Shetland Wool Week

Shetland had its owncelebration of wool 8 - 14October and Kate Davies givesus 'Shetland Wool Week inpictures'.

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Fibre artist and fluffy offer

This month we meet SecretSpinner Jo Gough who spinsbeautifully fine yarn and hasmade some very generousoffers.

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Hand Spinning NewsColour inspiration

The email version of this newsletter may look much better online: hand-spinning-news.com

An upside of the cooler weather and dark evenings is the inspiration that's to be had from the beautiful coloursaround us. By coincidence, more than one story this month is about finding colour inspiration for yarn.

Once again you've been busy making yarn and finished items and it's been apleasure to choose this month's selection.

Thanks to Leigh for this photo of her Copper bird sweater (right). Detailsbelow.

Also this month a lovely interview a very generous giveaway and a selectionof free patterns to keep you toasty warm.

So if you're in any need of inspiration, read on for this month's selection ofspinning stories and smiles.

Top Stories

Contents

News and articles from around the webShetland Wool Week in pictures, Colour inspiration gallery, On board the Yarn Train, What a pill,Movember at Ashford, Introducing the Sample It loomFrom the blogosphereFrankenstein & Vampire Suicide, Autumn in Italy, The problem with spinning a sweater's worth of yarn,Spinning through the hurricane, Almost Winter shawl, Warped and twisted, Prize winning crochet solarsystem, Handspun Sunset Selbuvotter, Thirteenth century spindle whorl, Delicate spindle, Making repairs,Woven photographs, Take a rest, Handspun Rockefeller, Handspun Mukluk Slippers,GalleryShowing off some of the best images I've found this monthFeatured fibre artist and offerOver the last few months we've been meeting independent dyers and in a new series of features I'd like tospeak to spinners who are selling their own handspun. This month we meet Secret Spinner Jo Gough.Free patternsA selection of free patterns which will work well with handspun yarnCourses and tuitionWhere to go for a day, weekend or a week to learn or improve your skillsOur fibre....

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News and articles from around the web

Shetland Wool Week in pictures

The Campaign for Wool's Wool Week followed the last HSN, 15 - 21 October 2012.Shetland had its own celebration the week before, 8th - 14th and Kate Davies givesus Shetland Wool Week in pictures, over three blog posts.

http://katedaviesdesigns.com/2012/10/16/shetland-wool-week-in-pictures-part-1/

http://katedaviesdesigns.com/2012/10/21/shetland-wool-week-in-pictures-part-2/

http://katedaviesdesigns.com/2012/10/21/shetland-wool-week-in-pictures-part-3/

Yarnmaker magazine issue 12

The new issue (number 12) of Yarnmaker magazine, the UK magazine for handspinners, is available now.

It's a lovely issue and contains the usual mix of equipment, techniques and tutorials,sheep breeds, history, patterns, news and events:

Guanaco Wool of Patagonia, Argentina and the Mapuche People's Spinning and Weavings, BlendingFibres on a Drum Carder, Soay Sheep and Soay Fair Isle, The Making of the Mobius, Why Twist andWhy Ply Anything? Painting with Yarns: Let's Make a Tapestry, Hand-dyed Matching Self-Striping Socksand much more.

http://handspinner.co.uk/yarnmaker_magazine.html

Colour inspiration gallery

I've only just discovered this lovely page.

Woolwench says it's one of her favourite pages and she's adding new imagesregularly.

http://www.woolwench.com/inspiration-gallery/inspiration-gallery/

On board the Yarn Train

It's been great to see British wool featuring in the commercial yarn ranges and I'msure that we have to thank the Campaign for Wool's Wool Week, which has just hadits third year.

One of the 'flag'ship events of wool week was the making of a union flag usingRowan's British Sheep Breed yarns during a return train journey from London ToEdinburgh.

The lower link is an article from The Knitter in which Juliet Bernard writes about the experience whichshe obviously enjoyed immensely!

