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Inspired by Speckles: Adding Easy Bursts of Color to Your Handspun
Hand-dyed speckle yarns inspired Joanna Johnson to try adding small streaks of color to her handspun. Learn two methods for adding these bursts of color with our step-by-step tutorial.
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When I first saw Joanna Johnson’s Striated Handspun Hat in the Spring 2023 issue of Spin Off, I was delighted by the short bursts of saturated color that she added intermittently to natural white. As Joanna explained, she was looking to create “visual breathing room” in her yarns.
I also think this is a great approach to incorporating those vivid, shocking colors that we love only in tiny amounts: aggressive fuchsia or unapologetic spring green. Just imagine the undulating black and white of a nice Jacob wool roving that has been studded with scarlet. Go grab your wheel and give this a try.
Both methods are shown using a short-forward draft (worsted) with combed fibers of the same staple length, but these methods could be adapted to other drafts and preparations. You could explore longer runs of color, more than two colors, gradients, and more. Spinner’s choice!
Method A
Kate Larson demonstrates one of two methods for incorporating small bits of a contrasting color as she spins.
Current Spin Off magazine subscribers can log in to view this step-by-step tutorial and get it as a bonus downloadable PDF. Not a magazine subscriber? Learn more about all the perks.
When I first saw Joanna Johnson’s Striated Handspun Hat in the Spring 2023 issue of Spin Off, I was delighted by the short bursts of saturated color that she added intermittently to natural white. As Joanna explained, she was looking to create “visual breathing room” in her yarns.
I also think this is a great approach to incorporating those vivid, shocking colors that we love only in tiny amounts: aggressive fuchsia or unapologetic spring green. Just imagine the undulating black and white of a nice Jacob wool roving that has been studded with scarlet. Go grab your wheel and give this a try.
Both methods are shown using a short-forward draft (worsted) with combed fibers of the same staple length, but these methods could be adapted to other drafts and preparations. You could explore longer runs of color, more than two colors, gradients, and more. Spinner’s choice!
Method A
Kate Larson demonstrates one of two methods for incorporating small bits of a contrasting color as she spins. [PAYWALL]
Step 1. Begin spinning with main color (MC), which is white in this case. Hold your contrasting color (CC), blue here, in the fiber hand but out of the drafting zone. I place my first finger between the two when only spinning MC.
Step 2. When ready for CC, move it closer to the tips. On the next draft into the fiber supply, incorporate some CC.
Step 3. Draft forward.
Step 4. Before sliding the forward hand back toward the fiber supply, remove CC from the drafting zone. (I insert the first finger of my back hand between MC and CC as shown.)
Resume spinning MC and repeat the CC technique as often as desired.
Method B
Here, Kate incorporates the tips of the contrasting color.
Step 1. Prepare several tufts of CC by pinching the tips of the combed top and drawing out a staple length. Keep these within easy reach and begin spinning with MC. When ready for CC, place one of the tufts on the MC.
Step 2. On the next draft forward, incorporate the tips of CC.
Step 3. Slide the forward fingers back toward the fiber supply, smoothing the length of CC into place, and resume spinning MC. Repeat the CC technique as often as desired.
Inspired by Speckles PDF Download
Click here to get the PDF download of Inspired by Speckles: Two Techniques.
Kate Larson is the editor of Spin Off and spends as many hours as life allows in the barn with her beloved flock of Border Leicesters.
