News from HandSpinner.co.uk
The most recent news is on the home page.
The old 'newsletter' has a new name! I spend lots of time searching the web for spinning news, reviews, blogs, siliness and giveaways so that you don't have to. Receive it as a free monthly email. Read the most recent Hand Spinning News
Older news is below.
How-to: felted piggy-ears
Go on, admit it, you're as curious about knitting for felting as I am but share my apprehension about trying it...
This tutorial will reassure you and take you through the quite simple steps with no special equipment. A fun project!
Free Table Runner Patterns from Weaving Today
Table runners are popular projects among weavers; rectanglular and not necessarily needing complicated finishing. They also afford the opportunity to try new techniques and yarns
This free eBook gives you 4 patterns which look great and include techniques such as log cabin and Waffle weave on a rigid-heddle loom.
You just need to give your email address if you haven't already signed up with Weaving Today.
Blogpick - Bunnysilk Cashmerino
Soft, warm and well-wearing, this yarn made by knottygnome mixes tussah silk, english angora and superwash merino/cashmere/nylon.
Instead of blending the fibres, she has tightly plied three different singles, and then dyed the result herself.
For lots more detail, Read more at http://knottygnome.blogspot.com/2011/10/bunnysilk-cashmerino.html
How To Build an Inkle Loom
An inkle loom is a small, narrow loom for weaving trim, bands and straps.
This 'how-to' from Craftzine explains to the handier among us (or those with handy people nearby) can make one of these looms for a claimed 30 dollars (about 20 pounds)
Read more at http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2011/09/how_to_build_an_inkle_loom.html
Masham Sheep Fair - 24 & 25 September 2011
If you're within reach, the popular Masham Sheep Fair commemorates the historic Masham sheep market and at the same time raises a lot of money for charity and fills the town with sheepy fun and entertainment.
The long programme of events is on the website and includes spinning & weaving competition and demonstrations, sheep racing, sheepdog demonstrations and if all of that makes you thirsty, Trips around Theakston's & Black Sheep Breweries.
With thanks to dizzysue for letting me know about it.
Blockpick: Recreation of historic challenge
In 1811, the time of the Luddites, mill owner John Coxeter boasted about his new machinery and was challenged to make a wool coat from fleece between sunrise and sunset for a wager of 1000 guineas. He won the bet and the event provided entertainment for 5,000 people in Newbury, ending in a meal of roast lamb.
More recently, the Kennet Valley Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers recreated the event for charity, completing their replica coat in 15 hours 44 minutes, a couple of hours longer than the original challenge, and not quite beating their previous record-breaking attempt at this challenge in 1991.
Blogpick: Worm alert
This beautiful creature is a silk moth, one of a number that we have known since they were eggs thanks to goldilox of Dyeing to Spin, who's not afraid to get her hands dirty with natural dye or in this case breeding her own silk.
Fascinating fact: silkworms have become dependent on us - if put on a mulberry tree they wouldn't survive because they don't have the ability to find the next leaf. They need to be cultivated in boxes and fed fresh leaves.
We've been able to follow the moths' progress, almost day by day since they hatched. Here is just one of the posts; use the links in her sidebar to read through the full story.
Moths
Fleece directory
I have decided to stop buying and supplying raw fleece myself, instead I'll provide a directory to put sheep and alpaca owners in touch with spinners which will be free for listing and browsing.
The directory is now live at http://handspinner.co.uk/fleece-for-spinning.html and has contact details for a sheep owner with 25 Whitefaced Woodland fleeces going in return for postage plus a donation to his chosen charity.
If you have alpaca or sheep fleece and would like an entry in the directory, please contact me
I do still have plenty of zwartbles fleece which I'm selling washed or unwashed.
Yarnmaker, issue 6 (July / August 2011)
Yarnmaker magazine is a UK-based magazine for spinners. Each issue is packed with articles on all aspects of spinning such as wheels, spindles and other equipment, art yarn, dyeing, sheep breeding, patterns, as well as letters, directories of guilds and businesses, news and events.
The current issue (number 6) includes: 200th Anniversary celebration - the Newbury Coat, Boreray; A Spinner's View, Gandhi - Spinning's Greatest Spokesman, The Magic of Cochineal and much more.
I stock Yarnmaker for the cover price of £4.90 with free postage.
Washed fleece
I have some lovely fleeces which I'm washing and selling by the 200g.
Shetland is very fine and crimpy. I have some fleeces in various shades from these girls. Light, dark, and one a beautiful mixture.
Zwartbles is as black as can be, a good crimp along its length and good staple length. The fleeces I have are mostly first-year, plus I have another from the same young ram as last year - now two years old.
Fibre East going 'Great Guns'
The first Fibre East, to be held on 23 & 24 July 2011 at Thurleigh, Bedfordshire, looks like being a success, with over 50 exhibitors booked in. Attractions include a stuffing station for 2012 Olympics cushions, a 'back to back' challenge, a sheep shearing show, exhibitors covering fleece to fabric; buying a fleece and having it processsed, weaving and dyeing, handspun and hand dyed yarns. A spinning wheel surgery, displays by guilds and unusual looms and fibre-craft equipment.
Fibre-East has its own Ravelry group: http://www.ravelry.com/groups/fibre-east-2011 and Twitter stream: http://twitter.com/FibreEast
5 fashion-forward fibres
Did you know that stinging nettle fibre is stronger than cotton and finer than linen fibre? Or that pineapple fibre is lightweight and soft, ivory coloured and naturally glossy?
This fascinating article lists several eco-friendly fibres recently used by fashion brands.
Blogpick: Calais shawl made from spindle spun singles
Sue of Knit Nottingham has made this beautiful shawl from spindle-spun and dyed-in-the-cop singles.
The fibre was oddments reclaimed from demos and lessons over the last few months.
