Several of this month's patterns involve holding multiple yarns together. With this technique you can use contrasting colours for effect. You can also mix yarns with different properties. For example, Felicia says that the right combination of yarns can create fabric with "unbelievable drape, softness, and feel".
Some of our bloggers have used stash yarn or scraps in recent projects. In the case of Waiting for the Rain (pictured above), Josefin has worked with re-used handspun yarns.
This issue also has the dates that we have so far for 2024's woolly events.
Read on for more news, views and reviews for spinners, knitters, crocheters, dyers and weavers. This is the full round-up for December 2023.
Cover photo: Waiting for Rain, a stash'n'grab project by Josefin Waltin.
This story describes Justine Lee's journey into sustainable knitwear and touches on British Wool production and the damage that unsustainable fashion can do.
www.greatbritishlife.co.uk/lifestyle/23855523.luxury-fashion-items-created-dorset-sheep-wool
Researchers have been working on alternatives to shearing for a while. (See also this opinion piece which argues that sheep farming methods are way behind the times.)
ABC News reported from a field day where a 'work in progress' system was demonstrated.
The machine to remove the fleece after it has been weakened has yet to be developed. But at this demonstration, the response from those in the industry was mixed.
Pantone have announced their colour of the year for 2024, ahead of me finishing my handspun Magenta socks (I *will* finish them while Viva Magenta is still the current colour of the year.)
'24's colour is Peach Fuzz (13-1023), which brings "a feeling of kindness and tenderness, communicating a message of caring and sharing, community and collaboration". The world could certainly do with more of those things and I wouldn't disagree that the colour has such associations.
Read more rhetoric, reasons for the choice and suggestions for using the colour at Pantone's page.
www.pantone.com/articles/color-of-the-year/what-is-peach-fuzz
Materials made from grape waste and seaweed are on display here, but I can also see cotton and wool well-represented.
www.dezeen.com/2023/12/08/stella-mccartney-sustainable-market-cop28
The New York State Sheep and Wool Festival is more commonly known as 'Rhinebeck' after the village where it takes place.
Jen of Whispering Pines gives us a review of this year's event from a vendor's point of view with lots of pictures.
whisperingpinesshetlands.blogspot.com/2023/11/it-is-autumn-here-in-western-new-york.html
Borrowed from the Soil was an exhibition by Fibershed which explores their vision of a 'soil to soil' system for clothing.
This article has a 'virtual tour' and the exhibition program for download which are all worthwhile.
fibershed.org/2023/11/21/borrowed-from-the-soil-a-farm-to-closet-design-exhibition
There's so much to love about this project; the glimpses of lace through the rows of garter, the dusky blue and grey colours, the asymmetry.
It's worked entirely in re-used handspun yarns. In this blog post, Josefin explains her choices for this project.
The pattern is Waiting for Rain by Sylvia McFadden.
Josefin has also recommended no less than seven other patterns that are perfect for "stash and grab" projects.
Are you a magpie? Do you collect gadgets that are cool, useful or just shiny?
Jess has made a round-up of the things that are the best of their kind and in use all of the time.
www.moderndailyknitting.com/community/knitting-tool-hall-of-fame
Jean admits that she doesn't need any more yarn, but has been spinning her stash fibre for two reasons. She has been finding it meditative and is also concerned about "hungry moths searching for a winter abode".
If you've seen a woven scarf that seems to shift colour in the light and wondered what the story is there, then Bobbie Irwin has the basics of woven iridescence.
Felicia differentiates rolags and punis. Her article includes when to use each and has tips for making them.
sweetgeorgiayarns.com/rolags-and-punis-a-modern-spin-on-traditional-carded-roll-ups
Jillian Moreno has visited Uppspuni, a 'mini' mill in Iceland. It gave owners of small flocks an option for having their fleeces processed. Hulda will even process a single fleece into yarn. She keeps her own small flock and has her own line or yarns.
www.moderndailyknitting.com/community/uppspuni-icelands-mighty-mini-mill
In this instalment of her chromatic icons series, Kate Davies discusses the story of this tartan ribbon.
