Debbie Held is a freelance writer, a contented real-life spinster, and an international fiber-arts educator. She writes recurring spinning-related content for Spin Off in print and on the web as well as for PLY, SweetGeorgia Yarns, and more. Debbie and her Persian cat, Marty, live on an urban farm in Atlanta, Georgia, where both enjoy watching the Shetland sheep that roam beneath their windows. Debbie’s new book, The Spinner’s Blending Board Bible, is available from Stackpole Books.
Does a drop spindle limit the size of a plied skein? Find tips and tricks for maximizing your skein’s yardage, no matter your spindle size!
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Blending boards offer lots of options. Find out why they’re this spinner’s desert-island prep tool.
With the Tour de Fleece in full swing, here are some thoughts about rider safety and avoiding injury.
Looking back at past events can help you plan for a successful and fun spinning event.
Transform leftover handspun into a stunning mobius cowl!
I was sure I didn’t much like spinning Targhee, nor did I love knitting socks. That is, until I came across a pair of socks so sensational that they called into question whether I knew myself at all.
Learn all about the temporary-cop method and tips for building a better cop.
Paco-vicuña is an ideal fiber for handspinners. As Jane Levene explains, the crinkle—or tiny, unorganized crimp—helps to interlock the fibers, creating that loft so many of us love.
Debbie Held is back to discuss the how-to portion of the plying process, or what to do after winding off.
The number one question people ask when I’m using a handspindle: “how do you go about plying singles yarns from the spindles?”