This post shows the dyeing process step-by-step.
Sue says, "I love the way the colours and the fibres change from white Merino round the neck area through to Falkland and finally Shetland for the bind off."
New extra wide drum carder
It gives me pleasure to bring you news of a new 30cm / 12 ins wide drum carder. It has the same 72dpi carding cloth and two speeds as the standard drum carder, but the wider drum makes for faster production; making a massive 100g (3.5 oz) batt. It comes with packer brush and cleaning brush included.
Now in stock.
Yarnmaker, issue 5 (May 2011)
Issue five (May 2011) of Yarnmaker is now out and in stock here after an unexpected delay, and once again it's as packed as ever with articles, reviews, history, contacts and events.
I stock Yarnmaker for the cover price of £4.90 with free postage.
Drop Spindle Spinning
If you're a knitter or just curious about spinning, then this free eBook is for you!
It contains excerpts from well-established books from Lee Raven, Maggie Casey, Amy Clarke Moore and others. You can learn how to make a spindle for yourself and spin & ply your first yarn!
The free download requires you to give your email address to SpinningDaily, but their regular emails are often interesting and worthwhile.
Glow in the dark spindle
It seems that you can improvise a spindle from almost anything, but this is genius. The glow-in-the-dark spindle was made by Guzzisue of Travel Fibre and Thread and Spinnotts
She says "silly people gave a glow stick to a spinner on saturday night".
What's the most creative improvised spindle you've seen?
Creating Colors: Project Spectrum 2011
Project Spectrum is an opportunity to celebrate or study a different colour or colour group every month. Focussing on 'back to basics', this year Lolly kicks off the project with the colour Red for the month of May and will follow with the 'additive' primaries, the basics of coloured light rather than pigment. Those being red, green, blue, then magenta, cyan and white/grey.
Check out the project's Flickr group for loads and loads of inspiration. You can post pictures of dyed fibre, yarn or finished projects.
There are also Facebook and Ravelry groups for chat and more information.
Project Spectrum Flickr photo pool
Project Spectrum Facebook group
Ravelry group
Hancarding and english longdraw with longdrawjames
Woollen yarn is soft, bouncy and airy, and is spun by spinning longdraw from a rolag.
The difference between worsted and woollen, and the relevant preparation / drafting techniques are something that can take time for new spinners to get to grips with. longdrawjames has made this absorbing video in which he explains and demonstrates carding, making a rolag and longdraw spinning.
Ray Cannon's Needle Felted Art
Ray Cannon has been needle felting for a year but quickly started to create very lifelike creatures.
This is one of the most detailed pieces of needle felting I've seen, and such a clever idea to include those disturbingly realistic eyes.
Ray recently displayed his work and demonstrated his skills at Cast Away yarn store.
Read more. (With thanks to Craftzine for sharing.)
I have recently added some clover needle felting punches and mats to my range of Needle felting tools, kits and books
Blogpick: Anne's Knitting Takes a Spin!
How would you describe the difference between knitting with handspun and commercial yarn?
In this fascinating blog post, Ann Budd takes a course and returns to spinning and feels like a fish returned to water and is now 'obsessed'. (These socks are hers, made from her own handspun.) See how she describes the difference between handspun and commercial yarn.
Blogpick: Spring Cleaning... Fleece!
it's shearing time - but is free an excellent price for a fleece? It may or may not be!
In this post, knitsnthings shares lots of pictures of fleece in various stages; raw (from very dirty to reasonably clean) washed, combed and spun.
New extra wide drum carder
It gives me pleasure to bring you news of a new 30cm / 12 ins wide drum carder. It has the same 72dpi carding cloth and two speeds as the standard drum carder, but the wider drum makes for faster production; making a massive 100g (3.5 oz) batt. It comes with packer brush and cleaning brush included.
It is expected in the country during August or September. My price will be £418 (RRP £460) If you would like to pre-order with a deposit, please contact me.
Blogpick:French General's Woad Workshop
This diary of a natural dyeing workshop from Jenny Ryan contains a lovely selection of photos of the plant, the pigment and the dyed fabric.
Forum to help shape new wool web directory
Join CCANWs Wool Forum on Wednesday 11 May to help shape a new initiative to connect SW wool producers with users.
The web-based Wool Directory will be a free database and resource which will connect SW wool producers with wool users - spinners, weavers, dyers, knitters etc. who will be advertised to one another as other users outside the region.
You will be able to share your views on what the website might contain whilst networking with others at CCANWs Twilight Forum: Wool Culture, held at its Project Space in Haldon Forest Park nr. Exeter on Wedesday 11 May 6-9pm with designer Claire Crompton and her 'Give Fleece a Chance' project.
Admission is only £5/£4 conc. and includes a buffet. Please book in advance by contacting 01392 832277 or info@ccanw.co.uk.
Blogpick:
I have friends who like to sew as well as knit, but as far as I can remember I've not seen the two crafts combined in this way before.
I'm sorry to say that I didn't take French at school, but I gather from a slightly-unreliable online translation tool that the wool panel is knit from handspun yarn.
Read more about this pillow/bag made by owl_mania and shared by Knithacker.
Dyed in the wool
After a serious spate of thefts, Dartmoor sheep farmer John Heard has tackled the problem by dyeing his flock of 250 blackface ewes orange.
He hasn't lost a single one this year. Who's going to be the first to contact him for a pre-dyed fleece?
Finding what you're looking for
Don't know where to start? Or maybe you've used this site before but are wondering what else you've missed. This site now has 150 pages and counting. They're all available via the menus near the top of this page, but to help you find what you're looking for I've made some new ways to find your way around.
The sitemap page now has a graphic 'wheel of fortune' and a tag cloud, with the most searched-for things big and bold.
The good old search box and directory are still there. Scroll down to find those.
