Scribd
Upload
532 views61 pages

Yarn 2008-12

Uploaded by

Yulia Mikhailovna
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF or read online on Scribd
532 views61 pages

Yarn 2008-12

Uploaded by

Yulia Mikhailovna
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF or read online on Scribd
  • Editors' Notes: Introduces the magazine issue, providing insights into its creation and editorial highlights.
  • Letters: Presents letters and feedback from readers about past issues and knitting experiences.
  • Reviews: Offers reviews of knitting books, patterns, and products, highlighting recent releases.
  • What to knit with Handspun?: Discusses using handspun yarn for various knitting projects, providing creative inspiration.
  • Take You For A Spin: Explores the concept of spinning fiber in public, including personal anecdotes and insights.
  • The Knitting Nerd: Addresses common questions from knitters, offering solutions and knitting tutorials.
  • From Broady to the Bronx: Highlights the creative journey of sculptor Ruth Marshall, from conception to realization.
  • Proverbial Knitting: Uses proverbs to reflect on knitting dilemmas and solutions with humor and wisdom.
  • No such thing as a Disaster!: Encourages knitters to embrace mistakes and learn from knitting setbacks creatively.
  • Did we measure up?: Reflects on community knitting projects, particularly those with a social dimension.
  • Miss Rachel’s Cable Cap: Provides a knitting pattern for creating a cable cap, complete with instructions and visuals.
  • Crocheted Pi Shawl: Offers a pattern for crocheting a Pi Shawl with detailed steps and tips.
  • The Thick & Thin of Christmas Stockings: Details knitting patterns for Christmas stockings, from basic designs to elaborate styles.
  • More Surface Works: Explores advanced techniques for adding surface embellishments to textile works.
  • Pandora’s Box: Presents a knitting pattern for creating decorative boxes with whimsical details.
  • She Wears Seashells: Includes a pattern for creating seashell-inspired clothing with accessible instruction.
  • Sweet Leaves Camisole: Provides a camisole pattern featured with lace leaf details for experienced knitters.
  • Triangular Christmas Bowl: Presents a pattern for a Christmas-themed bowl with unique shaping instructions.
  • All Wrapped Up: Details a layered knit wrap project designed for versatile wear.
soe inside 4, _WIN a +10 8 ee — Birch haberdashery ora oe arene EZ: fabric Comb, i Quick i {and Easy! Removing Fuzz Balls and Pilling is effortless with the win pack refill available) Lint Roller and Lint CODE O12229 Lint Roller Refill = Fam pack CODEC GL, 25 Boiccn Bye INT ROLLE 1 unt rout Fre S Be aie P Care & Repo" fi | Lint Shaver peo Cove oz a Late See 3) Birch Haberdashery & Craft +104 Dougharty Road Heidelberg West 2081 Austr El enon eta csa cer CCutcamemar ect & good idea begins with a good yarn YARD Issue 12/December 2008 Co-editors and publishers cs Consulting editors Rose Long, Wendy Knight, Jennie Pakula, Liz Haywood, Sarah Golder Photography Photagraphy by Amanda Keeys vww.amandakeeysphotography.com excluding pages 6, 8-10, 12-17, 21, 49 and vhere otherwise noted Contributors i or write to YARN Magazine | sere Features PO Box 238, Lennox Head NSW 2478 What to knit with Handspun Amelia Garripoli . .8 7 +61 2.6687 4002 } | From Broady to the Bronx (Interview with Ruth Marshall) All contents © YARN Magazine 2008. The Sarah Durrant ... 15 purchaser of this magazine may make a single copy No such thing asa Disaster! Rita Power ..... 20 of any pattern contained within for personal use only, Please do not give copies to your friends. Did we measure up? Debbie Ellis.......... 21 i to talk about reproductions, including Contact us to talk about reproductions, including More Surface Works Jenny Dowde......... 31 intended sale of items made from patterns within this magazine. If you have any questions about obtaining permissions or about this policy, please contact us at the address above. { “Oh, please. Ever since she discovered that damned Barbara Walker, there’s no talking to her.” sare Patterns Miss Rachel's Cable Cap Jennie Pakula... Crochet Pi Shawl Sarah Golder......... Sally Dress Sarah Golder The Thick & Thin of Christmas Stockings (Dancer, Prancer & Blitzen) Liz Haywood... KT Vaughan She Wears Seashells Melissa Deutsch Scott Sweet leaves Camisole Pandora’s Box KT Vaughan ........... Patrizia Steadman. . Triangular Christmas Bowl Jenny King... . . All Wrapped Up Michelle Moriarty... .... Jennie Pakula Royal Melbourne Show Angela McGregor Hope Winning Entry Angela McGregor ....... a0 Cast off YARN Market Stitch Guide . . Acknowledgements Thank you to Kylie, Leasa, Alyssa and Kelly for being our models, and to Amanda for her photography. Thank you to our contributors and columnists, one of whom will be leaving us shortly to start her family. YARN @ is a registered trademark of Yarn | Magazine, Lennox Head, New South Wales. Issue No 12 yarn from It Itches by Franklin Habit 36 “eer al aie wi Sie | , PPE Le Last month I attended my first Knitters Guild meeting of the Inner City Branch in Sydney which meets in the Humanist Society Hall in one of the more diverse areas of Sydney and our meeting was just getting underway when 4) Merry