Spin Off Submissions Summer 2023: Mend, Renew & Make Do

Remake, renew, recycle, reuse—mending is on-trend and spinners have it covered. From stitching worn spots in our beloved sweaters, socks, and scarves to drumcarding a batch of leftover fibers into glorious batts, we are constantly exploring new paths.

Snape-sample-fabric Cath Snape explores an unlikely fiber combo in Spin Off Winter 2022: sari silk and Herdwick wool. Photo by Carole Bowman

We love the textures added by “waste” fibers such as silk noils, wool nepps, and pulled sari silk roving. These colorful leftovers are usually blended with other fibers to create everything from traditional tweeds to modern spins.

Header-Handspun-Embroidery-Floss Visible mending can add a pop of color and a good dose of character to any wardrobe staple. Photo by George Boe

Join us as we celebrate the art of renewal in the Summer issue of Spin Off. Do you overdye your odds and ends to create harmonious palettes? Do you have tips for reviving compacted cotton? How about a favorite mending method for extending the life of handspun socks? If you have a go-to technique for rescuing sticky roving, rehabilitating a bent spindle hook, or revitalizing sweaters with glorious handspun patches, we want to hear from you!

Like me, I know so many of you find beauty in the broken places and hope in our ability to create change with our makers’ hands. I can’t wait to hear your ideas.

—Kate Larson, editor

Share your article and project proposals for the Mending issue of Spin Off!

Submissions due: August 22, 2022.

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. 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.