Two of our bloggers are feeling blue this month. Jean has posted many pictures of her two-day indigo workshop with Bryan Whitehead and Josefin has tried to extract indigo pigment from some of her fresh Japanese indigo Koyoko leaves.
On the 'unusual fibre' front, Beth Williams spins growable, compostable yarn (pictured right). We also meet Maxine Tyler, the Official Bear Knitter, Chris Switzer takes us through identification of llamas, alpacas and paco-vicuñas and Denise Williams busts some myths about Angora rabbit.
Looking ahead, the pattern suggestions include some suitably spooky and pumpkinny patterns for Halloween.
Read on for more news, views and reviews for spinners, knitters, crocheters, dyers and weavers. This is the free edition for September 2023.
Find out how to receive the full version of Hand Spinning News in your inbox, earlier than the free edition appears online,.
Cover photo: 'another magic summer day', thanks to Lee Esselström .
It's likely that people worked with plant fibres for many thousands of years but it's hard to know for sure because fibre artefacts are fragile and rarely preserved.
Archaeologists found some remarkably well-preserved fragments of woven matting, believed to be 3,000 years old. They originally covered the floor of a dwelling near Karluk Lake on Kodiak Island.
www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/kodiak-alutiiq-0019224
Cosby Yarn Bomb has grown from the original eight people to a not-for-profit organisation with hundreds taking part. They held related events including workshops and produced a map with a suggested route. Everything is situated outside for viewing any time.
Visitors travelled to Cosby, Leicestershire between 11 - 30 August 2023 to view the 64 displays.
The BBC news page that I'm linking to has a video with interviews and some of the exhibits. There are more pictures and details, including competition winners, on the event's Facebook group.
We join Josefin as she tries to extract indigo pigment from some of her fresh Japanese indigo Koyoko leaves
Bryan Whitehead came from Japan to teach stencil dyeing to a group of friends.
Jean has posted many pictures from the two-day workshop. My main link is part one, part two is here.
We're still seeing some Tour de Fleece round-ups.
Spanish Peahen set herself the challenge to stay focussed and this strategy worked out well for her. This is part one of her retrospective.
In part two she discusses making a plying ball from spindle-spun singles and cross-lacing her flyer.
Sue reports on Nottingham's Brewhouse yard, a museum that is being set up as a textile worker's cottage with information about spinning, knitting and lace. It gives access to caves which would have been used for storage. Her pictures include a couple of interesting vintage wheels.
travelfibreandthread.blogspot.com/2023/08/spinning-update-and-day-out-in-my-home.html
I have had a special interest in ganseys since visiting the Stella Ruhe exhibition in 2017. Although that exhibition focussed on Dutch ganseys, the show took place in Sheringham and so there was plenty in the museum relating to Sheringham ganseys.
I've used one of my own photos from that day as my thumbnail because Aaron's posts don't tend to contain images.
In this one he discusses spinning a 4-ply cabled yarn for such garments. There's a very interesting tip in the middle about finding the best number of twists per inch for plying.
There are more details here about washing, preparing and spinning the fleece for this yarn.
This is Maxine Tyler, the official Bear Knitter at Clark's Trading Post, an attraction that keeps bears.
Bears shed their soft undercoat and the accumulated fibre was sent off to be washed and processed into yarn.
Maxine has made a number of garments from the yarn.
These yarns were dyed with phragmites, which I assumed were lichens but turn out to be reeds/grasses, as shown in picture two.
Picture one shows a lovely selection of home-made spindles and 'bobbins'.
woolandfabric has also experimented with dyeing and these are the beautiful results.
This is a pendulum wheel by Peter Teal. It's similar to a walking wheel, but the pendulum is controlled by a treadle and allows the spinner to sit in one spot.
This is a home-made lazy Kate for spindles. I like the concept!
Camelid expert Chris Switzer explains the differences between these similar animals.
seaflowerspins saw this incredible (not necessarily in a good way) 'Frankenwheel' in a shop.
She guesses that in the past, somebody's husband said 'You don't need to buy a wheel, dear - I can make you one'.
There are many close-up shots. Don't miss them, but I have to say it does look better from a distance.
Yes, she fell in love with it and bought it.
If you're afraid to try angora because you've heard that it's short, slick or flyaway, Denise Williams busts some myths and suggests that you "don't be afraid to take it for a little spin"
Language models like ChatGPT are remarkable in their fluency, but the results are often questionable.
Alex Woolner asked it to create "a crochet pattern for a narwhal stuffed animal using worsted weight yarn" and followed the pattern to the letter.
You can now buy this and other dodgy patterns created by the technology.
https://www.openculture.com....stuffed-animals-using-instructions-from-chatgpt.html
Kim Mckenna explains the preparation that she calls a 'tussie mussie', a cone-shaped mass of crisscrossed silk fibres.