Ohristonas (< we were confronted with a lady in a lovely crocheted shawl asking for morning tea. For Frei all at the Yarn Team editors’ notes the girls! a few minutes we thought she was coming to join us but as we discovered that her interest lay completely with the cups and saucers she could see over our shoulders in the next room, we realised that she was really just one of the “colourful” characters of the city. (Whoever gave the hand crocheted shaw]to the op shop - please be assured that it is now well used.) The meeting then got underway and we had a great time with show and tell and swapping problems and solutions. I would certainly encourage everyone to join a group. There is something very satisfactory about knitting with friends and getting inspired by Elizabeth Watts ‘ other people’s projects and having someone “ooh” and “ahh” over yours. You can find details of a group near you at the back of the magazine or start one of your own. Lots of us knit all year round so don’t wait for winter to arrive. Of course knitting and Christmas go together like socks and yarn so we have some Christmassy things to knit in this issue as well as interesting articles. For the cat lover we have a fascinating article by Sarah Durrant on the knitted sculpture of Ruth Marshall, which will really intrigue you. Maybe you will want to immortalise your own moggy. Our regular contributors are in top form...the knitting nerd begins a series of articles on how to end up with as few ends as possible. Enjoy this issue of your Yarn Magazine. — Rose eee Firstly a huge Thank You to the enormous response we had to the Aviation Security Template. I have been assured by the Powers-That-Be that submissions will be tabled in December, and that the Office of Transport Security will get back to me when they have more to tell. Hopefully we can knit/crochet on planes again before next Christmas. Alot has been happening on the charity front lately, as can be seen on page 21 and on our YARN blog http://www. yarnmagazine.com.au/blog. If you would like to join a group, Knit 4 Charities run by Pamela on 0429 021 099 is well organised, and has a charity of the month. | know my Mum really enjoyed knitting for the penguins, but perhaps we could all donate one project to the humans? Imagine what a difference we could collectively make. It has been an absolute pleasure putting this edition together, meeting contributors, advertisers and readers. We plan to meet many more of you and look forward to sharing your stories, techniques and misadventures (like the lady that did not make it into the Letters to the Editor column, but made us laugh none-the-less, as we visualised her knitting needle flying across the floor of the bus, out the door, never to be seen again). Your stories are what make YARN so special to us. Looking forward to more sharing and caring, creating and learning, and YARN projects. — Michelle EeEeEEEEEEEEEEEEEEeEeEeEeEeEeEeSeSeSeSeSeSeeses Congratulations to Vicki Randell, Deep Bay, Tasmania for picking me re the very cute baby. Vicki said “My guess would be Kylie — purely based on it being a favourite name for the early 70's! Scary thought is | probably saw that issue on the newsagent stands!. Thanks Vicki we had quite a big response. Here is another lovely email I received “Twas going to guess Kylie and for the same reason, but what I really wanted to tell you is that | still have that pattern insert from 1974! Cheers, Susan’: Thank you to all who entered. I featured in several other pattern booklets as a baby and know it has come full circle. 1 am enjoying modelling for Yarn and now my beautiful daughter is modelling a stunning little dress on page 26, but she has the lovely hair, not like her mother's hair which has grey in it now and you will see from page 44 I still have my cowlick! boo hoo!! — Kylie EE Well I've been a busy girl since the last edition of YARN. Just check out the crochet Shawl page 25 (that I did the test crochet on) and you will understand. Brisbane had a wonderful craft show, with lots of wonderful people and YARNS. J even managed to slip in a lesson with Prudence. So now I have a new stitch to perfect all summer long. — Elizabeth 2 yarn Issue No 12 Go the Gum Nuts Snap went my knitting needle (in the Queensland outback) and I thought my holiday knitting was over. I inadvertently sat on it, and the plastic needle was broken in several places. I was making a chunky homespun jumper, and enjoying the knitting opportunities while camping and travelling. I had high hopes of finding new needles in Charleville, but there was little to be had in 2002. Perhaps things have improved since? Aware of my disappointment, my wonderful husband headed for the hardware store and bought a length of 6mm dowel and some sandpaper. That night he used his Swiss Army knife to cut it to length and whittle a point before sanding it smooth. We found a perfect push-fit gumnut for the end, and I was jubilantly knitting again. I find Yarn magazine very exciting, and got on the net to subscribe. Many of the patterns are beyond me, but I read it cover to cover, and get great pleasure from the articles, ideas, reviews and photographs. Thank you for this wonderful magazine. Glenda Smith Trevallyn, NSW —— Aviation Review Template I think I