Herdwicks: The 'smiley' sheep that shaped the Lake District
The BBC visited Jon and Jo Watson at Yew Tree Farm, near Coniston and interviewed them about the Herdwick breed, their farm and lifestyle.
Hand Spinning News
The email version of this newsletter may look much better online: hand-spinning-news.com
Welcome to another Hand Spinning News, in which we explore the spectrum from the sublime to the ridiculous; the clever, curious and creative.
Flax appears more than once this month, Josefin has lots of information about growing and processing it yourself, and Christiane has a story about a very well-preserved 80-year-old dowry chest of the stuff that she's sending around the world.
Other interesting fibres in this month's stories include raffia, banana and dogbane.
Read on for this month's round-up of news, views and reviews for spinners, knitters, crocheters, dyers and weavers.
This free issue for June 2021 is brought to you in association with Audible. I'm a member and enjoy listening while I spin and knit. Download a free audiobook with your 30-day free trial.
Find out how to receive a longer, ad-free* version of Hand Spinning News earlier in the month.
Photo right: Janette Budge. Cover photo by Soraya García on Unsplash
Contents
- In the media
The 'smiley' sheep, wear one dress for 100 days, Billy Gibbons' strange hat, knitted Sandringham - Handspun stories
Berta's flax, raffia, banana, making resin bobbins, experimental flax patch, Summer sample along - Colour inspiration
When little needs saying except 'beautiful colour' - Video
Wool pickers - Tips and tutorials
starting a toe-up sock, cabled yarn, cleaning handcards, doubleweave, - Technology
boat made from wool - Yvonne
A cartoon - Reviews
KnitCompanion - 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 - But is is art...?
Granny square sneakers, needle-felting artist Yin Yue
In the media
Thirteen women wear one dress for 100 days in a row
There are a few interesting takeaways from this experiment (marketing exercise?) and the challenge is still open.
The brand wool& created the Rowena Swing Dress and the 100 Day Challenge. They sent dresses to the first fifty people who volunteered to attempt wearing the dress for a hundred days straight. Those who succeeded received a large shopping voucher.
This article gives the thoughts of some of the women who took part.
In particular, there were no rules about how frequently (or whether) to wash the dress. One volunteer wore the dress for 100 days straight without washing it. Others washed it infrequently or frequently.
Norfolk knitter recreates Queen's estate in wool
Margaret Seaman's knitted Sandringham first went on display in February 2020.
During the lockdown, Margaret has done much more work on the piece and as I write this it's on display at the Makers' Showcase in Norwich. (Showcase ends 11 June.)
There are loads of worthwhile pictures here on the BBC News website.
Handspun stories
Berta's flax travels the world
Christiane Seufferlein tells the story of the flax dowry chest. In parts of Austria it used to be tradition for a woman to bring a chest of flax and linen to the new home. In more recent times the custom became more symbolic.
Christiane found an 80-year-old chest full of remarkably well-preserved flax which belonged to a farmer's daughter called Berta.
She created a project called "Berta's Flax" in which she's giving away the flax to spinners all over the world.
Raffia Then and Now
Like me, you may associate raffia with chairs from the 70s.
Today's raffia yarns are not the same as the woody stuff that you remember. These biodegradable and vegan yarns can be woven and crocheted into bags, hats and home accessories.
There are two kinds of raffia, the 'true' fibres of the raffia palm tree, and the processed viscose version which is continuous and even.
This article is an introduction and leads to other articles about weaving and experimenting with the stuff.
The magic of banana fibre
Following on beautifully is this short article about banana fibre. This DGY banana fibre doesn't consist of fibres straight from the plant, they're pulped and extruded, but they are vegan and sustainable.
There are quite a few tips and tricks here which will be applicable to other silky cellulose fibres.
www.darngoodyarn.com/blogs/darn-good-blog/the-magic-of-banana-fiber
Just felt it
Janelle says that "It's cool to be able to safely see the cross-section of woven fabric".
After weaving the wool yarn using her Cricket loom, which took no time to warp, throwing them in the washing machine (after some procrastination) she cut the woven fabric into square coasters.
Making resin Electric Eel Wheel Nano bobbins
Kathryn of Craft me Happy has made these stunning bobbins for her EEW e-spinner and here she documents the entire process and tools/materials used.
The rainbow effect through the clear bobbin-end was originally accidental, but she has made a sky/cloud look in these bobbins to intentionally create the effect.
https://www.craftmehappy.com/2021/05/making-resin-electric-eel-wheel-nano.html
The experimental flax patch
1kvmlin is a scheme to allow anyone in the Västra Götaland region in Sweden to grow a square metre of flax with free seeds.
