Hello from the Studio!
This newsletter is arriving a little later than planned—things have been a touch more chaotic than usual around here! But I hope it’s worth the wait and full of fibre-filled inspiration.
A Trip to the Wool Monty
Earlier this month, I made my annual pilgrimage to the Wool Monty Show at Magna, near Sheffield. It was my second visit, and once again, it didn’t disappoint. I loved reconnecting with familiar faces and discovering some fantastic new stallholders. The selection of yarn and fibre was dangerously tempting—I came home with fibres I’ve never spun before and some indie-dyed yarns in colours well outside my comfort zone.
If you’ve never been to a wool show, I highly recommend seeking one out. They’re abundant at this time of year, and each one is a treasure trove waiting to be explored.
Spinning, Weaving, and the Joy of Notebooks
If you follow me on social media, you’ll know I often have several projects on the go—spinning, weaving, crochet, blocking, finishing, steaming… my hands are rarely still! All this activity made me reflect on how I keep everything organized.
The answer? Notebooks. Lots of them.
I jot down every yarn, fibre, stitch, and swatch, because no matter how sure you are that you’ll remember, it’s surprisingly easy to forget. If this sounds familiar, I’ve created a free project tracker you might find helpful.
Learning and Experimenting
My curiosity about yarn has only grown since I began spinning, and I’ve been learning so much. One of my favourite resources has been Sasha Torres at Sheepspot—her podcasts are packed with knowledge and have encouraged me to take better care of my tools (my old spinning wheel is now running like new after a well-earned spa day!).
I’ve also been experimenting with new techniques like short backward draft and spinning off the fold. These have helped me better understand the fibres I work with—and even discover new favourites. One standout is Cormo, a fine wool from sheep developed by crossing Corriedale rams with Merino ewes. I had no idea it existed before I started spinning, and now I’m hooked.
From Fibre to Fabric
Lately, I’ve been making a real effort to use my handspun fibres—no point in letting them gather dust! I crocheted a poncho using some of my finer samples and wove scarves from the more rustic yarns. It’s been incredibly satisfying to see the full journey from fibre to finished item.
New Patterns
May was a busy month for pattern releases! I launched a new handwoven cotton scarf and three new crochet patterns:
I also re-released my Tropicana Picnic Blanket, which was previously published in a magazine.
Coming up this month: another cozy cowl pattern and (fingers crossed) a few new woven scarves. Stay tuned!
Pearson Handmade 