Carrying on the legacy of over a century of rope making
Kefi Ropemakers' warehouse is filled with brightly coloured yarn at all stages of development from braided fibres to thick spools of finished rope.
Hand Spinning News
The email version of this newsletter may look much better online: hand-spinning-news.com
Since this is the first issue of the year, let me wish you health and happiness in 2026.
It's a time for fresh starts, so you may like to rework your knitting queue. I find reading reviews of 2025 crafting inspiring and helps to build some enthusiasm for new projects.
If you're a fan of spindle-spinning, particularly if you enjoy collecting them, then there are a couple of interesting and useful articles this month. Heavenly has some suggestions for pairing supported spindles and bowls, and Amelia looks at Turkish-style spindles that don't have the usual complement of four arms.
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 January 2026.
Cover photo: Crafting with colourful wool fibers by Matt Benson on Unsplash
Contents
- In the media
- Handspun stories
- Tips and tutorials
- Products and reviews
- Video and audio
- 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
The first few events for your 2026 calendar
In the media
Handspun stories
Spindle + bowl, finding the perfect pair
Heavenly has some suggestions for choosing the right spindle / bowl combination.
Paper thread/shifu from teabags
Jean has made yarn from teabags. Not the PG Tips kind but the folded ones that usually contain herbal or fruit tea. (I guess if they had contained black tea then the paper would be pre-dyed).
In this post she shows how she cut them into thin strips to spin them.
How many arms does a Turkish spindle need?
Traditionally they have four but Amelia shows us her collection of spindles with two, three, four, six and (maybe) eight arms, along with some four-armed spindles that may not really be Turkish spindles.
She's curious about whether anyone has a one- or five-armed spindle.
askthebellwether.blogspot.com...arms-does-turkish-spindle-need.html
Before you buy a bigger rigid heddle loom
Bigger isn't necessarily better; there are many considerations including space, comfort, portability, cost.
Kelly lists the pros and cons of upsizing.
kellycasanovaweavinglessons.com/2025/12/before-you-buy-a-bigger-rigid-heddle-loom.html
Etsy's colour of the year
I suspect that Pantone's decision to go with white as their colour of the year was somewhat attention-seeking.
I'm a fan of Etsy (and sell my musical instruments there). I'm also a fan of the colour that they have chosen as their own colour of the year.
Patina Blue is rustic without being grungey.
For the first time, they've also announced a 'texture of the year' which is Washed Linen.
Progress with the GW sash
I'm linking to Carol's December blog archive because she has been blogging comprehensively about her experiences of reproducing the George Washington sash. These include choosing the right shade of red and dyeing the yarn and then creating the warp. She recruited two friends to help. One small mistake would be visible and having someone else watching and counting helped to avoid this.
In the first post of 2026, she writes about mindfulness, which relates to the posts about talking great care when warping, but is probably good advice for all crafting.
Hiram F. Wheeler's patent model of a spinning wheel
While searching for something else I came across this object, which is a 2 foot long patent model for a spinning wheel with a fascinating mechanism.
This is similar to a great or walking wheel, except that the spinner would sit still and use a treadle to slide the spinning head away from the spinner. A weight would return it.
I was curious that this patent was filed centuries after the flyer appeared. I had wrongly assumed that flyer wheels replaced the great wheels overnight but the great wheel survived for more serious spinning, particularly for woollen yarn.
World of Wool Fibre Advent 2025
Highland Heffalump broke a promise to herself and bought World of Wool's advent fibre pack. She shows pictures of the 25 bundles, all opened, plus a couple of photos showing possible groupings. How would you group / spin them?
She also links to last year's pack all spun up. That was in June, so I guess we'll see these as yarn a little later in the year.
Can wool make me sick?
The text of this article has been flagged as largely AI-generated but I'm linking to it anyway because I think it does contain some useful information and I would think the blogger has checked the facts before posting.
groovyyarn.blogspot.com...common-question-among-spinners.html
2025 In Review
There's some big news later about Rebecca's new book but this post is a review of her 2025 crafting. The spinning section is very full, it contains part of a "massive series of spins for socks", the big pile of boucle yarns in my thumbnail and more.
In this later post, she outlines her 2026 vision.