For several years running, Josefin has kept a small 'experimental' flax patch. She hasn't yet spun the resulting flax but is promising to spin it this summer.
This article contains a lot of information about growing and spinning flax, with 'further reading' links.
The relationship between bobbin tube diameter and brake tension
Earlier we saw Craftmehappy's self-made bobbins. She deliberately went for a narrower tube than the standard EEW bobbins in order to gain capacity.
However, she has noticed that the narrower the bobbin tube, the more frequently she has to adjust tension, and also that the tension is a little erratic. (Obviously the diameter of the bobbin centre increases as it fills).
She verified EEW maker Maurice's claim that a smaller tube increases the need for frequent tension adjustments, and plotted a graph showing bobbin diameter and the need for tension adjustment.
www.craftmehappy.com/2021/05/the-relationship-between-bobbin-tube.html
Tour de Fleece 2021
The Tour de Fleece runs in parallel with the Tour de France bicycle race. It's all about challenging yourself and spinning while the bicycle wheels spin.
Some choose to prep and spin during the tour, Guzzisue is keeping it simple, using the opportunity to reduce some stash, and preparing ahead of time.
travelfibreandthread.blogspot.com/2021/06/tour-de-fleece-2021.html
The Pursuit of Love
Congratulations to Jenn of fibreworkshop.
This shot is from a BBC drama. While she was knitting these items, Jenn did hint that she was working on something secret and special.
She used John Arbon's Falklands/Corriedale 'Yarndelic' which is available in yarn and top.
Magnus Drudik wheel
This very interesting-looking wheel was made by Magnus Drudik in 1999.
The design is clever, it allows you to change bobbins without removing the drive band.
The design lives on thanks to McTavish Wheels.
Thank you to sheilamcl for adding so much detail to her photograph.
Making progress
I'm watching the Spinning Shepherd's Sheep to Sweater project with interest.
Here Diane is shearing her Ouessant flock "the old fashioned way" which is less stressful (if more time-consuming) for everyone concerned.
Summer sample along: worsted to woolen drafting
If you are an 'improving' spinner, then exploring the spectrum of woollen to worsted yarn will be of interest.
Jillian's sample alongs have been very interesting, whether you take part or just follow her posts and other people's spinning.
www.jillianmoreno.com/journal/2021/6/3/worsted-to-woolen-drafting-sample-along
Åsen wool
This is a fabulous post if you're interested in Sweedish breeds. Josefin writes in detail about the wool characteristics, and colours of the Åsen fleece. She samples it and links to eight other breed studies that she has written.
Spinning the structure of life with Paleotechnics
"The ability to make string and make fire are two of the earliest things our ancestors were able to come up with by at least 300,000 years ago" says Tamara Wilder of Paleotechnics.
She discusses the collection and use of Dogbane, which is on par with hemp and flax for its quality, making it one of the top three fibres worldwide.
fibershed.org/2021/05/27/spinning-the-structure-of-life-with-paleotechnics
Designer spotlight
This is an interview with Janette Budge. She talks about her life in the south mainland of Shetland, which includes lambing, designing, creating classes and soon her own knitting products.
www.acknitwear.co.uk/blog/2021/5/27/lambing-life-with-designer-janette-budge
Sheepish mittens
Although this is an Instagram post, quixario has provided a blog-quantity of information.
These mittens are made from raw fleece, a Lincoln / Merino and a Karakul / Jacob. She scoured the fleece and hand combed because they contained a lot of VM.
The pattern is Sheepish Mittens by JudyKavanagh.
quixario has made these as part of "one yarn one outfit" (OYOO) which is a very intriguing concept.
Lenticular crochet code
Congratulations to Anuradha Reddy for this wonderful project, which she made as part of her Internet of Towels project, also related to Towel Day (May 25) which celebrates the work of Douglas Adams.
The QR code contains a message. It is possible to read it using your phone / pad if you use Anuradha's picture of the tilted towel. (It's actually a link to a tutorial page which has yet to be populated as I write).
To further obscure the message, it's made using a 'lenticular crochet' technique and needs to be tilted at 45 degrees before your device will be able to read the code.
Colour inspiration
When little needs saying except 'beautiful colour'
Fun with rolags
This post features much blending board > rolag/puni > finished yarn progression.
There are four very different colour blends in this post, and Janelle comments that "the blending possibilities are truly endless".
More temptation
Knit/Wit's club fibre is called Autumn's Last Breath on Rambouillet top. It wasn't dyed to match this book cover but does match it very well.
