Every month I write a series of hints and tips to allow you to make the most of your Time Travellers Club. There are suggestions on how you might want to spin the yarn, ideas on the yarn thicknesses that will work best, and possible combinations of fibres to allow you to make larger quantities of yarn from your set amount of club fibre. All the combinations I suggest are based on colours that will work well. If the 2 fibres have different composition then you will be making a compromise yarn, it might not be quite as soft, or might not be quite as lustrous, or as fluffy. You need to decide what works for you!
You may want to avoid visiting this page until after you have received your fibre as there will be information about the colour and composition of the blend.
You may want to avoid visiting this page until after you have received your fibre as there will be information about the colour and composition of the blend.
September 2020
There's something autumnal feeling about the fibre this mont. It's been a while since we had a blend with such a variety of shades. The way in which you spin this yarn, and the thickness at which you spin it will be key to the overall effect. The colours will get more blended with finer yarns over fatter ones. The colours will also blend more if you spin from the end of the combed top compared to taking a chunk and spinning from the fold.
The camelid fibres in this blend give a lovely bounce and fluffiness. Personally I'd be going for a long draw spin, from the fold in something that's an Aran weight... but as ever, there's no wrong way, so don't take that as gospel.
Plying with previous club parcels-
Club fibres to use for stripes or colourwork
Other stock fibres to use with this blend-
Tussah Silk- Saffron, Olive, Citron Sage, Nut, Earth
Superfine Merino & Silk- Scotland, Ash, Saffron, Lace, Dune, Orange
Heather Mulberry Silk- Delyth, Meinir, Rhian
Naturally Dyed Merino- Amber, Ginger, Starch, Genista, Parchment
Nordic- Earth, Frigg, Sif, Odin
There's something autumnal feeling about the fibre this mont. It's been a while since we had a blend with such a variety of shades. The way in which you spin this yarn, and the thickness at which you spin it will be key to the overall effect. The colours will get more blended with finer yarns over fatter ones. The colours will also blend more if you spin from the end of the combed top compared to taking a chunk and spinning from the fold.
The camelid fibres in this blend give a lovely bounce and fluffiness. Personally I'd be going for a long draw spin, from the fold in something that's an Aran weight... but as ever, there's no wrong way, so don't take that as gospel.
Plying with previous club parcels-
- Tower Subway
- Athena
- Singapore Sling
- Khadi
- Humboldt
- Singer
- Gold
- Khaki
- Bronze
- Penicillin
- Hawaii
- South Africa
- Kelly Green
- Gutenberg
- Blue John
- Blackpool Illuminations
- Chrome Yellow
- National Parks
- Bayeux Tapestry
- Concrete
- Illuminated Manuscript
Club fibres to use for stripes or colourwork
- Boat Race
- National Trust
- Renoir
- Red Canary
- Humboldt
- Peterloo
- Munstead Wood
- Bronze
- Hawaii
- South Africa
- Mardi Gras
- Airforce Blue
- Blue Print
- Turkey Red
- Newtons Indigo
Other stock fibres to use with this blend-
Tussah Silk- Saffron, Olive, Citron Sage, Nut, Earth
Superfine Merino & Silk- Scotland, Ash, Saffron, Lace, Dune, Orange
Heather Mulberry Silk- Delyth, Meinir, Rhian
Naturally Dyed Merino- Amber, Ginger, Starch, Genista, Parchment
Nordic- Earth, Frigg, Sif, Odin
August 2020
Something that's a rather nice neutral this moth. Neither grey nor brown... but somewhere in the middle, with lovely pops of colour from the tweed.
That means that you will need to embrace a certain level of texture from this blend. The Corriedale and South American Wool give nice levels of loft and bounce, neither are prickly, but equally the micron count is high enough that I would suggest you could use this things that you want to be more durable.
I think this blend will work well at any yarn weight.
Plying with previous club parcels-
I started writing the list... and then realised I was basically writing down every fibre. so basically, I think this is the perfect neutral!
Club fibres to use for stripes or colourwork
Other stock fibres to use with this blend-
Tussah Silk- Nut & Earth (lots of others will also work, these are the ones that will tone)
Superfine Merino & Silk- Ash, Dune, Lace
Heather Mulberry Silk- Delyth
Nordic- This would work well with all the colours!
