The Complete Guide to Spinning Yarn: Techniques, Projects, and Recipes

by Brenda Gibson, Eling Chang (Consultant Editor)

Spinning is experiencing a resurgence of interest as it moves in a contemporary direction away from its traditional past. The Complete Guide to Spinning Yarn provides a new generation of crafters with all the information they need in one accessible package, starting with tools and equipment, types of fibers, and spinning techniques to making, processing, and finishing off a skein of yarn. Included are actual recipes for making many types of yarn, ranging from boucles, to worsteds, to flecked, and chunky yarns, all shown in full-color close-up detailed photos. Instructions for a small group of projects to use the yarn you make are also included. Last but not least, learn how to go commercial, with valuable tips on realistically pricing your goods, accepting commissions, selling at craft fairs or on the internet, and more.
A must-have reference and source of inspiration for new and experienced spinners alike, The Complete Guide to Spinning Yarn provides all the know-how to get started, perfect your skills, or take your spinning to the next level.

Genres: Crafts, Nonfiction, Knitting

144 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2011

Reviews

[Rebekka Steg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great introduction to spinning, not only does it cover techniques, it also gives specific recipes for different types of yarn, and how to turn your handspun yarn into knitting or weaving projects.

[Bernie4444 · Rating 5 out of 5]

More of a well-presented survey

This book is what everyone needs when looking up terms and techniques.

If you need in-depth explanations then it is time to buy a book on this particular topic. I find the DVDs from Interweave to be much better than any book.

The strength of this book is that no matter how yarn savvy one me be there is always something new or old that is missing from one’s repertoire.

For anyone that has no intention of spinning or dying, you are still bound to run across the occasional term in your reading. Do not gloss over the term look it up in this book and add to your reading pleasure.

If you do not want anyone touching your Niddy noddy you better know where it is.

The pictures and diagrams are worth the purchase alone.

[PoligirlReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was more advance than what I needed for my purposes (Gibson wasn't lying when she said it was the *complete* guide!), but it was a nice read. Appreciated the yarn "recipes." For those who want to branch out into a business, this would make for a good reference.

[Rapzodiaco Jhan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recomendado para amantes del hilado

[Nathaniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. It tried, but it wasn't great. Especially if you're in it for the drop spindle rather than the wheel.

[Sasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is not the first I would recommend. It's not that detailed as a hand-holding book for beginners, nor is it a relatively encyclopedic treatment of spinning which can be useful since there are so many details involved, nor does it have a whole lot for relatively experienced spinners. It's a little of the first and a little of the last, and thus on its own it won't satisfy the needs of any spinners, I would venture.

However, it's got a nice treatment on different types and techniques of yarns, which it calls "recipes." Each of these sections features one type of yarn, and then there's a few variations with different color blending techniques and that sort of thing. It's the sort of thing you can invent yourself, but sometimes it helps to have a nudge to take your spinning in a more interesting direction.

So while this isn't the first book I'd recommend, it's still useful especially for an 'intermediate beginner,' and I plan to add it to my collection of useful spinning books.

[ACRL]

Read by ACRL Member of the Week Trudi Jacobson. Learn more about Trudi on the ACRL Insider blog.