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A Fine Fleece: Knitting with Handspun Yarns
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 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.
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 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.
159 pages, Hardcover
First published April 8, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 27, 2012
Love this book so much that I own two copies (one for the bookshelf and one to beat up while I knit the patterns). I plan on knitting every project from this book.
I have one major issue with the book: the photography (which means it really should be a 4.5 rating, but I love this book enough to forgive). The photos are beautiful... but nothing pisses knitters off more than some art director/stylist changing the sweater so it "looks good" in the photos. There are several patterns that are completely skewed (the waists are "tucked" to show shaping, when the sweaters are not designed that way) that is deceptive (always look at the schematic!). There are also a couple of patterns that you actually never see the completed sweater (too many pouty close up photos of the models). It's a shame, as I think it really hurts the overall impression of this book.
I can't review the spinning info, as I don't do much spinning (basically I have some drop spindles and I've spun some singles. That's all).
Overall, it's one of my favorite knitting pattern books (up there with Alice Starmore's "Aran Knitting"... which I also own two copies of).
I have one major issue with the book: the photography (which means it really should be a 4.5 rating, but I love this book enough to forgive). The photos are beautiful... but nothing pisses knitters off more than some art director/stylist changing the sweater so it "looks good" in the photos. There are several patterns that are completely skewed (the waists are "tucked" to show shaping, when the sweaters are not designed that way) that is deceptive (always look at the schematic!). There are also a couple of patterns that you actually never see the completed sweater (too many pouty close up photos of the models). It's a shame, as I think it really hurts the overall impression of this book.
I can't review the spinning info, as I don't do much spinning (basically I have some drop spindles and I've spun some singles. That's all).
Overall, it's one of my favorite knitting pattern books (up there with Alice Starmore's "Aran Knitting"... which I also own two copies of).
March 20, 2009
I'd like to give this book 2.5 stars. The patterns are beautiful but they're all the same. It's full of sweaters with intricate cables. (I think there's one scarf pattern.) That would be okay if the book were about knitting cabled sweaters, but it's supposed to be about knitting with handspun yarns, which should provide a wider variety of patterns. There really isn't much about what makes handspun yarns so different. There is some but not enough to make it the subject of the bookl. The sweaters are gorgeous but they are all loose-fitting and very similar.
February 26, 2015
I really like the premise of this book, and find the juxtaposition of one version of each project in commercial yarn and one in handspun to be fascinating and thought-provoking. I'm glad it's on my shelf as I'll be knitting at least some of the patterns before too long.
Hopefully in handspun.
Hopefully in handspun.
November 28, 2022
Now that you spun it what are you going to make with it?
I have waited a long time for this book. It fills a niche that many people overlook, the transition from fleece to nits.
I hate to admit it but I am first a picture person so I went through the book page by page looking at all the colorful pictures, patterns, diagrams, and charts. You can almost feel the fiber.
Then I got down to some serious reading. The front part of the book goes through theories and psychology comparing knitters and spinners as if they could be contrasted. Then a whole world of fiber opens up as we investigate the different types of sheep and other sources of fiber. Periodically Lisa mentions. Drum carders. However, I find even with volume that hand carding can be a sort of therapy and gives one better control over the outcome.
There is way too much practical information in this book to convey in a simple review however one aspect I never thought of is how swatters can be designed gender-specific.
Even though this book is mostly knitting and I have learned a few things, I bought it for the purpose of using handspun. Not yet ready to tackle looms.
I really appreciate the author suggesting that these are just suggestions and you must learn your own way what works best.
I have waited a long time for this book. It fills a niche that many people overlook, the transition from fleece to nits.
I hate to admit it but I am first a picture person so I went through the book page by page looking at all the colorful pictures, patterns, diagrams, and charts. You can almost feel the fiber.
Then I got down to some serious reading. The front part of the book goes through theories and psychology comparing knitters and spinners as if they could be contrasted. Then a whole world of fiber opens up as we investigate the different types of sheep and other sources of fiber. Periodically Lisa mentions. Drum carders. However, I find even with volume that hand carding can be a sort of therapy and gives one better control over the outcome.
There is way too much practical information in this book to convey in a simple review however one aspect I never thought of is how swatters can be designed gender-specific.
Even though this book is mostly knitting and I have learned a few things, I bought it for the purpose of using handspun. Not yet ready to tackle looms.
I really appreciate the author suggesting that these are just suggestions and you must learn your own way what works best.
April 10, 2018
Nice projects. Many with intricate cables.
June 9, 2010
4.5 stars
I haven't actually knit any of the patterns in the book yet, so I'll hold off on 5 stars for now.
The supposed point of this book is to provide a library of patterns appropriate for handspun yard. The author has photographs of each pattern knit in at least two yarns, one handspun and one factory-made. The subtitle is "knitting with handspun yarns." I guess there are so many knitting books on the market, everyone needs some kind of unique hook. I thought this part of the book book was a bit silly.
However, the patterns are almost universally interesting and knittable. As I said, I haven't knit them yet, but I fully intend to pick a couple patterns. Many of the patterns are cabled, so if you're a fan of Aran knitting you'll enjoy this book. In fact, this is the best book of Aran / cabled style knits I've seen in a good while.
The book is a pleasure to flip through and has great patterns. If the handspun angle interest you, all the better, but the book is great based solely on the great cabled patterns.
I haven't actually knit any of the patterns in the book yet, so I'll hold off on 5 stars for now.
