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Our theme this issue is history. To this end, we cover more than a few fascinating topics—understanding our own desire to spin by looking at the spinning of our ancestors, imagining what it meant to spin cotton sewing thread in a time of need, understanding the spinning tools that were simultaneously a result and a cause of the Industrial Revolution, and learning how setting up a warp-weighted loom can make history real for people of all ages.

You will learn how twist affects the finished fabric in weaving and a spindle spinning technique used by the Blackfoot people. There is a special section on the ancient technique of sprang that will teach you the basics as well as why this netting technique works better with high-twist yarns—making handspun the perfect yarn for sprang.

The Summer 2012 issue takes a look at portable spinning (and projects) with a focus on spindles. We compiled a spindle primer to answer some basic questions about "what is the best use for different spindles?" and "which spindle is best for your fiber?" You'll enjoy learning about Russian-style lace spindles and a fun and fast way to Navajo-ply as you spin on a spindle. The issue also includes a sub-focus on socks—one of the best portable projects we've found. Spinning Tips takes a look at why you would overply (for socks, of course), Ann Budd shares socks she made before and after taking a workshop at the Spin-Off Autumn Retreat (SOAR) last year, and Rachel Rodnunsky shares a pattern she has developed for handspun crochet socks.

In addition to spindles and socks, enjoy topics such as taking a closer look at the role of crimp in comfort, how to work with singles yarn, as well as scarf and mitt patterns.

In this issue, we’re looking at fiber close-up—really close-up—by examining crimp and diameter in detail to understand why fiber does what it does. Beth Smith has written a great article about spinning to the crimp—it’s a pretty straightforward concept and a wonderful place to start when you’re deciding how to spin your yarn. Deb Robson has written a really fascinating article about fiber diameter—she sent samples to a lab to look at the diameter of fiber from rare breeds of sheep (in addition to some that are not so rare). She walks us through the scans in a very logical way, explaining what the findings mean for spinners. And Judith MacKenzie examines the difference between hair and fiber with her wonderful ability to ask big questions and then answer them in lyrical ways.

Our fiber basic focus is on yaks. And our developing your skills department takes a look at purchasing and sorting a fleece. This issue also includes our largest ever special pull out Natural Fiber Directory full of suppliers and mills from across the United States and around the world.

The Summer 2011 issue of Spin-Off has a special focus on felt! Starting with the basics and fifteen fibers meant for felting, we move to needlefelted dolls, felted accents to add to your handspun, and using prefelts for wet felting.

But this issue isn’t all about felt! We’ve introduced a new department for more experienced spinners, and this edition focuses on what effect ratios really have. There are also tips for making your own stacked spindles without special woodworking equipment, silk spun for a princess, and we guarantee you will be impressed (and potentially inspired) by the included spindle-spun bed-size blanket woven on a rigid-heddle loom.

The Winter 2010 issue of Spin-Off magazine is so full of fiber that if you snuggled up next to it, it will keep you warm. Open the pages and you'll find (images of) angora, qiviut, alpaca, and sheep's wool tucked into every available space, plus lots of great tips on how to spin these fibers. This year, we've included a six-page Natural Fiber Directory in the issue—this is a special section that you can pull out and take with you for reference when you're shopping for natural fiber. As a bonus, we included enlarged versions of the charts for the Qiviut Shawlette by Sandi Wiseheart on the back of the directory (the charts are also included with the pattern in the magazine). The pattern for the half-gloves shown on the cover is included in the handspun gallery, along with six versions of the half-gloves showing just the tip-of-the-iceberg of what can be done with the pattern if you vary the fiber, color, and/or grist of the yarn you use.