Spinning Books

A Fine Fleece: Knitting with Handspun Yarns

Lisa Lloyd

Amazon Price: $19.80 List Price: $30.00 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Potter Craft Amazon Marketplace: 40 new & used starting at $18.27

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 15 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

The pleasure of knitting can be that much greater when you know you’re using the perfect yarn. In A Fine Fleece, designer, knitter, and spinner Lisa Lloyd explores the different qualities of handspun yarn and presents projects that show them to their best advantage. There is valuable information here for every knitter, even if you’ve never considered learning to spin (though you may find inspiration in this book to do just that).

While educating you on the differences in fibers (like Alpaca, Merino, Cormo, Rambouillet, and Suffolk) and the characteristics you can achieve in a handspun yarn by combining fibers according to certain recipes, Lisa Lloyd also shares the three important concepts that enlighten her designs: the use of contrasting color and fiber; scale and perspective (chunky yarns with chunky cable stitches versus chunky yarns with delicate ones); and the creation of “poetic” sweaters that try to capture an emotion.

Each of the 26 projects in A Fine Fleece shows the finished project knitted in both a handspun yarn and a commercial yarn so that you can train your eye to understand how fiber and texture can truly transform a piece.

The Whole Craft of Spinning: From the Raw Material to the Finished Yarn

Carol Kroll

Amazon Price: $6.95 List Price: $6.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Dover Publications Amazon Marketplace: 39 new & used starting at $3.34

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

A Good Start 4 out of 5 stars.
81 of 83 people found this review helpful.

I purchased this book as I was unsure of whether I wanted to spend a lot of money on spinning, and I just wanted to get some of the basic information. That was 4 months ago, and I have bought a spinning wheel.

This book gave me the basic information about types of spinning, wheels, types of fibers, as well as technique information on types of drafting, how to set yarn and basic yarn structure.

It was very much what I thought it was, a book to get someone started without a lot of initial outlay.

Perfect Beginner's Book 5 out of 5 stars.
32 of 32 people found this review helpful.

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.

Editorial Review:

You can master the timeless craft of spinning with this clear, easy-to-follow manual. Everything you need to know from set-up to finished product in order to create distinctive yarns for use in knitting, weaving, crocheting, needlepoint, embroidery, and macrame. Author's preface. 33 illustrations, 10 black-and-white photographs. Bibliography. Sources of Supply.

Knitting With Dog Hair: Better A Sweater From A Dog You Know and Love Than From A Sheep You'll Never Meet

Kendall Crolius

Amazon Price: $13.67 List Price: $13.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: St. Martin's Griffin Amazon Marketplace: 39 new & used starting at $8.18

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 18 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

There Must Be a Better Use of Your Time 1 out of 5 stars.
3 of 22 people found this review helpful.

Okay, the next time you see some poor schmuck sitting on a curb looking into his lap and doing nothing...and you find yourself tempted to think, "that poor guy really needs to get a life,"...I want you to remember some of the books you've been reading and what you're considering a valid hobby.

Knitting with dog hair?

What's next? Cooking with dust bunnies?

There are a thousand (more like a million) sane and self-esteem building hobbies in the world.

Knitting with dog hair is not one of them.

Editorial Review:

Learn to recycle Rover into beautiful garments and accessories as the authors teach you this wacky new spin on an old craft. Knitting with Dog Hair is the definitive guide to putting on the dog!

In this tip-filled, easy-to-use book, the authors tell:

-How to make Afghan or a beret from your Beagle: you pet can yield yarn
-How to collect, clean, and store your pooch's fur
-How to modify your patterns to accommodate pet-spun yarn
-How to find experienced pet hair spinners, a guide to resources and suppliers

From mittens from a Malamute to caps from a Collie, this illustrated guide is the creative answer to that vexing shedding problem. This fetching book is certain to be this year's best in show!

Intertwined: The Art of Handspun Yarn, Modern Patterns and Creative Spinning (Handspun Revolution)

Lexi Boeger

Amazon Price: $19.79 List Price: $29.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Quarry Books Amazon Marketplace: 39 new & used starting at $18.80

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 24 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Intertwined is an inspirational handbook for yarn lovers everywhere, created in an eye-popping, showcase style and packed with sparkling, full-color photos.

This book will be a delight to the enthusiastic fiber crowd that is growing by leaps and bounds. It captures all the excitement of experimental, handspun yarns, and includes recipes for handspun yarns, project ideas for knitters and crocheters, tips on how to use one-of-a-kind handspun yarns (whether you spin them or buy them at yarn boutiques), and a gallery of handmade creations. The book also features profiles, anecdotes, essays, and thoughts on fiber arts and the creative process. Contributors range from Alpaca farmers and cutting-edge spinners to well-known knitwear designers.

There is has been a resurgence in interest in spinning and in using one-of-a-kind yarns, particularly by the all new knitters and crocheters, and there are no other cutting-edge, inspiring books out there to satisfy this enthusiastic audience.