The supposed point of this book is to provide a library of patterns appropriate for handspun yard. The author has photographs of each pattern knit in at least two yarns, one handspun and one factory-made. The subtitle is "knitting with handspun yarns." I guess there are so many knitting books on the market, everyone needs some kind of unique hook. I thought this part of the book book was a bit silly.
However, the patterns are almost universally interesting and knittable. As I said, I haven't knit them yet, but I fully intend to pick a couple patterns. Many of the patterns are cabled, so if you're a fan of Aran knitting you'll enjoy this book. In fact, this is the best book of Aran / cabled style knits I've seen in a good while.
The book is a pleasure to flip through and has great patterns. If the handspun angle interest you, all the better, but the book is great based solely on the great cabled patterns.
June 19, 2008
The patterns in this book are a bit "Land's End" for my taste, but there is something refreshing about seeing graceful simple patterns without a bunch of baubles and bullshit all over them. Also, most knitting books contain pattens that were made on a knitting machine, and then "translated"... badly... into hand knitting, so it's exciting to finally read a book that deals exclusively with hand spun yarn and hand knitting.
The thing I found the most valuable in this book is the chart at the beginning that throughly explains the differences between different breeds of sheep and the types of wool they produce. For example, what's best for hard wearing items like rugs, and what feels best next to the skin.
The thing I found the most valuable in this book is the chart at the beginning that throughly explains the differences between different breeds of sheep and the types of wool they produce. For example, what's best for hard wearing items like rugs, and what feels best next to the skin.
August 21, 2009
Truly, a fine fleece. The author shares the joy of fibers from start to finishing. She writes about fiber blending, color, kinds of fleece available. She shows a particular knitted design made with at least two different yarns, one a handspun, the other commercially available, and while the patterns are mostly lace scarves and cabled sweaters, none of them appear to be of great difficulty, just enough to keep the interest of the kntter.
Looking at this again 8/2009, it’s on the add-to-library list.
Looking at this again 8/2009, it’s on the add-to-library list.
November 5, 2012
I've not yet knit anything from this book, but have read through it and especially enjoyed the author's notes regarding designing the handspun yarn for each piece. Unlike many knitting books, I really like nearly all the patterns in the book. The photographs are gorgeous, but I am frustrated that there aren't clear front and back views in many cases, but that's a relatively minor quibble since I can always refer to Ravelry.
As someone that enjoys both spinning and knitting and is learning to prepare fiber for spinning, I wish there were more books like this!
As someone that enjoys both spinning and knitting and is learning to prepare fiber for spinning, I wish there were more books like this!
September 25, 2008
I'm not sure what it is but I just cannot be engaged by this book. I love cables. I love sweaters. I want to find the potential of my handspun. I just can't. I urge you to check it out for yourself.
That said, I am pleased that both handspun and commercially available yarns are presented side-by-side in the same garment. I liked the layout. I just do not see myself knitting any of the projects for myself or anyone I know in the near future.
That said, I am pleased that both handspun and commercially available yarns are presented side-by-side in the same garment. I liked the layout. I just do not see myself knitting any of the projects for myself or anyone I know in the near future.
January 4, 2009
Lisa's designs are always well-constructed and well-written. This book is no different. I found all the patterns to be timeless while at the same time interesting. I especially like that she has designed and knit every item in the book from both handspun and commercial yarns, so this book is great for non-spinners (this info should have included this somewhere on the cover, imo). A lovely book all-around from a talented knitwear designer.
July 23, 2008
Beautiful patterns and a lot of useful information on how to design and knit with handspun yarns. Every pattern has a sample done with handspun yarn and a sample done with commercial yarn, which I found very interesting. It reminded me why I love handspun yarns so much, though the commercial yarns are lovely too.
June 10, 2008
Oh my god the projects in this are so beautiful, and I love the photography as well. So many things I want to knit, and while many are extremely complex and therefore beyond my skill level, several are intermediate to easy and really quite doable. This is the most gorgeous knitting book I've seen since the Falick books. Nantucket socks, here I come.
May 13, 2008
Excellent. I bought this because, after looking at it in the bookstore, I immediately wanted to make more than half the patterns. Non-spinners, don't despair, there are commercial substitutes provided.
August 26, 2009
I want to make everything in this book, but I am starting with October Frost in an ultra-fine merino wool from an Italian mill. (The manufacturer calls it "Smoke & Ash Shadow".)
Hopefully, I will finish in time for my birthday.
Hopefully, I will finish in time for my birthday.
August 19, 2011
What first interested me about this book is the photographs. They are gorgeous! However, when I started looking through the patterns, I only found two that I would consider making. Most of the projects are loose-fitting intricate cabled sweaters that all look alike. A bit disappointing.
August 12, 2008
Gorgeous patterns. I like how each pattern includes examples with handspun as well as commercial yarn.
December 8, 2008
this book is amazing. i love every single pattern in here.
Read
January 17, 2009This was a great book. I have finally found a book that compares homespun to commercial yarns, and gives instructions for both. A great addition to my spinning collection
February 27, 2009
This book is more of a subversive attempt to get every knitter to start hand spinning than a knitter's guide. Fine patterns for every gauge of yarn.
August 19, 2009
I have many,many knitting books but this is the best one. I have knit the pattern "Espresso" as a gift and the pattern directions were very precise. I love the classic yet updated patterns.
March 19, 2010
love.
May 30, 2011
My favorite. Ponoka, I think.
February 16, 2014
Excellent. Great explanations, thorough and detailed. Gorgeous timeless patterns to go with it. Great book for knitters and spinners
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews