Pattern suggestions for handspun yarn

I can't think of many things more luxurious than a pair of hand-spun, hand-knit socks! I have knit one pair of socks with hand-spun yarn and they are my coziest, most comfortable pair. While socks can be made with any kind of yarn, certain fiber and wool types work best for durable socks. I recommend any fiber that has been blended with nylon or mohair (if you don't find mohair itchy!) as well as yarn made with Blue-Faced Leicester or one of the other long-wool breeds. Yarn made from the long-wool breeds, which have a fiber or staple length of 8" or more, will make a long wearing, durable sock. Here are some great patterns that show off hand-spun yarn's unique qualities: Hermione's Everyday Socks Basic Sock Eight Stitches per Inch Sock Waterfall Socks Basic Ribbed Sock

Here in North Carolina, it rarely gets cold enough for mittens or gloves, but I love wearing my fingerless gloves in the morning to walk my dogs. They keep my arms warm under my jacket but my fingers are free to hold leashes or give my dogs treats. Fingerless gloves can be made with less than one skein, leaving you some left-overs for another project. Here are some good ones for hand-spun: Meeting of the Waters Inglis Mitts Albina Armwarmers Earl Grey Mitts Pure Maine Minnesota Mitts The Political Process

The following are my go-to pattern designers for hand-spun yarn. Each creates patterns with interesting fabric characteristics that highlight hand-spun's one-of-a-kind qualities. Melanie Berg/Mairlynd Ambah O'Brien Susan Ashcroft/Stitchnerd Designs Many of Susan Ashcroft's designs can be made with one skein of yarn!

Shawls and scarves are my favorite things to knit with hand-spun. Here are some great patterns that show off hand-spun yarn's one-of-a-kind qualities: Many can be made with only one skein! Also: consider using your hand-spun yarn as an accent color in a multi-colored shawl or scarf. Traveling Woman Shawl Oceanbound Dangling Conversation Nature's Lace (pictured) Color Affection Quaker Lines G'day Boomerang The Age of Brass and Steam Hitchhiker

Hi everyone, I'll be using this blog to feature great patterns for hand-spun yarn. Each post will feature a different theme of patterns. All patterns can be found on Ravelry. Links to the patterns can be found on the blog, alternatively, I've created a bundle of all patterns that can be found here. Hats are fun to knit with hand-spun yarn as the yarn creates a unique fabric. Hand-spun hats are also softer- even babies can wear a hand-spun wool hat! Here are some good ones: Basic Baby Hat Field of Wildflowers Hat Marble Hat Classic Cuffed Hat