I've been enjoying the misty autumn days here in the UK, wrapped up in my own knitting and weaving projects made from hand-spun yarn. Today, I'm here to give you a sneak peek of some of my latest hand dyed, British wool spinning fibre and share an update on the upcoming knitting pattern collection, all crafted from locally sourced British wool. I'll also be showing you how the beauty of falling autumn leaves has been inspiring my knitwear design and a bit of visible mending embroidery.
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Featured knit designs
Today, I'm wearing Snowland; a simple, top down cardigan with a contiguous set-in sleeve by Jessica McDonald. The original knitting pattern is knit in a single colour, but I chose to knit mine with very fine stripes using two yarns: one a rich red-brown handspun from a batt I got from Siobhans Crafts years ago, and the other a naturally coloured, beige merino. If you'd like to knit one for yourself too, you can find the Snowland Cardigan on Ravelry.
Underneath, I have a completely handspun project - this is Llif, a lovely, lovely design by Theresa Shingler. It's an aran weight sleeveless sweater vest, though I used a yarn I spun that was slightly chunkier than the pattern specified. I didn't have quirte enough yardage, which meant I did have to modify here and there. Despite that, I really love this cabled knit and I think it turned out so pretty. You can find the pattern for Llif on Ravelry too.
And then there's my skirt which is entirely handwoven and handmade by me. To create the fabric, I spun up some of my skua blend of British wool spinning fibre into yarn. Using a dyed warp and an undyed weft, I wove the fabric by hand on my rigid heddle loom and then sewed it into a skirt. If you're curious about my making process, I documented various bits in a series of videos on my Patreon, covering everything from hand dyeing the spinning fibre and warping my rigid heddle loom to weaving the fabric and sewing the skirt.
Oh, and in the intro, you would have spotted my Leoma Shawl which you can also find on my website or on Ravelry!
My latest knit design using locally sourced, British wool from Gullet Farm in South Devon.
As many of you probably know by now, especially if you follow the podcast or keep up with the blog, I’m currently working on my Westcountry Collection of knitting patterns titled 'From This Land'. In the last episode, I shared my progress on a new cabled cardigan design which I've been knitting with a rustic DK yarn from Gullet Farm in South Devon. Judging by the responses to the previous podcast, quite a few of you are excited about this one, so I'm pleased to report that it's off the needles and finally has a name - Valley Rooves. This was actually my working title, inspired by the 'valley and roof' cable design which starts at the shoulder tabs for the saddle shoulder and continues down along the top of the sleeves.
My Westcountry Collection of knitting patterns
As I mentioned, Valley Rooves is part of my Westcountry Collection where each knit design is inspired by the yarn it is knitted in and the farm where the British wool has come from. This collection exclusively uses yarn from the Westcountry, meaning the fibre has been grown, processed, and spun in the South West of England. All the yarns are in their natural, undyed colours, just as the sheep grew them. The collection is being made possible by some funding from South West England Fibreshed, an organisation I am part of, which promotes regional textiles and local textile systems.
Would you like to test knit?
I know many of you have been waiting for me to announce the release date. While I can’t give an exact date just yet, I can confirm that the collection of knitting patterns will be available in mid-December. Now, if you’re a speedy knitter and would like to test knit this cabled cardigan design, the test knit might still be open. If you think you can finish it by the deadline, please do fill out the form, and we should be in touch.
Works in progress - here's what I'm knitting right now
A limited edition colour of the new John Arbon Appledore Aran
I can't remember if I've talked about this before, but I've designed my own limited edition custom colour of the new Appledore Aran from John Arbon Textiles! The yarn is a beautiful blend of 40% Devon Closewool, 40% Romney and 20% Exmoor Blueface resulting in a yarn with a "woolly bounce and a smattering of lustre". I spent quite some time playing with the colour combinations, as the Appledore range is based on a small palette of hues that are blended in various proportions. This gives the colours that amazing depth and a subtle tweedy effect which I think looks rather special. If you’re familiar with my knit designs, you’ll know I’ve worked a lot with the DK version of this yarn, like in my Scrumper Cardigan and Scrumper Waistcoat, but I’m especially excited about the aran weight version, just in time for autumn.
A 'very Marina' cabled knit jumper
My custom colour design is aptly called Fallen Leaf and it will be released as a limited edition shade very soon. I’m using it for a new knit design that might be the most 'Marina' thing I’ve ever made - think orange, swoopy diagonal cables, my favourite moss stitch, directional detailing, and a little 2x2 rib at the bottom of the body. I’ve yet to add the neckline or sleeves, but I’ll get there!
If you're interested in the knitting design process, I’ve shared a behind-the-scenes video for my Patrons where I talk about sample knitting and pattern writing. It’s a useful listen if you want insight into how I set up the shoulders and neckline or if you're curious about the technical side of developing my knitting designs in the early stages.
A new secret design for a knitting magazine
Visible mending with embroidery
Lastly, I’ve been dabbling in some visible mending with embroidery on an old cashmere jumper that used to belong to my dad. He was going to get rid of it because it had a couple of tiny moth holes, but after a long stint in the freezer, I decided to mend it. Since the jumper is such a fine knit, I chose to embroider autumn leaves over the mended spots using a simple chain stitch with a bit of back stitch for the line work. I love how the leaf colours look against the teal blue of the jumper. Visible mending has become a bit of a trend lately, often with big, contrasting darned patches, but I think there’s something lovely about adding delicate embroidered details to the mended areas.
Finally, a beautiful book on fibre that spinners will love
Before I sign off, I’d love to share a beautiful book I recently received: Wild Yarn: Creating Hand-spun Yarn from Ethical Fibres by Imogen Brightmoon. Imogen is a talented weaver and a friend of mine who creates stunning large-scale woven pieces like wraps and blankets. She has a unique approach to yarn, and I absolutely love working with her.
Last year, she asked if I could knit a few swatches for this book, which is all about creating unconventional yarn that embraces texture and highlights the natural qualities of the fibres you’re working with. It carries a wonderful message about expressing yourself through yarn, and I think it’s a truly beautiful book, with equally gorgeous photography.
If you’re a spinner who enjoys working with natural fibres and colours, I highly recommend checking it out.
Intro and outro music is Dead from the Beginning, Alive to the End by Doctor Turtle.
