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Hand Spinning News

If you like colour but are not a fan of those those pesky floats, Ginevra Martin gives us an introduction to double knitting, which is an alternative to stranded colourwork. Ruth has three more ways to use colour without managing multiple balls while you knit. One of those is of course duplicate stitch and Crafty Yarnster shows what's possible with that technique in her finished space jumper.

Bringing to mind the nursery rhyme Baa Baa Black Sheep, this month's project gallery starts with three handspun and handknit bags.

Three of our stories this time relate to stop-motion animation. The topic of visible mending crops up a couple of times too.

So without further ado, read on for more news, views and reviews for spinners, knitters, crocheters, dyers and weavers. This is the free round-up for May 2025.

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.

Cover photo by Tangerineduel, Wikimedia Commons.

Contents

 

In the media

Toyota honours its past by installing replica wooden loom in its Woven City

Toyota's 'Woven City' has been in the news for a while. It's an experimental city that uses modern technologies and ideas. I was unaware that the name comes from Toyota's past as an automatic and manual loom maker.

To recognise this, they've installed a replica loom.

www.topspeed.com...loom-in-the-woven-city

Rare Iron Age textile to go on display for first time

Rare Iron Age textile to go on display for first time

These fragments of woven fabric, known as the Oakbank Textile are nearly 2,500 years old. They are to go on display at the Scottish Crannog Centre in Perthshire. The fine 2/1 twill is said to be unusual for its time and area and gives an insight into the technologies of the time.

They were thought too delicate but after some stabilisation treatment, they'll be displayed in a climate-controlled cabinet.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg41e6dr2p1o

Hue new? Scientists claim to have found colour no one has seen before

Hue new? Scientists claim to have found colour no one has seen before

This has been all over the news in the last month, so I'm sure you'll be aware of it unless you've been living off-grid.

Would you allow researchers to fire lasers directly into your eye? How about if it allowed you to see a vivid colour that doesn't exist in the real world? The new colour is called olo. More technical details are here.

Despite the researchers being keen to point out that it's impossible to convey the colour in print or on a screen, in a move that smacks of bandwagon-jumping, Stuart Semple has mixed up a paint that he claims replicates the colour.

www.theguardian.com...colour-no-one-has-seen-before

Shetland wool project for students

Shetland wool project for students

Jamieson & Smith have teamed up with Heriot-Watt University's School of Textiles and challenged students to come up with designs for interior and fashion products using Scottish wool.

This page has pictures of overall winner Megan Beattie, knit category winner Adele Gillespie and all six winners.

www.peeblesshirenews.com...shetland-wool-project...


 

Handspun stories

Combed top vs roving: same, but different

Combed top vs roving: same, but different

Debbie goes into the exact definitions of these words and related preparations such as batts, punis, rolags. She considers whether these distinctions matter.

sweetgeorgiayarns.com/combed-top-vs-roving...

Yarndale creative project 2025

Yarndale creative project 2025

Yarndale is known for its large-scale yarn installations.

The 'Creative Challenge' for 2025 has been announced. If you'd like to take part, you can make a mandala attached to a wooden hoop, any colour or size. There are many patterns online.

If you'd like to take part, they need to be with the organisers by 1 September.

yarndale.co.uk...worldwide-creative-project-2025

It's getting closer

It's getting closer

Josefin is feeling both terrified and excited at the same time because her book Listen to the Wool - a Why-to Guide for Joyful Spinning will be published later in the year.

In this blog post she writes about a solo writing retreat she has taken and the daily routine she adopted to get the book ready,

waltin.se/josefinwaltinspinner/its-getting-closer

Growing flax in the garden

Growing flax in the garden

Pamela's first attempt at growing flax didn't turn out to be the easy journey that she'd hoped. She's persevering and is trying to discover what she did wrong.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHLrzh4qN5c

Further discoveries of Virginia Woods Bellamy's geometric number knitting

Further discoveries of Virginia Woods Bellamy's geometric number knitting

This is the fascinating story of how Virginia Woods Bellamy (1890-1976) developed 'number knitting', a method of design which uses triangles and squares as basic uints rather than traditional measurements.

pieceworkmagazine.com...geometric-number-knitting

A modern tale of an old blue dye

A modern tale of an old blue dye

This is the story of Denise Lambert's efforts to revive the ancient craft of growing and dyeing with the isatis tinctoria plant, also known as woad.

With thanks to Pamela for the link.

www.nytimes.com...woad-blue-dye-france.html

Schneider develops worldwide record thinnest vicuña fiber

Schneider develops world record thinnest vicuña fiber

Vicuña produce superfine fibre which is so precious because they live wild.