The Twisted Sisters Sock Workbook: Dyeing, Painting, Spinning, Designing, Knitting

Lynne Vogel

Amazon Price: $12.89 List Price: $18.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Interweave Press Amazon Marketplace: 49 new & used starting at $5.95

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 24 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

The Twisted Sisters Sock Workbook 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

The directions for mixing dyes and using them to dye and paint roving and yarn are excellent. They are clearly written and illustrated. The directions for socks are equally well written and easy to follow. The photographs are wonderful and make me want to make almost all of the projects!

Great book! 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. As a beginning sock knitter, finally a book with multiple sock patterns, including one that you knit flat without those darn dpns, that is till you get to the heel and toe. I'm tired of sticking myself inthe eye or nose with dpn's! Written clearly and concisely, a joy to your book collection

Editorial Review:

With simple directions and tips on how to dye, paint, spin, and knit yarn to create authentic socks, this book offers all the information necessary to fashion socks with personality. Included are innovative patterns and tips for knitting socks with customized fit—even for all ten toes. Safe and easy directions are given on dyeing yarn from pour-dyeing methods to dyeing with Kool-Aid. With photos and illustrations of finished examples, sock patterns such as newborn socks and magic genie toe socks, and advice on how to create one-of-a-kind projects, it will appeal to all levels of knitters and spinners.

Creative Spinning

Alison Daykin, Jane Deane

Amazon Price: $10.17 List Price: $14.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Lark Books Amazon Marketplace: 38 new & used starting at $7.97

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 9 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

A Coffee Table book for Spinners 2 out of 5 stars.
8 of 8 people found this review helpful.

This is a stunningly beautiful book, if you want to see close ups of gorgeously spun yarns. However, that's about all it is. The sparse information in the front on spinning can be obtained from most spinning websites or in pamphlets given away with the purchase of a spindle. I found very little useful information or even inspiration to copy the yarns created. My recommendation, peruse this one at a bookstore with a cup of coffee, then put it back on the shelf and instead spend your money on some yummy fiber to spin.

Editorial Review:

Needleworkers no longer have to settle for what’s available at the local yarn shop! Alison Daykin and Jane Deane, who have decades of experience spinning, weaving, and dyeing, show how easy it can be to create personalized and gorgeous skeins of one-of-a-kind fibers. Designed for complete beginners, this attractive guide offers 30 beautiful projects that teach a repertoire of skills on both the hand spindle and spinning wheel. It starts with simple, basic combing, twisting, plying, and finishing, then goes on to offer a primer on working with fibers. All the chapters are organized by yarn type, including short wool and down, medium fine wool, long wool and lustre, hill and mountain, rare wool, animal hair, silk, and vegetable fiber.

The Twisted Sisters Knit Sweaters: A Knit-to-Fit Workshop (Knit to Fit Workshop)

Lynne Vogel

Amazon Price: $16.47 List Price: $24.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Interweave Press Amazon Marketplace: 49 new & used starting at $14.98

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 18 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Deceptive title 2 out of 5 stars.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful.

Title is "Knit-to-fit workshop" but there is nothing in this book about custom tailoring or shaping; i.e., how to fit a handknit garment. Basically, this is a collection of pretty pictures of--IMHO--uninteresting garments on models a couple sizes too small, making them rather unattractive (the sweaters AND to a lesser extent, the models).

Editorial Review:

Adapting basic sweater patterns for personal preferences and measurements is the focus of this step-by-step guidebook that helps knitters refashion knitting schematics. The designs, illustrations, and photos demonstrate how to adjust patterns to different styles so that any knitter can customize sweater patterns into unique creations. Challenging projects—ranging from sweaters and vests to pullovers and jackets—and easy-to-follow instructions illustrate the basic elements of sweater design to inspire knitters at all levels. Learning how to fit the bodice; change yarns, proportions, neckline styles, sleeve length, and color and stitch patterns; and add collars and edgings will give knitters the confidence to alter any pattern to meet their needs.

The Alden Amos Big Book of Handspinning: Being a Compendium of Information, Advice, and Opinion on the Noble Art and Craft

Alden Amos

Amazon Price: $29.16 List Price: $39.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Interweave Press Amazon Marketplace: 23 new & used starting at $27.49

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 22 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Not For Complete Beginners 2 out of 5 stars.
18 of 20 people found this review helpful.

This book should be read with a critical eye. Some of the information in it is flat-out wrong. One example (not the only one by far, but a potentially disastrous one) is that Mr. Amos recommends winding off a drop spindle by hanging it from the ceiling and then routing the yarn down to a chair and through the top rail of the back, so that the yarn pulls off the end of the spindle. Please do not do this. Every time the yarn comes off the spindle tip, a twist will be added or removed, depending on how you've wound the yarn. This is the same principle that a Great Wheel works on. On some yarns, the extra or reduced twist won't matter. On others, it can either unspin it until it drifts apart, or twist it until it starts kinking. At the very least, winding off the end is inviting tangles and frustration. Drop spindles are best wound off from the side.

