Spindle and Spinner: Spin Off Fall 2024

For so many of us, spinning provides a meditative, creative space to slow down. We can disengage from our worries for a time, be present with each yard of handspun we spin, and then return to life a bit lighter. Despite being an ancient tool, spindles allow us to extend that practice into more of the modern spaces we move through. Airports, city parks, the train, the couch with family—spindles are sometimes more portable and less intrusive than our wheels or e-spinners. Just keeping a small spindle with a bit of fiber in my bag makes me feel prepared to take on unknown challenges as I step out of my front door.

Andy Barrett shares his favorite tips for spinning on a Turkish spindle. Photos by Andy Barrett

In this “Spindle & Spinner” issue, we wanted to take a wide view of the world of spindles to show interconnections between the past and present, global traditions, and the many reasons we spin. Every author in this issue is passionate about the topic they share with you here. Archaeologist Katrin Kania shares a reconstructed technique for medieval European spinning using spindle and distaff, and Avani Varia takes you along on her personal journey to revitalize handspinning traditions and the production of handspun, handwoven cloth in India.

Deborah Held shows us how to build a balanced cop on a supported spindle. Photo by Deborah Held

Avid spindler Deborah Held presents some great tips for building cops on supported spindles, and Sharon Barnes shares the series of handspun weighted pillows she designed to hold your bowl in place. I hope the spirit of this issue allows us all to find our own way to engage with spinning. Whether you are interested in the physics, history, or warm, fuzzy feelings related to spindles, we hope you’ll join us!

On the cover: Sharon Barnes’s clever spincushion. See how to make your own on page 18 of the Fall issue.

Best wishes for tidy cops and wobble-free spins,

Kate

Ready to explore this issue? Get your copy of Spin Off Fall 2024 by subscribing today or purchasing this issue from our online shop. The digital edition will be available beginning August 29.

Kate Larson, editor of Spin Off, teaches handspinning around the country and spends as many hours as life allows in the barn with her beloved flock of Border Leicesters.