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.
Spin Control
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
"The key word to this packed-to-the-gills spinning book is in the subtitle: You. This book is truly about spinning yarn that you want to make and use." — Knitty.com
"5 out of 5 stars. This is an excellent book for anyone interested in spinning. It is not a 'learn to spin' book, but a book about the entire concept of spinning and fiber." — Knitting News
"A huge amount of useful, accessible information. Does a great job of explaining how to refine your spinning technique." — KnittingScholar.com
"Amy King is a spinning force to be reckoned with...[her book] content is killer for those wanting to take their spinning to the next level." — YARN: The Australian Magazine for Knitting and More
"With this book, spinners can learn to make handspun yarns that have the traits they look for in commercial yarns but with their own unique style." — Quick & Easy Crochet
"5 out of 5 stars. This is an excellent book for anyone interested in spinning. It is not a 'learn to spin' book, but a book about the entire concept of spinning and fiber." — Knitting News
"A huge amount of useful, accessible information. Does a great job of explaining how to refine your spinning technique." — KnittingScholar.com
"Amy King is a spinning force to be reckoned with...[her book] content is killer for those wanting to take their spinning to the next level." — YARN: The Australian Magazine for Knitting and More
"With this book, spinners can learn to make handspun yarns that have the traits they look for in commercial yarns but with their own unique style." — Quick & Easy Crochet
About the Author
Amy King is the owner of Spunky Eclectic, a fiber studio. She lives in Lisbon, Maine.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
54 of 56 people found the following review helpful
By Teatime2
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I had looked forward with much anticipation to this book by the Spunky Eclectic lady. Alas, although most of the spinning information in this book is accurate, there is nothing new or spunky here.
The information about pre-drafting is a bit muddled as it seems to confuse splitting a roving, tops or other fiber preparation with actually drafting, or drawing out. Some of the text does not match the photography and some of the photos of yarns do not match the knitted samples. However, this is probably attributable to editing errors.
The author does introduce lots of unusual possibilities for plying and cabling; lots of stimulation there. Also, the photography is luscious.
All in all, a pretty good book for beginners but I prefer Judith MacKenzie McCuin's The Intentional Spinner or Mabel Ross' The Essentials of Yarn Design for Handspinners.
The information about pre-drafting is a bit muddled as it seems to confuse splitting a roving, tops or other fiber preparation with actually drafting, or drawing out. Some of the text does not match the photography and some of the photos of yarns do not match the knitted samples. However, this is probably attributable to editing errors.
The author does introduce lots of unusual possibilities for plying and cabling; lots of stimulation there. Also, the photography is luscious.
All in all, a pretty good book for beginners but I prefer Judith MacKenzie McCuin's The Intentional Spinner or Mabel Ross' The Essentials of Yarn Design for Handspinners.
40 of 42 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Like many spinners, I really looked forward to this book, and so far I have enjoyed the eye-candy, and read the text with interest.
Fortunately, I'm not a newbie spinner, because some of the basic editing and proof-reading errors can only confuse the inexperienced, who will not recognise the errors as such at all.
This is embarrassing for the publishing house concerned, as well as the author, and dooms the book to be one of those you read, then return to the local library or put up for resale on ebay.
This is a pity as its written in a friendly and enjoyable style, and is thorough in setting out basic procedures, something we often forget about. The pictures are great, and I appreciated the section on sitting correctly at the wheel, as well as the illustrated detail on the great debate about woolen and worsted.
The best feature of the book? The knitted samples from the different drafting and spinning techniques used, particularly as I am not an experienced knitter. This alone would have earned the book 5 stars if it wasn't for the sloppy and rushed editing. Read before you buy!
Fortunately, I'm not a newbie spinner, because some of the basic editing and proof-reading errors can only confuse the inexperienced, who will not recognise the errors as such at all.
This is embarrassing for the publishing house concerned, as well as the author, and dooms the book to be one of those you read, then return to the local library or put up for resale on ebay.
This is a pity as its written in a friendly and enjoyable style, and is thorough in setting out basic procedures, something we often forget about. The pictures are great, and I appreciated the section on sitting correctly at the wheel, as well as the illustrated detail on the great debate about woolen and worsted.
The best feature of the book? The knitted samples from the different drafting and spinning techniques used, particularly as I am not an experienced knitter. This alone would have earned the book 5 stars if it wasn't for the sloppy and rushed editing. Read before you buy!
