Hand Spinning News
Once again we've made it through what some people (but not all) find the most depressing month. If you need inspiration or a hug then Kelly has made a case for why rigid heddle weaving is a great activity for the Winter months. The waffle sweater is described as a "hug in sweater form".
e-spinners are in the spotlight this month. GuzziSue shows off her new Argonaut and compares and contrasts with the two others that she already has. Felicia speaks to David Giles from Daedalus Spinning Wheels about the development of his business and in particular his new design, the Dove.
This month's HSN may be a little shorter than usual for family reasons but that means that there'll be a little more next month.
If you'd like an email notification of when the free issue goes live each month, I've launched a page at patreon.com/handspinningnews where you can become a member for free.
If you like HSN and would like to support the endeavour, find out how to receive a longer version in your inbox, earlier than the free edition appears online.
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 shorter free round-up for February 2026.
Cover photo: Giovanni Battista Torriglia, The Spinning Wheel. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Contents
In the media
Mainely Spinners 2026 International Back to Back Wool Challenge results
On 17 Jan at the Milford Town Hall, the Mainely Spinners competed in the 30th International Back to Back Wool Challenge.
They logged a time of 11h 20m 48s. So far, this is the best time for 2026 but there are some months for other teams to participate.
Since 2019 the Mainely Spinners have donated $21,348 to a cancer charity. This year, those who donate will have a chance to win last year's competition sweater.
The International Back to Back Wool Challenge organisers have announced on their Facebook page that the next team to take the challenge will be Koorooman Sapphire Ewes on Saturday 28th February.
observer-me.com...back-to-back-wool-challenge-results
Ankara rabbit breed revived in its homeland
A project launched in 2022 by the Elmadag Municipality aims to reintroduce the Angora rabbit, which became extinct in their original home, Turkey in the 1700s
Four years later, the population has grown to 130 animals in a dedicated area known as "Rabbit Island".
www.hurriyetdailynews.com/ankara-rabbit-breed-revived-in-its-homeland-218436
Handspun stories
Corriedale - fibre focus
John Arbon's Yarnadelic range (see Products and Reviews for announcement about new colours) is based on 100% Falklands Corriedale.
This blog post has some history and information about the breed.
www.jarbon.com/blogs/news/corriedale-fibre-focus
Tying one on
This is a very large stash of handspun cotton yarn in natural colours.
Ewespecial hates threading the loom, so she has been tying this handspun yarn to an existing warp, which seems like a great idea that will save a lot of waste.
ewespecial.blogspot.com...blog-post.html
Painless Plying, scenario three
In this third part of her Painless Plying series, Spanish Peahen considers a scenario where some singles have a lot of tonal contrast. She knows this could result in barber-poling, which she likes to avoid.
As an experiment, she plied said singles using four techniques; chain-ply, true 3-ply, 2-ply using two separate singles and an end-to-end 2-ply.
thepeahenspod.com..painless-plying-scenario-3
Fluffy white stuff
Sarah has posted many beautiful photographs and drawings of playing in snow and making yarn from white fleece.
As usual, she hides a lot of the interesting details in the footnotes so don't miss those.
sarahcswett.substack.com/p/fluffy-white-stuff
Secret weapon against wool-eating pests
Museum staff in Estonia have been taking advantage of recent freezing weather to air out the many garments in its folk dress collections.
Some museums use deep-freezing to control moths and other pests. Voru Museum doesn't have its own freezer so they draw on the wisdom of their ancestors and take racks of clothing outside to air in the bitter cold.
news.err.ee...secret-weapon-against-wool-eating-moths
Tips and tutorials
Products and Reviews
Video and audio
Idling packs in tablet weaving
Even if you won't be tablet-weaving yourself, I'm sure you'll find this video as mesmerising and relaxing as I did.
In the video on this page, Catherine explains and demonstrates the Idling Pack technique, also known as alternating pack, alternating shed or Anglo-Saxon technique.
She also demonstrates how to set up a project in the Tablet Weaving Draft Designer software for this technique.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjoGQUD2qJ4
Technology
Pine needles become clothing
German scientists have extracted fibres from conifer needles and made a compostable yarn. In Saxony it's considered a waste product and is available by the ton. It could help to develop more sustainable fashion.
https://www.diesachsen.de...textiles-from-forest-waste...
Gallery
Sometimes just a picture is enough
Colour Craving by Stephen West
Sharon said that she was lured into this after two "quite normal" Stephen West mystery shawls. However, she's had compliments and says that it's "comfortable and wraps really well". She even loves the "stupid" colours that she chose. All of the yarns she used have a story.
sharondoubleknit.blogspot.com...colour-craving-also-know-as.html
Free patterns and projects
A selection of free seasonal patterns which will work well with handspun yarn.
