Start Spinning: Everything You Need to Know to Make Great Yarn Reviews

• Comprehensive Primer on Spinning

  
  By APGELB4MI8S4N on 2008-03-16
  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.
  
  

• Best book for beginning spinners

  
  By A2BREN51WTRPE0 on 2008-04-23
  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.
  
  

• Spinning class in a book

  
  By AUSO23HPYWELH on 2008-03-18
  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.)
  
  

• Best beginner's book

  
  By A8WKQ4AFK80UK on 2008-03-20
  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.
  
  

• I can begin

  
  By A37EA8FLA56D33 on 2008-06-09
  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.
  
  
• New to spinning? Cut-to-the-chase crash course in how to do it!
  By AI6QVPSVW1N1V on 2008-06-16
  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.
  
  
• Start spinning now
  By A410GHL7VT24Z on 2008-07-19
  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+++
  
  
• Perfect Book To Get Started
  By A19SJK8ZGM0EIJ on 2008-04-25
  This book is great for anyone who is thinking about spinning. Every page has color photos which clearly describe the step by step process. The author shows you every step on both a wheel and hand spindle. Very helpful. I would recommend to anyone who was curious about making yarn.
  
  
• must buy book
  By A9LVHF6NK8MB on 2008-05-15
  Great book. I just need to get a wheel so I can try everything.
  
  
• Start Spinning
  By A1LN6CPGAHL27M on 2008-06-07
  The photos were helpful, although when I began spindle spinning, I did not have a top whorl as pictured in the book. I then purchased a spinning wheel and the photos and descriptions in the book were very adequate.
  
  

• A Fine Fleece: Knitting with Handspun Yarns
• Teach Yourself Visually Handspinning (Teach Yourself Visually Consumer)
• Shear Spirit: Ten Fiber Farms, Twenty Patterns, and Miles of Yarn
• Creative Spinning
• Things I Learned From Knitting (Whether I Wanted To or Not)