The Schneider Group have collected their first bale of vicuna after taking over management of a large area of Argentina. By preventing poaching they have brought the animals back to healthy numbers. The fibre is dehaired locally and exported to their mill in Italy.

www.the-spin-off.com...thinnest-vicua-fiber-18960

Organizing the Tickled Pink spin

Organizing the Tickled Pink spin

In an earlier 'painless plying' article, we did see the Tickled Pink gradient fibre by Ingelnook Fibers and lots of options for spinning / plying a gradient yarn.

In this article, Spanish Peahen gives us a detailed look at how she finally organised this fibre for spindle spinning.

thepeahenspod.com...tickled-pink-spin

Introduction to Moebius Knitting

Introduction to Moebius Knitting

A Moebius strip is a twisted loop with the strange property of having a single side. I haven't knitted a Moebius cowl and so I was interested to read this blog post by Kath in which she makes the distinction between a garment that's knitted as a rectangle and grafted with a twist, and a 'true Moebius' which has a special cast on to create a piece with a single edge. Mind-boggling indeed!

Kath teaches a workshop, but with her patterns she links to this video, Cat Bordhi's Intro to Moebius Knitting, which I found fascinating.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVnTda7F2V4

A whorl-less wonder: the traditional Scottish spindle

A whorl-less wonder: the traditional Scottish spindle

A spindle that's less well-known today than the more familiar top- and botton-whorl types is the whorl-less Scottish dealgan.

Its sleek design is said to make it more portable and it can also double as a nostepinne.

spinoffmagazine.com...traditional-scottish-spindle

Making a rigid heddle and shuttle

Making a rigid heddle and shuttle

Durham Weaver attended a workshop run by Land of Roots, which happened to take place within walking distance of her home.

By the end of the day she'd made a heddle and shuttle and warp, and was weaving. She has many pictures of the day, which she speaks very highly of and which included other workshops involving bowl carving and pole lathe turning.

durhamweaver64.blogspot.com...heddle-and-shuttle-at.html

Rhythm and wool

Rhythm and wool

Josefin has been dealing with migraines. One thing she can do when an episode happens is to spin. The making soothes her.

She has written an essay which you can read, or listen to her read it while watching her card and spin.

josefinwaltin.substack.com/p/rhythm-and-wool

Unraveling yarn

Unraveling yarn

Jillian has noticed a trend for reclaiming yarn from unfinished projects, older finished projects or charity shop finds.

She feels that it's important to reset the kinks - but what happens if you don't? She tries it to find out.

Here is her blog post on the subject.

www.moderndailyknitting.com...unraveling-yarn

Opposing plies and the quest for elasticity

Opposing plies and the quest for elasticity

If you think that making yarn with one ply spun in the opposite direction is an affront to all that is holy, Heavenly Bresser has some reasons why you should give it a try.

spinoffmagazine.com/opposing-plies...

Dad's hap

Dad's hap

In this blog post, Ella Gordon takes a look at a very special hap, or lace shawl. It was used when her Dad was christened and she also has the photographs from that day.

ellagordondesigns.co.uk...dads-hap


 

Recent and forthcoming events

International Back to Back Wool Challenge - San Diego County Spinners

International Back to Back Wool Challenge - San Diego County Spinners

Last year's worldwide winners, the San Diego County Spinners, made their 2025 attempt on 26 April. They have claimed a new US record time of 7 hours 12 minutes and 5 seconds.

The challenge involves a team of eight people (including the shearer) shearing a sheep, spinning the wool and knitting a jumper in the shortest time possible.

There are many pictures and video of the team's efforts on their Facebook page.

www.facebook.com/SanDiegoCountySpinners?mibextid=LQQJ4d

International Back to Back Wool Challenge - Tarndwarncoort Homestead

International Back to Back Wool Challenge - Tarndwarncoort Homestead

Tarndwarncoort Homestead held an open day on 29 March, when three teams from Victoria made their challenge attempts, the Koorooman Sapphire Ewes, Sisters in Stitches and Yarn It All.

Many other teams worldwide will be taking part and I expect the results to be posted later in the year on the Tarndie website (currently well out of date). Pictures and video from the Tarndie day are on the IBBWC Facebook page.

www.facebook.com/woolbacktoback

40th Annual Sheep to Shawl

40th Annual Sheep to Shawl

On 3 May Willamette Heritage Center hosted their 40th annual Sheep to Shawl. I'm linking to their Instagram which has pictures and video from the day.

https://www.instagram.com/whc_heritage/

Wonderwool Wales marks one of its most successful years with record footfall

Wonderwool Wales marks one of its most successful years with record footfall

The 19th Wonderwool Wales has been declared one of the best ever with a larger-than-usual Sunday attendance.

