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Hand Spinning News

If you are moving beyond the basics with your spinning, then you may have heard the terms woolen and worsted but still not be sure how or why you would spin either. Two different articles by Rudy Amann and Jillian Moreno this month deal with the subject.

Do you have a dedicated space for your crafting? Would you like one? Thread Head gives us a tour of her 'multi-craftual room' and Fiber Sprite gives us the benefit of her research and experiences with getting the right amount of light in her spinning and weaving studio. If your space is cluttered, then Interweave editors have reached out to the community and have some advice for clearing those UFOs.

Read on for this month's round-up of news, views and reviews for spinners, knitters, crocheters, dyers and weavers.

This free issue for March 2023 is brought to you in association with Audible. I'm a member and enjoy listening while I spin and knit. The new Audible gives you unlimited listening to thousands of titles.

Find out how to receive a longer, ad-free* version of Hand Spinning News earlier in the month.

Cover photo: Manx Loaghtan Sheep by robbinsbox.

Contents

 

In the media

Museum's old school mule is still alive and kicking

Museum's old school mule is still alive and kicking

This is Derek Bird who has experience building textile machinery and was drafted in to help get Leeds Industrial Museum's Victorian spinning mule running again.

The museum was once the world's largest woollen mill. This article has lots of information about the museum and the machinery.

news.leeds.gov.uk/news/museums-old-school-mule-is-still-alive-and-kicking

Manx wool supporting families and troops in Ukraine

Manx wool supporting families and troops in Ukraine

Wool producer Jenny Shepherd has been donating wool to Ukraine through the Wool for Ukraine initiative.

This is a radio interview in which Jenny talks about how touching it is to receive thank you messages. The country has a strong tradition of knitting and the recipients are finding the donation therapeutic.

www.manxradio.com...manx-wool-supporting-families-and-troops-in-ukraine


 

Handspun stories

Decoding the mystery of the rolag, the puni, and the rolag-puni

Decoding the mystery of the rolag, the puni, and the rolag-puni

"What do you call the rolls of fibre that you make with your handcards, blending board or drumcarder?" asks Anne.

The words rolag and puni have become a little interchangeable, with some offerings described as "rolag punis".

Anne decodes the terms, looks at how you might spin them and invites you to "pick up a handful of fibre cigars and spin happy".

spinoffmagazine.com/what-is-a-rolag-anyway

Multi-Craftual Room

Multi-craftual room

Whether or not you're lucky enough to have a dedicated room for your crafting, it's always fascinating to have a tour of someone else's space, to see what crafts they do and how they've organised their space.

Thread Head Joanne quilts, spins, dyes and weaves. This is a tour of her creative space.

joanne-threadhead.blogspot.com/2023/03/my-multi-craftual-room.html

Lighting a fibre arts studio

Lighting a fibre arts studio

Pamela also discusses her studio in this post, in particular how she has managed to get enough light to work by without calling an electrician.

She links to a couple of books that she found useful.

www.fibersprite.com/blog/lighting-a-fiber-arts-studio

A knitter's day trip: Edinburgh

A knitter's day trip: Edinburgh

Jeni Hankins made a weekend trip to Edinborough and writes about three exhibitions that she visited. Two of those are drawing to a close as I write this, but all the same, it's an interesting travel log and may inspire you to make your own textile-themed weekend break.

www.moderndailyknitting.com/2023/03/02/knitters-weekend-edinburgh-hankins

of light and air

of light and air

For the last couple of years Sarah has been trying her hand at 3d vessel knitting.

She has tried paper, willow bark, dogbane and milkweed cordage and she finds the fibres "simply glorious".

If you're curious about this, she gives some details of her experiments to find the best starch to use. It's good to see Sarah blogging again, her words, her projects, her photographs and her sketches are all delightful.

sarahcswett.substack.com/p/of-light-and-air

Remedial work to the handspun BBC Micro jumper

Remedial work to the handspun BBC Micro jumper

I'm sneaking in one of my own posts as I do sometimes.

I finished this jumper a while ago, but there was an aspect I wasn't happy with.

It involved buying more fibre and spinning more yarn. Fortunately I have found John Arbon blends to be very consistent.

blog.handspinner.co.uk/2023/02/a-little-bit-of-extra-work-to-bbc-micro.html

All the fluff

All the fluff

Sue has found a small mill that advertises washed fleece.

She doesn't mention the name, and that may be deliberate, because unfortunately she found the fleece sticky and could only spin it after re-washing it, which defeats the object a little.

travelfibreandthread.blogspot.com/2023/03/all-fluff.html


 


 

Tips and tutorials

Identifying and tackling fleece imperfections

Identifying and tackling fleece imperfections

This is an incredible resource developed by Fossil Fibers and provided free as an ad-free web page, with a downloadable simple checklist that you can take with you when looking at fleeces to make sure that you don't miss anything.

