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Hand Spinning News Colour to banish the clouds Despite the dreary May, or maybe because of it, there have been plenty of spinning news and blog posts this month to choose from. With this cool and wet May in mind, the free patterns I've gathered include socks, hat and legwarmers. And in case all of that hasn't banished the grey skies, in this issue we visit the colourful world of Rosy Retro. Tabs, the owner, tells us about her work and her inspiration and has offered a "big squooshy" superwash merino fibre braid as a giveaway. So on with this month's round-up of fibrey features, freebies and fun.
Top Stories blogpick: Paper Yarn Experiments
Spring competition
Textile designer Bronagh McCauley has been experimenting with spinning paper. But rather than use the resulting yarn to knit or weave an object, she's tried cutting, using dye and grouping the cops together to form interesting sculptures.
I've been asking you to join me in making yarn based on a Spring picture.
We now have a winner. See the variety of beautiful ideas. Read more
Read more
Contents News and articles from around the web Spinner's party tool, Just shorn alpacas, Fulling and setting, Shetland handknitter spinning on locally handmade wheel, Sheep farmer and his flock honouring the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, Squeezing the most out of your warp, Two knitters' opinions - Ashford Knitter's Loom From the blogosphere Handspun Peony, Dizzing from a drum carder, Anatomy of a spin, Paper yarn experiments, recycled newspaper tutorial, Two scarves on the loom, Thin Down Thick Singles Yarns for Sewing Up, Scouring, Dressing mixtures Gallery Showing off some of the month's best images. Featured fibre artist and fluffy giveaway An interview with an independent dyer and an offer. The Hand Spinning News spring competition Free patterns A selection of free patterns which will work well with handspun yarn. Events Some 2012 dates for your diary! Courses and tuition Where to go for a day, weekend or a week to learn or improve your skills
News and articles from around the web Spinners wanted I've been contacted by Laura from a casting company who are currently casting for a Disney feature film set in mediaeval times. They are looking for a group of women extras to be 'spinning wheel servants'. Ideally the production would like to use women who can use a spinning wheel to add to the film's authenticity. Filming will take place at Pinewood Film Studios, Iver Heath, Bucks. If you or anyone else you know with spinning experience would like to be considered to be an extra in the film, please email a photograph, your measurements (height, chest, waist, dress size & show size) and detail your spinning experience to Laura at the email address below. laura@castingcollective.co.uk
Spinner's Party Tool If you remember the spinning wheel cup holder from FBN Plastics, here's another idea which goes nicely with it. The Spinner's Party Tool has a WPI gauge (inch gauge), twist angle guide and a bottle opener! http://knittyblog.com/?p=1466
Just-shorn alpacas When alpacas are shorn the fleece is left on their heads and legs. This is a lovely gallery of pictures of some Austrian alpacas sporting that cute 'just shorn' look. Shared (not sheared) by craftiebernie http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/gallery/2012/apr/30/austrian-alpacas-shear-delight-in-pictures#/
Fulling and setting your handspun yarn I've had a conversation with a friend, Kevin M. this week about fulling. Hes been enjoying spinning yak fibre and he kindly explained to me his process of fulling in the yarn, which involves pounding, shocking and bashing the skein. He says that it makes a soft and bulky true woollen yarn. He's doing this before knitting. If woven, a similar fulling process would be done after weaving. I believe the surname 'Fuller' derives from the English mediaeval occupation of treading or beating woven fabric to achieve the same result. By coincidence I've come across this video in which clothaddict demonstrates the process, in her case with alpaca. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHDX5vvgrgA
Shetland handknitter spinning on locally handmade wheel You may have read about Rod Grant's Innerleithen Spinning Wheels in Yarnmaker or met him at one of the shows. Jenny of A'Nead specialises in knitwear made from quality cobweb yarn made from local wool by Jamieson & Smith.
