The Longest Yarn 2 at Welshpool
The Longest Yarn 2, Britain at War has opened at Welshpool Town Hall. It's on display there until the end of the month.
Tickets are free with donations encouraged. There will be talks and other related events.
Hand Spinning News
Have you heard of the term body-noddy? How about Andean or bracelet plying? It's possible to effectively spin yarn using the simplest tools, some found around you or easy to make and some that we carry around with us all of the time. Christina has found some tools at the hardware store that will help with weaving.
We're entering sweater season here in the Northern hemisphere and this month's pattern selections reflect that. You can choose your own knitting adventure too, at least two of them have design options.
If you'd like an email notification of when the free issue goes live each month, I now have a page at patreon.com/handspinningnews where you can become a member for free.
If you would like to receive a longer version in your inbox, earlier than the free edition appears and support the endeavour at the same time, find the options here.
So without further ado, read on for all of this and more news, views and reviews for spinners, knitters, crocheters, dyers and weavers. This is the free round-up for September 2026.
Cover photo by Pexels of Freerange Stock.
Contents
- In the media
- Handspun stories
- Recent, current and forthcoming events
- Tips and tutorials
- Video and audio
- Technology
- Gallery
Some of the best spinning images I've seen this month - Free Pattern and project suggestions
A selection of free seasonal patterns which will work well with handspun yarn - More Patterns and projects
More project ideas which will work well with handspun yarn - But is is art...?
- UK Events
Events for your 2026 calendar
In the media
Handspun stories
Spinzilla 2026
Spinzilla is back after a break.
This week-long competition has an entry fee and proceeds will go to craft education charities in the US. It has been a very enjoyable event in the past and gave birth to Britspin (no longer active) because some of us wanted a similar experience with UK charities benefitting.
You can join a team or 'spin rogue'. There will be various competition categories with prizes.
It'll take place 5-11 October. Registration opens on 12 September. They've given very short notice for team captains to register a team, that's open as I write this with the deadline 12 September. After that date, spinners can register.
Questionable Blend number 12 - Ice and Fire
craftmehappy has been working on her questionable blend series for two years and Ice and Fire is her twelfth and last blend.
It's not the blend itself that's questionable but it raises questions in the mind of the spinner about how best to spin it. As always, she has tried four different ways and made knitted samples.
www.craftmehappy.com/2026/08/questionable-blend-number-12-ice-and.html
Scrap pile spindles and distaves
How hard is it to turn a stick into a spindle? or distaff?
Rowena Zuercher wanted to push her carving skills and In the upcoming Fall 2026 issue of Spin Off she has written about making a dealgan, supported spindle and distaff.
Vive les Femmes
The Tour de France women's race ran until 9 August. Araignee checked in towards the end of that time with this Tour de Fleece udpate.
The cadence of the women's racing is different, it starts later and is shorter, which affected what she chose to do in the time.
araigneestangledweb.blogspot.com...friday-fluff-vive-les-femmes.html
The truth about the Mayan spinner
Jillian Eve has tried a Mayan or Paddle spinner for the first time, and delves into the question of whether it was originally Mayan or even for spinning yarn.
Build a tiny travel kit and weave anywhere
Due to limited space on a recent trip, Jennifer has made this cute little travel weaving kit and used cardboard looms for weaving during train journeys.
Kat has also tried weaving on card this month.
Spinner's alphabet: What begins with N?
We arrive at N in Amelia's spinner's alphabet. N is for that classic and amusingly-named spinning tool, the niddy-noddy.
Her own niddy-noddy has a built-in nostepinne, which I've never come across before. Or the term 'body-noddies' - tools that we all carry around with us.
