Today’s the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, and I have to admit it snuck up on me. But it must be true—the daffodils are blooming and my car is coated with a fine layer of yellow pollen every morning. What else is blooming? The stinky trio of Bradford pears someone planted long before I arrived (if you know, you know).
Besides their strong scent, Bradford pears, a cultivar of Callery pears or Pyrus calleryana, are considered an invasive species in the United States. Birds eat the plentiful, marble-size fruits and spread the seeds to all sorts of habitats through their droppings. Jokes abound on the Internet about the best way to “prune” a Bradford pear, but did you know the bark and leaves produce beautiful natural dyes? Theresa Hornstein shows us how in the Spring 2026 issue—be sure to grab your copy so you don’t miss out!
Theresa Hornstein’s stunning range of colors from Bradford pear bark and leaves. Photo by Matt Graves
What’s Trending in Spinning?
Lately I’ve been seeing more dyers putting up their fiber in a twist, like a giant hank of yarn, instead of a braid. I’m not quite sure who started this trend (if you do, let us know at [email protected]). This format lets you see more of how the colors interact, and it looks like there’s less potential for compacting the fibers—unless you cram them into your stash!
Another interesting trend? Taklis! I’ve seen a resurgence of spindle makers playing with simple and fancy takli forms. These small, simple spindles are best known for spinning short-stapled cotton, but can be used anytime you want a fast spindle. Whether you want a basic or blinged-out takli, get started with Joan Ruane and fine-tune your technique with Kate Larson’s takli tips.
Targhee from Fresh Lotus Design in colorway Paris Lights.
What’s Spinning Now?
If you’re looking for community, there are plenty of events happening around the Internet—two of them right here on Spin Off! Join one or more. Here are the details:
The 2026 Spin Off Spin-Along kicked off at the end of January, and spinners in the Spin Off Ravelry group have been busy! 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.
All you need to complete the course is one braid, but you’ll wind up with five very different samples! I’m continuing to work my way through the lessons, and have enjoyed spinning the bite-sized samples. Look out for the next lesson, coming in early April, and if you haven’t started yet, now is the time to join—the video lessons are all free!
Join us as we explore ways to prep and spin braids in bite-sized lessons.
The 100 Day Project Continues
I’m now about a month in to my 100 day project, where I make 100 spindle-spun color samples, no bigger than a 2-yard plyback each. As I have time, I’m also blending and spinning larger quantities of some of my favorite colors for warp. I’m hoping to spend some time to sit down with Kate Larson’s Backstrap Rigid Heddle: Weaving Pick-Up Bands course. If you’re just getting started with backstrap rigid heddle bandweaving, be sure to check out her free beginner video, Backstrap Rigid Heddle Basics.
The best part of tiny sampling? There’s still time for slightly bigger spins!
Fiber in the Garden
Before I do anything else, though, there’s some garden-tending to do. I’m excited by the possibility of amending my nutrient-poor sandy soil with wool mulch. There’s also an interesting experiment going on in the flax patch—I left some standing at the end of last year for a go at winter-retting, and it self-seeded! Now I’m very gently harvesting the dead stalks and checking them daily to see if they’re ready for braking, scutching, and hackling.
Flax that was left standing over winter is ready for processing, while new stalks grow around it.
What’s spinning on your wheel or spindle? Let me know know at [email protected]. And of course, I hope you find time to relax and spin some fiber this week.
Happy Spinning,
Pamela