Hand Spinning Books

A book on spinning basics for beginners from internationally acclaimed spinner and weaver, Anne Field. With easy-to-follow, step-by-step directions, Anne guides the novice spinner through all they need to know to get started. She explains the spinning process and techniques, including preparation of fleeces, worsted and woolen spinning methods, plying, adjusting tension, treadling, skeining, drafting and blending as well as helpful advice about spinning wheels and how they work. A wide range of fibers suitable for spinning are featured – wool, alpaca, silk, mohair, cotton, angora, synthetic and blended fibers – with details on the characteristics of each fiber and best spinning methods to use. Also included are many great projects with full instructions on how to use your newly spun yarns. Fully illustrated with full color photographs throughout.

 

Our Color Scheme issue is all about putting color theory into play and practice! Follow an experiment in small-batch dyeing and see how the resulting colors interact in a knitted slip-stitch pattern that will keep you on your toes. Discover the importance of pH when dyeing protein fibers and learn how to measure pH activity at home. See how our authors explored heathered effects with natural-color fleeces, tweed yarns created with beloved thrums, multi-gradient handspun garments with a surprising approach to knitted construction, and more.

• Discover two ways to spin and weave a band using variegated dyed tussah silk tops.
  
• Introduce flecks of color into your handspun yarn, adding speckles to a sweet knitted hat.
  
• Learn how one artist spins and dyes Churro fleece, then create your own colorful peahen using traditional Colcha embroidery.

Contents

• Grocery-Store Lichens for Masalas and Magentasby Linda Ligon 
  
• The Curious Colorist: Small-Batch Dyeing for the Dabblerby Susan Z. Douglas 
  
• The Handspinner and the Hydrogen Ionby Annamarie Hatcher 
  
• Heathered Effects: Dye Natural-Color Wool Three Waysby Claudine Celebuski 
  
• Testing Tussah: Two Ways to Spin and Weave a Bandby Devin Helmen 
  
• Garneted Tweeds: Reusing Thrums for Eco-Friendly Palettesby Jaya Srikrishnan 
  
• Color Play with Plant-Dyed Tops by Brian McCarthy
  
• Love and Loss: A Ball of Wool by Ali Giles-Damjanovska
  
• Colcha Embroidery: Stitching with Churro Wool by Julia R. Gomez
  
• Dyeing with Lady's Bedstraw by Isabella Rossi
  
• A Many-Seamed Cardigan: Cable & Colorwork by Carolyn Doe
  
• Slipped-Color Exploration by Susan Z. Douglas
  
• Striated Handspun Hat by Joanna Johnson
  
• Northwoods Handspun Tussah Shoelaces by Devin Helmen
  
• A Colcha Peahen by Julia R. Gomez
  

Softcover
96 Pages
Published by Long Thread Media

The Art & Craft of Spinning Yarn

Spin Off explores the art and craft of making yarn. Each issue connects you to new and familiar voices in the handspinning community and is packed with information about fibers, tools, and traditions to inspire your creativity.

In this issue are the Spinner's Toolbox Accessories You'll Love; Nostepinne Wind 3 Ways, On the Bias Spin + Weave a Pin-Loom Scarf; and so much more! Check out our current inventory of back issues as well. 

Features: 

• Unwinding the Nostepinne by Heavenly Bresser
  
• Color Tools: A Spinner Exploes by Ellen Mckean
  
• Hand-Ginning Cotton: A Practical Guide by Melvenea Hodges
  
• Spinning in Color for Pin-Loom Weaving by Madeline Keller-King 
  
• The Mighty Magnet: A Supported Spindle Aid by Helen Barbara Mawdsley
• Slow Prep: Making the Most of Hog Island Fleece by Holly Callahan-Kasmala
• Spinning and the Sarakatsani by Mimi Seyferth
• Wool and Wood: Natural Storage Bobbins by A. Sabine Schröder-Gravendyck
• Lazy Kates: Beginner Basics by Amy Tyler
• Coming Full Circle: A Golden Anniversary by Susan C. Druding
• Yes, Antique Spinning Wheels Do Talk by Betsy Burnham Alspach

Projects: 

• Stormy Seas Scarf by Devin Helmet and John Mullarkey
• Stranded Gradient Fingerless Mitts by Risë Burgie

Softcover
88 Pages
Published by Long Thread Media

The Art & Craft of Spinning Yarn

Our annual tool issue turns the spotlight on spinning wheels. Discover the often-missed measurements that can help you choose the best wheel for your body. Learn how the Coast Salish peoples adapted traditional spindles into treadle spinners, influencing wheels that might be in your house today. Find out if 3D printing could be the solution for broken or missing parts on antique wheels. And tackle wheel adjustments for spinning a blend of cotton and cottonized hemp.

