Wool washing is on the agenda this month. Devin gives details of their practical method for scouring a fleece. Emonieiesha outlines the problems you may encounter and tips for making the most of a marginal fleece. Once you've washed your fleece you may choose to drum card it and then be in the mood for a poem on the subject of washing your woollies.
If you are just moving beyond the basics of knitting or fancy a mindless TV knit, this month's pattern suggestions include two 'easy breezy' projects. There are also some very practical bag patterns; a yoga mat and gear, water bottle and phone.
Read on for more news, views and reviews for spinners, knitters, crocheters, dyers and weavers. This is the full round-up for May 2024.
Cover photo: socks with organic handspun wool yarn by MaCross-Photography via Shutterstock.
The record for Asia's largest handmade carpet has been broken.
The carpet measures 40 x 70 feet (280 square feet) and took 10 master artisans plus labourers 9 years to complete. The world record for the biggest handmade carpet is over 60,000 square feet.
Actor Sam Neill joined the Campaign for Wool New Zealand as an ambassador.
www.ruralnewsgroup.co.nz...sam-neill-joins-campaign-for-wool
This story tells of attempts to create a new breed that combines quality wool with better meat production, and farmers' worries about compromised wool quality leading to increased reliance on imported wool.
Scientists claim to have solved the problem with a breed that thrives on China's cold plains that improves meat yield while maintaining wool quality and output.
www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202404/12/WS66188ef0a31082fc043c190b.html
The pattern and patron for Shetland Wool Week have been announced.
In a break from tradition, this year's patron will be Addie and Margaret Doull and their family.
The pattern is Islesburgh Toorie, designed by the Doull family. It has a Shetland Ram motif and the suggested colourways are inspired by their flock, farm and local landscape. It is now available as download or in print from the SWW website.
www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/2024/04/26/shetland-wool-week-patron-awarded-to-doull-family
Tarndwarncoort farm, affectionately known as Tarndie, hosted an international back-to-back challenge day on 20 April.
Three teams took part and all threefinished. Here are the results:
- Koorooman Sapphire Ewes, 12 hours and 44 minutes.
- Sisters in Stitches, 16 hours and 58 minutes.
- Polwarth Put The Kettle On, 13 hours and 58 minutes.
The event's facebook group is here. Pictures and a write-up are here on Instagram:
Elisabeth Hill explains why she thinks that mud dyes might be the perfect starting point for anyone interested in natural dyeing.
I rarely feature poetry, would you like to see more?
I particularly enjoyed this. This page has the text as well as audio of (presumably) Liza reading it.
www.zocalopublicsquare.org/2024/04/12/liza-hudock/chronicles/poetry
This is the third in craftmehappy's Questionable Blends series - blends that are a little tricky to guess how they'll spin up.
She's trying four different preparation methods and knitting mitre squares. Each method has a short video.
The colours in this blend inspired her to buy more of each of the colours so that she can create her own gradient.
www.craftmehappy.com/2024/04/questionable-blend-number-3-gourami.html
Jean has documented a talk by Kimberly Nelson, who collects interesting and unusual fibres, twists them into cordage and makes tiny projects.
onesmallstitch.wordpress.com/2024/04/17/guest-speaker-at-the-guild
Josefin has spent a weekend helping to shear a friend's sheep.
It's the time of year when I can't resist posting some cute lambing photos. Here are the new Jacob arrivals at Patchwork Farm.
patchworkfibers.wordpress.com/2024/04/23/plop-plop-fizz-fizz
Stefanie Johnson has some thoughts about spinning for colourwork and points to some examples in the Ravelry colorwork spin-along forum where there are plenty of pictures of handspun colourwork.
spinoffmagazine.com/a-colorful-spring-spinning-for-colorwork
A word of warning. Crocheters are complaining that images used to promote patterns for sale on Etsy, and maybe even the patterns themselves, have been generated by AI and that the patterns don't live up to the promise.
www.nbcnews.com...etsy-crochet-buyers-suspect-ai-made-images-used-sell-patterns-rcna145878
This is the inspiring story of Sally Fox who has worked very hard to develop a fine, disease and pest-resistant cotton in natural colours.
With thanks to Pamela for the link.
