Do you enjoy scouring a fleece? Not everyone does and that's fine. Shearing happens at this time of year and if you are interested in scouring a raw fleece for the first time, there are two articles in this issue on the topic. One is a tutorial with pictures, the other has three spinners discussing the subject.
In this issue you can also read about techniques including 'glazing' yarn and spinning crepe yarn.
As is also traditional for the time of year, I've picked a few cute lambing pictures.
Read on for this month's cunning curated collection of inspirational information and entertainment for spinners, knitters, crocheters, dyers and weavers. This is the full issue for May 2019.
Photo right: 'Turquoise Dream' by feathersandfluff. The cover photo is by Joe Zlomek
Sadly I missed Wonderwool Wales this year. It appears that despite the weather the atmosphere and exhibitors were as warm and wonderful as ever.
Vendor Woolly Chic Designs have posted some pictures and a video log which capture the event with an emphasis on the crocheted seagulls.
https://www.woollychicdesigns.co.uk/wonderful-wonderwool-wales-2019/
BritSpin, 'The British Wool Spinning Marathon' is an athletic-themed spinning event due to take place from 9 to 13 October 2019.
Team registration is now open. Teams consist of up to 10 spinners, including captain and deputy captain. Sponsorship of teams is encouraged. Maybe you have a business, maybe a business would like to sponsor your team, or the even may be able to connect your team to a suitable sponsor, which may involve discount or free fibre for your spinners.
This will be the second BritSpin, some aspects have been updated following feedback from last year's event, so please read the information for 2019 which is now available at the BritSpin website and the Ravelry group.
There are often fleeces for sale at shows here in the UK, sometimes shorn before your eyes.
I've never seen this many for sale in one place, there are allegedly more than 900. Jillian Moreno has posted a few pictures and a couple of vides (including spinning dinosaurs) from the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival.
www.jillianmoreno.com...maryland-sheep-amp-wool-i-bought-fleeces
This video shows what looks like a fun event at Maryland.
How much thread can you spin with a drop spindle in 60s, blindfolded?
Archie Harrison slept through his first press conference. As is traditional, he was wrapped in a shawl from G.H. Hurt & Son of Nottingham.
The couple were given a wool-free cardigan by animal-rights organisation PETA who believe that shearing sheep is cruel. I'm curious about how this went down with the family as the child's grandfather is patron of the Campaign for Wool.
www.foxbusiness.com/markets/wool-wrap-for-royal-baby-suggests-tradition-will-win-out
Well here's a thing.
I was struggling to imagine the combo of knitting and heavy metal, so I watched this video about the competition, and I'm not really any the wiser.
But then I don't have much imagination. Take a look at the video if you like rock / metal and knitting. I'm certainly pro any combination of my favourite things and look forward to seeing the competition entries.
If you manage to convincingly combine knitting and air guitar without taking someone's eye out, then why not make a 1-minute video and enter?
The problems with the fashion industry include pollution and exploitation.
This is a Kickstarter campaign by Casa Maestros who aim for a more 'conscious' fashion.
I love some of their designs. This wrap is naturally dyed (achiote, carrot and indigo). It's 100% cotton and hand woven. It's one of many eye-catching 'rewards' that you can obtain by pledging money to this business.
The money will be used to plant a botanic natural-dye garden and train weavers.
Their page contains lots of information, some wonderful products and several videos.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/casamaestros/casa-maestros-moda-consciente-conscious-fashion
For those interested in sheep breeds, this infographic has been put together by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST). It lists breeds which are classed as critical, endangered, vulnerable, at risk and minority. Breeds that you may recognise have just a few hundred registered breeding females.
It's not all bad - the chart shows that some sheep breeds have increased in number this year. The list has more plusses than minuses.
We're still in 'bird nesting season' here in the UK and I assume that applies to the Northern hemisphere.
I was taught that we could leave scraps of unspun fluff out for the birds as nesting material. This article is specifically about spun yarn, and I think that would assume acrylic rather than natural fibres, but unspun fibre is mentioned in this article too.