Blogpick:Extreme spinning
Yes, that's a photo of someone using a Little Gem, that's the Antarctic and those are curious penguins looking on. This is one of the most amazing blogs I've seen. Our blogger, Marion, is on a trek to Antarctica with her portable spinning wheel.
Explore the website for lots of fascinating and extrelely cold adventures.
Blogpick: Natural dyeing with birch
Leena has achieved some beautiful yellows with leaves from birch trees. The green leaves dye yarn yellow, and the bark makes pinks.
Note that you can scroll down past the icelandic for an English translation.
Blogpick: Progression of a shawl
For the fifth day of Knitting and Crochet Blog Week, Christine of Needle in my Vein has posted this beautiful collection of photos showing the progression of a gorgeous shawl from fibre to finished.
Blogpick: Handspun Cushion Completed
It's always good to see a finished project. This cabled cushion started as fleece and we've seen Sue carding and spinning the yarn. She will show it at a Guild exhibition in May.
Spinster's Corner : Batts
What do you do with that rolled-up rectangle of fluffy goodness that you buy online? This article at The Ennea Collective explores the options. It's worth exploring The Ennea Collective too - the online mag contains some great articles.
Shearers turned away from the UK?
This week sheep shearing has been included in a list of unskilled jobs to be limited from the UK. In this blog post, Shearer's Girl sets out a rational and convincing case against this move.
Silkworms spin coloured silk
In Singapore, scientists have produced coloured silk straight from the worm by lacing their mulberry leaves with flourescent dye.
The simple process could be a green alternative to conventional dyeing which uses vast amounts of water and dyes.
A full range of reproducable and consistent colours could be on the market within a few years.
Selvedge magazine, March/April 2011 issue (number 39)
Selvedge magazine is a special and collectable magazine, covering interior design and contemorary textile art.
A globalisation/localisation issue which compares the recent technological revolution with the industrial revolution and studies the opportunities that the web offers to textile makers.
Read more about Selvedge magazine and preview this issue.
I also have Selvedge backnumbers 33, 34, 35, 36, 37 and 38 in stock
Blogpick: Lambing at Patchwork Farm
The 'aaaaaahhh' pictures of lambing have started appearing. These beautiful photos of Jacob ewes lambing are from Patchwork Farm.
Blogpick: Interview: Tricia Hunt of Spinning Wheel Studio
In this long but absorbing post, kewpiedoll99 of Baba's Fiber Dyeing Workshop interviews Tricia Hunt of Spinning Wheel Studio. We learn about the dyes and techniques that she uses, wht motivates and inspires her, we see her studio and find out what she finds satisfying and irritating.
Blogpick: What I've noticed about marling
Marling is the barber-pole effect you can achieve with high-contrast fibres, which gives a 'flecked' effect when knitted.
In this post, Knitty's Jillian says that she's not keen on the effect, but experiments with marling different weights of yarn and reports the results
Postage stamp made from handspun cloth
In order to attract the interest the Internet generation in postage stamps, India post is selling a novel stamp - its first one made from a material other than paper.
It has gone for Khadi, or handspun / woven cloth. The stamp features Mahatma Gandhi (pictured) and a charkha. Gandhi advocated the use of the handspun cloth.
The stamp has turned out to be the most sought-after at the World Philatelic Exhibition when it opened on 12 Feb.
Weaving bowls from metal wire
These bowls and bangles are as fascinating as the stories behind them. Gold, silver, copper, brass and shakudo wire are being woven in African communities into beautiful and useful artefacts, using techniques which connect with the past.
This exhibition is in South Africa but the web page contains images and some absorbing videos.
I've seen metal wire used for knitted jewellery but has anyone seen or tried weaving with it?
Blogpick:Spinning with bits of Bactrian Camel!
This is a fascinating post in which Sara blends some camel, silk and dyed polworth and along the way discusses spinning and weaving with camel fibre and how to deal with clingy fibre!
Selvedge Magazine
Selvedge magazine is a special and collectable magazine, covering interior design and contemorary textile art.
The Jan/Feb 2011 issue (number 38) is now available and has a real focus on our furry, feathery and scaly friends.
Of particular interest to spinners and weavers are the articles about Cashmere's journey from mongolian goats to our garments, a visit to the studio of weaver Eleanor Pritchard, the history of the Gansey, illustrated by a Selvedge competition winner, silk cultivation in Korea and knitting for your dog.
Other articles look at the use of feathers in textiles, braided finery for the ships of the desert, taxidermy and animals used in fine art, eiderdown, the art of Peter Clark and Toni Meneguzzo
I also have Selvedge backnumbers 34, 35, 36 and 37 in stock
Facebook
delicious
stumbleupon
relaunch of British spinning firm
Thanks to both devonfinefibres and willingtonweaver for highlighting this great news story about Laxtons Specialist Spinners who have relaunched and are spinning British wool here in Britain and supplying consumers in the UK and around the world.
Once a mainstay of our economy, the textile trade has long been in decline, but now there are signs of a revival, no doubt given a boost by the recent Wool Week.
Story with video from the BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12149481
Have you made any new year resolutions?
It's the start of a new year and Sarah Read of crochetme.com shares her five spinning- and crochet-related resolutions.
What would yours be?
Price increase
The annual price increase from Ashford should have taken effect in November but has been held back so that dealers could implement the new 20% vat rate at the same time.
The new prices that I'm in the process of putting into place include vat at the new rate. I am registered, so if you are a business you may be able to claim back 20% of the purchase price.
For larger items, postage is included too.
Cashmere in snow
The snow was inconvenient for many but it looked beautiful. The cashmere goats in this blog post loved it and these photographs are absolutely beautiful.
Sculpture with thread
Textile artist Gabriel Dawe has made some wonderful work, but these thread-sculptures are amazing. From a distance they look etherial, like a coloured mist.
