p. 1

travel to a country with more sheep than people spring 2011 helix scarf pattern and gallery p 82 make self-striping yarn 2 ways why do you make art yarn form or function spin yarn from paper spinningdaily.com

[close]

p. 2

[close]

p. 3

c ontents features the 24 behind hill scenes at pat green carders by cindy 28 armchair traveler melbourne australia by jacey boggs millennium 40 spinning event of thefranquemont by linda ligon with abby 1 art yarn and roses by judith mackenzie 12 how to 34 spinning tips scotch tension brake bands by beth smith 36 spinning basics spinning multicolored yarns from solid-colored roving by maggie casey cocoons boggs 44 on a rollby jaceypseudorolags by susan z 50 douglas andwith s thomas rosemary chase by judith mackenzie 54 paperbasics wensleydale longwool 72 fiber huebscher rhoades by carol on the cover on a roll with pseudorolags page 50 at spinningdaily.com spinner s connection calendar of events more your yarn more handspun gallery of helix scarves 54 projects 60 66 78 82 96 happy socks by jenny ensley tricera tops hat by meghan croson wensleydale scarf by carol huebscher rhoades handspun gallery of helix scarves by stephenie gaustad crocheted spring scarflette by rebecca velasquez 72 departments 2 6 12 20 editor s page letters reviews as the whorl spins by liz good 22 32 99 100 101 get this your yarn camelids advertisers index abbreviations classified ads volume xxxv number 1 spring 2011 82

[close]

p. 4

e ditor spage above left amy blended a red/orange targhee handpainted top from sweet grass wool melville montana with a green/purple merino/silk handpainted top from bonkers handmade originals lawrence kansas by predrafting two thin strips from each top together she spun a fine singles using a semiwoolen drafting technique and navajo-plied the yarn which measured 16 wpi and 1,100 ypp and then skeined it washed it in warm water with wool-safe detergent and hung it to dry unweighted she s knitting her helix scarf on u.s size 2 needles above right liz found this beautiful naturally dyed shetland wool at the handspun by stefania booth at the estes park wool market estes park colorado in june 2010 and spun it using a woolen-drafting technique her yarn measures 16 wpi and 1,025 ypp and she s knitting her helix scarf on u.s size 5 needles spinning down a slippery slope i sat down at my spinning wheel with a task spin some examples of the yarns that maggie casey describes in her spinning basics article on page 36 about spinning multicolored yarns from solid roving all i needed to do was spin a couple yards of each it required going through my stash and finding small amounts of solid top to spin apparently this was a slippery slope to distraction soon i was sitting in the middle of my living room surrounded by piles of fiber grouped into different categories organized by fiber and color my sixteen-month-old daughter would cruise by grab a handful of colorful wool rub it against her chubby cheeks really who can resist and run off laughing gleefully just to come back for more i tried to stay on task i really did though it was a challenge i was able to resist the urge to plan a pair of socks card gray angora bunny fiber with pink bfl or start spinning the fiber that i had set aside for making a scarf dutifully i made a few yards of multicolored yarns and attached them to a board for our photo shoot with numbers corresponding to maggie s text but it wasn t long before i was spinning much more volume xxxv spring 2011 editorial editorial director linda ligon editor amy clarke moore assistant editor liz good contributing editor bobbie irwin technical editor carol h rhoades nancy roberts copy editor proofreader katie bright editorial assistant kathy mallo editors emeritae anne bliss lee raven deborah robson c r e at ivese rv ices designer jason reid production director trish faubion senior production coordinator marc mccoy owens production editor nancy arndt photography joe coca ann sabin swanson photostyling illustration ann sabin swanson video manager garrett evans publishing publisher john p bolton media sales director julie macdonald advertising manager sarah rovelli classified advertising stephanie griess ad traffickers melissa marie brown tina rolf marketing manager alexandra latimer circulation manager jodi smith spin.off issn 0198-8239 is published quarterly march june september and december by interweave press llc 201 e fourth st loveland co 80537-5655 970 669-7672 amy clarke moore editor usps #680-950 periodicals postage paid at loveland co amyc@interweave.com 80538 and additional mailing offices all contents of this issue of spin.off are copy righted by interweave press llc 2011 all rights reserved projects and information are for inspiration and personal use only spin.off does not recommend approve or endorse any of the advertisers products services or views advertised in spin.off nor does spin.off evaluate the adver tisers claims in any way you should therefore use your own judgment in evaluating the advertisers products services and views advertised in spin.off reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited except by permission of the publisher subscription rate is $30.00/year in the u.s $34.00 in canada and $37.00/year in other countries surface delivery printed in the u.s.a postmaster please send address changes to po box 469115 escondido ca 92046-9115 subscribers please allow six weeks for processing address changes your customer number on the address label is your key to the best service possible please include it with all correspondence to avoid delays or errors contact us for subscription information call 800 767-9638 or visit the website at spinoffmagazine.com for advertising information call sarah rovelli at 770 683-4714 e-mail srovelli@interweave.com or visit interweave.com for sales information call 800 272-2193 e-mail sales@interweave.com for editorial inquiries call 970 776-1436 e-mail spinoff@interweave.com visit the spin.off website at spinoffmagazine.com 2 spin.off spinningdaily.com