She has been spinning her own cobweb yarn and is very pleased with the Interleithen wheel that she has just collected, specially made for fine spinning. She can now produce her own cobweb yarns in a wider range of colours than have been available too her, and on a wheel made from local wood. Follow the links to see her cobweb shawls and other garments which are beautiful. http://www.anead-knitwear.co.uk/
Sheep farmer and his flock honouring the Queen's Diamond Jubilee This sounds like a tall tale, but The Knitter reports that sheep farmer and performance artist Will Halford is planning to create a living sculpture of the queen's head as she looked 60 years ago. Then he'll herd the sheep across the hill and make another more contemporary portrait. http://theknitter.themakingspot.com/blog/how-a-sheep-farmer-and-his-flock-are-honouring-the-queensdiamond-jubilee
Squeezing the most out of your warp In this blog post, Jane Patrick had a limited amount of yarn for some sampling on her Schacht Cricket loom and devised this method of getting every inch out of her warp. http://blog.schachtspindle.com/2012/04/cricket-loom-hey-no-loom-waste.html
Two knitters' opinions - Ashford Knitter's Loom If you're tempted to learn to weave with your handspun then a rigid heddle loom or the portable version, the knitter's loom, is a great place to start because you can get results really quickly and it's a stepping stone to the complexities of a table loom. I enjoyed this review / tutorial in which both Amy and Robbie from Knitty try the Knitter's loom. There are some useful tips in there and It's great to see the difference between the start and finish of Amy's work! http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEss12/FEATaklREVIEW.php
From the blogosphere Handspun Peony No connection with our Spring competition, but this lovely yarn was inspired by an Etsy challenge called May flowers http://kindredthreads.blogspot.co.uk/2008/05/spring-yarns-bloomin.html
Dizzing from a drum carder I've seen this mentioned in blogland a couple of times this month but previously hadn't thought of or heard of dizzing straight from the drum carder. A diz is a disc with a small hole. If you draw your fibre through the hole you end up with roving which Jillian from Knitty says is gorgeous, fluffy and ready to spin. Here she explains the process and gives tips. http://knittyblog.com/?p=1493
Anatomy of a spin I do like step-by-step pictures and I know I'm not the only one. Here reckless-knitting shows us 'in progress' and finished pictures of a super bulky yarn being spun from indie-dyed fibre. http://recklessknitting.com/?p=681
Blogpick: Paper Yarn Experiments - Controlled Freedom Textile designer Bronagh McCauley has been experimenting with spinning paper. But rather than use the resulting yarn to knit or weave an object, she's tried cutting, using dye and grouping the cops together to form interesting sculptures. There are some varied and beautiful ideas here, do browse all of her pictures. http://bronaghmccauley.wordpress.com/2012/03/13/paper-yarn-experiments-controlled-freedom/
Handspun recycled newspaper tutorial If the paper spinning has you reaching for your spindle, then here's a detailed tutorial with some Qs and As following on. frankierevolver says that a little goes a long way and that it is 'sturdy' when knitted. http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=203907.msg2174506#msg2174506
Blogpick: This Cowl Girl Got the Blues We see art yarn with 'extras' (feathers, ribbons and so on) far more often than we see pictures of finished projects made from such yarn. So I was pleased to find this blog post in which Twinkie Chan models her moebus cowl that she has made from Knit Collage yarn, which contains flowers, 'sparkly bits' and other surprises. http://www.twinkiechan.com/blog/2011/03/01/this-cowl-girl-got-the-blues/
Two scarves on the loom ... and two come along at once. This month I've also spotted this picture, which is interesting not just for the 'added extras' yarn and the lovely colours, but also because it shows two scarves being woven on the same warp. jazzturtle says that she realised that she didn't have enough yarn to weave the shawl she'd planned, and so divided the warp into two scarves. http://www.flickr.com/photos/jazzturtle/4154592580/
Blogpick:Thin Down Thick Singles Yarns for Sewing Up Joyuna found this Debbie bliss super-bulky wool/cashmere single yarn "thick, lovely stuff". But when it came to sewing on the buttons, it was too thick. Rather than try to find a matching thinner yarn, she had the idea of spinning some of it down, producing thread which worked and matched perfectly! http://blog.joyuna.com/2012/04/thin-down-thick-singles-yarns-for.html
