Shetland Islands: Windy, woolly wonder

This is a travel article that appears on an American newspaper's website.

It's a very good read. Nellie Hermann visited the Shetlands during Shetland Wool Week in September last year.

There are plenty of facts about the Islands: did you know that the sheep outnumber people 20:1, but only a proportion of these are native Shetland sheep?

Nellie writes a wonderful description of the place, and emphasises the importance of tourism and in particular, Wool Week.

www.nwaonline.com/news/2019/mar/03/wind-wool-and-wonder-20190303

Crepe!

This is crepe yarn, which is a new term for me, but Janelle gives us an explanation with pictures of her progress. She was inspired by an article in a recent PLY magazine to make some sock yarn using this method.

tt820.blogspot.com/2019/03/crepe.html

We need to talk about nylon

Are you mindful about your plastic consumption?

Nylon is stronger and more elastic than other plastic fibres such as acrylic and polyester. We know that it increases the durability of sock yarn. We may not even think of nylon as being a type of plastic. But these fibres all cause a type of pollution called microfibre pollution.

Suzie has written an informative article about this 'invisible plastic' in our wardrobes, and why we should be concerned.

I'm linking to 'We need to talk about nylon' but she has also posted an accompanying article called Making wool socks that last.

itsastitchup.co.uk/blog/we-need-to-talk-about-nylon

Exhausting a silver birch bark dye bath

If you have either of Fran's natural dyeing calendars you'll know that birch bark comes early in the year.

She has made this impressive gradient by adding successive batches of yarn to the same dye bath until the bath (and Fran) were exhausted.

wooltribulations.blogspot.com/2019/02/exhausting-silver-birch-bark-dye-bath.html

Wood ash lye for dyeing

Fran mentions the need to keep adding a little alkali to the bath. By coincidence, riihivilla has written about how to make wood ash lye. If you're using it for dyeing, it's remarkably simple.

riihivilla.blogspot.com/2019/02/wood-ash-lye-for-dyeing-tuhkalipeaa.html

Textile terms: on tenterhooks

I'm sure most of us have been on tenterhooks at some time, but do you know where the expression comes from?

It's a textile term. katknit explains.

danceswithwool.wordpress.com/2019/02/16/textile-terms-on-tenterhooks

More Than Portraits: Diego Velazquez' Spinners

This painting is as much a puzzle as it is a fascinating picture of a spinning workshop.

It is "generally accepted" that it suggests the story of Arachne. The performance (?) going on in the well-lit background does appear to be a rendition of the story. But this does seem at odds with the workshop in the foreground which is clearly a spinning workshop, not weaving.

Blogger hoakley digs very deeply into the various interpretations of this painting, and adds his own opinion.

eclecticlight.co/2019/02/26/more-than-portraits-the-paintings-of-diego-velazquez-6-spinners/comment-page-1

Whorls, weights and beads - ancient ways

This shot looks like a museum exhibit, but these whorls, weights and beads are Sue's own work. She made them from clay and her sister included them using an ancient technique.

her husband made the spindle to take the whorl, so this is a real family effort.

castonandcastoff.blogspot.com...whorls-weights-and-beads-ancient-ways.html

Lightfastness of some experiments last year

This is an interesting experiment. It highlights that not every natural dye is fast (to light or washing).

Some colours have changed little though, and riihivilla was surprised by some of the results.

riihivilla.blogspot.com/2019/03/lightfastness-of-some-experiments-last.html

Mending with needle-felting

Joyuna says that this method can be visible on the right-side. It may be perfect when you don't want to reach for the darning needle though and I'm very impressed with her results.

blog.joyuna.com/2019/02/mending-with-needle-felting.html

Will washing hurt it?

The fear of washing natural fibres may be one reason why people shy away from wool in favour of acrylic, but Beth says that washing wool garments is "super easy".

In this article she gives instructions for washing wool, cotton, silk, linen as well as some man-made fibres.

bethsmithspinning.com/will-washing-hurt-it

Three tips for consistent singles yarn

If you're thinking 'what the heck is singles yarn' or 'can you really knit yarn without plying it'? Then this is for you.

