Yarn
Yarn
Yarn - The Journal of Scottish Yarns is a bi-annual journal, focussing on community, history, culture and creativity of textiles in Scotland.
Format: softback book; 224 pages; 20 x 25.5 cm
Includes a digital download code
Printed: in Scotland
ISSN: 2753-2801
Yarn - The Journal of Scottish Yarns aims to:
Promote Scottish textiles culture and community by telling the stories - past and present - of the fibres, skills, artisans and industries that make up its fabric
Support your creativity through a range of creative projects you can make yourself; from beginner to advanced level
Issue 3, Spring / Summer 2023
200+ pages
Articles:
Adopting the Viking Mantle: Shepherdess and artist Meg Rodger of The Birlinn Yarn Company is inspired by past and present in the Outer Hebrides.
Source Material – Strands of Memory: Two makers, Jeni Reid and Lynne Hocking, are inspired by linen with results that are both worlds apart and close to home.
A Woven Heritage: Second only to agriculture, linen production was the major Scottish industry in the 18th Century.
Historical Fibres, Future Networks: From exhibitions to walks and dolls, exploring heritage and developing links between art, design and Scotland’s linen industry.
Weaver of Weather: Designer Ange Sewell, of Weft Blown, weaving her own path in West Kilbride.
The Fruits of Friendship: How a collaboration based on friendship and diverse businesses led to new yarn range, Bearford Originals.
Sewing the Seeds of Change: Hands on engagement with flax at Edinburgh College of Art.
Improvised Designs and Mindful Making: A reflection on materials and creativity by artist Gaelle Chassery.
Patterns:
Knitting:
Thonnan Top by Katt Weaver, Heather and Hops
Carstramon Top by Maddie Harvey Designs
Sea Pink Top by Solveigh Lass-Evans
Seeded Fern Wrap by Meg Rodger, The Birlinn Yarn Company
Lèana 2-colour brioche shawl by Samira Hill, Eildon Hills Designs
Robach Shawl by Alison Mayne, Knitrospective
Crochet:
Machair Tank Top by Merrian Holland, Mezzacraft
Twine Bag by Merrian Holland, Mezzacraft
Dunnet Head Hap by Fay Dashper-Hughes
Magnolia Cowl from woven pin loom square by Ange Sewell, Weft Blown
Issue 2, Autumn / Winter 2022
200+ pages
Articles:
Di Gilpin: a retrospective on the career - so far - of knitwear designer and Scottish textile advocate.
The Princes Trust Future Textiles programme: with specifics from The Library of Knit, a Knitwise project which Di Gilpin worked on culminating in an installation in the arboretum of Dumfries House in Ayrshire.
The origins of Tartan: commemorating the 200th anniversary of Gorge IV visit to Edinburgh in 1822.
The Silly Sheep Fibre Company: story of yarn from a croft on Shetland and their adventures with several sheep breeds.
Jennie Howes, SkyBluePink Designs: evolution of a life in crafting from learning as a child through to operating a shop in Berwick-upon-Tweed, teaching crafts and selling hand-spun yarn.
Black Isle Yarns: story of a small yarn producer who gathers fleece from smallholdings on the Black Isle and hand dyes the spun yarn using natural plant dyes.
Woven Identities: Tartan meets Koru by Maori artist Mitchell Manuel: an exploration cultural heritage and symbolism inspired by Scottish ancestry, based on the autumn exhibition at the Smith Gallery in Stirling.
A view of New Zealand from emigrating Scots via the Diaspora Tapestry.
Patterns:
Knitting:
Dullieach yoked jumper by Lucy Hague
Aggie the Highland Cow intarsia jumper by Sylvia Watts-Cherry
Portmoak Moss beanie hat by Louise Mossom using Jamiesons of Shetland Spindrift
Moness shawl by Maddie Harvey
Bemersyde shawl by Samira Hill
Harris the Highland Cow toy by Kirsten Bedigan
Crochet:
Eildon Woods yoked jumper by Samira Hill
Droman jumper by Merrian Holland
Dunkeld slipper socks by Marta Mitchell
Rainbow Ram Embroidery sampler by Susie Finlayson
Issue 1, Spring / Summer 2022
170+ pages
Articles:
Short History of Scottish Textiles: A run through the History of Scottish Textiles illustrated with some of the panels from The Great Tapestry of Scotland.
Newburgh Handloom Weavers: From South Uist to the Scottish Borders and Fife, Newburgh Handloom Weavers are producing handwoven bespoke tweed on looms with a story.
The Native Sheep Breeds of Scotland: Steeped in more than 6,000 years of history, Scottish sheep are an interesting flock.
The Story of Iona Wool: The story of how single origin Iona Wool came to be created.
The Border Mill: What do you do when you have more alpaca fleece than you can hand-spin? Set up a new mill in Duns in the Scottish Borders.
Stitching Loyalty: An 18th century embroidery making a statement of loyalty to the exiled Stuart royal family.
Dovecot Studios produce a tapestry woven masterpiece from a masterpiece of a masterpiece.
Learning to Spin: Some of the experts in and around Scotland share their advice on learning a specific craft.
Patterns:
Knitting:
Cowl (in large and small sizes)
Sleeveless Vest
Triangular Shawl
Versatile Tabard
Crochet:
Summer Top
Waterfall-front Cardigan
Fingerless Mitts
Crewelwork sampler by Susie Finlayson, suitable for beginners