Appeldore Duffin
This is Appledore Duffin from John Arbon, one of a series of colours inspired by apple varieties.
lilliskatzenmama spun it from the fold for a muted rainbow effect.
www.ravelry.com/discuss/john-arbon-textiles--fibre-harvest/3300902/901-925#925
Third member of the triple fade
The purple and blue here is softened by the orange and brown. Krisztina's fibre is polwarth and is Navajo plied.
Struggling through the process
Looking at Nanette Wake's other work, I think the pool of blue in the gorgeous bowl may be resin inlay.
reeneevee says that the learning curve for supported versus drop spindles is steep, but that this blue/grey fibre is helping.
Pitter-patter
The relatively small amount of purple makes this blue/green base shimmer.
Thanks to threadbender for sharing.
Video
Wool pickers
A wool picker is a less-common tool but it does have a specific use.
The 1764 Shepherdess demonstrates her two different wool pickers and the plans that are available in the book "The Handspinner's Guide to Selling"
Tips and tutorials
There's more than one way to start a toe-up sock
Jen Arnall-Culliford presents two sock-knitting video tutorials: Left Hand Crochet Cast On and Grafting.
www.acknitwear.co.uk/blog/2021/5/13/provisional-cast-on-and-grafting
Kate Larson's tips for how to spin cabled yarn
The title says it all; cabled yarn is supple and lightweight but well secured. Kate explains how to spin cabled yarn and provides tips and troubleshooting.
Cleaning handcards, blending boards and drum carders
I'm grateful to Jillian for this tip. Cleaning hand or drum carders thoroughly is important if you've been carding something dark and want to card something light.
The brushes sold for the purpose (which may even be included with the drum carder) often don't do the job, they don't reach all the way down to the 'cloth'. These tools will reach those fibres without risk of damaging the cloth.
A quick web search for "hairbrush cleaner" turns up loads of options for the type of brush that Jillian suggests.
www.jillianmoreno.com...cleaning-handcards-blending-boards-and-drum-carders...
Why knitters will love weaving: doubleweave and double knitting
Deb Gerish compares and contrasts the 'related but different' techniques of doubleweave and double knitting.
Doubleweave can be worked on a rigid heddle loom with two heddles. Deb provides links to a few knitting and weaving projects.
www.schachtspindle.com..knitters-will-love-weaving-doubleweave-double-knitting
Technology
NZ inventor creates world's first boat made from wool
In "that sounds ridiculous" news, a New Zealand inventor has created the world's first boat made from wool.
As you'd expect, this boat isn't knitted from wool yarn, but pellets of a product that he's developed called Keravos, which is a combination of acid derived from corn starch and wool. It takes advantage of the keratin in coarse wool which is strong and lightweight
www.northqueenslandregister.com.au...inventor-makes-a-boat-from-mostly-wool
Yvonne
Water
If you like Yvonne, click the image to find her page, you can use next and previous to explore more cartoons.
Keeping this wheel spinning
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Reviews
Announcing the birth of a new book
This is not a review but an announcement from the author. However, the post contains a 'look inside' and will be useful if the subject interests you.
aspinnerweaver.blogspot.com/2021/06/announcing-birth-of-new-book.html
Using the Electric Eel Wheel Yarn Counter
This gadget is a yarn counter. Not a new idea but a new product. It's made by Maurice of the Electric Eel Wheel (EEW).
As I write this, the yarn counter is on Kickstarter with 17 days to go, so there may be time to back the project when you read this.
Craftmehappy has been thinking of and trying many uses for the counter, including putting it between your yarn and knitting to keep track of your yardage as you knit.
www.craftmehappy.com/2021/06/using-electric-eel-wheel-yarn-counter.html
A girl and a knitting machine
If you're curious about machine knitting, or specifically circular machine knitting, then Jen has a review of Addi's Express King Knitting Machine that may inspire you to give hand-cranking a go.
www.moderndailyknitting.com/2021/05/26/a-girl-and-a-knitting-machine
Gallery
Sometimes just a picture is enough
Epic Jacket
Barbara Daiker set out to challenge herself and the result is amazing.
The pattern is by Sarah Howard, the handspun yarn is cabled and the weave is plain with random sequence of the three colours. The article doesn't mention the buttons but they do appear to be Dorset buttons made from the same yarn.
There are many more details in this page courtesy of Spin Off magazine.
A shawl to protect from fairies
Last month we saw Freyalyn's prep and spinning for her Away Wi' The Fairies project.