James Clerk Maxwell believed that the eye perceives colour with sensors for red, green and blue and demonstrated this by making a colour image of this ribbon from three photographic plates.
katedaviesdesigns.com/2023/11/23/chromatic-icons-5-the-tartan-ribbon
Jean has woven this panel using the wedge weaving technique which she describes in the post. The weft is "a collection of handspun wool and silk".
A conversation with a friend about antique hand cards had Josefin digging out her own antique cards. She has found that they have some interesting features and were a joy to use.
This led to her collecting more vintage pairs with varying results.
Primitive breeds may contain different types of fibre. Sabine asks "What's a spinner to do?" and looks at the options with a Skudden fleece as an example.
spinoffmagazine.com/double-coated-wool-separate-blend-or-both
When out hiking, it's not uncommon to find clumps of wool that have been shed and it's hard to resist picking up a piece and twiddling it between your fingers. A. Alcorn went a step further and collected the pieces that she found, accumulating a bagful of dirty wool, mostly dark brown.
She decided that she had nothing to lose and gave her mystery wool a good wash and flick. It spun into 20g of usable yarn.
She calls it "by far her most satisfying project of the year".
Sarah spotted some half-rotted milkweed after she thought that the season was over. They'd been subjected to several freeze/thaw cycles and she thinks that this is the reason that the woody core, fibers and outer skin separated from one another so easily.
There's a very satisfying short video showing her peeling the fibres from the skin.
If that has whetted your appetite to try processing bast fibres for yourself, Karla Sandwith explains the science behind retting and gives some methods.
When these garments fell onto her from her cupboard, it was Ewespecial's cue to sort through them and reminisce.
They're generally handspun or hand dyed and it was fun to look through them with her.
Do you have a pile of scarves and other garments in a cupboard that were fun to make but that you're not likely to wear again?
The colours in this shawl were inspired by a photo taken at Lake Pukaki, New Zealand.
David of Southern Cross Fibre talks us through his process for dyeing wool in four colours and then blending for a fade.
Swallowtail Shawl by Evelyn A. Clark is a free pattern.
Ashford have also posted a profile and interview with David on their blog.
Last month we had the answer to a question about using handspun for warp.
Stephenie Gaustad adds sizing as a technique that helps with dressing the loom and weaving, and can also tame twist in singles.
spinoffmagazine.com/weaving-handspun-yarn-sizing-your-singles
Pamela has followed up her video about warping with handspun yarn with a video about warping with singles. her tips also include sizing the yarn.
www.fibersprite.com/blog/warp-yarn-myths-handspun-and-singles
Leigh has experimented with the angle of the weft after shooting the pick and has found the optimum angle to significantly reduced her draw-in.
leighsfiberjournal.blogspot.com/2023/11/minimizing-draw-in.html
Thrums add a cozy layer of fluffy fibre on the inside and pops of colour on the outside. They're made with roving, so it's an opportunity to use something that you'll never spin, or has felted a little.
Intentionally felting your knitting makes a firm, thick, sturdy fabric that's perfect for tote bags, slippers, oven mitts and other projects.
www.interweave.com/article/knitting/top-tips-for-felting-knitting
If you want a striped pattern in your warp, then you can halve the number of times that you cut and tie by cutting the warp in half. This obviously means making your warp twice as long as you need it to end up.
Susan Horton has the basics and the caveats.
Kate takes us through making buttonholes in handwoven fabric.
Hayley DeBerard takes an overview of four different heels for crochet socks.
If you're knitting gifts then the urgency may make you forget the importance of breaks and exercise.
Carson has some tips to help balance your productivity, health and safety.
www.moderndailyknitting.com/community/tips-for-comfortable-holiday-knitting/
Christina Garton confesses to her biggest mistake and has tips to avoid doing the same.
Contrast is usually important to a colour palette, whether hue, value, or saturation. If you want to deliberately choose a low-contrast palette, Felicia has some tips.
sweetgeorgiayarns.com/exploring-knitting-with-intentional-low-contrast-color-palettes
Carole Bournias has written this article for the Schacht blog, in which she describes how to make three different art yarns.