It featured a special installation to mark the 80th anniversary of VE (Victory in Europe) Day, organised by the same team responsible for The Longest Yarn installation for D-Day. Like The Longest Yarn, 'Britain at War' will be touring for the next 19 months.

businessnewswales.com/wonderwool-wales...

The Longest Yarn 2 - Britain at War

The Longest Yarn 2 - Britain at War

The new touring exhibition is being billed "The Longest Yarn 2 - Britain at War" and opened at Wells Cathedral on 8 May. Entry is included in a cathedral ticket.

www.wellscathedral.org.uk/whats-on?event=70110051

Exhibition celebrates history of textile industry

Exhibition celebrates history of textile industry

As part of its City of Culture year and coinciding with British Wool's 75th anniversary, an exhibition has opened in Bradford's Industrial Museum called Woven Through Time: Bradford's Textile Industry - Past and Present.

It will highlight the role wool has played in Bradford's history.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3wx5vdpw53o

Cathedral loom to weave tapestry of city's story

Cathedral loom to weave tapestry of city's story

The people of Bradford will be contributing to a 'legacy piece', a tapestry made 'by the people for the people', also part of the City of Culture year.

Anyone "regardless of skill or experience" can use a loom situated in the cathedral.

More intricate parts of the tapestry will be made by more experienced weavers.

The project is being run in partnership with Haworth Scouring and the Bradford Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers, who between them supplied and spun the wool that will be used.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq5wjjdeqvyo

52nd Annual Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival

52nd Annual Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival

Maryland is one of the largest sheep and wool festivals. it took place earlier this month.

Araignee has been going for at least 30 years and comments in the first part of her review that although traditionally it's cold when this event happens, she's finding the heat a problem these days.

In the second part she gives us a good look around the show, at the yarn and fibre for sale, the fleeces, other fibre crafts and the food.

araigneestangledweb.blogspot.com...mdsw-part-2.html


Tips and tutorials

How do I improve my joins?

How do I improve my joins?

In response to a reader question, Jacey talks about joining in new fibre as you spin.

You may tend to spin one type of yarn or have one join that works for all types of yarn but woollen and worsted yarn may benefit from different methods of joining new fibre.

plymagazine.com...improve-my-joins

Pin loom weaving

Pin loom weaving

lovestoswatch takes a look at what puts the zoom into Zoom Loom and how you can apply the technique to any pin loom.

She has a list of resources which include how to make your own pin loom.

lovestoswatch.wordpress.com...pin-loom-weaving

Video tip: how to place lace weft

Video tip: how to place lace weft

With an open weave such as lace, you won't want to beat but place the weft thread. Madelyn demonstrates in this three-minute video.

handwovenmagazine.com...placing-weft

What is bead leno, anyway?

What is bead leno, anyway?

Bead Leno uses beads between your heddles and reed to make a lacey fabric.

This article is a brief introduction with a few tips and examples. There's a full article for subscribers to Handwoven.

handwovenmagazine.com/what-is-bead-leno-anyway

Demystifying double knitting

Demystifying double knitting

Double knitting is a technique for using two colours at once without floats. It makes a thick, reversible fabric.

Ginevra Martin, who designed the glasses case, introduces double knitting, teaches the cast-on and how to read charts.

https://www.interweave.com...tech-tip-double-knitting

Egg-speriment

Egg-speriment

Easter seems well behind us now, but I must share this egg-cellent post from Kate, which makes me want to try her techniques for naturally-dyeing eggs.

As well as a full tutorial for her transfer-dying technique, she has unearthed some details of historical spring celebrations and posts some photos of her eggs alongside the plants that she used.

katedaviesdesigns.com...egg-speriment

5 Things to Know Before You Start Natural Dyeing

Five things to know before you start natural dyeing

Here are some things that Wendy wishes that she'd known when she first started dyeing. She says that the most important thing is to "just try something".

littlelooms.com...before-you-start-natural-dyeing

How to Ply Yarn the Simple Way

How to ply yarn the simple way

This free e-book contains articles from Rita Buchanan, Carol Huebscher Rhoades, Maggie Casey, Judith MacKenzie, Rudy Amann and Dodie Rush. It contains instructions for chain plying, plying on a spindle, Andean plying as well as many general tips.

You'll need a free account with the Spin-Off website. The page I'm linking to has an introduction and a link at the bottom.

spinoffmagazine.com/plying-yarn-resources

Visible headphone mending

Visible headphone mending

If you've owned a pair of headphones for a long time, you'll be familiar with this problem. Mila has a novel 'visible mending' solution.