[close]

p. 5

spring 2011 spin.off 3

[close]

p. 6

than was needed for the examples and planning yarn for my own helix scarf see page 82 and you ll understand why i had answered the siren call of maggie s words and my hands wouldn t stop drafting the fiber while my mind was whirling through the visual possibilities of combined colors and drafting methods soon i was navajo-plying it to preserve the color transitions and dreaming about the fine yarns that rosemary thomas made for her navajo-plied on the fly no less socks on page 50 and she did that on a spindle my yarns weren t as fine as rosemary s but that s probably good because if they were my helix scarf would be even shorter than it is now apparently spin.off s assistant editor liz good was having the same internal struggle we showed up at the office the following monday with helix scarves on the needles it reminded me of my youth when i felt guilty pleasure while reading my english literature assignment jane eyre it just was too much fun to be called homework happy spinning independent publishers since 1975 volume xxxv number 1 spring 2011 founder linda ligon ceo clay b hall cfo troy wells senior vice presidents john p bolton bob kaslik stephen koenig vice president events and education sara dumford vice president people operations aaron wilmot amy clarke moore editor aclarkemoore@interweave.com vice president production trish faubion vice president technology t j harty vice president art jewelry division david pyle model props our thanks to tabitha goring who modeled the helix scarf on page 83 and to liz good who modeled the crocheted spring scarflette on page 97 the inch gauge on page 60 was made by rod stevens of woodchuck products taos new mexico books publisher stephen koenig editorial director marlene blessing acquisitions editor allison korleski art director the pages of spin.off are often populated by the things that you our readers make our community website newly renamed spinningdaily.com and our weekly e-newsletter have made it even easier for us to reach out to you and ask you to submit ideas for articles projects and galleries if you don t have access to a computer then you can send a self-addressed stamped envelope sase to spin.off calls for entries interweave 201 e 4th st loveland co 80537-5655 and we ll send you the current calls for entries that we ve posted online liz quan production director call for entries kristen heller for questions regarding our book program call 970 669-7672 or e-mail books@interweave.com magazines fiber group have a question about your spin.off subscription we have the answer visit our website e-mail call or fax your question and we ll be happy to assist you go to interweave.com and click on subscription services in the page footer for new subscriptions renewals gift orders and to change your address pay your bill and to submit subscription questions or concerns e-mail spinoff@pcspublink.com · u.s customer service 800 767-9638 canadian international customer service 760 291-1531 fax number 760 738-4805 · u.s mail po box 469115 escondido ca 92046-9115 cloth paper scissors fiberarts handwoven interweave crochet interweave knits piecework quilting arts spin.off interweave press llc 201 east fourth street loveland colorado 80537-5655 970 669-7672 visit our website interweave.com an aspire media company 4 spin.off spinningdaily.com

