5 comments about Respect the Spindle: Spin Infinite Yarns with One Amazing Tool.

1. As some one who has been playing with and using drop spindles for over 35 years, going to sheep and wool fests and using fiber just about every day of my life, I can say that this is a fine book, not a GREAT book, but a fine one...for beginners and those who love them. I have somewhat managed to teach my husband the art of drop spinning, although there should be a written credo to marriage...find a teacher to teach your spouse and children and the rest will follow. Read this book in pieces, digest what it says and read some more...have this book in your library as a reference book. I do have hundreds of other that at one time were raved about, including In Sheep's Clothing, which I find horribly lacking, and yet I hold onto that book. There is a time and a place for everything, and for this book too there will be a time and a place! Truly loved and valued books are chewed on, dog eared and wretched in their appearance, but there in lies the beauty of them; someone thought of them to be worthy of their praise! Talk to people about spinning, watch, pick up tips, get old Spin-off Magazines, Betty Hockberg books, Alden Amous, and other authors, and beef up your library with this one. I call it library ballast!



2. I had just made my first drop spindle when I got this book and was trying to teach myself to spin. This book was very clear and full of super great info and very helpful. I would very much recommend this book to anyone starting out with spinning.



3. After so much hype I expected something special, but was disappointed to find a mundane rehash of the simple and obvious. Save your money; wish I had.



4. I've attended a couple of beginning drop spindle classes, and they give you a homemade spindle and a bit of coarse wool, tell you how to start it off and, when at the end of an hour you might have something that will hold the spindle and not drop it on the floor, tell you to go home and practice. So many questions unanswered! Why does the spindle do this, why does the fiber do that, what if you want to spin a different fiber, how do you know if you have produced something you can really use, etc., etc. Ms. Franquemont answers all the questions, and even gives a lot of special tips to make the process easier and more fun. And it's a really beautiful book, too! Highly recommended.



5. I didn't "respect" the spindle! Now I hold it in high regard! Abby Franquemont gives the how to's and whys of spindle spinning. I will try again to drop spin! Excellent photos.

5 comments about Start Spinning: Everything You Need to Know to Make Great Yarn.

1. This is a superior book for the experienced spinner who never had hands-on lessons, or any other instruction. I've been spinning for 24 years and finally understand how and why to draft a certain way, how to control the type and size yarn I want to make, and improved methods of plying. There is a science to all of this, and it's nice to have this excellent reference for getting the job done. I've always wanted to make the yarn for the garment, rather than finding a garment for the yarn I made. Now I believe I can! This book also had less wasted space on drop spindles and types of fibers. Good detailed explanation on the differences in woolen and worsted methods as well as combinations of methods. Very good information on the why and how of plying. Excellent photographs showing close-up detail of drawing methods, manipulating fibers with hands, and .... everything. Lots of excellent photos. As direct result of the two books I purchased at the same time, I bought a McMorran yarn balance to better determine my yardage. This will be my go-to book when spinning, with the other as a back-up.



2. As a beginner, I find this book to be the most concise, accurate and easy-to-follow of any I've read. The author makes you feel immediately "at home" in front of the wheel -- and guides you with ease and authority through the steps necessary to get you started. I highly recommend this book for all beginners...and would suggest it contains invaluable information for those who may have enjoyed the art for many years.



3. I found the book very helpful especially with the pictures. Maggie Casey is very knowledgable.



4. I bought this book when I knew absolutely nothing about spinning, but I owned a wheel which is a serious investment.
   
   This book was so helpful with full explanations that weren't too technical, solutions to common problems and lots of pictures. Maggie has a way of laying the foundation so there's still room for you to develop your own style.
   
   If I were stranded on a deserted island with mountains of fiber and my spinning wheel I'd want this book with me.



5. The pictures and written explanations make this one of the best beginner spinning books I've purchased or borrowed. The additional information on spinning art yarns is very good and a main reason for my purchase. When I got my spinning wheel I kept the book open on various pages for drafting and spinning as an immediate reference. I would recommend this book for another person like myself that didn't have a clue as how to get started!

5 comments about The Intentional Spinner: A Holistic Approach to Making Yarn.

1. As a beginner spinner this book was highly suggested by my teacher. I am glad I got it. This will help me learn more about spinning on a wheel and the different fibers I can spin.



2. This is a fantastic book - i read it from cover to cover and savoured all the information about spinning and creating funky yarns. it is a very technically easy book to follow with correct corresponding pictures. a great book, a must for new and intermediate spinners! Thanks...



3. I've been spinning for over 30 years and seldom purchase "how to spin" books anymore. But this one has found an honored place in my bookcase. And I've been recommending it to all my spinning friends, many of whom have taken classes from the author. I don't recommend it to absolute beginners, but to anyone who has been spinning for while and wants to get beyond being a purely intuitive spinner (which is where I am coming from).