I'm not taking sides on this one, simply presenting the article as it appears on Interweave's site. It does contain a very useful list of 'don't leave out' (string, tinsel) and 'do leave out' which includes pet fur, so I can't really see a great distinction between that and unspun natural fibre, but that's just a personal reaction.
https://www.interweave.com/article/knitting/yarn-kills-birds
Spoiler: it's a technique where dye is applied gently over existing colours to modify them.
Fiber Sprite has come up with a technique for seeing a preview of the result by using photo-editing software to overlay a semi-transparent layer of colour over a picture of the skein.
Details are in her post.
In March Janelle described crepe yarn for us and made a test skein which she loved.
She has now made the full skein and does not love it. She feels that she deviated from her sample too much and made this lot too 'twisty'. Judge for yourself.
Do you enjoy scouring a fleece? Some people don't, including Anne Merrow.
This is an engaging type of article. Three spinners compare notes about how they do it and whether they enjoy it.
Deborah Held gives her three reasons for using a support spindle. These don't include the most obvious one for me which is building a collection of beautifully-turned and glass-tipped spindles.
www.interweave.com/article/spinning/handspun-habit-supported-spindles
You may be aware that the vicuña is cousin to the alpaca. Christina Garton explains that the fibre has always been very precious and still is today, thanks in part to the fact that they can't be domesticated and have to be captured, shorn and released. Poaching has contributed to the high value, as does the fact that they grow their wool slowly.
https://www.interweave.com/article/weaving/vicuna-fiber-incan-royalty
riihivilla planted these 10-year-old seeds a month ago and they're germinating. She puts their viability down to the fact that they've been kept in the fridge and in plastic.
riihivilla.blogspot.com/2019/04/old-woad-is-germinating-vanha-morsinko.html
I've not seen this before. In this shot Rachel is warping a rigid heddle loom to the back beam using a warping frame at the front. It makes sense, especially if space is limited.
Equally notable is the fact that she's warping using singles yarn! "I had a couple break on me at the beginning" she says, but was undeterred.
She provides a link if you'd like more information about this method of using the warping frame to warp a rigid heddle.
Here's a test. This is in two parts, In the first part we can see the carded nests with two colours passed through the carder once, twice and three times.
These finished skeins range from totally unblended (a single of each colour) through to well-blended fibre. Pamela's full description and observations are in the two posts.
https://www.fibersprite.com/blog/drum-carder-blending-experiment-yarn
Nåbinding is seeing a revival, particularly with reenactment enthusiasts.
We've encountered the technique before in some archaeological pieces. It was used thousands of years ago before knitting and crochet first appeared. The stitches are made using a large needle.
thetwistedyarn decided to learn this new-old craft and shares her thoughts.
A colour pyramid is a way to organise primary and secondary colours. Debby has made 28 sample skeins in different colours, starting only with dyes in the primary colours. She explains in her post.
I guess quite a few of us have kept our first spinning but Lynn has framed hers!
It's just one of many items in this round-up of pictures from Worstead WSD's inspiring Meet Make and Chat sessions.
Many new spinners are keen to get to the spinning wheel. It has a romantic image and may be faster (though there are those who would challenge that).
Josefin suggests that the slower speed of the spindle is a "superpower" and offers advantages such as greater control.
This page is a good read if you are new to spinning and there is much of interest for the experienced. There are several very enjoyable embedded videos.
With thanks to Dominique for the suggestion.
These are some 'explorations' using Cheviot wool.
The KnitBritish Wool Exploration encourages intrepid explorers to try and review a particular breed each two months.
In this most recent issue of the podcast, Louise presents the results of March's breed, Cheviot
It has recently been lambing time for Jane in Orkney. This Boreray played a cruel trick. Read about it and see more cute pictures on Jane's Twitter feed.
Sometimes lambs need a little help. This is Sunshine, owner Rachel needed to bring her inside for some TLC. Sunshine still seems fine but if you do look at Rachel's Twitter feed, but be warned that the story wasn't such a happy one for her housemate Frances.