Meg Breckell describes the process of creating this top inspired by Christopher Wood's Self-Portrait (1927).
www.kettlesyard.cam.ac.uk/stories/christopher-wood-inspired-knitwear
Cambrial Wool has posted this collection of her photos from Wonderwool Wales where they met so many people wearing garments made from their wool.
lilalu72 has also posted a bunch of beautiful photos from her day at Builth Wells
Where else can you see and touch 800 fleeces from 35 different breeds of sheep, fleece on the hoof in the show ring, classes, 250 vendors, Sheep-to-Shawl competition?
Before the event, Sandi Rosner posted this 'behind the scenes' preview.
farmfiberknits.com/behind-the-scenes-at-the-sheep-and-wool-show
The event itself was wet which took the shine off for Araignee. Her part two is here in which she shows her purchases.
The Washington Post has covered the Sheep to Shawl event at Maryland.
www.washingtonpost.com...sheep-festival-maryland-weave-wool-yarn
Emonieiesha isn't afraid of a marginal fleece. In this article she outlines the "fleece dirty dozen" of problems and has tips for transforming a fleece from "What in the world?" to wonderful.
One way to identify a mystery yarn is to try to set a sample alight.
Janet has made a flowchart which should then lead you to the fibre. It doesn't differentiate between wool and other animal hairs because you can't tell those apart with this test.
Her chart is a simplified version of others that can be found online, Janet feels that it's easier to use.
handweavingacademy.com...identify-the-fiber-content-of-a-mystery-yarn
An article with a similar title caught my eye and made me very curious. However it's exclusive to subscribers of Little Looms. That led to me searching for the subject and I found this similar article from Schacht originally published some years ago.
Handwoven transparencies have coloured patterns on a sheer background. Two wefts are required.
schachtspindle.com/blogs/archives/tips-on-weaving-transparencies-on-a-rigid-heddle-loom
Pamela is on a mission to take the EEK out of steeks.
In the first blog post she discusses when a steek is used, explains how to set up a steek and ways to reinforce.
In this follow-up she covers reinforcing and cutting in more detail.
her posts contain videos as well as text for those who prefer that.
Over the years, Devin has developed a method for washing a raw fleece that works for them. Details are here.
This is an alternative to fluffy or fur yarn. The technique requires a yarn that can be brushed out, handspun wool should work, but it's easy to test your yarn.
Christina has some tips for incorporating beads into your weaving.
Here's a very interesting piece from Tien Chiu in which she considers scale and optical colour blending in weaving.
handweavingacademy.com/scale-how-it-can-turn-your-designs-from-muddy-to-magnificent/
Tiffany Warble explains how to make a 2/2 left cross, 2/2 right cross, mock cable and right twist, all without a cable needle.
Christina says that these tablet-woven shoelaces were the perfect first project for a new tablet weaver.
She has some tips for new tablet-turners.
Possibly not by coincidence, this article from Katrina King appears on Spin Off with top tips for band weaving on an Inkle Loom with a bonus video.
spinoffmagazine.com/new-to-bandweaving-3-helpful-hints-plus-bonus-video-tips
This tutorial relates to Fossil Fibers' most recent fibre club mailout which consists largely of dyed and undyed fleece. They discuss preparing the fleece for carding and then using a drum carder to blend them into a batt.
fossilfibers.wordpress.com/2024/05/06/baaf-fleece-april-moodboard-and-updated-carding-tutorial
Carolyn answers how own question and shows her favourite and her fallback wool wash.
It's Kookaburra Delicate, which is obviously popular because she hasn't been able to replace her dead bottle.
In the comments, Soak seems the almost unanimous choice.
youronewordblog.wordpress.com/2024/05/01/not-really-unraveled
We first saw Rüdiger Schlömer's Typographic knitting in January 2020.
Since his first book he has been teaching, designing a more accessible typeface for beginners and offering the pattern for the alphabet blanket.
www.thisiscolossal.com/2024/05/type-knitting-rudiger-schlomer
Interweave editors have rounded up four ball winders which span all budgets.
I did see a message saying that a free registration was required to read this article, however, I am able to view it without logging in. Worst case is that you need to give an email address if you don't already have an account at Interweave.
www.interweave.com/article/knitting/best-ball-winders-every-budget
Listed in 'innovative contraptions', this device uses wool to prevent a harmful caterpillar from descending trees in Belval Luxembourg and coming into contact with humans and animals.