Something that's a rather nice neutral this moth. Neither grey nor brown... but somewhere in the middle, with lovely pops of colour from the tweed.
That means that you will need to embrace a certain level of texture from this blend. The Corriedale and South American Wool give nice levels of loft and bounce, neither are prickly, but equally the micron count is high enough that I would suggest you could use this things that you want to be more durable.
I think this blend will work well at any yarn weight.
Plying with previous club parcels-
I started writing the list... and then realised I was basically writing down every fibre. so basically, I think this is the perfect neutral!
Club fibres to use for stripes or colourwork
- Banksia
- Red Canary
- Khadi
- Humboldt
- Singer
- Stone Wall
- Munstead Wood
- Pink
- Bronze
- Hawaii
- South Africa
- Blue Print
- Turkey Red
- Newtons Indigo
- Bathroom Suite
Other stock fibres to use with this blend-
Tussah Silk- Nut & Earth (lots of others will also work, these are the ones that will tone)
Superfine Merino & Silk- Ash, Dune, Lace
Heather Mulberry Silk- Delyth
Nordic- This would work well with all the colours!
July 2020
This is a wonderful shiny blend. It uses the 19micron Merino so is also lovely and soft, but has a bit more structure due to the addition of Wild Giant Himalayan Stinging Nettle. This is a linen style fibre, so it will soften and become more flexible the more you work with it. In my opinion this is a fibre that needs to be spun at DK weight and below, anything thicker than that isn't a good use of the drape that this yarn will have. I'd also be using a worsted spinning technique, as a short forward or backward draft will really emphasise the shine.
Plying with previous club parcels
Club fibres to use for stripes or colourwork
If you want other options for combing with fibres that are currently in stock-
You can buy Wild Giant Himalayan Stinging Nettle as a stand alone fibre
https://hilltopcloudshop.co.uk/collections/non-wool-fibres/products/wild-giant-himalayan-stinging-nettle
Colours of Superfine Merino & Silk- https://hilltopcloudshop.co.uk/collections/merino-silk
Scotland, Cobalt, Ireland, Paradise, Twilight, Provence, Sunrise
Naturally Dyed Merino- https://hilltopcloudshop.co.uk/collections/naturally-dyed...
Rain, Cornflower, Emerald, Amazon
Tussah Silk Colours- https://hilltopcloudshop.co.uk/collections/tussah-silk
Storm, Ireland, Tuareg, Paradise, Sunrise, Twilight, September, Antilles, Meadow
Ramie- https://hilltopcloudshop.co.uk/collections/ramiehilltopcloudshop.co.uk/collections/ramie
Cobalt, Tuareg, Ireland, Lavender, Sunrise, Paradise
Heather Mulberry Silk- https://hilltopcloudshop.co.uk/collections/heather-mulber...
Anwen, Llinos, Ffion, Eirwen, Ina
This is a wonderful shiny blend. It uses the 19micron Merino so is also lovely and soft, but has a bit more structure due to the addition of Wild Giant Himalayan Stinging Nettle. This is a linen style fibre, so it will soften and become more flexible the more you work with it. In my opinion this is a fibre that needs to be spun at DK weight and below, anything thicker than that isn't a good use of the drape that this yarn will have. I'd also be using a worsted spinning technique, as a short forward or backward draft will really emphasise the shine.
Plying with previous club parcels
- Athena
- Boat Race
- National Trust
- Remoir
- Khadi
- Humboldt
- Peterloo
- Emerald City
- Peak District
- Thin Blue Line
- Bronze
- Penicillin
- Airforce Blue
- Graphite
- Blue Print
- Bathroom Suite
Club fibres to use for stripes or colourwork
- Khadi
- Humboldt
- Peterloo
- Bronze
- Charles Rennie Mackintosh
- Airforce Blue
- Graphite
- Blue Print
- Chrome Yellow
- Pompadour Pink
If you want other options for combing with fibres that are currently in stock-
You can buy Wild Giant Himalayan Stinging Nettle as a stand alone fibre
https://hilltopcloudshop.co.uk/collections/non-wool-fibres/products/wild-giant-himalayan-stinging-nettle
Colours of Superfine Merino & Silk- https://hilltopcloudshop.co.uk/collections/merino-silk
Scotland, Cobalt, Ireland, Paradise, Twilight, Provence, Sunrise
Naturally Dyed Merino- https://hilltopcloudshop.co.uk/collections/naturally-dyed...