I'm also linking to Devonfinefibres' personal perspective of the same event and more lovely photos ofwell-co-ordinated sewing-up.

https://devonfinefibres.wordpress.com/2012/10/20/wool-train/

http://m.theknitter.co.uk/blog/juliet-boards-the-yarn-train-for-the-knitting-adventure-of-a-lifetime

What a pill

Glenna of Knitting to Stay Sane says "pilling is a sign that the knitwear is doing itsjob - being worn"

Here she writes about the problem with examples and explains what can be done todelay it and to remove the fuzz when it does happen.

http://crazyknittinglady.wordpress.com/2012/11/01/what-a-pill/

Movember at Ashford

I'm sure everyone is by now aware that men are raising money for men's charitiesthis month by growing 'taches.

I was pleased to hear about some extra fuzz at Ashford UK (Frank Herring andSons) this month.

Here's team cap'n David Herring sporting his new facial adornment. Follow the link to see his crew'sprogress and join me in supporting their efforts.

Me, I'll be waxing my top lip as usual.

http://uk.movember.com/team/512181

Introducing the Sample It loom

Ashford's new 'SampleIt' loom is inexpensive, compact and cute but is a fully-functional rigid heddle loom.

It features their new clicker pawls, solid sustainable New Zealand Silver beechframe, it's light (just over 1kg) and there is a range of reeds available.

I have some on order, expected in a week or so (my price, below RRP, £95 + p&p) get in touch if you'dlike to pre-order.

http://www.ashford.co.nz/news2012/SampleITLoom.pdf

Spinning author rebuilding her studio after fire

You may have read about the fire which devastated spinning author JudithMacKenzie's studio, leaving her to rebuild from scratch. In late news RichardAshford has kindly donated an Ashford Traditional to help Judith get back on herfeet, and today I've read that her publishers Interweave have decided to donate10% of the proceeds of a special DVD bundle to her studio fund.

The bundle contains contains her titles Three Bags Full (How to select, prepare and spin a great fleece)and Popular Wheel Mechanics.If you were thinking about buying a DVD, then buying this bundle will give direct help to Judith too.

http://nls.interweave.com/track?t=v&enid=ZWFzPTEm...

discuss any of this

From the blogosphere

Frankenstein & Vampire Suicide

So difficult to choose one picture from this Halloween post from Monika of SmokinHot Needles, I wanted to use them all.

What colour do you imagine 'Vampire Suicide' or 'Frankenstein'? Both fibres arefrom from FatCatKnits and look amazing. In this post Monika shows us the dyedfibre, the spun skeins and two really nice finished items.

http://yarnloopie.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/frankenstein-vampire-suicide.html

Autumn in Italy

If you enjoyed Woolwench's colour inspiration, here is more.

What caught my eye in this post is the 'table' style wheel which is being restored. Itreminded me of the similar wheel featured last month which famously probablydidn't belong to Jane Austen.

But there's a lovely surprise waiting for you if you scroll down the page.

Deborah writes about a recent weekend of spinning workshops in Italy. She says that the Playing withcolour workshop is very popular and it's clear why.

Using a selection of photographs as inspiration, participants used dyed colours and natural shades toproduce rolags and yarn - the results are all stunning.

http://perfectweatherforspinningandknitting.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/italia-in-autunno-parte-2.html

The problem with spinning a sweater's worth of yarn

Jillian of the Knitty blog has enough yarn to spin and knit a jumper but there are twodifferent kinds, different fibres and slightly different colourways. But they look greattogether.

How best to combine them? Here she tries several different ways and knitsswatches so that we can see how each turns out.

http://knittyblog.com/2012/10/spinning-tuesdays-the-problem-with-spinning-a-sweaters-worth-of-yarn/

Spinning through the Hurricane

One of the most memorable events of 2012 will be Hurricane Sandy and in thiscaptivating post, Sara describes how she got through it with the help of her wheel.

She had to spend the weekend at her workplace on call, and to help with thenerves, took her wheel with her.

Pictures of her temporary accommodation and details of her "comfort spinning"!

