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.
Raise your hand! Who wants to join us for a mitt-along in 2020?
Spin Off just wrapped up its annual spinalong/knitalong on Ravelry. This year, we focused on the Shetland-inspired handspun hap.
Recently, when I decided to spin up a 50% yak/50% silk blend top, the decision was easy: I spun that baby using my favorite supported spindles.
We all know that a skein of handspun yarn is made up of more than just fiber. Other elements count, too: the preparation, the color, the tools and how they’re used, and the ever-important mood of the handspinner.
Sit at the wheel, fiber in hand, with nary a plan, nor even a purpose, in mind, other than satisfying the itch for a bit of time spent making handspun yarn.
If you’re looking to add a more consistent handspinning practice to your lifestyle but think you’ve got no time for even a few minutes each day?
It all began on January 1, 2017 with our maiden virtual group gathering: the first annual Spin Off Magazine Spinalong and Knitalong (SAL/KAL) focused on the combo spin. Now, we're making haps!
Each year, as December rolls past like a freight train, I find a few moments to sit and quietly reflect on my year in handspinning.
One of the ways I make myself feel better about the utter chaos that exists in parts of my life is to take excellent care of my fiber stash and related spinning tools.