The additional preparation takes more time than simply spinning from the fold or directly from a sliver, but Kim finds it time well spent.
If your buttoned cardy gaps like this, then Hunter says that it's "super fixable".
This is a beautiful cardy and certainly looks a lot better after the fix.
This is a two-in-one; Kate has the pattern for the Sibling Star Band by Sally Orgren as well as a tip about using Texsolv heddles to make leashes on an Inkle loom.
www.ashford.co.nz/blog/inkle-loom-warping-with-texsolv-heddles
Kate has collected together three articles that will get you started with natural dyeing; onion skins, overdyeing and the one-and-done dyepot.
Sandi Rosner compares these similar techniques.
www.interweave.com/article/knitting/knit-below-brioche-knitting-tuck-stitches
In this video, Kim McKenna demonstrates the way that she uses a diz and a single handcard to prepare handpainted braids for fractal and gradient spinning.
My raddle is made from a strip of wood and small nails. Yours may be too. It's simple and effective. Its purpose is to keep your warp evenly distributed across the back beam.
Leigh has made a new one using instructions from Peggy Osterkamp. It uses 'eye screws'. These allow a rod to be passed through the length of the raddle to prevent the threads from jumping out.
leighsfiberjournal.blogspot.com/2023/09/a-raddle-for-my-table-loom.html
The John Arbon Textiles Annual is a print publication packed with patterns and articles. The third issue will be available very soon and its 120 pages include six patterns and nine articles which celebrate Exmoor.
This newsletter has more details and a pre-order button.
This is a spindle design that i don't remember seeing before but according to the maker, it dates back to prehistory and is still in use in the Basque region, China and other places.
Thanks to Annie for posting this picture (and others) of her txoatile Basque spindle. The maker's shop (Derek, MuddyDuckWorkshop) is here on Etsy.
If you're in the market for a rigid heddle loom, then you have a new option.
Kromski's loom is foldable with work in place, has an integral warping frame and comes with a peg and clamp, so you have a choice of warping methods right out of the box. There's a floor stand and other accessories. It's available in warping widths of 8, 16, 24 and 32 inches.
quiteayarnblog finds this book "very narrow in topic but covers it in depth".
It begins with history and folklore and then has patterns ranging from straightforward to pretty complex.
quiteayarnblog.com...knitters-bookshelf-beaded-wrist-warmers-from-lithuania
WeaveDreamer is open-source, meaning that it's freely available but may not be straightforward to install. In this case Java is required.
You can design from scratch or import and edit .wif (weaving interchange format) files.
Leigh has been using it and gives lots of screenshots and her thoughts.
leighsfiberjournal.blogspot.com/2023/09/weaving-software-review-weavedreamer.html
In this short video craftmehappy demonstrates how she uses a diz and hackle to create a gradient from a custom blend using the natural variations in fibre length.
Sometimes just a picture is enough
mountainfiberworks has made these socks from a braid of Dorset x Teeswater. She says that the fibre was "springy and sturdy" and has produced "the coziest socks I have made".
Pumpkins don't have to be orange, as proven here by sweetmelissak.
This one has a second place rosette from Salem County Fair attached to it.
Kristi has used her own handspun using Norwegian lamb and additional fibres from Hilltop Cloud and Inglenook Fibers.
Kristi has also made these mittens. The Pressed Flowers pattern is becoming very familiar. Kristi has used the hat pattern as a starting point for her own mitten pattern.
Kat has shared her Hitch on the Move which combines commercial solid yarn and handspun yarn.
In the following week's blog post she gives more of the technical details.
The Hitch on the Movepattern combines two of Martina Behm's popular patterns - Hitchhiker and Match and Move
longdrawjames is looking rather splendid in his most recent jumper. The fibre is haunui/silk from Inglenook Fibers in their wonderfully-named "fungus among us" colourway.
As usual James gives all of the details you could possibly want in his post.
theknittencat has spun yarn that contains twinkling lights. Each string is 10 feet long. They operate from AA batteries.
I'm not sure how they are used and whether they're knittable but I would love to see examples.
This home made 'diddy niddy noddy' is made from wood scraps and will make mini skeins.
islafabu says that sometimes yarn is an artwork in itself and so she doesn't want to do any more with them.
This is handspun muka threads, natural and dyed.
JessieJavete made this skirt from cotton. The gradient is made by using four plies with one colour changing at a time.
Only the cocoons give us scale here. It's smaller than you may think as spin_up_girl says that this may be used as a brooch or Christmas ornament or "very tiny hat".
thejoyfulspinner has had her "first bash at bubble crepe yarn", as described in the Spinner's book of Yarn Designs
There are many pictures here. She says that some sections "are a bit like the picture in the book". It looks good to me.