Scouring fleece With the difficulties I've had obtaining the scour and wash I have been using / selling, it was great to receive these samples in the post from Aussie Know How. As I have been trying them I thought it would be a good idea to write about how to scour a fleece at the same time. http://stitchywitches.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/with-difficulties-ive-had-obtaining.html
Dressing mixtures An email conversation this week prompted this blog post about dressing mixtures. An oily concoction to spray on your dry fleece to make it easier to spin. If you have your own recipe or tips, please leave them as comments on the blog. http://stitchywitches.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/dressing-mixtures.html
Gallery Sometimes I find pictures of lovely handspun or finished handspun projects with little or no additional information (with apologies to the owners of these pictures if you have blogged about them elsewhere, please let me know and I'll pass on the extra information in the next HSN)
Flora's hat in handspun I have no information about the yarn or pattern but it is the cutest picture! Slouchy hats really seem to be in. http://www.flickr.com/photos/19859820@N07/5941033981/in/set72157626893839539/
Handspun Scarf I like the check pattern and combination of colours here. I can't find information about the yarn or the pattern, but it looks like a straightforward plain weave. http://50.56.100.10/project/cverity/handspun-scarf
Early Seedlings Last month I featured a cowl made from a cashmere jumper, cut up and made into yarn. Here on the Craftster forum, LaughingLark has posted some pictures of some beautiful yarn made in a similar way. "it is made from a 75% silk, 25% cotton sweater. I shredded the sweater, then dyed it", she says. Just below is a picture of a very similar yarn in a different colour. http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=406779.msg4795287#msg4795287
I'll hold, you wind This beautiful object was made by Hine for a group art show which has just started in LA. There are other pictures in her photostream showing stages of making. http://www.flickr.com/photos/sheishine/6962062790/in/photostream
Rhubarb, thread-plied Not real rhubarb but colours inspired by. http://www.flickr.com/photos/emileelawrence/5414847658/in/photostream/
Mom? Handmade card Here's a lovely idea from dasjabbadas. There's another shot of the card with a baby's jumper knitted from the same yarn. http://www.flickr.com/photos/36666383@N00/3428268789/in/photostream/
Spindle spun Peacock Feathers Shawl This one made me say Mmmmmmm out loud and not just because I love peacocks. These colours really do bring to mind a peacock's tail. It's a beautiful knitted shawl impressively spindle spun and navajo plied. The navajo plying has concentrated the colours for a lovely striped effect in the finished project. http://www.flickr.com/photos/85755223@N00/3476429273/in/pool837990@N20/lightbox/
Fibre giveaway A new feature in which an independent dyer offers a gift or a discount. Last month we met Marianne of Picperfic's Fluff-n-Stuff, who offered ÂŁ15 worth of fluff from her shop. The name that she pulled out of her hat (or rather one of her pretty bags!) was Keith Evans (woofnwooly on Ravelry). Keith mentions that his local group, SpinDyeWeavers, are busy boys and girls. They will be taking part in the North Somerset Fleece Fair near Clevedon Nth Somerset on 16th June, Easton Arts Trail Bristol on 1st July, and also the Shaftesbury and Gillingham Agricultural Show Dorset mid August. This month I have the pleasure of speaking to Tabs, who many of you will know on the web as rosyretro. She's also featured in the current Simply Knitting magazine. Briefly describe yourself and what you do I'm Tabs (short for Tabetha!), the sole creator of RosyRetro.. mother of two lovely boys.. 2 dogs called Rosy & George and happily married for 14 years. I am a multitasking maniac like many women and live in the South Hams in Devon surrounded by fields and sheep! I originally graduated with a BA(Hons) Degree in Art & Theatre from Dartington College of Arts. Having travelled to France, America and Japan, these cultures have greatly influenced my work and the way I view colour. I try to use British wool wherever possible, especially the endangered breeds! I try and promote British wool and the wonderful properties of such fiber! I also dye bamboo and other blends as I love the way the