Spinning Books

The Ashford Book of Carding - $37.00
Jo Reeve. Tutorials: Flick carding; Hand carding; Drum carding; Fleece to sliver; Colour Blending; Fibre blending. Projects: Self-striping socks; Merino mittens; Triangular shawl; Merino and silk scarf. What more needs to be said? 92pp. Pb.

The Ashford Book of Handspinning - $34.00
Jo Reeve. Learn to hand spin with fibre artist Jo Reeve. Jo, the author of the very popular Ashford Book of Carding, has twenty-seven years of spinning experience and will show you how to spin from the beginning through to advanced techniques. Learn how to create unique yarns using different techniques and fibres and make five easy projects using your handspun yarn. Step by step instructions and gorgeous colour photographs will take you on a new journey of creativity. 116pp. Pb.

Ashford Book of Learn To Spin - $38.00
Anne Field. With easy-to-follow, step-by-step directions, this reference guides the novice spinner through the essentials of getting started. The process is explained in detail, beginning with preparation of fleeces before demonstrating techniques such as worsted and woollen spinning methods, plying, adjusting tension, treadling, skeining, drafting, and blending. Helpful advice regarding spinning wheels and how they work is featured, and inspiring projects round out each chapter, clearly illustrating the techniques discussed in that particular section. Reviewing a wide range of fibers from wool, alpaca, and silk to mohair, cotton, and angora, this crafty how-to allows for abundant practice with knitting, crocheting, and weaving. 206pp. Pb.

Fleece & Fiber Source Book - $68.00
Deborah Robson & Carol Ekarius. This one-of-a-kind photographic encyclopedia features more than 200 animals and the fibers they produce. It covers almost every sheep breed in the world from the longwool breeds of the United Kingdom to the Tasmanian merino, the Navajo churro, the northern European Faroese, and dozens and dozens more. It also includes goats, camelids (such as alpacas, llamas, and vicunas), bison, horses, musk oxen, rabbits, and even dogs. Each entry includes photographs of the featured animal, its raw fleece, its cleaned fleece, and yarn spun from the fleece; and the yarn knitted and woven. You'll find everything you want to know about each animal and its fiber, including the fiber's color, density, strength, and staple length, and recommendations for processing and using it. This is the essential reference no fiber-lover can be without. Spinners (and knitters) this is the book you've been asking for: more photos and breeds than In Sheep's Clothing and more sheepy and animal goodness than The Knitter's Book of Wool. 448pp. Hb.

Get Spun: The Step-by-Step Guide to Spinning Art Yarns - $29.00
Symeon North. Pairing detailed instructions with clear, step-by-step photography, this dynamic guide of spinning techniques and demonstrations explores an array of fiber possibilities — such as wool, glitz, and sari silk — to create unique yarn for fiber art projects. Designed for the advanced beginner to the intermediate spinner, this reference covers a variety of subjects such as spinning fundamentals, techniques for wool and silk, spinning with non-traditional materials, introducing add-ins, and creating plying effects. Additionally, the comprehensive tutorial offers information on easy home dyeing and directions for using a drumcarder to blend colors and fibers. 120pp. Pb.

Hand Woolcombing and Spinning (Revised) - $39.00
Peter Teal. Here is a book for handspinners who aspire to a high standard of professional excellance in their work. The book rediscovers many of the old methods and explains how to make the tools, how to prepare, dye, and blend the fibre, and finally how to spin a worsted yarn of controlled quality and specification. Few books go into the process of woolcombing to such a practical detail. Extra chapter added on scotch tension versus double drive. 212pp. Hb.

The Intentional Spinner (With DVD) - $40.00
Judith McKenzie McCuin. Offering a blend of technical knowledge, history, and easy-to-use tips, this inspiring collection of spinning wisdom deftly explores the three fundamental areas of yarn production: understanding fibers, managing yarn structure, and making yarns that precisely meet the spinner's needs. The rich, historic traditions of plant and animal fibers are fascinatingly juxtaposed with recent advances in synthesized fiber and mankind’s use of fibers in the past, present, and future, while detailed, image-laden instructions for four intermediate projects demonstrate the range of possibilities, from sturdy, plied yarns to playful, novelty yarns. Spinners are also offered guidance on planning a project from start to finish, as well as how to care for and store completed projects. 160pp. Pb.

Intertwined - $27.00
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. 304pp. Pb.

Learn To Spin - $4.00
A small basic instruction manual in the art of spinning, from the makers of the famous Ashford wheels. 12pp, Pb.

Merino: Spinning, Dyeing & Working with Merino & Superfine Wools - $26.00
Margaret Stove. Merino sheep have a reputation for being difficult to spin. Fortunately the author proceeded to figure out how to spin it so that the fine wool was useable. Her techniques set the spinner on the path to successful yarns. 109pp, Hb.

Productive Spindling - $22.00
Amelia Garripoli. Productive Spindling... a 21st century look at top whorl, bottom whorl and Turkish spindle methods to boost your techniques for efficiency – make productivity fun! Spindlers will find many useful tips for all kinds of fiber, on spindle choice, drafting, joins, plying and finishing. Productive Spindling is packed with photos to show technique, spindles, yarn, and finished items by the author and the worldwide spindling community. 50pp. Sb.

Respect the Spindle - $29.00
Abby Franquemont. Enjoying resurgence in popularity thanks to the current trend of DIY crafts, the hand spindle remains one of the most productive, versatile, and convenient tools for creating stunning fiber arts from home, as this beautifully illustrated guide from a veteran spinner and spindle aficionado demonstrates. With step-by-step instructions, this essential manual details the basic steps of spinning, showing how to use the spindle to make specific types of yarn, explaining traditional spindle spinning techniques, and detailing five simple projects designed to instill confidence in creating a variety of yarns with this simple tool. Combining fascinating historical narratives, traditions, and cultures from around the globe with vivid photography, this all-encompassing tour of the spindle also boasts easy-to-follow, contemporary techniques and styles that affirm the tool's enduring legacy. 128pp. Pb.

