Southern California might seem like an unexpected place to produce spinning and weaving fiber, but people have been processing plant and animal materials here for thousands of years. San Diego is in the territory of the Kumeyaay people, who have lived here since time immemorial. The Kumeyaay processed milkweed, dogbane, agave, yucca, bark, and rabbit skins into garments, cordage, netting, and other items.
Our theme of Place is big and varied. It can be so many things. Perhaps it’s the space you love to spin in; a fiber-destination you remember or dream of; a fiber that only comes from one place; spinning techniques firmly attached to a region, even if they’ve traveled beyond that locale; how to travel with your spinning . . . we want it in this issue.
What brings to mind a place? With the internet connecting us to everywhere, each place we live or visit is unique, and there are some things that can’t be conveyed in bytes or on computer screens.
Are there things in your favorite spinning places that make it unique and special to you? Teach us about them. Can you, and if so, how do you capture a place in yarn? If you were to design a yarn to evoke a place special to you, how would you do it?
Tell us about place-specific sheep, fiber, dyes, wheels, and spinning styles:
Spinners love to travel and spin while we do it. How do you capture your travels with your spinning? What do you do with yarns you’ve spun while traveling? Spinning in a different place can open us up to new things. How do you use the freedom that a new place offers in your spinning? Does it make you more creative? Do you spin more? Are you able to finally get new techniques that have eluded you? Tell us about your festivals, retreats, workshops, and classes.
Do you have the ultimate spinning travel kit for a wheel or spindles? Do you shop when you travel? How do you find spinning things when you travel? What do you bring home to remind you of a place? Fiber, yarn, a spindle, even a wheel? Do you use something to keep track of your explorations, your spinning? Tell us about your travel spinning journal.
What says place to you?
Project ideas and proposals are due by June 1, 2022. We’ll get back to you in July and final work is due Dec 1, 2022.
Submit your ideas here: https://plymagazine.com/contribute/write-for-ply/
PLY Magazine believes that Black lives matter, as well as LBGTQI+ lives. Those most vulnerable and persecuted in our communities deserve our love and support. Please be good to each other.
Did you know we also have a monthly PLY newsletter? Sign up here!
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The Mood Board for our Spring 2023 issue is here: The Science issue!
Do lab-made or lab-perfected fibers, such as Tencel, rayon, bamboo, faux cashmere, or Angelina get your brain and fingers excited?
Can you tell us how they are made and exactly what they are? How to spin them to best effect? Do they work as blends? What about dyeing? How do these fibers affect the environment?
What about 3-D printed tools? Love or hate? Can you tell us how they are made, the pros and cons of using them?
What’s coming on the horizon of this new and exciting field? Who are some of your favorite makers?
How has science and technology changed spinning? Can you walk us through the evolution of spinning tools, from a twisty stick to a turbo fast e-spinner? What’s superwash? How is it made and what is its impact on the environment? Is there any impact on the spinner and the yarn? Any special considerations for how to spin this fiber?
What about our wonderful fiber animals? How has science helped us to develop better fleeces to spin? Is wool testing the way to get better fleeces? How are shepherds protecting the environment while bringing us exquisite wool? What’s up with shearing? Why is it good for a sheep’s health, and what’s the best process?
Can you tell us the science behind dyeing the perfect color (acid and/or natural) or creating the best fiber blend? How do mordants work in natural dyeing? Dyeing fiber is often overwhelming for some folks, so what is the minimum amount of science and math you need to dye fiber?
What is the science behind making a balanced and long-spinning spindle? Wheel? Bobbin? What tools have the best balance, and who are the most precise makers?
We know that to make yarn all you need is fiber and twist, but there’s science there. Can you enlighten us on the science of twist? Of balance? Of finishing? Of plying?
Calling all science and math lovers, please teach us the science behind a handspun yarn. How do you measure it, what do the measurements mean, what is the science behind the math, and how can a spinner use it all to make their perfect yarn?
Are there any big spinning personalities that focused on science? Who are they and what did they teach us?
How do you use science in your spinning? We want a big science-y issue for Spring 2023 and we want you in it! Go Science!
Proposals of articles and projects are due by March 1, 2022. We’ll get back to you in April, and final pieces are due September 1, 2022.
PLY Magazine believes that Black lives matter, as well as LBGTQI+ lives. Those most vulnerable and persecuted in our communities deserve our love and support. Please be good to each other.
Did you know we also have a monthly PLY newsletter? Sign up here!
Did you know we also have a monthly PLY newsletter? Sign up here!