Her 'O' is here. Can you guess what that will be?
askthebellwether.blogspot.com...spinners-alphabet-what-begins-with-n.html
DIY tools for hand spinners and knitters
Diana says that homemade or repurposed tools can save money - especially when learning a new craft. They also encourage experimentation, creativity, and problem-solving. There are several examples here.
sweetgeorgiayarns.com/do-it-yourself-tools-for-hand-spinners-knitters
Hardware-store hacks
Christina has also made a list of items that you can find at the hardware store to help with your weaving.
Top is not roving; roving is not top
Knit-Knack's blog posts are always a good read. Here she encourages us to think about fibre preparation rather than referring to a bump or braid.
She has spindle-spun two batches of Romney, one roving and one combed top.
theknitknack.wordpress.com..two-romney-wool-spindle-projects
Four preps, four projects
Also on the subject of preps, last year Spin Off selected four projects to pair with four different preps - carded batt, dizzed roving, rolags and hand-combed top.
I'm not sure how this popped up again but it's worth another look.
Endurance training for spinning
Facing the exciting prospect of a week-long spinning retreat, Sharon is a little concerned about her spinning stamina and has been working on getting into shape for the retreat. She comments "amazing how quickly the spinning gets done when I actually sit down and spin!"
sharondoubleknit.blogspot.com...endurance-training-for-spinning.html
Discover Gulf Coast native sheep and their Florino cousins
This article takes a look at two breeds developed for fine wool and resilience to a warm and humid climate.
spinoffmagazine.com...gulf-coast-native-sheep-and-their-florino-cousins
How to dehair llama
Llama fleece is very different from sheep and even from alpaca. If you've never tried this fibre then Pamela has some tips on dehairing and washing your llama fleece. She embeds a short video from Karen Kinyon.
Celebrate a century of Targhee sheep
Targhee is a relatively new breed, developed in the US. This article brings together information from Maggie Casey and Madeline Keller-King about spinning and knitting the wool.
Handspun linen for leatherwork
This bag is sold as a kit with pre-cut leather and the buckles. It comes with thread but Kate decided to use her own handspun linen. It's recommended that you wax the thread and so she used beeswax and a hairdryer.
This is how she got on with saddle stitch and her yarn.
Sheep abandoned on remote island, adapted
We rarely get the chance to observe natural selection in action.
Around a hundred years ago, sheep farming on Campbell Island, New Zealand collapsed and the last farmer had to leave and abandon the sheep. It was difficult for the sheep to start with but over the decades there were physical changes due to natural selection.
The only good news for the sheep though at the end of this story is that a small number of them were taken to safety on the mainland for breeding. That was 1975 and sadly that flock was only maintained until 2005.
Spinning and dyeing
Sharon has been dyeing; both chemical and natural. Some of it came out as expected, some of it not but it's all pleasing.
sharondoubleknit.blogspot.com...spinning-and-dying-both-chemical-and.html
Recent, current and forthcoming events
Fibrations 2026
2026 was the 15th year for the Fibrations Festival, and they claim the best year yet. Our correspondent is Jean who helped to represent her guild. She has pictures of this year's event along with a couple from previous years.
Tips and tutorials
Keeping it smooth
Jillian plays agony aunt and answers a reader's question about keeping yarn smooth and preventing the fuzz.
She goes through several things that could introduce a bit of halo.
How to keep your spinning wheels at the ready
Here are some maintenance tips that will keep your wheel spinning year-round.
spinoffmagazine.com/how-to-keep-your-spinning-wheels-at-the-ready
Creating a gradient on the drum carder for hand spinning
A gradient yarn has a gradual shift between multiple colours. You can use a drum carder to prepare a hand-dyed braid for spinning into a gradient yarn, Greta explains.
sweetgeorgiayarns.com...gradient-on-the-drum-carder-for-hand-spinning
Lynn says that these flexible bobbins make perfect weights for fixing warp ends. She explains how to find them and how to use them.
Products and Reviews
Introducing Atom
Majacraft have announced the Atom, a mini drum carder.
It's designed to be light, compact and easy to carry around.
Details and specifications are on this page.
