TAGS: Drop Spindle

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.

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.

Judith MacKenzie’s scrumptious article on page 62 about spinning a plump silky singles starts with a description of weavers as basically falling into two camps: those who love the structure and order of weaving and those who love weaving for the color and texture.

Spinners lightbulbs will pop on when they read Abby Franquemont’s article about the difference between bobbin-driven and flyer-driven wheels (page 44) and others whose eyes will glaze over until someone waves a lock of raw wool under their nose to revive them. Some spinners will take Amelia Garripoli’s article (page 40) with them as they purchase a new spindle to reference the finer points of spindle weights, while others will let their instincts guide them in their purchase.

High Whorl, Low Whorl by Abby Franquemont; The Handpainted Wheels of Monica Lenox by Jackie Deems; Spinning Perfect Sock Yarn by Judith Mackenzie McCuin; Dorothy Reade: Spider Woman from Oregon by Donna Druchunas.

Making Dreams Come True: Building a Little Great Wheel by Margaret Heathman; Linen Spinning for the Shroud of Turin by Tanya Swegler; Fiber Basics: Cheviot by Carol Huebscher Rhoades.

Features

Behind the Scenes: At Howard Brush by Carol Huebscher Rhoades

Time Warp by Stephenie Gaustad

Spinning Basics: Spindle Spinning by Maggie Casey 

Fiber Basics: Finnsheep by Grace Hatton

Handspun Gallery of Sweaters and a Waistcoat

Nora Meets Milan by Stephen Beal

Features

Behind the Scenes: At Schacht Spindle Company by Linda Noble and Kaye D. Collins

An Online Guild by Susan Landis-Steward

Materials That Speak by Erika Navarrete              

Random Connections by Randy Chelsey

Fiber Basics: Paco-Vicuña by Kaye D. Collins

Spinning Basics: The Long Draw  by Carol H. Rhoades

Alexandra Ivanovna’s Distaff by Sharon Hudgins

Handspun Gallery of Wraps

Spinning a Cautionary Tale by Deborah Free

Features

Color Impressions by Claudia Chase

Making Ends Meet by Jane McLellan

The Road to Independence by Barbara Justus

Following the Silk Road into Mexico by Eric Mindling

Fiber Basics: Border Leicester by Robin Russo

A Handspun Gallery of Scarves, Blankets, and a Shawl

A Walk on the Fleece Side by Lisa King