4. The information in the book is excellent. You have to understand that the author's opinions on certain terms and techniques will differ from others in the spinning world as there are many ways to look at the art of handspinning. The editing of the book fell short on some of the historical information given and is false. For example, check out the reference to Thomas Jefferson.



5. I love this book. When I got it I read it cover to cover. I did have to get some wool out and play with the techniques in the book. The directions are well writen and the photos are wonderful. Though I would not recomend this as a learn to spin book if you know the basics this book will help you take your skills one step futher. I have enjoyed all the info greatly.

No comments about Get Spun: The Step-by-Step Guide to Spinning Art Yarns.

5 comments about Teach Yourself Visually Handspinning (Teach Yourself Visually Consumer).

1. this book is one I consider the 'bible' of spinning. It breaks it down into easily understood directions and has pictures so that you won't be left without 'visual' help.
   
   excellent, excellent, excellent book.



2. I just wanted to chime and give my thumbs up for Teach Yourself Visually Handspinning. It has lots of useful information from fibers to yarn, this book takes you through everything you would want to know.



3. This book has been touted as a good hit the deck running book for spinners and potential spinners. That is true; however it is also very useful for people that have quite a bit of spinning under their belt.
   
   It really is the visual that make a difference. The only thing better are the now available DVD's. The descriptions at first may seem a little superficial or curt. However you cannot explain what it takes a book's worth of knowledge in one paragraph.
   
   One may look at page 15 and wonder want a bobbin driven wheel is but this is not a place to go into detail; it is just a preview of what will be explained later in the book.
   
   I can see where it would be easy to learn to spin one way and become an expert, yet still miss some of the finer points and even useful equipment. This is why you may want to read the book from cover to cover before investing time and money. I was glad to see that most of the pictures were of Ashford equipment as that is what I am most used to using.
   
   This is a must for your library. Also even when you know something is nice to have a different view on the subject. Be sure to supplement this book with articles from the author in "Spinoff" magazine.
   
   
   The Intentional Spinner: A Holistic Approach to Making Yarn



4. Have to say - I only WISH this book had been available when I began my own Spinning Odyssey some four years ago! The simple TEXT & particularly stunning PHOTOGRAPHY are both easy for the Novice Spinner to grasp & MASTER without getting bogged down & drowned in the mechanics of Spinning.
   
   THIS book should be kept within EVERY Spinner's grasp & considered a Beginner Spinner's Bible & terrific Spinner's mini-refresher course at ANY skill level! Simply put - a MUST NOT MISS addition to any Spinner's reference library!



5. I think the "Teach Yourself Visually" series isn't well-named. I have "Teach Yourself Knitting" and couldn't learn knitting from the book. I think it's because knitting is a great solo hobby, but it's also fun to share.
   
   It's fairly tough to learn handspinning without a teacher. I started with a drop spindle and roving. I was able to spin a bit, but it was hard to troubleshoot the process. Am I using too much roving? Why is my yarn falling apart? Am I twisting it enough? Not enough?
   
   As with the "visual knitting" book, I think it's a great resource for the intermediate beginner to advance his/her skills, but it's too difficult to use to learn from scratch.
   
   Ultimately, I decided to pass on handspinning and develop my knitting skills.

5 comments about Spin Control: Techniques for Spinning the Yarns You Want.

1. I was really looking forward to this book. I'm would have bought it sight unseen because of the publisher's pre-release hype, but I'm glad I didn't and first ordered it from my library.
   
   Let me be clear: This is a beautiful book. There is much material here for a new spinner, and I would certainly recommend it to any newbie. Great information about the properties of different fibers, and excellent instructions on basic spinning techniques, all presented very nicely. But for those who have been spinning for a long time, it only skims the surface of "techniques for spinning the yarns you want." That surface is fine, but there's nothing new here for those of us who've been spinning for years. I was just under the impression that there was a finally a new truly advanced book out (and I just love new books!).
   
   I'm glad I had the book for a few hours, but that's about it. So, 3 stars for me. For a beginner, maybe I'd even give it 5 stars.



2. I had looked forward with anticipation to this book and it was exactly what I thought it would be. The writing style is friendly and encouraging for anyone wanting to try a new technique. There are plenty of spinning techniques to try. Lots of great information about sampling and the part about predrafting is just right. Not drafting before you spin as much as improving the prep for a more enjoyable spinning experience.
   The photographs are lovely and helpful.
   This is a book for beginners to intermediate spinners looking for ways to improve their spinning.
   Beyond the intermediate stage there is lots of good reference material here. This book will be on the shelf next to my favorite spinning books that I go to again and again.