dyes take differently according to fiber type. How long have you been spinning / dyeing? I have been spinning now for 4 years. I try and spin every day as I found this really improves skill and also helps the wheel (as long as it's oiled!). I started on a drop spindle and this really helped me with the drafting process! By the time I moved on to a wheel I found drop spindling had really given me a head start! My first wheel was bought from a distant aunt of my husbands, an Ashford Traditional. It had been used as a student wheel but was in very good condition. I joined my local guild of spinners & weavers and was taught to spin on the wheel by one of the oldest members. The first thing she had me doing was simply treadling as I looked around at the trees and countryside, just getting used to the rhythm of the wheel without even 'thinking' about it. Her teaching was invaluable! My second wheel was an Ashford Traveller, handpainted with Tiffany roses by Shiela herself! That wheel (called 'Sweet Pea') is to date my favourite wheel! I started dyeing fiber almost immediately as I have a BA (Hons) degree in Art & Theatre and this seemed a natural thing to do! I was drawn more towards the non-toxic food grade dyes as I loved the palette of colour! Natural dyes, with some of the mordents they use made me think I would blow up my kitchen! (I am calamity Jane at the best of times!) What got you started? I was already a knitter and one day it just popped into my head to get hold of a sheep fleece and see what I could do with it! I think friends and family just assumed it was my latest eccentric hobby! I advertised on my local freecycle and amazingly, ended up with the most beautiful free Jacobs fleece! I started at the deep end, found out how to wash and card the fleece by researching online, discarding the debris, dirt and short cuttings. My very first carded batt was from that fleece and I had dyed it with Kool aid. I really enjoyed the whole experience and was amazed at the lofty yarn it produced! After that, there was no stopping me! What inspires you? I am inspired by many things including street art, pop culture, Frida Kahlo, the 1950's, 1920's, handtinted photographs, vintage, movies, literature and art. Above all else, I love fiber and creating beauty with colour! If the colour makes me happy to look at it then that's a great start! Also, the fiber/knitting community is amazing , like one big creative family! Where / how do you sell your work? My main shops are on Etsy & Folksy. Living in such a rural area my nearest local yarn store is approx 35 miles away so the internet is perfect! I am also in the process of learning to drive and as soon as I pass my test, will be at the fiber festivals too! (I'll have to try not to buy too much myself!) In the future, I may well expand my Big Cartel shop which is currently small. What aspect of your work do you enjoy most? First & foremost, my customers!! It really makes me happy to serve such a vibrant community of people!
Each and every customer means the world to me and if my customer's happy, I'm happy :-) Also, colour! The actual dyeing process is very enjoyable... seeing the beauty emerge... trying to get the best from each and every fiber type. I really enjoy the work I do and feel really blessed that it is my day job! What makes your work or your service special? I really strongly believe in the principles of quality and customer service. My dyes are 100% colourfast and I ensure they are not felted and easy to draft. The dyeing process has been developed over time to be gentle yet effective on the fiber. As a spinner myself, these qualities are essential. I also always wrap free of charge and throw in little freebies! (simply because I would like that if I bought some fiber!) I only ever sell what I myself would want to buy. Is there anything else you'd like to tell folk? I have shop updates every Friday at 10.00 GMT I have a Ravelry group (with giveaways!) Feel free to join! http://www.ravelry.com/groups/rosyretroyarns--fibres You can also find me on Twitter & Facebook as rosyretro. Happy Spinning!!! Tabs has offered a "big SSqQQuuOOshy fiber Braid" in her colourway 'French Resistance' in superwash merino. Approx 3.17 Ounces, 90g with handpainted semi-saturated shades of deep aqua, bottle green, chocolate and lemon - with some free stitch markers. To enter the draw, simply email me at shiela@handspinner.co.uk with the subject line 'Rosy Retro'. We'll make the draw just before the next HSN. Please state if you don't want to receive news from myself or Rosy Retro UK in the future.
