First of all may I wish you a happy and healthy 2023. We're a few days in but I'm sure that we're all still trying to remember to write 2023 instead of 22. The stories this issue include some 2022 retrospectives and even some 'first finished projects of 2023'.
In case your resolutions involve using up stash, a number of suggested patterns and projects this month will use scraps, left-overs or smaller amounts of yarn.
January 7 was Roc Day or St Distaff's Day, acknowledged by this month's cover picture. If you did spin flax on that day, I hope you had a pail of water ready to douse anyone who tried to set fire to your tow. To mark the occasion, we have a video by JillianEve about the Viking distaff discovered on the Lendbreen Pass.
Another theme that has emerged this month is luxury yarn. We learn about how some of these precious fibres are collected, how to care for delicate garments, find out about paco-vicuna fibre. Jill Graham explains in detail how you can deconstruct a cashmere jumper and make new yarn from it.
Read on for this month's new year round-up of news, views and reviews for spinners, knitters, crocheters, dyers and weavers.
This free issue for January 20223 is brought to you in association with Audible. I'm a member and enjoy listening while I spin and knit. The new Audible gives you unlimited listening to thousands of titles.
Find out how to receive a longer, ad-free* version of Hand Spinning News earlier in the month.
Cover photo: from A History of Madeira, 1821, unknown author, pd.
This is Ruth Lindsey who has won a grant from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority to develop a trial to use Swaledale sheep fleece 'logs' to protect ancient peat bogs.
At present, a large amount of coconut husk is imported to help stop rain washing away exposed peat.
uk.news.yahoo.com/wool-entrepreneurs-attempt-save-ancient-060000333.html
These women have been able to double their output and therefore their income with a modification to their charkhas, now fitted with a treadle.
They spin very fine yarn for Pashmina shawls, and the story mentions that they are battling against machine-made fakes.
www.ndtv.com...modified-charkha-women-spin-success-stories-in-kashmir...
At a time of resolutions, the topic of UFOs (unfinished objects) comes up again and again.
Ewespecial isn't resolving to finish all of her UFOs. But her approach may be more sustainable. She says that she's going to complete at least a part of an old project before starting a new one.
Megan Gonzalez has written a list of 5 resolutions to make in 2023. More of a checklist really.
These headlines are a bit clickbaity, but I did find that Marissa Bouska's list gave me pause for thought.
www.interweave.com/article/crochet/no-crochet-new-years-resolutions
Two-end knitting or twined knitting is a time-consuming knitting technique, resulting in a sturdy and wind-proof material. Two-end knitted jacket sleeves used to be common in county Dalarna in Sweden.
Josefin was keen to make a pair, and one particular fleece was the spark that she needed.
In this post she talks about the tradition of two-end knitted jacket sleeves, spinning the wool and knitting this project. She also discusses returning to a project after a five year break!
The New Year is also a time for lists. Handwoven have published a list of their top 10 articles of 2022 which include many tips, tricks and techniques.
handwovenmagazine.com/top-10-handwoven-articles-of-the-year-2022-edition
The Honey Folk philosophy focuses on slow living and a zero-waste lifestyle.
This is an interview with Heidi Iverson who talks about the fabrics and dyes she uses.
fibershed.org/2022/12/12/slowing-down-with-heidi-iverson-of-honey-folk-clothing
Kate introduces this article from Eli Leistad on this history of colours in Norwegian knitting.
Icelandic wool has a dual coat with long and strong outercoat fibers (tog) and shorter, finer and softer undercoat fibers (thel).
One way to prepare this wool is to separate them to make two different kinds of yarn. In this post Josefin takes us through that process.
A branch of McDonald's had a knitwear-style makeover to promote a new winter menu. (Seems a bit extreme). The woolly theme is carried through to the inside too.
Jean is making some very nice yarn from this fleece but she's not enjoying it.
Following the form of "don't shop for food when you are hungry" she recommends, "don't shop for fibre when you are tired"
Simone has some very good advice too; don't force a project because of the work you've already put in.
Here she has spun for a specific pattern but after knitting the swatch the colours aren't working.
