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Easy Striped Baby Cap 
Using unspun rolags to knit is a great introduction to spinning—carding and drafting fiber are some of the first steps in learning how to spin. See Carol’s article in the Winter 2008 issue of Spin.Off to learn more of the fundamentals of preparing rolags for knitting.
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WILD AND WARM
Guanaco and Vicuña Lace Fingerless Gloves
Wild guanacos and vicuñas are both beautiful and graceful. They produce some of the finest fibers in the world. It is fitting to knit a light and lacy garment to honor their elegance. These open-fingered gloves are not only decorative but also warm. Learn more about spinning guanaco and vicuña fibers in the Winter 2008 issue of Spin-Off.
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The Andean Connection
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by Amy Clarke Moore
We’re just back from our twenty sixth Spin.Off Autumn Retreat (SOAR)—this year it was held at Pocono Manor in the Poconos of Pennsylvania. About 275 spinners converged on this peaceful setting nestled among tree-covered hills just as the autumn colors were hitting their peak. |
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Spinning Tips: Plying on a Spindle
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by Maggie Casey
Plying on a spindle is easy! In fact, there are many ways to do it: Andean plying, multiple spindles, center-pull ball, etc. I’ve tried them all and find that I make my best yarn when I transfer the yarn from my spindle to a storage device before plying. Small balls and clay flowerpots work well; the balls hold the yarn and the pots hold the ball. It is a trick Rita Buchanan taught at Spin-Off Autumn Retreat (SOAR) one year. You can also use weaving bobbins and a lazy kate to hold your singles, just as you would for plying on a wheel. |
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Spinning Basics: Blending Colors at the Wheel  (536 KB)
by Amy Tyler
With the current multitude of fiber arts events and access to fibers on the Internet, it is an easy task to find wonderful fibers ready to spin. There are rovings, batts, and tops in a rainbow of colors, both solid and mixed. When I wander the vendor aisles at a fiber festival, I can’t help but purchase fiber. To minimize the effect on my pocketbook, I usually buy small amounts (4 to 8 ounces) of a given fiber, and thus my stash grows. The drawback of this approach is that I often find myself with not enough of a particular fiber to make a large project, such as a sweater. |
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Dagmar Klos’s extended dyeing book list (285 KB)
We’ve decided to depart a bit from our normal review format for this issue. In keeping with the theme of color and dyeing that runs through this issue, we’ve asked dyeing expert Dagmar Klos to compile a resource list of dyeing books, both old and new. |
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More Spaced-Out Felted Scarves from the Interweave staff
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This gallery came about when Liz Gipson (managing editor of Handwoven and Knitting Daily TV cohost) came bounding into the Spin.Off office (well, truth be told, she scooted on her chair through the doorway that separates our offices) to show me a scarf made with handspun singles and using Jane Patrick’s draft for a Spaced-Out Felted Scarf.
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In the Fall 2008 issue, we asked about your goals when starting a new yarn, and your end result. Here are the results. (Note that the total percentage is much higher than 100% since we asked for your top two choices.)
- 34% I envision a specific yarn in my head, and I am usually successful in reproducing it on the wheel.
- 42% I envision a specific yarn in my head, but I am still practicing to be able to reproduce it on the wheel.
- 20% I like to try new techniques and will practice nonstop until I feel comfortable with them.
- 52% I like to try new techniques, but I’m not worried about mastering them.
- 10% I tend to stick with the type of yarn I’m good at making, and I’m content that way.
- 42% I tend to stick with the type of yarn I’m good at making, but I’d like to try new things.
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 The
Spinner's Connection has been a column in the magazine that focuses
on the activities of spinning guilds. For nearly ten years, Peggy Coffey has been
reading the newsletters from spinning guilds throughout the world and reporting
on what they are doing. Peggy will continue to write her column and
we'll post it here - giving you all the opportunity to respond and contribute. |
Spinning Guilds
Get connected to a group of people who share your passion
for spinning.
Spinning & Weaving Association
For retail or wholesale spinning and weaving business. More info at:
www.spinweave.org |
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These FREE Spinning Brochures teach you how to spin and inform you about the techniques, tools, and terms you need to know.
CD spindle
(79 KB) – Use these instructions to make a simple spindle using a compact
disc.
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FREE Spinning Brochure
& Spindle Instructions
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