The Intentional Spinner: A Holistic Approach to Making Yarn (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: plying twist, true woolen, consistent yarn, United States, North America, Helpful Hints (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"In this complete overview of the art and science of creating hand-spun yarn, McCuin covers characteristics of different types of fiber, techniques for spinning yarns, and caring for hand-spun yarn and includes a few basic projects."  —Library Journal

"Not just a collection of information, but to a large extent a collection of wisdom."  —Cast-On.com

"5 out of 5 stars. Fascinating reading. This is an excellent, detailed book with lots of technical information."  —Knitting News

"If the words 'warp' and 'weft' spark off a dream of sitting by a spinning wheel on a wintry afternoon, this book can make your dreams come true"  —AllAboutYou.com

"Of course it's good! What did you expect? Judith MacKenzie-McCuin + Interweave = spinny goodness."  —Knitty.com

Product Description

Offering a blend of technical knowledge, history, and easy-to-use tips, this inspiring collection of spinning wisdom deftly explores the three fundamental areas of yarn production: understanding fibers, managing yarn structure, and making yarns that precisely meet the spinner's needs. The rich, historic traditions of plant and animal fibers are fascinatingly juxtaposed with recent advances in synthesized fiber and mankind’s use of fibers in the past, present, and future, while detailed, image-laden instructions for four intermediate projects demonstrate the range of possibilities, from sturdy, plied yarns to playful, novelty yarns. Spinners are also offered guidance on planning a project from start to finish, as well as how to care for and store completed projects.

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Product Details Paperback: 152 pages Publisher: Interweave Press (December 1, 2008) Language: English ISBN-10: 1596680806 ISBN-13: 978-1596680807 Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #28,225 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books) Popular in these categories: (What's this?) #4 in  Books > Home & Garden > Crafts & Hobbies > Spinning #10 in  Books > Home & Garden > Crafts & Hobbies > Weaving #32 in  Books > Home & Garden > Crafts & Hobbies > Needlework

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More About the Author

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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

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Inside This Book (learn more)

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
plying twist, true woolen, consistent yarn, micron count, balanced yarn, true worsted, cabled yarn, crimp structure, attenuated fibers, ply twist, drafting zone, woolen spinning, drafting hand, angora fiber, slub yarn, sock yarn, stitch definition, plied yarn, spun worsted, twist energy, bombyx silk, commercial yarn, worsted spinning, novelty yarns, bast fibers

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
United States, North America, Helpful Hints, Repeat Rnds, South America, Textile World

Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	70% buy the item featured on this page: The Intentional Spinner: A Holistic Approach to Making Yarn 4.5 out of 5 stars (15) $17.79
	13% buy Start Spinning: Everything You Need to Know to Make Great Yarn 4.9 out of 5 stars (22) $14.93
	7% buy Spin Control: Techniques for Spinning the Yarns You Want 3.8 out of 5 stars (6) $15.61
	6% buy Teach Yourself Visually Handspinning (Teach Yourself Visually Consumer) 4.2 out of 5 stars (12) $14.95

