Project launches Yorkshire-made hand-knit yarn
Following a story last month, Glencroft has launched their "fully traceable hand-knit yarn made in Yorkshire".
www.farminguk.com...project-launches-yorkshire-made-hand-knit-yarn_60528.html
Hand Spinning News
The email version of this newsletter may look much better online: hand-spinning-news.com
Tour de Fleece 2022 is in full flow as I write this. It runs until 24 July and it is a self-challenge rather than formal competition, so if you're not taking part already there's nothing stopping you from setting your own challenge and joining in. It's fun to watch spinners from around the world achieving their goals and we have a few of these this month, more next time.
Cheviot wool has some properties which make it a good choice for handspinning. Dean Hyden has written a 'meet the sheep' and Debby of Flora and Fiber has examined the wool, spun and knitted a sample.
Support spindles make multiple appearances this month and in one case spinning is accompanied by birdsong.
Read on for this month's round-up of news, views and reviews for spinners, knitters, crocheters, dyers and weavers. This is the full edition for July 2022.
Cover photo: Thanks to Zuzana Kacerová / unsplash.
Contents
- In the media
Yorkshire-made yarn, world's oldest weavings, Kate Humble celebrity guest of sheep drive - Handspun stories
Tour de Fleece, unexpected inkle, freshly shorn fleece, loom restoration, flax community, Border Cheviot, leaf pounding, shawl shapes, largest hand-woven kilim completed, antique linen curtain, wool, hair and kemp, woolly bubblewrap, Tempestry Project, fresh cochineal dyeing, nettle processing - Colour inspiration
When little needs saying except 'beautiful colour' - Tips and tutorials
Why dye bleeds, double knitting tips, weaving yarn numbers, how to ply yarn from spindles, ginning cotton, twisting fringe on mixed-warp shawl, repair a broken drum carder drive band - Technology
DNA traceability - Gallery
Showcasing some of the best spinning images I've seen this month - Free patterns
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...?
Adrienne Lee, Witness Blanket, Jeong Da-hye, Lana Crooks - UK Events
A listing of 2022 events
In the media
The world's oldest weavings
It seems that "oldest textiles found" stories will always be with us.
This article reports that archaeologists have found clay fragments dating to around thirty thousand years ago which have clear impressions of woven textiles, including plain weave and twill.
Kate Humble announced as celebrity guest of 2022 annual sheep drive
Kate Humble has been announced as celebrity guest, joining Freemen of the City of London who will be reenacting an ancient right to drive sheep toll-free over the Thames.
The 2022 charity Sheep Drive and Livery Fair will take place on Sunday 25 September.
www.campaignforwool.org/kate-humble...sheep-drive-and-livery-fair-in-the-city-of-london
Handspun stories
Tour de Fleece : Tour de France
Ewespecial has done a good job of outlining the guidelines (not rules) and her own challenge which is cotton. I will be following her progress.
ewespecial.blogspot.com/2022/06/tour-de-fleece-tour-de-france.html
Unexpected Inkle
Christina Garton asks "what do you do with inkle bands once they're woven?"
There are some surprising possibilities.
Carry case
Here's a tip from ahiddenpurl if you're looking for a hard case for your e-spinner.
This is a retro-style train case. The e-spinner fits but there isn't too much room for extras.
A number of people have given other ideas in the comments.
Restocking with freshly sheared fleece
Guzzisue is up to her "elbows in fleece". Having cleared the decks, she has restocked on fleeces; some known and some unknown breeds.
She's started to wash and knit some samples.
travelfibreandthread.blogspot.com/2022/06/up-to-my-elbows-in-fleece-again.html
Weaving loom restoration for a 1968 Leclerc
Felicia has a loom from 1968 and she'd like to clean it up before using it.
She's very unsure about how far to go on a scale from washing it down with wood soap through to sanding all pieces back to bare wood and re-finishing.
She has bought a number of products and discusses her findings after trying them in hidden spots.
It includes a very interesting email from Leclerc with their advice.
sweetgeorgiayarns.com/2022/06/weaving-loom-restoration-for-a-1968-leclerc-fanny-loom
Flax community
You may remember the Berta's Flax project; Austrian fiber artist Christiane Seufferlein had a chest of flax from the '50s. This was a tradition for newlywed women.
