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Hand Spinning News

Sock yarn and sock patterns pop up this month, predictably, since it's now Socktober. There are some interesting sock yarns out there and you may want to use them for other garments.

Less predictably, the theme of tapestry weaving also features heavily this month. Christina writes history of sakiori, weaving rags for clothing , Sarah has dyed and woven linens from her past. If this all makes you curious about tapestry weaving then there are articles to whet your appetite and inspire.

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 October 2025.

Cover photo: Woman Spinning Yarn in Rustic Cabin by Elvin E via Pexels

Contents

 

In the media

The rare breed Norfolk Horn sheep

The rare breed Norfolk Horn sheep

This article appeared in Norfolk magazine and features Jenn Monahan and Justine Lee, both passionate about rare-breed wool. They discuss modern farming practices and their efforts to support and promote our native breeds.

www.greatbritishlife.co.uk...rare-breed-norfolk-horn-sheep...

British Wool open days

British Wool open days

British Wool held open days at their Ashford and South Molton depots.

This social media post contains a slideshow of images, plus a few more open day dates around the UK, although most will be past by the time this newsletter is sent out.

www.instagram.com/p/DOs6t12DdEl


 

Handspun stories

Start spinning sock yarn

Start spinning sock yarn

Greta says that spinning for socks is next-level spinning. Through intentional spinning and trying the many twist, ply and stucture options, you'll become a hand-spinning ninja!

sweetgeorgiayarns.com/start-spinning-sock-yarn...

Baafest

Baafest

This sheep logo and the name Baafest made me think that I'd missed a woolly festival, but it's actually music! The Bellingham All Acoustic Music Festival.

During her visit Guzzisue did find some textile-related things and got out her own spinning.

travelfibreandthread.blogspot.com...bellingham-revisited...

Knitting Garments With Sock Yarn

Knitting garments with sock yarn

There are some interesting things to say about using sock yarn in other projects.

Obviously some of these points are probably not relevant to hand spinning, such as the inclusion of nylon or superwash wool, but the inclusion of silk or mohair for strength certainly is.

Following a look at the fibres, Greta goes on to talk about construction of sock yarns and the advantages of substituting such yarns in garments other than socks.

sweetgeorgiayarns.com/knitting-garments-with-sock-yarn

Discovering spinning through a love for antique wheels

Discovering spinning through a love for antique wheels

For Heavenly Bresser, the love of spinning followed an interest in repair and restoration.

spinoffmagazine.com/a-spinner-path

The grid

The grid

Elisabeth recently visited the exhibition Woven Histories: Textiles and Modern Abstraction at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

She has a few images of pieces that particularly captivated her and raises the question of whether you prefer the structure of the grid or the freedom of the more painterly tapestry style.

plainweave.net/2025/10/04/the-grid/

First skein for sweater

First skein for sweater

Thread Head Joanne has combed a quantity of this self-washed fleece, combined it with some cashmere and Angora using a drum carder for a sweater quantity of yarn. The first skein is spun, pictures of all of this are in this blog post.

joanne-threadhead.blogspot.com...week-40-of-2025.html


 

Recent, current and forthcoming events

Shetland Wool Week 2025

Shetland Wool Week 2025

Shetland Wool Week took place from 28 September to 4 October. 1,000 visitors celebrated Britain's most northerly native sheep, the Shetland textile industry and the rural farming community on these islands.

This page wraps the 2025 event up with a 'thank you' and announcement of the 2026 dates.

www.shetlandwoolweek.com...thank-you-and-dates-for-2026

The Wisconsin Sheep And Wool Festival

The Wisconsin Sheep And Wool Festival

This Winsconsin radio station's website carries a review of last month's Winsconsin Sheep and Wool Festival. Sara Gabler has words and pictures featuring the livestock, sheep to shawl competition, vendors and even a knitting relay race.

www.wortfm.org...wisconsin-sheep-and-wool-festival

It's a Wrap - Yarndale 2025

It's a wrap - Yarndale 2025

This blog post from John Arbon Textiles tells their experiences of the recent Yarndale. They particularly love this event for the variety of stands and the livestock.

www.jarbon.com...its-a-wrap-yarndale-2025


Tips and tutorials

The ins and outs of diz design

The ins and outs of diz design

Does it matter which way your diz faces? Which hole size should you use?

This is an article from 2021 which has recently been updated. Kim goes into detail about diz design and deployment.

spinoffmagazine.com...ins-and-outs-of-diz-design

Perfect tension on the pin loom

Perfect tension on the pin loom

Getting tension right with a pin loom takes practice.

This short video is an extract from a course. In it, Angela demonstrates the perfect amount of tension when weaving with a Zoom Loom / square pin loom.

littlelooms.com...perfect-tension-on-the-pin-loom


Products and Reviews

Lojan inkle loom review and free pattern

Lojan inkle loom review and free pattern

It has been a couple of years since Jan Louët split from the company he founded to start Lojan with his daughter. They now have distributors worldwide and a range of projects. I've been waiting for a review of their inkle loom.

Be aware that this one is written by a distributor but I'm sure that Kelly is being objective and the information about features and construction may be useful.

kellycasanovaweavinglessons.com...lojan-inkle-loom-review...

Caydo electric i-cord knitting machine

Caydo electric i-cord knitting machine

In the video on this page, Felicia demonstrates knitting i-cord by hand, using her circular sock machine (CSM) and then unboxes and tries this new machine.

I don't think she mentions the cheap hand-cranked ones, and the idea of turning those with an electric drill / screwdriver.

https://sweetgeorgiayarns.com...caydo-electric-i-cord-knitting...

How To Weave Tapestry Letters (and why) by Sarah C Swett

How To Weave Tapestry Letters (and why) by Sarah C Swett

Sarah has revealed that she has completed this guide, whose title is (as she points out) unexciting but self-explanatory.