[close]

p. 7

all new website check out the more products at great prices · · · · · we offer over 7000 items we stock most items same day shipping experts on hand to answer your questions exceptional friendly customer service classes workshops private lessons we love to support guilds festivals we have the best customers in the world offering even buy 2 get 10 off buy more save even more over 800 books videos books videos save on specials new arrivals best sellers gift registry wish list google translate · video clips · more shipping options · · · · · · · e-gifts · · · free shipping over $100 · ravelry · facebook · more search options · even more help advice spend $100 get 10 off buy more save even more yarn fiber save on · spinning felting rug hooking knitting looms weaving supplies braiding kumihimo gifts jewelry 800-441-9665 www.woolery.com spring 2011 spin.off 5

[close]

p. 8

l etters bunny love u i was thrilled to read the article cl on angora rabbits in the latest is issue of spin.off winter 2010 i have an angora rabbit named w wilbur he not only provides s some beautiful fiber for spinning h he is a great pet and i never exp pected to love him so much i would however like to make sure that people know that although they are cute and a great fiber source rabbits are a commitment rabbits live five to ten years so be prepared to be committed for the life of your bunny rabbits also chew and they are unable to vomit and can ingest things that can kill them they eat all the time therefore producing large amounts of urine and feces their cages must be cleaned once a day but if you are also into gardening rabbit droppings are wonderful fertilizer they can be placed directly in the garden and the droppings won t burn your plants many rabbits end up being dumped or hauled off to auction or given to shelters when people get tired of their novelty if you decide to get a rabbit make sure you are ready for the commitment first pamela santacroce mount joy pennsylvania pamela s angora rabbit wilbur new technology as a learning tool i don t learn techniques well from books although i do pore over the pictures i personally love the new digital formats for resources now available i recently searched youtube.com for a crochet finishing technique for left-handed crocheters played the video over and over and eventually got it enabling me to finish a knitted baby sweater with just the edging i wanted along these lines i noticed at spin.off autumn retreat soar 2010 that lots of people bought their instructors dvds the biggest problem for me after going to a spinning event is that techniques don t make it from my short-term memory to my longterm memory i tell my students in my technology classes i teach kindergarten through seventh grade that practice and teaching others helps information move from short-term memory to long-term memory i find the dvds and emags that interweave is producing really helpful as i revisit skills i learned in classes as a teacher i am really familiar with different learning styles some people just can t learn easily from a book or from written or verbal instructions i am one who has to see it and then try it immediately there is a d phrase we learn in education classes i h hear and i forget i see and i remember i do and i understand kinesthetic learners learn by doing i have pored over books on knitting techniques but until i go to my knitting group and someone demonstrates the technique i just don t get it i can play a video over and over and get the skill too while for me video is not the same as going to a group or workshop it can reinforce what i have learned there i plan to buy margaret stove s book as she is a spinning treasure one hundred years from now her book will have stood the test of time and will be a collector s item but to learn her techniques i m going to buy her dvd joy hogg cadillac michigan continued on page 11 6 spin.off spinningdaily.com

[close]

p. 9

the ashford kiwi the wheel to expand your spinning horizons the ashford kiwi is affordable easy-to-use and especially well suited for new spinners optional accessories high speed kit jumbo sliding hook flyer unit and skein holder ratios of 5.5 and 7.25 allow a range of spinning stretchy drive cord simplifies tension adjustment ball bearings make for smooth treadling double treadle for easy starting allowing the spinner to concentrate on fiber drafting the kiwi kit includes 3 bobbins lazy kate and color step-by-step learn to spin booklet visit an ashford dealer to find out more about the kiwi spinning wheel and other great ashford products.