• Spin a strong, tweedy yarn and knit the ultimate shorty socks.
• Sew a custom denim cover for your handcards using a vintage Spin Off
• Explore machine knitting using handspun (and hear why you should give it a try).

Contents

• Spinning Comfortably: Choosing and Using the Best Wheel for Your Body, by Carson Demers
• The Ultimate Tweedy Sock Yarn for Active Feet, by Deborah Held
• The Salish Spinner: Innovation, Evolution, and Adaptation, by Liz Hammond-Kaarremaa
• Quebec Wheel Song, by Joanne Seiff
• Mechanics Made Easy: Making Friends with Your Spinning Wheel, by Elana Goodfellow
• 3D Printing & Antique Wheels: A Spinner Explores Replacement Parts, by Meagan Condon
• Machine Knitting with Handspun: Would the Luddites Approve? by Mary Renstrom
• Spinning Symbols: Three Embellished Tools with Stories to Tell, by Riley Kleve
• An Ode to Onion Skins: Modifying a Humble Dyestuff, by Madeline Keller-King
• The One Acre Exchange Blend: Spinning Cotton and Cottonized Hemp, by Kerry Bullock-Ozkan
• Toe-Up Tweed and the Sporty-Shortie Socks, by Deborah Held
• Handy Dandy Denim Card Cover, by Susan Bradshaw and Angela K. Schneider
• Autumn Forest Scarf: Silk Hankies and Undulating Twill, by Malynda Allen

Softcover
96 Pages
Published by Long Thread Media

Spin Infinite Yarns with One Amazing Tool

Portable and productive, the hand spindle has been responsible for creating the world's yarn for millennia. In Respect the Spindle, veteran spinner and spindle aficionado Abby Franquemont teaches spinners old and new how to create incredible yarn with this amazing, yet simple tool.

Many contemporary spinners view the hand spindle as a beginner's tool, suited to learn the basic steps of spinning before moving on to a spinning wheel. In Respect the Spindle, Abby emphasizes the spindle's importance and its use in making yarn in advanced ways for high-end to novelty cloth.

The perfect how-to book for any spinner with a growing collection of spindles or even just a dowel, Respect the Spindle includes:

• Step-by-step photography with detailed illustrations, making the spindle spinning techniques clear to even the novice spinner.
• Techniques from the basics, such as getting started on the spindle, to more specialized techniques, such as using the spindle to make specific kinds of yarn faster than imagined.
• Profiles of spindle spinners from various traditions are presented in sidebars throughout the book, which introduce heartwarming and historical fiber stories from around the world.
• Five simple projects give spinners practice in creating a variety of yarns and patterns.
• And more!

Binding Paperback
Number Of Pages: 136
ISBN: 139781596681552
Author/Designer: Abby Franquemont

Discover the colorful joys of hand dyeing your own yarn and fleece. It’s easy, fun, and can be done right in your own kitchen! Self-taught dyer Gail Callahan shows you a variety of simple techniques to turn plain, outdated, or leftover yarn into vibrant “new” fibers using ovens, crockpots, frying pans, and other standard kitchen equipment. Detailed advice on color theory, self-striping, “grocery store” dyes, and handmade multicolor skeins make successful dyeing a cinch, even for complete beginners.

Author: Gail Callahan
Size: 7.75 x 9.31
Pages: 168
Format: Spiral Bound Hardcover 
ISBN: 9781603424684

The Art & Craft of Spinning Yarn

Spin Off explores the art and craft of making yarn. Each issue connects you to new and familiar voices in the handspinning community and is packed with information about fibers, tools, and traditions to inspire your creativity.

In this issue are Building Better Blends, Rare-Breed Tweed Card You Own, Stronger Socks Naturally, and so much more! Check out our current inventory of back issues as well. 

