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Long Thread Podcast Transcript: Shepherd & Navajo Weaver Nikyle Begay

In Spring 2022, we spoke with Nikyle Begay from their home on the Navajo Reservation in Season 5, Episode 1.

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.

Collecting Cashmere in Kyrgyzstan

Comb, shed, or shear? The advantages of hand-combing the extraordinary goats of Kyrgyzstan is explored here.

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Inspired by Speckles: Adding Easy Bursts of Color to Your Handspun

Hand-dyed speckle yarns inspired Joanna Johnson to try adding small streaks of color to her handspun. Learn two methods for adding these bursts of color with our step-by-step tutorial.

Color Play with Plant-Dyed Tops

Peek inside one spinner‘s process of using natural dyes gathered from his homeland in Australia to create nearly 150 dye extractions and over 15 pounds of colorful fiber to spin and knit to his heart's content.

Color Scheme: Spin Off Spring 2023

Just in time for spring, Spin Off contributors share their experiences dyeing, blending, spinning, and more in pursuit of the perfect palette.

Las Golondrinas: Santa Fe's Living History Museum

What began as a rest stop along the Camino Real is now a living history museum where visitors can learn about sheep shearing, spinning and weaving, and caring for a dye garden, plus see first-hand what life was like on the frontier.

Dyeing Flammegarn: Saxon Blue for Socks with a Twist

Speckled hand-dyed yarns are all the rage, but our love for sprinkles and speckles of color isn't new. Kate fell head over handknitted heels for traditional Norwegian flammegarn and had to give it a try.

Do You Spin Worsted, Woolen, or Something Between?

The difference between worsted and woolen yarns depends on how the fibers are prepared, the drafting technique used, and how twist is allowed to enter the fibers. However, most of us spin something between those two types of yarn. So what do you call that?

Spinning Wheel Basics: Know Your Drive Band

Whether your wheel is vintage or new, the drive band eventually needs replacing. Find tips for replacing bands on antique wheels, and learn how to determine which material to use.