Instead of powering through, she's letting the yarns rest until the right project comes along.
sandandskycreations.com...the-best-laid-plans-of-mice-and-men
Rebecca enjoys dyeing yarn with dry powder rather than dissolving it first. She loves "the subtle or vibrant speckles, and the soft control".
She has swatched all of her dye colours by applying a small amount of powder to wet yarn. There are a large number of images in this post so that you can compare brands and colours.
www.chemknits.com/2023/01/swatching-acid-dye-powders-on-yarn-part.html
This is the fascinating story and interview with Marie Hoff of of Full Circle Wool, a wool goods and grazing company.
Her degree in dance and performance studies did not pan out as she'd hoped, and she gravitated towards livestock and land management.
Her sheep are Ouessant, she also purchases clips from other farms and develops useful products from batting and felt.
Notable is Marie's view of her operation as a whole system - for example planting cover crops, keeping chickens for soil microbe diversity and planting hedgerows.
fibershed.org...choreographing-change-with-marie-hoff-of-full-circle-wool/
The paco-vicuña (PV) is a domesticated alpaca, selectively bred to bring out "the best fiber traits of their wild vicuña ancestors".
It spins very well - "an ideal fiber for handspinners".
Deborah Held speaks to Jane Levene of Jefferson Farms, who is raising the animals and producing roving for spinners.
spinoffmagazine.com/jefferson-farms-the-search-for-wild-luxury
Here are two scarves that show the versatility of the rigid heddle loom
Jill Graham explains how she goes about deconstructing a cashmere sweater and producing a different yarn from it by cabling or dyeing.
Along the way, she explains that the fibre can take more abuse than you might expect.
spinoffmagazine.com/deconstructing-cashmere-a-plyers-affordable-treasure-trove
When little needs saying except 'beautiful colour'
Pantone's colour of the year for 2023 is "Viva Magenta".
Kate Davis looks into the synthetic colour named after a bloody battle.
Amy Gunderson has some suggestions for some things to create if you fancy wearing magenta this year.
www.interweave.com/article/knitting/styling-viva-magenta-handknits
This is a delicious callback to Autumn. yama_fibre_art says that Wintery evenings call for fireside spinning.
This is hand dyed Merino, Yama Autumn Leaves and Malabrigo Nube Glitter.
kalamandah is so happy to "take this beautiful braid of fibre into the new year".
The fibre is fine merino, silk and yak from Seattle Sky Dyeworks and is called "Blackberry". I can taste it!
Swipe to see a close-up of her spinning - beautifully even and meticulously wound onto the spindle.
Finger-manipulated is a group of weaving techniques where the weaver's fingers or a pick-up stick manipulates the threads rather than shafts on your loom.
Debby gives us an introduction and tips.
This short video demonstrates three ways to knit in the round with pros and cons.
I know the middle method as the "udder method" and I like it.
One tip from me for avoiding ladders when using DPNs: I use a stitch marker to mark my start of round and simply knit an extra stitch from the next needle at the end of each needle so that ladders don't get a chance to form.
This is the Interlocking Button Cowl by Connie Lee Lynch which uses single crochet in the back bar, as opposed to the back loop, which gives a different texture to the work.
Andrea Lotz outlines two methods of washing and drying your luxurious knitwear.
www.interweave.com/article/knitting/how-to-wash-and-care-for-luxury-knitwear
Make your weaving more enjoyable with these tips that Deb Essen has learned over her weaving career.
Here is another warping trick, demonstrated by Janney Simpson, for smoother and more consistent winding onto your warp beam.
handwovenmagazine.com/separate-your-layers-for-easier-winding-on
In the past I've been very cautious about promoting products. I've linked to honest reviews by independent people, and of course the occasional ad with a clear indication that the advertiser is paying.
In this case I just like the product. These tubs close securely, are robust and stackable. The postage may be steep depending on where you are, but if you're ordering other things from John Arbon Textiles, then the rest of your order can travel post-free inside the can.
This is more of an unboxing video than a review, but it will be of interest if you're interested in the product. Pamela does have some interesting comments and observations within her video and in the text on the page.
The Quartet allows you to turn a Cricket rigid heddle loom into a 4-shaft loom. It's pricey at around $450 but you may consider that good value if you already have a Cricket and would like to venture into 4 shaft weaving.
On the subject of reviews, Jillian has reviewed a long list of autumn and winter book releases.
