For knitters, crocheters, and weavers ready to make their own yarn, this handy guide provides detailed instructions for spinning both on a spindle and a wheel, and offers a special section devoted to troubleshooting and wheel maintenance that keeps projects on track. It offers a comprehensive look at the various available fiber options, choosing and preparing each type of fiber for use, and crafting these materials into ready-to-work pieces. A final chapter on the various uses of spun yarn focuses on project planning, with definitions and context for measuring wraps per inch, determining yards for specific projects, and choosing a yarn size.
Start Spinning
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"The techniques are shown clearly, which makes this the best of all publications in this review for communicating spinning technique...Maggie Casey has more 'troubleshooting' help...and I think this is very important for new spinners struggling to resolve problems." - Dorothy Lumb, YarnMarket
"Well, hallelujah! A wonderful, inspiring new introductory overview of spinning. This is a FANTASTIC book." - Deb Robson, former editor, Spin-Off magazine
"[An] excellent introduction to the craft...highly recommended for public libraries." - Library Journal
"The brilliant thing about this book are Maggie's hands. They are everywhere. On nearly every page is a close-up photo of Maggie demonstrating every aspect of spinning." - knitty.com
"This book is one of the best beginner books on spinning I have ever read...even the experienced spinner will learn quite a lot by reading it." - Spindle and Wheel online magazine
"This is the sort of instruction book I wish was available when I struggled to teach myself how to spin...the next best thing to taking private spinning lessons." - Monsters and Critics.com
"5 out of 5 stars. This is an excellent book for anyone who is thinking about learning to spin or who already has a spindle or wheel." - Knitting News
"Well, hallelujah! A wonderful, inspiring new introductory overview of spinning. This is a FANTASTIC book." - Deb Robson, former editor, Spin-Off magazine
"[An] excellent introduction to the craft...highly recommended for public libraries." - Library Journal
"The brilliant thing about this book are Maggie's hands. They are everywhere. On nearly every page is a close-up photo of Maggie demonstrating every aspect of spinning." - knitty.com
"This book is one of the best beginner books on spinning I have ever read...even the experienced spinner will learn quite a lot by reading it." - Spindle and Wheel online magazine
"This is the sort of instruction book I wish was available when I struggled to teach myself how to spin...the next best thing to taking private spinning lessons." - Monsters and Critics.com
"5 out of 5 stars. This is an excellent book for anyone who is thinking about learning to spin or who already has a spindle or wheel." - Knitting News
About the Author
Maggie Casey is the co-owner of Shuttles, Spindles, and Skeins, where she also teaches the art of spinning to classes of all skill levels. She has contributed articles to Spin Off and Knitters Review and has served as judge at various spinning competitions. She lives in Boulder, Colorado.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
73 of 74 people found the following review helpful
By Donna
Format:Paperback
Start Spinning: Everything You Need to Know to Make Great Yarn is by the owner of our local yarn shop, Shuttles, Spindles & Skeins in Boulder, Colorado, one of the best spinning teachers on the planet.
As the title says, this book is an encyclopedia for spinning. It's perfect for beginners, and also has information for intermediate to advanced spinners. I consider myself an intermediate spinner. I don't have a ton of experience, but I can spin an even yarn to the approximate girth that I am shooting for. I don't know how to spin any novelty yarns (yet, see Intertwined: The Art of Handspun Yarn, Modern Patterns and Creative Spinning (Handspun Revolution)), and I have never spun enough of one yarn to make anything bigger than a vest. There is a lot of information in this book that is new to me and that I intend to use to enhance my own spinning skills.
Maggie's book includes instructions for spinning on a drop spindle and on a wheel, as well as lots of great material on preparing fiber for spinning. Color photos throughout illustrate all of the techniques, and Maggie is the model in the photos, which means that they all accurately depict the way she holds her hands and the fiber. The book is also infused with Maggie's personality and lots of humor, which makes it fun just to read even if you're not quite ready to get the fiber into your hands. If you've been thinking about learning to spin, this book truly is the right place to start. If you're a seasoned spinner, you'll find some advice and tips that will help you improve your skill.
As the title says, this book is an encyclopedia for spinning. It's perfect for beginners, and also has information for intermediate to advanced spinners. I consider myself an intermediate spinner. I don't have a ton of experience, but I can spin an even yarn to the approximate girth that I am shooting for. I don't know how to spin any novelty yarns (yet, see Intertwined: The Art of Handspun Yarn, Modern Patterns and Creative Spinning (Handspun Revolution)), and I have never spun enough of one yarn to make anything bigger than a vest. There is a lot of information in this book that is new to me and that I intend to use to enhance my own spinning skills.
Maggie's book includes instructions for spinning on a drop spindle and on a wheel, as well as lots of great material on preparing fiber for spinning. Color photos throughout illustrate all of the techniques, and Maggie is the model in the photos, which means that they all accurately depict the way she holds her hands and the fiber. The book is also infused with Maggie's personality and lots of humor, which makes it fun just to read even if you're not quite ready to get the fiber into your hands. If you've been thinking about learning to spin, this book truly is the right place to start. If you're a seasoned spinner, you'll find some advice and tips that will help you improve your skill.
42 of 43 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I learned to Spin from Maggie herself, and this book was like her classes - outstanding. Her years of experience teaching others to spin are evident in the tips and descriptions of the book. She walks through various aspects of spinning from fiber selection and preparation to drafting techniques, plying, and finishing. The photos of the techniques in the book are especially well done. She references several types of spinning wheels so regardless of the spinning wheel you have or might choose, you have seen enough varieties of a flyer or drive band adjustment knob to make the connection.
