Linen: Hand Spinning and Weaving

by Patricia Baines

Provides information on spinning, dyeing, and weaving linen yarn, finishing the cloth, growing and processing flax, and working with similar fibers such as hemp and ramie

208 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 1990

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I checked this hard-to-find book out of my local library. I have a small sample of flax roving to try spinning with a spindle. Flax is such a completely different beast than silk or wool, that the information in this book is helpful. Helpful for understanding the fiber. It's beyond helpful, really. The book is encyclopedic, but not bruising, in it's breadth and depth. Flax processing and linen manufacturing are not as common as they were, so I suspect, we're loosing quite a lot of information, not to mention, skill. I hope this book can be republished, and that we become reenthused about linen. It's not a particularly enjoyable spinning experience--nothing like spinning cashmere or silk--but linen is such a wonderful fabric.

[Joann Calabrese · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a cool older book on the technicalities of hand spinning and weaving. Super helpful for a new spinner

[Teacatweaves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good reference book.

[Thora Hrafnsdottir · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book covers quite a bit of information - everything from growing & preparing the flax, to spinning and weaving. It includes some patterns to weave with photos of finished products and how to dye it. Very good - the best collection of information on working with linen that I've seen in one place.

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot seems to be either left out or taken for granted. I was hoping for a bit of history. Instead, there is great detail on the growing and processing of flax. Good if you want to know in great detail how to make your own flax linen.