could cause more damage with the underwire from my ample bra and the elastic out of a pair of knickers than a pair of knitting needles. The pins on many of my brooches are longer than a sewing needle. The prospect of a flight to the UK without a knitting fix almost incites me to air rage. Barbara dArbon [ed’s note: Thank you to the hundreds of people that requested and sent this template, to request that knitting be allowed on Aussie flights.] re Knitting Tip I am an avid knitter and have been knitting since | was 8 years old. Coming from a non-English speaking background, it took me a while to work out patterns. After searching, I finally came across your issue 11 in our local newsagent, bought it and could not put it down till I read it front to back... What a lovely magazine, lots of patterns with clear instructions, that I understand and can follow, lots of information..just a delight to read it... I subscribed instantly and ordered all the back issues available. | have a knitting tip to share (although I am sure many knitters already do the same). | always cast on with double strand, then first row | drop one, It gives a stronger, more lasting edge to my work. Even the bulky yarns look good with a bit stiffer edging. It also allows less stretching in the sleeves. This is after I've read Janet Bell's tip on crocheting in issue 11. Keep up the fantastic work... Ecaterina from Greystanes ee Crochet Tip In response to your article, | confess to being an avid hooker! I do not use commercial patterns for any clothing crochet as I find 99% are too tight, compressed and therefore not fluid and pleasant to touch. | like to use much larger hooks than recommended for the yarn, then create a fabric with minimum holes by choosing appropriate stitches from my library of crochet books. For casting on, I avoid base chains whenever possible and cast on stitches as I go. It believe that the base chain isa major weak point in wearability. It can often cause a garment to pull in and “bubble”. Having talked to a number of crafters, most of them see crochet as ideal for homewares, not clothing. They seem very unwilling to use larger hooks to gain fluidity and avoid the “rug” look of normal crochet. | hope you can generate some real interest in the craft of crochet, other than for just homewares and lacey-look wraps. Kerry M Stokes Alfredton, Vic Thanks a Steeking Lot Thankyou for the latest edition, arrived yesterday, and was immediately read through cover to cover. Itis an excellent read. My issue of Interweave arrived a couple of days before, enjoyed reading that as well, but would class yours as more entertaining and informative. Best explanation of steeking I have read. I love knitting in the round, but have never been brave enough to try before. Now | just might. Vicki Randell Deep Bay, Tasmania ——————— letters She’s Hooked So glad to see some Hooking action on the YARN pages! My Mum tried to teach me to knit when I was little, but it was too stressful (for both of us), what with all that overtight tension and dropped stitches business. Then I learnt to Crochet in the craft explosion of the early 70s. “Life” intervened until the early 90s when I rediscovered the hooking pleasure. Though I've had the odd hiatus since then, I can‘t imagine that I'll stop again. Not with the size of my yarn stash and the amount of books I've bought. I'm hanging out for my own space where I can get lost amongst my yarn and patterns and ideas. But what I really really need is to slow down Time once more. Any clues? Richenda Bridge, Maleny, Qid HOHE, Conqratulati One ! RD Congratulations Glenda, as the author of the winning letter (and also the proud owner of a gum nut needle) the 5 pack of Amaizing Corn Fibre Yarn (donated by www. ecoyarns.com.au) are yours to keep, as are the Harmony straight needles reviewed in Issue 11 (donated by wwwoprestigeyarns. com.au). Being a subscriber you also get the bonus Book Pack. Sort of like an early Christmas present! The Editors’ prize for the next issue willinclude a selection of Soak products, some Signature Needle Arts needles and a copy of Things I Learned from Knitting by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. If the winner is also a subscriber we will include some luscious yarn. When was the last time you did a yarn inventory? And what did it involve? Did you need tissues, a bulldozer, a protected password, access to the neighbours garage, marital counselling? errr La min Nas | DM PD a reviews “Tt itches” a stash of knitting cartoons Franklin Habit (Interweave Books) ISBN: 9781596680937/RRP$1 9.95 This is a book of knitting cartoons and essays. No patterns, no beginners guide, no glossary, no stitch guide, no lectures on two stranded knitting and no garments knitted with now- impossible-to-get yarn. It’s justa fun book for yarn junkies. Sometimes its very hard to go past the blurb already written about a book and in this case | really don’t think I could put it any better so | quote from the inside dust cover... “The undeniable urge to purchase yarn. The desire to out-stash your fellow knitters. The expression of love through yarn and needles. Artist and writer Franklin Habit has the affectionate eye, the knowledgeable ear and the slightly twisted mind of one who knows the