Barley Sock Hat
This hat is part of the 'simple collection', a series of beginner-friendly patterns.
It has 7 sizes from newborn to adult L and uses sock-weight yarn.
My thumbnail shows Felicia's hat with colours inspired by a trip to see the Northern Lights.
This is available as a free PDF or within the free Tin Can Knits app.
tincanknits.com/pattern/barley-sock
Devil's Dance Floor mosaic crochet blanket by Martin Up North
Martin has made this mosaic crochet blanket pattern available for free. If you'd like to support his work you can buy a pdf version. He has also provided an introduction to mosaic crochet.
martinupnorth.com...the-devils-dance-floor-mosaic...
Pattern and project suggestions
Waffle Pullover by Amy Christoffers
As part of their preparations for their "Bang Out a Sweater" knitalong, Ann wrote this blog post showing that it really makes a difference which of your two colours you choose as A and which B.
The waffle sweater is described as a "hug in sweater form", which we probably all need at this time of the year.
www.moderndailyknitting.com/community/whats-your-waffle
Ophelia Wrap by Marthe Øyrås
The pattern suggests two yarns held together, an alpaca silk and a kid silk, Together they make approximately 4-ply weight, so if you're spinning for this I guess gauge is your friend here.
The pattern contains sizes ranging from XS-2XL although the 'wrap' nature of this probably means that it's a little less important than usual. It also contains two versions, a shorter version and slightly longer version.
www.mychicknits.com/product-page/ophelia-wrap
Snow Moon Socks by Lisa Lloyd
Lisa's Full Moon Sock of the Month series is inspired by Celtic names for the full moon.
This is appropriately February's pattern, Snow Moon. It features simple gansey-inspired knit and purl patterns in a unisex design.
www.ravelry.com...snow-moon-socks-3
But is it art...?
La Sentinelle by Marine Beaufils
Embroidery artist Marine Beaufils has made this series of 14 works which reproduce screenshots from the eerie 8-bit computer game The Sentinel in needlepoint. She is fascinated with the relationship between pixels on a computer screen and stitches on fabric.
She specifically used the Spectrum version of the game, each of which uses a single foreground colour at one time from its (arguably) 15-colour palette.
Her website has good images of all of the works in the series, plus a high-resolution image which allows you to see the stitches and fabric close up.
www.marine.st/en/pages/sentinel
UK Events
2026
Textiles East Fair
21 - 22 February 2026, Rowley Mile Racecourse, Cambridge Road, Newmarket
Aims to provide a dynamic, active platform for textile artists to exhibit and retailers to showcase their beautiful products for purchase.
textileseastfair.wordpress.com/spring-into-textiles-east-fair
Kernow YAFF - Cornwall's Yarn and Fibre Festival
Sunday 22 February 2026, The Pavilion Centre, Royal Cornwall Showground PL27 7JE
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
TexStyle
14 - 15 March 2026, Manchester Central
A brand-new fibre and textile festival n the north of England. A hall full of knitting and crochet, sewing and quilting, weaving and more.
texstyle.uk
East Anglia Yarn Festival
21 - 22 March 2026, Norfolk Showground Arena
East Anglia's premier fibre festival, bringing amazing exhibitors to Norwich for the second year. Classes, crochet and knit-a-long, The Big Stitch Night, podcaster meet-up.
www.eastangliayarnfestival.com
The Woolly Good Gathering
17 - 18 April 2026
Since 2019 Edinburgh been missing an important festival: a yarn festival!
A new event to celebrate knitters, crocheters, weavers, spinners and fibre lovers with a festival of crafts, workshops, talks, food, music and good company.
www.woollygood.co.uk
Spring Into Wool
11 - 12 April 2026, The Grammar School, Leeds
80 stalls, food, free parking, workshops, demos.
The perfect event for all lovers of knitting, crochet, feltmaking, weaving, spinning, dyeing, and all things woolly!
www.springintowool.co.uk/index.htm
The Sodbury Yarn Over
18 - 19 April 2026, venue tbc
Yarns, fibres, weaving, crochet, knitting, spinning, accessories and workshops and more.
thesodburyyarnover.co.uk
Wonderwool Wales
25 - 26 April 2026, Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells
2026 is the 20th Anniversary. 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
Yarnies at the Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings
May 2, 2026, Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings
Celebrate the art of wool. A fantastic day for enthusiasts to showcase talents and connect with fellow yarn lovers.
