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

by Lexi Boeger

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.

Genres: Knitting, Crafts, Nonfiction, Reference

304 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2008

Reviews

[Kendal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book. I have spent at least a couple of hours just staring at the photographs alone. This book has expanded my sense of what is possible to spin and expanded my collection of raw materials to include fabric scraps, feathers, and silk flowers.

[Siobhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books is soooo cute and has some brilliant ideas. Absolutely adored the little skull beads, creative spinning ideas, her insightful personal commentary on her own spinning, knitting and crochet, and all the quirky patterns. I know what I'm doing this holidays!(in between reading, of course.) BACK TO SPINNING FOR ME!

[Velma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lexi Boeger is the reason I started spinning, & this book is a must-have if you are looking for recipes or inspiration for making think-outside-the-box yarn. Recipes & inspiration abound, with stunning color photos, patterns, & just plain beauty.

[Mckinley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Much for novelty yarns.

[Taylor Friese · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very inspiring read for spinners.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for art yarn spinners. How she wrote techniques with words and drawings in a way that I could understand I do not know! So inspirational and awesome.

[Arlian · Rating 3 out of 5]

...not for me. I actively disliked all the patterns in this book.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an author with revolutionary theories on handspinning, as well as a bent toward political agendas. I really enjoyed reading this book, it was completely hilarious. I really enjoyed how serious this author was with her revolutionary and artistic ideas toward spinning. I had just finished the book, Spin Control, how to spin with a purpose to get the yarn you want/need for a project, so this book talking about letting the fiber tell you what it wants to be, is quite the change. This book actually reminds me of a psychology teacher I had in college.

She was supposed to be teaching us about gender studies. She spoke about how breasts are just lumps of fat, so she shouldn't feel bad that she doesn't have any (her words, not mine). She spoke about how she spent some time wearing a fur coat she found at a salvation army until she realized that one of the people she was trying to impress probably donated the coat in the first place. She also showed us one of those videos that PETA tries to propagate about how chickens are treated in One of the companies. I had the audacity to ask what this had to do with gender studies, she fluffed it off, something about how men treat women. The only class I ever came close to failing.

Needless to say this author and her very artistic ideals trigger some bad memories. Despite this, she does have some good ideas, and decent descriptions for creating various yarns. She does say in the beginning of this book that you need to be able to create a balanced yarn before you can begin breaking the rules. She does always seem to be breaking every rule and since most of the yarn she creates on purpose looks a lot like early mistakes, it really does make a person wonder how much is justification...but to recreate things over and over you have to have some skill.

This is certainly a book to get your creative juices flowing, and if you are conservative have a good laugh at the same time.

[Parrotfeathers · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is porn for spinners. or maybe just for new spinners like me that are immature and easily bored with the idea of skinny itty bitty 2 ply of the same color and fiber. ;) i'm not much for color exploration but i can't get enough when it comes to texture. my drop spindle turned from a 20 dollar toy to practice drafting to an infinitely invaluable investment.
the ideas i can get from this just never end!

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A follow-up to the popular book, "Pluckyfluff: Handspun Revolution", this book contains artists' reflections on the evolving and highly crative art of handspinning.

Recipes for spinning non-traditional yarns, journal entries illustrating experimental creations, tips on working with unusual yarns and a photo gallery of handspun yarns.

A book that inspires spinners to expand their horizons beyond wool and cotton.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fascinating book. Fascinating to look at. The thing is, with each page I said, sometimes out loud "I will never spin this yarn. This is too odd." That said, if you think of it as an art book, not a tutorial, it's very pretty.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome. This is the most fantastic spinning book I have ever read. It goes deep into techniques and has examples of yarns and finished objects. No bullshit dialog makes it a good read in addition to being a learning tool.

[Kristine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I may be too left-brained to appreciate all of it, but it is very pretty (shiny!)

some really bizarre things. i was pleased to see seattle's spincycle yarns featured in a few patterns, a hat and poncho.

[Maria]

A good book for inspiration and techniques for spinning your own yarn using traditional and non-traditional materials (include paper and cassette tape). Handspun yarn projects including knitting, crochet, weaving, and sewing. Whatever you make will be one of a kind.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must for handspinners everywhere.

[Darla]

I checked this out from the library but I don't have time to do any of the projects (which look fabulous!).

[Cayenne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredible! I had no idea you could do so many fascinating things with a drum carder and a spinning wheel.

[Dora · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was interesting in a way. I guess making yarn out of tape and garbage bags is not my kind of thing. As art, it was interesting. From a practical point of view, a waste of time.

[Martine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential book for art yarns and even better if you have the opportunity to take camp pluckfluff!

[Laurie Traverse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent information on how to spin your own 'art' yarns using all kinds of textiles - some that you wouldn't imagine using in yarn!

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolutely a wonderful book with great ideas and projects .. a must have

[Lalaknits · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the Spincycle scarf in here. Book is reviewed on episode 10 of theknitgirllls

[Desirea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the book that helped me realize my instant attraction to spinning wasn't completely nuts.

[Grayson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Most of the yarns seem a little ridiculous, but then I'm not an art yarn fan.

[Lesley · Rating 1 out of 5]

Total crap - that is what this book is. A huge disappointment. I will have to get rid of it so that it doesn't glare at me telling me what a waste of money it was. TOTAL CRAP!

[Heather R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Talk about inspiring! I'm hoping to get my spinning wheel out again after the wedding.