Spinning in the Old Way: How (and Why) To Make Your Own Yarn With A High-Whorl Handspindle [Paperback]

Priscilla A. Gibson-Roberts (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 5, 2006

Knitters are discovering the pleasure and satisfaction of spinning their own yarns. Master craftsman Priscilla Gibson-Roberts guides readers in the fast-track, low-cost, high-quality approach to spinning. No spinning wheel required.

Editorial Reviews

Review

... [A] timely and comprehensive handbook . . . that is never overwhelming. -- Carol Huebscher Rhoades in Spin-Off on Fall 2006

Gibson-Roberts's conversational instructions are accessible, and her passion will leave you inspired to expand your crafting resume. -- Amanda Keiser, Vogue Knitting

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Nomad Press (April 5, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966828984
• ISBN-13: 978-0966828986
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #560,035 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A reprint? of an old favorite., May 2, 2006

By 

Emma Crew "fiber arts junkie" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Spinning in the Old Way: How (and Why) To Make Your Own Yarn With A High-Whorl Handspindle (Paperback)

First, a warning: a quick comparison suggests this book is largely a reprint of Gibson-Roberts's earlier book, High Whorling. I was unable to find anything telling how much of the material is new.

However, if you don't own the earlier book, this is a great introduction to spinning on a high whorl spindle, and covers subjects ranging from history to choosing a spindle to how to finish your yarn once it's been spun. An excellent resource for the new spindler, and a good refresher for those of us who've been "around the whorl" a few times...

41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Useful info for ALL handspinners, May 31, 2006

By 

Jessie Dotson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Spinning in the Old Way: How (and Why) To Make Your Own Yarn With A High-Whorl Handspindle (Paperback)

I'm a new spinner and prefer my wheel to the handspindle, so I almost passed this book by. I went ahead and picked it up since I have learned much from PGR's other books. And this one is a keeper. Her discussion on how much twist in singles and plies is invaluable. Also her discussion on finishing yarn was an eye opener for me. I'm busily plying some yarn so I can try her "boiling" recipe!

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Information, July 15, 2006

By 

C. Kauffman "drumwitch22" (East Coast) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Spinning in the Old Way: How (and Why) To Make Your Own Yarn With A High-Whorl Handspindle (Paperback)

This is an excellent book for a beginner spinner with a spindle. I have found it to be very helpful and recommend it to other beginner spindlers. While many of the hand drawn pictures work just fine, it can be difficult to figure out the actual MOTION required to roll a spindle up or down a leg and drafting, I believe, really does take someone showing you.. . or just a heck of a lot of practice. The best thing about this book is how encouraging she is and how it really is perfectly acceptable to just spin. Practical advise, however, abounds and she gives good suggestions for how to make different yarns for different uses.