34 of 37 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
On the contrary..., January 27, 2008
This review is from: Intertwined: The Art of Handspun Yarn, Modern Patterns and Creative Spinning (Handspun Revolution) (Hardcover)
On the contrary, I think this is an incredibly interesting book, if you approach it from the viewpoint that it is basically, as the title implies, a SPINNING book and not a KNITTING book. Not only are the photos fabulous and on practically every one of the 300 pages, but the author gives quite detailed explanations for why and how she spins all those unusual yarns. I always thought that it was only new spinners who were producing those huge bumpy yarns to sell on Etsy because they didn't yet have the experience to spin thin, even yarns, but now I understand the thought processes and the work behind spinning the oversize, unusual yarns and I can really appreciate them. Hey--this book almost made me want to drag my spinning wheel out of the back of the closet and take up spinning again! Her descriptions of creating yarns and the ideas she has were just that inspiring! I also disagree about the knitting (and crochet) patterns--I think she does give quite a few ideas of how to use these unusual, creative yarns while continually stressing that they will not perform in a regular pattern the way that commercial yarns will. These yarns are suited to more "arty" projects where they can be seen best (scarves, necklaces, hats, outlining a skirt or edging mittens) such as those that she does give ideas (and patterns) for. Overall, the book is quite creative and should spark lots of ideas in its readers. (I don't know what other book the first reviewer is referring to--did Lexi write a previous book?)
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23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Inspiration in hardcover, January 28, 2008
This review is from: Intertwined: The Art of Handspun Yarn, Modern Patterns and Creative Spinning (Handspun Revolution) (Hardcover)
I'm not sure where the previous reviewer got the mistaken idea that this was a knitting book, since the title even says that it's about creative spinning, but it goes to show that even the best books can be fully misunderstood.
Because this? Totally one of -- if not THE -- best books on spinning art yarns and fibers that push the limits of what's considered to be "handspun yarns". With 30 techniques illustrated and an equal number of patterns to be knit, crocheted, or sewn to utilize the yarn you're creating, it's both inspirational AND information-packed. Three HUNDRED PAGES of inspirational, in fact.
What I love most about it is that it's a book not only to glance at, and maybe use for spinning or object-creation, but that it's also a book I can sit down and READ. There is a great section on finding inspiration for your spinning from both within and outside of yourself, and one on reverse-engineering projects that has me running for my wheel. The profiles of art yarn spinners are also wonderful to read.
If you're strictly a knitter/crocheter/weaver, this book will probably not hold a lot of excitement for you, unless you're one of the few who use artyarns a lot in your handwork. But for a spinner or a fiber artist who wants to create projects from wool (or fiber in general), I can't recommend this one highly enough. It really is the most inspirational book I've found on this subject, and one that will be holding a very special place on my shelf, once I stop looking at it every few minutes.
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15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is What I Wanted the First Book To Be....., April 2, 2008
This review is from: Intertwined: The Art of Handspun Yarn, Modern Patterns and Creative Spinning (Handspun Revolution) (Hardcover)
After I was so disappointed in the very expensive very small book from Pluckyfluff called HANDSPUN REVOLUTION, I was not very optimistic when I had a few enthusiastic spinners recommend this new book INTERTWINED to me.
I nodded and then laughed inside- "Yeah, like I am gonna pay an arm and a leg for another few pages of nothing!"
The first book was nice, but only worth about $7 or so to me- not the hefty $36 price (retail) for a literal handful of vague pages of photos and instructions on some interesting yarns that the author created.
This book, however, is a completely different story.
I have only been spinning a year and a half, but I am an artist so I want some creative new ways to push my spinning and knitting and crocheting. I am not content to create run of the mill yarns and projects. I want something interesting, unique and creative.
INTERTWINED is a wonderful book. LOTS of pages. LOTS of information. LOTS to inspire all kinds of spinners and creative types like me who want to take spinning and creation to a whole new inspirational level.
The book is set up just a little ADD with smatterings of political rantings here and there, diaries of a day in the life of a project stuck in, but that is part of the charm. It is not a reading from start to finish book, but rather the kind you can pick up and thumb through to pause on a part that interests you at the moment.
I find that Intertwined is well worth the money and the odd spinning projects using paper and other strange things are just fanciful, yes.
However, there is a lot of other information in this book worth getting it for.
I like the diagrams inside of how to spin certain creative types of yarn. I also love the photographs not only of the yarn, but of the finished creations made from the yarn. There is a lot of inspiration for those who want to be freed of restrictions in using fiber to spin as well as making projects from that fiber- letting the fiber tell you where it wants to go.
There are plenty of projects inside for scarves, knitted unique hats- even ties. I was surprised to find some weaving in here as well. And some very creative uses for old clothing, spinning and crocheting or knitting.
Intertwined is an exercise in creativity with plenty to motivate and ignite that part of you that just needs something to spark you on into another level of art using fiber and spinning.
I highly recommend it.
If you are a practical person who gets upset with a little slub of fiber in your yarns, this book is NOT for you. ;D
If you are an artist who longs to have crochet, knitting, and spinning turn into the same kind of fun you had when you were a little kid with some finger paints and no limits to what you could paint or where (within reason)- this book is for you.
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