We are a proud co-sponsor of the current Long Thread Media Podcast that features an interview with Pamela K. Schultz, the editor of the Spin Off magazine. I had no idea that Spin Off is one of Long Thread Media’s oldest publications, with nearly 50 years!
We are sponsoring the podcast because we think it is one of the best, covering a broad range of interesting and entertaining topics from the fiber world.
How does Spin-Off relate to pin-loom weaving? Boy, just ask our customers! I did a Blitz call for customer photos last week on how TURTLE loom weavers use their looms for their handspun yarns, and here are some examples:
UK-based TURTLE loom user Claire Cryer contributed the header photo for this post. She adds “All handspun by me, and most of the dyed bits are hand dyed by me too. It’s a good way to use leftovers and experiments.” She used the TURTLE Elongon loom and no pattern, but if you are interested in a similar project, take a look at the “Painted Pillow” pattern in the Little Looms Holiday 2021 issue.
Customer Kim Chase is an all-trades fiber lover who is also very creative when it comes to recycling fibers. For this spinning adventure she re-spun a blend of fibers from different sources. Kim’s candle doily would make a great first project for a beginner. Kim also turned a boring shopping bag into an eye-catching accessory by crafting puffed hexagons for an extra 3D effect.
Australian crafters Tamantha Gilfoyle and Kaye Martin are a team: Tamantha spun the fibers and Kay wove them. Here are some of the results:
I include Carolyn Blakelock‘s contribution with special emphasis on her “delicious” way of storing her woven pieces in biscuit boxes! Carolyn writes “When I learned to spin, one of the first things I did with my handspun was reach for my pin looms, and I love using up my leftovers on the pin looms. For my thicker yarns I use my square zoom loom, and for my thinner yarns I use my Turtle Loom Hexi. I keep my finished squares in Godiva biscuit tins, to keep them safe from little critters until I have enough to make something.” Great reason to eat more cookies!
Canadian customer Pat McDonald is a winner of the Garment Challenge that we organized a few years ago (see our ad in Little Looms Spring 2025). Pat has crafted a good number of garments and accessories using pin looms. Note how she combines different crafts for her hat!
Beverly Anglin, who has designed numerous adorable projects for the Schacht Zoom loom, contributed this picture of a shawl where she combines handspun and commercial yarns. The pattern is Meg Stump’s “Night Covers the Earth” shawl from her “Pin Loom Weaving to Go” book.
Elise Mann bought some handspun and -dyed yarn locally in the UK, and she thinks that she will have just enough to weave a scarf on her triangle pin loom. It sure looks pretty!
All photos are courtesy of their respective owners and used with permission.
I hope that you enjoyed reading about these examples. Ready to give pin-loom weaving a try? Check out our loom catalog! Contact me if you have any questions.