Gabriel started to work on this scale after becoming frustrated with the constraints of his graphic design course. Plexus no 4 took over 100 hours to install and used 50 miles of thread.
Advent Calendar for the Hand Spinner
I can hardly believe that it's the countdown to Christmas once again. Last year's advent calendar went down so well, I'm going to do it once again. I'll make a special offer to my Twitter followers and newsletter subscribers every day between now and Christmas. (There's nothing stopping anyone from joining in at any time by subscribing to the newsletter or starting to follow on Twitter.)
Herdwicks at nature reserve
Earlier this year I reported that the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust are using several breeds of sheep to help manage their grassland.
I've just found out that Coombe Bissett Down nature reserve, near Salisbury, has also chosen to install a native hardy breed to help with its grassland restoration.
The very hardy Herdwick breed can cope with difficult terrain, poor quality grazing and harsh weather conditions.
Earlier this year, the Trust reported a bumper lambing season with more twins born than would be expected.
Their fleece, according to In Sheep's Clothing, is very coarse and kempy and better suited for carpets than garments, but can be used for effect because of the variation in colour - the lambs start coloured but turn lighter with age.
Selvedge Magazine
Selvedge magazine is a special and collectable magazine, covering interior design and contemorary textile art.
The new Christmas issue encourages us to think about alternatives to the commercial side of Christmas with a focus on handmade gifts, decorations and wrapping.
Articles include Christmas attire through history, circus, panto and puppetry and textiles in Christmas decoration.
As usual, this issue is packed with information, inspiration, gift ideas and events with a special guide to the Selvedge Christmas Fair.
Blogpick:spinning Alaskan Malamut fur
This is a wonderful post in which Jobo Designs finishes a beautiful hat, mitt and cowl set from Malamut dog fur, blended with merino for a soft yarn with a gentle halo.
She gives detail about her carding and spinning methods as well as swatching and choosing designs.
Best quality Chinese fine dehaired yak wool
Now in stock, a luxury exotic fibre. Very soft and warm.
Needle-felted Hubble space telescope
I love space. I'm not far from the National Space Centre and I had a season ticket for a while.
So this needle-felted Hubble space telescope caught my eye and I love it. The little astronauts are so cute. It was made by former space shuttle technician Jen Scheer, so I expect it's pretty accurate, although she does print a disclaimer about scale and accuracy.
The little guys are busy fixing a handrail, which did really happen, so it's factually accurate too.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/60274659/needle-felted-hubble-servicing-mission-4
Designer Bag made from...?
Bet you didn't guess VCR tape.
RecycleCindy gives full instructions on how to crochet this bag. There's also a link to another page showing you how to take the tape from an old vieocassette and turn it into yarn.
Alternatively you can use yarn made from plastic bags or bulky yarn.
http://www.myrecycledbags.com/2010/05/01/vcr-tape-designer-bag/
Blogpick: Can you make a handspun hat in an hour?
I've been reading about the Spin Off Annual Retreat (SOAR). A week-long event featuring workshops, spinners' market, gallery, fashion show, spin-ins.
Batts to hats was a fun event for the final night. the challenge was to spin and make a hat within an hour. Seven out of eight teams finished their hats in the allotted time.
Are you or do you know Charlotte, Beverly or Mary of The Brits Team? I'd love to know more about the trip and the competition.
The world's only hair-weaving artist?
Using simple tools, a magnifying glass and hair from his own family, Zhang Dexuan weaves these incredible tiny but realistic portraits.
I'll remember this next time my warping up seems fiddly or I'm making a hash of a simple twill.
Blogpick: Corespun yarn
I like this very pretty yarn corespun by Sara of knotmydayjob. She describes how she made it and links to askthebellweather if you want more of a tutorial.
The Bowmonts' Journey to Savile Row
I've reported the wool promotion event in Savile Row starting 11 Oct, and in this fascinating post, devonfinefibres describes the logistics of getting their flock to London.
Blogpick: Octopus knits
After participating in events including the Tour de Fleece earlier this year, Octopus Knits had accumulated about a dozen skeins of yarn to post on her blog, and this mega-post shows them all off in all their delicious glory. Such a variation too, there's bound to be something there that you love.
Inside out and vice versa
How fine can you spin? A single fibre? Well, no of course not because you'd have to tie them end to end, wouldn't you?
That's just what artist Helen Pynor has done. Human organs are normally heavy and sloppy, but Helen has achieved exactly the opposite by knitting her etherial sculptures from single-thickness hair.
Parts of the body usually considered ugly are made from a part of the body which is considered beautiful.
She casts on and knits in the usual way using 3.5mm to 9mm needles. She became used to the fragility of the thread and was eventually able to knit without breaking it too often.
Read the full article in the autumn issue of Twist Collective.
KnittySpin 'deep fall' 2010
Issue number 33 of Knitty, a free online magazine, along with its sister, KnittySpin, are now available.
As well as the usual collection of articles, there are some free patterns for handspun yarn, including the gorgeous 'Indigenous' shown right.
Spinning Mill to receive boost from Heritage Fund
27 Sept 2010
The world's first successful water-powered spinning mill is to receive £2 million for conservation work from the The Heritage Lottery Fund.
The mill was built in 1771 by Sir Richard Arkwright. the money will enable extensive repairs and conversion of the grade I listed "Building 17". The building's upper floors are to be repaired and new staff will be employed to lead activity programmes for schools, visitors and volunteers.
Cromford Mill has restaurants, shops, exhibitions and a varied programme of events.
Savile Row Field Day
I'm a country mouse, and so the idea of turfing over a London street and moving in some Exmoor horn and Bowmont sheep really does appeal to me! The event takes place for a week starting 11 October and is organised by the Campaign for Wool.