Here we have the conclusion to that story, the woven and fringed blanket. She used a grey warp which has muted the "eye-wateringly bright colours".
freyalyn.blogspot.com/2021/05/a-shawl-to-protect-from-fairies.html
Handspun socks
Thread Head Joanne casually dropped these handspun socks in at the end of a post, almost as an afterthought, but I think the deserve higher billing.
The graduation from yellow to blue, opposites on the colour wheel, gives a dramatic effect. You can almost see green in between the yellow and blue but it's not as obvious as I'd have expected.
I like the use of the yellow for the contrasting heel flap.
What was my problem
Daryl is proud of this piece. She says that "this really complex looking thing is done on a straight draw in carpet warp on four shafts. Really. This is not rocket science by any stretch of the imagination"
Back on the road again
Guzzisue spotted this weathervane on a recent trip to Scotland.
travelfibreandthread.blogspot.com/2021/05/back-on-road-again.html
Lovebirds
This is Vincentik's Lovebirds sweater. The pattern is by Kate Oates.
This is made from ITO Kinu yarn, which is silk, and her handspun.
Sian
The pattern is Sian by Elizabeth Doherty.
welshhettie made hers from Rambouillet Baby Camel in Singapore Sling colourway and Merino and silk fibre from Hilltop Cloud.
Hackle-blending hat
saltwater_stitches gave a public performance of hackle blending at a spinning camp.
This hat is the result. The blended fibre was chain-plied and knit into the Kirk Ave Tam
by Elinor Gray which is a free pattern.
Free patterns and projects
A selection of free seasonal patterns which will work well with handspun yarn.
Alpaca Merino Super Soft Socks by Melanie Smith
Melanie says that Ashford Alpaca Merino blend makes a wonderful yarn for socks. It's easy to spin, soft and warm. This pattern has a very interesting stitch pattern.
She suggests that a 3 ply yarn will wear better than a 2-ply and fingering weight. Aim for a 16-18 wpi finished yarn.
Summer's End Shawl by Jill Zielinski
This asymmetrical triangular shawl is knit on the bias and features multiple stitch patterns.
It uses 885 yards of 4 ply (14 wpi) yarn in three colours.
The Smoke and Mirrors Cowl
This project is presented as a knit-a-long with a competition, but the pattern is freely available and I do like the way it looks.
You need just 262 yd (240m) of DK (double knit) or light worsted weight yarn in three different colours, which makes it ideal for a hand spinning project. There's a lot of advice on this page about choosing suitable colours with the help of the colour wheel and a little colour theory.
knitproblog.blogspot.com/2021/04/a-spring-knit-along-smoke-mirrors-cowl.html
Knitted tie tutorial
This natty tie pattern has appeared courtesy of gathered.how, which belongs to Simply Knitting and The Knitter magazines.
www.gathered.how/knitting-and-crochet/knitting/knitted-tie-knitting-pattern
More pattern suggestions
Slippery Slope Socks by General Hogbuffer
It's not immediately obvious, but these socks by General Hogbuffer (possibly not the name his mother gave him) combine a neutral and a colourful yarn.
As usual for socks, they use 4 ply (14 wpi) yarn, 400 - 500 yards altogether.
www.interweave.com/product/slippery-slope-socks-knitting-pattern-download
Sparrow Dance, Sparrow Song by Anne Hanson
The socks are Sparrow Dance, the matching wrap is Sparrow Song. Both feature the same lace pattern featuring tiny cables.
The pattern suggests "any soft, springy sock yarn with approximately 400 yards per 4 ounces"
Small Sheep Planter by Shannon Jarrell
This crocheted sheep is cute and practical.
www.etsy.com/listing/856626998/pattern-only-small-sheep-planter
Drop Leaf by Toby MacNutt
The picture shows woollyelly's Drop Leaf, made from silky bamboo, grafted into a cowl.
The pattern is made in symmetrical halves from the centre out.
Ixia by Susanna IC
If you're a taller girl like me, this longer summer tee will appeal.
The pattern suggests cotton, but choose a yarn for a nice drape. The body is plain stockinette, with lace detail for interest and flattering waist shaping.
The pattern is automatically discounted until June 21.
But is it art...?
Custom Nike Air Force 1 sneakers
These Nike trainers feature granny squares. They were a special commission by Italian label @lc23 and made by Francesca Romana Ruggieri
Thanks to KnitHacker for sharing.
knithacker.com...custom-nike-air-force-1-high-sneakers...crochet-granny-squares
Support Hand Spinning News
I'm Shiela Dixon, I've beeing doing this for around ten years in order to promote and encourage the craft of spinning.
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Happy spinning!
Shiela Dixon - Editor / curator
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