Tag Archives: handspinning

How handmade does something have to be to be called “Handmade”?

The story of a Handmade Red(ish) Beret In the past, I used to buy in berets to sell on my market stall and I noticed that the red ones always sold out first.  These berets were not especially good quality, being items that were mass produced in China, but were popular because they were competitivelyContinue reading “How handmade does something have to be to be called “Handmade”?”

Surrey Tweed 2022; from fleece to fashion

It gives me such a sense of achievement to be able to show you some garments made using wool that I have washed, carded, spun and either hand knitted or woven on my rigid heddle loom into beautiful garments. Truly slow fashion. In summer 2021, I was lucky enough to take possession of five lovelyContinue reading “Surrey Tweed 2022; from fleece to fashion”

Blocking a finished knitting project (Burrafirth Shawl)

Blocking a finished knitting project is quite straightforward as long as you follow a couple of rules. Rule one, make plenty of space and rule two, take plenty of time. Before blocking your shawl, you will need to have washed and partly dried it. Please see my blog on “Washing your woollen hat” for adviceContinue reading “Blocking a finished knitting project (Burrafirth Shawl)”

Beginning to Fair Isle Knit using handspun yarn.

I was introduced to and fell in love with spinning at a craft afternoon at my local library. I then took a class on spinning my own yarn and later on, joined my local Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers. I felt the need to start a big project and having just started to learnContinue reading “Beginning to Fair Isle Knit using handspun yarn.”

Knitting for Film.

Here’s a little tale about the early days in my spinning experience and how I managed (by great luck) to make a handspun and hand knitted hat for a film. The film, Fanny Lye Deliver’d was released on June 26th 2020 and stars Maxine Peake and Charles Dance as Fanny and John Lye. It’s setContinue reading “Knitting for Film.”