The title has a question mark, so I guess the jury's out.
This is a fun and fascinating look at some of the more weird and wonderful Victorian patterns from the Weldon's Practical Needlework publication.
Scientists have found a new and more environmentally-friendly process to dye jeans blue using indican, the substance from indigo plants that provides the blue colour.
The collaboration between University of Huddersfield, Puffin Packaging and the Bradford-based former British Wool Marketing Board began in February 2023.
The 'packaging liner' is the only product of its type to be certified by British Wool. It's an alternative to polystyrene for insulated packages.
www.thebusinessdesk.com...collaboration-launches-only-certified-british-wool-insulated-packaging
This fibre contains layers that harvest and store energy and light up. It's thin enough to weave into fabric.
There are some interesting potential real-world applications.
pubs.aip.org/physicstoday/online/43320/A-battery-free-fiber-illuminates-textiles
Sometimes just a picture is enough
This jumper started as a combination of Brick by Clare Lee and Sea Glass by Wool & Pine. Inspired by Kintsug, visible mending using gold or silver, she added duplicate stitch in gold lamé to help cover some problems.
The Crafty Yarnster gives links to the first two instalments of this project's unhappy history.
thecraftyyarnster.com..broken-glass-sweater-or-the-project-formerly-known-as-glass-brick
I've watched the progress of this with some curiosity. This final post has a bunch of glamour shots and lots of details.
It has an unusual construction but the pattern has schematics that clarify the steps. Knit/Wit has made some modifications that you might want to adopt if you make this.
She used 958 yards of her own handspun Rambouillet.
The pattern is Bereket by Ainur Berkimbayeva. It has seven sizes, size 1 shown here.
You may remember Josefin's blog posts about growing and harvesting her own indigo and woad. She has spun silk singles by spindle and used those skeins as dye samples. This woven shawl is the result of all that work.
Little Brown Bird has made this jumper using the chart from Kate Davies' Strathendrick and a pattern "made up as I went along".
She used British and Welsh wool and names the producers that she met at Wonderwool Wales last year.
Pam Austin has posted this picture of Fowey Woods art yarn by Jane Heynes alongside the photograph that inspired it.
She also muses on the definition of Art Yarn.
Susan couldn't resist the jewel-like colours of these rolags from Fellview Fibers. This blog post shows the rolags, the spinning in progress and the final yarn in skein and ball form.
the1764shepherdess has made this May calendar desktop / wallpaper for your computer.
the1764shepherdess.com/2024/05/02/may-2024-desktop-wallpaper/
apassionforlace has posted three pictures of the same lace motif in different yarns. This is handspun single-ply lace yarn.
This is the Killer Queen Shawl by Mary Annarella. january_one made it using her own "scrappy spin" handspun along with a commercial DK yarn.
SHe says that it's perfect for handspun. There is a matching cowl.
A selection of free seasonal patterns which will work well with handspun yarn.
This is for you if you have mastered the basics or fancy a TV knit.
It requires a worsted-weight yarn on 5mm needles, sizes are from XS to 5XL.
Like all of Jess' patterns, the information is available for free on an ad-heavy page or you can purchase a printable ad-free pdf.
Mary of Hugs for your Head has recently made another of her Hatcowls.
She hasn't worn it with a ponytail through the top, which I think would look great.
In her own words, this is "a glorified tube with a cable eyelet detail at one end and a drawstring at the other".
In her latest she made the drawstring very long so that it makes a bow, which looks very good.
She suggests 300 yards of wool or alpaca yarn.
www.hugsforyourhead.com/2014/11/hatcowl-free-hat-or-cowl-pattern.html
This project is a big commitment if you want to make the entire outfit, but you could take just the top or the skirt.
After the smocking and flower motif, "the stockinette in the round flies".
It's a surprise extra for the Spring / Summer issue of Knitty.
The pattern has two bags - a yoga mat carrier and a smaller bag. Both use cotton and knitted lace to let the contents breathe.
www.interweave.com/product/lacy-yoga-bags-knitting-pattern-download
While carrying your yoga mat and accessories in their knitted bags, here's another for carrying your water bottle and phone.
This airy top is made from a silky DK weight yarn on a 6mm hook and offers possibilities for colour striping.
