Spin-Off Magazinehttp://www.spinningdaily.com/blogs/spinoff/atom.aspxCommunity Server2009-08-26T08:38:00ZSpin-Off Spring 2013/blogs/spinoff/archive/2013/02/21/spin-off-spring-2013.aspx2013-02-21T12:00:00Z2013-02-21T12:00:00Z<p>We've asked spinners who make a living at their craft to share their stories and provide tips for those of you who are interested in teaching, selling your handspun yarn, or starting a spinning business. We know that not every spinner wants to make a living spinning, but even so, we all have an interest in the people who cultivate the fiber, shepherd the animals, carve the tools, dye the top, to make your spinning dreams that much more attainable.</p>
<p>Also, get a glimpse into the life of an eighteenth century spinner using a Great Wheel for production spinning, salivate over the handpainted top of mail-order dyers, and ruminate with a shepherdess as she contemplates what she's learned from her sheep. Cast-on a lovely pair of fingerless mitts, a scarf that maintains the character of hand-dyed roving, and an endlessly customizable pattern for hats.</p>
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<p><a target="_blank" href="http://shop.spinningdaily.com/Spinning/Magazines/Spin-Off-Spring-2013.html"><img src="/resized-image.ashx/__size/550x0/__key/CommunityServer.Blogs.Components.WeblogFiles/spinoff/buy-this-issu
e-button.gif" border="0" alt="" /></a></p>...(<a href="http://www.spinningdaily.com/blogs/spinoff/archive/2013/02/21/spin-off-spring-2013.aspx">read more</a>)<img src="http://www.spinningdaily.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=9491" width="1" height="1">Spin-Offhttp://www.spinningdaily.com/members/Spin_2D00_Off/default.aspxSpin-Off Winter 2013/blogs/spinoff/archive/2012/11/30/spin-off-winter-2013.aspx2012-11-30T12:00:00Z2012-11-30T12:00:00Z<div><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:x-small;">
<p>In the Winter 2013 issue, we're looking at natural fiber. We take a look at wild silk. We explore many facets of wool: Comparing American Wensleydale to British Wensleydale, looking at sustaining sheep ranching in Northern Wyoming, and ensuring the quality of wool available to spinners with the Canterbury Prize Wool Group.</p>
<p>You will learn the best direction to spin for the way you knit, how to match millspun yarn, how to clean fleeces with good bacteria, and how to use a blending board for artistic results. Find patterns for a brioche cardigan and an everyday shirt, as well as a fun collar for crisp days and a magical child's cape for the holidays.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;">This issue also includes our annual special pull out Natural Fiber Directory full of suppliers and mills from across the United States and around the world.</p>
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<p><a target="_blank" href="http://shop.spinningdaily.com/Spinning/Magazines/Spin-Off-Winter-2013.html"><img src="/resized-image.ashx/__size/550x0/__key/CommunityServer.Blogs.Components.WeblogFiles/spinoff/buy-this-issu
e-button.gif" border="0" alt="" /></a></p>...(<a href="http://www.spinningdaily.com/blogs/spinoff/archive/2012/11/30/spin-off-winter-2013.aspx">read more</a>)<img src="http://www.spinningdaily.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=9162" width="1" height="1">Spin-Offhttp://www.spinningdaily.com/members/Spin_2D00_Off/default.aspxSpin-Off Fall 2012/blogs/spinoff/archive/2012/08/23/spin-off-fall-2012.aspx2012-08-23T11:00:00Z2012-08-23T11:00:00Z<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:x-small;">The Fall 2012 issue is bursting at the seams with juicy tidbits about spinning wheels, from how to pack your wheel for shipping to a survival pack for when you’re spinning away from home.</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:x-small;"> </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:x-small;"></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:x-small;">There are ideas for guild demonstration projects and for spinning fiber from sheep normally considered for their milk, not their fiber. </span></span></span><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:x-small;">There are stories about wheel makers as well as many things you can make with your handspun yarn—including the collection of shawls and scarves.</span> </span></span></p>
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<p><a target="_blank" href="http://shop.spinningdaily.com/Spinning/Magazines/Spin-Off-Fall-2012.html"><img src="/resized-image.ashx/__size/550x0/__key/CommunityServer.Blogs.Components.WeblogFiles/spinoff/buy-this-issu
