Customer Reviews

Start Spinning

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.)

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

Loved this book as a new spinner. Lots of photos and how to find a wheel thats right for you was very helpful, This book is informative with out talking down to the reader and also helped me with my overspinning problem and how to trouble shoot difficulties. Photos were great and it covers all the bases. A+++

I bought this book when I knew absolutely nothing about spinning, but I owned a wheel which is a serious investment.

This book was so helpful with full explanations that weren't too technical, solutions to common problems and lots of pictures. Maggie has a way of laying the foundation so there's still room for you to develop your own style.

If I were stranded on a deserted island with mountains of fiber and my spinning wheel I'd want this book with me.