innermost yearnings of a yarn junkie’s soul... because he’s one, too.” I'm sure it’s Franklin’s slightly twisted mind that appeals to me and I’m sure it will appeal to you too. Is that because we love twisting yarn into extraordinary cables, or lacework, or socks or just simple stocking stitch? It doesn’t matter. This book is fun. | laughed at the cartoons and empathised with the essays. An ideal Christmas or birthday gift for anyone who knits, written by a man who really does knit. —Rose Long Alt fiber 25+ projects for knitting green with bamboo, soy, hemp, and more Shannon Okey (Ten Speed Press) ISBN: 978 1580089 159/RRP$29.95 If you are not sure of the alternative fibres available, then alt fiber would be a good starting point. The designers have paid close attention to 4 YARN Issue No 12 the characteristics of the fibres, and patterns have been well-thought-out in terms of the stitch choice for each fibre type, such as woven stitch for the hemp jacket and linen stitch for the linen skirt. T h e introduction contained well-laid-out information on a variety of fibre types and plant dyes. If all of the accompanying photography had been labeled it would have provided a more complete reference tool. There are 26 patterns in all covering clothing, homewares and accessories, including some Fair Isle, cables and lace, with a couple of crochet items for good measure. The Midnight Lace Stole (designed by Sivia Harding) is sure to become a favourite, and the structure of the Avery Jacket (designed by Laura Chau) has good, classic lines that should not date. Fibres used included linen, cotton, bamboo, milk fibre, soy, hemp, corn fibre, silk, seaweed, pine, kenaf, jute and nylon. Schematics would have been useful as much of the photography has been cropped, giving only partial views of the garments. The Fern Tee (designed by Kate Jackson) only had a back view, making it difficult to ascertain exactly where the lace would sit on the bust line. That aside, it was a good introduction to knitting/designing with alternative fibres. —Michelle Moriarty AlterKnits Felt: Imaginative Projects for Knitting & Felting Leigh Radford (Stewart, Tabori & Chang) ISBN: 158479707X/RRP$39.95 Confession time; whilst in lust with another of Radford’s books “Alterknits”, not a thing has been knit from it. Leigh’s books seem to be worth it for the brain fodder, not so much the projects. Felted balls? Been there. Felt a knitted scarf with bobbles from stones, nuts, plastic bottle caps or whatever else you want to throw in there? Groundhog day. As a non- needle felter, what was handy was seeing her take on what you can felt with, which was a useful starting point for ideas. Yarns in the book; what a welcome sight to have an Australian yarn in an American publication. Yay for Pear Tree Yarn! Otherwise, a little substitution knowledge could be very useful. Previously the art director for craftand media publisher Interweave, there’s a guarantee that anything with the Radford name to it will have to look stunning, and she doesn’t disappoint. Could be worth a look if you’re new to felting, or a lover of beautifully photographed knitwear that gets you suckered into creating the project. —hkylie gusset Custom Knits: Unleash Your Inner Designer with Top-Down and Improvisational Techniques Wendy Bernard (Stewart, Tabori & Chang) ISBN: 1584797 134/RRP$45 Custom Knits is great for fans of Wendy Bernards blog, knit and tonic, and _ beginner knitters who may not know of classics from Elizabeth Zimmerman or Barbara Walker, and want a well written pattern on glossy paper that’s photographed _ beautifully with buff guys as accessories. There’s possibly patterns here that you'd want to knit if you're keen on top down construction, and ifyou’ve never made a top down raglan (or any other sweater) “Custom Knits” could be a wonderful start gto hear that Wendy was putting a book out given her track record with self published designs. The problem is that the luulk of the patterns are minor variations on classics, and Ke was initially thr the book features information and advice which is freely available online (eg how to make your own dress form). There's also the issue of photography; sure, the pictures are beautiful, but a model is lying alternate pictures so that you can’t see how it hangs = no f tally in love with cither the blog or the concept approach with caution, ili down without Unless you le gusset IF you like recipes, this menu wil suck you right in. It is elivided into 3 sections: cults, body, heels and woes, Which you can flip over te mix and rmatch (Kind of lite the animal picture books in school, where you pat a kangaroo head with an emu body and bilby legs). Tantalising stuff Nowe yousan actually see how the different combinations willlaok together. Al socks ate knit in the same eauge of S2sts lo 10cm (tinches), with easy-to-follow instructions for how to measute your foot to get the correct number of cast on stitches, and how your stitch pattern should be rauncled ug or down to accommodate this, reviews The ala cartesocks are all knit from the cult down, with guidance on how tn Incorporate pattern in the body, or to make it easier, simply copy whatisalreadyavailable in the book. You will be offered heel choices, toe choices, cult choices and cast