing the video. The link below goes directly to the film, make sure you have it switched to the highest definition.

If the magic of indigo dyeing inspires you, also see the tutorial about shibori dyeing below Tips and Tutorials.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXbkQ3rxCwY

Wee dye test

The wee in the title thankfully means small. After cooking artichoke hearts, Goldilox noticed that the water was a very rich colour, and tried dyeing the knitted sample (alum-mordanted).

The next wee test is to find out how light-fast this lovely grey proves to be.

http://goldyspinner.blogspot.com/2018/05/wee-dye-test.html

Get a grip! Five hand exercises for spinners

Spinning involves repetitive actions, so some hand exercises may help to fend off aches and pains, as well as increasing the strength and stamina of your hands.

www.interweave.com/article/spinning/get-a-grip-5-hand-exercises-for-spinners

Dyeing with dandelion leaves

This is such a beautiful yellow that riihivilla compares with weld. Surprisingly she used more leaves than flowers.

She discovered that "dandelion contains many flavonoids which also act as dyes, including luteolin, which is the same dye as is also in weld". As it grows so prolifically in our gardens, verges and meadows, it's surprising that dandelion is not used for dyeing more often.

riihivilla.blogspot.com/2018/05/week-20-dyeing-with-dandelion-leaves.html

Introducing limited edition norfolk horn yarn

I've been following Jenn's endeavours for some time, and included some of her blog posts here. She wrote a couple of articles about the Norfolk Horn breed (here and here), before spinning and knitting some, sourcing fleece, watching it being sheared and taking it to the mill for processing.

Full marks to Jenn. It's British rare breed wool and she's taken care with her own environmental policy and those of her suppliers. (See her Instagram feed for a picture of her on her bike headed for the post office.)

fibreworkshop.co.uk/2018/05/31/introducing-limited-edition-norfolk-horn-yarn

Hot versus cold alum mordant for wool before dyeing with dyers chamomile

Fran has a dilemma. She has carried out an experiment involving cold and hot alum mordanting and found that the colour is better when the mordant bath is heated. She doesn't like to use the extra energy, and is feeling that she'd like to use something more natural.

She explores just how 'natural' alum crystals are, while carrying out this experiment, and gathering and using chamomile flowers.

wooltribulations.blogspot.com...hot-versus-cold-alum-mordant-for-wool.html

Wool Exploration: Dorset breeds

The Wool Exploration continues apace. 'Dorset Breeds' includes four breeds; Dorset Horn, Dorset Down, Poll Dorset and Portland.

This KnitBritish post contains extracts from Deb Robson's Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook as well as information on where to buy yarn and fibre for spinning from these breeds.

www.knitbritish.net/we-dorsets

Plastic-free yarn

To some people 'wool' means acrylic yarn, and it's going to be difficult to persuade those people that paying several times as much for yarn that isn't machine-washable is a better option.

Nylon gives us strength and durability. Superwash yarn can be washed without shrinkage by coating it with a polyamide.

But if we were to call acrylic and nylon 'plastic' then that would certainly put these cheaper, washable yarns and even our wool/nylon sock yarn in a different light.

What are the alternatives to these fossil-fuel derived modern materials? Sian Modine explores on the realgoodyarns blog.

https://realgoodyarns.co.uk/plastic-free/plastic-free-yarn/

Lake County Metroparks Farmpark holds annual sheep shearing weekend

Here's an eye-catching idea for anyone holding a public event with shearing / spinning demonstration.

Lake Metroparks Farmpark dye a sheep in rainbow colours using Kool-aid and the coloured fleece is shorn and spun on the day (see the thumbnail photograph). It's no doubt much more attractive and fun for kids and us big kids.

The reports from this year's event don't include a picture of the coloured sheep, but I found this picture from last year's event. Confusingly it's labelled 'before shearing' but it certainly looks like a shorn sheep to me. What do you think?

www.news-herald.com...farmpark-holds-annual-sheep-shearing-weekend

Spinning to match a project

There are many considerations when you want to spin for a project that lists commercial yarn in the pattern.

Jillian Moreno gives her thought process with an example in which she tries a couple of drafting options and knits swatches.

Just as we\re enjoying Summer, the 'first fall' Knitty is out. This is Jillian's KnitySpin column from the new issue.

knitty.com/ISSUEff18/FEATff18KS/FEATff18KS.php

A ram with no ears

With thanks to GuzziSue for this picture of the Moffat Ram - the 'ram with no ears'.

The explanation is a ghostly tale - there's a link in Sue's blog post.

travelfibreandthread.blogspot.com...fleecy-goodness-and-ram-with-no-ears.html

Natural dyeing with onion skins

It's a little disappointing to see that the colour from red-onion dyeing isn't dark red like the onions themselves, but these are still strong colours and can be varied with mordants and modifiers.

Crafternoon Treats gives good step-by-step instructions as well as details of the modifiers you can use.

crafternoontreats.com/natural-dyeing-with-onion-skins

Jumpers from triangles

If you're a fan of interesting constructions you'll love this.