The Annual issue six
The sixth issue of The Annual from John Arbon Textiles is available to order as a physical or digital book.
The theme this time is the era of power and steam. As usual it contains patterns, interviews, articles, puzzles and more.
Iterations by Woolly Wormhead
Woolly Wormhead has released a new book called Iterations.
As well as six new patterns, all bottom-up and knit in the round, it contains tutorials and links to video tutorials and colouring pages.
it's available now in eBook format
Video and audio
Awassi "Fat-tailed" Sheep
Jillian Eve has tried spinning wool from an ancient breed, the Awassi "Fat-tailed" sheep; a breed adapted for dry areas. It makes a "sturdy" yarn but this has its uses, maybe a rug or slippers.
Technology
Smart textiles reversibly change shape
There are many potential uses for textiles that can change shape automatically.
German researchers at DITF have produced such a fabric. It's made from yarn that shorten or lengthen according to ambient temperature.
Sheep wool to make seaweed farming plastic free
A project to use rope made of sheep's wool in kelp farming has moved from a small test to a indistrial-scale trials in Norway and Iceland.
At the end of their life, the wool ropes, along with residual seaweed, can be used as fertiliser, making a circular system. Previously plastic ropes have been used, which release microplastics and sometimes get lost in the sea.
Swiss NGO tests wool blankets to slow glacier melt
Wool blankets are being tested as a biodegradable alternative to synthetic materials to try to slow down melting.
These covers significantly reduce melting but they won't stop it.
www.reutersconnect.com/item/keep-it-wool-glacier-protection...
Gallery
Sometimes just a picture is enough
Women at work
During her time at the V&A, Abhidha found herself drawn to photographs in their collection that show women working. Some of the ones that she has posted show women spinning and knitting in a very real and hardworking context.
www.vam.ac.uk...women-at-work-photographs-from-the-va-collection
Field Day Jacket
Sharon has finished this jacket in bulky handspun yarn. The yarn was meant to be DK and had to wait until a suitable project for a more bulky yarn came along.
The pattern is Field Day Jacket by Hailey Smedley. She added pockets.
sharondoubleknit.blogspot.com...very-satisfactory-finished-things.html
Tour de Fleece 2026 art yarn skeins
Jill has posted a set of pictures for each day of her Tour de Fleece and the roundup of 22 skeins of Fabulous art yarn.
centeringwithfiber.blogspot.com...saori-weaving-class-and-my-tour-de.html
Snow on the way
I've learned a new word from Knit/Wit, that's blurple (blue/purple).
it is hard to capture such colours but she says that it's "a great representation of a winter sky".
It's Merino, silk and angora that was a little difficult to draft, resulting in some inconsistency. Let's call that 'character'.
Drifting along in the Summer sun
This is a lovely photo. Jean says that spinning singles with a tiny Turkish spindle prolongs the pleasure. I believe that this is the Merino / alpaca / camel / silk that she bought at Fibrations. "It is the lightest and softest fibre I've ever spun", she adds.
onesmallstitch.wordpress.com...drifting-along-in-the-summer-sun
Don't Blame the Dog
HighlandHeffalump has also drawn a line under her Tour de Fleece spinning with this very neat skein of merino / silk that she has named fairly creatively!
highlandheffalump.com...yop16-week-5-52-final-tdf-post-and-quick-weaving-update
Weaving a flock of sheep: Krokbragd
Susan feels that her flock of sheep Krokbragd band was not very successful but I disagree.
Free patterns and projects
A selection of free seasonal patterns which will work well with handspun yarn.
The "Perfect Storm" Tunisian crochet pattern by Martin Up North
Martin Up North has released this free pattern for a blanket or scarf featuring a lightning bolt pattern.
