Spin Control: Techniques for Spinning the Yarn You Want

by Amy King

From soft, bulky single yarns to serviceable three-ply for heavy use, this guide to handspun yarns combines the positive traits of commercial yarns with personal touches. Focusing at first on the spinning wheel, emphasis is placed on the importance of adjusting and customizing the wheel for best results. Instructions on core spinning and less traditional techniques lead off the beaten path to novelty yarns. Each type of yarn is explored in detail with instructions on how to make them.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, Crafts, Knitting

120 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2009

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know how when you first get a wheel you have absolutely no idea what to do with it? Yeah, that was me. This book is a very handy reference book that's helped my figure out what I'm doing, what I'm looking at, and what I'd like to make. Great for basics and as a springboard for additional research.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m a spindle spinner and this book is geared toward using a spinning wheel. The information is useful but not directly applicable to spindling. In general, it’s a good beginner resource.

[Leila Pitchford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fiber, wheels and yarn

This book has charts on fibers, info on using a spinning wheel and how to make yarns. There is even a section on making novelty yarns!

[Kristi · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a lot of great information to be found in Amy King's Spin Control. It is a great place for the newer spinner to learn about the technical details that go into yarn so they can better visualize the end product. Many of the things covered are essential if you are wanting to use handspun in projects that call for specific commercial yarns. Much of what you learn can be used to analyze the called for commercial yarn and then spin a matching or complementary yarn.[return][return]As an intermediate spinner who already keeps a spinning journal and notes technical details of each yarn I spin there was not as much value in this title as I had hoped. Over half of the book was geared towards spinning basics and only a little information was given on a variety of specialty spinning and plying techniques. The book was a nice reminder of some specifics, but I did not really learn anything new from reading it.[return][return]The photography is excellent and helpful though!

[Sasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't think I know enough about spinning to properly review this book. I will say that it seems like it addresses an area of spinning that isn't well covered in other books, but it appears to gloss over the subject a bit. I would value an obsessively thorough book much more. It's worth reading, unless you're already an expert; but I personally will probably try to get it from the library when I want to reference it, and will hope to eventually buy a more thorough treatment of the subject--either a new edition of this book, or another book entirely.

[Cayenne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really was amazing. It's hard to capture spinning techniques with still pictures, but I thought the photos in this book were pretty useful. Mostly it was Amy's explanations that were so amazing. I wouldn't say this is a beginning spinner's book (try "Start Spinning" by McCuin), but for someone like me with a little more experience, it was so helpful. I am definitely interested in trying out some of the techniques she discusses.

[Knittingdragonflies · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a fairly new spinner, this book has great info, for anyone who is beginning. Helps you understand whatever wheel you have, and how to adjust it. The book allows you to understand how to get the yarn you want. Great photos, and clear descriptions

[Janis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good information in this book, although I feel I didn't take as much away as I had hoped. This may be because I read The Intentional Spinner recently. I did appreciate different takes on spinning techniques, notably for novelty yarns.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so wish I had all of my spindles with me so I could try some of the things from this book.

[Kristine]

very pretty array of info. quite focused on wheel spinning, but good stuff to think about before I reach that place.

[Letta Raven · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very in depth photos on spinning, I need a copy of this for myself so that I can get to spinning!

[Cheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amy helped me get past my issue with spinning on a wheel. Simple, laid-back, creative. This book is all-Amy. A must-read!

[Cinnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short book is packed with useful information and tips to improve your spinning. Glad I found it.

[Simone Vd stadt beaney · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a good book but I wouldn't recommend it for beginners as I found the book made more sense to me once I knew and understood more about spinning.

[Selina · Rating 5 out of 5]

:)

Very good read. Lightly covers many important topics you want to knows. A nice newbie resource. Definitely a good starting place for Me.