Thanks Sara and I hope all's well.

http://ayearatthewheel.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/spinning-through-hurricane.html

Almost Winter shawl

Meanwhile on this more calm side of the pond...

I do look forward to carolhodgson's finished handspun projects, she finishes somany and they're always beautiful.

This one is topical, named 'Almost Autumn'. Carol says that she has knit the pattern

before, but wanted to knit it again with a stocking stitch body.

She's used handspun teal-coloured tussah silk, with crystal beads, which look like tiny ice crystals. Doclick through and view the photos, you'll be glad that you did.

http://www.ravelry.com/projects/carolhodgson/almost-autumn-2

Warped and twisted

weekend knitter tried a little weaving with her handspun using a piece of cardboard.Her original post, in which she also shows of some lovely handspun is here.

Unfortunately the cardboard loom and the yarn on it seem to have met a messy endat the hands of a young daughter but our blogger seems to have enjoyed theweaving so much that she's invested in a small loom.

In this post she explains the parts and the process. If you've not woven with your handspun it's a niceintroduction to a rigid heddle loom.

http://weekendknitter.wordpress.com/2012/11/07/warped-and-twisted/

Prize Winning Crochet Solar System

Lucy 'In the sky' is quite rightly "over the moon" about the prize she's won for hercrocheted solar system.

She's used handspun throughout and has won a prize in her guild's competition. Itcertainly is a fantastic pattern and she says that it got a few laughs too.

Congratulations to Lucy and thanks too for the photographs of the other entries; many and variousdelightful ideas on the solar system theme.

http://inthesky1.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/prize-winning-crochet-solar-system-pics.html

Handspun Sunset Selbuvotter

Pat of Pat's Knitting and Quilting catches my eye with her finished projects and thisone is no exception.

She's made this pair of Selbuvotter mittens from a braid of dyed Falkland wool thatshe won during this year's Tour de Fleece.

It's always interesting to see how people choose to deal with a multicoloured braid of fibre. Here pat hasdivided the braid into light and dark tones and spun them into two skeins.

Click through for photos of the beautiful braid of fibre, her skeins of handspun and more pictures of themittens.

http://www.patsknittingandquilting.com/2012/november/handspunselbuvotter.html

Thirteenth century spindle whorl

This is a lead whorl from the 13th century. The beautiful supported spindle wasmade by kerryhill's husband and the whorl is helping to spin yarn again for the firsttime in several hundred years.

http://sheepyspinning.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/success-for-those-of-you-trying-to.html

Delicate spindle

In the same blog post, kerryhill also mentions the delicate top-whorl spindes that herhusband has been making. (She recommends marrying someone with a lathe!)

I've been spinning some very fine singles for a current project, and she has verykindly sent me one to try. It was certainly better for the job than the much heavierspindle that I had been using. The shaft is very fine, which allows you to get itspinning very fast with the 'down the thigh' method.

Click the thumbnail to see a larger picture of mine. kerryhill and her husband (real names Liz and Mike)have made more - get in touch with them through the blog if you'd like one.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151315947768628&set=a.112710423627.123050.672868627&type=1&theater

Making repairs

This rather horrifying picture shows some holes that have been eaten from a woolgarment by moths.

woolandchocolate was understandably upset, but set about repairing the holes. Forthe smaller ones she went over the stitches using duplicate stitch. For the largerhole, she cut a neater edge and then used her own darning method. She links to hertutorial - the result looks more like it's knitted than the more 'woven' look of traditional darning.

It'll work for holes worn in socks as well as moth-holes.

Have you had similar problems and do you have a favourite repair? Feel free to discuss on the HSNRavelry group.

http://woolandchocolate.com/2012/10/24/making-repairs/

Woven photographs

I've been intrigued by these 'woven photographs' by Elseline of Musings in theMoment.

She gives details of the technique in a blog post from earlier this year.

In the same post, you'll see that Elseline and her friend Tina each bought a samplerpack of British sheep breeds from HilltopCloud and have been doing their own spin-a-long, one breedper week and will knit the Sheep Heid hat by Kate Davies. I'm enjoying watching their progress.

http://momentmusing.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/beth-smiths-ringwood-spinning-class-and.html

Take a rest

Thanks to SandAndSkyCreations for another tip.

