Customer Reviews

Spin Control

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. Sheila

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.

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. Info on many topics, but as I said it is the readrs digest version. Beautiful pictures but needed more info on individual topics.

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.

When I first heard about this book, I had hoped it would cover both drop spindle spinning as well as the spinning wheel. When I got this book, I was VERY disappointed to find very little mention, if at all, of drop spindle spinning techniques. It is mostly focused on using the spinning wheel, which I can't afford to obtain. (The spinning wheels I've seen cost about $700 to $800 dollars or more depending on their make and quality.)

I've also found it confusing because the class I took emphasized pre-drafting and this book comments that sometimes you don't have to pre-draft at all. How is a beginner, who has little to no experience, supposed to know when one doesn't have to pre-draft the fiber before spinning?

If you are a drop spindle spindler, and you're looking for books to help with your spinning technique, this book isn't the one for that.