A very long time ago, Hazel received some basic guidelines for creating a jumper by knitting triangles. She has made a number since, and there are quite a few pictures in this blog post.

This really isn't a tutorial but if you are an experienced knitter and enjoy making it up as you go along, there is enough information here to try the technique.

https://www.hazeltindall.com/edinburgh-yarn-festival#.Wxl3_KeZPUK

The way of tea

At first glance this 'yarn' looks a surprisingly attractive brown, given that regular tea has been used to dye.

Read closer and you'll find that the 'yarn' is cut and spun paper - known as 'shifu' I believe.

The tea has different but equally interesting results on cotton, merino wool and silk.

Thanks to Jean Betts for an inspiring read.

onesmallstitch.wordpress.com/2018/06/13/the-way-of-tea

Chiharu Shiota: Beyond Time

artist chiharu shiota has devised an awe-inspiring, site-specific installation for a chapel at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park made from 2,000 balls of woollen thread

'Beyond time' has a network of white wool emerging from a wireframe piano, representing an organ which used to be there. The threads make me think of the music flowing from the piano, the papers are pages from services which have happened in the chapel.

It's not obvious but the large picture at the top of the page is actually a video, which is worth watching.

For more fine art, also see 'half oot afore i' da left' below '2018 events'.

www.designboom.com...yorkshire-sculpture-park-chapel-beyond-time...

Free Pattern and Tutorial: 'Fmelted Plarn' coasters

These coasters started out as the modern evil that is plastic bags. They were cut into strips and joined ('plarn') and then crocheted.

'Fmelting' is somewhere between felting and melting. The process turns the plarn into a firmer plastic, which, like felting, can still show your stitches, depending on how far you choose to take it.

This tutorial is courtesy of Crochet is the Way, shared recently by the Recycled Into Yarn website.

crochetistheway.blogspot.com...free-pattern-and-tutorial-fmelted-plarn.html

What's that fiber? The identifying trick every fiber lover should know

Here's a chance for us all to put on our safety glasses and white coats and pretend to be real scientists.

Do you have a skein of mystery yarn that no longer has its label?

Hayley DeBerard gives details of the fibre burn test. She held a game of "What's My Yarn" with some colleagues and shows us the results.

www.interweave.com/article/knitting/fiber-burn-test

Roving reporter: carded clouds fiber prep

Carded cloud is not a very common commercial preparation. You may have made something similar yourself if you've scoured / dyed some fleece and lost the lock definition, or teased it out with your fingers. It is sometimes made commercially where the fibre has been picked and scoured but not fully taken through the carding or combing process.

Kate looks at the options for dealing with such 'unprepared' fibre.

www.interweave.com...spinning/roving-reporter-carded-clouds-fiber-prep

This is not just a handy chart that you might want to bookmark, but LBHandknits also chats about the potentially-confusing topic of yarn weights.

www.lbhandknits.com/blog/yarnweights

The magic of shibori dyeing

The crochet squares that make up this pillow have been shibori-dyed. This article gives three different ideas for clamping your fabric to resist the dye in interesting patterns.

www.interweave.com/article/crochet/shibori-dyeing

Why there is sheep's wool grease in your breakfast cereal

As is often the case with news headlines, I think this one could be misleading.

It suggests that they simply mix the lanolin into whatever they make cornflakes from, but it seems that the lanolin is a source of vitamin D, which is extracted from the lanolin.

"While lanolin might sound off-putting, there is actually a good reason it is in the food we eat", says Alana Mitchelson.

It may raise questions for vegans.

https://thenewdaily.com.au...sheep-wool-grease-cereal-vegan-lanolin

Jigsaw - online

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.

www.jigsawplanet.com/shieladixon/Yvonne

Your news here

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 ?

Read more

Exciting new online tool for inkle weavers

Annie MacHale reviews the Inkle Loom Pattern Editor created by Jeff Bigot of France, which she helped to inspire.

The pattern editor is an online tool so it's accessible to pretty much everyone.

www.raktres.net/projects/inkle_loom_svg/inkle_loom_svg.html

Sheep and Man by M L Ryder

This is a review of a book which was first published in 1983. It's a huge book about the history of man's relationship with our woolly companions.

Many thanks to woolwinding for sharing this, she has posted some interesting pictures from the book and lists lots of the facts that she's learned.

https://woolwinding.wordpress.com/2018/06/06/sheep-and-people/

Nevermore!

I've not yet been able to find 'Nevermore' in Simone's patterns but it's an amazing design and this is a beautiful picture of the finished 'raven-inspired pixie bonnet'.

The yarn used here includes alpaca.

www.flickr.com/photos/sand_and_sky/27408422657/in/photostream

All Greek

A suitably Summery sexy spindle shot, one of Sealy MacWheely's holiday snaps.

It's beautiful photography. She says that she's using the Turkish spindle until she gets a Greek one.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bj7oHbxH19t/?taken-by=sealymacwheely

Yak/mulberry silk roving

A bonus sexy spindle shot shows Yak/silk mix being spun. It's not the first time that blend has been mentioned this month. I wouldn't have thought that the short and long fibres would draft nicely together, but taraworkmantulley says that it's "a beautiful project to spin"

www.instagram.com/p/Bj6bljlACZA

'All the Greens' shawl

wonderwoollens decided to make a 'one-off' shawl using various green handspun yarns, so there's no pattern.

