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Kate’s Simple and Beautiful Cotton Shawl Pattern

Put your handspun to work, even if it’s imperfect! Kate designed this simple shawl to highlight handspun color and texture for beginning charkha spinners, but you can use this recipe for other fibers, too.

New Twists on Old Fibers: Spider Silk

In this excerpt from “New Twists on Old Fibers,” Christina Pappas considers spider silk from historic and modern perspectives.

SOAR 2022—Returning Instructors, Then and Now

What fun we’ve had looking through the SOAR archives. See what we’ve uncovered, and learn a few fun facts about our returning instructors!

Long Thread Podcast: Avani Varia, Cultural Heritage Entrepreneur

Season 5, Episode 6: An icon of Indian textile tradition and independence, charkha spinning has mostly disappeared from contemporary life. Avani Varia works to preserve the skill, create a living for spinners, and spread the charkha joy.

Wild & Crazy Dyes: Dyeing Yarn with Food Coloring

When I really want to surrender to spontaneity and playfulness, I take out my cake-decorating supplies and start dyeing yarn with food coloring.

Call for Submissions Spin Off Fall 2023: Carding Tools & Techniques

Our annual tool issue turns to a topic brimming with creativity and steeped in debate: all things carding. Do you love handcards, drumcards, blending boards, and more? Share your article and project ideas with Spin Off!

Ideas for Using Your Handspun Cotton Yarn

So you’ve gotten the hang of spinning cotton on a charkha. Now what? Take some inspiration from a few of our favorite projects and explore easy dyeing ideas to create beautiful color!

How to Make a Drop Spindle

Making a drop spindle is easier than you think and a good skill to have (even for spinners who own lots of spindles already).

What Is a Diz?

Learn about this particular little tool that can help create the perfect sliver.

How to Name a Sheep: Meet Willa and Gus

In the spring, Spin Off readers were asked for name suggestions for these cute twins. Let’s take a peek in the barn to see how Willa and Gus are doing this fall, and—of course—how their fleeces are growing!