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Safety First! 4 Tips for Preparing Fiber for Spinning Without Hurting Yourself

When we’re caught up in color blending with our combs and handcarders, we rarely stop to think how sharp our spinning tools really are—until we get poked. Ouch! In this excerpt from the Fall 2018 issue of Spin Off, contributor Mary Egbert shares these

Mi Amor: Adventures in Fulling and Felting Wool

I have a confession: spinning wasn’t my first fiber love. The year was 2002, and a fetching handknitted and fulled tote bag on display in my local yarn shop seduced me.

Margaret Stove, New Zealand’s Lacemaker to Royalty

Margaret Stove has taught spinners around the world how to wash and spin ultrafine wool. But outside the spinning community, she may be best known as the designer of the shawls that were New Zealand’s gifts to Prince William and Prince George.

Spinning for Lace, Knitting for Love with Margaret Stove

Inspired by an article about the Shetland hap in the upcoming Spin Off Fall 2018, I’ve been thinking about spinning for lace, Shetland shawls, and Margaret Stove.

A Vintage Tatted Edging from Needlecraft Magazine

Enjoy a free tatted edging pattern from PieceWork’s Trimmings. This department offers a collection of patterns, charts, and instructions that have been gleaned from old magazines and books that are no longer generally available.

Adventures in Natural Dyeing: The Outback Afghan Project

Spin Off contributor Brian McCarthy learned to spin shortly after his retirement. Soon he became fascinated with natural dyeing and Navajo plying.

Roving Reporter: Spinning for Inkle Weaving

Have you ever tried spinning for inkle weaving? I was inspired to give it a go after seeing an abundance of beautiful, handwoven bands during my travels in Estonia and Norway.

Her Handspun Habit: Staying Accountable for My Fiber Stash

On more than one occasion, I have written in support of keeping a well-stocked fiber stash. I like to think of it as a pantry rich with enticing spinning ingredients.

Roving Reporter: Spinning Fiber in Baltimore & Beyond

This roving reporter has just returned from Baltimore, Maryland, stuffed with crabcakes and carrying burgeoning suitcases stuffed with spinning fiber.

A Brief History of an 18th-Century Woven Cloth: Cassimere

Sarah Wroot’s working title for her Spin Off article started as “The Cassimere Project” but became “The Cassimere Insanity.”