As we close out 2023, we like to look back at all the wonderful topics our contributors and the Spin Off staff have delved into over the past 12 months. Of the nearly 160 web articles on the Spin Off site alone, these were the most popular with our readers.
10. On a Roll with Pseudorolags
Learn tips for making colorful pseudorolags. Photo by Joe Coca
Surprise! You don’t need a blending board in order to make colorful rolags! Learn to make “pseudorolags” with these helpful tips (plus subscribers receive a bonus hat project). Read the full article.
9. Four Restored and Antique Spinning Wheels
Join Heavenly as she takes us on a tour of her restored wheels. Photo from “Antique Spinning Wheel Tour with Heavenly Bresser”
Spinner and teacher Heavenly Bresser talks about her fondness for some of her favorite antique wheels that she has restored from her collection of over 40! Read the full article and watch the video here.
8. Easy Peasy Natural Dyeing: Three Articles to Get You Started
Onion skins are a reliable dyestuff that might already be in your kitchen cabinets! Photo by Matt Graves
Are you curious about natural dyeing but have yet to give it a try? We’ll help you get started with a collection of articles that touch on using readily available grocery items, nuts and flowers, and more! Read the full article.
7. Backstrap Rigid-Heddle Basics: Get Weaving Handspun Bands
Kate will show you how to warp and weave this handspun band using a small rigid heddle, like the one shown here. Photo by Kate Larson
Get started weaving with small rigid heddles! Spin Off editor Kate Larson will show you how to warp and weave a handspun band in this tutorial, which also includes a short how-to video. You’ll be weaving sweet bands, ribbons, and ties in no time. Read the full article.
6. Plying Yarn: How to Ply Yarn the Simple Way
A grouping of 3-ply yarns created by Judith MacKenzie in Ashland Bay’s selection of dyed Merino top and featured in the Summer 2006 issue of Spin Off. Photo by Joe Coca
Learning to ply yarn is easier than you think with these step-by-step spinning instructions from spinner extraordinaire and instructor Judith MacKenzie, including tips for the best ways to store your yarn and a free eBook! Read the full article.
5. How to Knit with Art Yarn
Not sure what to do with all of your fun textured yarn? Esther has some ideas! Photo by George Boe
Learn how to incorporate your handspun art yarns into your knitting with these expert tips from renowned fiber-arts maven Esther Rodgers—plus subscribers can find instructions for a darling purse to knit! Read the full article.
4. Visible Mending with a Darning Loom
Mend using handspun Polish Merino and a darning loom from Alexon Ver, who creates vintage-inspired looms in Ukraine. Photo by Kate Larson
Do you love the look of visible mending but feel like you need some help getting started? Darning looms are a great way to corral your mends and help you get the hang of the darning process. Find a tutorial for getting started using a darning loom with spinners in mind, including a video how-to! Read the full article.
3. Handcarding Like You’ve Never Seen It Before
Rita Buchanan’s handcarding is like nothing you’ve ever seen before. From “How I Spin by Rita Buchanan”
Few subjects in spinning are as contentious as handcarding. Explore three completely different ways that excellent spinners approach these tools, from classic to nontraditional to downright whimsical. Read the full article.
2. Hows and Whys of Handspun Socks (plus an eBook full of patterns!)
Anne Podlesak spun a Bluefaced Leicester/silk combo for her beautiful Handspun Lida Rose Socks. Photo by Joe Coca
What is the best sock yarn? Oh my, do spinners have opinions. Up your sock game with a collection of some of our favorite handspun sock patterns and find helpful suggestions for spinning yarn for socks. Read the full article.
1. Seven Drafting Techniques to Explore
Add a few new drafting techniques to your toolbox. Photo by Matt Graves
As spinners our goal is to be able to control the spin so we get the type of yarn we want every time, which starts with how we are drafting the fiber. Learn about seven different methods of drafting from fiber artist Jeannine Bakriges. Read the full article.
We hope the coming year is filled with many spinnerly things.
Happy spinning!