This is her blog post. She appears to have self-published the book as a pdf, which I respect very much, but has hidden the link in footnote 2.

Her blog post, in typical understated fashion, includes some pictures of some of her amazing work. It also includes a short video of Sarah leafing through a printed copy of the book.

https://sarahcswett.substack.com/p/a-b-c-d-e-f-g

Let's Dye Yarn and Fiber by Mary Egbert

Let's Dye Yarn and Fiber by Mary Egbert

Mary has announced her new book which is a step-by-step guide aimed at beginners to advanced. Discover the solid principles and science behind the art of dyeing yarn and fibre using levelling acid and food-grade dyes.

groovyyarn.blogspot.com...dye-yarn-and-fiber.html


Video and audio

Tatreez: the ancient art of Palestinian embroidery

Tatreez: the ancient art of Palestinian embroidery

This video is made to coincide with the exhibition 'Thread Memory: Embroidery from Palestine' at V&A Dundee which runs until Spring 2026, and the 'Tatreez: Palestinian Embroidery' display at V&A South Kensington until May 2026.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtIygT-34Lg


Technology

Flexible fuel cells still work after being pierced and cut

Flexible fuel cells still work after being pierced and cut

This is a yarn-shaped fuel-cell rather than a battery, since it produces rather than stores electricity, but the result is the same - power delivery in textiles and wearable devices.

This fuel cell starts life as cotton yarn, which soaks up the methanol fuel. Various coatings complete the cell, which can be pierced and cut up, and still work.

www.chemistryworld.com/news/these-flexible-fuel-cells

A novel approach to infuse silk protein into hemp yarns

A novel approach to infuse silk protein into hemp yarns

This very dry academic article talks about the strengthening of hemp fibre using silk, not by blending the fibres but by infusing the bast fibers with silk solution.

www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15440478...


Gallery

Sometimes just a picture is enough


 

Free patterns and projects

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

Red Vine / Blackjack by Rachel M. Blaine

Red Vine / Blackjack by Rachel M. Blaine

This month's patterns include five sock patterns suggested by members of the John Arbon team, which I'm sharing as part of Socktober and because socks are, as they point out, a portable and practical project.

Becks' pick is Red Vine / Blackjack, a pattern inspired by red and black liquorice. Despite the name I notice that many of the finished projects are in various colours. Indeed Becks suggests that they'd look great in any of their Exmoor Sock colours.

www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/red-vine-blackjack

Two at a Time, Magic Loop Toe Up Socks by Hazel Cushion

Two at a Time, Magic Loop Toe Up Socks by Hazel Cushion

Sam's pick is also a free pattern. She says that this fairly plain design will work well in any sock yarn.

They have a basic skill level but are one-size (which I guess you can adjust with gauge).

www.ravelry.com...two-at-a-time-magic-loop-toe-up-socks

Peconic by Erica Jackofsky

Peconic by Erica Jackofsky

As usual with Chandi's Free Pattern Friday patterns, this is free for a limited but unknown amount of time, so if it's still free when you read this, download right away if you like it.

I love it and will be casting on using yarn I bought for her Rayas duster which wasn't quite so suitable for that project.

expressionfiberarts.com/products/peconic.html

Sweetie Jar by Kate Harvie

Sweetie Jar by Kate Harvie

The appealing thing about this pattern, much like the Shift/Nightshift patterns, is the freedom to choose your colours or use what you have.

It requires 934 - 1633 yards of a fairly bulky 7 wpi yarn, depending on which of the nine sizes you make.

This pattern is featured in the most recent ('deep fall' '25) Knitty.com

https://knitty.com...PATTsweetie.php


Pattern and project suggestions

Sokken by Stephen West

Sokken by Stephen West

The next of our JAT suggestions is Sokken by Stephen West. These are quick-to-knit slipper-socks.

The soles are garter stitch in aran-weight yarn, picked up and switching to stockinette for the top. There are three sizes.

www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sokken-2

Kurrajong by Verena Cohrs

Kurrajong by Verena Cohrs

Finally, Hanna Lisa's suggestion is Kurrajong by Verena Cohrs, which she says is her most favourite pair in her sock drawer.

These work well with a contrasting yarn at heel and toe.

www.ravelry.com...kurrajong-2

Licenced to Crenellate!

Licenced to crenellate

Kath (re)launched this pattern to coincide with Yarndale at the end of last month.

She mentions that a licence from the king used to be necessary to add crenellation to a property. She also explains that the crenellated border is more straightforward than you would think.

kathandrewsdesigns.com....licenced-to-crenellate


 

But is it art...?

Julia Wright: seeing is creating

Julia Wright: seeing is creating

Julia Wright is rarely without her sketchbook and camera. She captures the natural details most people miss and use the lines, textures and colours in her embroidered and sculpted works.

www.textileartist.org/julia-wright-seeing-is-creating

Omar Mendoza's natural pigment paintings

Omar Mendoza's natural pigment paintings

Natural pigments get mentioned way less in the world of painting than the world of textiles, though of course at one time all painting was done with natural pigments.

Rather than the pigments you may associate with painting - the earths and minerals - Omar is using plants, bark and flowers, which we can relate to from natural dyeing.

www.thisiscolossal.com...omar-mendoza-solar-serpent-obsidian-night

Woven glass by Mark Lewanski

Woven glass by Mark Lewanski

This piece is hanging in the Gerald R Ford Presidential Museum. It's by Mark Lewanski and was featured in this news video. I'm linking directly to Mark's own website as there are more examples and better photographs to be seen.

marklewanski.com


 

UK Events

2025

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

flock

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.

www.craftscotland.org/whats-on/event/flock...

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 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.

H S N archive