off choices, with sections fon socks that fit and techniques to help you build a beter sock! The sassy comments throughout give the book a fun feel, much like the flip pages do, making the books worth it, if only for the novelty factor It will be available fram mid-December through bookstores, and wholesale through Capricorn Link, Mae Eastman your own AARIPOSA in SWTG)BAMBOO 5 www.SO ¥SILK.com reviews Knitting Art: 150 Inovarive Works from 18 Contemporary Artists Karen Searle (oyageur Press) IsBN:0760330670:RRPS59.99 Tired of seeing the same built-by- numbers patterns and needing a fix of something different in your deadl tree fare? KnittingArtmay well be your tonic, Author Karen Searle is a talented American fibreartistwha has used her extensive experience and knowledge to great effect in the book, citing both the well known authors (Debbie New and Arline Fisch) and artists which may be previously unknown te Knitters, such as feung-flwa Park and John Krynick Park gives a new slantto exquisite knitted wearablesculpturalartwork through the time consuming and detailed use of felting/dyeing Cheap & Cheerful Stocking Stuffers [At around $2-3 you can't go past the Birch Knitters Gauge, One side has Aussie metric sizes, and the other has US and Imperial sizes. The thread cutter is a handy little addition, as is the cut-out stitch & row counter The gauge comesin2 sizes: 2mm - 10mm for keeping in your knit kit, and 11mm 25mm for when you want to test your super sized needles. Contact Birch 1300 669 199 for your nearest stockist. 6 YART Issue No IE techniques to produce stunning one off scarves. Krynick started his fibre arts career as an antiques dealer, wanting to replicate the concept of a Knitted letter from 1868 to the President, inmate of an insane asylum. You from an won't be finding patterns from these artists in the book or at your local yarn store in a hurry. What Knitting Art does extremely well is present the information, concepts and work from the artists in a great easy-to-read format. A must on the bookshelves of fibre nuts, and a wonderful dreaming companion over summer or the long haul fight, Fiylie gusset, The Chicks with Sticks Guide to Knitting Learn ta knit with more than 30 cool, easy pattems Nancy Queen & Ma (Watson. ISBN, 9780823006755/RRPS29.95 Unlike many af its predecessors, this learn-la-knil book is easy on the 2 O'Connell Modern Care for Fine Fibers We tested Soak (@ rinsefree, biodegradable liquid wash for delicates) on a variety of garmentand fibre types including hand knit silk, alpaca, wool, bamboo, soy and even somecotton T'shirts. Theinstructions ‘were easy to follow: for hand knits soak for 1Smlnutes in cool water (itsp to 4.Sits water), squeeze gently, no need to rinse: or machine wash on delicate cycle, skip/use rinse cycle as per your preference; or to spot clean dab small amount on a cotton swab, gently rub stain, then rinse, It id a fantastic job of removing dirt and fragrancing garments, but did not appear to make them any softer eyesand the brain, entertaining asit guises you through the basies, such as yarn weight, care labels, needle types and sizes, fibre gauge, seaming, edging, haw content, to fix mistakes and the usefulness of schematics. You are taken through learning stages” with projects to suit the skills sets just acquired. In terms of visuals there are full picture shots, close-up shots, schematics, graplsies to illustrate new stitches and tips to helpyou make the most of what you are learning. Projects range from scarves at the beginner level, through to shawls, ‘a basic tap, caps, a hoodie, a dog caat, on to cables, Fair Isle, knitting in the round, and shaped jumpers. A great book for beginners. Mae Eastman bags, wrist warmer (hich it does not actually claim to do}. The “spot clean’ test worked amazingly well, Fragrances. tested induded Seentless (for the nasally challenged), Sola. by Amy Butler (deliciously luscious), Aguae (mild scent), Citrus (quite strong aroma) and Flora (the strongest fragrance), Keep your eyes out for Limited Edition fragrances and sizes. Available oct (i4oz) full og a size bottles, suitable for a { ne Be 130m! (402) bullet-size bottles, suitable for 24 washes (also available as a 3pk) and Gm sachets for travel, from around $2.75 each. For more Information or a stockists list, contact wwwaascotlane.comau ‘on (03) 9970 5518. Fibre Wash Fibre Rinse ‘Dirt doesn't have a chance Restores lustre and softness to luxury fibres like cashmere, alpaca, bison, merino wool, mohair, qiviut, cotton and other natural fibres. * Optimize cleaning with less tangling and matting. * Reduces the “itch factor”. * Removes contaminants and embedded dirt inraw fibre, yet is gentle enough to pamper your most delicate hand knit creations. + Eliminates odours andisnon-yellowing. * Tested by Australia’s | CSIRO Labs. * Blodegradable -Earth Friendly 14 previously washed la ny fvaurite product .ias a 1 washed two cashmere sweaters this weekend and they are absolutely Irresistible, ts fabulons, we definitely need to get this into the hands of people who will go "Wild" aver the softness... “Linda Cortright Fibre Eat inse,, form tual Fie ag | jp “First 10 readers who email ‘= andrew @unicomproducts,com.au = and mention this ad and include a postal address, wil