The pieces come together magically

In the Summer issue, Elise Cohen takes a look at supported spinning on Russian-type spindles.

Making a magazine is like spinning yarn

As we finish our work on the Summer 2012 issue of _Spin-Off _(which will be mailing out the end of May and on newsstands mid-June), I can't help but think about how magically everything works out. Much like starting a project, often we have an idea of what an issue will be, but ultimately the final product isn't quite what we expected.

How often have you started with roving thinking what the perfect end use will be only to realize as you spin it wants to be something else? Often articles evolve as new details are explored by the author during the writing process. Sometimes new angles to the story come to light. Much like the colors and fiber blends of a carded batt, a magazine is a compilation that blends in sometimes in delightfully unexpected ways. As the issue comes together, the articles themselves work together, interrelating and complementing each other, or setting each other apart, creating contrasts and differing views.

As I mentioned before, our upcoming Summer issue takes a look at portable spinning (and projects) with a focus on spindles. As is often the case, the final line up of this issue is different than we expected six months ago when we were "finalizing" the content. Some articles didn't work out, some gems were discovered along the way, and some were created to round things out.

	In our Summer issue, Ann Budd shares what she has learned about spinning yarn for socks. On the right is a sock and yarn she made before taking a workshop at SOAR and on the left is what she made after.

For example, we compiled a spindle primer with information from past issues of Spin-Off _and Abby Franquemont's book _Respect the Spindle to answer some basic questions about "what is the best use for different spindles?" and "which spindle is best for your fiber?" A serendipitous aspect of the issue (that just tickles me) is a sub-focus on socks—one of the best portable projects I've found. Spinning Tips takes a look at why you would overply (for socks, of course), Ann Budd shares socks she made before and after taking a workshop at the _Spin-Off _Autumn Retreat (SOAR) last year, and Rachel Rodnunsky shares a pattern she has developed for handspun crochet socks.

If you like the idea of focusing on spindles, then you'll enjoy learning about Russian-style lace spindles and a fun and fast way to Navajo-ply as you spin on a spindle. But don't worry if spindles aren't your thing—there are plenty of articles that are useful for spinning on a wheel as well as non-tool specific topics such as taking a closer look at the role of crimp in comfort.

We hope as you receive the Summer issue in your mailbox or explore it on the newsstand or at your local shop, you are as delighted as we are with how it all came together.

Spin on,