The second of a pair of crochet summer tops. This one uses a much finer yarn; sport weight (12 wpi) yarn. The pattern suggests linen.
www.darngoodyarn.com...the-crossed-stitched-top-crochet-pattern
This is versatile and will go with a dress, trousers or even jeans. "Nothing cheats the requirement to dress up like a garment knit with soft, elegant luxury yarn" says Anne.
It has options for full or elbow-length sleeves.
It has eight sizes (from XS to 4X) which require 1175 - 1925 yards of Fingering / 4 ply (14 wpi) yarn.
She says that it works with a wide variety of yarns, use a sport-ish weight in wool or wool mix.
This jumper comes in two versions: Flora (with the lace) and Luna (with the texture).
There are a couple of handspun versions, like this one by IvaKnitsCZ. She says "Lovely pattern, will knit again". We have previously featured Simone's rendition which uses unspun yarn.
SewKnitKathy has recently finished this As If Tee Lite. Despite frogging and restarting, she says "I love how it turned out and I'm pretty sure I can wear it with anything".
The top is made using two different weights of yarn and I think we handspinners have an advantage here because we can spin two different weights from the same fibre.
It's available in a remarkable 12 sizes with yarn requirement from 895 yards.
These miniature jumpers are inspired by iconic works of art and knit from silk thread at a gauge of more than 80 stitches per inch.
www.thisiscolossal.com/2024/05/althea-crome-miniature-sweaters
Bryony Rose Jennings uses reclaimed fabrics for her 'beasties'; upholstery fabrics, lace, velvet, barkcloth, silk and old wool blankets. She believes the prior lives embedded in the vintage fabrics add to her creature's personalities and stories.
www.textileartist.org/bryony-rose-jennings-storyland-stitching
Ibrahim Mahama brightened up the grey brutalist lakeside terrace of London's Barbican Centre by covering it in pink fabric.
He used 2,000 square metres of bespoke woven cloth, which was hand-stitched together by hundreds of local craftspeople across the pitch of a Sports Stadium in Ghana.
www.dezeen.com/2024/04/10/ibrahim-mahama-barbican-centre-pink-fabric
This is an obituraty to the Vietnamese American artist. The materials he wove into large-scale installations were family portraits and other photographs.
This short movie shows Kate Jenkins preparing some sequinned King Prawns which will be part of a vintage supermarket project.
See her Instagram feed for related work.
This art combines plastic, naturally-dyed cotton and climate data.
The temperature data comes from 18 major rivers. The work links climate change to human and environmental health.
www.thisiscolossal.com/2024/04/tali-weinberg-climate-sculpture
This crochet 'ship' is Ernesto Neto's largest installation to date and was made with a team of assistants and is now suspended from the ceiling of a large gallery at MAAT in Lisbon.
Jess De Wahls' intensively stitched pictures are lifelike and bold.
She has developed some of her own recycling techniques for textile waste.
www.textileartist.org/jess-de-wahls-recycled-textile-sculpture/
The stitches in this garter-stitch pullover are carved from oak. Daniel Dewar and Gregory Gicquel's other works include carved woven fabrics and baskets and quilts. The artists "toy with the distinctions between art and function".
www.thisiscolossal.com/2024/05/daniel-dewar-and-gregory-gicquel
This exhibition features the work of over 60 textile artists.
The Barbican is also hosting a group textile show featuring fifty international artists.
Jeni Hankins has collected and commented pictures of a number of notable works from the show.
18 - 19 May 2024, 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.
Friday 31 May - Saturday 1 June, Galashiels, TD1 3JX and TD1 1SP
The two-day festival isn't just a yarn festival, it's a celebration of independent textile artists, crafters, dyers and spinners, as well as its local community.
Textile exhibitions, interactive activities, workshops, a brand new Fleece Market and over 30 craft stalls
Saturday 1 June 2024 Leeds Industrial Museum
This popular event includes a packed out craft market, expert demonstrations, talks, performances, tea rooms, a gin palace pop-up and loads more
museumsandgalleries.leeds.gov.uk/leeds-industrial-museum/whats-on-at-leeds-industrial-museum
1-2 June 2024 Coldharbour Mill, Uffculme, Devon
A yarn and fibre show with a twist - it's aimed to educate and connect people with the origin of their yarns, wool fibre and more...you'll find flax, leather, nettle, wood, ceramic and more at the show!