It covers, with good images, imperfections like kemp, breaks, second cut and yolk as well as looking at characteristics such as staple length and dual-coat.

My browser's 'reader view' and 'save to pdf' made great work of viewing and saving the guide. I highly recommend if you're interested in spinning raw fleece.

fossilfibers.wordpress.com...identifying-and-tackling-fleece-imperfections

Spinning into Focus techniques 4 and 5

Spinning into Focus techniques 4 and 5

In this series, craftmehappy is spinning the same top - John Arbon Appledore - using a variety of techniques.

Techniques 4 and 5 are dizzing the fibres off a blending board, and spinning from the end without pre-drafting.

You can see a comparisonof these two techniques in this article, and by the end of the series she hopes to knit a garment which will show the different levels of colour blending in order, so that the colours appear to come into focus across the garment.

www.craftmehappy.com/2023/03/spinning-into-focus-with-john-arbons.html

Spinning Wheel Basics: Know Your Drive Band

Spinning wheel basics: know your drive band

Is your drive band showing signs of wear? Have you run out of adjustment, or is the drive band material fraying?

Heavenly Bresser takes a look at the different drive systems, the various drive band materials and how to attach them.

spinoffmagazine.com/drive-band-basics-for-antique-wheels

Caring for your hand knits

Caring for your hand knits

For folks who don't have handmade clothes, the idea of having to treat knits differently than other clothes may be offputting.

However, the effort required to keep them up over many years is small compared to the many hours put into the item.

Alexa Ludeman covers how often to wash, blocking, washing, spot cleans, de-pilling and storing your knits.

blog.tincanknits.com/2023/03/01/caring-for-your-hand-knits

Do you spin worsted, woolen, or something between?

Do you spin worsted, woolen, or something between?

If you are moving beyond the basics with your spinning then this may be for you.

Spinners tend to agree on the definition of true worsted or true woolen yarn, but most of us tend to spin something between. Rudy Amann describes four categories with samples.

spinoffmagazine.com/worsted-woolen-or-semi-something-by-rudy-amann


Products

Dark side of the yarn

Dark side of the yarn

I'm including this product pick because of the 50th anniversary of the album that has inspired the colours here.

I imagine that many of the HSN audience are around the same age as me, and/or have similar musical tastes.

In this range of yarn, Alexandra has dyed 2-inch areas of bright colour, which give around half a dozen stitches of accent colour before being eclipsed by the main dark colour. (I tried to buy some but she seems to ship within the US only.)

alexandratheartofyarn.com/shop/yarn/dk-weight/dark-side-of-the-moon-midnight-dk

tinyStudio Issue 18

tinyStudio Issue 18

tinyStudio is a digital magazine that you can subscribe to or buy a single issue.

The blog post I'm linking to is a very good preview of the latest issue, number 18, which will certainly appeal to you if you enjoy HSN.

Among the articles are Art Yarn Knits by Lauren Halsall, Jen Johnson's Shetland flock, Priscilla Bradburn's amazingly detailed amigurimi dolls and Arlene Thayer talking about 'new' tech in spinning.

(See an earlier story for an interview with Lauren Halsall.)

www.fiberygoodness.com/2023/02/tinystudio-issue-18


Reviews


Video and audio

Knitting socks with handspun yarn on a circular sock machine

Knitting socks with handspun yarn on a circular sock machine

Somehow I'd missed this video when it was published 4 months ago but happily Felicia referred back to it in a more recent one.

Here she discusses the topic of making socks using her circular sock machine (CSM) with handspun yarn in mind. She talks about the considerations you have to make when you spin the yarn, getting the fit right, colour, working heels and toes. She provides a link to a pdf containing her notes and photos.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=37uuRQlfFOU


Technology

An open hardware automatic spinning machine

An open hardware automatic spinning machine

If you're interested in tools such as 3d printers and laser cutters as well as in spinning wheels, then you'll be excited by this machine.

It's an open hardware spinning machine which means that in principle you could make your own from freely available files.

It does require a polyjet or other very accurate 3D printer for some parts.

If you watch the video, you'll see that the focus is on plying. It spins singles but it requires pre-drafted roving which it drafts a little more and adds twist. I look forward to further developments on this front.

Note the link in the text to the home-made drum carder.

hackaday.com/2023/01/21/an-open-hardware-automatic-spinning-machine


Gallery

Sometimes just a picture is enough

Jumbo Yarn

Jumbo Yarn

If art yarn is intended to be appreciated in its own right, then making an arrangement or assemblage using the skein of yarn is the natural next step.

The colours and arrangement here make me think of Spring and Easter, although the maker hasn't tagged it as such.

www.instagram.com/p/CpdCCz0I2iP

Hedeby style bag

Hedeby style bag

Iseaulte of the Clews bought these wooden bag handles a while ago but didn't have the courage to cut her fabric.