The resting she's referring to isn't literally putting your feet up, although if you dothat every so often, your eyes and body will thank you.

No, here she means resting your singles and discusses the benefit.

http://sandandskycreations.com/blog/2012/10/18/tips-and-tricks-thursday-take-a-rest/

Handspun Rockefeller

SandandSkyCreations also shows us a finished project this month.

She says that while working on this beautiful shawl she "learned a lot ... and got toput other (neglected) skills into practice"

The yarn is polwarth spun as a 3 ply fingering weight paired with some blackmerino. The shawl involved modular knitting and Japanese short-rows.

http://sandandskycreations.com/blog/2012/10/19/fo-friday-handspun-rockefeller/

Handspun Mukluk Slippers

Looking very cosy for Autumn, earthchick has made these Mukluk slippers using herhandspun.

She says that they were super-quick and were "by far the simplest, fastest, andmost straightforward to make"

The pattern isn't free but it's here in case you're tempted.

http://earthchicknits.wordpress.com/2012/10/12/knitted-handspun-mukluk-slippers/

Bathroom curtains

Once again I'm sneaking in one of my own blog posts. I've been through a littlephase of finishing projects, which fits in well with this year's New Year resolution tofinish more projects than I start.

This is my bathroom looking nicer than it ever has with its new pair of curtains.

I wove the fabric from merino wool / silk singles, spun by hand spindle. This gives a lovely golden colour,and is quite translucent too, giving the room a warm glow.

Warp is commercial cottolin, woven on a 4-shaft 32" loom. Pattern is a herringbone twill - follow the linksfor lots more photos including my draft.

http://stitchywitches.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/bathroom-curtains-finished.html

discuss any of this

GallerySometimes 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 or if you'd like to tellme more, please let me know and I'll pass on the extra information in the next HSN)

Koi Pond 'No Fuss Shade Loving Shawl'

Irieknit has spun The Painted Tiger's fibre and knit this No Fuss Shade LovingShawl.

The blues and orange really do remind me of a koi pond, and I love thetransparency. It looks as if the edge has been added afterwards.

The pattern is free on Ravelry

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thepaintedtiger/8182727041/in/photostream

Handspun slouchy tam

Recently added to Flickr by Knitbug.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/20146744@N06/8170569528/

Handspun merino & mulberry

I have no information about this yarn or how it's spun. Is it corespun using a slubbyyarn as the core? Or corespun using a consistent yarn as the core, with the bulgesallowed to build up?

Perhaps I'm analysing too much, it's lovely and I can't begin to imagine what it couldbe made into.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31628665@N06/8169619715/in/photostream

Copper bird sweater

Leigh does have a blog and I'm hoping that she will write some details about thiscardi.

All I can pass on is that it's knit using silk road handspun. It's beautiful work and abeautiful photo.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingyogini/8164044650/in/set-72157629017022655/

Wurm at sunset

This hat is a lovely pattern made in lovely colours, recognisable as Southern CrossFibre.

Chriss tells us that she has used Romney singles for the pattern's knit and purlridges.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/96818350@N00/8161212431/in/photostream/

Tic-tac-toe muffler

or noughts and crosses as we know it here.

Heavenwardi's work features some lovely ideas. I love the way that the 'game'crosses over both ends of the scarf. It looks beautifully spun and woven from naturalcoloured Merino x Romney wool.

The playing pieces look like felt and in other versions of this scarf she's sewn them together to make aclasp.

Do explore her other photographs for other beautiful pieces.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27666253@N07/8156037476/in/photostream

discuss any of this

Fibre artist and fluffy offerIn this new feature I'm speaking to spinners who are selling their own handspun. Imet Jo Gough at Fibre East earlier in the year and was impressed with her veryfine handspun. She showed me a gorgeous shawl that she had spun and knit.Read the lovely story of the shawl on her blog here and for more details the publicRavelry project is here. Read on for my interview with Jo.