receive a FREE Gift Pack of Unicorn Fibre Wash and Unicorn Fibre Rinse” 1 r Clean, Soft Fibres and Knitwear (Australasia) Pty Ltd ACN 007 944 881 Www.unicornproducts.com.au site oF email [email protected] st retailer, or order direct online x zt EE PEE aE } = e What to knit with Handspun? By Amelia Garripoli You saw a skein at a sheep and wool show, and as soon as it was in your hands, you knew it was special. Handspun! But, what to knit? How to knit it? Handspun yarn... every inch of it passed through a thoughtful human’s hands, at their wheel or spindle. They washed the wool, spun it, bathed it again and enjoyed the artistry of the skein they created while it dried. Now itis yours. Your skein feels full of life, extra squeezable like that superior bathroom tissue. It’s possible your skein is thick and thin in spots, by design or distraction. The spinner may have labeled it with a sheep name or breed, and what extras they put in like silk or bamboo. Commercial yarns are processed by machines in very large lots. As such, they sacrifice individuality for quantity. They must take large volumes of wool, across flocks, farms, and even countries, to make up their content. They will be consistent in design, dye lot, and content, making them easy to use. Think about how often you see a commercial yarn labeled simply “wool” versus the breed; the most common breed found in yarns is Merino, thanks in large to the amazing sheep stations of Australia and New Zealand. Mill spun farm yarns are somewhere in the middle. They are still consistent from the machine-driven processing, but they come in smaller lots, most likely from one breed or flock. Akey yet invisible difference between industrial-spun and handspun yarn is the spinning style. Most spinners allow air to be trapped in the yarn as they spin. This is called “woolen” spinning. Industrial machines perform “worsted” spinning. The machines attenuate the fibers and then twist them together. No air trapped inside, this yarn is compact and well organized. The extra air in your woolen-spun yarn gives it a lovely squoosh factor that factory-spun yarn often lacks. The sheep breed can tell you much about the yarn you are holding. Coarser fibres such as Leicester Longwool, Cotswold and Wensleydale have terrific 8 YARN Issue No 12 shine. They are wonderful for dyed yarns, and will hold up to a lot of abrasion: great for outerwear and knitted bags. Merino is the queen of fine wools, with wonderful bounce and soft enough for baby sweaters. Corriedale and Polwarth are medium wools, very nice for caps, gloves and adult sweaters. Mohair from Angora goats runs from soft kid mohair to coarser, lustrous, long-wearing adult mohair. Other yarns include blends such as silk, tencel, viscose, soy or bamboo. These are all fine fibres with high luster, added to give shine and wonderful drape to the end yarn and finished items. So, how to decide what your handspun might become? First look at quantity. Even 50 grams of yarn can be lovely wrist warmers or a headband, even a small scarf if you have laceweight. An 85 gram skein of 4-ply to 8-ply (fingering to DK) can make fingerless gloves for most hands or a nice child’s cap. If it’s a healthy 100 gram skein, or over 100 metres, you may be able to complete a nice hat, ankle socks, a skinny scarf, or a small lace shawl. Scarves and shawls are nice to make from handspun. Being worn above clothing they are there to be seen, and typically they are one-size-fits- all so you can knit until your yarn runs out (remember to stop with enough yarn to cast off)! Felt bowls and baskets are also terrific items to make. If a jumper is your goal, perhaps that smaller skein of handspun can be featured in a pattern with entrelac or mitered motifs. Work your handspun into locations that will show it off. You can also knit the handspun separately and attach it with a safety pin, letting you enjoy it with several garments. Flowers and motifs work well done this way. Now, ask yourself how the yarn feels. Is it soft, medium, or coarse? Where do you see it on you, or on the recipient? Fibre softness can be a very individual thing, so you need to take this into account. Look at wear-and-tear. If the fibre is very loose and extra squooshy (squooshiness does a terrific job of trapping layers of air for insulation), it is likely to pill easily if subjected to rubbing, such as in the sides and sleeves of a jumper. Maybe a hat would be better, or a felted knit. Knit a swatch and wash it with your laundry, rather than be disappointed once your hat is knit, Machine Washable [aka Superwash] will not felt. If your fibre is tightly spun and dense, then very likely it will wear well. To test this, take a mini skein (3 metres will do) and hang it on your keychain for a fortnight. Does it show signs of pilling or wear-and-tear? If not, then you have a great, hard wearing yarn. You might even consider it for socks! To see if the yarn is tightly or loosely spun, look at the twist angle (the angle of the fibers in the plies, otherwise known as drawing). An angle of 30 degrees or more is tightly spun, and adds to the durability of the yarn. An angle of under 17 degrees is very soft. Knitting yarns are often 20-25 degrees. How do you substitute yarn? The density of handspun can be