yarniesattheflaxmill.co.uk
Buxton Wool Gathering
16 - 17 May 2026 Pavilion Gardens, Buxton
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
Threads Textile Festival
16-17 May 2026 Sunny Bank Mills, Farsley, Pudsey, LS28 5UJ
Celebrating textiles through a series of talks, workshops and a market featuring 50+ textile stalls each day
www.sunnybankmills.co.uk...threads-textile-festival-2026
The Big Flock
16 - 17 May 2026, University of the West of England, Stoke Gifford, Bristol
A curated yarn festival, aiming to celebrate diverse makers and designers of high-quality yarn, fibre, garments and accessories
www.thebigflock.com
Tangled Galashiels Fibre Festival
Fri 29 May - Sat 30 May 2026, Galashiels, TD1 3JX and tba
The two-day festival isn't just a yarn festival, it's a celebration of independent textile artists, crafters, dyers and spinners, as well as its local community.
Textile exhibitions, interactive activities, workshops, a brand new Fleece Market and over 30 craft stalls
www.tangledgalashiels.com
The Great British Fibre Festival
30-31 May 2026 Coldharbour Mill, Uffculme, Devon
A yarn and fibre show with a twist - it's aimed to educate and connect people with the origin of their yarns, wool fibre and more...you'll find flax, leather, nettle, wood, ceramic and more at the show!
Brought to you by the organisers of Stitch Fest South West.
www.thegreatbritishfibrefestival.co.uk
Mill Open Weekend, John Arbon Textiles
6 - 7 June, 2026, The Assembly Rooms, South Molton Town Hall with tour of JAT Mill
A weekend of woolly shenanigans in North Devon.
Tickets for tours, talks and workshops are now available for booking.
www.jarbon.com/mill-open-weekend
The Wool Monty
13-14 June 2026 Magna, Magna Way, Sheffield S60 1FD
Accessible, inclusive, welcoming.
thewoolmonty.co.uk
Cumbrian Wool Gathering
20 - 21 June 2026, J36 Rural Auction Centre, Cumbria
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
Midlands Wool Festival
11 - 12 July 2026, Wolverhampton Racecourse
70 top class exhibitors from all over the country in an accessible venue, great food, free parking, workshops, free demos from local guilds, charity magazine stall
www.midlandswoolfestival.co.uk
Summer Wool Festival
25 - 26 July 2026 Redborne School, Ampthill, Bedfordshire, MK45 2NU
over 100 of the very best stalls from all over the country, a great range of workshops, a street food area, lots of room to sit and chat, free demonstrations and advice from several local guilds.
Picks up where Fibre East left off.
summerwoolfestival.co.uk
Eden Wool Gathering
1 Aug 2026 Whithorn Roundhouse, Dumfries & Galloway
A new event to promote and showcase wool and wool-related crafts. All proceeds to Stranraer Cancer Drop In Centre.
www.facebook.com/EdenWoolGathering
North East Wool Show
8 - 9 August 2026, Newcastle Racecourse
90 amazing stalls plus a great range of workshops. cafe, demonstrations.
www.northeastwoolshow.co.uk
Pop Up Wool Show
15 August 2026, Hulme Hall, 23 Bolton Rd, Bebington, Wirral
A selection of vendors selling everything from hand dyed yarns and fibres to felting kits and needles
Entry £4 per person, available on the door or online.
www.coastal-colours.co.uk/pop-up
Southern Wool Show
22 - 23 August 2026, Newbury Racecourse, Berkshire
A festival of woolly goodies. The perfect event for all lovers of knitting, crochet, feltmaking, weaving, spinning, dyeing, and all things woolly!
www.southernwoolshow.co.uk
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
thescottishyarnfestival.com
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.
farnhammaltings.com...festivals/unravel-autumn
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.
yarndale.co.uk
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.
shetlandwoolweek.com
Yarnstock
2 - 4 October 2026
A cosy weekend festival for crochet lovers, yarn crafters, and wool enthusiasts. Camp or visit for the day.
www.yarnstock.co.uk/index.php
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.
westwaleswoolshow.weebly.com
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.
staffordwoolgathering.co.uk
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.
www.knitandstitchshow.co.uk/northernireland
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.
www.christmaswoolshow.co.uk
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.
www.theknittingandstitchingshow.com/harrogate
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.
Nor would it exist without your support, so thank you for that.
Please share a link to hand-spinning-news.com with anyone who may be interested.
Alternatively, share a link to the new Patreon page. New readers can become a free member and receive a notification when each free issue is available. It's also an alternative way for people to become paying supporters.
It's always good to hear from readers for any reason and I'd particularly like tip-offs about about any relevant stories, websites or social media accounts that I should be following.
Happy spinning!
Shiela Dixon - Editor / curator
shiela@hand-spinning-news.com
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