Below this post is a close-up of the stitch she used, although she doesn't know what it's called. She feels that you could simply "go round and round in a spiral".

helvede.net/@Tryllesokker/114420874001899558


Products and Reviews

Sheep and Man M L Ryder

Sheep and Man M L Ryder

Meagan Condon is reading this very large book, which was first published in 1983 and reissued in 2007, apparently without any updates.

While searching for whether it's possible to buy the book today, I found another review which will certainly be valuable if you're interested in the book.

It is possible to buy the book online now if money is no object, but Meagan was able to obtain a copy from her local library.

plymagazine.com...modern-understanding-of-fiber

Daedalus Whirligig

Daedalus Whirligig

The Spanish Peahen has posted this short video showing the Daedalus Whirligig, a powered skeiner with counter.

www.instagram.com/p/DJPkaMXp5w-


Video and audio

Visible Mending

Visible Mending

The theme of visible mending is used here in a literal as well as metaphorical sense. It has a Creature Comforts vibe but uses knitted characters relating to the interviewees.

The quality of the stop-motion is outstanding.

https://vimeo.com/827066711

Happy World Donkey Day

Happy World Donkey Day

DotPebbles has also been doing some incredible stop-motion animation. Aside from the amazing animation, her Eyore is charming!

When asked how she brings her creatures to life, she said "when you knit it, wish hard". If you dig through her comments you can find the software that she uses to help her. I believe that she is doing the stop-motion the traditional way and using tools to smooth it out.

www.instagram.com/p/DJYsVDHIJVS/


Technology


Gallery

Sometimes just a picture is enough

Handspun Bag

KarinaRose's Handspun Bag

This is Karen's first project with her handspun yarn. It's also the first iteration of her own lined bag pattern. This uses 141 yards (I like the to-the-yard accuracy). The yarn is made from multiple fibres blended on a blending board.

www.ravelry.com..handspun-bag

Handspun Flower Bag

KarinaRose's Handspun Flower Bag

This is a later version of Karen's own lined bag pattern, possibly the third. It features a flower on a flap as a kind of fastener. The yarn is a mix of corriedale and merino which she found too scratchy to wear next to the skin.

www.ravelry.com...handspun-flower-bag

Varia Mitts

zyzzyva2's Varia Mitts

This very different-looking owl is also made in two colours of handspun.

The pattern is Varia Mitts by Erica Heusser, adapted to have a flap so that zyzzyva2 can wear full mittens but then pop her fingers out to operate her bike lock.

The blue-green is spindle-spun Icelandic wool.

www.ravelry.com...varia-mitts

Nectar Blanket

hsuv's Handspun Nectar Blanket

This project uses many different handspun yarns but they work together beautifully.

Vivian made her own blocking board. Every time she finished a hexagon, she would "pop it on the board and give it a steam".

The pattern is by Ysolda Teague. Vivian gives it a medium difficulty because of the lace knitting and assembly.

www.ravelry.com/projects/hsuv/nectar-blanket

Cabled yarn to knit cabled socks

Cabled yarn to knit cabled socks

These cabled socks are made from cabled yarn. Stefanie says that it's an excellent construction for sock yarn and that it also makes cables stand out.

The fibre was hand-dyed with marigold before spinning. This page has pictures of the skein of yarn and finished socks.

spinoffmagazine.com/twistin-the-night-away


 

Free patterns and projects

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


Pattern and project suggestions

Little Gemstones by Claire Slade

Little Gemstones by Claire Slade

This is a nice pattern to show off small amounts of handspun yarn. The suggestion comes from Highland Heffalump who is making one using yarn spun from advent calendar fibre.

It requires 700 - 990 yards of fingering-weight (14 wpi) yarn.

You can choose a dark border colour for a stained glass look, or green as Highland Heffalump has done to suggest a flower bed.

www.ravelry.com...little-gemstones

Rib Welt Scarf by SweaterFreak

Rib Welt Scarf by SweaterFreak

Sweetgeorgia have recommended this pattern as one that will "highlight those special skeins". They have hand-dyed yarn in mind and I would suggest that the simple ribs will also show off your beautiful handspun yarn too.

It requires 250 - 375 yards of DK-weight yarn.

sweaterfreak.com/b/rib-welt-scarf

Blossom by Kate Kosenko Veselunka

Blossom by Kate Kosenko Veselunka

This cheerful scarf has a seasonal name at least. It's a 'stash friendly' pattern, designed for using up small amounts of fingering-weight yarn.

