Entries by Guest Blogger

Let’s Talk About Sparkle Fluff

words by Jacqueline Harp | photos by Susan Schroeder Have you ever heard of Sparkle Fluff? Oh, my! Envision a handful of fiber goodness that features a colorful mixture of mohair locks and glitz, and it is known to make handspinners smile when they get their hands on it. Sparkle Fluff is a fiber preparation […]

Wool at the Met Gala

The 2022 Met Gala was, as ever, a parade of fashion. And for the third year in a row, there was a hand knit gown in the mix! The dress, worn by Sandra Weiss, was designed and knit from naturally dyed wool and lurex from A Wing and a Prayer Farm. You can see more […]

PLYAway 2022: Together Again!

After a couple of long years, PLYAway returned April 19-23, and it was wonderful to see faces both familiar and new. Classes were taught by Maggie Casey, Clemes and Clemes, Meagan Condon, Peggy Doney, Jacey Boggs Faulker, Michael Kelson, Judith MacKenzie, Amy Manko, Jillian Moreno, James Perry, Joan Ruane, Amy Tyler, Emily Wohlscheid. On Friday […]

Dehairing Cashmere by Hand

Words & Photos by Meagan Condon If there is one thing I can say about librarians, it’s that they’re in the business of enabling people. Do you need the latest James Patterson novel? They’ve got you. How about an article from the July 24, 1972, issue of Time magazine? A librarian has your back. My […]

The World’s Oldest Pants

(Bet you didn’t see that headline coming …) A pair of 3000-year-old pants was found in western China’s Tarim Basin. The wool trousers were most likely worn by horse riders. Along with studying how they were made, a modern reproduction of these pants has also been created. Find out more about this archaeological find at https://www.sciencenews.org/article/pants-oldest-ancient-horseman-asia-culture-origin and https://www.sciencenews.org/article/first-pants-worn-horse-riders-3000-years-ago

Blending for Texture & Spinning Textured Batts

Words & Photos by Emily Wohlscheid I have been relegated to offering workshops primarily through virtual means over the past two years and have missed having a classroom full of equipment and students. I’m really looking forward to this year’s PLYAway Retreat where I will get to share my love of the drum carder and […]

Jacey’s Online Teaching Collection

Jacey’s new online classes are a success! So much that she’s created a Patreon to continue the fun! From Jacey: This Patreon is my project, my creative outlet, a way to continue to sustain my learning and sharing, and a way to connect with you more directly. The dream is that this patreon allows me to take a bit […]

We Want Your Tips!

The Tip Jar has been emptied, and it’s time to fill it with your best advice & insights about spinning! This time we’re collecting information for our Autumn 2023 issue, the Loft issue. Here’s the question: What is your best recipe for a lofty yarn? It can include fiber, prep, draft, finishing etc. What’s the […]

Spotlight on Amy Tyler

Thirty years ago, Amy Tyler went to an annual handspun yarn sale from a local spinning group in Ann Arbor, Michigan. A member of the spinning group invited Amy to sit down at a wheel, and the spinning community has a lot to be grateful for as a result! Since then, Amy has published over […]