The Secrets of Silk 1: From the Myths & Legends to the Middle Ages - $39.00
Priscilla Lowry. From the earliest days of prehistory silk has been highly valued. Here the secrests are slowly revealed. Stories of mayham and espionage, love and valour, corruption and beauty, the Silk Road, Marco Polo, and the eventual arrival of silk in Europe. The story of silk includes spinning and handling this exquisite fibre. 168pp. Pb.

The Secrets of Silk 2: From Textiles to Fashion - $39.00
Priscilla Lowry. This second book continues the story of silk in the West, and includes Byzantium, silk in Europe, the influence of the Huguenots, gold, dyes, knitting, lace, buttons and bows, silk in the home, and fashion. The practical section deals with knitting with silk. 198pp. Pb.

Spin Art: Mastering the Craft of Spinning Textured Yarn - $37.00
Jacey Boggs. The author helps you bring art and novelty yarns to the next level in Spin Art. Inside you'll learn all the secrets behind her exciting new fusion of traditional spinning and envelope-pushing creativity. Inside you'll discover: How to create innovative, eye-catching single and plied spun yarn styles, including wraps, beehives, bumps, racing stripes, loops, bubblewrap, multiplied, and more; Detailed technical instruction with step-by-step photos with finished spun yarn and swatch close-ups. As a bonus, the instructional DVD provides additional handspinning demonstration and commentary to complement the techniques in the book. Jacey has bottled the energy and expertise of her highly sought after workshops into a personal, at-home art yarn workshop experience for you. 144pp. Pb.

Spin Control - $29.00
Amy King. Spin Control teaches spinners to control their handspun and make the yarns of their dreams. From soft, bulky singles to durable cabled yarns with terrific stitch definition; and from tweedy yarns with rich texture and color to serviceable 3-ply that holds up to heavy use, the sky is the limit with this thorough guide. 128pp. Pb.

Spinning Around: Spinning, Dyeing & Knitting Elizabeth Zimmermann's Classics - $39.00
Jeannine Bakriges. This Master spinner (and dyer/knitter) worked for years to compile this beautiful and informative book. The book includes extensive technical information on spinning, notes on natural and solar dyeing, including setting up a dye studio, and knitting patterns by Elizabeth Zimmermann and Meg Swansen including: Sock-Toe Scarf, Halter Top, I-cord Gloves and Hat, Knit-Stitch Pullover, Very Warm Hat, 3-Cornered German Shawl, Circular Brioche Watch Cap, Headband, Kliban Hat, Moccasin Socks, Epaulet Jacket, Jogger’s Mitts, Moebius Vest, Dickey, Knee Socks, Moebius Scarf, Balaclava Helmut, Bohus Sweater & Hat, Pillbox Hat, and the Mananita. From fleece to knitted garment, Spinning Around is an incredible journey. 144pp. Pb.

Spinning For Softness and Speed - $25.00
Paula Simmons. Paula is well known professional handspinner, author and shepherd. This classic book of hers has now been reprinted and is the result of a lifetime of spinning, and teaching others to spin. On her teaching journeys, she discovered that many people encountered the same problems, and has addressed them beautifully in this quintessential volume on spinning. Packed with photographs, helpful hints and tips it has helped thousands of spinners improve on the softness and speed of their work. 91pp. Pb.

Spinning in the Old Way - $19.00
Priscilla A. Gibson-Roberts. Loose fibers become yarn because of a twist, which holds them together. Just by adding twist you can create yarn that is sturdy enough to be knitted or woven into fabric. All you need is a high whorl spindle, unspun fiber, a few yards of leftover knitting yarn, and the guidance of a master spinner and knitter Priscilla Gibson-Roberts. 160pp. Pb.

Spinning Wool: Beyond the Basics (Revised Edition)- $37.00
Anne Field. Building on the basics presented in the author’s previous book, Ashford Book of Spinning, this handbook provides more advanced spinners with information extending beyond the act of spinning for greater mastery of the craft. Topics such as: how to spin an adequate yarn and extend the range of yarns produced; what happens during the spinning process; and the relationship between the raw materials and the final output. This new edition features up-to-date information about spinning wheels, new color photos, and seven new projects. Organized in four sections - wool, spinning wheels, yarn design, and projects - the text provides examples of a global range of fleece types, a detailed examination of the functions of bobbin and flyer wheels, a step-by-step analysis of spinning yarns of a predetermined size and twist count best suited to the properties of the fleece, and informative explanations of different spinning materials. The nine woven and knitted projects, including a fleece rug, skirt fabric, mittens, and a triangular shawl, are particularly suitable for handspun yarn. 160pp. Pb.

Start Spinning- $29.00
Maggie Casey. Everything you need to know to make great yarn. You can buy yarn anywhere, but spinners know that the best yarn is the kind you make for yourself. Start Spinning takes you from loose fiber to yarn made on a spindle and spinning wheel, with friendly advice and a sure hand at every step. Developed over two decades of teaching beginners, Maggie Casey's techniques and tidbits will have you creating delightful yarns to knit, weave, crochet and admire. Pb.

The Woolgatherers Handspun Pattern Book - $11.00
Albury Wodonga Hadweavers and Spinners Guild. A collection of favourite handspun patterns gathered together during the first ten yearsof the Albury/Wodonga Handweavers and Spinners Guild, 1970 - 1980. 64pp. Pb.

Flick Carder - $18.00
Also know as a flicker brush, this small hand carder is all that is needed for the simple opening of locks in a fleece for immediate spinning.