The tyranny of the knitting queue
My knitting queue is a growing list of intentions, mostly never realised. I've never thought of it as being fluid and managed but Claudia has given me permission to renew, reorder and remove where necessary. I recommend this article if your queue is stagnant.
www.moderndailyknitting.com...the-tyranny-of-the-knitting-queue
Tips and tutorials
What is twined knitting?
Twined knitting, or two-end knitting was apparently a lost craft, rediscovered thanks to an abandoned seventeenth-century mitten.
There are some interesting points about spinning direction - the mitten was made from yarn that was S-spun and Z-plied, the opposite of the way that we usually work. Due to the way that twining twists the yarn, you get a different fabric depending on your spinning/plying directions.
There's enough information in this free article to allow you to try the technique.
Build a picture frame tapestry loom
You can build a tapestry loom from a picture frame and other household objects. It's ideal for travel or for teaching kids.
Save your leftover singles for inspired spiral plies
Gather your leftover singles because Deborah Held has some suggestions and tips. "Have no shame in your leftover singles. Instead, let them be your plying muse for growth, creativity, and added spinning experience", she says.
Seven tips for knitting with energised singles
This is an article from 2018 that has been republished with some corrections. It's well worth a look, or another look if you remember it.
Amy loves the texture that you get from certain stitch patterns with energised or unplied singles. In fact you can knit straight off the bobbin - Amy uses a tensioned lazy Kate.
Here we see a cowl that she designed using #20 from The New Knitting Stitch Library. She has some tips for knitting with springy singles.
Spinning for bandweaving
This is another repost from 2018, Spin Off are on a roll!
This one has three ways to improve your handspun inkle bands.
Products and Reviews
Migraineur: Poems and Patterns on the Experience of Migraine by Rebecca Osborn
Rebecca has released her pattern book, Migraineur: Poems and Patterns on the Experience of Migraine in paperback and e-book formats.
I'm linking to the blog post she made on release day. She talks about the pattern featured on the cover, A Giant Piece of Toast. For some days previously, she gradually revealed and wrote about other patterns in the book. Explore her blog for those.
Kate Davis has written the book's introduction and has reviewed the book here.
Rebecca has also published this entertaining 'behind the scenes' post about taking some of the photographs.
Gold from Newton's Apple Tree by Nabil Ali
We've been creating pigments for tens of thousands of years, some of them highly toxic, some beautiful and valuable.
This book is a compilation of recipes for inks, paints and dyes from as far back as the 3rd century BC using scientific and artistic illustrations of the plants.
Video and audio
Cotton vs wool: which keeps you warmest?
From one extreme to the other. I'm not a fan of the short-form video and this seemed a little clickbaity but the small experiment is something anyone can try and the result was interesting.
Gallery
Sometimes just a picture is enough
Grapevine
The Twisted Yarn has finished this grapevine scarf in appropriate purple and green.
It appears double-knitted but she is irritated by switching the yarns around every stitch. Instead she knitted in the round, with the back having the colours reversed. This results in a cosier scarf.
How Barra fleece became handspun jacket
The welovestornoway.com website carries the story of this jacket. Marie is a spinner who was given some fleece while revisiting her honeymoon location.
There are some interesting comments from the owner of the sheep, who considered the wool 'a nuisance'.
Advent Hat 2025
RedAndFiery finished this Advent Hat using "a lot of handspun leftovers". The pattern is by Tricia Weatherston and was a knit-a-long.
Free patterns and projects
A selection of free seasonal patterns which will work well with handspun yarn.
Prosecco by Marnie MacLean
These are crochet covers for paper lanterns / lampshades. Wool or natural fibres are recommended, particularly if the lamp contains an open flame.
Hextangle by Kate Schimmer
The second pattern from the Winter Knitty.com is a knitted blanket composed of hexagons.
It was designed to use 10g mini-skeins from a particular colour pack, those being cotton / acrylic but I think the point is that you can use small amounts of yarn in the colours that you choose.
Plaid Whisper by Anna Zhuravleva
The third suggestion from the current Knitty is this sock pattern. It's a classic top-down sock with heel flap and gusset.
The plaid-style pattern on the leg is slip-stitch. Suggested yarn is aran-weight (8 wpi).
Dendrophile
As usual for EFA's free patterns, they're available for free for a limited and undisclosed time, so grab it quickly if it's still showing as free when you read this.
There are 'original' and 'updated' versions. I like the longer one. This type of infinity scarf can be worn as a scarf or doubled-up and worn as a cowl. Or pulled up to form a cowl and hood.