Features: 

• Beauty and the Beast: Herdwick Wool, a Heritage Mill & Luxury Cloth by Cath Snape
• Nature's Nylon: Natural Alternatives for Stronger Socks by Stephanie Johnson
• Fiber Blending and Hand Comfort by Carson Demers
• Optimizing Luxury: Getting the Most Mileage Out of Exotic Fiber by Lisa Mitchell
• Wool & Hemp: A "Primitive" Fiber Dream Team by Madeline Keller-King
• Structure: Choosing Fibers for Drumcarding by Emily Wohlscheid
• Wool Basics: What Is Grease? buy A. Sabine Schröder-Gravendyck
• Llama Fiber: A Realm of Possibilities by Dr. Annamarie Hatcher
• Llama Fiber: An Exploration in Spinning and Knitting by Barbara Kelly-Landry

Projects: 

• Alloy Socks by Stefanie Johnson
  
• Sturdy Mittens for Winter Walks by Madeline Keller-King
  
• Table Scraps: Clasped-Weft Table Runner by Tracy Livernois

Softcover
88 Pages
Published by Long Thread Media

The Art & Craft of Spinning Yarn

Spin Off explores the art and craft of making yarn. Each issue connects you to new and familiar voices in the handspinning community and is packed with information about fibers, tools, and traditions to inspire your creativity.

In this issue are Whorls and Pulleys: What's the difference?; The Art & Science of Twist; Cabled Yarns! By the Numbers or By Feel; Decoding Ancient Yarn Neanderthal 3-Ply, Bronze-Age Cables & More; 3 Summer Spins; and so much more! Check out our current inventory of back issues as well. 

Features: 

• Beauty Shot: Melanie's Cabled Yarn by Melanie Bonhomme
  
• Telling Tales: Twist as Storyteller by Liz Hammond-Kaarremaa
  
• Ancient Cabled Yarns by Gayle Vallance
  
• Twisted Love: An Artist Measures Twist & Grit by Sahara Briscoe 
  
• Twist Your Fibers, Not Your Spine by Carson Demers
  
• Spinning Shetland Fine Lace: It's All About Twist-Or Is It? by Elizabeth Johnston
  
• Color-Swirl Blending Effects for Spinning by Emily Wohlscheid
• High-Twist Textiles by Meagan Condon
• Twist & Pleat: High-Twist Singles for Easy Woven Texture by Denise Bolger Kovnat
• What Is a Whorl? Beginner Basics by Amy Tyler
• Cabling: Opening the Door to Designer Yarns by Gayle Vallance
• Emptying the Bucket: A Handspun Crochet Challenge by Mary-Lyn Tebby

Projects: 

• The Chameleon Shawl by Melvenea Hodges
  
• A New Twist on Tapestry: Crochet Wall Art by Connie Lee Lynch
  
• Romney Pleated Scarf by Denise Bolger Kovnat
  

Softcover
88 Pages
Published by Long Thread Media

The Art & Craft of Spinning Yarn

Spin Off explores the art and craft of making yarn. Each issue connects you to new and familiar voices in the handspinning community and is packed with information about fibers, tools, and traditions to inspire your creativity.

The Art & Craft of Spinning Yarn

Spin Off explores the art and craft of making yarn. Each issue connects you to new and familiar voices in the handspinning community and is packed with information about fibers, tools, and traditions to inspire your creativity.

In this issue: From earthy shades to ultra-saturated hues, few things excite spinners more than color. Delve into color explorations beyond the dyepot. Spin and knit a Swedish heart-warmer shawl using natural sheep colors. And discover tips for minimizing dye fading in your personal textiles.

Features: 

• Create complex variegated colors using a blending board and diz.
• Refresh a garment from odd bits of yarn with this piece-dyeing technique.
• Use handspun yarn to stitch a bargello needlepoint spindle bag.

Softcover
96 Pages
Published by Long Thread Media

With this compact portable reference in hand, crafters can quickly and easily look up any of 100 different sheep breeds, the characteristics of their fleece, and the kinds of projects for which their fleece is best suited. Each breed profile includes a photograph of the animal and information about its origin and conservation status, as well as the weight, staple length, fiber diameter, and natural colors of its fleece. This is a great primer for beginners, and a handy guide for anyone who loves working with fleece.