As she says, they include "patterns, kids books, tips, tricks, stitches". Mostly centred around knitting.
www.moderndailyknitting.com/2022/12/19/books-a-holiday-shindig
To mark St Distaff day, here's a video from last year by JillianEve about the Viking distaff discovered on the Lendbreen Pass. She discusses the discovery, commissions a replica and demonstrates its use.
Patrick Grants takes a trip to the world-famous Hainsworth mill in Yorkshire. They produce high quality, consistent wool fabric for use in uniforms and other products such as billiard tables, piano keys.
www.campaignforwool.org/patrick-grants-loves-yorkshire-and-wool
This is a fascinating 10-minute video about how some of the most expensive fibres are collected and prepared.
It includes lotus silk, eider down, cashmere and vicuña wool.
www.insider.com/this-is-how-the-worlds-most-expensive-fibers-are-made-2022-5
This poignant short stop-motion film explores ageing and death.
On his own website, artist Martin Smatana shares many behind-the-scenes details, including that he made the fields look like a patchwork quilt because he used to sleep under such a quilt when staying with his own grandparents.
Thanks to Jeremy for recommending this video in which we see a paddle spinner (known as an Apache Spinner here) to make rope from existing cord.
He uses a technique similar to our Navajo plying technique to make a 3-ply rope with twist, and then repeats the process in the opposite direction (which we might call 'cabling') to make a thick and strong rope with 9 of his original plies.
If you've not seen this type of spinner used to spin yarn, then search for 'paddle spinner' or 'Mayan spinner'. You can spin fibre into singles and then ply the singles, winding your singles or plied yarn onto the paddle in the same way that you would when drop spinning.
I'm unsure about whether cellulose fibres are a good thing, but this article discusses new techniques that can help to make the clothing industry more circular, ie collecting and reusing as much as possible, and where necessary, recycling clothes into lower-value products.
www.scientificamerican.com...chemists-are-figuring-out-how-to-recycle-our-clothes
Peter McGlynn bought a pellet mill and has found a way to turn low-value fleeces into compost.
He hopes to be able to buy wool from farmers and supply farmers as well as the horticultural industry.
www.farmersjournal.ie/sheep-s-wool-manure-reaching-10-6-nitrogen-740692
Sometimes just a picture is enough
primroseyarnco made this for her 'baby' from handspun yarn.
The pattern is White Buck by Claire Garland.
This is juxtaposition Sweater by Anna Johanna.
Laura says that it took her "a little over a year from the blending of the fibres to the finished sweater".
You may remember the 'Big Blanket Little Loom' pattern and competition from late last year.
Here is a selection of the entries.
www.ashford.co.nz/blog/winner-of-big-blanket-little-loom-competition
Simone has made this Wild Posy Luna using unspun yarn. She says that it's her "new favourite wool". She held two strands together and the resulting fabric is "so cosy".
sandandskycreations.com...finished-object-friday-wild-posy-verso-and-a-spin
quiteayarn finished a hat and mitten set using the Flombre pattern.
This pattern is designed to "maximise the ombre effects potential of gradient yarns".
These are made using two ombre yarns, darker for the background and brighter for the foreground.
Danceswithwools has made these three delightful wise men, Melchior, Kaspar and Balthasar, "totally from her imagination".
See also: her bunny amigurumi who rings in the new year.
A similar project, this is the Shift Cowl in handspun by zigzagstitches
These drawstring bags are made from a sock pattern. They're made from Shetland wool in natural undyed colours.
rie_n.watanabe says that they want to visit Shetland one day to see the sheep.
This beautifully-made and beautifully-displayed pair of mittens is knit from Shetland wool that Judy spun by spindle over several years.
The design is her own.
The Pipy Poly is a new wheel to me, but clearly not to spunwild as she now has two! The one on the right is one that she has already painted, the other is a new acquisition and yet to be decorated.
This is Claire's first finished knit of 2023.
The pattern is Nightbook by by Rachel Illsley. She used handspun merino blends from World of Wool.
Katlinbeth has made this slouchy beanie using granny squares. It used up some leftover handspun yarn.
Explore her recent photos for some 'in progress' shots.
