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Hand Spinning News

The subject of muddy colours comes up multiple times this month. Deb Gerish says that fibre is not paint and continues her 'carding for colour' tutorial. Sara Bixler says that size matters and looks at the way that smaller threads mix optically in woven fabric and craftmehappy talks about the way our eyes can blend balanced colours into grey or brown at a distance and she does a thorough job of finding out which drafting methods can keep bright colours separate.

A number of popular events have announced dates and are listed in the UK events, including Buxton, Bakewell, Perth and Leeds. Shetland Wool Week will be back as an in-person event this year but in a reduced form.

Van Gough's Starry Night has inspired two separate projects by sagestutsman and seaflowerspins

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

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Cover photo: April Edwards / Alamy Stock Photo.

Contents

 

In the media

A wool parade on the Champs-Elysées

A wool parade on the Champs-Elysées

2,022 ewes and 350 dancers closed the 2022 edition of the Paris International Agricultural Show with a parade on the Champs-Elysées, Paris.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=CimbTWfVQ5A


 

Handspun stories

Decision that there will be no Woolfest 2022

Decision that there will be no Woolfest 2022

For those watching out for festival dates, many 2022 dates have now been announced but the popular Woofest will not be going ahead in 2022.

After two online events, the organisers have decided to take a break this year and bounce back with something a little different in 2023.

More details at the news article below but lots of 2022 dates in the UK Events listing.

www.woolfest.co.uk/about/news/decision-is-that-there-will-be-no-woolfest-2022

A new custom wheel

A new custom wheel

This is a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of this one-off custom wheel featuring a laser-etched cog design.

www.majacraft.co.nz/?p=3019

Avoid

Avoid "Spinning Mud"

Have you bought a brightly-coloured braid of fibre, only to have it turn into mud?

craftmehappy has made a very thorough job of investigating and demonstrating why this can happen, and how different drafting methods affect the result.

A very worthwhile read.

www.craftmehappy.com/2022/03/9-different-ways-of-spinning-multi.html

Using singles

Using singles

Singles yarn is often used in weaving, where biasing isn't an issue. It can be successfully used in knitting too, but there are some considerations.

You have to control the amount of twist carefully and find the line between too much which will cause biasing, and too little which risks breakage and pilling.

There are more considerations, and in this article Josefin goes into details.

waltin.se/josefinwaltinspinner/using-singles

An emerald green to dye for

An emerald green to dye for

St Patrick's Day seems a while ago now but since the last issue, Christina Garton has written about the colourful history of green dye in textiles.

handwovenmagazine.com/green-dye-death

Round One

Round One

as usual at this time of the year, patchworkfibers have posted lots of cute pictures of newborn Jacob lambs.

This one is called Diva and was born with a squished ear that gradually righted itself. Check out how blue and jewel-like her eyes look.

patchworkfibers.wordpress.com/2022/03/19/round-one

Yan Zhang, Li textile warrior

Yan Zhang, Li textile warrior

A 'waist loom' incorporates the weaver's body into the machine. Huang Daopo (1245-1330) brought the techniques back to China from the Li people of Hainan Island.

Yan Zhang is helping to keep traditional Li weaving alive.

handwovenmagazine.com/spotlight-yan-zhang-li-textile-warrior


 

Colour inspiration

When little needs saying except 'beautiful colour'

Starry Night

Starry Night

These nests of merino tencel are destined for a 'Starry Night' project.

Sage Stutsman has reached the knitting stage and you can see more pictures if you explore their photos.

www.instagram.com/p/CRxIGUtBHhG

Starry night

Starry night

This yarn was also inspired by Van Gough's Starry nIght.

The project gave seaflowerspins "such frustration" but she finds the finished piece worth it.

She began spinning in 2018, and started knitting in 2021.

www.instagram.com/p/CbcFCzlpsEC


 

Video

If you get mice, just give them tiny vacuums!

If you get mice, just give them tiny vacuums!

This is a very funny little animation, thanks to stop-motion animator Laura Venditti.

