Tips for knitting with handspun yarn

It's that time of year friends, cold weather is offically here and people have already started counting down the days until Christmas. That means it's time to start knitting (if you haven't started all ready that is)! I thought it might be helpful to put together some tips and ideas about working with handspun this knitting season.

Citron Shawl knit using ontheround luxury handspun

If you have never tried knitting with handspun, I highly recommend it (obviously), but let's talk about why.


Knitting with handspun is awesome and I can guarantee a knitting experience like no other. What more do you need to know?


Next up, choosing what to knit (or crochet). If you are new to working with handspun yarn, I recommend choosing a "Lifesyle Pattern" Something basic, written for a yarn weight verses a specific yarn brand. A raglan pullover I would consider to be a lifesyle pattern, a simple top up sock pattern. Something that will allow you a little wiggle room if you need it.

Or you can just wing it! Handspun yarn is great for accessories like hats, mittens, scarves, cowls- just cast on and go wild!

ontheround handspun Merino Yarn

Whatever you decide to knit, consider working your project in the round since it use less yarn then a project worked back and forth.


Now, let's just assume for the sake of this post that you have the handspun yarn (I hope it's OnTheRound Handspun Yarn!) and a pattern ready to go. First I recommend hand balling your yarn. Now you are either thinking, "obviously, how else do you ball it"; or you are "thinking heck no I only use my ball winder." Either way I will explain. I look at hand balling my handspun yarn as a sort of first date, a get to know you meeting. Pay attention to the thick and thinness of the yarn, the color changes and the overall feel. Once you are done, you should have a pretty good idea of what your yarn is all about.


Next, knit a swatch. Most people who knit with handspun are generally scared that they won't have enough. I don't know what it is about it, I do it myself. Regardless of this fear, you must still knit a swatch, in fact it's even more important that you knit a swatch! This is your second date with your yarn. Don't fee like you have to keep the swatch though. Instead of cutting your yarn at the end of your swatch, get the information you need (WRITE IT DOWN) and then rip out the swatch.

Top down raglan children's sweater, ontheround handspun yarn

Now you are ready for a full blown relationship with your yarn. Don't waste any time, get casting on! Speaking of casting on, depending on the twist in your handspun yarn and how you cast on, the twist might come undone and look like two stands on your needle. Don't worry, you didn't do anything wrong, it will work itself out once you have knit your first row. However, be mindful when you are knitting that first row, you don't want to pick up any extra stitches.


Lastly, get right with ripping out. Your handspun yarn is special, under no circumstances are you going to toss your project because it's gone horribly wrong. Go in with the understanding that if your project just isn't working out, you are going to rip it out and find something better. If you love the project, no problem, just do it again later with another yarn. After all, we're knitting because we love to knit right?


Still want to know more? Check out this great Article in Knitty Spins for more information about knitting with handspun yarn.   If you have any questions about knitting with handspun, please leave them in the comments bellow.

Looking for handspun yarn? I have a fully stocked Etsy shop full of different wool breeds and yarn weights! 

Next week I'll have project suggestions for handspun yarn, stay tuned.

Have fun and happy knitting! 

New! Merino Lap Blanket

Merino Blanket, originally uploaded by ontheroundfiberart.

I've been VERY busy working on new products for this season and I am so excited to reveal the first of many more to come!

This is a merino wool lap blanket that has been hand knit using thick and thin merino wool. It is 36 x40" and is the squishiest-coziest thing you have ever touched.

My Merino Lap Blanket is made for cuddling up on a chilly day with a book and a cup of tea.

This is a perfect wedding or baby shower gift or maybe even a photography prop.

How ever you choose to use it, this blanket is sure to be loved and cherished for many years to come.

OnTheRound Merino Lap Blankets are available in my Etsy Shop! Have a particular color in mind? I'd be happy to do a custom order for you! Just email me at rachel@ontheround.com or covo me via Etsy.

WIP Featuring OTR Hand Dyed Maine Yarn

Yes, it is true, I have started yet ANOTHER project. This really is so unlike me, typically I prefer to work on only one project at a time, but for heaven's sake there is so much pretty yarn in my house! I can't stop myself! I'm not sure when I am going to finish all these projects, but every morning I am very optimistic about it. That counts for something.... right?
Yesterday I cast on Dorie, a cleaver and simple sock pattern from Rohn Strong's new book The Heritage Collection: Knitting Patterns Inspired by WWI & WWII. This pattern was just too good to resist! I love the spiral rib and I knew my light worsted weight Hand Dyed Maine Yarn would be SO perfect....also my husbands birthday is coming up, and I needed a knit sample in this yarn....and well, I JUST WANTED TO!
Let's just take a deep breath, I mean, we are knitters here, right? I'm not being judged. I can knit as many things as I want to.

Anyway, the pattern is totally awesome and I highly recommend it for those of you who have never knit socks before, and/or have a husband that often complains that you never knit him anything.
As for the yarn, there were two skeins of Quarry left in my shop and I just had to steal them. I am totally LOVING the way this colorway is knitting up! I'm not sure if you can tell in the photo or not, but the colors are subtly spiraling along with the rib pattern. Tres cool! The color is enough for me to enjoy while I'm knitting, but subtle enough that my hubs won't feel it's not manly.
This yarn is a 2ply Clun Forrest/ Alpaca blend that I purchased from Field's Edge Farm in Leeds, Maine. Kim, the Owner/Farmer is a wonderfully sweet and cool homesteader who takes amazing care of her sheep, and it really comes through in her wool! The yarn was spun at a small mill in Belfast, Maine and it has a great artisan feel to it. It is a lot like working with handspun yarn, and you could easily work it in with your own handspun or OTR Handspun. The Clun in this yarn gives it a soft woolen feel that makes the stitch work pop nicely, but the alpaca gives it total softness and tons of warmth! This yarn is ideal for socks, gloves, hats, and sweaters with lots of stitch work. There are both bright and subtle colors available- so whatever your tastes are there is something for you. Mixing and matching would be fun too.... Hmm, gears are turning.