The suggestion is from Peony. Note that abbreviations are US.

www.ravelry.com...blossom-54


 

But is it art...?

THREADS of CHANGE: Design & Data

THREADS of CHANGE: Design & Data

Threads of Change is the current exhibition at The Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA). The page I'm linking to has links to the key works.

www.museumofdesign.org/current-exhibition

Embroidered wooden furniture decorates Nullus Locus installation

Embroidered wooden furniture decorates Nullus Locus installation

It's a shame that there are no close-up shots of the work here, which consists of metal threads embroidered into wood.

Modified sewing machines stitched the metal into the wood veneer.

www.dezeen.com...nullus-locus-instllation...

Do Ho Suh Walk the House

Do Ho Suh : Walk the House

Do Ho Suh's works relate to houses and homes, often his own. They use soft materials like paper and fabric.

Tate Modern have removed some internal walls in order to accommodate his 1:1 scale works.

www.dezeen.comdo-ho-suhs-installations-walk-the-house


 

UK Events

2025

The Great British Fibre Festival

The Great British Fibre Festival

7-8 June 2025 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

The Wool Monty

The Wool Monty

7 - 8 June 2025 Magna, Magna Way, Sheffield S60 1FD

Accessible, inclusive, welcoming.

thewoolmonty.co.uk

Mill Open Weekend, John Arbon Textiles

Mill Open Weekend, John Arbon Textiles

7 - 8 June, 2025, 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.

www.jarbon.com/mill-open-weekend

Cumbrian Wool Gathering

Cumbrian Wool Gathering

21 - 22 June 2025, 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

Stitch Fest by the Sea

Stitch Fest by the Sea

5 - 6 July 2025, Winter Gardens, Weston-super-Mare

A new Summer yarn show by the sea!

Expect a fantastic selection of premium exhibitors, hands-on workshops, and exciting demos all wrapped up in a wonderful seaside atmosphere.

www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566170402658

Summer Wool Festival

Summer Wool Festival

26 - 27 July 2025 Redborne School, Ampthill, Bedfordshire, MK45 2NU

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

Eden Wool Gathering

26 - 27 July 2025 Whithorn Roundhouse, Dumfries & Galloway

A new event to promote and showcase wool and wool-related crafts.

www.facebook.com/EdenWoolGathering

North East Wool Show

North East Wool Show

9 - 10 August 2025, Newcastle Racecourse

90 amazing stalls plus a great range of workshops. cafe, demonstrations.

www.northeastwoolshow.co.uk

Pop Up Wool Show

Pop Up Wool Show

16 August 2025, 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

Southern Wool Show

30 - 31 August 2025, 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

The Scottish Yarn Festival

30 - 31 August 2025 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

unravel... autumn

12 - 13 September 2025, 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

Llandovery Sheep Festival

Llandovery Sheep Festival

20 - 21 September 2025, the centre of Llandovery

A weekend celebration of rural crafts, food, entertainment and of course, sheep farming.

llandoverysheepfestival.com

Yarndale

Yarndale

27 - 28 September 2025, 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

Masham Sheep Fair

The Wool Event, Masham Sheep Fair

27 - 28 September 2025, 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

28 September - 4 October 2025

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

West Wales Wool Show

West Wales Wool Show

Saturday 4 October 2025, 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

Cotswold Wool Weekend

Cotswold Wool Weekend

Sat 4 - Sun 5 October 2025 The Corn Hall, Cirencester

A two-day celebration of all things wool and yarn, including stalls, talks, demonstrations and workshops

Tickets available online now.

sites.google.com...cotswoldwoolweekend

The Glasgow School of Yarn

The Glasgow School of Yarn

17 - 19 October 2025, 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

Stafford Wool Gathering

Stafford Wool Gathering

18 - 19 October 2025 Staffordshire County Showground

Bakewell Wool Gathering has moved to Stafford. More details tbc

staffordwoolgathering.co.uk

Stitch Fest

Stitch Fest

1 - 2 November 2025, Newton Abbot Racecourse.

Since 2016, Stitch Fest has moved to bigger venues and is now held under one roof at Newton Abbot Racecourse, showcasing some of the best independent makers, dyers, spinners and designers and a fabulous workshop and demonstration timetable.

www.stitchfest.co.uk

The Knitting and Stitching Show, Harrogate

The Knitting and Stitching Show, Harrogate

20 - 23 November 2025, 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.

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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!

- Editor / curator

shiela@hand-spinning-news.com

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Archive

All issues since January 2015 were archived. However, due to old and dead links making bad SEO, I'm not quite sure how to handle this. Watch this space.

H S N archive