Thanks to her for sharing with the UK Spinners Ravelry group.

www.ravelry.com...wonderwoollens/all-the-greens-shawl

Seaside Stones

It's obvious why this project is called "Seaside Stones". "I spun these 3 "stones" yarns with the intention of using them together in a shawl, and I'm really happy with how this has turned out"

The three dyed fibres she used were named 'slippery stones', 'greystone' and 'stonewater'. They're all Shetland from ArtistsPaletteYarns.

The pattern is Free Your Fade by Andrea Mowry

https://www.flickr.com/photos/14528750@N07/41959630684/in/dateposted/

Handspun log cabin blanket

This very colourful blanket is a great way to show off small amounts of handspun yarn. How well the varied colours look together, with the border making a 'stained glass' effect.

www.flickr.com/photos/chavala/27272493587/in/dateposted

Teal Handspun Talland Tee

irieknit shows that the Talland Tee looks good in handspun yarn.

The pattern is free and has a high star rating and low difficulty rating.

www.flickr.com/photos/36323414@N04/28281393828/in/photostream/

Strange Loop by Morgen Dämmerung

A great photo courtesy twistanddraw, and a very nice handspun project too.

The pattern is Strange Loop by Morgen Dämmerung. twistanddraw used a 2-ply yarn spun from yak/silk.

www.instagram.com/p/BjroZdfHx_B/?taken-by=twistanddraw

Prairie Park by Jess Gagnon

This pattern from the latest Knitty shows that you don't need to spin a sweater-quantity of yarn to use your handspun in a jumper.

Most of the yarn here is a commercial yarn. The front panel and other details incorporate handspun yarn in similar fibres and thickness.

http://knitty.com/ISSUEff18/PATTprairiepark/PATTprairiepark.php

Fenton's Arrow by by Tanis Gray

This is a similar type of cowl to the one below and also uses graduated colour (ombré yarns in this case)

This one uses worsted-weight yarn so would be faster to spin and knit.

knitty.com/ISSUEff18/PATTfentonsarrow/PATTfentonsarrow.php

Undamo Cowl by Sarah Jordan

We've seen earlier this issue how beautiful stranded colourwork can look when worked with graduated colours.

Sarah Jordan designed this pattern in collaboration with Marian of Marianated yarns. The one in the picture uses one of Marian's mini skein sets with one contrasting skein.

To use your own yarn, it calls for 450 - 500 yards of DK (11 wpi) yarn.

paknitwit.blogspot.com/2018/06/pattern-release-undamo-cowl.html

Deschain by Leila Raabe

The lace pattern here is striking and the shape is very attractive by virtue of being drapey rather than figure-hugging.

The pattern calls for linen and it also works well in cotton as seen in this lighter coloured version made by Tanis.

If you were spinning and didn't want to spin cotton or linen, which fibres would you choose? My thoughts are a wool/silk mix, perhaps using a more robust wool such as Blueface Leicester (BFL).

quinceandco.com/products/deschain

Commuters can knit a scarf in under five minutes with the amazing pedal-powered 'Cyclo Knitter'

Commuters can keep warm as they wait for their train, and make a scarf at the same time using this pedal-powered knitting machine.

It was designed by student George Barratt-Jones.

Thanks to Knithacker for sharing.

knithacker.com...the-amazing-pedal-powered-cyclo-knitter

Yarningham

Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 July 2018, Uffculme Centre, Birmingham

www.stitchesandhos.co.uk/yarningham/4591459403

British Wool Show (formerly British Wool Weekend Show)

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.

www.britishwool.net

Fibre East

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.

www.fibre-east.co.uk

Southern Wool Show

Saturday 1 September 2018, Newbury Racecourse, Berkshire

Plenty for knitters and crocheters, feltmakers, weavers, spinners, dyers, and lovers of all things woolly!

www.southernwoolshow.co.uk

Perth Festival Of Yarn

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.

perthfestivalofyarn.uk

Cornish Yarn Festival

15 & 16 September 2018, 10am to 4pm St John's Hall, Penzance

http://www.cyfonline.biz

Shetland Wool Week

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.

shetlandwoolweek.com

The Wool Event, Masham Sheep Fair

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.

http://www.mashamsheepfair.com

Yarndale

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.

yarndale.co.uk

Bakewell Wool Gathering

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.

bakewellwool.co.uk/

West Wales Wool Show 2018

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.

westwaleswoolshow.weebly.com

Kendal Wool Gathering

Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th of October

Kendal Wool Gathering mixes demonstrations, fun activities and displays, all connected to the cloth on which the town’s 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.

www.kendalwoolgathering.co.uk

Nottingham Yarn Expo

Nottingham Conference Centre Goldsmith Street Entrance, Nottingham. NG1 4BU

Workshops Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 November. Market place Sunday 11 November

https://www.nottinghamyarnexpo.com