Elizabeth Prose discusses the topic and presents three tips from Jillian Moreno.

www.interweave.com/article/spinning/spinning-consistent-singles-yarns

Basics - short draw and bobbin leaders

In the second of Amy's 'back to basics two-in-ones', she talks about short draw and attaching bobbin leaders.

boogieblather.wordpress.com/2019/03/01/basics-short-draw-and-bobbin-leaders

Graphene-based yarn to enable advanced wearable e-textiles

Progress with introducing sensors and circuitry into garments has been slow. Developers have been using expensive and non biodegradable materials and bulky compoments.

the National Graphene Institute claims that graphene yarn could have great potential for sports and fitness, health and aerospace applications. It's possible to make the yarn using current textile machinery and it's washable, flexible, inexpensive and biodegradable

www.graphene-info.com/graphene-based-yarn-enable-advanced-wearable-e-textiles

Jigsaw - online

Thank you very much if you've had a go at any of these on your computer or tablet.

I've set them up with 35 - 50 pieces- just the right number for a coffee-break challenge and you gradually reveal the cartoon.

But if you fancy more of a challenge (or less) you can customise the number of pieces before you start.

www.jigsawplanet.com/shieladixon/Yvonne

Buxton Wool Gathering tickets for HSN readers

If you're within reach of the Buxton Wool Gathering, five pairs of free day tickets are on offer to readers of Hand Spinning News. All you need to do is email admin@buxtonwool.co.uk before 1 May 2019 with name and contact details. Winners will be chosen at random and advised by email. #buxton-wool-gathering

buxtonwool.co.uk

Your news here

Are you a teacher, pattern designer, dyer, equipment manufacturer or supplier?

Would you like to reach the readership of thousands of hand spinners and at the same time help to support Hand Spinning News ?

Read more

Glimakra loom?

Reader Jules asks, "I have a Glimakra top beam vertical tapestry loom, I think it is 150 cm wide. It was pre-owned when I bought it, and I think it must have been pre-owned by several people over time. It is missing the "warp knobs" which sit above the top beam. I can find images of Glimakra looms in use, with the warp knobs showing, sort of, but can't work out the scale, dimensions, etc. Do you think that there may be one of your readers who has a similar loom? All I need is a good image of one or the measurements, as my husband is a professional woodturner and will make them for me. "

If you can help, us this new thread in the HSN group forum on Ravelry, or simply send your picture to me and I'll pass it on to our Jules.

www.ravelry.com/discuss/hand-spinning-news/topics/3899468

A thing

I'm in awe of this piece. thetwistedyarn used a kilometer of Jamieson's yarn and 123 500 stitches. She knit it in the round and steeked it. There is a video of her cutting the tube open.

She plans to stretch it on a frame and hang it on the wall and I hope she'll be very proud of it.

Highlights include a dragonfly, archaeological relics, geological strata (limestone and shale), a frog, fish, flag iris and lillies. Lowlights include a boot and shopping trolley. All seem to mean something to the knitter.

It certainly rewards a closer look at the photos.

thetwistedyarn.com/2019/02/19/a-thing

Twill Striped Linen Top

Melissa Hankens' linen top is featured in Schacht's February e-newes. I don't think the yarn is handspun, she used about 2,300 yards at a sett of 24 ends per inch on a 4-shaft loom. Around half of the yarn was indigo dyed.

This is a very thorough article and includes the draft and sewing instructions.

schachtspindle.com/newsletter-february-2019

One, two, fourteen

Do you find yourself getting in a spinning groove? "spinning just to spin"?

Knittingsarah decided to photograph her recent spinning and found fourteen skeins. There are some inspiring colours among them.

knittingsarah.com/2019/02/16/one-two-fourteen

Song bird tapestry needle felting

This charming songbird came from a kit, but it seems that you can follow the pattern or deviate as much as you like, as vermontgirlamy did.

fluidmotion.blogspot.com/2019/02/needlefelting-finished-sing-bird.html

Azula hat

This isn't handspun yarn but the use of a variegated yarn with a semi-solid yarn gives a handspun effect.