Sheep breeds have a wide variety of different properties. Kerry Bullock-Ozkan gives the qualities of the broad categories of wool types, and things that you should consider when choosing a breed for your project.
www.interweave.com/article/knitting/choosing-breed-specific-yarns-for-project
This guide is a pdf download, free from handwoven after creating an account with the website.
handwovenmagazine.com/free-weaving-tools-guide-from-weaving-today
Jess bought this tiny Turtlemade Turkish spindle some years ago but hasn't used it, preferring the wheel. But she's recently discovered that it's perfect for 'couch spinning' and plans to spin for 15 minutes each evening.
The Tipsy Spinster is demonstrating this clever spindle which has two parts that pack into one another for transport and join together to make a support spindle of decent length.
The travel spindle is by Ulrich Büker.
Louët have announced that their new Jane 16 is in production and the first orders will be shipping next week.
To accompany the launch, they've released this short 'how it's made' video.
Jillian Eve has gone batty. She describes silk quilt batting / silk lap and demonstrates two ways to spin yarn from it, firstly blending it with other fibres using her drum carder and secondly spinning it directly from the batting using a spindle.
I was a little horrified to see her cut the beautifully long fibres into very short pieces for drum carding but there are good reasons and it worked very well. She has many tips for spinning this material.
Carol Feller presents the story of a gansey discovered on Cape Clear off County Cork and a project to recreate it.
Linen is among the first fibres that we used but it has a reputation for being difficult to weave. Pamela has some tips
UK-based company Solidwool has created a material made from a mixture of wool and bio-resin.
This chair is formed from a fibreglass-like composite which uses wool from Welsh Mountain sheep. It has been shortlisted in the furniture design category of Dezeen Awards 2023.
www.dezeen.com/2023/11/10/solidwool-chair-seat-wool-sheep-fleece
Christien Meindertsma has developed a way to 3D-print wool. She has worked with robotics company TFT to build a custom robot arm (affectionately known as Wobot) that needle-felts the wool in layers.
She is also working on a method of forming felt blocks that can be cut to shape.
She is showcasing both techniques in her show, Re-forming Waste, which is open at the V&A in London until October 2024.
WIth thanks to Pamela for the link.
www.dezeen.com/2023/11/17/christien-meindertsma-3d-printing-wool
"Throughout history, we've utilised a variety of animal fibres in textiles, yet our own hair, composed of the same keratin protein as wool, often goes overlooked", says Zsofia Kollar of Human Material Loop.
The company is making yarn from hair cuttings as a zero-carbon alternative to wool.
www.dezeen.com/2023/11/28/human-material-loop-textiles-from-hair
The men that explored the antarctic more than a hundred years ago had frostbite and hypothermia as a constant threat. Today's researchers are safer and more comfortable thanks to modern materials.
K. Rose James explores the factors that make fabric 'warm'.
Sometimes just a picture is enough
Josefin isn't a fan of knitting socks, but since she's been bathing outdoors, she has found the need for them.
This led to her spinning and knitting a pair from the Keepers of the sheep book, reviewed here.
The pattern is interesting, involving a 'try and adjust as you go' process. Details of the fleece she used, her spinning and plying process are in this blog post.
Sue spotted this spinning wheel in the stained glass of Chesterfield's 'crooked spire' church.
travelfibreandthread.blogspot.com/2023/11/its-been-while-november-round-up.html
Samantha has made this jumper using John Arbon Hey Moon Corriedale with added Polwarth. The purple contrast is World of Wool Shetland.
The pattern is Alaska Sweater by Camille Descoteaux
Danielle has been posting a bauble a day, along with others. See the 12 Dazzling Days of Baubles by Stacey Lewis
See also the hashtags #baublealong2023 and
#12dazzlingdaysofbaubles.
Renee Strouts shares her handspun scrappy crochet socks. She enjoyed "changing colors often and picking out the next contrasting color". She even moved the end-of-round to the front of the sock so that the colour-change line would be a feature.