A selection of free seasonal patterns which will work well with handspun yarn.
When he was asked to teach a friend to crochet, Martin designed this cowl as something that would not be too big and make a good gift. "Fast rewards are the key to progress", he says.
He has written the pattern and made it available for other beginners.
martinupnorth.com/2023/08/09/a-beginners-mind-the-absolute-beginner-cowl-free-pattern-inside
This pattern is available for free as an introductory offer as I write this but I'm not sure for how long.
This bat is very cute and perfect for Halloween.
The suggested yarn is 100 yards of sport-weight (12 wpi) although I don't think that gauge is critical with a project like this.
Jess makes the bold claim that you can finish this crocheted pumpkin beanie in an hour and a half.
If you'd like to try, then you'll either need a very chunky yarn, or make a very chunky yarn by holding multiple strands together.
Any size from baby - adult.
This pumpkin pattern includes a small and large size. They use two strands of DK held together.
uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/heres-cute-crochet-pumpkin-halloween-095400752.html
This is a lightweight cardigan, the suggested yarn is soft and drapey.
As usual with Jess' patterns, everything is on the web page if you want to fight your way through the ads, or you can buy an ad-free printable pdf.
Here are two patterns for the price of one (free). They are a matching hat and mitten set and use waistcoat stitch which is a crochet stitch that looks like a knit stitch.
They're said to be suitable for beginners. My main link goes to the hat and this one goes to the mittens.
makeanddocrew.com/the-everywhere-beanie-free-crochet-hat-pattern-for-beginners
rutonicrobert has posted several pictures of this finished Grandson Cardigan, made for himself from sheep to cardigan using Dorset Down. His handspun was super bulky (5-6 wpi).
This sock pattern is recommended by sweetpurls who says that it's beautifully written. She went down a needle size and found the fabric nice and tight and the fit perfect.
www.etsy.com/listing/840729760/knitting-pattern-intersections-socks-by
According to the authors, this necklace is simple and sophisticated. "A fantastic project for using up oddments of special yarns".
Gauge isn't important, no yardage is given.
It's part of Modern Daily Knitting Field Guide No. 24: Spark, so if the unconventional appeals to you as much as it does to me, there are five patterns in a similar vein for $9.95 US. (See also Penrose Tote).
There are tips and tutorials on this page and judging by the comments on the Ravelry pattern page, you'll need the guidance when it comes to splitting the i-cord.
Kristi has made these Voe hats using hand spun and dyed Norwegian lamb.
The designer says that the pattern "provides an opportunity to hone your stranding skills before taking on a larger colorwork project". If you enjoy making the hat then there is a matching pullover.
It uses 290 yards of fingering weight (14 wpi) yarn. (220 yards of main colour, small amounts of the other two colours.)
The Bifurca shown in my thumbnail is a test knit by tricosui, she used a handspun yarn made from John Arbon Harvest Hues as the contrast colour.
It's a cropped vest with a modular construction. The front and the back have a V.
Yardage is 437 - 919 yards depending on size, which range from 30" - 62" bust.
This bag is recommended by Knit/Wit. She, like everyone else who has knitted this and published their project, has used the suggested cotton yarn.
It has a garter-stitch modular construction and the pattern has four sizes.
Delphine Diallo's portraits show her subjects in elaborate and regal masks and headdresses made from various materials.
'Living yarn' is an exciting new concept for me. Beth spins the yarn which sprouts and grows and is eventually planted or composted (after saving the fastenings).
Caroline Harrius stitches designs onto ceramic vases. She builds the pots with coils and pierces them for the stitched decoration after firing.
www.textileartist.org/caroline-harrius-firing-clay-the-textile-way
Han Cao is known for her embroidered vintage photographs. This new set of work uses vintage portraits as a starting point. The Silhouettes exhibition is on view in Philadelphia.
Caitlin McCormack's work explores the cycle of life and death through a speculative view of a post-human world.
16 - 17 September 2023
A weekend celebration of rural crafts, food and entertainment
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.
Sat 23 and Sun 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.
Saturday 7 October 2023, 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.
14 - 15 October 2023 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.
5 - 8 October 2023, Alexandra Palace, London
Saturday 7 October 2023, Liskeard Public Hall.
14 - 15 October 2023, Kelly House, Lifton, Devon
Many exhibitors from around the South-West and further afield, producers of the finest woollen yarn to felt makers.
20 - 22 October 2023, 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.
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.
26 November 2023, Sandburn Hall, York YO60 7SG
Exhibitor applications now open
I'm Shiela Dixon, I've been doing this for almost fifteen years in order to promote and encourage spinning and related crafts.
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Happy spinning!
Shiela Dixon - Editor / curator
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