This year has been all about spinning for me. In just a couple of months, I’ve created over 600g of yarn which is a lot of fibre transformed into squishy yarn!
Watching those fluffy batts and braids turn into actual, usable yarn has been an absolute joy. But now comes the big question: what do I actually *do* with all this handspun? This is a question that lots of folks have asked on my ‘weigh in and out’ all of my yarn this year, how does handspun count in this list?
The Spinning Obsession Continues
It’s fair to say that spinning has taken over my crafting time. My knitting and crochet projects have had to take a bit of a back seat, but honestly? I’m totally fine with that. Learning a new skill that I really enjoy has been worth every moment. The process of spinning is meditative, methodical, and just downright fun. And while my WIPs have been giving me side-eye from their project bags, they’ll get their turn soon enough.
So Now What?
This is a serious question, and I’d love to hear your answers! The joy of making yarn is one thing, but using it? That’s where the challenge begins. Handspun feels more special, more personal, and that makes choosing the right project feel like a high-stakes decision.
As for the accounting of my handspun, I’m going to keep it as a separate tally, we’ll count in the fibre and how much of it gets turned into yarn. And then on my ‘outgoings’ I’ll track how much of my handspun I’ve used this year, but not worry too much about it for now… the important bit is just making sure that I spin up more than I buy ie I’m using the fibre!
In my latest YouTube video (live at 4pm today) I’ve finished a new project vlog where I take a brand new braid of fibre and start spinning it for a blanket. Yes, a full-blown year-long project. The very thing I said I wouldn’t do this year… but here we are. Guess I lasted all of two months before caving!
The coolest part? This will be the first time I’m knitting with my own handspun, which makes it even more special. But there’s always that tiny voice at the back of my mind whispering “what if this isn’t the right project?” “What if I mess it up?”
Does anyone else feel like their handspun is too precious to use? Or is that just me?
Choosing the Right Project for Handspun
So, how do you pick the right pattern for handspun? Do you wait for the absolute perfect design, or do you embrace spontaneity and just go for it? Do you treat handspun differently to any other project yarn?
I’ve been thinking a lot about how handspun behaves differently from commercial yarn. The texture, the twist, the little inconsistencies—they all make it so unique. That’s part of the beauty! But it also means some stitches work better than others. Simple patterns tend to let the yarn shine, while intricate stitches might get lost in the colour shifts and textures.
I also have a decision to make: knit or crochet? I’ve mostly thought of knitting projects for my handspun, but crochet creates such a beautifully dense and warm fabric. Maybe it’s time to experiment…
One Big Plan: The Yarn Tings Fibre Box
One of my big spinning goals is to finish working through my Yarn Tings Christmas fibre box. So far, I’ve spun up five out of twelve batts and I’d love to get through the rest so I have a set of twelve perfect little mini skeins. Once they’re done, I’ll go pattern shopping for the perfect project and something that really does the fibre justice.
Final Thoughts
Spinning has added such an exciting new layer to my crafting. It’s one thing to choose beautiful yarn for a project, but making the yarn yourself? That’s a whole different level of satisfaction. Now, the real fun begins: actually knitting or crocheting with it!
So, I’d love to know… if you spin, do you find it hard to commit handspun to a project? Do you wait for the perfect pattern, or just jump in and start stitching? Let’s chat in the comments!
And if you want to see my latest spinning-to-knitting project in action, make sure to check out my latest YouTube video, and subscribe while you’re there!
a few remarks from an experienced spinner/knitter/weaver :1. should you wait for that one special project : no, it is better to use it more or less immediately, that way you learn more about spinning (how much differs a handspun yarn from a commercial yarn)
2. it takes more time to knit a certain amount of yarn then to spin that amount of yarn
3. you will probably come across the fact that sometimes you enjoy very much to spin a certain braid of fibres but you don't like the knitted result, or it is something that you will never wear.
4. if you want to spin a fingeringweight yarn then I would suggest that you start with non-dyed fibres, they are usually easier to draft, a BFL is in my opinion the best fibre to learn to spin fine (or very fine)
good luck with all your projects, the handspun/knitted blanket is a very good idea.
Let me start by saying I started spinning just a little before you did and I also use a tabletop device. Now my first thought is maybe use your box of 12 batts for a single project…a cowl or shawl perhaps. My next thought is why limit yourself to just knit or crochet. You could make that blanket and use both knitting and crochet and not only use your hand spun but use your own knowledge of stitches and make your own pattern. There is a cardigan pattern out there that uses crocheted granny squares for the front and back and then you knit the sleeves, collar and button band. I thought it was quite ingenious and you could possibly do something similar with a blanket. Keeping in mind one uses more yarn to crochet maybe use your larger quantities for that and knit with the smaller amounts. You wanted ideas there’s a couple to consider.
I also completely agree with your thoughts on how spinning is so relaxing and meditative.