[close]

p. 10

e-spinner relax and enjoy effortless spinning arizona visit one of these dealers to test drive an ashford spinning wheel drum carder or weaving loom rumpelstiltskin 1021 r st sacramento ca 95811 916 442-9225 www.yarnyarnyarn.com sheep street fibers 6535 state road 252 martinsville in 46151 812 597-5648 www.sheepstreet.com mind s eye yarns 22 white st cambridge ma 02140 617 354-7253 www.mindseyeyarns.com fiber factory 216 w main st mesa az 85201 480 969-4346 yarn@fiberfactory.com spin super fine to textured yarns on the new e-spinner quiet smooth portable and so easy to use colorado the recycled lamb 2010 youngfield st lakewood co 80215 303 234-9337 www.recycledlamb.com heckaman s quilts yarns 63028 u.s 31 south south bend in 46614 574 291-3918 the country crafter 304 lakeside rd hanson ma 02341 781 294-4556 the squirrel s nest 4049 e camino prinicpal sierra vista az 85650 800 340-5772 info@fibernuts.com the fiber closet 109 w high st rockville in 47872 765 569-2953 fibercloset@sbcglobal.net www.fibercloset.com spin-a-bit 475 plymouth st middleboro ma 02346 508 946-3343 spinabit.com studio three 1440 w gurley st prescott az 86305 928 778-0307 studiothree@cableone.net shuttles spindles skeins 635 s broadway unit e boulder co 80305 303 494-1071 800 283-4163 www.shuttlesspindlesandskeins.com michigan heritage spinning weaving 47 e flint lake orion mi 48362 248 693-3690 www.heritagespinning.com howard s handwerk haus 3054 n first ave #8 tucson az 85719 520 882-7012 howspin@aol.com green valley weavers knitters 2115 west colorado ave colorado spr co 80904 719 448-9963 800 457-8559 grinny possum fiber arts 248 spring st jeffersonville in 47130 812 284-9400 www.grinnypossum.com grandma s spinning wheel 6544 e tanque verde #150 tucson az 85715 520 290-3738 grandmasspinningwheel.com table rock llamas fiber arts studio 6520 shoup road colorado springs co 80908 866 495-7747 tablerockllamas@msn.com iowa rose tree fiber shop 2814 west street ames ia 50014 515 292-7076 the spinning loft 123 mason rd howell mi 48843 517 540-1344 www.thespinningloft.com country lane fiber arts 2860 quincy ave new london ia 52645 319 367-5065 clfa@iowatelecom.net lady peddler 142 e state st hastings mi 49058 616 948-9644 ladyp@iserv.net cotton clouds inc fireside farms 898 21 1/2 rd grand junction co 81505 970 858-9288 convenient 110-220v external power supply with multicountry outlet adapters lightweight and portable only 6lbs quiet 12v direct drive motor forward and reverse switch for spinning and plying 5176 s 14th avenue safford az 85546 800 322-7888 www.cottonclouds.com connecticut in sheep s clothing 98 main st torrington ct 06790 860 482-3979 www.in-sheeps-clothing.com kentucky blueball mountain spindle needle works 7776 rineyville big springs rd rineyville ky 40162 270 763-3352 www.blueballmountainspindle andneedleworks.com minnesota detta s spindle 2592 geggen-tina rd maple plain mn 55359 763 479-1612 dettas@aol.com www.dettasspindle.net california powell sheep co 1826 keyes rd ramona ca 92065 760 789-1758 denwar craft studio 236 e 16th st costa mesa ca 92627 949 548-1342 the wheel thing 454 wells hills rd lakeville ct 06039 860 435-2626 st peter woolen mill 101 w broadway st peter mn 56082 800 208-9821 507 934-3734 the woolery 239 w main st frankfort ky 40601 800 441-9665 www.woolery.com village spinning weaving shop 425 alisal rd solvang ca 93463 888 686-1192 805 686-1192 www.villagespinweave.com florida uncommon threads 31962 u.s 19 north palm harbor fl 34684 727 784-6778 uncommonthreads@tampabay.rr.com at loose ends 357 3rd ave se perham mn 56573 ph/fax 218 346-yarn9276 info@atlooseends.com l.s.h creations 1584 wellesley dr lexington ky 40513 859 231-0258 ish-creations@usa.net georgia clay house 770 oglesby bridge rd conyers ga 30094 770 483-6884 yesterday s crafts 315 basswood ave burtrum mn 56318 320 573-5566 custom handweavers includes lazy kate and 3 jumbo bobbins with 8oz capacity optional accessories 12v car adapter for complete portability now you can spin at home or in your car rv or boat 2263 old middlefield way mountain view ca 94043 650 967-0831 maine shearbrooke farm 400 saco rd standish me 04084 207 642-3067 shearbrooke@roadrunner.com idaho carolina homespun blue moon spinnery 455 lisbon street san francisco ca 94112 800 450-7786 www.carolinahomespun.com missouri weaving dept /myers house 180 w dunn rd florissant st louis mo 63031 866 921-7800 the sheep shed 76 n robinson rd nampa id 83687 208 466-4365 sheepshed@q.com halcyon yarn 12 school st bath me 04530 800 341-0282 service@halcyonyarn.com www.halcyonyarn.com illinois the fold 3316 millstream rd marengo il 60152 815 568-5320 thefold@mc.net www.handspinning.com/thefold a twist in time 310 s.j hwy lamar mo 64759 417 682-5931 www.atwistintime.com mtn lady yarns 24125 red cedar sugar pine ca 95383 209 586-7312 mtnladyarns@hotmail.com massachusetts fiber loft 9 mass ave rte 111 harvard ma 01451 978 456-8669 www.thefiberloft.com spin web ranch 1361 easy lane el dorado hills ca 95762 916 939-1864 kbzspinweb@lanset.com indiana crete s spinning hut hutton llamas alpacas 3199 east 125 south winamac in 46996 574 946-4908 carol leigh s hillcreek fiber studio 7001 hillcreek rd columbia mo 65203 800 874-9328 tri-weav clhfs@aol.com www.hillcreekfiberstudio.com usa distributor foxglove fiberarts supply 8040 ne day road suite 4f bainbridge island wa 98110 phone 206 780-2747 www.foxglovefiber.com