(Photo credit: www.zoephotography.co.uk)

Briefly describe yourself and what you do

I'm a fibre nut living with my fiancé in a village just outside Cambridge, butI'm originally from Greater Manchester. I live in a house filled with fluff andcomputer parts that has been described as looking as though a multi-coloured sheep bomb has exploded in it. My yarn is artisan created, unique,practical, beautiful and filled with love and positive energy. You get yarn thatis purposeful and gives you a hug at the same time. I listen to the fibre as ittells me what it wants to be - it tells me its secrets and I spin them into being.I work my spinning into my spiritual practice, so all of my yarn is spun withmindful kindness and is produced in a safe and energetically positive space. I also knit and crochetand more recently I've begun felting, hand embroidery, and I'm busy making shawl pins and otheraccessories using my jewellery making skills. There is also a rumour about a loom... did I mention I'ma fibre nut?

How long have you been spinning / dyeing and what got you started?

I've been spinning since October 2010, but I've been dreaming about it for much longer. I finallyplucked up the courage to go to a local spinning group and they got me started right away. Within aweek I was producing not too lumpy yarn on a drop spindle. I got the bug in a major way and byDecember that year I had a wheel and fluff, and a great big smile on my face. Since then I've beenhoning my skills at producing fine, even singles that I ply into lace or light fingering weight yarn. I lovethat there is always something new to discover and learn, and I'm always exploring new techniquesand ideas. I'd be lost without the decades of knowledge held in the hands of that local group though -I'm mainly a kinaesthetic learner, and sometimes watching YouTube just isn't enough for me, I'drather just get stuck in and have a go.

You mentioned to me that you've had some great feedback about your handspun yarn - what do people likeabout it?

In the main it's how smooth and even it is. I love that I can create strong and squishy two and three-ply yarns, that finish up between lace and fingering weight, which can be used to create one-offpieces of yarn art from patterns not specifically designed for handspun yarn. I am also told that it feelsspecial and magical, which makes it a joy to work with - I'm always so pleased to hear this as itmeans I'm achieving what I set out to when I started Secret Spinner, creating yarn that is filled withlove, kindness and a little magic.I think that people like that they can use the smaller unique skeins that I make in larger projects nextto other yarn, bringing an element of individuality to what would otherwise be a regular mill-spunpiece, without having to worry about changing needles or adapting patterns. I'm eagerly awaitingphotographs of a Multnomah shawl that is being edged with a short skein of my handspun. Peoplealso appreciate the time and energy that has been poured into creating the yarn and tend to feel thatit is a special addition to their stash and wardrobe.

What or who inspires you?

So many things inspire me; it's hard to pick just one or two. I love the journey - the evolution anddiscovery that happens in my hands from fibre to finished piece. I'm listening to the whispers of theuniverse and creating yarn that lives to be beautiful and inspiring for yarn lovers to manifest theirdreams with. My friends at Spindependence are a constant inspiration, which is one of the reasonswe started in the first place - to share skills face to face and to inspire both those within the group andpeople new to fibre and art in general to create and have fun with fibre and pass on traditional skills. Ilove colour and texture and spinning is the perfect playground to explore in.I also get inspired by books, movies and real-life folk, and try to capture their personalities in colourand texture. I'm currently involved in collaboration with author Debora Geary. I'm creating yarn basedon her A Modern Witch series of books, and she's giving away the skeins I create on the Ravelrygroup for her fans. Once the giveaway is finished the skeins will go on general sale and I'll be takingcustom requests for larger amounts. I'm really enjoying capturing elements of her fictional world inyarn form - it's so much fun!

What aspect of your work do you enjoy most?

