Author

Deborah Held

Debbie Held is a freelance writer, a contented real-life spinster, and an international fiber-arts educator. She writes recurring spinning-related content for Spin Off in print and on the web as well as for PLY, SweetGeorgia Yarns, and more. Debbie and her Persian cat, Marty, live on an urban farm in Atlanta, Georgia, where both enjoy watching the Shetland sheep that roam beneath their windows. Debbie’s new book, The Spinner’s Blending Board Bible, is available from Stackpole Books.

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Three Turkish spindles on a beige background.

Latest

Fancy and Functional Turkish Spindle Wraps

There’s more than one way to wind a Turkish spindle cop! Find the right method for you and your spinning style.

Deborah Held

Textured blue and purple yarn on a wooden surface.

Save Your Leftover Singles for Inspired Spiral Plies

Let your leftover singles be your plying muse for growth, creativity, and more spinning fun!

Deborah Held

Heathers, Tweeds, and Flecks: Blend Visual Interest into Your Personal Spinning Style

Harness the power of subtle—or bold—visual texture in your next spin!

Deborah Held

An array of spindles, fiber, and yarn against a wooden background.

Her Handspun Habit: Drop-Spindle Plying for Larger Hanks

Does a drop spindle limit the size of a plied skein? Find tips and tricks for maximizing your skein’s yardage, no matter your spindle size!

Deborah Held

Green fiber and yarn on a wooden background.

Why Choose a Blending Board If I Already Have a Drumcarder?

Blending boards offer lots of options. Find out why they’re this spinner’s desert-island prep tool.

Deborah Held

Three spinning wheels in front of an orange wall

5 Tips to Spin the Tour de Fleece Injury-Free

With the Tour de Fleece in full swing, here are some thoughts about rider safety and avoiding injury.

Deborah Held

Tour de Fleece 2025: Plotting Your Own Course

Looking back at past events can help you plan for a successful and fun spinning event.

Deborah Held

Turquoise, purple, and magenta cowl with small balls of yarn sitting next to it on a beige background.

The Equinox Cowl: Perfect for Precious Handspun Leftovers

Transform leftover handspun into a stunning mobius cowl!

Deborah Held

Her Handspun Habit: Why Targhee Makes For Great Handspun, Handknitted Socks

I was sure I didn’t much like spinning Targhee, nor did I love knitting socks. That is, until I came across a pair of socks so sensational that they called into question whether I knew myself at all.

Deborah Held

Her Handspun Habit: How I Wind a Cop on My Supported Spindle

Learn all about the temporary-cop method and tips for building a better cop.

Deborah Held

Jefferson Farms: The Search for Wild Luxury

Paco-vicuña is an ideal fiber for handspinners. As Jane Levene explains, the crinkle—or tiny, unorganized crimp—helps to interlock the fibers, creating that loft so many of us love.

Deborah Held

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Deborah Held

Fancy and Functional Turkish Spindle Wraps

Debunking Spindle Myths

What’s the Difference between Combo Spinning and Combo Drafting?

Save Your Leftover Singles for Inspired Spiral Plies

Heathers, Tweeds, and Flecks: Blend Visual Interest into Your Personal Spinning Style

Her Handspun Habit: Drop-Spindle Plying for Larger Hanks

Why Choose a Blending Board If I Already Have a Drumcarder?

5 Tips to Spin the Tour de Fleece Injury-Free

Tour de Fleece 2025: Plotting Your Own Course

The Equinox Cowl: Perfect for Precious Handspun Leftovers

Her Handspun Habit: Why Targhee Makes For Great Handspun, Handknitted Socks

Her Handspun Habit: How I Wind a Cop on My Supported Spindle

Jefferson Farms: The Search for Wild Luxury