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Customer Reviews

15 Reviews 5 star:  (10) 4 star:  (3) 3 star:  (2) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 4.5 out of 5 stars (15 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 43 of 43 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars A spinner's spinning book, February 13, 2009 By  Constance (USA) - See all my reviews This is the second book by Judith MacKenzie McCuin. The first being, "Teach Yourself Visually Handspinning". The first book was a good overall introduction with many techniques that are touched on but was not intended to be an in depth study of spinning and fit the format of the Teach Yourself Series. With this new book the author's own voice is on every page and her hands are in the photos. This is a month long workshop in book form and not to be missed for new and advanced spinners alike. Sometimes one idea or photo is worth the price of admission and with this book there is something on every page that makes the book a worthwhile purchase. As from the title, Intentional Spinner, the information in this book seems designed to allow you to start from the raw fiber and to produce the yarn that you need for the project you desire to make. I have quite a few spinning books on my shelves that are good books but too dense to get a good reading. This format is open and easily accessible for quick reference and later study. Many tools for spinning are shown and discussed. Fiber types and history are covered and the types of spinning used on each fiber is included. There is a wonderful chart on woolen vs worsted spinning that clarifies the characteristics of each type. I would like it engraved on my wheel! This may not be the last word on spinning but it is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the use of fibers and using fiber for many purposes, from spinning to knitting to weaving. Anyone who is interested in how fiber is processed to become so integral in our daily lives will enjoy this book. 12 of 12 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars A must have for spinners, March 17, 2009 By  C. Kauffman "drumwitch22" (East Coast) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    This book does a great job of taking the next step from the many beginning spinner books out there. She clearly addresses the technical/mechanical aspects of spinning and helped me understand how to step back from the "intuitive" yarn I've been making (which is pretty good yarn) and pay attention to the details so I can repeat my successes. A lot of the information she provided on fibers is excellent and the details there answered several questions I had. She has raised a storm in the spinning community with the sideways drum carding idea... but that is NOT addressed in this book. 12 of 13 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars a class with Judith in your home, March 25, 2009 By  Gypsy Queen "Geepsie" (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews This book will save you airfare and hotel costs. It discusses everything she teaches in her classes. You have to read it slowly and carefully because it is so packed with information. I don't recommend reading it from cover to cover...pick out the sections that are relevant to the spinning question you are asking, and read it at the wheel. Know also that there are other ways to do the things that Judith doesn't teach that are good alternatives. Most of us do a short woolen draw that isn't forward. She doesn't endorse that. But it works. She is one of the most knowledgeable spinners of our time. Her book is a necessary addition to the spinner's library.		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favorite spinning books I've been spinning for over 30 years and seldom purchase "how to spin" books anymore. But this one has found an honored place in my bookcase. Read more Published 16 days ago by Joan M. Jurancich 3.0 out of 5 stars Intentional Spinner The information in the book is excellent. You have to understand that the author's opinions on certain terms and techniques will differ from others in the spinning world as there... Read more Published 1 month ago by Tammy Chapman 5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this book I love this book. When I got it I read it cover to cover. I did have to get some wool out and play with the techniques in the book. Read more Published 2 months ago by Michelle High 4.0 out of 5 stars Wish I'd had this book 20 years ago I enjoyed this book, and learned things I wish I had known when I first started spinning. A lot of good fundamentals on developing yarns from the single to the plied yarn. Read more Published 2 months ago by Amazon Customer 5.0 out of 5 stars Clear, concise I like this the best of all my spinning books. Just enough detail, but especially easy to picture yourself doing what she is describing. Read more Published 6 months ago by Catherine Dufendach 4.0 out of 5 stars Everything (except one thing) for the beginner OR experienced spinner This book is a complete guide to spinning, from discussing protein, cellulose and artificial fibers, to preparation of the same, to the animals that give us fibers down to how to... Read more Published 6 months ago by Joanna Daneman 4.0 out of 5 stars Intentional Spinner Book I am not yet a spinner. I purchased the book so that I can learn with my head before I learn by touch. Read more Published 7 months ago by Patricia Matteson 3.0 out of 5 stars Lots of technical details, but difficult to follow I find it interesting that so many reviewers commented that this book is full of the author's voice, because to me the book read mostly like a technical manual, with very little... Read more Published 7 months ago by Kim Unertl 5.0 out of 5 stars The Intentional Spinner: A Holistic Approach to Making Yarn This book is a spinner's dream. Judith MacKenzie McCuin has the soul of a poet, and her poetry is ever present in the phasing of her prose and in the lovely stories she includes... Read more Published 7 months ago by Mary J. Jaqua 5.0 out of 5 stars Almost like being in class with Judith This book has great information for the spinner that wants to learn all about fibers, their history and how to prepare, spin and finish them. Read more Published 7 months ago by A. Zell Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Paperback: 152 pages
• Publisher: Interweave Press (December 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596680806
• ISBN-13: 978-1596680807
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #28,225 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #4 in	Books > Home & Garden > Crafts & Hobbies > Spinning
  #10 in	Books > Home & Garden > Crafts & Hobbies > Weaving
  #32 in	Books > Home & Garden > Crafts & Hobbies > Needlework

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A spinner's spinning book, February 13, 2009

By	Constance (USA) - See all my reviews

This is the second book by Judith MacKenzie McCuin. The first being, "Teach Yourself Visually Handspinning". The first book was a good overall introduction with many techniques that are touched on but was not intended to be an in depth study of spinning and fit the format of the Teach Yourself Series.
With this new book the author's own voice is on every page and her hands are in the photos. This is a month long workshop in book form and not to be missed for new and advanced spinners alike. Sometimes one idea or photo is worth the price of admission and with this book there is something on every page that makes the book a worthwhile purchase.
As from the title, Intentional Spinner, the information in this book seems designed to allow you to start from the raw fiber and to produce the yarn that you need for the project you desire to make.
I have quite a few spinning books on my shelves that are good books but too dense to get a good reading. This format is open and easily accessible for quick reference and later study. Many tools for spinning are shown and discussed. Fiber types and history are covered and the types of spinning used on each fiber is included. There is a wonderful chart on woolen vs worsted spinning that clarifies the characteristics of each type. I would like it engraved on my wheel!
This may not be the last word on spinning but it is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the use of fibers and using fiber for many purposes, from spinning to knitting to weaving. Anyone who is interested in how fiber is processed to become so integral in our daily lives will enjoy this book.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have for spinners, March 17, 2009

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

This book does a great job of taking the next step from the many beginning spinner books out there. She clearly addresses the technical/mechanical aspects of spinning and helped me understand how to step back from the "intuitive" yarn I've been making (which is pretty good yarn) and pay attention to the details so I can repeat my successes. A lot of the information she provided on fibers is excellent and the details there answered several questions I had. She has raised a storm in the spinning community with the sideways drum carding idea... but that is NOT addressed in this book.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a class with Judith in your home, March 25, 2009

By	Gypsy Queen "Geepsie" (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This book will save you airfare and hotel costs. It discusses everything she teaches in her classes. You have to read it slowly and carefully because it is so packed with information. I don't recommend reading it from cover to cover...pick out the sections that are relevant to the spinning question you are asking, and read it at the wheel.

Know also that there are other ways to do the things that Judith doesn't teach that are good alternatives. Most of us do a short woolen draw that isn't forward. She doesn't endorse that. But it works.

She is one of the most knowledgeable spinners of our time. Her book is a necessary addition to the spinner's library.