Cosy Toes Cuff Down Socks by Dora Does has six sizes and uses 219 - 459 yards of sock yarn.
spinoffmagazine.com/your-finished-object-scrappy-crochet-socks
Jen has taken thirteen years to complete this shawl. It has been so long that the pattern, yarn and hap stretcher are now all unavailable.
The pattern is Jen's own. She doesn't own the rights and it's no longer in print, which seems a crazy situation to me.
www.actechniques.co.uk/blog/2023/11/21/completed-golden-wheat-shawl
Quiteayarnblog has finished these curtains which have solved some problems. They are more opaque and more insulating than the lace curtains that were there before.
She's calling it a partial success; after blocking they're not quite wide enough and are too long.
Julie has knitted a ridiculously small replica (1/12 scale) 'Dude Sweater' using sewing thread on .7mm needles.
This is Nick's own pattern, Shifting Lanes Shawl, available here.
He's pictured here wearing one that he has made in his own handspun yarn.
It's a slim triangular shawl designed for aran-weight yarn.
A selection of free seasonal patterns which will work well with handspun yarn.
This cowl is made from a fuzzy laceweight yarn in a dark background colour and changing contrast colour. It's well worth clicking through for the close-ups.
If you prefer a longer cowl for a double-wrap or to wear like a scarf, then you can make the circumference as big as you like, to a multiple of four stitches.
No yardage is given but that'll depend on the size you make.
This pattern features in the new Winter issue of Knitty.
I suspect that for the best effect you'd need a faux fur novelty yarn for the brim, or at least something white and fuzzy. I guess anything red would work for the red part.
Felicia says that the brilliance of Pat Koharik's designs is in the way that hand-cranked tubes are joined together.
She has used two yarns held together which creates a fabric with "unbelievable drape, softness, and feel".
This round-up of crochet basket patterns is worth a look for the variety of interesting stitches and also the selection of ideas for handles and bases.
Sabine has made a number of these cases from hand spun rare breed wool. Tunisian crochet gives a sturdy fabric with a woven appearance.
spinoffmagazine.com/tunisian-crochet-spin-a-case-for-tablet-or-laptop
A 1.5-hour hat is a bold claim, but it is knit in very chunky yarn and on 19mm needles.
I guess you could achieve the same yarn thickness with multiple strands of thinner yarn, or even cable them.
Kerry Bogert explains how they work, how long they last and how to make them from scrap yarn.
This heavily-cabled hat is designed with heathered yarn in mind. John Arbon Yarnadelic worsted / light aran is suggested, which is available in yarn and tops.
There are codes for 20% off this pattern and 10% off your John Arbon Textiles order given on the Ravelry pattern page if you're reading this on or before 10 Dec.
This pattern is already reasonably-priced but has 20% off until February with no code required.
uses 150 yards of two different yarns held together, either sport and lace or fingering and lace.
Highland Heffalump has finished this beret and says that it was her first time holding two different yarns together; John Arbon Yarnadelic and CaMaRose Midnatssol. She says that it was "very simple" because the alpaca in the Midnatssol was sticky.
These mittens are like socks for your hands. There are four sizes (two children's and two women's).
They're made in sock yarn making the mittens lightweight while remaining soft and warm.
Kathy drew inspiration from a simple chevron pattern from a Japanese stitch book to create the cuff detail in these mittens. The project is worked flat in a sock yarn, then seamed.
www.interweave.com/product/seamed-mittens-crochet-pattern-download
This sock has five sizes and will mix two contrasting yarns nicely.
Anne also suggests mixing yarns of differing characteristics, such as a springy and woolly with slippery and shiny.
This pattern also suggests a laceweight mohair yarn held together with a sock weight. It also has a cosy doubled neckline, lace at the yoke which spills onto the body and sleeves, and bobbles.
Cardigans for your feet are just the job at this time of the year.
They're cuff down with a heavy texture extending all the way down the heel. Adjust yarn and needle size for the wider or narrower sock. They use 375 - 400 yards of 4 ply weight (14 wpi) yarn.
I do love Boreal by Kate Davis, it has been my Christmas jumper for some years.
These pillows appear to be heavily inspired by Boreal. I'm happy to be corrected on that, maybe there's a common inspiration for them both.