The aim is to promote wool and tell Londoners about how wool is produced and made into the luxury cloth used by the tailors working in the adjacent shops. For my money it's as much a reminder of the soil beneath the urban concrete and tarmac.
Worldwide Spin in Public Day
Worldwide Spin in Public Day 2010 was on Saturday, September 18th, 2010. Did you get out and spin? If you have photos, you can not only add them to our own Knitting and Spinning in public photo pool on Flickr, but also the The official WWSIP Flickr photo pool
Food and natural dyes
Have you been curious about natural dyeing? In this lovely series of blog posts that will inspire you and make you hungry at the same time, Helen of My Heart Exposed Yarns links the methods and inspiration for her natural dyeing to her cooking, with tasty photos, tips and secrets.
Hand made on Fair Isle
The recent threat to drop knitting from the curriculum on the Sheltand Islands has had a side-effect of attracting the media's attention onto the traditional crafts of spinning and knitting and brought into the open the question of whether the island should move to more indstrial techniques and increase production.
I've enjoyed this article on The Business of Fashion. While similar jumpers are mass-produced in China, those labeled "Made in Fair Isle" take over 100 hours to spin and knit and sell for over £600. Despite the high price tag for the genuine article, demand is outstripping supply.
Read the article
First edition of Yarnmaker magazine
The first issue of a UK printed magazine for hand spinners is about to be sent out. You can now subscribe via the magazine's site and she will post the magazine to readers in most parts of the world.
The range of content looks wide and rich.
Dorothy Lumb is the editor and publisher. You may know her from Dot's Fibre to Fabric.
Express yourself
At Cafepress you can find gifts for yourself or others featuring custom designs.
Fancy a tee-shirt, tote bag or mug that tells the world 'I'd rather be spinning', 'Eat. Sleep. Spin', 'What's on your wheel?'
Fair Isle Knitting
Moira Hickey marches across sodden fields on Fair Isle to look at the importance of knitting to the islanders at a time when knitting is about to be dropped from the curriculum. Besides meeting the sheep and discussing the traditional techniques, she asks about the viability of a 'fair trade' product handmade from fleece to jumper, and whether hand knitting should be kept alive as a tradition on the island or be developed to encourage tourism.
Broadcast on Thursday 5th August 2010 and available on the iPlayer
Knitting on a plane
It's holiday time, but can you knit on the plane...?
There is much debate about this subject wherever you are in the world including here in the UK.
The answer seems to be yes or no, depending on your airport. I've done some research for you:
Making a call on the hoof
I can't really see the link between sheep and telephones, (maybe the switch to optical fibre for communications...) so they strike me as a little bit surreal. But these captivating sheep are beautifully-made.
They're made from old telephones and cords, and so maybe they highlight the green aspect of real wool. Make up your own mind.
Thank you to Joanna Kenny for this one.
Selvedge Magazine
Selvedge magazine is a special and collectable magazine, covering interior design and contemorary textile art.
Be one of the first to read the Summer 2010 issue (number 35) from me for £10
Blogpick: A rug on her loom
I'm impressed with the scale and practicality of this project. Needing a carpet for the upstairs hall, Yarnspider thought "Why buy new carpet when we could have something more personal and cosy instead?"
It looks beautiful so far and I'm looking forward to seeing the finished item.
Damselfly Traditional Spinning Wheel
Ashford Traditional with blue / green damselflies flitting around the wheel as you spin.
July Newsletter
Spinning news and new products, articles, great offers and some silliness. Read the new July newsletter
Extreme Knitting, 1000 Strand Knit
This video shows Rachel John breaking records by knitting with 1000 strands simultaneously on a pair of giant needles. The work of art took place at a Textiles exhibition in 2006. It's designed to make us think about waste and finding / making yarn, and as with much art, taking things out of context. I love it for these reasons, and most of all because I love it when things are taken to extreme.
The spinning connection here is a little bit tentative, but there all the same. Inspired by a spinner who collected and used scraps of fibre, the 'sweepings' from this project will be used in a future work on the theme of finding and making yarn.
Blogpick: Coils and Flowers by moonlightbaker
Making the blogoshpere rich with handspun is the Ravelry Tour de Fleece.
This gorgeous and beautifully coilspun art yarn is by moonlightbaker. You'll be glad that you followed this link for a close-up photo of this and more beautiful handspun on Flickr.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/moonlightbaker/3712374296/in/photostream/
Raw washed fleece
Natural washed fleece ready to card or spin from the locks.
If you enjoy working from the raw fleece but hate that scouring and drying malarkey, then this is for you.
Washing instructions for handspun wool
I recently designed a 'washing instructions' label for a handspun gift. I've shared the label here as text / image for you to copy and paste or in word format for you to download.
Ashford Katie 8-Shaft Folding Loom
It gives me pleasure to pass on news of a fully functional folding 8-shaft table loom.
It combines the portability of the knitter's loom with the functionality of the table loom. It comes lacquered and assembled.
Read more / buy the new Katie 8-Shaft Folding Loom and accessories.
Facebook
delicious
stumbleupon
13 Months of Inspiration
The 2011 Spin-Off calendar is now available. Many of the festival dates and public holidays will be American, but they've also included historical titbits such as St Drogo's Day, the patron saint of shepherds.
It features not just 12 but 13 months-worth of handspun skeins and swatches along with stitch patterns to brighten up your kitchen and provide inspiration.
Meet the Panda family, needle felted wool toys
These very cute pandas are part of an amazing range of felted wool toys made by woolroommate. She is inspired by nature - birds, animals, flowers... and by fairytales.
More photos of the panda family and woolroommates felted toys are here on Flickr.
Angora super grade top
Amazingly soft and fluffy fibre for spinning. Spin on its own or blend with other fibres.