more or less than factory-spun yarns, so weight is not a good measure. Instead, you'll needto know the bestneedle size for your yarn, and the yarn length in metres, Spinners often provide you with wraps per inch, because that is, hhow they measure yarn. You may find it easier to use the needle gauge method. Fold a length of yarn in half, and place the folded length over the gauge. The largest hole that your yarn completely covers is the suitable needle sive for knitting a closed fabric. If you are a loose knitter, you'd katt with a smaller needle, Patterns, however, are written for the average keniteer, Should you be a tight knitter, ance you've ‘matched the pattern and yarn, you can pull out larger no gaps between your marks. The number of wraps is... the wraps per inch. Using the table In the Stitch Guide of Yarn, you can then match your yarn to the yarn standard with regards to needle size, gauge and ply or CYCA number There's everything to be said for sampling with the: handspun, despite its precious nature. ‘This is because the handspun may drape differently from commercial yarn, and you'll need to decide ifyou like it, or not. Avery densely spun yarn could make your jumper quite heavy; while « loose, airy spun yarn could keep it lighter and easy to wear, but perhaps not as warm as you desired. In my experience of knitting with handspun, there" a critical factor I've run into more often than not... ow gauge. My stitch gauge may be perfect, but | get fewer rows than the pattern’s gauge swatch calls for. IF this needles to knit with. Forlace knitting or knitting that will be felted, you often use aneedle size nat matched to yarn in this way, Forthese, happens, | know 1 need to wash and block my gauge swatch for complete accuracy, and that it’s likely I need. to adjust my needle size to get the recommended gauge. it can be useful to measure the wraps per inch sa you can match your yarn to the recommended thickness. ‘To measure wraps per inch, take a pencil or dowel Having a row gauge that is incorrect affects shaping drastically, so it can be very important to get it right, even for a hat! and mark 2.Sem (one inch). Wrap the yarn around your pencil, not so tight as to stretch the yar’, not so loose {hat itis sloppy, weapping the strands side-by-side with Handspun yarn is usually not machine washable,even if itis spun from machine washable (superwash) wool Continued on page 48 Spinning a tg ae Paice Peer ita oer fiers ht Ttapecge: re Easy for beginners The Pioneer is the place to start spinning. Wallet friendly, very versatile and retaining the great looks of Majacraft wheels. This is your way to awn a wheel ftom one of the best manufacturers in the world Easy touse Sealed roller bearings which make the wheel spin silently and freely. Double treadle pedals for smooth and light pedalling action. Scotch tension brake adjusiment for ine central aver your yarn twist and thickness, All of these features make the Pioneer a breeze to spin with! What others are saying about the Pioneer Got the Piomeer, assembled it today (very easy and nice assembly) and t Jes a wonderful whe 0K it for a test drive. - Visit our web www. knitting in public Iglie gusset Tt seems like we have a trend on our hands. Here's my awn litte inventory: taken a spinning class? Check Bought wheel? Check Gone to a fibre festival or three? Check, Bulging stash? Check. Naming rights to a black sheep? Check (Hello Aretha! Hope you're showinga little RF.SPELC.t), New folkare turning up to flare festivals, shawing an interest Jn the origins of what they buy; and wanting more than a standard purchase One ofthe indicators has been atrend online toward the supply and demand for plaited hhand-dyed roving which is a beautiful step backward from hand-dyed commercial yarn, and often the preterred choice of spinners in urban environments and athers who may not want the hassle of cleaning, carding and dyeing Photography by: Mark Vaarwerk, a raw fleece. Mandie Chandler, who sells the roving from her rural Victorian based business, Ewe Give Me the Knits, assures us that there's been interest in fibre and spinning. I started out selling fibre online for a little pocket money after I left the corporate world and had kids, and i's snowballed from there—beyond my wildest dreams!" And, Mandie says, the interest isn't just in spinning, but also in wearable art, needle and wet felting, and other fibre crafts. “People who knit and crochet are wanting to get back to basics, starting from scratch by sourcing fibre and spinning, {think there's Golding Precision Fiber Tools FLOOR LOOMS + SPinvins wie AINGSPINDLES” & AGUESSOAIES Handspinning your own beautiful yams is made easy with a Golding RingSpindle™ Our innovative RingSpindles™ are enjoyed by spindlers worldwide for their precision balance, exceptionally long Spin time, and extensive variety of artistic designs. Inquiries for custorn designs are always welcome, Tomand Diane Golding Saxtons River, eid ; sa (001) 802. ih fet | fibertoolsavermontel net www.GoldingFiberTools.com the move toward handmade, away from the rampant consumerism, and there’s a sense of community in the fibre world that’s been attracting those wanting more than a standard shopping experience.” Another sign of the rise of spinning has been