3. Given the positive review by Spin-off magazine, I expected to find information not covered by other sources. Good for beginners but nothing new for more experienced spinners seeking to improve their technique.



4. I'm kinda new at spinning and I also have a lot of questions about how I can improve the way I spin and improve the yarn I make. And this book is a large part of my improvement!



5. Like many spinners, I really looked forward to this book, and so far I have enjoyed the eye-candy, and read the text with interest.
   Fortunately, I'm not a newbie spinner, because some of the basic editing and proof-reading errors can only confuse the inexperienced, who will not recognise the errors as such at all.
   This is embarrassing for the publishing house concerned, as well as the author, and dooms the book to be one of those you read, then return to the local library or put up for resale on ebay.
   This is a pity as its written in a friendly and enjoyable style, and is thorough in setting out basic procedures, something we often forget about. The pictures are great, and I appreciated the section on sitting correctly at the wheel, as well as the illustrated detail on the great debate about woolen and worsted.
   The best feature of the book? The knitted samples from the different drafting and spinning techniques used, particularly as I am not an experienced knitter. This alone would have earned the book 5 stars if it wasn't for the sloppy and rushed editing. Read before you buy!

5 comments about A Fine Fleece: Knitting with Handspun Yarns.

1. While I really like many of the knitting patterns in this book, the information provided for spinners is skimpy. It is not enough to identify the breed of sheep. I wanted to know if the yarn was singles or plied. I wanted to know the drafting method used. I wanted to know the wpi. Some of this information is provided for some of the patterns. Yes, you can piece together some information from the commercial yarn used. However, as a handspinner, I felt cheated by this book. It would be much more appropriate as a straight knitting pattern book.



2. While the photos in the book are pretty to look at, they're completely worthless for a pattern book. Most of the models are wearing sweaters that are far too large for them. Some of the sweaters have obviously been pinned to give them the appearance of being more fitted or having waist shaping. You can't even tell what some of the sweaters (like October Frost or the bottom half of Harriet) actually look like.
   
   Why even bother to have photos if they're useless or misleading as to what the finished item will actually look like? The person responsible for the photography shouldn't be working with knitting books. People who like the looks of the photos may be disappointed in the results, and people who are turned off by the photos might have actually liked the patterns if they'd been properly photographed. Frankly, I think the book would sell better if the photography showed what the sweaters really look like. I don't like buying knitting books when I can see the photos don't reflect the real pattern. I would never have purchased this book after looking through it. It was only after seeing some finished sweaters from the patterns that I decided I would actually be interested in making some of them.
   
   Photography aside, the patterns themselves are very nice. But be aware that they're very boxy designs (no waist shaping, regardless of what the photos appear to show). If you like boxy cabled sweaters, you will probably love this book. If you prefer waist shaping, you'll need to figure out your own modifications or look elsewhere. The smallest sizes start around 37-38", so it's not good for women who need extra-small sizes unless they like a lot of ease, but they do go up to around 50-52", so it's nice for larger women.
   
   Bottom line: If this style of sweater appeals to you, there are some great designs. If you like fitted, shaped sweaters, you may be disappointed. Either way, ignore the photos and study the schematics.



3. Rarely have I found a knitting book that didn't contain a selection of things that I would never knit. Not this book! Every item is delicious and I can see myself knitting each of them. And, all of them are sized for realistic American human shapes. This is quickly becoming my go-to book for sweater ideas.
   Most of the sweaters are Aran- or Gansey-style, or approximations thereof. If you're not into cables, textures or tweedy goodness, it may not be for you; but it sure is for me!



4. This is mostly a book of knitting patterns. Nice enough knitting patterns, I suppose, but not so outstandingly special as to deserve a hardcover book of their own. All the yarns used were essentially the same (semi-worsted two plies, of different breeds of wool, mostly about the same weight), and fairly similar to their commerical counterparts--at least in the far-away fuzzy pictures available. Great for a fashion mag, not so great for what I hoped would let me see the qualities of the yarn in the knitting. I think a more in-depth evaluation of HANDSPUN yarns would be a more valuable reference for my shelf. Something along the lines of "I want to make a cabled Aran sweater, how does that look with different kinds of handspun (cabled, two-ply, three-ply? worsted vs. wooled)?" or "I have a lovely thick-and-thin handspun, what should I knit with it to show it off best?" Close up pictures with different kinds of handspun yarn in the same application so you can actually get a feel for what the yarn is doing for or against you. Spin Control is a much better book in this regard.