Fitting a flexi (stretchy) drive band
An upgrade for the standard string drive band is a flexi-drive band; sometimes called poly-cord or stretchy drive band. More grip allows you to use less tension and makes for easier treadling. This article guides you through fitting one with some do's and don'ts
Counting yarn yardage
My usual advice for counting yards is a free and accurate method involving counting the winds around your skeiner or niddy noddy and some simple maths
After a conversation with Gigi about counting yards, she suggested this excellent blog post, in which Joyuna checks out a number of ideas and finds a very cheap and effective solution which removes the need for counting or maths!
Selvedge Magazine
Selvedge magazine is a special and collectable magazine, covering interior design and contemorary textile art.
I now stock the magazine. You can buy the Spring 2010 issue (34) from me for £10 post free.
Blogpick - Dyeing to be Purple
Spinstar has taken the plunge (not literally, although the dog nearly did) into the world of dyeing, and the result really is beautiful and inspiring.
She did some research, used some experimentation and trial and error and shares her experiences, step-by-step instructions and top tips.
The North Circular is looking for hand spinners
The North Circular is an ethical knitwear brand entirely produced in the UK.
They are looking for someone or a group of people who can spin around 50 kilos of wenseydale wool asap. It needs to be quite thick (DK or aran weight). The wool has been scoured, it just needs to be spun to to the correct thickness.
Needed by middle of june or earlier if possible. If you are interested, please email alice@thenorthcircular.com letting her know how much you would charge and how long you think it would take you.
Blogpick - From fluff to tiny bag
I've been watching eskimimi's blog since she learned to spin less than a week ago. Check out the cute hand-painted sheep on the spindle she was given.
In this post she has found a perfect pattern to use up some of the small quantities of handspun yarn that she's made. Her spinning is sooo neat, as is her knitting; the colours work out beautifully and this little bag looks a treat!
Read the original post.
Felted bowls - free pattern round-up
A great idea, quick to knit from left-overs and highly functional. Rebecca of Chemknits has done the leg-work of finding a long list of free patterns for us.
Spin to Knit - the Knitter's guide to making yarn - by Shannon Okey
This is another excellent 'getting started' book, this time aimed at experienced knitters who'd like to knit with their own handspun. Half of the book teaches you to spin and the other half is packed with imaginitive knitting patterns designed with handspun in mind. They're well-chosen to make you want to get your hands on the fibre and get started!
Handspinner newsletter for May
I've mailed out the handspinner newsletter for May, with the usual round-up of spinning news, reviews, giveaways and offers, blog picks and some siliness.
If you're not on the list, don't dispair, you can read it using the link below. If you'd like to subscribe and receive future newsletters by email, just fill in the box at the bottom of the newsletter.
Do we agree that knitting is a 'dying art'?
The traditional art of Shetland knitting and Fair Isle sweaters is under threat in its original home.
Shetland's name is synonymous with Fair Isle and lace knitting and at the moment every pupil on the islands is taught to knit throughout their primary education, giving them a grounding in basic techniques and Fair Isle patterns.
The decision to save £130,000 on the grounds that hand knitting is "unfortunately a dying art" could "wipe out an entire generation of knitters".
Facebook
delicious
stumbleupon
twitter
Rebellion neckwarmer breaks the rules
Helen has named this made this beautiful ruffle neckwarmer Rebellion, because it breaks all the rules. She has made it from her own handspun art yarn, knit into two-stitch and three-stitch icord using an icord loom home-made from household items.
She describes the response she's had to this post as "overwhelming" and it's no surprise; the finished object is gorgeous and she has gone to so much trouble to give us step-by-step instructions on how you can make one too.
Spinning wheel and drum carder hire
You can now hire a spinning wheel or drum carder from me at a reasonable rate. I will then be happy to deduct any money you pay from the cost of a brand new one if you decide to buy. Drum carder hire You can Spinning wheel hire
British magazine for handspinners
Dorothy Lumb, who you may know from Dot's Fibre to Fabric, has announced Yarnmaker, a much-needed British printed magazine for handspinners.
The magazine will be arriving in the Summer and Dorothy is currently seeking articles, patterns & projects, group and events, suppliers and teachers. You will soon be able to subscribe via the magazine's site and she will post the magazine to readers in most parts of the world. Read more
Blogpick: Yarn Art
Southern Cross Fibre has written a short but thought-provoking piece about yarn standing as art in its own right and has rounded up some wonderful pieces by his favourite spinners. Read this blog post.
Tiffany Wild Rose Traveller Spinning Wheel
I was inspired by our native wild rose, or 'dogrose', and by Tiffany's Dogwood Tiffany lamp. I always thought that the American 'dogwood' and our dogrose were one and the same. On Tiffany's Dogwood lamp, the flowers look remarkably like our wild rose. But apparently they're unrelated. My spinning wheel design is based on this lamp, but I've adapted the design slightly so that it more closely resembles our wild rose.
Sheep to catwalk at Pringle
Scottish firm Pringle's horribly funny 'behind the scenes' video quite rightly insists on calling a sweater a jumper! The narrator takes us on a journey from rain-soaked sheep and goats through to the catwalk, pausing to pick off the wee beasties on the way.
Handspinner newsletter for April
I've mailed out the handspinner newsletter for April, with the usual round-up of spinning news, reviews, giveaways and offers, blog picks and some siliness. If you're not on the list, don't dispair, you can read it using the link below. If you'd like to subscribe and receive future newsletters by email, just fill in the box down there on the left.
Blogpick: Inspired by roses
If you like chunky and arty yarn adorned with 'extras', you'll love these. Farmwitch has been creating some beautiful rose-themed yarns using rose petals or yarn or ribbon to create and incorporate roses within her yarns. Read this blog post.
Blogpick: Cashmere combing and testing
Lesley of devonfibres gives us an insight into the laborious job of combing out the soft undercoat from a cashmere goat and the strict definistion of true cashmere fibre. The goat apparently loves being combed because the fibre gets uncomfortable for them as it loosens at this time of the year. Read this blog post. Lesley has also written a more in-depth article about cashmere fibre and the combing process here.
