Handspinning Basics & Techniques for Beginners

by The Joy of Handspinning

Product Features

• 65 Video Demonstrations
• 85 Color Illustrations
• Internet Resources
• Glossary of Handspinning Terms

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• ASIN: B000UFNJDA
• Item model number: JOHTK307
• Date first available at Amazon.com: July 28, 2007
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,461 in Software (See Top 100 in Software)

Product Description

"Teaching Yourself Visually" means more than reading a book and looking at illustrations. It means learning by watching an expert. This self-paced CD is the next best thing to having your own private handspinning instructor. Tulasi Zimmer, an award-winning handspinner, shows you step-by-step the basic techniques for handspinning natural fibers into yarn. Each topic and technique is explained with 65+ voice-over video demonstrations, clear text, and color illustrations. If you ever thought of making your own yarn, here's your chance to experience the joy of handspinning. Use your handspun yarn for your knitting, crochet, and weaving projects. Contents: THE SPINNING WHEEL * Styles of Spinning Wheels * Parts of the Wheel * How the Wheel Works * Single Drive Wheels * Double Drive Wheels * Bobbin Lead Wheels * Adjusting the Tension * Scotch Tension * Double Drive Wheels * Bobbin Lead Wheels * Drive Ratios & Twist * Spinning Wheel Maintenance SPINDLE SPINNING *Types of Spindles * Bottom-Whorl Spindle * Top-Whorl Spindle * Navajo Spindle * How to Use a Spindle * Tying on a Leader * Spinning the Yarn * Adding on More Fiber * Plying With a Spindle * Spindle Spinning Tips * How to Make a Spindle BASICS & TECHNIQUES * Setting the Tension * Adding on More Fiber * Long Draw Technique * The Inch Worm Technique * The Worsted Technique *`Spinning From the Fold *`Plying Techniques * 2 Ply Yarns * Navajo Plying / 3 Ply Yarns * Plying Tips *`Making a Skein - Using a Niddy Noddy *`Setting-In the Twist FIBER PREPARATION * Selecting a Good Fleece * Cleaning a Fleece * Charging the Handcarder * Carding * Making a Rolag * Loading the Drumcarder * Drumcarding * Removing the Fiber * Making a Sliver * Loading the Dutch Comb * Combing * Making a Combed Top with a Diz * Flicker Carder SPINNING FIBERS Alpaca Angora Rabbit Llama Mohair Silk Wool Flax

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Handspinning CD, February 27, 2008

By 

feistyfemale - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Handspinning Basics & Techniques for Beginners (CD-ROM)

This is a very excellent CD! The directions for using the CD are simple. The videos are short but very clear, and so is the instruction. I have been spinning for about 2 years, and this CD made many things I had not been clear on understandable. I am so glad I purchased it! Note, this CD was made by the same folks from the Joy of Handspinning website, which is a most excellent resource for all things regarding spinning yarn.

4.0 out of 5 stars Essential viewing when starting from scratch, September 27, 2009

By 

AV (Hong Kong) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Handspinning Basics & Techniques for Beginners (CD-ROM)

I purchased this CD-ROM due to the lack of a fellow spinner living in 'my region' who could show me how it is done. One can only learn that much from looking at still images and reading lengthy descriptions of the technique in books. The content of the CD does not disappoint. I however do have suggestions for future improvements: add sections on various spinning wheel brands and their specific set up/adjustment of tension; and add a section on common problems, what causes them, how to avoid and correct. If this could be added, those among us who live far away from other spinners would have a truly excellent self-learning tool.