The pattern is from Woolly Wormhead's Elemental collection. It's knit sideways and the fluctuating colours work brilliantly with the organic design.

itsastitchup.co.uk/blog/fo-azula-hat

Lace curtain weights

Last month vermontgirlamy posted about her finished knitted lace curtains.

She's decided that they're a little short, and found a solution which may also help the drape. You'll either love or hate the particular beads she's used, but the idea is a very good one.

fluidmotion.blogspot.com/2019/02/beading-lace-curtain-weights.html

Finished Jacob project

A while ago we saw Yarnharlot preparing this Jacob fleece.

She is known for the speed of her knitting, and in this case she herself says that it came together very quickly.

She was away when she finished it and blocked it on the hotel bed, sleeping beside it!

There are lots of pictures and notes here.

www.yarnharlot.ca/2019/02/randomly-on-a-tuesday-6

Alpaca Prescott Pullover

This is Patricia Bell, wearing a jumper made from yarn made from her own alpaca.

There are plenty of pictures of the jumper and even the donor alpaca, posted by Linda Marveng, the designer of the jumper (Prescott Pullover).

www.marveng-puckett.com...prescott-pullover-knitted-by-patricia-bell

Belt and braces knitted bag construction

This beautiful bag is made from salvaged yarn. Long colour changes made it ideal for entrelac knitting.

If you've tried knitting a bag, you'll know that they grow like elastic when you put anything inside them and knitted handles are out.

Fran took a 'belt and braces' approach to the problem, lining the bag with fabric and then devising a frame and handles from upholstery webbing. The result looks beautiful and is no doubt strong and practical.

(A picture of a similar bag made from handspun made form Hilltop Cloud fibre is here.)

wooltribulations.blogspot.com...belt-and-braces-knitted-bag-construction.html

Nightshift

For the third month in a row Andrea Mowry's Shift pattern gets a mention.

This very richly-coloured Nightshift is shared by pribehvlny who spun yarn using Ashford corriedale.

"I had a vision in my head for it, but the outcome is far prettier than I expected it to be", she says.

Combo spin cardigan

Combospinning is a chaotic way to introduce colours into your yarn but this finished cardigan looks very tasteful, particularly in the body where a wonderful stitch pattern breaks up the stripes.

www.instagram.com/p/BuCWJxxFSrN

Trying new ideas

A simple design and well-chosen button shows off Cathy's handspun art yarn.

www.instagram.com/p/Buj4OCcFcjM/

Handspun Falkland Shawl

The yarn is handspun Falkland wool dyed by Spunky Eclectic, the pattern is Summertide by Helen Stewart.

There are several pictures here of the shawl in various poses.

www.instagram.com/p/BuCjPW8Al0i

The Betula Jacket by Fran Rushworth

I loved Fran's Shoreline jacket and this pattern is a variation / improvement.

The one in the picture uses yarn that Fran dyed with silver birch bark (as seen earlier this issue).

It uses 900m of chunky yarn (600 in main colour, 300 in contrast).

wooltribulations.blogspot.com/2019/02/the-betula-jacket-knitting-pattern.html

Spherical fractal scarf

This intriguiing pattern calls for 2 x 100g of Light Fingering / 3 ply yarn, but you can customise the length and the yarn requirement will vary accordingly.

The design was a collaboration between a a mathematician and fractal artist and a knitting statistician.

It uses double-knitting, making for a warm scarf and no floats. But because of the chaotic nature of the pattern, it can be difficult to spot mistakes and so may not be an ideal first double-knitting project. (Which is the kind of statement that I regard as a challenge rather than advice.)

With thanks to Knithacker for sharing.

www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/spherical-fractal-scarf

Elodia Hat by Sarah Jordan

Perfect for when there's still a nip in the air. This slouchy hat has a twist-rib brim, an attractive lace panel and an amount of slouchiness that you can adjust.

It's graded for three sizes to fit children through large adult heads. It matches Sarah's Elodia mitts.

paknitwit.blogspot.com/2019/03/pattern-release-elodia-hat.html

Pinstripes & Chains set by Joy Gerhardt

The slip-stitch method is an easy route into colourwork because it involves knitting one colour per round.