She finally found the nerve. I'm not sure that the diamond twill is handspun yarn but the plain-weave liner is.

getaclew.blogspot.com/2023/02/hedeby-style-bag.html

Spin the Bin 2023

Spin the Bin 2023

In this post, Joanne talks about her 2023 Spin the Bin, which is a personal challenge to collect at least 24 ounces of fibre from your stash and spin it within the year.

She has already finished the spinning and the first project with the yarn was this overshot table runner.

joanne-threadhead.blogspot.com/2023/02/spin-bin-2023.html

Sweater in Harvest Hues

Sweater in Harvest Hues

ThePenguinUnicorn has made this Avena sweater using Harvest Hues from John Arbon.

She had to order more fibre to finish the sleeves and unlike myself, she found that the next batch of fibre wasn't a match and so blended the old yarn with the new for a little way and also improvised a pattern on the sleeves to disguise the fact.

www.ravelry.com/projects/ThePenguinUnicorn/avena


 

Free patterns and projects

A selection of free seasonal patterns which will work well with handspun yarn.

Crochet tote bag pattern - large sturdy purse

Crochet tote bag pattern - large sturdy purse

This very practical project is aimed at a 'confident beginner'.

There are options for strengthening, lining and adding leather straps. The pattern also includes a tutorial on crocheting jogless stripes in the round.

The bag is 19" wide and 13" tall. The pattern suggests a modern 'tubular' yarn, but I guess that you could try anything that makes a sturdy fabric, gauge isn't critical.

As usual with M&DC patterns, you can pick your way through the ads on the web page or buy an ad-free pdf.

makeanddocrew.com/audrey-tote-crochet-tote-bag-free-pattern

Headband with a Twist by Deborah Bagley

Headband with a Twist by Deborah Bagley

This kind of headband is practical and warm. This one is made using Zoom Loom squares (other square pin looms are available).

Schacht have provided full instructions as a downloadable pdf.

schachtspindle.com/headband-with-a-twist

Center Stage Socks by April Klich

Center Stage Socks by April Klich

April's Center Stage Socks are more engaging than plain stockinette but plain enough to allow your yarn to take centre stage.

They're toe-up, which allows you to halve your yarn and knit the legs until you've used it all.

Although the download is free, April invites you to buy her a coffee if you like it.

www.withwool.com/center-stage-socks


Pattern and project suggestions

Rabbit Doll by Claire Garland

Rabbit Doll by Claire Garland

The year of the rabbit inspired this poseable rabbit doll.

It's a character that you can dress. The pattern includes some clothes, some of Claire's other patterns include other clothes.

Claire says that the yarn suggestions (alpaca and a kid-silk held together) are mere suggestions.

www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rabbit-doll

Pressed Flowers by Amy Christoffers

Pressed Flowers by Amy Christoffers

Since Andrea made the very popular Pressed Flowers Shawl pattern, she's added Pressed Flowers Cardigan, Pressed Flowers Hat and Pressed Flowers Cowl.

This page is a showcase for all of the Pressed Flowers patterns, and shows how it looks in some dramatically different colour choices.

www.moderndailyknitting.com/2023/02/14/a-pressed-flowers-cowl

Same as It Ever Was by Sarah Jordan

Same as It Ever Was by Sarah Jordan

Double-ended, double-thickness hats have been trending You can use all of a skein if you're careful. The unique feature of this hat is the cast-on and crown shaping, which Sarah created because she didn't love that of a popular similar pattern.

It uses 400 - 500 yards of Fingering / 4 ply (14 wpi) yarn. The pattern has five sizes. It includes a photo tutorial for the cast-on method.

www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/same-as-it-ever-was

Tubucake by Sharon Simpson

Tubucake by Sharon Simpson

This crochet shawl is made from hexagons with a beaded lace border.

As I write this, the pattern is free, but as is often the case, these offers are limited-time and don't often work well with HSN release dates. So apologies if it's no longer free when you read this.

www.expressionfiberarts.com/products/tubucake.html


 

But is it art...?

Chiharu Shiota knotted and wound string

Chiharu Shiota knotted and wound string

Signs of Life is a site-specific installation at Galerie Templon, New York.

Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota has knotted and wound string and other objects to form structures reminiscent of the human brain's neural networks to the digital realm today's world relies on.

www.thisiscolossal.com/2023/02/chiharu-shiota-signs-of-life


 

UK Events

2023

wonderewool wales

Wonderwool Wales

22-23 April 2023, Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells

First held in 2006 to promote the market for Welsh wool and add value to product for small wool & fibre producers in Wales, the festival celebrates the green credentials of Welsh wool and its versatility as a material for creative crafts, designer clothes, home furnishings and more.