The project has grown, and Christiane is now distributing flax from other similar chests. Josefin requested and received two stricks of flax that were over 160 years old. She says that it makes her heart beat faster to hold it and imagine the work that has gone into it by another flax community so many years ago.
Meet the sheep: Border Cheviot
Border Cheviot wool washes up very white and takes dye well. Thanks to its helical crimp makes it elastic and It produces an incredible volume at a low fleece weight, making for light garments.
These properties make it a popular choice for the handspinner, says Spin Off's Dean Hyden
Let's spin... Cheviot
by coincidence, Debby has also written about Cheviot wool this month, and has spun and knitted a sample, giving her thoughts.
Leaf pounding
thebarefootdyer pounds fresh indigo leaves into fabric, also known as tataki zome. The leaf prints turn blue over days.
Which loom is for you?
Sandy fell in love with some handwoven waffle weave and overshot. She bought a rigid heddle and was then told that she wouldn't be able to do what she wanted.
This isn't entirely true, but Madelyn gives advice to help her find the right loom.
Shawl shapes explained
Whether you call them shawls, stoles, scarves, or wraps, they are a favourite project.
Sandi Rosner discusses the many sizes and shapes that shawls come in.
World's largest hand-woven kilim completed
Iran has announced that weavers in the southern province of Fars had produced the world's largest kilim rug, measuring an enormous 105 square metres (more than 1,100 square feet).
www.france24.com...iran-reports-making-world-s-largest-kilim-rug
Antique linen curtain housed in Egypt's Coptic Museum
Egypt Today reports this piece which dates to fourth or fifth century AD.
The Copts were famous for their weaving skills. Their textiles were mainly linen, and the entire surface would be decorated with dyed woollen threads. This is one of the best surviving examples.
www.egypttoday.com...Antique-linen-curtain-housed-in-Egyptâs-Coptic-Museum
Wool, hair and kemp: what's in a fleece?
the term wool can refer to the entirety of a fleece. It may contain wool, hair, and kemp, but what's the difference?
Woolly bubblewrap
Gareth Wyn Jones presents some packaging products made from wool - bubblewrap, padded envelopes and bottle sleeves.
The Tempestry Project
Tempestries are similar to temperature blankets.
The Tempestry Project aims to increase awareness of climate change. The emphasis is on the standardisation of colours so that the projects are consistently "accurate, tangible, relatable, and beautiful".
The project proposes two types of tempestries - "Original Tempestries" which show the daily high temperature over a year for a location. And "New Normal Tempestries" which show annual deviation-from-average-temperature over more than a hundred years.
This article from Colossal has many examples and some useful links, including to the Tempestry Project itself.
Accidental solar dying project
This is the start of a solar dyeing experiment. Chaotic Fibres put blue dye in the bottom of the jars and yellow at the top.
Dog herding sheep
This is an amazing aerial view of sheep being herded. The 'murmeration' effect is enhanced by being sped up.
Norfolk Horn wool spun in Yorkshire
Jenn introduces us to Paul, who is passionate about saving and using vintage machines. His mill processes and spins the Norfolk Horn wool that Jenn sources.
Crofting assistant
If you're at all interested in keeping your own small flock, this post is a good read. Hazel spent a day helping her sister. She took lots of pictures and has written about the experience.
Fresh cochineal dyeing
Fresh cochineal means fresh. mazzaus spotted the infested cactus and returned to harvest the insects and try dyeing with them.
The results are dramatic, and the dye keeps giving.
We also learn that the prickly pear, an invasive weed in Australia, was introduced for the cochineal.
Nettle processing
This is something I have tried without success, so it's good to see someone who knows what she's doing getting good results.
Josefin tried two methods of retting her stems. She scutched, she hackled and carded, ending up with fine spinnable fibre.
Colour inspiration
When little needs saying except 'beautiful colour'
This silk roving looks metallic in these colours. It was potentially part of a destash, but after spinning a little, Ewespecial has decided to keep it. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished yarn and a finished project in the future.
Bobbins ready to ply
craftmehappy says that she normally spins simple gradients and this is her first time blending in sari silk using a blending board.
This is part of her Tour de Fleece spinning.