This short video shows 'antique' flax found on an old wheel. It holds a lot of grime, but that comes out very quickly in water.
For Earth Day, the Campaign for Wool has released a series of videos which compare wool and synthetic products.
The videos are produced by Billy Hanshaw with voiceovers by Alex James, best known for being a musician in Blur and now a cheesemaker (and presumably blessed).
You can see all of the videos on this CfW page.
www.campaignforwool.org/2019/04/18/choose-the-world-choose-wool
This three-minute video shows a traditional Japanese Takadai frame weaver at work. As Ewespecial says, it's quite beautiful and also intriguing.
The process is a more complex version of the braiding that you can do using a disc.
This is a short but sweet video of Josefin spinning using a Viking-style spindle. We know what the whorls looked like because so many have survived. Not so many shafts exist, but there are some.
Her page also includes plenty about the spindles and the textiles of these people.
waltin.se/josefinwaltinspinner/spinning-on-a-viking-spindle/
There are 22 officially-recognised alpaca colours. If you have multiple colours, how can you spin them?
Here are eight ideas. Sometimes good ideas appear in the comments at the foot of the page too.
www.interweave.com/article/spinning/8-ways-to-spin-naturally-colored-alpaca-fiber
This appears to be regular combing, but in fact Josefin is using the combs to tease the wool and blend in a little silk prior to carding.
This hand mixer seems surprisingly effective as an e-spinner.
Before Kimberly obtained any spinning tools, she wanted to see what household things she could use to spin yarn. She used dog combs, a hand mixer, a drill gun and a glamorous assistant to spin some art yarn.
As a commenter points out, the drill allows you to reverse direction for plying.
This is not so much a tutorial but a quite captivating stop-motion video showing the creation of some 'rogue rolags'.
Jenn flicks the locks of her fleeces. This requires her scouring process to disturb the lock structure as little as possible.
Here she describes with many pictures, how she does it.
whisperingpinesshetlands.blogspot.com/2019/05/how-do-i-wash-raw-fleece.html
Vielen Dank to the lovely Chantimanou for this amazing free resource.
I'm providing a link to her page via Google Translate which works pretty well. The most important thing is that there's a link lower down the page to a pdf which you can print. If you print one page you can cut out and laminate three copies of her control card.
There's also a link to her information / tips sheet. Despite being a pdf, Google Translate is also able to translate this, but maybe not so well. Here's a translated link to that.
translate.google.co.uk/translate?...chantimanou.de%2Fkontrollkarten%2F
This page is packed with information. Janelle toured Scotland and visited wool mills including Verdant Works, Dundee, Knockando Woolmill, Ardalanish, Isle Of Mull and New Lanark Mill. Some are working, some aren't but all have interesting stories and interesting machinery.
I'm not really convinced that this project is permanently taking plastic out of the environment because we know that clothes are often discarded quickly, but it can't be a bad thing to pick up plastic trash from beaches and turn it into clothing and useful items.
It's difficult to get good information about how the plastic is made into yarn. There are a few shots of fibres being combed in the video on this page, and in other places it's stated that the plastic is melted down and drawn into fibres. These plastic fibres are combined in different ways with natural fibres depending on the application.
www.motmag.com...bionic-yarn-pharrells-passion-for-sustainable-fashion
<sees photo five years later>
"why did you let me walk around looking like that?!"
We've all been there.
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.
I've set them up with 35 - 50 pieces- just the right number for a coffee-break challenge and you gradually reveal the cartoon.
But if you fancy more of a challenge (or less) you can customise the number of pieces before you start.
Are you a teacher, pattern designer, dyer, equipment manufacturer or supplier?
Would you like to reach the readership of thousands of hand spinners and at the same time help to support Hand Spinning News ?
Sometimes just a picture is enough
These stunning pictures must be seen at full size.
