Official Guernsey tartan pattern
Katy Barratt has drawn on Guernsey lifestyle and events to create this official tartan for the island.
Hand Spinning News
The email version of this newsletter may look much better online: hand-spinning-news.com
Did you spin during the Tour de Fleece? What will you make with the yarn? We had a round-up of this year's Tour de Fleece last month but spinners are still writing up their achievements. One finished project is made from yarn spun during last year's Tour.
Maybe you'll weave it. Durham Weaver has put together a very well-researched article about the weaving that happened on board ships; the things that they made and the tools that they used.
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 September 2025.
Cover photo: Ribbon weaver, oil painting by Juho Rissanen (detail of). Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Contents
- In the media
- Handspun stories
- Recent, current and forthcoming events
- Tips and tutorials
- Products and reviews
- Video and audio
- Technology
- Gallery
Some of the best spinning images I've seen this month - Free Pattern and project suggestions
A selection of free seasonal patterns which will work well with handspun yarn - More Patterns and projects
More project ideas which will work well with handspun yarn - But is is art...?
- UK Events
More confirmed events for your 2025 calendar
In the media
New Store 4.0
This is a pop-up store at Paris Design Week which was designed to "trial a small-scale production model for regenerative fashion". A bale of fleece in the middle of the shop floor emphasises the point.
On display are works created by Paris-based designer Ása Bríet Brattaberg and Dutch natural dye expert Claudy Jongstra.
Gigantic carpet depicting scenes of Iranian history to go on show
A gigantic carpet depicting scenes from Iranian history will go on display in the capital of South Khorasan province.
The carpet, about 27 square meters, is considered the largest of its kind in Iran and possibly the world. The design has been called a "historical document", possibly depicting an event.
Handspun stories
Tour de Fleece 2025 - how it went
Spinners have been logging their Tour de Fleece results since the main Tdf 2025 round-up last month.
Rebecca was travelling during the Femmes event and took her spinning with her.
Sixty 2oz batts carded for the Tour de Fleece
Jill shows us the 60+ batts that she carded for her Tour de Fleece spinning.
Spinnng challenge art yarns
In this follow-up post, Jill has compiled the photos of the skeins of art yarn she spun from those batts.
Three tips to keep your spinning mojo after the Tour
Did you take part in the Tour de Fleece? Heavenly has some tips to help you keep your spinning mojo going.
spinoffmagazine.com/three-tips-to-keep-your-spinning-mojo...
TdF singles plied
Last month we saw these finished singles on their spindles.
In this update, Araignee shows us how the yarn looks after chain plying, plus two braids of fibre that she will be spinning by spindle and by wheel.
araigneestangledweb.blogspot.com...friday-fluff_01482802974.html
Rainbow yarn
Kat has made this amazing rainbow yarn by plying six single-colour strands. The colours have remained more distinct than I would have expected.
Besides describing the challenges here, she also talks about experimenting with other cabling techniques for the six strands. There are some knit, woven and embroidered samples using the yarn which are well worth a look.
Dishrags: a love story
When invited to 'share her talent' in lieu of a 70th birthday present, Ann's thoughts turned to knitting and she made her friend seven cotton dishcloths, one for each decade.
www.moderndailyknitting.com/community/dishrags-a-love-story/
It's time to knit in hand spun yarn
Ewespecial is taking part in Elizabeth Ravenwood's knit-a-long which is a year-long project with lace patterns arriving mid-month.
At the same time, she's also taking part in Toni L. Lorenz' Shetland Sampler Shawl, which has patterns released on the first of each month.
She's making each in handspun yarn and says that knitting in handspun is "such a joy". This is yarn spun from a mystery fibre, which is a reminder for us all to label well.
Life with wool
This is a new merino bathing suit. It has a clever trick up its sleeve - it creates warmth when it absorbs water.
Clara describes the experience as she takes a dip in the very cold Maine sea.
Week 33 of 2025
Joanne has washed some fleece ready to comb. Some of it looks creamy white and fluffy. This post also sees her harvesting and preserving garden produce.