I am now stocking cashmere fibre for spinning.
Blogpick:
Guzzisue has been learning to weave at her guild, and rememberd some Spear's Games looms in her cupboard. Here she starts to experiment with weaving her handspun.
Ashford Katie 8-Shaft Folding Loom
It gives me pleasure to pass on advance news of a fully functional folding 8-shaft table loom.
It combines the portability of the knitter's loom with the functionality of the table loom.
Blogpick: handspun shawl
This is a beautiful shawl; I love the pattern and the colour. Marlana used Merino / silk / gold sparkle batts in 'moss agate'. She says that it spun like a dream, was soft and fluffy and easy to draft. This helped her to get a very consistent laceweight.
Spin-Off Spring 2010 is out
My copy of the Spring Spin-Off arrived yesterday. It features a number of useful and practical articles; Maggie Casey writes about maintaining your wheel, Judith Mackenzie writes about hand dyeing and spinning beautiful plump and silky singles. There's a definite 'neckwear' theme to the free patterns. The publishers have made the gallery of neckwarmer patterns, ideal for your handspun, available for free on their site. As usual with these things, all you need to do is sign up for a free account. You'll also have access to an online community, blogs and articles.
New products - handmade cards
These cards feature a textured sheep and are blank for your own message. Perfect for your friends or for the spinner / knitter in your life.
Blogpick: heckling
Have you used / seen a hackle? It looks like a long, fixed English comb. Here Marlana uses hers to blend some soy silk and sparkle fiber with superwash wool to make this beautiful fibre:
All about Vegetable Fibers
Do you know your cotton from your linen and your jute from your sisal? In this article appearing on knittingdaily.com, Shirley Paden shares some fascinating information about vegetable fibers.
Mastercrafts - 5 - Weaving
Presented by Monty Don, three hopefuls who are passionate about learning crafts are put through their paces by the country's leading practitioners.
This episode available on the iPlayer until: 9:59pm Friday 26 March 2010.
Yarn Forward promotion
I was delighted to hear that Yarn Forward magazine rate handspinner.co.uk and are featuring it in their next issue, out now. I thought it would be good to introduce some of their knitting readers to spinning, and so have decided to offer the Spin-it starter kit (spindle, book, fibre) at a special price for readers. If you do take the magazine and would like to take advantage of this offer, use the link below and enter the promotional code in the box.
Adopt a sheep
An orignal gift or perhaps the next best thing to keeping your own. Derbyshire Wildlife Trust keep Hebridean, Herdwick and mule sheep which play a vital role in the management of their nature reserves. They graze the coarser vegetation of the smaller grassland reserves, allowing a wide variety of finer grasses and wildflowers to flourish.
Blogpick: A Week Of Fiber Carding
Rebekah at MaidenYarn.com has been caring for a friend's drum carder for a week and decided to keep it busy. These pictures of the countless batts she produced are truly inspirational.
Handspinner newsletter for March
I've mailed out the handspinner newsletter for March, with the usual round-up of spinning news, reviews, giveaways and offers, blog picks and some siliness.
If you're not on the list, don't dispair, you can read it using the link below. If you'd like to subscribe and receive future newsletters by email, just fill in the box down there on the left.
New book - The Ashford Book of Hand Spinning - Jo Reeve
Jo, the author of the excellent Ashford Book of Carding, has twenty-seven years of spinning experience and will show you how to spin from the beginning through to advanced techniques. Includes five easy projects to use your handspun yarn.
February's giveaway
I've sent out February's newsletter - you can read it here. Read about January's prizewinner, February's giveaway, new items and a collection of spinning-related-stuff from around the web. If you'd like to subscribe to the newsletter and receive this newsletter by email once a month, just type your email address into the box over there on the left.
New item - Wild Carder
The Wild Carder is a smaller, lighter more portable drum carder with longer teeth and a built-in adjustable packer brush to deal with chunkier funkier materials and "added extras" to produce a thicker batt.
Bicycle spinning wheel
This spinning wheel has ball-bearings, sliding hook flyer and ready-to-go out of the box. And it's made from a bicycle wheel!
Alternative, handcrafted, affordable. But US only. If anyone makes 'alternative' wheels in the UK, please let me know!.
BlogPick - She's so britchy
I love this blog post in which patchworkfibres writes about the differences in her Jacobs' fleece and talks about the distribution of the nicest locks, britch wool and kemp .
BlogPick - New bobbins for an antique wheel
Even if an old wheel is in working order, it's often missing its spare bobbins, and in the absence of a standard bobbin size, it's not possible to buy additional ones 'off the shelf'.
Dorothy of Dot's Fibre to Fabric has written a post about her new bobbins for her antique wheel. It's a great post with lots of information and pictures, including a link to woodturner Mike Williams' website.
BlogPick - Shearing the Bowmonts
The Bowmont breed is gaining a reputation among knitters. This blog gives a fascinating insight into life on a Devon farm and in this post devonfinefibres talks about shearing time. With a very cute picture too.
BlogPick - Winter Wonderland Shawl
Monika has spun some beautiful yarn using hand-dyed BFL-Viscose-Bamboo. She "just sat down and knit" this amazing shawl without a pattern. The result is quite stunning.
Back in stock - In Sheep's Clothing by Nola Fournier and Jane Fournier
An A-Z of sheep breeds and the characteristics of their wool. Also expert advice on preparation, blending, carding, combing and plying.
New item - Merino, pastel shades
Merino is very fine and beautifully soft - perfect for felting and spinning. Easy to spin into yarn of any weight. I have added four new 'pastel' colours; honey, ice, lavender and spearmint.