The lovely Kate of Ashford Wheels and Looms has made this eye-catching jumper using Ashford alpaca/merino blended with hand-dyed merino/silk. Note the way that the sideways stitching has produced a subtle vertical variegation.
The pattern is Crossback Sweater by Knitatude / Chantal Miyagishima. It's reversible, you can wear the crossover at the back or the front, as demonstrated by Kate in her photos.
Cheri was surprised by the attention that this picture got on social media, but it was well-deserved.
The pattern for the crochet shawl is free, it's Klaziena Shawl by Kirsten Bishop. Cheri says "Lovely pattern! I really enjoyed it.".
Fran collected dandelion flowers, dyed four skeins differently and made this bag. The full story, including technical details of the dyeing, is in her post.
As a bonus, Fran has posted the pattern here.
wooltribulations.blogspot.com/2019/04/dandelion-flower-dye-one-yellow-three.html
Do click through to Rachel's page because it contains lots of pictures of the progress of this shawl from spindle-spun BFL/silk through the weaving to the finished product.
Canadian teacher Daryl has posted these pictures from a 5-day sewing course. Most of the students were using handwoven fabric and much of that was hand dyed / painted.
The line-up of coats and jackets is quite stunning and if you've not sewn your own woven fabric before, this will make you curious.
weaversew.com/wordblog/2019/05/06/springtime-in-new-hampshire
mirhandspun's jumper is a showcase for natural plant-based dyes. The pattern is a slightly-adapted Anatolia by Marie Wallin.
This picture was taken by jenjohnson of Whispering Pines Farm. The shawl is made from handspun yarn using wool from Whispering Pines and a neighbouring farm.
This month's sexy spindle shot rather unusually shows fibre, singles, plied yarn and socks in progress.
There are more shots if you follow the link, including the finished pair of socks.
sheepassisted's cardigan is made from handspun yarn made from dyed fibre from various sources.
You may have seen mention of BritSpin at the top of this issue.
HilaryKent made this cardigan using yarn spun during last year's Britspin, donated by John Arbon Textiles to their team. She posted the finished item in the John Arbon Textiles group.
The fibre is River Rapids tops and the pattern Fylingdales by Lisa Lloyd.
https://www.ravelry.com/discuss/john-arbon-textiles--fibre-harvest/3300902/726-750#730
A selection of free seasonal patterns which will work well with handspun yarn.
Improv is a basic jumper design with notes about how to adapt it.
In the picture is 'Turquoise Dream' by feathersandfluff which is made using spindle-spun merino and the Improv pattern.
Thanks to Sue for this lacey scarf pattern. She has used a lace yarn which appears to be a single ply yarn.
I'd recommend trying a single ply if you haven't done before. The received wisdom is that it can be weaker and can bias when knitted. These aren't showstoppers - they just mean that you must make sure that your thickness and twist are even, and that you set it well, preferably with a little 'fulling' (judicious temperature changes and a bit of thwacking).
soozjewels.blogspot.com/2018/08/long-tall-sally-crocheted-scarf-pattern.html
This isn't so much a pattern as a very simple tutorial, but it's something that you could make with leftovers of handspun yarn.
Dryer balls reduce tumble-drying time. You can also add drops of essential oil to scent your laundry.
Whatever fibres you use must be feltable.
These "snuggly and striking" brioche cowls were spotted in the Ravelry UK Spinners group.
Woollyelly used BritSpin sponsorship fibre, a Corriedale / Polwarth blend. The white yarn was divided, dyed in four different colours and knitted into two cowls.
The pattern suggests fingering / 4 ply weight (14 wpi).
Oydis is the Goddess of good luck. This jumper has an interesting curved hem, a diamond cable pattern and an optional matching cowl.
The pattern uses a mixture of flat and working in the round. Sizes range from XS to 2XL.
Use a DK weight yarn in a natural colour or maybe.
www.marveng-puckett.com/wordpress/2016/04/oydis-sweater-pattern-released
Swedish artist Ulla Stina-Wikander has combined functional household objects (not all 'forgotten') with embroideries, which she says are often regarded as kitsch.