Sheep, soil and stewardship
This is a discussion with Ryan Mahoney about his farm's ethical and environmental practices.
Spinning and stitching
This luscious yarn is two ply Targhee that Jane has spun from two Greenwood Fiberworks braids.
This yellow
Sarah wasn't expecting this beautiful golden yellow from some garden-grown Dyer's Chamomile that her daughter gave her.
In another post this month, she used some seeds to dye some yarn and achieved a greenish grey. lovely but again not what she expected.
Both of these experiments and more are summed up with more photos and comments in this later entry.
Spinning slub-free cashmere on the charkha
This page has information and advice about spinning cashmere fibre and using a charkha with a short video demonstration.
Hard drive platter spindle
Mastodon user Nilly Robot has used some old hard-drive platters and a crochet hook to make a drop spindle. These are heavier than CDs and are probably a better choice.
The discussion below this post includes a mk2.
Colour Collab : Kathy's handwoven colour journey
Last month we featured SweetGeorgia's Colour Colab series.
In this instalment, Weaver Kathy has woven some towels, each inspired by the colours in SweetGeorgia's Colour Collab range of spinning fibre.
sweetgeorgiayarns.com/colour-collab-kathys-handwoven-colour-journey/
Four preps, four projects
This article from Spin Off editors suggests that you intentionally choose your fibre preparation for your project.
The four fibre preps - carded batt, dizzed roving, rolags, hand-combed top - produce different results and there's a pattern suggestion for each.
Why spinners might love the knitting machine
You may think that knitting on a machine doesn't go with making yarn by hand, but Pamela thinks it's the best of both worlds.
If you're interested, she has some tips to get you started.
spinoffmagazine.com/why-spinners-might-love-the-knitting-machine...
Mighty mill tours: Harrisville Designs
Jillian Moreno gives us pictures and commentary from a tour of Harrisville spinning mill that she made with her class.
www.moderndailyknitting.com...mighty-mill-tours-harrisville...
Creative solutions for displaying textile art
This very comprehensive article has a large number of ways to display textile art with instructions for each.
Rigid heddles found aboard ships
It's fascinating to see some of the heddles and other weaving equipment used aboard ships and found on shipwrecks.
Durham Weaver goes into the things that the sailors would have made, the weaving structures and the tools they used.
durhamweaver64.blogspot.com...rigid-heddles-found-aboard-ships.html
Essential spinning tools and accessories
Starting with fibre and a spindle, SweetGeorgia staff have compiled this list of spinning tools and supplies. Some are essential, some are nice to have.
Recent, current and forthcoming events
Yarnstravaganza
Yarnstravaganza is a celebration of yarn shops that will be taking place across the UK from 27th September to 4th October 2025. There are events, goodies and lots of stores taking part. A map on this page allows you to find your nearest.
Tips and tutorials
Carded roving from a diz and hand card
This is an extract from a longer video course, but it's very useful in its own right. Kim McKenna demonstrates / explains how to make carded roving from locks using a regular hand carder. As she says, it results in more loft and fluffiness in your yarn than a combed prep.
sweetgeorgiayarns.com/from-locks-to-loft-carded-roving-from-a-diz-hand-card
Should I spin and ply with the same whorl?
Here is some advice from Jacey about choosing a ratio for plying.
Customising socks for a great fit
Looking ahead to Socktober, Amy points out that there are as many different kinds of feet as there are knitters. This is a very detailed look at some different measurements that you should take and adjust your knitting accordingly. She uses her own Blackberry Socks pattern as an example and you can download a free copy.
How to make a needle-felted steek
Gretchen shares Alice Adams' method of securing a steek before cutting.
Troubleshoot your takli spindle
Kate suggests that the Takli makes as good travel companion.
If you're having particular issues with this small spindle, she has some troubleshooting tips.
Products and Reviews
Seafarer silk blend
Seafarer is a new silk blend from John Arbon Textiles. It contains durable Devonian wool with luxurious Silk.