I think the pattern assumes a knowledge of Tunisian crochet, but Martin says that "the pattern is much easier to crochet than it looks". He adds that it's easy to memorise, so you can "take with you, everywhere you go".
martinupnorth.com...the-perfect-storm-tunisian-crochet-pattern
Good Bones by Michelle Porter
This is a seamed sweater which gives support and also allows for customisation.
The pattern gives options for sleeve length and bust darts and ten sizes. It also suggests holding two fingering weight yarns together for a marled effect.
Bubbles by Donielle Oliver Showvay
This beginner-level pattern is free for a limited but unspecified time.
It's large at 80" x 20". It uses DK yarn on a 5 mm hook.
Pattern and project suggestions
Astronomy Pullover by Cap Sease
The flecked yarn in this example suggests a starry night and Green Mountain Spinnery call this jumper "a perfect layering option for star gazing".
It has seven sizes, requiring 1260 - 1960 yards of Worsted-weight (9 wpi) yarn. The suggested yarn is cotton.
www.spinnery.com/shop/patterns/sweaters-and-vests/astronomy-pullover-351
Sapin Forest Hat by Olya Mikesh / YellowBlueDesign
The fir-tree-like cable pattern adds chunkiness. It uses worsted-weight (9 wpi) yarn and requires 220 yards.
Marblehead Poncho by Lana Jois
This is an easy knit in DK / 8 ply (11 wpi) yarn, and has a high rating. The yarn requirement is 984 - 1476 yards depending on size (there are eight to choose from).
The design is unusual, a combination of sweater and poncho. It's worked in the round from top-down.
Tribute by Debi Maige
The wide neck and cable-style stitch pattern make this very appealing to me.
It requires 1140 - 2725 yards of fingering-weight yarn with nine sizes.
It's knit bottom-up in the round and then split for front and back, with the sleeves picked up.
The designer was inspired by a sock pattern that she test-knit, and with permission, she designed the jumper around the stitch design.
Whiffle by Anne Hanson
Anne calls this the "ultimate choose-your-own-adventure sweater" with 6 variations including henley or crew neck and various sleeve lengths.
She adds that it's a flexible design when it comes to choice of fibre and "shines in a huge range of plant and wool fibres".
This has a very high overall rating and clarity rating.
But is it art...?
Sofie Dawo Textile Experiments
Sofie Dawo. Textile Experiments is a retospective exhibition currently showing at Kunstgewerbemuseum, Berlin until January 2027.
Sofie Dawo (1926-2010) created her work by damaging fabric with "emerging surprises".
I'm linking to the press pack which contains more images than any of the web pages that report the event.
www.smb.museum...sofie-dawo-textile-experimente-1772026-1712027
Gillian Cooper: beyond the first stitch
Gillian Cooper is "endlessly curious" about new materials.
www.textileartist.org/gillian-cooper-beyond-the-first-stitch
Kelly D Villalba
Kelly explores form and colour in her soft, sculptural vessels.
This collection of work from 2023 breaks from functional shapes and into the abstract.
Eri Imamura
Japanes artist Eri Imamura blends influences from many cultures including kimono textiiles, tattoo art and native American beadwork.
Her scultpures hang as if they're clothing.
This collection of pictures is from her 2026 America solo exhibition.
www.turnercarrollgallery.com/product-tag/eri-imamura-exhibition-2026
Sungho Bae's uncanny sculptures
Sungho Bae's work is not for the squeamish. Largely textile, they also incorporate taxidermied animals and ritual objects. They resemble anatomical cutaway models.
www.thisiscolossal.com...sungho-bae-stuffed-animal-sculptures
Nikki Parmenter: plastic and stitch
Nikki Parmenter uses free machine embroidery and a variety of mixed materials to create colourful, almost iridescent works.
My main link goes to an interview with Nikki. She has an ongoing programme of talks and workshops, see her Facebook page for upcoming events.
UK Events
2026
The Scottish Yarn Festival
12 - 13 September at Perth Concert Hall
The Scottish Yarn Festival is the new name for Perth Festival of Yarn.