Some are household objects but I like the contrast where practical tools are combined with the pretty stitchwork, as in the picture here (I hesitate to say masculine and feminine for fear of offending).
This enormous placenta and umbilical was made by 20 women over two years using tee-shirt yarn. The video contains many pictures of the progress of the project, along with the finished item. Commantary is by Warragul-based community artist Bec Vandyk. It's as much a biology lesson as a knit/crochet project.
With thanks to Knithacker for sharing.
Saturday 1 June 2019
This popular event includes a market offering a range of goods from local traders, workshops and activities, demonstrations of special techniques, tips from professional speakers, a Q&A with our Knitting Gurus, and children's crafting activities.
www.leeds.gov.uk/museumsandgalleries/armleymills/leeds-wool-festival
Saturday, June 8, 2019
Be part of a very colourful and passionate community. Join a global movement.
Each local event is put together by a volunteer or a group of volunteers.
Find the registered events in your region using this link.
14 & 15 June 2019, City North Hotel, 20 minutes north of Dublin Airport
Ireland's Festival of Yarn
Saturday 15 - Sunday 16 June 2019, Weavers' Workshop, Dilham, Norfolk
Sheep-shearing demos, crochet, knitting, spinning, weaving, felting- demos and "have a go", alpacas and donkeys to feed and pet.
Fri 28 and Sat 29 June 2019, Cockermouth, Cumbria
Woolfest was founded to provide a showcase and a celebration of the best of wool and wool crafts.
The event is all about creativity and design with beautiful quality, amazing colours and skilled craftsmanship.
Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 July 2019, Uffculme Centre, Birmingham
27 - 28 July 2019, Redbourne Community College, Flitwick Road, Ampthill, Bedford MK45 2NU
An annual event created to celebrate all things natural fibre and handmade, with a focus on the Best of British: supporting the finest quality British wool, made from the fleeces of British sheep, reared by British farmers.
2 - 4 August 2019, Newcastle upon Tyne
Wool and Wellbeing festival for the North East.
3 August 2019, Whitehead's town centre from 10am - 5pm
Whitehead in Co. Antrim will once again play host to Yarnfolk Wool Festival for the 3rd year.
Friday 9 and Saturday 10 August 2019, 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 31 August and 1 September 2019, Newbury Racecourse, Berkshire
The perfect event for all lovers of knitting, crochet, feltmaking, weaving, spinning, dyeing, and all things woolly!
7 & 8 September 2019, 10am to 4pm St John's Hall, Penzance
7 and 8 September 2019. 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.
28 and 29 September 2019, Skipton Auction Mart, North Yorkshire
Stunning exhibitions, skill demonstrations and a full programme of textile workshops create a visual feast and make Yarndale a real must-visit for yarn lovers.
28 September - 6 October 2019
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 October 5 2019, 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 5 and 6 Oct, 2019, 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.
Bakewell Agricultural Centre Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 October 2019
A wool festival dedicated to the best of yarn, knitting, and crochet, 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 26 and Sunday 27 October 2019, Kendal Leisure Centre
Kendal Wool Gathering mixes demonstrations, fun activities and displays, all connected to the cloth on which the town's wealth was built.
A large number of exhibitors will be bringing a huge variety of goods including yarns, dyes, crafts, art, accessories, tools, felting, crochet, patterns, carpets, looms, spinning wheels and more. Outside there will be livestock, where you can meet a variety of sheep and Llamas, whilst learning about the important Lake District sheep farming industry.
Nottingham Conference Centre Goldsmith Street Entrance, Nottingham. NG1 4BU
Sunday 17 November.
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.
A final 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 enjoy Hand Spinning News, please don't keep it to yourself. Obviously the link to the full version is a benefit for paying subscribers, but please do share a link to hand-spinning-news.com by email or on social media with anyone who may be interested.
It's always good to hear from readers for any reason (or no reason!)
Happy spinning!
Shiela Dixon - Editor / curator
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