Ahhh! Before I cast on another project, I will say this. There are two yarn weights available in this yarn blend, Sport and Light Worsted. Be sure to click on the listing to see how many skeins are available, some colorways have up to 6 skeins. This is a Limited Edition yarn base and I have dyed all that I have for the year- so get it now before it's all gone (or before I steal it, which ever happens first)! You can find this yarn in the Hand Dyed Yarn section of my Etsy store. If you have all ready got your Hand Dyed Maine Yarn from ontheround, then be sure to stash it or any other OTR Yarns on Ravelry!
And while your at it, why not share your OTR Yarn projects on the OnTheRound Fiber Art Facebook Fan Page !? I know it will help me have less knitting project remorse...
Be well, stay positive- and get knitting (that last part is really for me)!

The Heritage Collection: WWI & WWII Blog Tour

Hi Friends! I am so pleased to have Rohn Strong taking over my blog today on his Heritage Collection Blog Tour. Welcome Rohn!

Hey Guys…this is Rohn Strong, author of The Heritage Collection WWI & WWII, and I am here visiting Rachel on her blog! Now, as many of you may know, or may not know, the book that I wrote is primarily focused on history, so many of the stops on the blog tour I am doing have been focused on just that, and although I could drone on and on about historical knitting, I wanted to switch it up a little!
So, we are going to do an interview. I am turning the tables on Rachel and asking her questions about herself, her yarn, history, and knitting! Let’s do this!
Hey Rachel! Thanks for having me on your blog and thank you for being a part of the tour!
Thank you Rohn, it is a pleasure having you here!
Tell everyone about yourself a bit!

Most people here know that I live in Owls Head, Maine with my husband, 2 daughters, 5 goats, 4 chickens, and 5 bunnies! I am a Stay-At-Home-Working-Mom, with heavy emphasis on the Working. I am a spinner, an indie dyer, and a knitter!
Something most people may NOT know about me is that I am obsessed with cooking and often pretend that I am on the cooking show Chopped. I most often knit my sweaters with short sleeves because I am ALWAYS hot. And I love legwarmers.
You produce some of the most beautiful yarn I have ever seen, how did you get started doing that?

In college I decided that I wanted to knit for a living. After graduation I worked at a One Lupine Fiber Arts making nuno felt scarves and apparel. From there my love affair with wool began. After leaving One Lupine I started selling my own felted goods and knits online and at craft shows, which lead to hand dyed wool, and handspun yarn!

I am not sure if you know this, but before your yarn, I had never really worked with handspun yarn…I didn’t like it much! However, you hooked me! Why do you think your yarn sets you apart from others?
I am so glad to hear that I've changed your opinion of handspun yarn! I work tirelessly to make balanced and beautiful yarns that are great for knitting, crochet, and crafting. I am a practical girl myself, and I really want that to translate into my yarn. I try and make my yarn so that it can be worked into patterns that call for commercial yarn so it is easy to make the switch to my handspun.
When I do craft shows people are always telling me how much they love my colors. I get so excited to hear that! I never would have considered myself a "color" person, but it's turned out to be one of my favorite parts of the process. I put a lot of time thinking about how the color will translate in a finished piece, making sure it is both wearable, and fun to work with.
Also, I've always believed that a persons energy is transferred into everything they touch, that's why I always say my yarn is "filled with positive energy". I love spinning so much, and it brings me so much happiness to get to do this for a living. In turn, that energy is put into every inch of my yarn! Now, about my book, how did you feel when we approached you to be in the book? I vainly have to ask…did you like the socks I designed with your yarn? (As I type this I am wearing the socks HA!)
I was so excited when I was approached about being a part of your book. I had already heard so many great things about you through the fiber arts grapevine, and couldn't wait to see the final product! I must say that the book is both interesting in content and beautiful to look at.

As for Lloyd, the pattern you used my yarn for- I love Love LOVE it! It is such a cleaver and user friendly pattern! Plus, it really is so great for handspun. I'm always telling people to choose simple patterns when working with handspun so that the yarn really stands out.
What are your future plans?
Since I went full time with my business this past January, I've been diligently trying to grow my brand. I am working on a new line of hand dyed yarn using locally sourced wool, specifically from small farms. Maine has a long tradition in the woolen industry and I am so lucky to have so many wonderful farms to work with! I am also going to be adding a variety of kits and more fiber art supplies.
Where can people see and buy your wonderful yarn!? Right now my handspun yarn is available through my Etsy Store, ontheround, at my LYS Over the Rainbow Yarn in downtown Rockland and at various craft shows all over the state of Maine. I will be launching my own website this spring. I will also be opening up my show schedule in the next year!
Anything else you think we should know? Yes! I love hearing from other knitters and spinners. Check out my Facebook page OnTheRound Fiber Art , and you can also find me on Twitter as ontheround. So there you have it folks! An awesome interview with Rachel! Make sure you check out her yarn in my new book, The Heritage Collection WWI & WWII, which is now available on Amazon and Ravlery! For more of Rohn Strong’s designs, please visit his website at: http://www.strongandstone.com.