Brought to you by the organisers of Stitch Fest South West.
1 - 2 June 2024, Dilham, Norfolk, NR28 9PT
Hosted by the historic Worstead Guild.
7 - 9 June 2024, Sunny Bank Mills, Farsley, Pudsey, LS28 5UJ
Celebrating textiles through 40+ textile stalls, an extensive programme of workshops and talks.
www.sunnybankmills.co.uk/arts/gallery/threads-textile-festival-2024
8 - 9 June 2024 Magna, Magna Way, Sheffield S60 1FD
Accessible, inclusive, welcoming.
8 - 9 June, 2024, The Assembly Rooms, South Molton Town Hall with tour of JAT Mill
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
Tickets for tours, talks and workshops are now available for booking.
22 - 23 June 2024, J36 Rural Auction Centre, Cumbria
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.
29 - 30 June 2024 The Heritage, Bishton (opp Bishton Hall), Wolseley Bridge, Staffordshire
A celebration of all things woolly, just 25 mins from J13 of the M6.
Wed 10 - Thu 11 July Knight's Hill Hotel and Spa, King's Lynn
Two days of uninterrupted hand spinning bliss. Immerse yourself in this therapeutic, mindful craft and enjoy total relaxation with full use of the leisure suite to complement your wellness. You will leave feeling serenely recharged.
www.thespinningbarn.co.uk/event-info/hand-spinning-wellness-retreat
13 and 14 July 2022, Uffculme Centre, Birmingham B13 8QY
A fibre festival produced by Stitches and Hos. "Lots of exciting things planned".
27 - 28 July 2024 Redborne School, Ampthill, Bedfordshire, MK45 2NU
For all lovers of woolly crafts - spinning, knitting, weaving, crochet, feltmaking and dyeing.
Picks up where Fibre East left off.
10 - 11 August 2024, Newcastle Racecourse
90 amazing stalls plus a great range of workshops. Cafe, demonstrations.
17August 2024, Hulme Hall, 23 Bolton Rd, Bebington, Wirral
A selection of vendors selling everything from hand dyed yarns and fibres to felting kits and needles
Entry £4 per person, available on the door or online.
7 and 8 September 2024, Newbury Racecourse, Berkshire
The perfect event for all lovers of knitting, crochet, feltmaking, weaving, spinning, dyeing, and all things woolly!
7 - 8 September 2024, Dewars Centre, Perth, Scotland
The Scottish Yarn Festival is the new name for Perth Festival of Yarn.
The Vendors' Gallery Marketplace is the place to find materials and inspiration for your future crafting projects, the chance to meet and talk with the makers behind your favourite independent brands, to indulge in a little celebrity spotting.
Past tutors and lecturers have included Jeanette Sloan, Françoise Danoy, Andre de Castro, Di Gilpin, and Amy Palko
A fringe programme of social events has included books signings, gala dinners and fashions shows, and Perthshire gin flights
13 and 14 September 2024, Farnham Maltings
unravel... autumn is a celebration of all things yarn making from knitting and crochet to spinning and weaving
At the core of unravel... autumn 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.
14 - 15 September 2024
A weekend celebration of rural crafts, food, entertainment and of course, sheep farming.
Sunday 15 September 2024, The Pavilion Centre, Royal Cornwall Showground
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.
28 - 29 September 2024, Skipton Auction Mart, North Yorkshire
Over 180 makers, craft workers, retailers, and artisans in the picturesque market town of Skipton, North Yorkshire.
29 September - 5 October 2024
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.
10 - 13 October 2024, Alexandra Palace, London
Saturday 12 October 2024, 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.
Saturday 5 October 2024, Liskeard Public Hall.
19 - 20 October 2024 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.
18 - 20 October 2024, 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.
26-27 October 2024 Leicester Racecourse, Oadby, Leicester LE2 4AL
30+ trade stalls, 30+ courses, food and free parking.
8 - 9 November 2024, Sandburn Hall, York YO60 7RB
More details to follow
21 - 24 November 2024, 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.
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.
An edited-down version of this particular issue will be available online to everyone else at hand-spinning-news.com later in the month. Please share a link to hand-spinning-news.com with anyone who may be interested.
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!
Shiela Dixon - Editor / curator
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