Rain, Cornflower, Emerald, Amazon
Tussah Silk Colours- https://hilltopcloudshop.co.uk/collections/tussah-silk
Storm, Ireland, Tuareg, Paradise, Sunrise, Twilight, September, Antilles, Meadow
Ramie- https://hilltopcloudshop.co.uk/collections/ramiehilltopcloudshop.co.uk/collections/ramie
Cobalt, Tuareg, Ireland, Lavender, Sunrise, Paradise
Heather Mulberry Silk- https://hilltopcloudshop.co.uk/collections/heather-mulber...
Anwen, Llinos, Ffion, Eirwen, Ina
June 2020
It’s a Merino & Bamboo blend this time, so pretty versatile. Will spin in a smooth and strong yarn with good shine. It’s the 23 micron Merino in this blend, so not astoundingly soft, but versatile, and will work well for things around your neck, or for things like mittens or garments.
Go for any thickness of yarn, it’s not fussy!
Plying with previous club parcels
Club fibres to use for stripes or colourwork
There’s a couple of colours of orange viscose and bamboo that are in the sale section of the shop-
https://hilltopcloudshop.co.uk/collections/sale
Colours of Superfine Merino & Silk- https://hilltopcloudshop.co.uk/collections/merino-silk
Soft Fruit, Rust, Fire, Sicilian, Dune, Ash, Purple, Saffron, Lace, Orange, Chocolate
Naturally Dyed Merino- https://hilltopcloudshop.co.uk/collections/naturally-dyed...
Ladybird, Perfume, Ginger, Parchment
Tussah Silk Colours- https://hilltopcloudshop.co.uk/collections/tussah-silk
Saffron, Rust, Purple, Melon, Raspberry, Soft Fruit, Nut, Onion, Rouge
Heather Mulberry Silk- https://hilltopcloudshop.co.uk/collections/heather-mulber...
Tanwen, Delyth
It’s a Merino & Bamboo blend this time, so pretty versatile. Will spin in a smooth and strong yarn with good shine. It’s the 23 micron Merino in this blend, so not astoundingly soft, but versatile, and will work well for things around your neck, or for things like mittens or garments.
Go for any thickness of yarn, it’s not fussy!
Plying with previous club parcels
- Athena
- Singapore Sling
- Red Canary
- Humboldt
- Singer
- Stonewall
- Gold
- Hawaii
- South Africa
- Gutenberg
- Chrome Yellow
- Turkey Red
- Illuminated Manuscripts
Club fibres to use for stripes or colourwork
- Humboldt
- Gold
- Khaki
- Bronze
- Penicillin
- South Africa
- Airforce Blue
- Kelly Green
- Gutenberg
- Chrome Yellow
- Bayeux Tapestry
There’s a couple of colours of orange viscose and bamboo that are in the sale section of the shop-
https://hilltopcloudshop.co.uk/collections/sale
Colours of Superfine Merino & Silk- https://hilltopcloudshop.co.uk/collections/merino-silk
Soft Fruit, Rust, Fire, Sicilian, Dune, Ash, Purple, Saffron, Lace, Orange, Chocolate
Naturally Dyed Merino- https://hilltopcloudshop.co.uk/collections/naturally-dyed...
Ladybird, Perfume, Ginger, Parchment
Tussah Silk Colours- https://hilltopcloudshop.co.uk/collections/tussah-silk
Saffron, Rust, Purple, Melon, Raspberry, Soft Fruit, Nut, Onion, Rouge
Heather Mulberry Silk- https://hilltopcloudshop.co.uk/collections/heather-mulber...
Tanwen, Delyth
May 2020
We’ve got a neutral this month, but one that’s very luxurious!
As I was packing the fibre I was wondering about how best to spin this blend. The Silk and Alpaca would suggest from the end with a short forward/backward draw, but the Camel and Merino might favour a point of twist draw from the fold.
So I did what any good spinner should do and sampled.
We’ve got a neutral this month, but one that’s very luxurious!
