What is a Diz and Why Do You Need One?
What is a diz, and why do you need one? It may be one of the cheapest and more useful fibre prep tools you can get. They are versatile and extremely compact.
Greta Cornejo
April 13, 2023
SPINNING & FIBRE PREPARATION
Spinning your own handspun yarn for knitting or weaving can be so much fun and satisfying. Learning to spin will give you ultimate understanding and control over so many characteristics of your yarn. From softness to size and from twist to texture, learn how we make our own yarns with our enthusiastic and encouraging spinning instructors here.
Fundamental Spinning Courses
Start here! If you want to learn how to spin your own yarn, start with “Spinning From Scratch” and discover the joy of spinning with anything from a supported spindl, suspended spindle, spinning wheel, or e-spinner.
Intermediate Spinning Courses
Our intermediate spinning workshops explore more about fibre preparation techniques to create new colours and textures as well as developing your skills to create intentional handspun yarns.
Advanced Spinning Courses
These workshops explore the distinct and unique nature of different fibres and fibre sources. Learn how to process a raw fleece and and develop your own pathway to spinning intentional yarns.
LATEST SPINNING POSTS
Getting Bulky: How to Spin A Thicker Yarn
If you’ve ever analyzed a chunky or bulky yarn, be it as a singles or a plied structure, you’ve likely noticed its airy, low-twist attributes.
Debbie Held
April 6, 2023
Essential Spinning & Fibre Prep Tools
We can make yarn with a stick and some wool. Pretty incredible, really! Then some people made a wheel. And we saw more balanced and
Vikki Zachanowich
March 28, 2023
Learning to Spin Silk Yarns
For the longest time, I felt intimidated by the idea of learning to spin silk yarns. It felt like the epitome of luxury fibres for
Greta Cornejo
March 23, 2023
The Dish on Grist: Understanding Yards Per Pound in Handspinning
Becoming a more intentional spinner isn’t hard, but it does require tackling a subject that intimidates many: grist and yards per pound (YPP).
Debbie Held
January 4, 2023
Spinning a Balanced Yarn: Marker or Milestone?
What if we considered twist balance in handspinning as more of a moving target than an end point, much in the way we think about the woollen and worsted continuum?
Debbie Held
December 2, 2022
Spin from a Fibre Rolag
Learn how to spin yarn from a fibre rolag. Fibre rolags are more commonly used for shorter fibres.
Kim McKenna
October 13, 2022
Learn to Make a Fibre Rolag
Learn how to spin yarn from a fibre rolag. Fibre rolags are more commonly used for shorter fibres.
Kim McKenna
October 13, 2022
Knitting a Wrist Distaff to Test your Handspun
Learn how to knit a wrist distaff & how to use it to evaluate your handspun yarns with Rachel Smith.
Rachel Smith
October 13, 2022
Spinning Short Forward & Backwards Draft
Learn how to spin short forward & short backward draft with Katrina Stewart.
Katrina Stewart
October 12, 2022
Prepare Roving for Spinning with Hand Cards
Learn how to make a carded roving using one hand card, a lockpop and a diz with Kim McKenna.
Kim McKenna
October 11, 2022
Debbie Held
October 10, 2022
Day to Day Oiling of your Spinning Wheel
Learn where to oil your spinning wheel before every spinning session with Katrina Stewart.
Katrina Stewart
October 6, 2022
Prepping Fibre by Hand
Learn how to prepare hand-dyed braids of fibre so they are ready to spin.
Kim McKenna
October 6, 2022
Choosing your First Set of Hand Cards
How do you choose your first set of hand cards? Do you like lacey yarns? Do you like really fine, fine yarns? Or do you like sport weight or DK weight yarns? What tugs at your heart? Because if you get a set of hand cards that’s 56 point, they’re not going to handle those fine, fine fibres as well as a 72 point or 112 point set of hand cards. You have to think about the kind of yarn you want to spin and that’ll help you decide what size of hand cards that you should size.
Kim McKenna
October 5, 2022
Spinning Tutorial – How to Change your Spinning Wheel Drive Band
Learn how to change a poly band spinning wheel drive band with Diana Twiss.
Diana Twiss
October 4, 2022
Spinning Tutorial- Matching Supported Spindles & Bowls
Join Debbie Held and Felicia as they try out and match supported spindles and bowls.