These mitts are very attractive. You can use the slip-stitch method, opt for cables or combine them. The pattern gives sizes S, M and L. You can buy the mitts by themselves, as a set with a matching tam or the hat by itself.

blog.joyuna.com/2019/02/pinstripes-chains-set-now-for-sale-on.html

The Realm of the Dead by Countess Ablaze

If you're looking for a shawl that's 'dead simple' then this could be it.

It's knit sideways and uses dropped stitches. It uses a fingering weight (14 wpi) yarn, preferably in Gothic colours.

www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-realm-of-the-dead

Frozen Victorian garments arranged into a larger than life bouquet

This 'bouquet' is made from frozen Victorian garments (no word on whether they're actually Victorian or repro) by artist Nicole Dextras. She had giant man-eating plants in mind, which is at odds with the beauty of the colours.

www.thisiscolossal.com/2019/03/bouquet-by-nicole-dextras

Layers of crocheted fabric drape a large-scale inflatable installation

Also in huge site-specific installation news this month is this giant inflatable piece by Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos. It appeared inside Paris' oldest department store and takes inspiration from Valkyries, the female figures in Norse mythology. It looks very alien to me.

It uses crocheted fabric and details with LEDs and other embellishments.

www.thisiscolossal.com/2019/03/simone-by-joana-vasconcelos

Buckfastleigh Wool Gathering

Sunday, 31 March 2019 10:00-16:00, Buckfastleigh Town Hall and Institute TQ11 0DD

A gathering of spinners, weavers, dyers, felters, knitters, breeders, wool enthusiasts and so much more.

www.facebook.com/events...buckfastleigh-wool-gathering

Edinburgh Yarn Festival

21 - 23 March 2019, Edinburgh Corn Exchange

(Classes and Fringe events 20 - 24 March)

A celebration of all things related to yarn, wool, knitting, crochet, spinning, weaving and felting. A fantastic market place with around 100 selected vendors, great workshops and a host of other attractions

www.edinyarnfest.com

Spring into Wool

13 - 14 April 2019, Grammar School, Leeds

The perfect event for all lovers of knitting, crochet, feltmaking, weaving, spinning, dyeing, and all things woolly!

www.springintowool.co.uk

Wonderwool Wales

27 - 28 April 2019, Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells

the 13th Annual Wonderwool Wales Festival. It's your chance to enjoy a fantastic range of Welsh and British artisan products and an opportunity to meet the wonderful people who made them. A great family day out with hands-on woolschool workshops and events showcasing the best in Welsh and British wool and natural fibres.

A list of accommodation and camping in the surrounding area is available on the Wonderwool website.

www.wonderwoolwales.co.uk

Buxton Wool Gathering

11 and 12 May 2019, Grand Octagon room, Pavilion Gardens, Buxton

The organisers of Bakewell Wool Gathering are pleased to announce the launch of a new sister event - Buxton Wool Gathering - in May this year.

Over 50 exhibitors will be attending. Whether you're into spinning, felting, weaving, or knitting, there's something for you.

In celebration of our launch, we're offering five pairs of free day tickets to readers of Hand Spinning News. All you need to do is email admin@buxtonwool.co.uk before 1st May 2019 with name and contact details. Winners will be chosen at random and advised by email.

buxtonwool.co.uk

Leeds Wool Festival

Saturday 1 June 2019

This popular event includes a market offering a range of goods from local traders, workshops and activities, demonstrations of special techniques, tips from professional speakers, a Q&A with our Knitting Gurus, and children's crafting activities.

www.leeds.gov.uk/museumsandgalleries/armleymills/leeds-wool-festival

Woollinn

14 & 15 June 2019, City North Hotel, 20 minutes north of Dublin Airport

Ireland's Festival of Yarn

woollinn.com

Woolly Worstead

Saturday 15 - Sunday 16 June 2019, Weavers' Workshop, Dilham, Norfolk

Sheep-shearing demos, crochet, knitting, spinning, weaving, felting- demos and "have a go", alpacas and donkeys to feed and pet.

worsteadweavers.org.uk/woolly-weekend-2019

Woolfest

Fri 28 and Sat 29 June 2019, Cockermouth, Cumbria

Woolfest was founded to provide a showcase and a celebration of the best of wool and wool crafts.