Primordial - follow-up
Last month I included a link to a blog post in which Sarah discussed this fibre and how the rose fibre is made (cellulose process).
This is the finished yarn, it's chain-plied fingering-weight and is silky and drapey.
Optical blending
I would have been put off buying this fibre because of the variety of very different colours it contains.
But the finished yarn blends these colours into something that seems to mix light greens with violets.
Anna discusses 'optical blending' of colours from a hand-dyed braid.
Colors of a summer evening
Louet have posted this picture without details. It shows how you might display a beautiful woven piece.
Matching
This baby blue merino with silk matches the painted wheel.
We'll have to wait for the plied yarn as Lindsay took this photo just before clearing the wheel for Tour de Fleece.
Support spindling
This is spin_up_girl's Tour de Fleece spinning from day 3.
She finds spinning from rolags "just divine".
A very good start
I like the mix of colours in this light blue / brown mix, and it blends beautifully with the natural brown in this project. nilsenkristi calls them a "perfect match".
Tips and tutorials
Embroidered flower
Cia has embroidered this discreet little flower on the neck of her sweater to mark the back.
Why dye bleeds and what to do about it
Kate Curry discusses dye bleeding, how you can prevent it and what to do if it still bleeds.
www.darngoodyarn.com/blogs/darn-good-blog/why-dye-bleeds-what-to-do-about-it
Double knitting tips for beginners
Double-knitting can seem magical - it allows you to use colourwork charts and end up with a fabric which is stretchier than stranded colourwork. It also gives you the same pattern on both sides but in reverse.
Alasdair Post-Quinn gives quite a few tips here, for knitting, reading your charts and finishing your work.
www.interweave.com/article/knitting/learn-it-double-knitting-colorwork
What do weaving yarn numbers mean?
You may have seen the numbers that are given with weaving yarn, but what exactly do they mean?
Amy Tyler explains
Five tips for using handspun yarn on a knitting machine
Claudine Celebuski creates stunning handspun, machine-knitted garments. Here are her top tips.
spinoffmagazine.com/5-tips-for-using-handspun-yarn-on-a-knitting-machine
How to ply yarn from spindles
Deborah Held quite rightly says that there's a special pleasure in spinning with a handspindle.
The number one question people ask her when she's using a handspindle is "how do you go about plying singles yarns from the spindles?"
She has some surprising suggestions.
My main link goes to part 1. Part 2 is here. There is also a related article with video on using a bobbin winder.
Drop-spindle spinning
If you're new to spinning then you're well-advised to use a drop spindle. It allows you to concentrate on one thing at a time and gives you more control. If you're experienced then the spindle is a portable and enjoyable way to make yarn.
Two experts on spinning with a drop spindle give advice on choosing and using a spindle.
13 sewing-room secrets that are really knitting tips
Deb Gerish says that you're missing out if you walk into a store and only look at the yarn aisle. Many supplies for sewing work for knitters too.
She lists 13 'crossover' tools.
www.interweave.com/article/knitting/13-sewing-secrets-knitting-tips
A practical guide to ginning cotton by hand
The seeds from cotton bolls can be removed by hand and it can be therapeutic.
Melvenea Hodges is passionate about spinning cotton. She shares two methods for ginning cotton by hand.
spinoffmagazine.com/a-practical-guide-to-ginning-cotton-by-hand
Twisting fringe on a mixed-warp shawl
Susan made a discovery after starting to twist the fringe on this mixed-warp shawl. She found that ends of different thicknesses end up different lengths when twisted the same amount.
Here is her tip for ensuring an even fringe.
How to repair a broken drive band for your drum carder
Spinnybuns demonstrates how to cut and join a new polycord belt for your drum carder.
Technology
Quality control in yarn production with DNA traceability
At first I assumed that this story would be about testing the DNA in the wool and matching it with the sheep it came from, but actually UPW are marking wool with a DNA-based marker so that it can be traced all the way along the supply chain.
Traceability is obviously important to the knitwear industry, this is one of three stories that I've spotted this month on the subject. Here is another, which proposes using blockchain technology.
www.knittingindustry.com/quality-control-in-yarn-production-with-dna-traceability
Keeping this wheel spinning
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Reviews
Traditions Revisited - Modern Estonian Knits, Aleks Byrd
quiteayarnblog has been looking forward to this book since taking classes on the subject from the author.