Authors: Carol Ekarius & Deborah Robson
Size: 5.06 x 7.06
Pages: 232
Format: Paperback / softback
ISBN: 9781612121789

This one-of-a-kind encyclopedia shines a spotlight on more than 200 animals and their wondrous fleece. Profiling a worldwide array of fiber-producers that includes northern Africa’s dromedary camel, the Navajo churro, and the Tasmanian merino, Carol Ekarius and Deborah Robson include photographs of each animal’s fleece at every stage of the handcrafting process, from raw to cleaned, spun, and woven. The Fleece & Fiber Sourcebook is an artist’s handbook, travel guide, and spinning enthusiast’s ultimate reference source all in one.

Author: Deborah Robson & Carol Ekarius
Size: 8.69 x 10.31
Pages: 448
Format: Hardback / Hardcover
ISBN: 9781603427111

The characteristics of fleece — its structure, grease content, and fiber diameter — vary widely depending on the breed of sheep the fleece comes from. In this comprehensive guide, Beth Smith profiles 21 types of fleece, from bouncy and pliant to lacy and lightweight. A sheep-by-sheep reference describes the best way to wash and spin each fleece into rich, soft yarn. You’ll soon be confidently choosing the right fleece, spinning it to perfection, and enjoying the perfect yarn for your next fiber creation.

Authors: Beth Smith & Deborah Robson
Size: 8 x 9
Pages: 256
Format: Hardback / Hardcover
ISBN: 9781612120393

Want to spin your own beautiful yarn? Expert spinner Vanessa Kroening shows you how in this easy introduction to spinning with a drop spindle. No need to invest in an expensive spinning wheel!

“The bounty of photos ensure readers will know how every step should look, and Kroening’s knowledge of the craft impresses. This makes yarn spinning easy.” – Publishers Weekly

Expert spinner Vanessa Kroening shows you how to spin in this wonderfully accessible introduction to spinning with a drop spindle. Vanessa explains how to:


clean and prepare fleece for spinning
what to look out for when choosing a fleece
how to card, blend colors, and make rolags and batts.
use a drop spindle
ply your yarn and how to add beads, sequins and other elements, as well as how to dye your yarn
Spinning with a drop spindle isn’t just fun – it’s amazingly relaxing and highly creative too. You get to choose the type of fiber, and the colors and thickness of the yarn you make – you can even dye the yarn, and add beads, sequins and other embellishments to create your own unique yarns. A spindle is so compact, you can carry it around town with you and is not even necessary to have to spin. Be inspired and take your knitting, crochet, felting and weaving to a whole new level!

The Art & Craft of Spinning Yarn

Spin Off explores the art and craft of making yarn. Each issue connects you to new and familiar voices in the handspinning community and is packed with information about fibers, tools, and traditions to inspire your creativity.

In this issue: 

Join us for a deep dive into intentional texture, from smooth to slubby, silky to fuzzy. Explore ways to create, adapt, and use texture in your fibers, yarns, and finished textiles. Try creating handspun halo from four luxury fibers. Be inspired by 10 cabled-yarn variations. And learn how to avoid (or add!) slubs in your yarn.

• Use heavy, textural handspun interspersed with fine yarns to weave a sophisticated wrap.
  
• Combine yarns of different grists for gorgeous translucent knits.
  
• See how to turn cordage by hand using corn husks, flax, garlic leaves, and other plant material.
  

Softcover
96 Pages
Published by Long Thread Media

Discover the satisfying fun of spinning your own yarn! This step-by-step guide shows you how to create 80 distinctive yarn types, from classics like mohair bouclé to novelties like supercoils. Covering the entire spinning process, Sarah Anderson describes the unique architecture of each type of yarn and shares expert techniques for manipulating and combining fibers. Take your crafting to a new level and ensure that you have the best yarn available by spinning it yourself. Includes 64 Unique Reference Cards in a handy, take-along format to keep by your wheel for reference! 

Author: Sarah Anderson
Size: 8.38 x 9.38
Pages: 256
Format: Hardback / Hardcover
ISBN: 9781603427388

Create your dream yarn! Discover the pleasures of designing and building custom-made yarn by spinning it yourself, choosing everything from color to feel and gauge. Jillian Morneo leads you through every step of yarn construction, with detailed instructions and step-by-step photos showing you how to select the fiber you want, establish a foundation, and spin a beautiful yarn with the structure, texture, and color pattern that you want. In addition to teaching you the techniques you need for success, Moreno also offers twelve delicious original patterns from prominent designers, each one showcasing hand- spun yarns.

Author: Jillian Moreno.
Hardcover, 239 pages.
Published Year: 2016.
ISBN 978-1-61212-521-3.
Imported.