Devin Helmen

Devin Helmen


A Stocking Study: Spinning Cotton for Knitting

Devin found that handspun cotton yarn resulted in more elasticity and memory than commercial cotton yarns. How would this yarn work for socks, especially for someone who is used to knitting wool socks?

Spin Off Made Me a Spinner!

Frequent Spin Off contributor Devin Helmen ruminates on how it all started.

How I Wash Wool: A Practical Method

There are many ways to wash a fleece. Looking for a straightforward approach? Try Devin’s method.

Devin’s Top 3 Spindles for Spinning Cotton

Cotton and other short-stapled fibers are traditionally spun on spindles that make long-draw spinning easy. Devin has three favorites to share, each from a different part of the globe.

Spin a Sturdy Sock Yarn

Devin found the perfect fleece for knitted socks that will withstand a lot of wear and tear.

VM Is Not the End: Save That Fleece with Handcards

Vegetable matter (VM)—the chaff, twigs, and burrs that can become embedded in our fleeces—is considered a flaw. But how much VM is too much? It’s a matter of opinion.

Spinning and Weaving with Hemp

As we approach National Hemp Day this February 4th, learn how to spin and weave this versatile fiber that has been used for clothing, textiles, sailcloth, and more throughout history.

Suffolk, Tunis, Dorset: A Spinner’s Ode to “Meat Sheep”

Looking for socks that don’t slouch and sweaters that hold their shape? Give these sheep breeds a second look.

Beginner Basics: Tips for Growing—and Pruning—Your Fiber Stash

Spinner Devin Helmen ruminates on how stashes come to exist, how they tend to grow on their own when our backs are turned, and how to decide when it’s time to pare down.

Dyer’s Chamomile and Best-Laid Garden Plans

An update on how the summer treated Devin’s garden