32 of 33 people found the following review helpful
By sfknitter
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I'm familiar with the author through her articles on spinning. I happily pre-ordered this book and am very happy that I did. As the previous comment indicates, it is like a class. It has the small and big details (like exactly where to place wheel cords) I need to know to start spinning. The book is written in very encouraging terms and me too, I love the very good photos. Of course nothing is better than a class with Maggie Casey but this book is sure helping!! (I've only had it a day too.)
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I'm a new spinner and felt overwhelmed with the technical aspects of it when I decided to learn. What I needed was a "just the facts" kind of guide that would let me get started and not overwhelm me with nerdy technical stuff that passionate and experienced practitioners love to talk about. Start Spinning is definitely it!
Based on the reviews here, I bought a copy and agree completely with the 5-stars that most of the reviewers gave it.
It's like a teacher in a box. Great illustrations. Clear definitions of terms that you really need to know Does not overwhelm you with jargon that you will pick up later if you get seduced by the craft. Covers everything from basic spinning, plying and using your handspun to choosing a wheel, planning a project, buying and evaluating fleece for spinning. SIMPLE and CLEAR. And not too much information.
I love this book and would recommend it to anyone curious about the craft of spinning and wanting a good reference guide.
Based on the reviews here, I bought a copy and agree completely with the 5-stars that most of the reviewers gave it.
It's like a teacher in a box. Great illustrations. Clear definitions of terms that you really need to know Does not overwhelm you with jargon that you will pick up later if you get seduced by the craft. Covers everything from basic spinning, plying and using your handspun to choosing a wheel, planning a project, buying and evaluating fleece for spinning. SIMPLE and CLEAR. And not too much information.
I love this book and would recommend it to anyone curious about the craft of spinning and wanting a good reference guide.
21 of 23 people found the following review helpful
By Amy King
Format:Paperback
This book is a fantastic beginner's book. It has the basics of spinning (spindles and wheels) with many clear pictures. It also has a section on carding. It's full of great tips and hints. It's a must have book if you are starting on your journey into spinning.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By Paula Little
Format:Paperback
This is the second book I purchased about spinning, because the first one wasn't much help. This book is where I learned to spin, without any live in-person teacher to help. What helped most was learning how to adjust the spinning wheel to match my spinning ability. There were key descriptions about the function of each part of the spinning wheel, and the interaction of the parts. I'm working with an old, second hand wheel and new to the art, so understanding the mechanics involved was invaluable. And similarly, the author urged the spinner to practice each part of the spinning actions independently so that coordinating them was so much easier. That worked for me!
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I feel like there is enough information in this book to actually begin spinning. It is very well illustrated, and explains many things that a beginner needs to know. The tone is not patronizing, and the book is easy to read. I am still a beginner, so I have read very few spinning books, but so far I think this is the one I will have by my side as I start.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Cinna B.
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book has a lot of valuable information. It is by no means the be-all, end-all of spinning books.
Some things are glossed over, like how to pre-draft fiber, and its importance. I would suggest using this book in conjunction with another book or have someone show you the basics if you are absolutely clueless about spinning.
Some things are glossed over, like how to pre-draft fiber, and its importance. I would suggest using this book in conjunction with another book or have someone show you the basics if you are absolutely clueless about spinning.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Start Spinning by Maggie Mason is a must-have for every spinner' s...
I have bought many books on fiber preparation and spinning but I still learned something in every chapter. I would recommend this as a good starting place. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Jan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very thorough and easy to understand
I love this book. I've been spinning for almost two years and there is so much information in here I could have used over that time. Read more
Published 2 months ago by S. Bordeaux-Seeger
5.0 out of 5 stars
Handy Book
I bought this book when I was learning to spin. After taking a few classes, this book really helped me remember the things I learned in class. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Kellee
4.0 out of 5 stars
I needed more from it when I first got it, but have been able to use...
I finally figured out how to use my drop spindle! Yay! I wish it had more on using a drop spindle, but since I now have a spinning wheel too this book continues to be useful.
Published 2 months ago by Danielle Bridges
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent book purchased for my wife's birthday. She has enjoyed it.
Excellent book purchased for my wife's birthday. She has enjoyed it. Excellent book purchased for my wife's birthday. She has enjoyed it.
Published 4 months ago by I D GASTON
5.0 out of 5 stars
Book
I liked this book and would recommend to friends and family. This item met all my expectations. I will order similar product.
Published 4 months ago by Lori A Yekstat
5.0 out of 5 stars
spinning book
i bought this book because i had read good reviews re the teaching aspect. i want to spin some day and figured this was a good book to buy to help make the decision.
Published 5 months ago by Steven W. Finckbeiner
5.0 out of 5 stars
Everything you need to know
Excellent summary of all the different types of spinning and fibers. As an interested beginner, it gave me all I needed to know. I'm going to stick with purchased yarn.
Published 5 months ago by L. Austin
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not enough detailed information.
I have a couple other books on spining and this one isn't as good. Covers the basic but doesn't go into enough detail on type of fleece a beginner should use.
Published 6 months ago by Christina Fleisher
4.0 out of 5 stars
simple, but lots of good info
This book is full of good information and is well illustrated with clear photos. My only complaint is that most of the info has been offered for free download at various times on... Read more
Published 7 months ago by wendy k b
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