Debbie Held
October 3, 2022
Kim McKenna
September 30, 2022
Best Reference Books for Handspinners (by the School of SweetGeorgia Instructors)
We, your School of SweetGeorgia handspinning instructors (Diana, Katrina, Kim, Rachel, and Debbie), thought we’d share with you an index of our own most used titles.
Debbie Held
September 22, 2022
Which Blending Tools Should I Buy First?
Investing in your first blending tools can be a dizzying decision.
Debbie Held
August 4, 2022
Learn to Spin
Learning to spin will give you ultimate understanding and control over so many characteristics of your yarn. From softness to size and from twist to texture, learn how we make our own yarns with our enthusiastic and encouraging spinning instructors here.
Annie Jin
July 26, 2022
Featured Instructor: Diana Twiss
Diana’s playful approach to fibre prep is just wonderful to follow, and it is impossible not to fall in love with her colourful blends.
Greta Cornejo
July 21, 2022
Spinning Tutorial – How to Choose a Supported Spindle
Learn how to choose a supported spindle with Diana Twiss.
Diana Twiss
July 12, 2022
The Rigid Heddle Loom Meets Handspun Singles
I’m all for enlisting alternate solutions in utilizing my handspun, and I know of no better stash-busting ally than the rigid heddle loom.
Debbie Held
July 7, 2022
Learn to Spin to Knit a Sweater
Learn the process of creating your first garment from your handspun yarn. Discover how to select the kind of fibre that will give you the garment you desire, how to sample your handspun yarn, how to calculate the measurements of your yarn, how to store large amounts of plies for bigger projects, and how to swatch your yarn before starting your garment.
Annie Jin
July 6, 2022
Learn Fibre Preparation
Learn how to use blending boards, drum carders, hand carders, and wool combs for carding and combing spinning fibre for handspinning.
Annie Jin
July 6, 2022
Do You Really Need A Master Spinner Certification?
Sometimes, we build up goals and long-term objectives in our minds or even on paper, but we fail to review and reconsider the items on these lists as the years go by. For me, attaining an official “master spinner” status was one such intention, and one I’d put off.
Debbie Held
June 16, 2022
Best Wool for New Spinners
If you’re a new or newer spinner looking for just the right spinning fibre to help you on your hand spinning journey, you’re in luck.
Debbie Held
May 5, 2022
Choosing an E-Spinner
There are many options for e-spinners available now that fit every style of spinning and budget. Compare e-spinners to choose the best one for you.
Felicia Lo
April 26, 2021
Felicia’s Recommended Spinning and Weaving Books
Here is a list of some of Felicia’s favourite spinning and weaving books!
Felicia Lo
October 30, 2020
Spinning Equipment Suppliers
Here are a few links to various suppliers that are mentioned in the Spinning From Scratch course
Felicia Lo
August 22, 2018
Spinning Fibre Suppliers
Here are a few suppliers in the US, Canada, and UK that provide beautiful dyed spinning fibres to get you started.
Felicia Lo
August 22, 2018
Undyed Yarn & Fibre Suppliers
Here are some suppliers and sources of undyed yarns and spinning fibres
Felicia Lo
August 22, 2018
Twist Gauge
Measuring the angle of twist in your yarn is a wonderful way to ensure consistency in your handspun yarns. Download our twist gauge here to measure the twist in your singles and plied yarns.
Felicia Lo
August 20, 2018
Tools for Measuring Wraps per Inch (WPI)
A couple downloadable tools to measure your “wraps per inch (WPI)” while spinning and plying your handspun yarns.
Felicia Lo
August 20, 2018
How to Spin from the Fold
Learn how to “spin from the fold” with a long draw as a way to manage short, slippery, and downy spinning fibre blends.
Felicia Lo
August 15, 2018
15% off SweetGeorgia Discount
Use our members-only coupon code to get a discount off your yarns and spinning fibres at SweetGeorgia Yarns.
Felicia Lo
July 18, 2018
Embracing imperfection(in other words, trying really hard not to be grumpy about your inconsistent yarn🫠).
This is my first spin in my life and actually I enjoyed it immensely. I couldn’t stop for 4 hours.
