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As we head into fall and leave the doldrums of summer behind us, in-person and virtual events are picking up speed! Here are a few of the exciting things that have 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.
What’s Spinning Online
I don’t know about you, but I seem to have run out of good shows to watch while I spin (recommendations are welcome). Luckily, there are a bunch of online events that are getting me excited:
Event: Spinzilla
I’m thrilled to see the return of Spinzilla! As a new spinner, Spinzilla was a formative and fun experience. It was a fantastic way to build connections with other spinners. What is Spinzilla? It’s a week-long spinning event, where spinners challenge themselves to spin as much as they can (without injury). Here are a few more details:
- Spinzilla dates: October 5–11
- You can join a team or spin “rogue”
- There is a $20 entry fee. Proceeds are donated to the Handweaver’s Guild of America (HGA) Teach It Forward program and scholarships.
- There will be prizes!
Event: Spinning and Weaving Week
October 5–11 is also HGA’s Spinning and Weaving Week. With panel discussions, online workshops, studio tours, and exclusive online sales, it’s a fantastic opportunity to dive deeper into a skill or technique, or just dip your toe into something you’ve been wondering about. Why not set up your wheel or spindle and do your Spinzilla spinning while you listen to a Thread Talk?
Event: Flax & Linen Symposium
I was not able to attend the Flax & Linen Symposium that happened at the end of August in Bedford, Pennsylvania, but the recaps on social media have me intrigued. Luckily, there’s a virtual option, and I can’t wait to dive in to the videos to see what I missed.
New Course: Getting Started with Wool Combs
Combing wool is the best way to get a true worsted preparation for a smooth yarn. In our new course, Getting Started with Wool Combing, Heavenly Bresser walks us through the simple steps you need to get started with combing wool and other protein fibers such as mohair. This is the resource I wish I’d had when I started combing, and it’s also a great refresher if you want to revisit this skill after some time away.
Join instructor Heavenly Bresser as she shares what you need to know to get started with wool combing. Photo by Long Thread Media
What’s Spinning In-Person
There is a plethora of fall fiber festivals, both big and small. Whether you go to buy a pretty braid or a whole fleece, pet a sheep or some goats, or take some classes, these events are a wonderful way to get to know your local fiber community. If you’re not already a member of a guild, look for guild demonstration areas—there’s always something new to learn!
Join Us at SOAR!
Of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that the Spin Off team is busy preparing for the best ever Spin Off Autumn Retreat (SOAR), and I’m making my packing list now. SOAR 2026 is October 11–16 in York Pennsylvania. In addition to great classes, fantastic vendors, and awesome spinners, this year we’ll even get to visit with some sheep! Thanks to new availability with the venue, a few spots just opened up—will I see you there?
Fiber in the Garden
This summer, I decided to do a “Tour de Flax” during Tour de Fleece. I spun from three different stricks—some from Berta’s Flax Project, a mystery strick, and some modern Egyptian flax. All of them were so different! Alongside my spinning, I also started processing the flax from my own garden—that’s the strick you see at the top of this post. I feel like I’ve just barely scraped the surface of spinning flax, and there’s so much more to learn.
A Note From the Editor
Whether you think of this season as the end of summer or the beginning of fall, change is in the air. Where I live, these changes are sometimes almost imperceptible—this morning it was barely under 80°F (27° C) and 75% humidity at sunrise. It’s cooler and more comfortable than the depths of summer, but just barely! This morning, as I walked along the closest beach at low tide, I marveled at another successful loggerhead turtle nesting season, with almost 6,000 baby turtles out to sea and few more left to hatch in the coming weeks. As school starts and summer vacations wind down, I’m looking forward to what we call “locals’ summer,” with quieter beaches and less traffic.
Along with slightly cooler weather, a later sunrise means sleeping in just a little bit longer.
Of course, as much as I crave a peaceful shoreline, I’m excited about all the fibery adventures that await this season. Happy spinning, wherever life takes you this season! —Pamela
P.S. I have Tom Knisely’s SOAR 2024 Flax to Fabric class to thank for my progress with spinning flax, and there are just a few spots still open in his class this year. It’s sure to be a great time!