Entries by Meagan Condon

Breed Development through Upgrading

Many of the sheep breeds found in the United States are being developed through a technique called upgrading. The United States (like many European countries) has strict regulations on the importation and exportation of live animals and particular breeds. As a result, there are many wonderful sheep breeds that can’t be brought into the United […]

Book Review: Swatch Critters by Deb Essen

Swatch Critters from the Pin Loom: Step-by-Step Instructions for Making 30 Cuddly Animals from Woven Squares by Deb EssenPublisher: Schiffer CraftUS$24.99, 168 pagesPublication date: August 28, 2025Buy now at Bookshop.orgReview by Meagan Condon I am usually hesitant to review pattern books, in part because it takes so long to test out the patterns and I […]

How Tariffs are Impacting Fiber Arts in the US

In the United States, the president works with Congress to create US tariff policy. A tariff is a tax imposed by a government on goods and products imported from another country. The round of tariffs that was implemented most recently is having an impact on the spinning community, and you may not even realize it […]

Third Thursdays Guild Tip

Time to ramp up for tonight’s PLY Spinners Guild Third Thursday foundational spin-in!    Here’s a tip to tide you over until the spin-in starts!  This is something I’ve observed time and again during my years of teaching spinners.  When we first begin spinning with a short forward draw, many of us struggle to get a […]

New Guild Spin-In Today! Join us!

Hooray! Hooray! Today’s the day!  Today is our first ever third Thursday PLY Spinners Guild (PSG) spin-in!  We encourage you to check out our new spin-in at 5 pm pacific today, March 20th. These third Thursday spin-ins are dedicated to helping you develop the foundational spinning skills and fiber confidence you want. So, if you’re […]

Designer Interview: Shana Cohen

PLY is proud to work with some incredible artists, tool makers, and designers.  Today we’d like to feature Shana Cohen, a designer whose Palimpsest cardigan pattern appeared in the recent Winter 2024 Care issue of PLY.   Tell us a little bit about yourself? (the hardest-to-answer question first!)  I’m a knitting pattern designer, architect, design educator, […]