It's not immediately obvious but ullaotova has incorporated a small amount of a colourful, textured yarn in the chest of this tank.
"Just improvise!", she says.
This little wrist bag is for carrying a ball of wool when knitting on the go.
It's made from handspun yarn and nalbinding, which uses a thick wooden needle to form stitches.
Isabelle is a design student and has made these 'yarn windings' from locally-sourced British wool from Barn, SpunYarn & Farm.
Rachel has listed this Papillon Shawl in her best 9 pictures of 2022.
She has used a surprisingly large number of yarns (listed with the photo), some commercial, some handspun.
A selection of free seasonal patterns which will work well with handspun yarn.
You don't really need a pattern to make a blanket from Zoom Loom / pin loom squares, but you may like Margaret's colour choices and arrangement. She has also included the instructions for edging and joining the squares.
These mittens are one-size, because everyone in the author's household wears the same size! Simone says that she can make a pair of these "in only a morning".
sandandskycreations.com/2022/11/21/thick-and-quick-alafosslopi-mittens/
This is a collection of patterns for four-shaft loom that includes blankets and throws as well as a cushion set.
The e-book is free from Handwoven in return for an email address and stating that you're not a robot.
handwovenmagazine.com/free-blanket-and-throw-patterns-from-weaving-today
Rebecca has compiled a list of free knitting and crochet patterns for using scraps.
The picture shows Rebecca in a hat of her own 'scrappy' design - the Ombré hat.
www.chemknits.com/2022/12/free-scrappy-knitting-and-crochet.html
"Embrace spellcasting whilst playing with the chaos and magic of dice", says wyvernknits. Yes, the throw of a dice influences the pattern.
I love the concept and the pattern, they are in my queue and I will definitely be spinning a magenta yarn to tie in with the colour of the year.
I'm linking to her Instagram post, which contains a discount code. You may need to be quick - I have no word on how long the code will last.
Roman villas were often built as multi-storey buildings with under-floor heating. Decoration could be elaborate with mosaic floors and walls decorated with frescos.
This shawl echoes the layout of a typical Roman villa, incorporating colours, textures, and stitch patterns that "draw on this rich legacy".
It is a large and textured shawl; 83" tip to tip and 24" to bottom of border.
It requires around 1000m/1100yds of DK yarn in five colours.
This pattern has a charted-only stitch pattern for the mosaic colourwork.
It looks particularly gorgeous in these dark and autumnal colours which are MDK yarns. You'll need around a thousand yards of DK-weight yarn and of course with a shawl, gauge isn't so important.
According to the blurb, this chunky hat looks much more complicated than it is to make.
The heavily-cabled design will be suitable for a more solid yarn. It'll take 190-380 yards of Aran weight (8 wpi) yarn.
www.interweave.com/product/wheatsheaf-hat-knit-pattern-download
Handwoven Loom Theory: Rigid-Heddle Scarf Collection is a publication from Long Thread Media. It contains patterns for seven rigid-heddle scarves woven in luxury yarns.
If the idea of spinning silk yarn and weaving a scarf hasn't occurred to you, then Stephanie Flynn Sokolov demonstrates that you can weave spectacular luxury projects on a rigid heddle loom.
I'm linking to a page that includes a statement from Stephanie and a link to the book.
Knit/Wit started the year with a finished project, her Recalibrate that she started in November. You can read about that here.
Although she used mini skeins, hers has a handspun look and she says "I think it would be amazing in handspun".
The designer says that it's "great for using up leftover bits of fingering weight yarn".
The pattern is designed for fingering weight yarn, knit loosely for drape, but Knit/Wit recalculated the stitch counts and made hers with a tighter gauge for longer wear while still having good drape.
In case you're late to the party and haven't seen Dolores before, don't worry, I first spotted her in HighlandHeffalump's recent FO Review.
Dolores is a Franklin Habit pattern for a large sheep doll that uses 300 yards of aran-weight yarn. There are separate patterns for outfits such as the travel ensemble as sported here by HighlandHeffalump's Dolores.
You could just use handspun for the outfits and accessories, as rabiesonmyshoe has done.
I'm linking to WEBS yarn store, where you can buy the pdf for the Dolores pattern and a variety of delightful outfits.