Also in her feed is a 'behind the scenes' look at how she created this movie.

www.instagram.com/p/CaXaP_Zjdh-


Tips and tutorials

Spinning Basics: Minicombs

Spinning basics: minicombs

Hand combing gets less attention than carding, so if you're new to the craft you may not have come across combs yet.

Full-size combs can be a big investment, but minicombs allow you to prepare top for smooth worsted yarn at home with less outlay. They can also be used for blending.

spinoffmagazine.com/minicombs-by-carol-huebscher-rhoades

Weaving in Color: Color Theory Basics

Weaving in colour: colour theory basics

When it comes to weaving, the rules change, says Sara Bixler.

Very thin threads mix very well optically but with a dramatically larger thread viewers can pick out the two different colours unless they stand a considerable distance away.

handwovenmagazine.com/weaving-in-color-color-theory-basics

How to pick colors for your weaving project

How to pick colors for your weaving project

Tien Chiu also tackles the topic of choosing colours for your weaving project. She has a flowchart which shows when you need to use her 'two primary rule'.

www.warpandweave.com/pick-colors-weaving-projects

Twist Direction and handedness with crochet

Twist Direction and handedness with crochet

Through experimentation, left-handed crocheter Katrina King learned that the directions of spin and ply twist significantly affected crocheted fabric.

spinoffmagazine.com/twist-direction-right-vs-left

Must-know sock knitting technique: how a sock is supposed to fit

Must-know sock knitting technique: how a sock is supposed to fit

If a sock pattern gives a size, is that the actual sock size or the size of the intended foot, and does that size include any negative ease?

Kathleen Cubley says that knowing the length of the intended foot isn't enough if you want to ensure a good fit.

www.interweave.com/article/knitting/how-a-sock-is-supposed-to-fit


Technology

A fabric that

A fabric that hears your heart's sounds

MIT researchers have woven a piezoelectric fibre into fabric to make a garment that acts as a microphone. It can capture sounds ranging from the characteristics of the wearer's heartbeat to heavy traffic. It can detect the direction of sounds and even act as a speaker.

news.mit.edu/2022/fabric-acoustic-microphone-0316


Yvonne

Gym

Don't overdo it

Don't overdo it!

If you like Yvonne, click the image to find her page, you can use next and previous to explore more cartoons.


Keeping this wheel spinning

Your news here

Your news here

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Read more

Gallery

Sometimes just a picture is enough

Crochet octopus

Crochet octopus

Helenichiwa has crocheted this delightful octopus using her handspun.

Do explore her recent photos to see pictures of the lovely blue/purple used for the creature's belly and some skeins of the handspun yarn.

www.instagram.com/p/Cb78vJXAHSP

Teal jumper

Teal jumper

longdrawjames looks great in his latest handspun, hand knitted jumper.

It uses solid teal falkland merino for the body. Colourwork uses hand dyed polwarth from threewatersfarm.

There are a number of pictures, he makes a good model too.

www.instagram.com/p/CbAtAAfo6gG

Moon Rabbit Finished

Moon Rabbit Finished

This project captured my imagination, I've been watching it develop for some months.

It doesn't involves spinning, but does involve many crafts and materials, including wool roving.

The link below should take you to the final part, as well as previous WIP blog posts.

www.broideriestitch.com/blogs/news/tagged/moon-rabbit

Cecilia's bosom friend

Cecilia's bosom friend

Earlier in the issue Josefin talked about using singles yarn.

Here are some pictures of her reversible shawl made in singles. 'Bosom friend' is a new pattern.

www.instagram.com/p/CbNwWPDo-ZJ/

Nothing plain about tabby weave

Nothing plain about tabby weave

The fabric used to make this bag was spire.crafts' very first weave. It was intended to be a scarf but wasn't worn.

The yarn was made from merino and woven using a rigid heddle loom.

www.instagram.com/p/Cb_85DhoLFb

Metamorphic

Metamorphic

kopletinka took part in a DreaReneeKnits March-May knit-a-long, in which you could choose any Andrea Mowry pattern. She chose to make Metamorphic and used some hand-dyed roving

www.instagram.com/p/Cbur_M6oHfH


 

Free patterns and projects

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

Vortex by Pamela Baker

Vortex by Pamela Baker

The exmoor sock yarn recommended by this pattern is also available as top from John Arbon. It contains a blend of strong and soft wools plus a touch of nylon. As I write this, they have stock of a light natural colour which you could dye at home.