The event is all about creativity and design with beautiful quality, amazing colours and skilled craftsmanship.

www.woolfest.co.uk

Yarningham

Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 July 2019, Uffculme Centre, Birmingham

www.stitchesandhos.co.uk/yarningham/4591459403

Fibre East

27 - 28 July 2019, Redbourne Community College, Flitwick Road, Ampthill, Bedford MK45 2NU

An annual event created to celebrate all things natural fibre and handmade, with a focus on the Best of British: supporting the finest quality British wool, made from the fleeces of British sheep, reared by British farmers.

www.fibre-east.co.uk

WoolNEss

2 - 4 August 2019, Newcastle upon Tyne

Wool and Wellbeing festival for the North East.

www.woolness.co.uk

Yarnfolk Festival of Wool

3 August 2019, Whitehead's town centre from 10am - 5pm

Whitehead in Co. Antrim will once again play host to Yarnfolk Wool Festival for the 3rd year.

www.yarnfolkwoolfestni.com

British Wool Show (formerly British Wool Weekend Show)

Friday 9 and Saturday 10 August 2019, York Auction Centre, Murton Lane, Murton, York, YO19 5GF

Supporting the Campaign for Wool.

Exciting treasures to discover; wool from fleece to finished items and other items you will need to spin, weave, knit, crochet, hand dye, cross stitch, embroider or make felt.

www.britishwool.net

Southern Wool Show

Saturday 31 August and 1 September 2019, Newbury Racecourse, Berkshire

The perfect event for all lovers of knitting, crochet, feltmaking, weaving, spinning, dyeing, and all things woolly!

www.southernwoolshow.co.uk

Cornish Yarn Festival

7 & 8 September 2019, 10am to 4pm St John's Hall, Penzance

http://www.cyfonline.biz

Perth Festival Of Yarn

7 and 8 September 2019. Dewars Centre, Glover St, Perth

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 70 vendors, keynote event, social events and classes run over the weekend.

perthfestivalofyarn.uk

Yarndale

28 and 29 September 2019, 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.

yarndale.co.uk

Shetland Wool Week

28 September - 6 October 2019

A busy week dedicated to celebrating Shetland wool and textile heritage.

Includes classes, talks, drop-ins, art. See website for the full events listing.

shetlandwoolweek.com

West Wales Wool Show

Saturday October 5 2019, Queen's Hall and Plas Hyfryd Hotel, Narberth, Pembrokeshire

A celebration of all things woolly. From beautifully hand crafted items, clothing and footwear to knitting wool, fleece and all the equipment needed to make at home. Demonstrations run throughout the day with stall holders sharing their skills and knowledge with visitors plus wool skill workshops such as felting.

westwaleswoolshow.weebly.com

The Wool Event, Masham Sheep Fair

Saturday 5 and 6 Oct, 2019, 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.

www.mashamsheepfair.com

Bakewell Wool Gathering

Bakewell Agricultural Centre Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 October 2019

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.

bakewellwool.co.uk

Loch Ness Knit Fest

16 - 20 October 2019, Inverness Leisure Centre.

www.lochnessknitfest.com

Kendal Wool Gathering

Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 October 2019, Kendal Leisure Centre

Kendal Wool Gathering mixes demonstrations, fun activities and displays, all connected to the cloth on which the town's wealth was built.

A large number of exhibitors will be bringing a huge variety of goods including yarns, dyes, crafts, art, accessories, tools, felting, crochet, patterns, carpets, looms, spinning wheels and more. Outside there will be livestock, where you can meet a variety of sheep and Llamas, whilst learning about the important Lake District sheep farming industry.

www.kendalwoolgathering.co.uk

Nottingham Yarn Expo

Nottingham Conference Centre Goldsmith Street Entrance, Nottingham. NG1 4BU

Sunday 17 November.

https://www.nottinghamyarnexpo.com

Our linen stories

Scotland is more usually associated with tartan and tweed, but linen and flax are an important part of its history

This touring exhibition aims to combine stories from the past with new works from contemporary designers.

The towns in Scotland, Ireland and the Netherlands that the tour visits have their own stories and this gives the opportunity to include local designers and stories.

https://ourlinenstories.com