Watching the way the fibre changes and blends as it winds onto the bobbin and the yarn begins itsjourney. I love watching the bobbin fill up, it's so magical to see the pile of fluff at my side become

something with bags of potential to be something beautiful, it never stops making me smile. My otherjoy is seeing and hearing about where the journey goes, after the yarn has left my creative nest andgone off into the wild. I'm always so grateful when people share their projects with me, giving me abrief peek into their creative world. I also love that through the work I do with Spindependence I amgiven so many opportunities to share my skills. We run a monthly gathering in Cambridge calledCreating Space, where people can bring their projects to work on with other like-minded folk or pitchup and have a go at something new. We also run workshops at Homerton College for their Art andDesign PGCE students, and are facilitating spinning courses at the White House Arts centre in thenew year. Flexible and fun, creative and supportive skill sharing - what's not to love? !

What type of yarn do you enjoy spinning the most?

As you might have guessed I like all spinning, but I really enjoy making strong lace weight from indiedyed fibre. It takes a long time and usually I can get about 1800m of singles from 100g of fibre so theplying takes a while, but the finished yarn is gorgeous and there is enough to make a special shawl orscarf out of that will stand the tests of time - wearable art that honours not only my skills as a spinner,but those of the dyer as well.

Where can we view your work?

At the moment it's just on the Secret Spinner website and Etsy shop. I've been at Fibre East with myyarns, letting people know what I'm up to more than as a trader, as I understand that my larger skeinsare more of a special investment than an impulse purchase. A lot of my work comes from customcommissions, and as they become special pieces I try to share them on the blog. TheSpindependence fibre artists are hoping to exhibit at Cambridge Open Studios next year too.

Is there anything else you'd like to tell folk?

Don't be frightened to have a go. The only stupid questions are the ones you don't ask. Breathe deep.Smile. Create. Have fun and be free.

Many thanks to Jo for the lovely words, and for a very generous offer. She would liketo offer HSN readers a discount in her Etsy shop and *and* hold a prize draw for askein of her yarn.

For the prize draw, Jo would like to give a skein approx. 150m of fingering weight-ishyarn; a mix of blue, purple, green, silk and sparkles that she has christenedTempest.

To enter, 'Like' her Secret Spinner Facebook page and mention that you read about the draw in HandSpinning News. So as not to exclude people not on Facebook, if you prefer, please email Jo atjo@secretspinner.com and again mention that you read about the draw here.

Jo will pick a winner by random number on December 1st. That means that the lucky winner will havetheir yarn by Christmas.

If you can't wait to find out whether you've won, you can use the Code: HANDUK2012 athttp://www.etsy.com/shop/secretspinner, for 10% off any yarn or accessory, valid for one month from thedate of publication.

discuss any of this

Free patternsA selection of free seasonal patterns which will work well with handspun yarn.

Lace Ribbon Scarf

This lovely pattern from Knitty has been suggested by Tara of Blonde ChickenBoutique. She says that it's a very pretty, lacey scarf and I agree that it'll look greatmade with handspun.

http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring08/PATTlaceribbon.html

Bronte's Mitts

Fingerless mitts / wristwarmers seem to be very popular at the moment.

When the extremities need keeping warm, but you also need to be able to use youriPod, write or play the piano, then fingerless patterns are ideal.

For the femenine touch, how about Bronte's Mitts? Designer Diane Mulholland says"Choose your favourite luxury yarn and make a splash next time you're out on the town"

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/brontes-mitts

Lucky 7 Hat

To keep the head warm, a cabled hat.

This is my own rendition of Weezalana's Lucky 7 Hat. I enjoyed using found wool(moulted wool picked up from a field), carding, dyeing and spinning it. Despite beingmy first cabled project, it seemed to knit itself very quickly. (my blog post about theproject)

Weezalana has made the pattern available at the link below, along with two other free patterns. I alsolove the cabled mitts, which look as if they'd make a perfect accompaniment with this hat if made in thesame yarn.

http://knittywhipped.blogspot.co.uk/2008/01/free-patterns-one-and-all.html

Leftie

Do you, like me, cling onto those leftover ends of handspun yarn because they'reprecious, but never manage to use them?

Thanks to goldiespinner who suggested this pattern via the HSN Ravelry group.She's currently making Leftie and says that it's "perfect for using up leftoveroddments of colour. You can also make it whatever size you like, according to howmuch yarn you have, i.e. from a necktie up to a full blown shawl."