Two neutral shades have been released with the rest of the colour range due mid-september.
Majacraft bobbin colour of the year
Majacraft's bobbins are injection moulded and each year they hold a competition to decide on a 'colour of the year'. This is the result of that and the chosen colour will be available later in 2025 and into 2026 while stocks last.
How Michael Pauly built SpinOlution and continues with SpinPerfect
Ply magazine has this retrospective and interview with Michael Pauly of SpinOlution. He talks about the origin and development of his company and his new project, SpinPerfect.
The Annual from John Arbon Textiles
The fifth John Arbon Annual has the theme "holidays by the seaside" and the cover features the new Seafarer yarn and tops. The selection of patterns is similarly themed.
The Natural Dye Handbook by Heidi Iverson
Stephany Wilkes sat down for an interview with the author.
tinyStudio Issue 28
Issue 28 of tinyStudio is available for purchase in digital and print formats.
Video and audio
I wove linen like it's 1780
Engineering Knits attended weaving school and learned much about weaving using historical techniques. She uses a loom that probably comes from the 18th century.
Barry Schacht and Jane Patrick, Schacht Spindle Company
This year, Schacht's founder Barry and his wife Jane retired and handed over the reins of the company to Paul Vervoorn.
This is an audio interview with Barry and Jane.
Technology
Stretchable yarn batteries for textile electronics
This is a very dry article but it does describe different types of yarn batteries and other types of device, how this new yarn battery remains stable when stretched and flexed and the construction of the yarn battery and the fabrics / garments that it has been woven into for testing. They used a traditional loom and warp with the yarn battery as the weft.
Want a better toothpaste? Just add wool
Researchers have found that keratin can help to restore tooth enamel. There are of course many sources of keratin, it's in our own hair and nails but in this case the team extracted it from sheep's wool.
I guess there's more work to be done before this ingredient is in a tube of toothpaste near you.
Gallery
Sometimes just a picture is enough
Springside Lace Cardigan
This was a combo spin that tashalouizamc started during Tour de Fleece last year. The pattern is Springside Lace Cardigan by Ashley Lillis.
Ariana
Jemart has made this crochet and knitted cardigan in handspun yarn. The coloured yarn is made from John Arbon broken tops and the black is Welsh wool from Adelaide Walker.
The pattern is Ariana by Amy Christoffers.
Handspun singles for science
CraftinCleo made her Luminos Tee in handspun singles 'for science'. From her notes, it doesn't sound as if she had a good time but the photos look great.
Legacy shawl
This heirloom shawl is made using qiviut and cashmere in a cobweb weight and can be passed through a wedding ring. Lynette spindle-spun around 3000 yards of each of the fibres.
Dorset Button Festive Wall Hanging Kit
Highland Heffalump has woven this large (5") Dorset button wall hanging from a kit which included breed-specific yarns.
Colours from the garden
This picture made me smile when enlarged. It shows scraps of mohair dyed with (l-r) St John's Wort, marigolds and walnut bark.
This later post contains more about the mohair fleece, skeins of yarn and more natural colour.
Finished Kudzu
Knit/Wit has finished this top in a 100% linen yarn.
This is a very summery vest, although it looks good over a top as she's modelling it here. The pattern is Kudzu by by Laura Aylor
A couple of knitted finishes
Thread Head Joanne has finished this pair of socks and a jumper, both in her handspun yarn. The socks are an unnamed toe-up pattern.
Handspun tapestry
This looks good in its own right but Seaflower Spins is treating it as a sample for a larger piece.
Free patterns and projects
A selection of free seasonal patterns which will work well with handspun yarn.
Strap Pattern
Annie has shared this band pattern which looks great as a ukulele strap. She also shares her thoughts on what makes it unusual.
Here are some more ideas for inkle-woven straps.
The Lacy Lakes Bias Scarf
I know nothing about machine-knitting so I'm sharing this 'blind' but it promises to be "delightfully simple" and suitable for beginners as well as the experienced.
Instructions are listed on this page.
