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 […]

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 […]

Spinning in the Dark

by Tracy Murphy In the dark, we find ourselves anew. Have you ever woken in the middle of the night reaching out, maybe for a light on your nightstand, your phone, a pet, your partner? As we reach we rely on our touch, the familiarity of the object in question. I have reached out for […]

Spinning in a Public Space: The County Fair

In a things-are-somewhat-back-to-normal-but-not-quite year, 2022 became not just a time to reacquaint myself with society, it also became a year to carve a new identity.

How a Trip to Shetland Made Me a Better Spinner

A dream trip to Scotland in 2019 culminated in a visit to the 10th annual Shetland Wool Week. After an eventful 12-hour ferry ride from Aberdeen, we arrived in Lerwick, Shetland at the beginning of our 9-day visit to the lovely Shetland Isles. 

Finding Spinning Guilds, Friends, Gatherings, and Events

Just because you’ve learned to spin doesn’t mean every group or experience with “spinning” in the title is a perfect fit. (Hint, the exercise classes are not the same thing!) 

A Place for Shetland Sheep: Five Sisters Farm

Author Jacqueline Harp brings you an exciting interview with shepherdess (mother of five daughters, veterinarian, and knitter) Meg Falcone of Five Sisters Farm for an insightful Q&A about raising Shetland sheep with the theme of Place in-mind. Read more now!