The pattern gives small medium and large sizes.

knitty.com/ISSUEss22/PATTvortex/PATTvortex.php


 

More pattern suggestions

Scrap Tote by Erika Knight

Scrap Tote by Erika Knight

The idea for this pattern came from Erika's practice of using up every scrap, which is important to us with precious handspun yarn.

The pattern comes in the form of an e-book with four other patterns. Another of those also focuses on using scraps.

This bag uses 870 yards of Worsted weight yarn (9 wpi). It uses the entrelac technique, which you may know. This may be the opportunity to learn if you don't.

www.moderndailyknitting.com/shop/mdk-field-guide-no-20-atlas

Lakeway Beret by Mary Jane Mucklestone

Lakeway Beret by Mary Jane Mucklestone

This is Kat's Lakeway Tam, which she knitted as a test knit (pattern is now available). She likes the way a 'tam' fits and doesn't give you 'hat hair'!

It has fair-isle patterning, which looks great in natural shades. It's graded using gauge differences. The designer says that it's great for using up stash. it uses 300 - 350 yards of Fingering / 4 ply (14 wpi) yarn.

http://askatknits.com/2022/03/16/unraveled-wednesday-3-16-22/

Equinox Cardigan by Brienne Moody

Equinox Cardigan by Brienne Moody

This is aspiringtomte's Equinox. She used her own handspun made from threewatersfarm Corriedale.

The pattern is now published. Designer Brienne Moody quotes Kate Davies who said that cutting a steek into your knitting represents "some sort of final frontier" for even the most intrepid knitters.

She adds "Let's go!!! Let's go steeking!!"

The pattern requires 789 - 1536 yards of DK (11 wpi)

www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/equinox-cardigan-2


 

But is it art...?


 

UK Events

2022

Buxton Wool Gathering

Buxton Wool Gathering

7 and 8 May 2022, Grand Octagon room, Pavilion Gardens, Buxton

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

Leeds Wool Festival

Leeds Wool Festival

Saturday 4 June 2022 Leeds Industrial Museum

This popular event includes a market offering a range of goods from local traders, workshops and activities, demonstrations of special techniques, a pop-up tea room and loads more.

museumsandgalleries.leeds.gov.uk...leeds-wool-festival-2022

Mill Open Weekend, John Arbon Textiles

Mill Open Weekend, John Arbon Textiles

Friday 10 - Sunday 12 June, 2022, John Arbon Textiles, Hacche Lane Business Park, South Molton

This legendary event returns as an in-person event in 2022. Includes mill tour and "all sorts of additional bits and bobs". More details to be announced.

www.jarbon.com

Southern Wool Show

Southern Wool Show

3 and 4 September 2022, Newbury Racecourse, Berkshire

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

www.southernwoolshow.co.uk

Perth Festival Of Yarn

Perth Festival Of Yarn

10 and 11 September 2022. Dewars Centre, Glover St, Perth PH2 0TH

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

Llandovery Sheep Festival

Llandovery Sheep Festival

17 - 18 September 2022,

To highlight and raise awareness of all the wonderful things that our British wool can be used for.

llandoverysheepfestival.co.uk

Yarndale

Yarndale

24 and 25 September 2022, 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.

yarndale.co.uk

Masham Sheep Fair

The Wool Event, Masham Sheep Fair

24 and 25 September 2022, 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

Shetland Wool Week

Shetland Wool Week

24 September - 2 October 2022

Shetland Wool Week will be going ahead in person this year. It will be a scaled back version of the usual physical event as the main focus will be on delivering SWW in full for 2023

Includes classes, talks, drop-ins, art. See website for the full events listing.

shetlandwoolweek.com

Bakewell Wool Gathering

Bakewell Wool Gathering

Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 October 2022 Bakewell Agricultural Centre

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


 

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.

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. Obviously this early full version is a benefit to you as a paying subscriber. An edited version of this particular issue will be mailed to free subscribers and visible at hand-spinning-news.com later in the month.

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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