As I was packing the fibre I was wondering about how best to spin this blend. The Silk and Alpaca would suggest from the end with a short forward/backward draw, but the Camel and Merino might favour a point of twist draw from the fold.
So I did what any good spinner should do and sampled.
Top is from the fold with point of twist, bottom is from the end with a short forward draw.
They’re both lovely, and both would work really well. From the fold gives you more loft and bounce, from the end gives more drape. It entirely depends on how you think you might use the fibre.
These are a rough and ready DK weight, unwashed, but I think you could go for just about any weight of yarn.
Ideas for plying with other editions of the club
Tussah Silk Colours you could use to ply with this blend- Shell, Nut, Sage, Earth, Onion, Rust
Superfine Merino & Silk colours- Rust, Natural, Onion, Shell, Powder, November, Dune, Ash, Lace.
Naturally Dyed Merino- Plum, Eyeshadow, Amber, Starch, Genista, Perfume.
It would also work really with some of the Heather Mulberry Silk colours- Delyth & Meinir.
They’re both lovely, and both would work really well. From the fold gives you more loft and bounce, from the end gives more drape. It entirely depends on how you think you might use the fibre.
These are a rough and ready DK weight, unwashed, but I think you could go for just about any weight of yarn.
Ideas for plying with other editions of the club
- Singapore Sling
- Red Canary
- Khadi
- Humboldt
- Singer
- Stonewall
- Peak District
- Gold
- Khaki
- Bronze
- Penicillin
- South Africa
- Charles Rennie Mackintosh
- Khaki
- Gutenberg
- Chrome Yellow
- National Parks
- Bayeux Tapestry
- Concrete
- Illuminated Manuscript
- Kinder Trespass
- Red Canary
- Humboldt
- Singer
- Bronze
- Hawaii
- South Africa
- Turkey Red
Tussah Silk Colours you could use to ply with this blend- Shell, Nut, Sage, Earth, Onion, Rust
Superfine Merino & Silk colours- Rust, Natural, Onion, Shell, Powder, November, Dune, Ash, Lace.
Naturally Dyed Merino- Plum, Eyeshadow, Amber, Starch, Genista, Perfume.
It would also work really with some of the Heather Mulberry Silk colours- Delyth & Meinir.
April 2020
As is appropriate for this month this blend is about letting go and not feeling like you need to control every last thing! Spinning blends with Sari Silk is all about embracing texture, and accepting that you won’t get a perfectly even yarn. I think this is a blend that would be great when spun as a thicker yarn, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use it for anything thinner.
There are quite a lot of different shades hidden in it, so if you want minimal blending then try spinning from the fold. The finer you spin the more blended the colours will be.
Ideas for plying with other editions of the club
Ideas for contrast stripes or colourwork
Superfine Merino & Silk colours- Blackberry, Soft Fruit, Rust, Saffron, Orange, Lipstick.
Naturally Dyed Merino- Ladybird, Ginger, Perfume.
This blend also sits really nicely with the colour palette of Silk Road.
As is appropriate for this month this blend is about letting go and not feeling like you need to control every last thing! Spinning blends with Sari Silk is all about embracing texture, and accepting that you won’t get a perfectly even yarn. I think this is a blend that would be great when spun as a thicker yarn, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use it for anything thinner.
There are quite a lot of different shades hidden in it, so if you want minimal blending then try spinning from the fold. The finer you spin the more blended the colours will be.
Ideas for plying with other editions of the club
- Humboldt
- Singer
- Stonewall
- Munstead Wood
- Thin Blue Line
- Pink
- South Africa
- Blackpool Illuminations
- Chrome Yellow
- To Boldly Go
- Whitby Jet
- Bathroom Suite
- Wild Apple
- Saffron Revolution
- Scheeles Green
- Tyrian Purple
Ideas for contrast stripes or colourwork
- Khadi
- Humboldt
- Peterloo
- South Africa
- Mardi Gras
- To Boldly Go
- Blueprint
- Whitby Jet
- Bathroom Suite
- Scheeles Green
- Flapper Dress
Superfine Merino & Silk colours- Blackberry, Soft Fruit, Rust, Saffron, Orange, Lipstick.
Naturally Dyed Merino- Ladybird, Ginger, Perfume.
This blend also sits really nicely with the colour palette of Silk Road.