e-button.gif" border="0" alt="" /></a></p>...(<a href="http://www.spinningdaily.com/blogs/spinoff/archive/2012/08/23/spin-off-fall-2012.aspx">read more</a>)<img src="http://www.spinningdaily.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=8826" width="1" height="1">Spin-Offhttp://www.spinningdaily.com/members/Spin_2D00_Off/default.aspxSpin-Off Summer 2012/blogs/spinoff/archive/2012/05/24/spin-off-summer-2012.aspx2012-05-24T05:02:00Z2012-05-24T05:02:00Z<p>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 <i>Spin-Off</i> Autumn Retreat (SOAR) last year, and Rachel Rodnunsky shares a pattern she has developed for handspun crochet socks. </p>
<p>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.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://shop.spinningdaily.com/Spinning/Magazines-Spin-Off-Summer-2012.html"><img src="/resized-image.ashx/__size/550x0/__key/CommunityServer.Blogs.Components.WeblogFiles/spinoff/buy-this-issu
e-button.gif" border="0" alt="" /></a></p>...(<a href="http://www.spinningdaily.com/blogs/spinoff/archive/2012/05/24/spin-off-summer-2012.aspx">read more</a>)<img src="http://www.spinningdaily.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=8410" width="1" height="1">Spin-Offhttp://www.spinningdaily.com/members/Spin_2D00_Off/default.aspxSpin-Off Spring 2012/blogs/spinoff/archive/2012/02/24/spin-off-spring-2012.aspx2012-02-24T12:00:00Z2012-02-24T12:00:00Z<p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:x-small;">In this issue, Kate Larson explores color blending by flick carding locks and with this process she created the lovely colorwork knitting on the cover. We have included two articles about recycling yarn from garments; imagine the treasure trove of awkward luxury fibers at local thrift stores begging to be reborn into something you'd actually wear. We also have a number of fascinating articles—including one by Jacey Boggs about the mechanics of spinning on a wheel and how exactly twist is inserted into fiber and another by Peter Teal in defense of using wraps per inch to measure your yarn. The fiber basic focus this issue is on Lincoln Longwool and the issue includes two projects that take advantage of the wool's unique characteristics (a dog leash and market bag). The issue also explores Bedouin spinning in Qatar, creating a fiber map of your area, and much more.</span></span></span></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.interweavestore.com/Spinning/Magazines/Spin-Off-Spring-2012.html"><img border="0" src="/resized-image.ashx/__size/550x0/__key/CommunityServer.Blogs.Components.WeblogFiles/spinoff/buy-this-issu
e-button.gif" alt="" /></a></p>...(<a href="http://www.spinningdaily.com/blogs/spinoff/archive/2012/02/24/spin-off-spring-2012.aspx">read more</a>)<img src="http://www.spinningdaily.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=7826" width="1" height="1">Spin-Offhttp://www.spinningdaily.com/members/Spin_2D00_Off/default.aspxSpin-Off Winter 2011/blogs/spinoff/archive/2011/11/25/spin-off-winter-2011.aspx2011-11-25T12:00:00Z2011-11-25T12:00:00Z<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:x-small;">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.</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:x-small;">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. </span></span></span></p>
<p><a href="http://shop.spinningdaily.com/Spinning/Magazines/Spin-Off-Winter-2011.html"><img src="/resized-image.ashx/__size/550x0/__key/CommunityServer.Blogs.Components.WeblogFiles/spinoff/buy-this-issu
e-button.gif" border="0" alt="" /></a></p>...(<a href="http://www.spinningdaily.com/blogs/spinoff/archive/2011/11/25/spin-off-winter-2011.aspx">read more</a>)<img src="http://www.spinningdaily.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=7260" width="1" height="1">Spin-Offhttp://www.spinningdaily.com/members/Spin_2D00_Off/default.aspxSpin-Off Fall 2011/blogs/spinoff/archive/2011/08/26/spin-off-fall-2011.aspx2011-08-26T11:00:00Z2011-08-26T11:00:00Z<p>All about the spinning wheel! Trace the history of the wheel to its possible origins by learning about Jonathan Bosworth’s reproduction of a Han Dynasty spinning wheel from a Chinese stone carving created 1,200 years before scholars believe the spinning wheel was invented. Visit to the Ashford Handicrafts spinning wheel factory in Ashburton, New Zealand, and learn how this business has thrived through two world wars and fire to provide the world with spinning wheels. Join the discussion with current custom wheels makers and where they see the craft headed. </p>