Popcorn Pumpkin and Wavy Pumpkin by cbfiberworks
These are two seasonal crochet patterns. My main link goes to the Popcorn Pumpkin, the Wavy Pumpkin is here.
cbfiberworks.com/free-crochet-pattern-popcorn-pumpkin-pattern
Pattern and project suggestions
Ocean Waves Cowl by Amy Christoffers
Thanks to Kat for this suggestion. The triangular motif is an ode to the classic quilt pattern of the same name. The pattern is available in the MDK Field Guide No. 29: Mosaic, which contains five patterns. Mosaic knitting is an easy colourwork technique and this pattern looks great with a colour-shifting yarn.
www.moderndailyknitting.com/shop/mdk-field-guide-no-29-mosaic
Leaving by Anne Hanson
This pattern can be made as a cardigan or a pullover. It has sizes from XXS to 4X and uses 1075 - 2300 yards of sport-weight (12 wpi) yarn.
knitgarden made this pattern using handspun from her very first fleece, a Columbia/Rambouillet.
Decades by tincanknits
This design is inspired by colours and designs of the '80s.
It has a wide range of sizes from newborn to 6XL with specific sizes for men and women. it uses sport or DK-weight yarn.
But is it art...?
Woven Histories
Alan Shields uses canvas belting, beads and acrylic paint to create monumental abstract works. This is part of "Woven Histories: Textiles and Modern Abstraction" which is currently showing at the Museum of Modern Art.
There's a good gallery of images ("Installation Images") on this page.
Cheryl Rezendes
Cheryl is inspired by the natural world, colour, light and her emotional well-being. The piece in my thumbnail is called Turbulent Mind. This post is an insight into her inspiration and has many pictures of her work.
Maria Nepomuceno's mixed-media sculptures
I find Maria Nepomuceno's organic sculptures fun and cheerful if a little unnerving.
Danielle Clough
The work in Danielle Clough's current solo exhibition, Crewel Intentions, is inspired by the vivid colours and styles of 70s print media.
You Stretched Diagonally Across It: Contemporary Tapestry
Dallas Contemporary's big summer show, You Stretched Diagonally Across It: Contemporary Tapestry, consists largely of textile works, as the name suggests.
This piece reflects Dallas' history with microchips. The design of a microscopic computer chip works well in tapestry. This is a large-scale rendering of a 1974 microcontroller fromTexas Instruments.
Janet Echelman's suspended nets radiate across 25 years
Janet Echelman is known for suspending colourful nets across spaces or from ceilings. Colourful shadows or glowing light sway in the breeze.
A retrospective of her work is collected in a new book, Radical Softness: The Responsive Art of Janet Echelman.
www.thisiscolossal.com...janet-echelman-radical-softness-book
UK Events
2025
Yarnstock
26 - 28 September 2025
A cosy weekend festival for crochet lovers, yarn crafters, and wool enthusiasts. Camp or visit for the day.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tetbury Woll Fair
12 October 2025, Tetbury Goods Shed, Gloucestershire
more details tbc
The Knitting and Stitching ('Ally Pally') Show
9 - 12 October 2025, Alexandra Palace, London
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.
Stafford Wool Gathering
18 - 19 October 2025 Staffordshire County Showground
Bakewell Wool Gathering has moved to Stafford. More details tbc
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.
Yorkshire Yarn Fest
8 - 9 November 2025, Sandburn Hall, York YO60 7RB
More details to follow
flock
14-16 November 2025, The Barn, Burn O Bennie, Banchory AB31 5QA
flock Contemporary Craft & Design is back! Come along and shop a curated collection of the best designer/makers working across Scotland - with over 40 vendors taking part.
Entry is free but the website allows you to book a time in advance to guarantee entry.
Exhibitor applications are open.
www.craftscotland.org/community/opportunity/flock-2025-applications-now-open
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.
Support Hand Spinning News
I'm Shiela Dixon, I've been doing this for around sixteen years in order to promote and encourage spinning and related crafts.
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