[close]

p. 11

kiddin a-round 104 s main clinton mo 64735 660 885-6614 winderwood country store 4934 state route 245 naples ny 14512 877 287-2501 wild carder express yourself create beautiful fun funky wild batts add wool silk cocoons noils ribbons bits pieces and more yarn farm llc 614 pickelsford rd st clair mo 63077 636 629-0567 rumpelstiltskin yarns 22 main st sayville ny 11782 631 750-1790 www.rumpelstiltskinyarns.com montana dún a sí farm 6726 hwy 312 billings mt 59105 406 373-6542 www.montanasheep.com north carolina gate city yarns 231 s elm st greenboro nc 27401 336 370-1233 www.gatecityyarns.com nebraska the plum nelly 113 n hastings ave hastings ne 68901 402 463-6262 shuttles needles hooks 214 e chatham st cary nc 27511 919 469-weav shutnedhok@aol.com new hampshire the fiber studio 9 foster hill rd henniker nh 03242 603 428-7830 www.fiberstudio.com the tail spinner 109 north wilmington st richlands nc 28574 910 324-6166 www.tail-spinner.com mirage alpacas 232 lempster mountain rd washington nh 03280 603 495-3435 miragealpacas@conknet.com ohio the little house 1927 main street clyde oh 43410 800 554-7973 www.littlehousespinning.com the elegant ewe 71 south main st concord nh 03301 603 226-0066 info@elegantewe.com www.elegantewe.com sally s shop 141 college st wadsworth oh 44281 sallyshop1@cs.com fiberworks 1350a n fairfield rd dayton oh 45432 937 429-yarn 9276 fibrwrks@aol.com the wool room 218 pleasant st antrim nh 03440 603 588-6637 includes cleaning brush clamps and doffer hodgepodge yarns fibers 59 belknap ave newport nh 03773 603 863-1470 oklahoma weavery at indian meridian 624 s henney rd guthrie ok 73044 405 822-8927 www.indianmeridian.com adjustable packer brush extra long 72ppsi teeth adjustable drum clearance 6:1 carding ratio 4in carding width makes a 1½ oz batt finished batt size 24in x 6in portable under 8lbs rubber feet assembled and lacquered new jersey woolbearers 90 high st mount holly nj 08060 609 914-0003 woolbearers@verizon.net oregon soft horizons 412 e -13th ave eugene or 97401 541 343-0651 888 269-6806 new york countrywool.com 59 spring rd hudson ny 12534 518 828-4554 wool company 990-2nd st se bandon or 97411 541 347-3912 888 456-2430 general bailey homestead farm 340 spier falls rd greenfield ctr ny 12833 877 471-wool www.generalbaileyfarm.com the web-sters 11 north main st ashland or 97520 800 482-9801 fax 541 488-8318 websters@mind.net www.yarnatwebsters.com adjustable packer brush extra long 72ppsi teeth doffer storage and convenient hand hold for carrying cleaning brush slides under feed-in tray for storage spin a yarn 9 mitchell ave binghamton ny 13903 607 722-3318 pennsylvania the knitter s underground 308 s pennsylvania ave centre hall pa 16828 814 364-1433 yarnshop@aol.com daft dames handcrafts 13384 main rd rte 5 akron ny 14001 716 542-4235 international inquiries ashford handicrafts ltd 415 west street ashburton new zealand phone +64 3 308 9087 www.ashford.co.nz