#suspendedspindle #dropspindle #supportedspindle #handspinning #handspinnersofinstagram #ドロップスピンドル #サポートスピンドル #手紡ぎ #手紡ぎ糸 #schoolofsweetgeorgia #sosspinning
Embracing imperfection(in other words, trying really hard not to be grumpy about your inconsistent yarn🫠).
This is my first spin in my life and actually I enjoyed it immensely. I couldn’t stop for 4 hours.
#suspendedspindle #dropspindle #supportedspindle #handspinning #handspinnersofinstagram #ドロップスピンドル #サポートスピンドル #手紡ぎ #手紡ぎ糸 #schoolofsweetgeorgia #sosspinning
I spun some alpaca fiber into yarn 😍 so pretty! Next step - 2 ply it and then tackle warping (threading all the yarn through) my loom. ashford_wheels_looms glimakra.of.sweden #sosspinning #espinner3
I spun some alpaca fiber into yarn 😍 so pretty! Next step - 2 ply it and then tackle warping (threading all the yarn through) my loom. ashford_wheels_looms glimakra.of.sweden #sosspinning #espinner3
I purchased a handmade suspended spindle for the first time in my life! Handmade wooden crafts make my heart sing.
ついにお迎えしてしまいました！ドロップスピンドル。
CreemaのクラフトSATOさんというお店で手作りのものを購入させていただきました。
おまけで、綿花と、オーガニックコットンの種まで！！本当にうれしいです。
羊毛だけでなく、コットンやシルクもつむげるようになりたい！と夢だけは大きく。
ところで、つむぎ用の羊毛ってどこで買うのがいいんだろうか…色々これから調べてみます
#suspendedspindle #ドロップスピンドル #sosspinning #schoolofsweetgeorgia
I purchased a handmade suspended spindle for the first time in my life! Handmade wooden crafts make my heart sing.
ついにお迎えしてしまいました！ドロップスピンドル。
CreemaのクラフトSATOさんというお店で手作りのものを購入させていただきました。
おまけで、綿花と、オーガニックコットンの種まで！！本当にうれしいです。
羊毛だけでなく、コットンやシルクもつむげるようになりたい！と夢だけは大きく。
ところで、つむぎ用の羊毛ってどこで買うのがいいんだろうか…色々これから調べてみます
#suspendedspindle #ドロップスピンドル #sosspinning #schoolofsweetgeorgia
If you’re wondering how textured yarns differ from art yarns… they don’t. All art yarns are stable, usable yarns that can add texture, however bold or subtle, to the cloth in which they’re used.
Over at the upcoming Spinning Textured Yarns, instructor Debbie Held @doodler01 will teach SOS spinners about spinning a variety of art yarn styles and have you coming away from the course with a new appreciation for these classic, textured yarns and their infinite potential. The yarns in this course are truly timeless and they’re presented in a skill-building, logical order that’s meant to inspire you in your own application. Visit the course page now to find the materials list to get your supplies ready for the lesson launch on June 7th!
#sosspinning #schoolofsweetgeorgia #spinningartyarn #spinning #texturedyarns #handspun #handwoven
If you’re wondering how textured yarns differ from art yarns… they don’t. All art yarns are stable, usable yarns that can add texture, however bold or subtle, to the cloth in which they’re used.
Over at the upcoming Spinning Textured Yarns, instructor Debbie Held @doodler01 will teach SOS spinners about spinning a variety of art yarn styles and have you coming away from the course with a new appreciation for these classic, textured yarns and their infinite potential. The yarns in this course are truly timeless and they’re presented in a skill-building, logical order that’s meant to inspire you in your own application. Visit the course page now to find the materials list to get your supplies ready for the lesson launch on June 7th!
#sosspinning #schoolofsweetgeorgia #spinningartyarn #spinning #texturedyarns #handspun #handwoven
April has been BUSY and I noticed that my monthly FOs tend to reflect how busy my work schedule is. My #freshstartheadband is my only FO for this month so far and it makes sense, but it`s funny how spot on it is! 🙈 Do you notice this with your knits also?