the interest work. Brisbane-based Mark Vaarwerk creates jewellery from an unusual fibre... discarded plastic (see pic page 10). Mark uses a drop spindle to turn plastic bags into necklaces, and regularly holds workshops on how to transform throwaway plastics into collectible jewellery and objects. In America, the boom is already happening. There’s in unusual been an increased number of books about spinning and fibre aimed at those starting out. Shannon Okey, author of Spin To Knit and the soon to be released Alt Fiber, notes that the popularity of big fibre shows like the Duchess County Sheep & Wool Fest in Rhinebeck, New York , has spread largely online, through blogs. One of the features for festival-goers is Blogger Bingo, which has the following rules: “Please show respect to those participating in the game. If they’re in the middle of a transaction with a vendor, deeply involved in a conversation or appear to be engaged in aggressive negotiations overafleece witha fellow festival attendant, please wait until they’re finished to approach them. You may actually want to hide behind something until it’s all over and the fleece is no longer flying.” “The first time I went to Rhinebeck it was the same people who'd been going for ages”, Shannon says. “The last time? You couldn’t walk without running into a blogger. Jessica from Ravelry.com was getting mobbed. In the future she could be needing an escort to go to the bathroom.” Likewise in Australia, while we haven’t taken to mobbing anyone (yet!), Andrew Ternouth from the annual Bendigo Sheep & Wool Show in Victoria is happy to report a rise in crowd numbers of around 10 percent each year. With attendance in 2008 at about 20,000 people spread over the main days, he says there is a rising need to find the show larger premises. “We've been in dry conditions. Since 2000, we haven't had a good [farming] year, so in some ways, it’s a good thing, because if we had a good year, we wouldn’t have room for the livestock.” Similarly, Grampians Texture, a series of annual fibre workshops held in regional Victoria, is doing well even though it’s only the second year in operation. Organiser Marion Matthews, from Regional Arts Victoria, puts the interest in the workshops down to a resurgence happening within the whole textile industry. “Contemporary spinning fits into so many mediums— it’s tactile, accessible art, there’s reference and contrast to our daily lives.” Continued on page 48 Use the Ashford to blend colours ready to Tel ecleleeancole Blend silk, alpaca, angora or mol ir with wool for soft, luxurious exotic yarns. The possibilities are unlimited. J Be creative! art & make your own unique, beautiful textured knitting yarns. Ashford has all the fibre & tools you need. To find out more about these great Ashford products contact your local Ashford retailer Past Times 583 Snowy Mountains Hwy Cooma, NSW 2630 Ph. 1 800 026 397 [email protected] www.ashfordaustralia.com Rainbow Wools (Carol Olde) Contact 04 2860 9140 [email protected] www.rainbowwools.com Moggy and Me 8 Vale St Mount St Thomas, NSW 2500 Ph, 04 0553 9352 http://donyalestuff.wordpress.com Spinners Haven 12 Laurence Aveune Armidale, NSW 2350 Ph. 04 2864 2966 Alh. 02 6772 8795 [email protected] Virginia Farm Woolworks 122 Annangrove Road Annangrove, NSW 2156 Ph. 02 9654 1069 [email protected] www.virginiafarmwoolworks.com.au Tiki Road Angoras 55 Tiki Road Moonee Beach NSW 2450 Ph/Fax 02 6653 7608 [email protected] Munrola Fibres P O Box 1002 Goulburn, NSW 2580 Ph. 02 4841 0528 [email protected] Petlins Spinning & Weaving 17 Cavell Ave Rhodes, NSW 2138 Ph. 02 9736 1501 [email protected] www. petlins.com Glenora Weaving & Wools PO Box 9 Gerringong, NSW 2534 Ph. 02 4234 0422 [email protected] www.Glenoraweaving.com.au ashford WHEELS & LOOMS www.ashford.co.nz Spun Out PO Box 310 Gulgong, NSW 2852 Ph. 02 6374 1170 Fax 02 6374 1170 [email protected] The Fibre Hut (Visits by appointment) 505 Adare Road Gatton, QLD 4343 Ph. 07 5462 5600 [email protected] The Mountain Spinnery PO Box 294 Kelvin Grove BC Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059 Ph. 07 3289 8263 [email protected] www.mountainspinnery.com Walking Wheel Studio Cnr Greenfield Road & Fowler Street Seaview Downs, SA 5049 Ph. 08 8296 3428 [email protected] Tasmanian Wool Suppliers Pty Ltd 58 Main Road Moonah, TAS 7009 Ph. 03 6278 1800 Fax 03 6278 1808 [email protected] Wondoflex Yarn Craft Centre 1353 Malvern Road Malvern, VIC 3144 Ph. 03 9822 6231 [email protected] www.wondoflex.com.au Heartfelt 130 Elizabeth Street Geelong, VIC 3218 Ph, 03 5222 6997 [email protected] Ewe Give me the Knits 11 Nihill Street Tongala, VIC 3621 Ph. 03 5859 1006 [email protected] www.ewegivemetheknits.com Rustic Forge Crafts 66 Brooke Street Inglewood, VIC 3517 Ph. 03 5.438 3132 [email protected] www.rusticforge.com Belfair Sheep, Wool & Handcrafts 930 Baxter/Tooradin Road Pearcedale, VIC 3912 Ph. 03 5978 6221 Jolly Jumbuk Country Craft Centre PO Box 425 Bairnsdale, VIC 3875 Ph. 03 5152 4600 [email protected] www.jumbukwool.com.au Woolsy Trading Post 142 Shannon Ave Manifold Heights Geelong, Vic 3218 Ph. 03 5222 1571 Bilby Yarns Unit 7, 14 Shields Crescent Booragoon, WA 6149 Ph. 08 9330 2388 [email protected] www. bilbyyarns.com,au noe, , -

You might also like