<p><a href="http://shop.spinningdaily.com/Spinning/Magazines-Spin-Off-Fall-2011.html"><img border="0" src="/resized-image.ashx/__size/550x0/__key/CommunityServer.Blogs.Components.WeblogFiles/spinoff/buy-this-issu
e-button.gif" alt="" /></a></p>...(<a href="http://www.spinningdaily.com/blogs/spinoff/archive/2011/08/26/spin-off-fall-2011.aspx">read more</a>)<img src="http://www.spinningdaily.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=6993" width="1" height="1">Spin-Offhttp://www.spinningdaily.com/members/Spin_2D00_Off/default.aspxSpin-Off Summer 2011/blogs/spinoff/archive/2011/05/27/spin-off-summer-2011.aspx2011-05-27T11:00:00Z2011-05-27T11:00:00Z<p>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. <br /><br />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.</p>
<p><a href="http://shop.spinningdaily.com/Spinning-Magazines/Spin-Off-Summer-2011-Digital-Edition.html"><img border="0" src="/resized-image.ashx/__size/550x0/__key/CommunityServer.Blogs.Components.WeblogFiles/spinoff/buy-this-issu
e-button.gif" alt="" /></a></p>...(<a href="http://www.spinningdaily.com/blogs/spinoff/archive/2011/05/27/spin-off-summer-2011.aspx">read more</a>)<img src="http://www.spinningdaily.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=6626" width="1" height="1">Spin-Offhttp://www.spinningdaily.com/members/Spin_2D00_Off/default.aspxSpin-Off Spring 2011/blogs/spinoff/archive/2011/02/24/spin-off-spring-2011.aspx2011-02-25T05:00:00Z2011-02-25T05:00:00Z<p>If you’re looking for a bit of color—look no further—the Spring 2011 issue of Spin-Off has some great ideas for how to blend the colors you already have into new and interesting combinations—the possibilities are infinite. Speaking of infinite possibilities, take a look at the Handspun Gallery of Helix Scarves and get your needles ready. Ready to sink your hands into some fleece? Try Wensleydale—their lustrous locks are seductive.</p>
<p><span class="title"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:xx-small;"><a target="_blank" href="http://shop.spinningdaily.com/Spinning/Magazines/Spin-Off-Spring-2011.html?SessionThemeID=23"><img border="0" src="/resized-image.ashx/__size/550x0/__key/CommunityServer.Blogs.Components.WeblogFiles/spinoff/buy-this-issu
e-button.gif" alt="" /></a></span></span></span></p>...(<a href="http://www.spinningdaily.com/blogs/spinoff/archive/2011/02/24/spin-off-spring-2011.aspx">read more</a>)<img src="http://www.spinningdaily.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=6146" width="1" height="1">Spin-Offhttp://www.spinningdaily.com/members/Spin_2D00_Off/default.aspxSpin-Off Winter 2010/blogs/spinoff/archive/2010/11/11/spin-off-winter-2010.aspx2010-11-12T05:00:00Z2010-11-12T05:00:00Z<p>The Winter 2010 issue of <i>Spin-Off</i> 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.</p>
<p><a href="http://shop.spinningdaily.com/Spinning/Magazines/Spin-Off-Winter-2010.html?SessionThemeID=23"><img border="0" src="/resized-image.ashx/__size/550x0/__key/CommunityServer.Blogs.Components.WeblogFiles/spinoff/buy-this-issu
e-button.gif" alt="" /></a></p>...(<a href="http://www.spinningdaily.com/blogs/spinoff/archive/2010/11/11/spin-off-winter-2010.aspx">read more</a>)<img src="http://www.spinningdaily.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=5629" width="1" height="1">Spin-Offhttp://www.spinningdaily.com/members/Spin_2D00_Off/default.aspxSpin-Off Fall 2010/blogs/spinoff/archive/2010/09/02/spin-off-fall-2010.aspx2010-09-02T15:28:00Z2010-09-02T15:28:00Z<p>The Fall 2010 issue of <i>Spin-Off</i> magazine is chock full of spinning secrets as well as great dyeing techniques. There is page after page and article after article about natural dyeing. Whether you are new to dyeing or are looking for some color inspiration, this issue is perfect for you. Move from dying into some great spinning techniques like self-plying and core spinning. Got your handspun yarn and ready to create? Find several accessories that are sure to be quick projects but lasting garments. Find all of this and more in the Fall 2010 issue of <i>Spin-Off</i>.</p>...(<a href="http://www.spinningdaily.com/blogs/spinoff/archive/2010/09/02/spin-off-fall-2010.aspx">read more</a>)<img src="http://www.spinningdaily.