The Vendors' Gallery Marketplace is the place to find materials and inspiration for your future crafting projects, the chance to meet and talk with the makers behind your favourite independent brands, to indulge in a little celebrity spotting.
Past tutors and lecturers have included Jeanette Sloan, Françoise Danoy, Andre de Castro, Di Gilpin, and Amy Palko
A fringe programme of social events has included books signings, gala dinners and fashions shows, and Perthshire gin flights
unravel... autumn
Fri 11 - Sat 12 September 2026, Farnham Maltings
unravel... autumn is a celebration of all things yarn making from knitting and crochet to spinning and weaving
At the core of unravel... autumn is the curated marketplace which showcases independent producers, well established makers alongside first-time yarn show exhibitors from around the UK. In addition, on each day of the festival, there is an inspiring programme of bookable workshops.
Yarn Gathering
Sun 20 September 2026, Daniel Owen Centre, Mold, Flintshire
Yarn O'clock & Kath Andrews Designs are delighted to be hosting Yarn Gathering once again for its fifth year.
Yarndale
26 - 27 September 2026, Skipton Auction Mart, North Yorkshire
Over 180 makers, craft workers, retailers, and artisans in the picturesque market town of Skipton, North Yorkshire.
The Wool Event, Masham Sheep Fair
26 - 27 September 2026, 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.
Shetland Wool Week
27 September - 6 October 2026
Shetland Wool Week is a world renowned celebration of Britain's most northerly native sheep, the Shetland textile industry and the rural farming community on these islands.
Includes classes, talks, drop-ins, art. See website for the full events listing.
Festival of Flora and Fauna, AGWSD
1-29 October 2026, Rose Paterson Gallery, Weston Park, Weston-under-Lizard, Shifnal TF11 8LE
11am-4pm daily.
The National Exhibition of the Association of Guilds of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers includes juried entries and an open section showcasing the creativity of guild members from across the country. Free entry.
Yarnstock
2 - 4 October 2026
A cosy weekend festival for crochet lovers, yarn crafters, and wool enthusiasts. Camp or visit for the day.
West Wales Wool Show
Saturday 3 October 2026, 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.
The Glasgow School of Yarn
10 - 11 October 2026, The Briggait, Glasgow
Scotland's longest running yarn festival, championing local and innovative makers since 2011.
GSoY has an abundance of beautiful yarns, fibres, and accessories for every crafter.
Stafford Wool Gathering
17 - 18 October 2026 Staffordshire County Showground
Bakewell Wool Gathering has moved to Stafford.
Over 100 exhibitors showcasing their skills and offering everything you need. Or take part in workshops to learn and improve on your own skills.
Whether you enjoy spinning, felting, weaving, knitting, or crochet, it's an event you won't want to miss.
Yorkshire Yarn Fest
14 - 15 November 2026, Sandburn Hall, York YO60 7RB
More details to follow
Knit + Stitch Show Northern Ireland
12-15 November 2026, The Eikon Exhibition Centre
Meet up with like-minded crafters, discuss ideas, learn new skills, find inspiration and shop for your annual craft supplies, including wool, fabric and beyond from big brands and specialist suppliers.
Christmas Wool Show
14 - 15 November, National Conference Centre, Birmingham
80 amazing exhibitors from all over the country in a fabulous venue. Free parking, café, free demonstrations from local guilds, charity magazine stall, yarn winding service and plenty of room to sit and chat.
Knit + Stitch, Harrogate (previously The Knitting and Stitching Show)
19 - 22 November 2026, Harrogate Convention Centre
Meet up with like-minded crafters, discuss ideas, learn new skills and shop for your annual craft supplies, including wool, beads and beyond from household name brands and special suppliers alike including Fabric Godmother, Toft and more.
Support Hand Spinning News
I'm Shiela Dixon, I've been doing this for around seventeen years in order to promote and encourage spinning and related crafts.
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