Spin Off Submissions Spring 2026: Intentional and Intuitive Color

Every spring, our world explodes with color. From trees and flowers bursting into life, to little lambs wowing us with their rainbows of naturally colored fleeces, color inspiration is all around.

For our sixth annual color issue, we invite you to explore color application in all forms—whether you specialize in natural or synthetic dyes, use predyed fiber, or revel in natural shades, we want to see how you make colors sing.

Intentional and Intuitive Color

We all approach color differently, and most of us are somewhere on the continuum between playful abandon and absolute precision. And there are color tools and rules to help us pick our palettes, but it really comes down to what colors give us joy. What color tools and rules guide your pursuit of the perfect palette? Do you have tricks for unifying colors for a cohesive colorway? We want to hear your best dyeing, blending, spinning, and crafting tips!

Do you have insight into why color palette generators don’t always work the way you want them to? Do you have a trick for adjusting the results to get harmonious and interesting color palettes? Do you sample your color combinations with pin-loom squares, speed swatches, yarn wrappings, or something else? Once you’ve chosen a color palette, how do you adjust the proportions of each color to create the feeling you’re after—whether it’s harmony, excitement, or surprise?

Do you have experience with a natural dye technique you think spinners should know about, like a cold-water mordant that won’t full your fiber before spinning? We are also looking for projects that help spinners use their colorful handspun yarns. Do you want to divulge your secret recipe for a knitted raglan tee or layering vest? Or do you have a foolproof method for choosing warp and weft colors to create a stunning effect?

Join us as we explore all the nuances of color in the Spring 2026 issue of Spin Off!

For her Salt Spring Cowl, Elise created a tonal mix of bright pinks. Learn more here.

Submissions due: May 30, 2025

We are looking for:

Feature articles—stories, profiles, history.
Handspun projects—instructions using knitting, weaving, crochet, or other techniques with handspun yarn.
How-to articles—tell us how it is done.
Web content—if you have an idea for a shorter piece, about 300 to 500 words, please submit your proposal to us.

Have an idea that doesn’t fit our theme? Send that to us, too! We may be able to use it in an upcoming issue. 

Use our convenient online submissions form to send us your article and project proposals and attach photos and sketches, too.

dyepot with plant matter and red fiber No time to dye? Try Martha Owen's one-and-done natural dyepot. Photo at left by Martha Owen; at right by Matt Graves