This is her brief review of her copy.
quiteayarnblog.com...traditions-revisited-modern-estonian-knits
Handknits from Rauma Norway by Bente Presterud
quiteayarnblog finds this book a mixture of the expected and the unexpected.
quiteayarnblog.com/2022/06/27/knitters-bookshelf-handknits-from-rauma-norway
Gallery
Sometimes just a picture is enough
Sweet rug
This beautiful rug is handwoven from British wool. The weft is grey Suffolk handspun yarn and Cotswold wool tops.
Weaving with the unspun roving is very effective (but may not be hardwearing). There are some 'in progress' shots here and some details about the wool used here.
Wet finished and ready to hem
This is a scary-looking video of woven fabric being cut. But after wet-finishing ("just a quick run through the washer and dryer") it holds together well.
Trinket box
This little trinket box is crocheted from handspun yarn. Maker merakilight11 says that she's 'hooked' on making little bowls and dishes.
Keep stuff safe
By coincidence we have these trinket boxes also crocheted from handspun yarn.
Mini blankie
The project being blocked here is thecornerhomestead2022's Mini Blankie.
I can't find any information about the yarn, fibre or pattern, other than that it's handspun.
Mixed media doll
Sara has made this spinner from clay and crocheted handspun wool.
Metamorphic sweater
The Metamorphic design featured in May and here's another.
In danalmattner's jumper, the grey is from a fleece and the stripes of colour are made of fibre from Nest Fiber Studio. She "loves everything about this sweater" and is spinning for another.
It's in the bag!
Spin Off readers were invited to join a spin-along and to make a bag using handspun and the craft of their choice.
Here is a gallery of some of the bags shared.
Pabaigh in Manx Loaghton
This is the first jumper that scruffydogeco has made from absolute scratch. "From dirty fleece to finished jumper" as she puts it.
The fleece is Manx Loaghton and the pattern is Pabaigh by Kate Davies
Supported spinning with bird concert
This is a short video showing wollwebfarben spinning on a balcony with a 'bird concert' accompanying her.
Handspun, dyed and woven bag
Norah calls this 'an experiment in weaving her own carded, spun and dyed yarn'.
Awkward blanket
Christie calls this her 'Awkward blanket' because it's a "half shawl half blanket thing".
She used her own yarn and made squares using a zoom loom.
Bed throw
This shawl / bed throw is woven from alpaca and Jacobs fleece that Emma processed and spun herself.
Botanic
This shawl is a Stephen West Botanic Shawl. Kirsten has used a combospin yarn with a merino/nylon blend.
Well travelled oak
The ancient bog oak for this spindle has travelled from Ukraine. It had to first travel across the border to Poland because the Ukraine post wasn't operational.
It makes a very special spindle, turned by Spanish Peacock.
Natural plaid
jillianevefa feels that the natural plaid that appeared in this weaving happened so clearly because she wove with singles. "Plying would have mottled the colour".
Wearable art
This free-form crochet neckpiece is made from handspun remnants and some commercial yarn.
Shawl of Many Shapes
Mary chose a crescent shape for her Shawl of Many Shapes using her handspun wool.
She says that it was simple and fun.
Free patterns and projects
A selection of free seasonal patterns which will work well with handspun yarn.
Floribundance by Alexandra Davidoff
480 motifs may seem a lot but Alexandra Davidoff explains that her strategy was to make at least two flowers with her morning coffee and attach them. She watched it grow each morning. It took her a year and she had time to work on other projects too.
You can use any weight yarn but this will affect the finished dimensions.
knitty.com/ISSUEff22/PATTfloribundance/PATTfloribundance.php
Les moutons de Biscotte by Louise Robert
The pictured socks are by sweetstitchingcrafts who enjoyed the pattern and using her handspun yarn.
Her advice is not to take 4 years to make a pair of socks, because your tension changes!
The pattern is free. It goes back a long way, has been knitted hundreds of times and has now been reedited.
More pattern suggestions
Honeycomb Scarf by Nancy Marchant
According to the blurb, this is a "stunning swath of colour and texture". It certainly looks great in gradient yarns.