New item - Drum Carder Packer Brush
This brush helps pack the carded fibres into the teeth of the large drum and allows more fibres to be carded and results in a thicker batt. It also helps control fine low crimp fibres.
No holes to drill, it bolts on to Ashford fine and coarse drum carders.
Spinning wheel scrappage scheme
Do you fancy a newer wheel? If yours is working, not working or even a box of bits, let me part-exchange it for a new one. If you don't need it any more, let me pay you cash. Seriously, I'm not looking to scrap anything that can be rescued, restored and found a new home. Contact me for a chat.
Knittyspin winter edition
Knittyspin winter edition is available now. This season's edition of the free online magazine includes four free patterns, an article about spinning 'from the fold' and a round-up of new products.
Christmas post
I'm happy to say that things are back to normal now, ie daily dispatch (excluding Sundays and Bank Hols of course).
Advent Calendar for the Hand Spinner
It's the countdown to Christmas. A friend asked me today whether I have bought an advent calendar. I haven't, but it got me thinking about doing something more interesting.
I've decided to make a special offer to my Twitter followers and newsletter subscribers every day between now and Christmas. (There's nothing stopping anyone from joining in at any time by subscribing to the newsletter or starting to follow me on Twitter.)
Blogpick: Unpretty Yarn?
Knottygnome tried core spinning, didn't enjoy it and isn't fond of the result. I've tried it with disastrous results so am dead impressed - and this looks pretty good to me.
I'm still at 2009 prices
Ashford's new RRP prices came into effect on 1 November. My prices, already discounted, haven't changed yet - but will soon because I'm now buying at the new prices.
Treat Yourself or a Friend to the Spin-Off Calendar
Each month features a large image full of tools, yarn, fibre, objects, texture and colour and a spinning haiku written by Spin-Off readers.
Tiffany painted spinning wheel
One of my other loves is stained glass and particularly Tiffany Lamps. Of the three Tiffany designs I have put onto drop spindles, my favourite is the clematis.
I've painted the design onto an Ashford Traditional.
Knittyspin - fall (autumn) 2009
A great online read. This time featuring articles on long draw, Spinning longwool for lace, processing the fleece of the ancient shetland breed, lots of new books and goodies, patterns for shrug and mittens and much more.
Spinning in public
Still all fired up about Worldwide Spin in Public Day, I've started a Flickr group called Spinning and knitting in public - if you have a Flickr account, just click 'join'. If you aren't on Flickr, it's pretty easy to join. Go on - you know you want to!
Worldwide Spin in Public Day
Worldwide Spin in Public Day is Saturday, September 19th, 2009.
There don't seem to be any locations listed in the UK. I can only assume that we're all too busy thinking about talk like a pirate day instead! It's come to my notice a little bit late to try and organise something, but if you can get out to spin on the 19th, take some pictures - I'll set up a photo group as soon as I can.
Tiffany decorated drop spindles
One of my other loves is stained glass and particularly Tiffany Lamps.
Armed with an Ashford Classic spindle, my copy of 'The Lamps of Tiffany' and some patience, this is the result!
Twist Collective Fall 2009 (read:Autumn 2009!) issue
The autumn issue of Twist Collective is out. It's a special issue as it's their first anniversary!
Among the wealth of patterns there's a definite focus on 'tops and toes' - sweaters, hats and socks, with the forthcoming colder weather in mind.
Articles include 'Swatch it!' - Clara Parkes knits the same cabled swatch in a range of wools made from different breeds and different processes, 'A Round Yoke by Other Means', Pam Allen writes about her new favourite technique for knitting a rounded yoke, 'The Ram is Half the Sweater', the fourth part of an article about farming sheep.
What does a shepherdess wear on her wedding day?
Award-winning sheep breeder Louise Fairburn designed her stunning gown and used wool from her favourite rare Lincoln Longwool. The dress has to be seen to be believed!
New product - Unicorn Power Scour
Unicorn Power Scour is a unique formula designed to deeply clean oily/greasy fibres (like wool and mohair) as well as less greasy fibres (alpaca, cashmere) to get clean and de-grease while protecting the vital fibre cuticle.
- reduces mats and tangles, increasing fibre yield
- eliminates build-up of cleaning agents
- non-yellowing
- cleans at low, energy-saving temperatures
- leaves fibre with a clean, fresh aroma
16oz (473ml) bottle
How many yards of yarn do I have to spin to make that?
Your pattern tells you you need so many ounces of a certain type of yarn, or worse still, doesn't tell you how much yarn you need. How much should you spin?
I've made this handy calculator which will work it out for you. Yarn calculator.
New Video - Kiwi spinning wheel
I've made a new video so that you can see the Kiwi wheel in action. More about the Kiwi spinning wheel.
FAQs
New addition to this website - spinning FAQs. spinning_faq.html.
Soy Silk
Blogpick: a beautiful piece about soy silk.. has anyone tried it? Is anyone inspired to after reading this? http://maidenyarn.wordpress.com/2009/06/01/soysilk-sonnet/.
Spindles new and old
Blogpick: CraftyGryphon has a look at some different types of hand spindle and the history of the craft. http://craftygryphon.blogspot.com/2009/06/yarn-on-thursday-so-how-do-you-get-yarn.html.
Twist Collective - Summer 09 issue
An online magazine featuring articles and patterns. This new Summer 09 issue includes a fascinating visit to a wool mill in words and pictures. Twist Collective current issue.
New Video
I've made a new video so that you can watch Ashford's drum carder in action. More about drum carder.
Hand Spinning News
The old 'newsletter' has a new name!
Subscribe
Receive it as a free monthly email.
Fibre
Wool, exotic and luxury fibre for spinning, dyeing, felting:
Getting started
Magazines and cards
Why not add one or two to your order?
Hand Spinning News
The old 'newsletter' has a new name!
Subscribe
Receive it as a free monthly email.