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I had looked forward with anticipation to this book and it was exactly what I thought it would be. The writing style is friendly and encouraging for anyone wanting to try a new technique. There are plenty of spinning techniques to try. Lots of great information about sampling and the part about predrafting is just right. Not drafting before you spin as much as improving the prep for a more enjoyable spinning experience.
The photographs are lovely and helpful.
This is a book for beginners to intermediate spinners looking for ways to improve their spinning.
Beyond the intermediate stage there is lots of good reference material here. This book will be on the shelf next to my favorite spinning books that I go to again and again.
The photographs are lovely and helpful.
This is a book for beginners to intermediate spinners looking for ways to improve their spinning.
Beyond the intermediate stage there is lots of good reference material here. This book will be on the shelf next to my favorite spinning books that I go to again and again.
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By WVO
Format:Paperback
Given the positive review by Spin-off magazine, I expected to find information not covered by other sources. Good for beginners but nothing new for more experienced spinners seeking to improve their technique.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Amy King has published a winner here with this wonderful book, full of techniques to help you hone your spinning skills. I am a new-ish spinner and I found this book easy to understand and extremely helpful.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I am a new spinner and use a wheel. I found this Spin Control an interesting and informative book. I think it would be useful to any new spinner.
6 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I was really looking forward to this book. I'm would have bought it sight unseen because of the publisher's pre-release hype, but I'm glad I didn't and first ordered it from my library.
Let me be clear: This is a beautiful book. There is much material here for a new spinner, and I would certainly recommend it to any newbie. Great information about the properties of different fibers, and excellent instructions on basic spinning techniques, all presented very nicely. But for those who have been spinning for a long time, it only skims the surface of "techniques for spinning the yarns you want." That surface is fine, but there's nothing new here for those of us who've been spinning for years. I was just under the impression that there was a finally a new truly advanced book out (and I just love new books!).
I'm glad I had the book for a few hours, but that's about it. So, 3 stars for me. For a beginner, maybe I'd even give it 5 stars.
Let me be clear: This is a beautiful book. There is much material here for a new spinner, and I would certainly recommend it to any newbie. Great information about the properties of different fibers, and excellent instructions on basic spinning techniques, all presented very nicely. But for those who have been spinning for a long time, it only skims the surface of "techniques for spinning the yarns you want." That surface is fine, but there's nothing new here for those of us who've been spinning for years. I was just under the impression that there was a finally a new truly advanced book out (and I just love new books!).
I'm glad I had the book for a few hours, but that's about it. So, 3 stars for me. For a beginner, maybe I'd even give it 5 stars.
By S.Adams
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is great! It's got fabulous photos-and jam packed with great tips. I had been spinning for a year and a half when I bought it. I wasn't a newbie-and there was alot to learn from it. I still refer to it!. It's a great little primer for anyone who spins yarn.I loved the "Properties Of Fiber" section-really handy! There's many knitted swatch examples-which is brilliant. The pre-drafting section shows six swatches! Also examples of yarn spun.It explains the basics, and expands from there...bias, energized yarns, low twist, it even covers self striping (a technique I love). There's oodles of great tips, stuff I didn't know about dyeing (and I've been dyeing fiber for 20 years!). Great book for your spinning library :)
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very good
I'm a beginning spinner. I saw this book in the library & found it to be a good
basic resource. I found this copy ro be in very good condition.
basic resource. I found this copy ro be in very good condition.
Published 6 months ago by Patty Harber
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good product, quick delivery
I'd prefer some of the explainations to be more specific. They use expressions or phrases to describe things that I am not familiar with. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Laura Steere
5.0 out of 5 stars
great cover
This is a readers digest version of all you wanted to know. It has lots of intersesting info including a section all about yarns and what uses they would be best for. Read more
Published on February 26, 2011 by David M. Germaine
2.0 out of 5 stars
Not What I Thought It Was
I'm a beginner spinner and have only just begun learning with a drop spindle. I don't have a spinning wheel yet as that is very expensive for me at this point in time. Read more
Published on November 2, 2010 by P. McCoy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Spin Control
This was a very useful book for me as a newer spinner. I love learning about all the different fibers, and this book had a great section on that. I would highly recommend it. Read more
Published on August 18, 2010 by Sheila A. Cannon
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good read and useful book
I'm kinda new at spinning and I also have a lot of questions about how I can improve the way I spin and improve the yarn I make. And this book is a large part of my improvement!
Published on July 11, 2009 by S. Brigit Wood
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