Spring competition This year's Spring competition asked you to be inspired by a Spring image. You could do whatever you like, use dyed fibre or dye it yourself, mix bought dyed or natural fibre, use animal, vegetable or synthetic, straight or funky, whatever you like. This year it's Spring Crocuses by Elenathewise. (Small version shown right, click for large version.) It's always so good to see such different ideas from other people on the same theme and I really do enjoy taking part myself (exempt from the prize of course). I've put thumbnails below from each entry, please use this link to view all of the photos submitted. http://www.flickr.com/groups/1891089@N20/pool/with/6829785550/ Alison Daykin of Alison Yule Textiles and Pure Tinctoria has agreed to be our judge once again and she's kindly offered to add 50g of naturally dyed BFL to the prize. Alison is an award-winning textile designer, weaver, spinner, author and teacher with long experience. She would love to see natural dyes take over the world and supplies natural dyes through Pure Tinctoria. You can also find details of her regular monday and wednesday evenong classes and her spinning, weaving and dyeing holidays in the Courses and tuition directory below. Alison says, It's so exciting to see beautiful and stylish spinning these days. The entries are gorgeous, but I like my yarns to be fit for purpose, ie. usable as yarn! So I've chosen the yarn by "familyhandspun.co.uk" because it captured all the colours of the crocus and was a beautiful knitting yarn. "STORMBAT"s was lovely too, but didn't capture the greens and whites, although the little orange beads really livened it up. "_Catherine_" and "www Bridget"s were beautiful, but needed work to make them balance sufficiently to be useable. So thank you very, very much from me to all who entered, and congratulations to Gigi of familyhandspun.co.uk, who says that she's thrilled.
What's new? Rakestraw or paddle spinner I now have rakestraw spinners from Rod Grant of Innerleithen Spinning Wheels. If you're new to spinning or would like to introduce a friend, a paddle spinner is a fun way to spin. It's great for new spinners or children because it uses the 'park and draft' method. Adding twist is achieved by whirling it around like a football rattle. In this video, WildFibres demonstrates how to use this unusual tool. It can be a fun way to spin if you are experienced too. In an article about these spinners in Yarnmaker magazine issue 3 (January 2011), Hazel Cattell says that her favourite Turkish spindle hasn't had a look in since she got her Mayan spindle. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iP9_5bmZUns
Top-whorl drop spindles - Rosewood Last month I mentioned the polished rosewood spindles that I've been using to spin the yarn for one of my current projects. They are beautiful-looking spindles which spin beautifully too. The wood is Indian sheesham wood, an old member of the rosewood family. I have since received a delivery of these spindles which are now available at the link below. http://handspinner.co.uk/drop_hand_spindles.html
Free patterns A selection of free patterns which will work well with handspun yarn.
Handspun show-off socks If you've never tried a pair of socks before, this sock pattern looks straightforward. It's also designed to show off handspun yarn with twisted ribbing, garter as well as stocking stitch. This is a free pattern but requires a free Ravelry account if you don't already have one. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/handspun-show-off-socks
Star Crossed Slouchy Beret Recommended for an intermediate knitter but ideal if you'd like to try cables for the first time. It uses yarn of Aran weight (8 wpi) and so will be quite a quick spin / knit project. This is a free pattern but requires a free Ravelry account if you don't already have one. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/star-crossed-slouchy-beret
Handspun Legwarmers It's funny how fashion goes round in a circle. I was a teen in the eighties, so these bring back memories! Carole says that these legwarmers are "slouchy and colorful and will go with lots of things". It's a simple pattern which she gives in the blog post. http://caroleknits.net/2012/03/12/handspun-legwarmers/
Time Plies This is not really a pattern but an idea which would be a great use for a small amount of handspun yarn. This blog post from Knittingdaily gives a few more details, and some other quick and easy to make gifts. http://e1.interweave.com/dm?id=1719042411574A970E47E1936874AFAE92D40326E9F9F53B
Tablet /e-book reader cover for early handspun This is a nice easy pattern which is designed with your first thick and thin handspun in mind. It's usually quite thick and good for protecting a tablet or e-reader. The pattern has variations for lots of different pads and readers. This is a free pattern but requires a free Ravelry account if you don't already have one. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/first-handspun-tablet-ebook-reader-case-galaxy-ipad-kindle-nook
