Latest Blog Posts

Falling in Love with Bottom Whorl Supported Spindle 

Words and photos by Cynthia Haney  I first fell in love with spinning yarn on a top whorl drop spindle, using park-and-draft to build my skills before spinning suspended. I manage the spindle with one hand while the other holds my fiber supply. After setting the spindle in motion, I move my spindle hand to […]

A Centuries-Old Technique: Thistle wool felt

Words and pictures by Rowena Zuercher Within the past few years, I’ve developed a fondness for the idea of “place” within my fiber craft. Using fibers and materials local to where I live helps me learn about, and appreciate, the land in creative and surprising ways. During a recent plant fiber deep dive, I came […]

Spinning Paper

Words and photos by Kyla Crawford Have you ever wanted to take a drawing and make it into yarn? I do that by spinning paper. I started this practice while I was in graduate school working on my MFA in sculpture. I have always been fascinated with artworks that cross the line between two and […]

Ask Jillian: How Do I Steam My Fiber?

I’ve seen lots of people lately steaming their fiber before they spin. Why do they do this and how do I do it if I want to try it? ~Bethany, Denver, Colorado Why to steam your fiber Steam wakes up the crimp in a fiber whether it’s a woolen preparation that’s been hanging out too long […]

Planting Seeds for Better Spinning Habits

by Kira Dulaney Historically, spinning was a necessary household chore, but these days for most of us it’s a hobby, a creative outlet, or perhaps even an escape. You might spin yarn sporadically and inconsistently or in concentrated bursts that cause sore muscles the next day, or maybe you are getting bored by using the […]