Sierra Polsinelli has put together a bundle of patterns for 'neck and shoulder' patterns that will be good for showcasing the texture of your handspun yarn.
This article on PLY magazine lists a selection with her comments.
plymagazine.com/2022/12/pattern-roundup-for-neck-and-shoulders
Work with double-knitted colorwork, stuff with fragrant needles and sew closed.
It uses 434 yards of fingering (14 wpi) yarn. It's around 6" square.
www.interweave.com/product/fir-cone-sachet-knitting-pattern-download
It's hard to believe that these sculptures are made of fabric.
Kamila's wearable pieces, featuring coral and marine life, are vibrant, elaborate, and fun.
They transform a garment that's usually worn for practical or villainous reasons.
Michelle Robinson's art draws on weaving and passementerie, which are lace-like trimmings and tassels.
Magdalena Abakanowicz has given her name to a style of sculpture. Abakans are "large-scale woven sculptures that defied all categorisation".
Her exhibition 'Every Tangle Of Thread And Rope' is at the Tate Modern until May.
The promotional video I'm linking to is a worthwhile watch.
Saturday 11 Feb and Sunday 12 Feb, 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.
24 - 26 February 2023, 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
Sat 11 - Sun 19 March 2023, 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.
4 - 5 March 2023, Sandburn Hall, York YO60 7SG
Workshops include Judith Schur Brioche, Veera Valimaki Round Yoke Sweaters
11 and 12 March 2023, 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.
18 - 19 March 2023, 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.
1-2 April 2023, The Grammar Schol, Leeds LS17 8GS
22-23 April 2023, 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.
13 - 14 May 2023 Bishton Hall, Wolseley Bridge, Staffordshire
A celebration of all things woolly, just 25 mins from J13 of the M6, in the beautiful landscaped gardens of Staffordshire's grade II listed Georgian mansion, Bishton Hall.
10 - 11 June 2023, Dilham, Norfolk, NR28 9PT
Hosted by the historic Worstead Guild,
Friday 16 - Sunday 18 June, 2023, John Arbon Textiles, Hacche Lane Business Park, South Molton
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
More details to be announced.
24 and 25 June 2023, J36 Rural Auction Centre
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.
3 June - 9 July, actual events and venues tbc
A celebration of innovation in textiles across Kirklees
29 -30 July 2023 Redborne School, Ampthill, Bedfordshire, MK45 2NU
For all lovers of woolly crafts - spinning, knitting, weaving, crochet, feltmaking and dyeing.
Picks up from where Fibre East left off.
2 and 3 September 2023, Newbury Racecourse, Berkshire
The perfect event for all lovers of knitting, crochet, feltmaking, weaving, spinning, dyeing, and all things woolly!
9 & 10 September 2023. Dewars Centre, Glover St, Perth PH2 0TH
Scotland's contemporary yarn and fibre festival. Bringing together independent dyers, farmers, knitters, spinners, felters and weavers. In 2018 nominated for the best yarn festival in the UK. Vendors' gallery marketplace, over 80 vendors, keynote event, social events and classes run over the weekend.
Cornwall's Yarn and Fibre Festival - Sunday 17 September 2023, The Pavilion Centre, Royal Cornwall Showground
A new event in Cornwall 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.
23 and 24 September 2023, Skipton Auction Mart, North Yorkshire
over 180 makers, craft workers, retailers, and artisans in the picturesque market town of Skipton, North Yorkshire.
23 September - 1 October 2023
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.
30 September and 1 Ocober 2023, 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.
October 2023 Bakewell Agricultural Centre (actual date tbc)
A wool festival dedicated to the best of yarn, knitting, and crochet, in the heart of the Derbyshire Dales.
There will be exhibitors, demonstrations of fibre crafts and a fleece stand selling plenty of local fleece.
5-8 October 2023, Alexandra Palace, London
Last weekend of October 2023, Kendal Town Hall
Kendal Wool Gathering mixes demonstrations, fun activities and displays, all connected to the cloth on which the town's wealth was built.
All things woolly - exhibitions, patterns, demonstrations.
I'm Shiela Dixon, I've been doing this for around ten years in order to promote and encourage the craft of spinning.
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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.
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Happy spinning!
Shiela Dixon - Editor / curator
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