Ravelry    

Here, you can share patterns with the knitting or crocheting community. Some are free, some are reasonably priced, and one of the coolest things is seeing all the other examples of that pattern worked up by other Ravelry members.

They will ask for some basic information so you can have an account with them. You get your own homepage, and can keep lots of information there, like favorite photos, patterns, yarns, or forums.

Paradise Fibers

Oh, the fibers! Paradise Fibers is a longstanding go-to for all fiber artists, with an excellent selection of yarn, fibers, and tools. They are physically located in Spokane, Washington, where they have been since 1997, family owned and operated. I purchased my bulky spinning attachment for my Ashford Joy spinning wheel from them. When I had some trouble installing it, they spent over 30 minutes on the phone with me, talking me through step by step. Not only that, but they were nice about it, the whole time! We laughed and told spinning stories while I fumbled with tools.

Long Thread Media

Publishers of Handwoven, Little Looms, PieceWork, and Spin Off, as well as offer information, education, and community to crafters in those fields.

Interweave Press

The Interweave Store has supplies, patterns, digital classes, books, and more! They are the go-to source for information about all things Fiber Art.

Dharma Trading Company                     

Everything to do with dyeing, and I mean EVERYTHING! They have dyes and paints and yarns and fabric and white clothing and tools and instructions… all at very reasonable prices and with excellent quality. This is where I go to get silk and cotton fabric for my eco printing and other dyeing.

The Woolery

A family run business out of Kentucky, these folks have everything to do with fiber. Spinning wheels, fiber, yarn, kits, books, dyes, and more. They are very friendly and helpful, and a great source for information as well as supplies.

Another great feature on this site? They have a page called “Used Equipment” where buyers and sellers can get together for fiber equipment. Now that’s a great company, where they sell brand new, but help out people who need a lower cost option as well.

All About Weaving and Spinning 

Wonderful links page, connecting to information and groups to learn more about Fiber Art! Thanks to Anna and her Scout Troupe, who told me about this page while researching for her Textile Artist Badge.

Weavolution

Another free online community for fiber artists, Weavolution is where handweavers can gather to share drafts, pictures, projects, sources, or other weaving related discussion.

Modern Weaving Tutorials

If you’re interested in learning some techniques for modern weaving on small looms, here are some sites you might enjoy, with free tutorials:

Hello Hydrangea –

Although she charges for her excellent and thorough beginning weaving classes, Lindsey also has a wealth of free information on her page.

Spruce and Linen –

Wonderful site with lots of free information and online tutorial videos. She’s clear and easy to watch. She also has links to her shop, where she sells beautiful materials for modern weaving.

All Fiber Arts – 

This great site maintains a list of fiber arts equipment for sale. If you’re looking for used equipment, another great resource is your local Handweavers Guild of America chapter, linked below.

Handweavers Guild of America

An amazing resource for locating fiber artists’ groups across the United States. If you’re wondering how to find someone who can teach you to spin or weave, here is a great place to start. Visit a meeting, or call the contact for your local Handweavers Guild for a wealth of information and some really great people.

Lulu’s – Sewing Patterns and Guides for Historical Clothing and Costumes

One of my readers, Lauren, sent me this link, so I checked it out. It’s well worth a visit! (Or a lot of visits…) Patterns, instructions, and history are included for Egyptian, Roman, Renaissance, 1920s, and more! Most of these are pretty simple patterns, suitable for beginning sewers and adaptable for handwoven fabric.

Living Felt

Everything felt! Amazing variety of supplies, and excellent, friendly customer service from this small business. If you’re interested in wet felting, needle felting, or nuno felting, you can find what you need here. Kits, classes, wool, wool blends, tools, and more are featured at Living Felt. By the way, don’t be afraid to sign up for their emails. They aren’t so full of themselves that they send you emails three times a day or any of that nonsense. You get an email periodically that is worth opening, with information and upcoming sales on their website.

Mollie’s Herbals at FiasCo Farm

Everything you need to know about raising goats organically. Most of their products work for sheep as well, and if you’re raising Angoras or Cashmeres, the information on this website is invaluable.

Gleason’s Fine Woolies

An older site filled with great information, if you can get past the presentation. The floating sheep wallpaper is cute, but makes it very hard to read. Still some great stuff there for spinning and felting and using wool.

Sheep Breeds from Oklahoma State University:

Pictures and descriptions of sheep breeds. It really is amazing how diverse our wool supply is, yet most people don’t recognize that there is nearly as much variation in sheep as there is in dogs. Well… nearly. There are miniature sheep, but not quite Chihuahua sized breeds.

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Copyright ©  2015-2024 Kelley Adams.  All rights reserved.

All text, photos, and graphics are the property of Kelley Adam unless credit is given to an alternative source.

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Contact me anytime at Kelley@slowyarn.com.