After finally finishing the Warm Neutrals pre-order I had a lot of other deadlines to meet. Finalising my advent colorways was a huge goal for me this month (which I finished! 🎉) along with some wholesale orders and getting the Wanderlust 2022 Favorites together (which are coming in May!). On top of that, my parents are visiting, there is school vacation, and we are taking a small trip to London. Luckily, I think I`ll redeem some knitting time while my parents are here and while we are on vacation, so it should balance a bit in the end! 😊
Pattern: #freshstartheadband by whileberry.creative
Yarn: malabrigoyarn Washted in Piedras
Pattern: #handspunboomerangshawl by grittyknits
Fiber: malabrigoyarn Nube
April has been BUSY and I noticed that my monthly FOs tend to reflect how busy my work schedule is. My #freshstartheadband is my only FO for this month so far and it makes sense, but it`s funny how spot on it is! 🙈 Do you notice this with your knits also?
After finally finishing the Warm Neutrals pre-order I had a lot of other deadlines to meet. Finalising my advent colorways was a huge goal for me this month (which I finished! 🎉) along with some wholesale orders and getting the Wanderlust 2022 Favorites together (which are coming in May!). On top of that, my parents are visiting, there is school vacation, and we are taking a small trip to London. Luckily, I think I`ll redeem some knitting time while my parents are here and while we are on vacation, so it should balance a bit in the end! 😊
Pattern: #freshstartheadband by whileberry.creative
Yarn: malabrigoyarn Washted in Piedras
Pattern: #handspunboomerangshawl by grittyknits
Fiber: malabrigoyarn Nube
Together with a good set of hand carders and a flicker, a diz may be one of the cheapest and more useful fibre prep tools you can get. If I had to choose, I would go as far as having a set of hand carders and my set of dizzes as my only fibre tools. They are versatile and extremely compact.
New at the School today, Greta @gretacornejomakes talks about the wonders of this fibre prep tool at her new article "What is a Diz and Why Do You Need One?". Continue reading the full article (link in bio) at the School!
#sosspinning #schoolofsweetgeorgia #fibreprep #fiberprep #spinningyarn #spinningfiber #fiberpreptools #diz
Together with a good set of hand carders and a flicker, a diz may be one of the cheapest and more useful fibre prep tools you can get. If I had to choose, I would go as far as having a set of hand carders and my set of dizzes as my only fibre tools. They are versatile and extremely compact.
New at the School today, Greta @gretacornejomakes talks about the wonders of this fibre prep tool at her new article "What is a Diz and Why Do You Need One?". Continue reading the full article (link in bio) at the School!
#sosspinning #schoolofsweetgeorgia #fibreprep #fiberprep #spinningyarn #spinningfiber #fiberpreptools #diz
I have been learning about different ways of rearranging colors in fiber to produce different results. So that’s what is currently in progress here with another 4oz of merino in “Pink Elephant” by fiberlovediary.
Another new tool for me is a bobbin winder, which is fast and efficient!
I have been learning about different ways of rearranging colors in fiber to produce different results. So that’s what is currently in progress here with another 4oz of merino in “Pink Elephant” by fiberlovediary.
Another new tool for me is a bobbin winder, which is fast and efficient!
If you’ve ever analyzed a chunky or bulky yarn, be it as a singles or a plied structure, you’ve likely noticed its airy, low-twist attributes. While its modest beauty is easy enough to recreate with a little know-how, many handspinners have trouble putting a thicker intention to the treadle (or the motor, in the case of e-Spinner enthusiasts), especially those spinners who typically spin a finer and/or more worsted-style default yarn.
If spinning a heavier-gauged yarn has evaded you thus far, the information at Debbie Held`s @doodler01 new article, Getting Bulky: How to Spin a Thicker Yarn, may be just what you need.
Continue reading the full article at the School (link in bio)!
#sosspinning #schoolofsweetgeorgia #spinnersofinstagram #spinnersofig #handspun #handspunyarn #handspunstagram
If you’ve ever analyzed a chunky or bulky yarn, be it as a singles or a plied structure, you’ve likely noticed its airy, low-twist attributes. While its modest beauty is easy enough to recreate with a little know-how, many handspinners have trouble putting a thicker intention to the treadle (or the motor, in the case of e-Spinner enthusiasts), especially those spinners who typically spin a finer and/or more worsted-style default yarn.
If spinning a heavier-gauged yarn has evaded you thus far, the information at Debbie Held`s @doodler01 new article, Getting Bulky: How to Spin a Thicker Yarn, may be just what you need.
Continue reading the full article at the School (link in bio)!
#sosspinning #schoolofsweetgeorgia #spinnersofinstagram #spinnersofig #handspun #handspunyarn #handspunstagram