[close]

p. 12

introducing the new ashford katie loom an easy going loom for the complex weaver the katie loom is the perfect multi harness loom for workshops sampling travel and fun portable easy to fold and pack compact 12¼ inch weaving width light 14¼ lbs convenient handy front levers smooth overhead beater with bounce back easy beater flips up and out of the way for easy threading versatile eight harness fully functional table loom the katie loom comes assembled and lacquered includes 2 lacquered stick shuttles 10 dpi stainless steel reed 320 texsolv heddles threading hooks step-by-step instruction booklet and sturdy padded carry bag the mannings handweaving school supply center 1132 green ridge rd east berlin pa 17316 800 233-7166 www.the-mannings.com south dakota natural colored wool studio 109 n 2nd street groton sd 57445 605 397-4504 utah the needlepoint joint 241 historic 25th st ogden ut 84401 800 660-4355 washington weaving works 4717 brooklyn ave ne seattle wa 98105 888 524-1221 206 524-1221 apple hollow fibers 732 jefferson st sturgeon bay wi 54235 920 746-7815 www.applehollow.com labadie looms /utopia 2572 old phila pike rt 340 bird-in-hand pa 17505 717 291-8911 lambobaa@hotmail.com hot springs ace hardware 207 s chicago st hot springs sd 57747 605 745-5173 fallriverfibers@yahoo.com vermont ellen s 1/2 pint farm 85 tucker hill rd norwich vt 05055 802 649-5420 ellens@together.net www.ellenshalfpintfarm.com northwest handspun yarns 1401 commercial st bellingham wa 98225 360 201-5141 susan s fiber shop n250 hwy a columbus wi 53925 920 623-4237 888 603-4237 orders susanfiber@internetwis.com www.susansfibershop.com fibers etc 705 court c tacoma wa 98402 253 531-3257 253 572-1859 steam valley fiber 2304 steam valley rd trout run pa 17771 570 998-2221 www.steamvalleyfiber.com texas heritage arts 10740 county road 102 grandview tx 76050 817 866-2772 heritarts@aol.com the merlin tree w glover vt 802 754-6433 spinfix@sover.net www.themerlintree.com mielke s fiber arts llc 3086 co rd pp rudolph wi 54475 715 435-4494 www.mielkesfiberarts.com paradise fibers 1011 n thor st spokane wa 99202 509 536-spin 7746 888 320-spin 7746 info@paradisefibers.net www.paradisefibers.net mad about ewes 2985 mexico rd milton pa 17847 570 441-5167 www.madaboutewes.com wc mercantile 201 e washington ave navasota tx 77868 936 825-3378 www.wcmercantile.com virginia misty mountain farm 154 quail call lane amissville va 20106 540 937-4707 www.mistymountainfarm.com red barn farm river road butternut wi 54514 715 769-3773 rose@redbarnfarm.net althouse s sewing center 2371 packhouse rd fogelsville pa 18051 800 615-3216 www.althousessewingcenter.com white rock weaving center 1212 tavaros ave dallas tx 75218 214 320-yarn 9276 www.whiterockweaving.com knot just yarn 500 e fairhaven ave burlington wa 1-888-477-knit www.knotjustyarn.com the fiber garden n5095 old 54 road black river falls wi 54615 715 284-4590 infor@fibergarden.com www.fibergarden.com hunt country yarns 6482 main st the plains va 20198 540 253-9990 hcy@skeins.com www.skeins.com rhode island rhode island handspun 1021 east ave route 107 oakland ri 02858-1006 401 568-4934 sudi37@earthlink.net upstairs studio 111 1/2 n 2nd st laporte tx 77571 877 722-4996 wisconsin bahr creek llamas fiber shop n1021 sauk trail cedar grove wi 53013 920 668-6417 demaster@bahrcreek.com egdewood arts 109 n main st waupaca wi 54981 715 258-0909 715 258-0717 fax edgewoodarts@gglbbs.com catherine whipple dodds 225 north king st leesburg va 20176 703 777-4256 stonehill 104 east ufer fredericksburg tx 78624 830 990-8952 877 990-8952 www.stonehillspin.com south carolina north woods farm fiber co llc 221 north main st campobello sc 29322 864 468-4220 www.northwoodsfarm.com stony mountain fibers 939 hammocks gap rd charlottesville va 22911 434 295-2008 barbara@stonymountainfibers.com sheeping beauty fiber arts w297 n9588 hartley rd hartland wi 53029 262 623-0244 www.sheepingbeautyfiberarts.com visit one of these dealers to test drive an ashford spinning wheel or weaving loom usa distributor foxglove fiberarts supply 8040 ne day road suite 4f bainbridge island wa 98110 phone 206 780-2747 www.foxglovefiber.com