5. What a beautiful and lovely book this is!
   I was constantly smiling while reading because of the wonderful photos and the sheer joy about the pieces.
   It's yarnP0rn, a lot of it Aran(cabled), and my list of "must-knits" comes to 7 pieces at the first sight (I will re-read it tomorrow...;-), the number will rise)
   So I'm off to spin...

5 comments about The Whole Craft of Spinning: From the Raw Material to the Finished Yarn.

1. I found this book to be very helpful as a novice spinner. I am only using a drop spindle and there was a lot of very useful information in addition to a spinning wheel. I would recommend this for anyone who is just starting out.



2. This is a good, basic, spinning book. However.....
   It need an update! There is a Sources of supply section, at the back of the book. Not one online link! Published in 1981, with no updates on sources? That is my only negative.



3. The book was very basic and an excellent resource for the novice spinner. I was able to teach myself how to use my spinning wheel and how to spin my own wool. Highly recommend this reference.



4. this is a good book for a beginner spinner or for someone who wants a helpful book should they forget the basics. good value.



5. New spinners should have a copy of this book in their library. Not only does it tell you about spinning, the history of spinning and spinning wheels, it also provides a brief synopsis of spinning exotic fibers.

5 comments about Spinning in the Old Way: How (and Why) To Make Your Own Yarn With A High-Whorl Handspindle.

1. I haven't read the original edition of this book, so I can't compare the two versions. It is a good, solid book devoted to top whorl drop spinning. The drawings are simple and easy to understand as are the author's instructions. It is a good reference tool.



2. This is very basic and a great tutorial for a beginner handspinner - complete and easy to read.



3. I bought my first copy of this book because I wanted to learn how to spin on a high whorl handspindle. I read the book and easily learned how to spin.
   Now I am spinning fine yarn for socks,( fingering to sport weight). I just got 2 more copies to use to teach other people how to spin, I have a couple other books on spinning but found this the most helpful. This is a book to learn techniques, and then apply on your own to your own projects. There is only spinning covered here, there are no projects for using handspun yarn,however there are other resources for using handspun yarns. I enjoyed this book and found it useful.



4. I taught myself to spin with a high-whorl handspindle using this book. It is not only informative but gives the feeling of a friendly chat over spinning. The drawings are delightful and evocative of the culture of high whorl spinning. The writing is clear and detailed enough to be useful but doesn't bog down in overly technical explanations.



5. this is the best thing ive ever bought on the subject in book form and im thrilled that i bought it! i would recommend it to anyone wishing to learn to spin!

5 comments about Spin It: Making Yarn from Scratch.

1. O.K. so you have read all about it and you may even have watched videos. Bus as with most all things until you try you will never truly know. There are many neat tricks of the trade packed in this thin book.
   It may be stretching the amount of information that can be packed in one book as we see different spindles and different fibers; there are tricks for handling the fibers such as using a chair back for skein-winder. We see the different uses for carded and/or combed fiber. Well I do not want to go through the whole book but are even projects that you can do with your newly spun fiber.
   
   The author Lea Raven does have a book on wheel spinning also.
   
   Hands on Spinning



2. this little 'booklet' is a great addition to the library of anyone that is trying to learn to spin, learn more about spinning, or someone that just loves colorful books :o)
   
   I am learning to spin with a drop spindle & I found this book very helpful. The only thing that could have improved this booklet is for it to have been bigger!



3. I found this book to be interesting, and filled with the information I need.
   Thank you



4. I've never spun anything in my life. I found this book, and after looking through it, I WILL say, it has good illustrations,but, still too advanced for me. Like I said, I know ZERO about fiber, yarns, spinning.
   I will still have to have personal instructions to learn how to spin any yarn or fibers, or whatever term is used.
   I wanted to know exactly how to pull fiber from roving, and how to do the tension thing properly, and how exactly to get it to go from the pile of roving to becoming a piece of yarn. I haven't learned that from this book, yet.



5. I picked up "Spin-It" along with several other new spinning books to add to my library (the others being "The Spinners Companion" and "Spin to Knit" -- both excellent books). I was very surprised when I opened the box and found that what I thought was a reasonably sized book was in fact a twenty-five-ish page booklet.
   
   The content is good and mainly covers the mechanics of spinning. It also includes a good how-to on how to make a CD spindle, although you can find similar instructions for free on the Interweave webpage. The booklet additionally covers a brief introduction to scouring and carding. There were three or four knit projects in the back, although how any spinning beginner could tackle a three ply angora still boggles my mind.
   
   The booklet does not cover anything other than basic spindle spinning. If you need a intro to wheel spinning you would be better off with the author's other intro "Hands On Spinning" or or Shannon Okey's "Spin to Knit." I would actually recommend "Spinning in the Old Way" above this title for new spindle spinners as it has much more information to grow with as you become more proficient with spindle spinning.