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=5316" width="1" height="1">Spin-Offhttp://www.spinningdaily.com/members/Spin_2D00_Off/default.aspxSpin-Off Summer 2010/blogs/spinoff/archive/2010/06/03/spin-off-summer-2010.aspx2010-06-03T17:28:00Z2010-06-03T17:28:00Z<p>The Summer 2010 issue of Spin-Off magazine is filled with beautiful yarns, intriguing fibers, and great tips and techniques for spinning the yarn you want to spin. Turn the pages and you’ll find bouclé after bouclé after bouclé, natural fibers and manufactured fibers to spin, cap after cap after cap, long draws and short draws, scarf after scarf after scarf, thin yarns and thick yarns—the stuff of dreams, really. Do you have lots of small bits of yarn that you don’t know what to do with? Try modular knitting. Do you have a tahkli spindle, but think of it only as a tool for spinning cotton? Learn how to use it to spin a host of fibers in addition to cotton. Ready to start teaching spinning? Find some useful tips to get you started in the Summer 2010 issue of Spin-Off.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://shop.spinningdaily.com/Spinning/Magazines/Spin-Off-Summer-2010.html?SessionThemeID=23"><img border="0" src="/resized-image.ashx/__size/550x0/__key/CommunityServer.Blogs.Components.WeblogFiles/spinoff/buy-this-issu
e-button.gif" alt="" /></a></p>...(<a href="http://www.spinningdaily.com/blogs/spinoff/archive/2010/06/03/spin-off-summer-2010.aspx">read more</a>)<img src="http://www.spinningdaily.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=4802" width="1" height="1">Spin-Offhttp://www.spinningdaily.com/members/Spin_2D00_Off/default.aspxSpin-Off Spring 2010/blogs/spinoff/archive/2010/03/22/spin-off-spring-2010.aspx2010-03-22T20:51:00Z2010-03-22T20:51:00Z<p>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. <br /><br />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.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://shop.spinningdaily.com/Spinning/Magazines/Spin-Off-Spring-2010.html?SessionThemeID=23"><img border="0" src="/resized-image.ashx/__size/550x0/__key/CommunityServer.Blogs.Components.WeblogFiles/spinoff/buy-this-issu
e-button.gif" alt="" /></a></p>...(<a href="http://www.spinningdaily.com/blogs/spinoff/archive/2010/03/22/spin-off-spring-2010.aspx">read more</a>)<img src="http://www.spinningdaily.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=4334" width="1" height="1">Spin-Offhttp://www.spinningdaily.com/members/Spin_2D00_Off/default.aspxSpin-Off Winter 2009/blogs/spinoff/archive/2009/11/13/spin-off-winter-2009.aspx2009-11-13T19:45:00Z2009-11-13T19:45:00Z<p><span class="title"><b>Spinning the Wild</b></span> by Judith MacKenzie McCuin;<span class="title"><b>Fiber Basics: Polwarth</b></span> by Robin Russo; <span class="title"><b>Swatching and Sampling for the Oatmeal Cardigan</b></span> by Amy King; <span class="title"><b>Coils: Adding to Your Art Yarn Repertoire</b></span> by Jacey Boggs. </p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://shop.spinningdaily.com/Spinning/Magazines/Spin-Off-Winter-2009.html"><img border="0" src="/resized-image.ashx/__size/550x0/__key/CommunityServer.Blogs.Components.WeblogFiles/spinoff/buy-this-issu
e-button.gif" alt="" /></a></p>...(<a href="http://www.spinningdaily.com/blogs/spinoff/archive/2009/11/13/spin-off-winter-2009.aspx">read more</a>)<img src="http://www.spinningdaily.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=3253" width="1" height="1">Spin-Offhttp://www.spinningdaily.com/members/Spin_2D00_Off/default.aspxSpin-Off Fall 2009/blogs/spinoff/archive/2009/08/26/spin-off-fall-2009.aspx2009-08-26T13:38:00Z2009-08-26T13:38:00Z<p><strong><span style="font-size:small;">Features <br /></span><br />Behind the Scenes: At Ten Thousand Villages</strong> <em>by Stefanie Berganini<br /></em><br /><strong>Armchair Traveler: New Jersey</strong> <em>by Andrea Lyn Van Benschoten<br /></em><br /><strong>Your Yarn: Natural Fiber from Scratch Yarns</strong> <br /><br /><strong>Spinning Art: Handspinning as Creative Expression</strong> <em>by Tracy Hudson</em> <br /><br /><strong>Fiber Basics: Scotch Mule</strong> <em>by Carol Huebscher Rhoades</em> <br /><br /><strong>Handspun Gallery: All Wrapped Up in Natural Fibers</strong> <br /><br /><strong>Raising Cain</strong> by Liz Gipson </p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://shop.spinningdaily.com/store/p/3766-Spin-Off-Fall-2009-Pre-Order-.aspx"><img border="0" src="/resized-image.ashx/__size/550x0/__key/CommunityServer.Blogs.Components.WeblogFiles/spinoff/buy-this-issu
e-button.gif" alt="" /></a></p>...(<a href="http://www.spinningdaily.com/blogs/spinoff/archive/2009/08/26/spin-off-fall-2009.aspx">read more</a>)<img src="http://www.spinningdaily.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=2827" width="1" height="1">Spin-Offhttp://www.spinningdaily.com/members/Spin_2D00_Off/default.aspx