[close]

p. 13

letters continued from page 6 linda s basralocus dye tests with water-extracted dye liquor left and alcohol-extracted dye liquor right more fun with natural dyes i read wendy ferrier s letter in the winter 2010 issue of spin.off with some interest it referred to her natural-dye experiments inspired by the fall 2010 issue i too have played with natural dyes play and of late with sawand dust accumulated from dus local shipbuilders loc after a recent conversation with co karen casselman k i tried using 70 percent alcohol to extract c dye from basralocus d dicorynia guianensis wood i let it steep w for several weeks and then used it directly on wool with various mordants and a woven test l ih i d strip at the same time i used water-extracted dye liquor with the same wool various mordants and another test strip the difference in color was amazing the alcohol-extracted dye liquor gave browns in various forms but the water-extracted dye liquor gave everything from taupe to rose to brown ah the magic of dyeing linda maxwell middle lahave nova scotia canada if you have comments you d like to share with spin.off you can e-mail spinoff interweave.com please be sure to include your full name and your city and state and country if outside the united states and let us know whether or not we may consider your comments for publication in a future letters department and our survey says do you learn new spinning techniques on youtube.com yes it s a great resource for spinners sometimes but i prefer more polished dvds or videos that i can watch on my tv as i spin no i prefer learning in person in a class or at my guild what s youtube spin.off click the link in the spring 2011 table of contents under the magazine tab or visit our forums at spinningdaily.com to share your answers in the winter 2010 issue we asked if the change of seasons affects your spinning habits here are the results 8.2 yes i spin warm things on cool days 10.2 yes i hate spinning with sweaty hands and work mostly in the winter 75.5 no i am a constant spinner all times of the year 6.1 no the seasons don t change where i live and cool things on warm days spring 2011 11

[close]

