Customer Reviews

Spin to Knit

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am both a crocheter and knitter and have recently started spinning. I was rather disappointed by the fact that although the name would lead you to believe the book has a great deal of spinning instruction, the reality is that it is mostly knitting patterns worked with homespun which was produced by many different people and little to no instruction as to how to produce similar yarn yourself.

I'd been spinning with a drop spindle for a couple of years without really understanding what I've been doing, when finally something clicked and I started getting obsessed. I bought a spinning wheel and started complementing my yarn stash with roving, and as soon as it came out, I bought "Spin to Knit." This book is great -- Okey's instructions are clear, and the patterns are a great inspirational jumping-off point (I particularly like the yoked sweaters which combine simple solid handspun with a yoke of self-striping Noro yarns). The other day I successfuly Andean-plied some leftover singles using the instructions in STK, and I feel like I really understand the technique now. If you're already more advanced, you may want the book just for the inspiration in the patterns and the profiles of different spinner/designers, but you should probably flip through the book before buying to see if it appeals to you. If you are, like me, relatively new to the world of spinning and you want to understand how it all "works," this book is perfect for you and you should order it -- and some more fiber -- ASAP.

Although my mother has been spinning since I was a little kid, I had never really had the urge to try it until recently. I purchased a spindle and some fibre, but have not yet worked up the courage to try it. The instructions in Spin to Knit are very clearly written and accompanied by step-by-step photos--just what I needed to help me really visualize the process! I am already looking forward to learning to use a wheel as well!
Besides being easy to understand and quite detailed, this is quite a funny read in bits as well. I have not tried any of the patterns yet, but several of them are quite appealing and I will be giving them a try later. The profiles of different spinners included were an unexpected inspiration!
If you are looking for lots of patterns or a complete, comprehensive encyclopedia of spinning, this isn't it. If, however, you would like something to help you get started in spinning and some ideas for neat stuff to make with your handspun, check this one out.

Great book for new spinners. Not too technical. Spinning is a hobby that requires time and perserverance. This book encourages you to keep going and success will be yours. Of all the spinning books I have purchased, this is the most inspiring. Has projects for your newly spun yarn. Some projects are a little funky but if you're spinning you must be a little different!

Spin to Knit is a cheerful, lavishly illustrated guide to spinning your own knitting yarns.

Newcomers will appreciate the comprehensive, step-by-step text and photographs, which cover everything from fiber selection to the idiosyncratic behavior of handspun knits. Established spinners will find inspiration in fresh project suggestions and interviews with fiber lovers across the country.

I would definitely recommend this book for beginning spinners. I've been handspinning yarn for twenty years, & it seems like your always learning something new. This book is easy to read, and the pictures are great.

If you've always been curious on how to spin your own yarn, there's no better book than "Spin to Knit" to introduce you to this new world. I've always wanted to get more into the craft of spinning and Shannon breaks things down and explains the basics such as fibers 101, all the equipment (drop spindle or spinning wheel), and the steps to achieve the best looking yarn. There are great features on other yarn spinners as well as a bevy of patterns for you to knit from your self-spun yarn. She also helps you take your yarn to the next level going over color and embellishments such as beads, thread, and more. Overall this is a fantastic book that will jump start you into the amazing world of yarn spinning. Defintely a must have for your craft bookshelf!

I've just started spinning with a drop spindle, with information I found on various websites. I got this book hoping it would add to that knowledge. I haven't found anything here that I haven't found for free, in more detail, elsewhere. I would hope that the art would be higher quality, but there were several of the knit projects that only had one photo, from one angle, with no diagrams or further explanations on how to put them together. I had much higher expectations.

As a new spinner, but long-time knitter, I'm glad I bought this book. It took me from one process to the other with valuable information. I have a better understanding of how I can use my hand-spun yarn.

This is a wonderful book for people that are new to spinning. this helps you understand how to spin hand spun yarn for a certain project. I have always been a spinner that sees a project, goes and spins the yarn for that project and then knits it. I don't buy commercial yarns, I always create my own. This is a very nice book with easy and harder knitting projects for all. And it helps that some of my yarn was featured in one of the projects!