Wonderwool Wales has grown year on year. It covers everything from the start to the end of the creative process.

A list of accommodation and camping in the surrounding area is available on the Wonderwool website.

www.wonderwoolwales.co.uk

Buxton Wool Gathering

Buxton Wool Gathering

Rescheduled for 7 and 8 May 2023, Grand Octagon room, Pavilion Gardens, Buxton

(Originally planned for 11 and 12 March 2023 but cancelled due to snow)

50 exhibitors will be displaying the best of yarn, knitting, and crochet in the gateway to the Peak District. The website contains an exhibitor list and ticket information.

The event's home page contains some charity patterns raising money for Macmillan.

buxtonwool.co.uk

Wool@J13

Wool@J13

13 - 14 May 2023 Bishton Hall, Wolseley Bridge, Staffordshire

A celebration of all things woolly, just 25 mins from J13 of the M6, in the beautiful landscaped gardens of Staffordshire's grade II listed Georgian mansion, Bishton Hall.

wool-j13.uk

Mill Open Weekend, John Arbon Textiles

Mill Open Weekend, John Arbon Textiles

Friday 16 - Sunday 18 June, 2023, John Arbon Textiles, Hacche Lane Business Park, South Molton

This legendary event returns. Includes mill tour and workshops, talks and even a few other vendors at the beautiful 18th century function rooms in South Molton Town Hall

Tickets for tours, talks and workshops are now available for booking.

www.jarbon.com/mill-open-weekend

Cumbrian Wool Gathering

Cumbrian Wool Gathering

24 and 25 June 2023, J36 Rural Auction Centre

A gathering of people with a love for wool and yarn, and the associated crafts. The first Cumbrian Wool Gathering is organised by the same team responsible for Bakewell Wool Gathering and Buxton Wool Gathering.

cumbrianwoolgathering.co.uk

Woven

Woven

3 June - 9 July, actual events and venues tbc

A celebration of innovation in textiles across Kirklees

woveninkirklees.co.uk

Summer Wool Festival

Summer Wool Festival

29 -30 July 2023 Redborne School, Ampthill, Bedfordshire, MK45 2NU

For all lovers of woolly crafts - spinning, knitting, weaving, crochet, feltmaking and dyeing.

Picks up from where Fibre East left off.

summerwoolfestival.co.uk

Southern Wool Show

Southern Wool Show

2 and 3 September 2023, Newbury Racecourse, Berkshire

The perfect event for all lovers of knitting, crochet, feltmaking, weaving, spinning, dyeing, and all things woolly!

www.southernwoolshow.co.uk

unravel... autumn

unravel... autumn

Fri 8 and Sat 9 September 2023

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.

farnhammaltings.com...festivals/unravel-autumn

Perth Festival Of Yarn

Perth Festival Of Yarn

9 & 10 September 2023. Dewars Centre, Glover St, Perth PH2 0TH

Scotland's contemporary yarn and fibre festival. 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 80 vendors, keynote event, social events and classes run over the weekend.

perthfestivalofyarn.uk

Kernow YAFF

Kernow YAFF

Cornwall's Yarn and Fibre Festival - Sunday 17 September 2023, The Pavilion Centre, Royal Cornwall Showground

A new event in Cornwall showcasing the best of hand-dyed, hand-crafted and sustainable yarns, fibres and related products, all in an exciting market-style show with a vibrant festival feel.

kernowyaff.com

Yarndale

Yarndale

23 and 24 September 2023, Skipton Auction Mart, North Yorkshire

over 180 makers, craft workers, retailers, and artisans in the picturesque market town of Skipton, North Yorkshire.

yarndale.co.uk

Shetland Wool Week

Shetland Wool Week

23 September - 1 October 2023

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.

shetlandwoolweek.com

Masham Sheep Fair

The Wool Event, Masham Sheep Fair

30 September and 1 Ocober 2023, 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.

www.mashamsheepfair.com

Bakewell Wool Gathering

Bakewell Wool Gathering

October 2023 Bakewell Agricultural Centre (actual date tbc)

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.

bakewellwool.co.uk

The Glasgow School of Yarn

The Glasgow School of Yarn

20 -22 October 2023, The Trades Hall, 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.

www.glasgowschoolofyarn.co.uk

Kendal Wool Gathering

Kendal Wool Gathering

Last weekend of October 2023, Kendal Town Hall

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

All things woolly - exhibitions, patterns, demonstrations.

www.kendalwoolgathering.co.uk


All that remains is for me to thank everyone who blogs, writes articles or posts pictures on the subject of spinning, knitting, crochet or weaving. This newsletter wouldn't exist without them.

If you enjoy Hand Spinning News, 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!

- Editor / curator

shiela@hand-spinning-news.com

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