The pattern shows a beautiful colour combination in a soft wool with a little bit of sparkle.
Pattern and project suggestions
How Bizarre by Martin Up North
This is a simple pattern that Martin finds "a little wacky and strange ... in a very good way".
The pattern is highly adjustable and the perfect stash buster. It can be made into a cushion or blanket.
Crossings by Anne Hanson
Fingerless mitts with long wrists make these practical but warm. They're decorative too.
They use lace to sport weight yarn.
One Skein Wonder by Stefanie Japel
I'm very happy to see that Stefanie Japel has regained the rights to her patterns and has been busily posting and editing on Ravalry.
This is a very unseasonal pattern but the One Skein Wonder is one of her most venerable and popular. It was one of the first things that I ever knitted. (I don't think I have the garment any more but I do have the printed-off pattern). I do like the form factor a lot and have added the pattern to my queue.
It uses 125-175 yards of heavy worsted-weight or aran-weight yarn.
But is it art...?
Miguel Arzabe solo exhibition
We last saw Miguel Arzabe's work in November's issue after he'd had two large works unveiled at New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.
He paints two abstract paintings on canvas, cuts them into strips and weaves them using Andean techniques.
This month in California, Johansson Projects presents a solo exhibition of his work. This page has very good-quality photographs of the many wall-mounted and hanging sculptures on display.
'Thread Count' group exhibition
Thread Count is a group show featuring a large number of fibre artists. The work is inspired by that of trailblazing artist Anni Albers.
If you're reading the full issue of HSN shortly after I send it out, the exhibition will still be open in New York. Either way, this page has many super images of the works, which are varied and well worth a browse.
Traditional Indian basketweaving techniques translate into contemporary installations
Wicker is commonly used in India for functional objects but these pieces by The Wicker Story straddle the line between furniture and art installation.
Stephen Towns, black joy
Stephen Towns' mixed-media quilted works combine fabrics, buttons, shells, and beads. They portray black leisure in the period of racial segregation.
Wichita Art Museum is hosting a solo exhibition called Safer Waters.
www.thisiscolossal.com...stephen-towns-safer-waters-textiles-exhibition
UK Events
2026
Waltham Abbey Wool Show
Sun 18 Jan 2026, Delta Marriott Hotel, Old Shire Lane, Waltham Abbey
All-day and timed tickets available.
Chosen charity since 2017 is Knit for Peace. Workshops range from beginner to intermediate.
50 exhibitors, a selection of crochet, knitting, spinning and other craft workshops at a variety of levels.
The theme for the 2025 Competition is Neckwear!
Blaise Wool Festival 2026
1 Feb 2026 Bradford Industrial Museum BD2 3HP
Celebrate the patron saint of Woolcombers, Bishop Blaise, and the history of wool in Bradford.
Alongside local traders selling wool and textile-based products, visitors can enjoy craft workshops, music from Hallroyd Brass Band and Bradford Voices Choir, talks and demonstrations from local institutions with links to the wool industry in Bradford.
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
Unravel
Friday 13 - Sunday 15 February 2026, Farnham Maltings, Hampshire
unravel brings together a vibrant community of knitters, crocheters, spinners, weavers and makers for several days of textiles, creativity and connection.
farnhammaltings.com/artists-and-makers/craft/festivals/unravel
North West Winter Wool Festival
14 - 15 February 2026, Norbreck Castle Hotel Blackpool
A gathering dedicated to the rich traditions of knitting, crocheting, weaving, and spinning. Created by an indie yarn dyer in response to the increasing call for more fibre arts events in the North West, this festival offers a warm, welcoming space for creativity and community.
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.
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.
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.
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!
The Sodbury Yarn Over
18 - 19 April 2026, venue tbc
Yarns, fibres, weaving, crochet, knitting, spinning, accessories and workshops and more.
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.
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.
It's made possible by a number of readers who contribute financially. You can join them with a regular contribution (pay what you like, no matter how small) and in return receive a longer version of HSN delivered to your email inbox earlier in the month than the free edition appears.
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Happy spinning!
Shiela Dixon - Editor / curator
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Archive
All issues since January 2015 still exist but due to old and dead links making bad SEO, I had to remove them from public view.
However, Patreon is slowly becoming a new archive since free members have access to free issues since January '25, and paying members have access to full editions since then.