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I usually think of January and February as quiet months—a time to curl up and hibernate as winter finishes its last stretch before blasting into spring. But this year, there’s been a lot going on (to put it mildly), both out in the world and in the fiber community. Here are a few snapshots of what’s come across my desk in the last few weeks. Wherever this finds you, I hope it sparks new ideas and ways to connect with the spinning community.
Black History Month
In school, we learned about George Washington Carver and peanuts. But did you know he was also an avid crocheterand natural dyer? Read more about Carver’s crochet on the Piecework website, and then hop back over here to read about his natural dye explorations.
Detail of a round burlap doily used as a model in Carver’s agricultural extension work. Photo by Nancy Nehring. Image courtesy of National Park Service, Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site, George Washington Carver Museum
Several years ago, I had the opportunity to see a special exhibit of Ruth E. Carter’s work. (If you don’t know Ruth E. Carter, she's the costume designer behind Marvel’s Black Panther films, Selma, Amistad, and many more.) Titled Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design, this touring exhibition is currently on view at the African American Museum in Philadelphia, and well worth a visit. Carter continues to make Black history, having recently become the most Oscar-nominated Black woman in Oscar history for her work on the film Sinners.
Fire at Ross Farm
On February 2, Amy Ross Manko got a call that her iconic big barn at the Ross Farm was fully engulfed in flames. In addition to the loss of the barn that was built by her great-grandfather, Amy lost her flock of heritage and rare breed ewes, and Melinda Wamsley of Boss Mare Shearing also lost her entire flock and all her shearing equipment. You can learn more about this tragic loss to the spinning community and support Amy and Melinda in rebuilding at the Ross Farm website.
What’s Spinning Right Now
If you’re looking for spinning community, there are plenty of spinning events happening around the Internet—two of them right here on Spin Off! Join one or more. Here are the details:
2026 Spin-Along
The 2026 Spin Off Spin-Along kicked off at the end of January, and spinners in the Spin Off Ravelry group are already off to a flying start. The theme this year is “For Your Feet” and like most years, open to every spinner’s interpretation. It’s not too late to join! Either post your finished project in the Ravelry Spin-Along thread or email it to us by May 1 to play along.
Find Kate Larson’s Cymru Socks and many other treats for your feet in the Library. Photo by Gale Zucker
5 Ways to Prep and Spin a Braid
Are you ever stumped by how to spin a braid? Do those lovely colors call to you at the fiber festival, but you’re not sure how to make them shine in your handspun yarn? In 5 Ways to Prep and Spin a Braid, Kate Larson walks you through five sampling methods that will turn you from a braid newbie into an expert.
I’ve been working my way through the first lesson. Even though I’ve sampled my fair share of braids, I’ve already picked up a few cool tips that have my creative juices flowing. Thanks, Kate!
Join us as we explore ways to prep and spin braids in bite-sized lessons.
100-Day Project
The 100-Day Project originally started as an assignment in Michael Beirut’s class at the Yale School of Art. It’s now become a social media phenomenon, and kicks off Monday, February 23. The idea is that you pick one small thing that helps you kickstart your creativity, and the best projects focus on tiny, repeatable activities. I’m planning to make 100 spindle-spun color samples, no bigger than a 2-yard plyback each, but you could choose just about anything—spin for the Spin-Along, spin samples for 5 Ways to Prep and Spin a Braid, or some other project.
Spin Together
Spin Together starts February 21 and goes until February 28. If you’re into competitive spinning, there are prizes awarded in several categories, or you can just spin along for fun.
Getting Ready for Spring
Except for that one wintry blast, this area has had a pretty mild winter. My coastal North Carolina garden is now in that most treacherous stage—when the bright green weeds beginning to emerge fill me with joy. There’s nothing quite like that shade of chartreuse, and while I know summer me will regret it, I’ll probably let them go for another week or two just to add some color to the gray days.
Pamela showing off last year’s flax harvest. Photo by Michael Schultz
Try a Container Dye Garden
Even if you don’t have outdoor space for planting (or if you want to extend your growing season), you can still grow your own dyes! Check out Isabella Rossi’s article, Growing Dye Plants Without a Garden to get started.
Yes, you can grow dyes in pots! Photo by Isabella Rossi
Don’t Forget to Send Us Your Ideas!
There are just a few more days left to submit your ideas for the Winter 2027 issue. The theme is Heart & Soul of Natural Fibers, and we’d love to hear your ideas. Have a heartfelt lace project to share, or a project that uses up lots of little breed study samples? Send it our way! You can find more details here.
Whew! It is indeed a busy time. I hope you find some time to relax and spin some fiber this week.
Happy Spinning,
Pamela