I've bent the rules a little bit (they are my rules), because you have to buy this pattern but the price inEuros works out at less than £3. You should be able to access the page and pattern without a Ravelryaccount.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/leftie

discuss any of this

Courses and tuitionPlease 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 BreedSurvival Trust. She teaches spinning, basic weaving, is a hand dyer and gives talks and demonstrations.Find out more at www.hawthornfibres.co.ukDerbyshire: Alison Daykin offers week and weekend courses and also has a less formal 'Monday nightgroup': spinningandweaving.weebly.comDumfries and Galloway: Sue Macniven offers Residential Courses or one to one workshops in Twynholmor at your own venue http://www.handspun-exotics.co.uk/workavail.htmlHampshire: Spinning and wool workshops at The Old Dairy, Westover Farm, Nr Andover. Wool - qualities,uses and preparation 14 October. Hand spinning for beginners 21 October. For more details go towww.urbancottage.co.uk/courses or call Nichola 07905167922Hampshire: Spinning workshops at fibre craft studio Beaker Button, the Fairground Craft and Designcentre, Weyhill. free spinning taster sessions through November For more details contact 07738 534164 orhttp://www.beakerbutton.co.ukLancashire: Spinning workshops at Knit-Wise. All materials included for £40, contact Cathy (lazykate) on01695 580590 www.knit-wise.co.uk for dates.Lancashire: Carol and Pete Leonard run a regular monthly workshop for hand and wheel spinners wherestudents can either follow the 'topic of the month' or work on their own project guided by Carol and Pete.They also run a residential weekend each year. These are held at Alston Hall, a conference and adulteducation centre based in the Ribble Valley close to the M6 motorway. For further information please ring01772 784661 or visit their website www.alstonhall.comManchester:Spinning courses with Dee Sayce. also sewing, felt making, weaving, dyeing, batik and silkpainting (external link to beetlefelt) http://www.beetlefelt.co.uk/workshop_spinning.htmlNorthamptonshire: Long Draw Spinning Tuition with Pam Austins, Spinning School. Pam is on a mission toteach longdraw. Most classes are held in Stoke Albany.http://www.spinningschool.blogspot.co.uk/p/calendar.html (external link to Spinning School's calendar)Nottinghamshire: Spinning courses with Juliet Hill www.handspinning.org.uk/index.html (external link toJuliet Hill Handspinning)Norfolk: Single-day spinning courseswww.norfolkyarn.co.uk/Homepage/News/tabid/77/Default.aspx(external link to Norfolk Yarn website)Scotland - Perthshire (and Italy): workshops on spinning (beginners or more advanced), fibre preparationand blending, felting, dyeing and knitting. See the Workshops tab onhttp://www.perfectweatherforspinningandknitting.blogspot.com/ for updated details of forthcomingworkshops by Deborah Gray e-mail deborah.gray7@btinternet.comSheffield: Tuition and Demonstrations by Diane Fisher, the Murmuring Wheelhttp://www.murmuringwheel.co.uk/events.html (external link to Diane Fisher's calendar)Sussex: Weald and Downland Museum in Singleton sometimes has courses on spinninghttp://www.wealddown.co.uk/Traditional-Rural-Trades-and-Crafts/Textiles/ (external link to Weald andDownland Museum's calendar)Yorkshire: Spinning courses with Ruth Gough, various workshops for individuals or groups, at Wentworthor your venue http://www.winghamwoolwork.co.uk/content/15-courses (external link to Wingham WoolWork)South Lincs: Single-day one-to-one spinning courses with all equipment supplied.http://www.alpacathingz.co.uk/(external link to AlpacaThingz website)

discuss any of this

The Spinners' PrayerTo close this month's issue, let's bow our heads and say together the spinners' prayer.

If you'd like to stitch it, please go ahead, but I don't have a pattern - I've just used a ratherclever cross-stitch typeface.

Happy spinning and don't be a stranger!

Shiela, Editor / Curator

shiela@hand-spinning-news.com

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