They're very attractive nevertheless. They're made in super bulky (5-6 wpi) yarn and stranded colourwork.
If crochet is your thing, then Jess has curated a list of 35 crochet cushion patterns.
See also: Knit Cushions from an Ornament Pattern.
www.interweave.com/product/snowglow-pillows-knit-pattern-download
The Crafty Yarnster has finished her Flowers in the Air and calls it "fabulous".
The pattern has three sizes and requires 290 - 580 yards of lace weight yarn. The addition of beads adds sparkle to the flowers.
With thanks to The Crafty Yarnster for suggesting this pattern. She has made some along with a matching scarf (Topographical Scarf, by the same designer) and an improvised hat (pictured).
Tau Lewis is known for repurposing textiles into bold works evocative of Yoruban masks and Greek and Roman theatrical traditions.
When Lesley inherited her mother's cross stitch threads, she decided to put them to use in her own mixed media art.
Laurentine Périlhou is taking macramé to a new level. She has been using the technique in wall panels and even fashion.
Lissy Robinson-Cole and Rudi Robinson have used 5,000 balls of yarn to crochet this Wharenui Harikoa or 'house of joy'.
Wharenui play a significant role in Maori custom as gathering places.
Saturday 10 - Sunday 11 February 2024, The Burgess Hall, St Ives, PE27 6WU
Aims to provide a dynamic, active platform for textile artists to exhibit and retailers to showcase their beautiful products for purchase.
Fri 23 - Sun 25 February 2024, Farnham Maltings, Hampshire
At the core of unravel's three day in-person festival 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/artists-and-makers/craft/festivals/unravel
9 - 10 March 2024, 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.
13 - 21 April 2024, The Forum, Norwich.
A wide variety of crafts including knittings, spinning, weaving, crochet. A strong presence from local guilds.
Demonstrations, have-a-go tables, workshops and exhibitions.
6 - 7 April 2024, The Grammar Schol, Leeds LS17 8GS
27 - 28 April 2024, 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.
18 - 19 May 2024, 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.
29 - 30 June 2024 The Heritage, Bishton (opp Bishton Hall), Wolseley Bridge, Staffordshire
A celebration of all things woolly, just 25 mins from J13 of the M6.
1 - 2 June 2024, Dilham, Norfolk, NR28 9PT
Hosted by the historic Worstead Guild.
8 - 9 June 2024 Magna, Magna Way, Sheffield S60 1FD
Accessible, inclusive, welcoming.
8 - 9 June, 2024, The Assembly Rooms, South Molton Town Hall with tour of JAT Mill
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.
22 - 23 June 2024, 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.
27 - 28 July 2024 Redborne School, Ampthill, Bedfordshire, MK45 2NU
For all lovers of woolly crafts - spinning, knitting, weaving, crochet, feltmaking and dyeing.
Picks up where Fibre East left off.
10 - 11 August 2024, Newcastle Racecourse
90 amazing stalls plus a great range of workshops. Cafe, demonstrations.
17August 2024, 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.
7 and 8 September 2024, Newbury Racecourse, Berkshire
The perfect event for all lovers of knitting, crochet, feltmaking, weaving, spinning, dyeing, and all things woolly!
7 - 8 September 2024, Dewars Centre, Perth, Scotland
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
14 - 15 September 2024
A weekend celebration of rural crafts, food, entertainment and of course, sheep farming.
Sunday 15 September 2024, The Pavilion Centre, Royal Cornwall Showground
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.
28 - 29 September 2024, Skipton Auction Mart, North Yorkshire
Over 180 makers, craft workers, retailers, and artisans in the picturesque market town of Skipton, North Yorkshire.
29 September - 5 October 2024
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.
10 - 11 October 2024, Alexandra Palace, London
Saturday 5 October 2024, Liskeard Public Hall.
18 - 20 October 2024, 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.
8 - 9 November 2024, Sandburn Hall, York YO60 7RB
More details to follow
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.
An edited-down version of this particular issue will be available online to everyone else at hand-spinning-news.com later in the month. Please share a link to hand-spinning-news.com with anyone who may be interested.
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
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