p. 14

r eviews wild color the complete guide to making and using natural dyes revised and updated edition by jenny dean and karen diadick casselman consultant a wonderful guide with great color photographs and a smart layout wild color is an excellent book for beginners the introduction covers some history including the evolution of natural dyeing categories of dyes natural dye sources and different methods of applying color to fiber the beginning of the book is devoted to dyeing techniques the author address the basics including equipment fibers and how they absorb color fiber preparation mordants dye assistants color modifiers ph and safety issues needless to say there is quite a bit of information just in this first part besides the many color photos there are also several charts for quick and easy reference for example in the chart which mordant to use dean covers fiber suitability color effects light and washfastness safety and disposal and includes comments about particular mordants next the dyeing techniques for safflower indigo and woad are given the three color photos that accompany the indigo discussion are marvelous especially from the standpoint of understanding the indigo process the first photo shows how the indigo blue looks when it is added to the dyepot the second shows the yellow-green color of the now-ready dyepot and the third shows a white skein oxidizing to that familiar blue the remainder of the book is devoted to the dye plants each dye plant is listed alphabetically by its latin name accompanied by a color photo and in most instances a color photo of dried dyestuff is included there is a brief description of each plant as well as cultivation and harvest information and dye procedure also included for each is a concise chart providing planting zones availability planting time growing habit harvesting time dyestuff and dyeing instructions for each plant last but not least are photos of color swatches for each dye plant there are always four colors shown results of the dye alone the dye with mordant the dye with modifier and the dye with mordant and modifier in some cases there are two and even three sets of color swatches shown when different parts of the plants such as berries flowers leaves roots and twigs are used that yield different colors ­dagmar klos new york watson-guptill 2010 paperbound 144 pages $22.99 isbn 978-0823058-79-2 www.randomhouse.com/crown/watsonguptill.html diagonal knitting a different slant by katharine cobey in this book fiber sculptor katharine cobey reveals how she achieves her wonderful diagonal knitting effects by dissecting the techniques she uses she also offers a progressive guide on how to design knitted garments on the diagonal building skills for two and three-dimensional design katharine also addresses some of the pros and cons of working in nontraditional materials such as plastic and wire as a side note to spinners though much of her work is handspun spinning is not a focus here this is not a book for the pattern knitter it is for the adventurous who are not afraid to play extensively with orientation and form with occasional self-deprecating humor and personal stories katharine draws on a deep knowledge of her craft as she urges readers to take control of their knitting those wishing to follow the instructions provided may sometimes find themselves having to research stitches and techniques referenced but not fully explained a short dictionary at the end defines terms specifically coined for the book while diagonal knitting is simple conceptually in more complicated constructions the knitting surface design and shaping all work together as an integrat12 spin.off ed process some of the benefits of diagonal knitting are that neither the size nor shape of the final product depends on the initial cast-on row and simple patterns can easily emphasize and enhance basic garment shapes diagonal knitting ultimately challenges the reader to conceptualize and deconstruct the myriad of approaches one can take to his or her work for example to get the full impact of how the designs will fall on the finished piece katharine suggests folding paper mock-ups or even deconstructing cardboard toilet paper rolls as a way of understanding both shape and graphic placement since geometry dominates over complicated stitch patterns daring beginners can also try their hands at diagonal knitting for those fascinated by the geometry involved in achieving wonderful visual effects it is worth spending the time to think through the various directions given for those looking for innovative ideas to add to their sculptural knit repertoire these techniques will add new dimensions on how to approach their art scattered throughout the text are images of katharine s artwork taken by her husband which alternately illustrate and tantalize the reader with possibility the final gallery section of the book speaks volumes about the author s passion through images of her own sculptural continued on page 17 spinningdaily.com

[close]

p. 15

make it your own with julia victoria oak victoria beech features of victoria and julia ratios julia 6:1 8.5:1 12.5:1 19:1 victoria 6:1 8.5:1 13:1 optional high speed set provides ratios of victoria 6:1 8.5:1 19:1 and 20:1 julia 6:1 8.5:1 19:1 and 27:1 set includes 3 highspeed bobbins driveband and highspeed flyer brake system scotch tension includes 3 bobbins lazy kate and standard flyer 4 bobbins standard for julia orifice size 8mm 5/16 and 12 mm 1/2 optional stand alone lazy kate and optional folding skeinwinder all rotating parts run on ball bearings made out of solid and laminated beech or oak victoria smoothly lacquered elite drum carder louet north america 808 commerce park dr ogdensburg ny 13669 info@louet.com www.louet.com standard drum carder louet bv for inquiries outside north america 139 kwinkweerd 7241 cw lochem holland info@louet.nl www.louet.nl

[close]