I joined the staff of Spin Off in the summer of 2021. That fall, I attended my very first SOAR event in Boulder, Colorado, at a peaceful venue that was nestled up against the beautiful Rocky Mountains. I didn’t know much about SOAR at the time, but I was able to drop in to a few classrooms to observe what was being taught by names I was by that time familiar with: Maggie Casey, Judith MacKenzie, Galina Khmeleva, to name a few. The small classes felt like such a personal experience. There was camaraderie among the students, who were bonding by their shared love of the fiber arts. There was an ease to the conversations with the instructors.
Left: Tom Knisely demonstrates how to dress a distaff using long line flax fiber. Right: Students spin flax roving to be used in a linen weaving project. Photos by Tiffany Warble
In 2023 I helped out with the SOAR event in Loveland, Colorado, where 2025’s event will return this October. I love the venue in Loveland. There’s so much space, with lots of classrooms, a large dining area reserved for SOAR attendees, and an inviting space for evening cocktails for students and teachers to mingle in an informal setting. The staff is gracious, the food’s delicious, and the view of the Colorado front range? Gorgeous. There’s time and space for leisurely spinning, weaving, knitting. Plus, an enticing marketplace to help you replenish your stash of squishy fiber or bring home that coveted tool.
The Marketplace at SOAR is a spinner’s dream—so much fibery goodness, all in one place! Photo by Matt Graves
The Ultimate Spinning Retreat
If you’ve never been to a SOAR event before, here’s what it’s like in a nutshell:
- A retreat-style event where you can expand your skills and deepen your passion for spinning.
- A five-day reprieve from everyday life to spend with like-minded fiber lovers.
- A place to learn from some of the most outstanding spinning teachers and fiber artists in the world.
- A time to connect with fiber friends.
- All this and more in a comfortable, accessible location.
I hope you’ll consider joining us this October 12–17, 2025. One set fee includes all meals, classes, materials fees, a marketplace, and evening events.
Find more information, including a list of instructors plus the event's itinerary, at spinoffretreat.com.
Debbie Blair is the associate editor of Spin Off magazine. A lifelong crafter and avid reader, she finds her happy place reading and relaxing next to a mountain stream.