Besides incorrect information, there are also a number of omissions in the book. My personal favorite (again, not the only example by far) is when Mr. Amos is discussing umbrella swifts. He states that plans to build one are included later in the book. The book has no plans for any yarn swift, umbrella or otherwise.

The book is poorly laid out. Information on equipment is spread between 3 or 4 places at least. Similar with discussion of twist and related properties. On the other hand, the break between chapter 4 (Determining Character of Yarn) and chapter 5 (Accurate Measurements) seems completely arbitrary. Mr. Amos also has an annoying, and perhaps unethical, habit of plugging his own products -- without noting that they are his. He also often goes out of his way to avoid mentioning a competitor by name (i.e. referring to "a certain nearly ubiquitous New Zealand manufacturer" instead of using the name Ashford), UNLESS he is criticizing said competitor. Then he'll drop the competitor's name with no trouble whatsoever. I was also less than impressed when he spent the better part of two pages complaining about specific previous customers.

This is not to say that the book has no good information. It is worth reading if a spinner has enough experience or has read enough other material to be able to judge the value of each bit of information. It has the best explanation of a long draw I've seen yet, and his idea of storage bobbins is so brilliant and yet so obvious that I'm shocked it isn't standard practice. I don't think the book is worth owning, however, because of the omissions and errors. And, of course, nothing in the book should be taken at face value. See if your library has a copy, and judge for yourself before you buy a copy.

Editorial Review:

Alden Amos shares his deep knowledge of wheel mechanics, spinning fibers, wheel construction, and yarn, as well as a wealth of spinning history and traditions. Every aspect of handspinning is explored, including dissolving lanolin, washing fleece, rotating wheel position, and choosing types of wool. Also discussed are various hand positions, which can result in everything from smooth, fine thread to funky, bulky yarn.

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

Priscilla A. Gibson-Roberts

Amazon Price: $10.17 List Price: $14.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Nomad Press Amazon Marketplace: 32 new & used starting at $8.80

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 18 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Best little book on high-whorl spinning 5 out of 5 stars.
9 of 9 people found this review helpful.

I have several books on hand-spinning and this is THE best. My only complaint is lack of photos but that would jack up the price and isn't really necessary. The illustrations do a good job as is. I learned to spin on a high-whorl spindle by buying one and doing the spinny thing with my fingers - this book shows how you get WAY more spin by spinning it (in the old way!) up or down your thigh. At first this sounded hokey. I thought I had a good spin using my fingers. I was wrong. Now I'm a convert to thigh-spinning! (I know it sounds weird, but this author knows what she is talking about!)

The book also talks about how you can use cheap and inexpensive things as spinning tools. I like the author's idea of keeping it simple and portable. I also like the section on plying - lacking in a lot of books. The author actually tried a bunch of ways and rated them for ease, and then tells how to do it in the easiest way. That's useful.

I love the book and would recommend it to anyone. If you don't have a drop spindle yet, BUY THE BOOK FIRST, then shop for your spindle when you know something about the difference between a good, useful one and a bad one. I had to get rid of my first "beginner" spindle - it wobbled, had a bad hook, and no notch.

Editorial Review:

Knitters are discovering the pleasure and satisfaction of spinning their own yarns. Master craftsman Priscilla Gibson-Roberts guides readers in the fast-track, low-cost, high-quality approach to spinning. No spinning wheel required.

Spin to Knit: The Knitter's Guide to Making Yarn

Shannon Okey

Amazon Price: $14.93 List Price: $21.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Interweave Press Amazon Marketplace: 39 new & used starting at $9.25

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 16 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Disappointing 2 out of 5 stars.
13 of 14 people found this review helpful.

I am both a crocheter and knitter and have recently started spinning. I was rather disappointed by the fact that although the name would lead you to believe the book has a great deal of spinning instruction, the reality is that it is mostly knitting patterns worked with homespun which was produced by many different people and little to no instruction as to how to produce similar yarn yourself.

Editorial Review:

Knitters who want new worlds to conquer can reach for this guide to handspinning their own designer yarns. A rundown on equipment introduces the drop spindle, supported spindle, niddy-noddy, McMorran balance, and yarn meter, while the following sections include choosing wool and other fibers, presenting knitting patterns suitable for handspun yarn, and in-depth profiles of real urban spinners. For crafters who want to experiment with spinning but don't want to sacrifice too much of their knitting time, there are lots of ideas for jazzing up a thrift-store cardigan with handspun trim or knitting a boatneck pullover in a combination of commercial and handspun yarns. Methods for incorporating beads and threads into yarn and a technique for dyeing yarn in the dishwasher are also featured.