Palette lace scarf for handspun Appearing in Knittyspin's archives, this lovely scarf is said to be good to help you practice spinning fine, enjoy the gradual color changes that can be achieved when spinning hand-dyed roving, knit lace and also use small amounts of luxury fibre. http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring07/KSPalette.html
Events 2012 Woolfest Friday 22 and Saturday 23 June, Cockermouth, Cumbria A celebration of natural fibres, especially all aspects of wool, wool products and wool crafts. From fleecy animals and rare breeds, through fleece, tops, craft equipment and materials, to finished clothing, accessories and unique hand-crafted woollen goods. Also workshops and masterclasses. www.woolfest.co.uk
Fibre East 14 & 15 July 2012, Thurleigh, Bedfordshire It's great to see that the Fibre East festival will be held again in 2012 following the success of the first one last year. It gives those in the Eastern, Midlands and Southern Regions an opportunity to join in an event which aims to encourage and promote natural fibres. Fibre-East has its own Ravelry group: http://www.ravelry.com/groups/fibre-east-2011 and Twitter stream: http://twitter.com/FibreEast (tweets for the 2012 event yet to appear) http://www.fibre-east.co.uk/ (New website under construction)
Wool Week 15 - 21 October 2012, multiple activities throughout Britain Run by the campaign for wool with patron HRH The Prince of Wales. Wool Week 2012 will begin in the United Kingdom on October 15th, with lots of events around the UK. www.campaignforwool.org
Courses and tuition Please let me know if you are or you know a tutor with a calendar of events. Cornwall: Audrey Durrant is heavily involved with the Cornwall Guild and works with the Rare Breed Survival Trust. She teaches spinning, basic weaving, is a hand dyer and gives talks and demonstrations. Find out more at www.hawthornfibres.co.uk Cornwall: Cornish Crafty Girls, a mother and daughter team offering spinning workshops will be at the Princess Pavilions in Falmouth, Cornwall on Saturday 14 April 2012 cornishcraftygirls@yahoo.co.uk Derbyshire: See listing above of spinning, dyeing and weaving holidays with Alison Daykin (external link to Skylark Holidays' programme and prices). Five-day or weekend breaks. Alison also has a less formal 'Monday night group': spinningandweaving.weebly.com Dumfries and Galloway: Sue Macniven offers Residential Courses or one to one workshops in Twynholm or at your own venue http://www.handspun-exotics.co.uk/workavail.html Hampshire: Spinning workshops at fibre craft studio Beaker Button, the Fairground Craft and Design centre, Weyhill. 31 March - Spinning with a wheel (£25 range of wheels available to use or bring your own); 28 April Spinning with a spindle (£30 includes spindle and a bag of fleece). For more details contact 07738 534164 or info@beakerbutton.co.uk Lancashire: Spinning workshops at Knit-Wise. 2012 dates: March 17, April 14, May 12, June 16, July 14. All materials included for £40, contact Cathy (lazykate) on 01695 580590 www.knit-wise.co.uk Manchester:Spinning courses with Dee Sayce. also sewing, felt making, weaving, dyeing, batik and silk painting (external link to beetlefelt) http://www.beetlefelt.co.uk/workshop_spinning.html Nottinghamshire: Spinning courses with Juliet Hill www.handspinning.org.uk/index.html (external link to Juliet Hill Handspinning) Norfolk: Single-day spinning courses www.norfolkyarn.co.uk/Homepage/News/tabid/77/Default.aspx(external link to Norfolk Yarn website) Sheffield: Tuition and Demonstrations by Diane Fisher, the Murmuring Wheel http://www.murmuringwheel.co.uk/events.html (external link to Diane Fisher's calendar) South Lincs: Single-day one-to-one spinning courses with all equipment supplied. http://www.alpacathingz.co.uk/(external link to AlpacaThingz website)
Spinning and weaving holidays If the listing below does not display properly, please view it on the web at http://handspinner.co.uk/links.html with Skylark holidays and Alison Daykin. Design For the Terrified Derbyshire Learn how to design for textile crafts and textile art
Introduction to Spinning Derbyshire Learn to Spin, have a dabble at spinning
Make the Most of Rigid Heddle Derbyshire Weaving – making the most of your loom
Start Weaving Derbyshire Peak District Learn to Weave
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As usual, if you know anything spinning-related, please let me know. Happy spinning and don't be a stranger! Shiela http://handspinner.co.uk shiela@handspinner.co.uk If you're reading this newsletter on the web and would like it delivered to your email inbox every month, just fill in your email address in the box somewhere up there on the right. If you've reading this in your inbox and would prefer not to receive any more, just use the Mailchimp 'unsubscribe' link at the foot of the email.