Spin Together 2024: Spinning, Community, and Creativity
All the yarn I spun during Spin Together 2024
Have you ever wondered how your spinning stacks up to other enthusiasts? Spin Together provides a friendly and engaging community where you can find out. As a participant this year, I experienced firsthand the excitement and camaraderie of this unique competition, and I can’t wait to share it with you.
What is Spin Together?
Spin Together is an annual team-based spinning competition, held virtually with some in-person opportunities. In 2024, the fifth year of the competition, it took place from February 17th to February 24th. Teams, often sponsored by local yarn shops or online fiber arts businesses, are welcoming and inclusive, making it easy for anyone to join and feel at home. With a small registration fee, participants can win a variety of team and individual prizes. Visit the official Spin Together website to learn more about its history and how it works.
Preparing for Spin Together
This year marked my return to Spin Together since 2021, and I was more excited than ever! I took the week off from work and made sure my family knew I was diving deep into spinning.
Team Registration
Team registration starts about a month before the competition. This year I joined a team sponsored by a local yarn store in my area. The team descriptions on the website were super helpful in finding a good match, with details on in-person events, zoom calls, and social media participation. My chosen team was filled with very talented and fast spinners, and I was excited to be a part of it.
Preparation Tasks
Competition rules state you can’t start spinning before the competition, but there are a number of things you can do to help maximize your spinning time. A couple weeks before the competition, I started preparing:
Fiber prepared for spinning from the fold
Bobbin Inventory: I checked my bobbins, realized I had some gaps and had bobbins that needed to be emptied. I wanted as many bobbins as possible ready to go.
Clearing Bobbins: I emptied all my bobbins to start with a clean slate.
Picking Fiber: I selected two groups of fiber: one for what I expected to spin and a backup if I spun more. If you like to pre-draft etc. now is a good time to do this too.
Cleaning Equipment: I performed maintenance on my spinning tools, ensuring everything was in top condition. Always follow manufacturers recommendations!
Spare Parts Inventory: I checked my spare parts inventory to prevent delays during competition, such as drive bands and yarn guides/hooks.
Consider household preparation based on your personal situation and how much time you want to dedicate to the competition. Some participants do what they can, while others focus intensely. Pre-plan tasks or meal prep to free up more time for spinning, based on your goals for the week.
My Experience
With my preparation complete, including some newly 3D-printed jumbo bobbins, I was ready to hit the ground running at Noon. I began spinning some of my favorite fibers filling all of my standard bobbins with singles before moving onto plying. It took several days to get to the plying stage, but I was determined and excited!
Bobbin of singles in progress
Despite some issues with my new bobbins and a fraying brake band, I was able to keep up with my goals. The biggest roadblocks I faced were actually needing to take breaks due to shoulder stiffness, and other unavoidable commitments. I loved the camaraderie I found in the Facebook groups, even though I didn't attend any live or in-person team events. Sharing this experience with others brought immense joy and inspiration. The support and creativity in the community were truly heartwarming!
When Spin Together ended, I felt a mix of relief, accomplishment, and a hint of sadness. I had spent a week using every spare minute to try to beat my goals, and suddenly, I had free time again. What was I going to do with all this newfound free time!?
After Spin Together
After spinning had ended, participants calculated their yardage and submitted it to their Team Captains, who then compiled and sent the information to the organizers. It was thrilling to see teammates win individual and team prizes, with everyone enthusiastically celebrating each other's achievements. The organizers give all of the winners time to shine by spreading the announcements on the Facebook group and also sharing the information on the website. The event fostered a positive atmosphere full of camaraderie, and the total yards some of the teams spun were absolutely mind-blowing. The team with the highest total yardage spun a total of 278,783 yards!
One of my favorite finished skeins
Lessons Learned
I discovered that I might be able to spin faster than my wheel allows, the importance of setting realistic goals, and the necessity of having spare parts on hand. Above all I reaffirmed my love for this event. The experience was invaluable, and I can’t wait for next year!
Until Next Year
Spin Together has quickly become one of my favorite annual events. The organizers do an incredible job, and the event’s accessibility and welcoming nature make it a joy to participate in. I plan to participate every year and might even start my own team. Have you participated in Spin Together or another similar competition? Share your experience!