The pattern is available in Field Guide 21: Brioche, which contains four interesting brioche patterns.
Cozy Chillin' Socks by Finicky Creations
Pictured are wee.chickadee's socks. She notes that the heel works so well for her and will replace her previous favourite heel.
She used Handspun Cheviot in her Uplift colourway.
Engelkristall by Caia Gossens
Pictured are albionjen's socks which are made in John Arbon Exmoor Sock yarn. (The blend is also available as top for spinning).
The sock pattern has a relief pattern reminiscent of crystal structures. It uses sock yarn in two colours.
Gathered Lace Blouse by Adrienne Larsen
This requires a surprisingly high yardage for a short strappy lace top, but I love its vintage style.
It requires 1290 - 2580 yards of fingering / 4 ply (14 wpi), bust sizes 34"- 52".
www.interweave.com/product/gathered-lace-blouse-knitting-pattern-download
But is it art...?
Adrienne Lee, Painted Sky Textiles
Adrienne Lee creates natural environments; seascapes, fields, mountainscapes.
She adds depth by using different weaving techniques and a combination of thick and thin yarn.
Witness Blanket
This work is not textile, but it is inspired by a woven blanket.
It's made from objects recovered from ruins of Indian residential schools.
pgdailynews.ca...witness-blanket-displayed-by-the-exploration-place-at-unbc
Jeong Da-hye's horsehair-woven vessel wins Loewe Craft Prize
Jeong Da-hye is continuing a centuries-old Korean tradition.
Her vessel is so finely-woven that it sways in the gentlest breeze.
Lana Crooks - anatomical sculptures in wool
Lana Crooks has juxtaposed unyielding bone with soft wool and silk.
www.thisiscolossal.com/2022/07/lana-crooks-skeletal-sculptures
UK Events
2022
Yarningham
9 and 10 July 2022, Uffculme Centre, Birmingham B13 8QY
A fibre festival produced by Stitches and Hos. "Lots of exciting things planned".
Bannockyarn - Stirling Yarn Fayre
6 & 7 August, Bannockburn House, Stirling FK7 8EY
Over 25 of the country's best sellers of yarn and fiber and accessories for you to browse and buy, taster workshops, talks, guided tours, pop-up tea room, and some delicious catering.
Regular, discounted and VIP tickets, optional tour of the house.
Please read the information about parking and shuttle bus.
https://www.bannockburnhouse.scot/event-directory/bannockyarn-stirling-yarn-fayre...
Southern Wool Show
3 and 4 September 2022, Newbury Racecourse, Berkshire
The perfect event for all lovers of knitting, crochet, feltmaking, weaving, spinning, dyeing, and all things woolly!
Perth Festival Of Yarn
10 and 11 September 2022. Dewars Centre, Glover St, Perth PH2 0TH
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.
Llandovery Sheep Festival
17 - 18 September 2022,
To highlight and raise awareness of all the wonderful things that our British wool can be used for.
Yarndale
24 and 25 September 2022, Skipton Auction Mart, North Yorkshire
Stunning exhibitions, skill demonstrations and a full programme of textile workshops create a visual feast and make Yarndale a real must-visit for yarn lovers.
The Wool Event, Masham Sheep Fair
24 and 25 September 2022, 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
24 September - 2 October 2022
Shetland Wool Week will be going ahead in person this year. It will be a scaled back version of the usual physical event as the main focus will be on delivering SWW in full for 2023
Includes classes, talks, drop-ins, art. See website for the full events listing.
The Knitting and Stitching ('Ally Pally') Show
6 - 9 October 2022, Alexandra Palace, London
Bakewell Wool Gathering
Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 October 2022 Bakewell Agricultural Centre
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.
Kendal Wool Gathering
Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 October 2022, Kendall 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.
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.
If you enjoy Hand Spinning News, please do share a link to hand-spinning-news.com by email or on social media with anyone who may be interested. Obviously this early full version is a benefit to you as a paying subscriber. An edited version of this particular issue will be mailed to free subscribers and visible at hand-spinning-news.com later in the month.
It's always good to hear from readers for any reason (or no reason!)
Happy spinning!
Shiela Dixon - Editor / curator
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