Spin to Knit: The Knitter's Guide to Making Yarn 
asked by officefan on November 2, 2006 9:02 PM
Knitters who want new worlds to conquer can reach for this guide to handspinning their own designer yarns. A rundown on equipment introduces the drop spindle, supported spindle, niddy-noddy, McMorran balance, and yarn meter, while the following sections include choosing wool and other fibers, presenting knitting patterns suitable for handspun yarn, and in-depth profiles of real urban spinners. For crafters who want to experiment with spinning but don't want to sacrifice too much of their knitting time, there are lots of ideas for jazzing up a thrift-store cardigan with handspun trim or knitting a boatneck pullover in a combination of commercial and handspun yarns. Methods for incorporating beads and threads into yarn and a technique for dyeing yarn in the dishwasher are also featured.
Reviews
0%
0%
Subtitled: The Knitter's Guide to Making Yarn
Have you ever been in the yarn store wishing that a particular specialty yarn came in a different color or contained beads rather than eyelash? Perhaps you wished that beautiful alpaca hand-dyed came in lace-weight rather than bulky? Many knitters naturally take up spinning as a way to design yarns to fit specific projects and to gain a better understanding of the individual characteristics of the various types of fiber and the methods of yarn construction.
In Spin to Knit: the Knitter's Guide to Making Yarn, Shannon Okey walks new spinners through the basic information required to begin spinning: fiber, spindles, wheels, and techniques. Spinning can be done on traditional spinning wheels; however, for those wishing to try this craft out before making an investment in tools, Okey provides instructions to make a basic spindle and a "lazy kate" out of supplies you may have around the house.
While the first half of Spin to Knit covers tools and techniques, the second half contains patterns designed for handspun yarn. Whether you have 25 yards or 2500 yards of spun yarn, Okey suggest methods to incorporate the yarn into a knitted project. The felted Mammoth Tea Cozy designed by Laura Jefferson is the most unusual project in Spin to Knit. The majority of the projects are sweaters and accessories, designed to highlight the beauty of handspun fibers and allow the individual characteristics of the yarn to stand out.
Scattered through the book are profiles of fiber artisans or those who make spinning tools. A resource directory is included at the back and contact information is also included at the end of each profile. Spin to Knit is a great resource for any knitter wishing to learn more about spinning.
Orangina, a sample pattern from Spin to Knit, can be found in the Fall 2006 edition of Knitty, an online knitting magazine.
Armchair Interviews says: More exciting news for knitters and spinners.
Have you ever been in the yarn store wishing that a particular specialty yarn came in a different color or contained beads rather than eyelash? Perhaps you wished that beautiful alpaca hand-dyed came in lace-weight rather than bulky? Many knitters naturally take up spinning as a way to design yarns to fit specific projects and to gain a better understanding of the individual characteristics of the various types of fiber and the methods of yarn construction.
In Spin to Knit: the Knitter's Guide to Making Yarn, Shannon Okey walks new spinners through the basic information required to begin spinning: fiber, spindles, wheels, and techniques. Spinning can be done on traditional spinning wheels; however, for those wishing to try this craft out before making an investment in tools, Okey provides instructions to make a basic spindle and a "lazy kate" out of supplies you may have around the house.
While the first half of Spin to Knit covers tools and techniques, the second half contains patterns designed for handspun yarn. Whether you have 25 yards or 2500 yards of spun yarn, Okey suggest methods to incorporate the yarn into a knitted project. The felted Mammoth Tea Cozy designed by Laura Jefferson is the most unusual project in Spin to Knit. The majority of the projects are sweaters and accessories, designed to highlight the beauty of handspun fibers and allow the individual characteristics of the yarn to stand out.
Scattered through the book are profiles of fiber artisans or those who make spinning tools. A resource directory is included at the back and contact information is also included at the end of each profile. Spin to Knit is a great resource for any knitter wishing to learn more about spinning.
Orangina, a sample pattern from Spin to Knit, can be found in the Fall 2006 edition of Knitty, an online knitting magazine.
Armchair Interviews says: More exciting news for knitters and spinners.
reviewed by cannoli on November 24, 2006 1:49 PM
0%
0%
If you've always been curious on how to spin your own yarn, there's no better book than "Spin to Knit" to introduce you to this new world. I've always wanted to get more into the craft of spinning and Shannon breaks things down and explains the basics such as fibers 101, all the equipment (drop spindle or spinning wheel), and the steps to achieve the best looking yarn. There are great features on other yarn spinners as well as a bevy of patterns for you to knit from your self-spun yarn. She also helps you take your yarn to the next level going over color and embellishments such as beads, thread, and more. Overall this is a fantastic book that will jump start you into the amazing world of yarn spinning. Defintely a must have for your craft bookshelf!
reviewed by motivations on November 28, 2006 3:55 PM
0%
0%
A wonderful resource for beginners and experienced spinners alike.
The yarn used and the patterns are sure to provide inspiration for a long time to come.
One of my favorite aspects of this book, is the wide variety of spinning styles that are featured.
The yarn used and the patterns are sure to provide inspiration for a long time to come.
One of my favorite aspects of this book, is the wide variety of spinning styles that are featured.
reviewed by shakeonit on November 29, 2006 7:15 PM
0%
0%
Although my mother has been spinning since I was a little kid, I had never really had the urge to try it until recently. I purchased a spindle and some fibre, but have not yet worked up the courage to try it. The instructions in Spin to Knit are very clearly written and accompanied by step-by-step photos--just what I needed to help me really visualize the process! I am already looking forward to learning to use a wheel as well!
Besides being easy to understand and quite detailed, this is quite a funny read in bits as well. I have not tried any of the patterns yet, but several of them are quite appealing and I will be giving them a try later. The profiles of different spinners included were an unexpected inspiration!
If you are looking for lots of patterns or a complete, comprehensive encyclopedia of spinning, this isn't it. If, however, you would like something to help you get started in spinning and some ideas for neat stuff to make with your handspun, check this one out.
Besides being easy to understand and quite detailed, this is quite a funny read in bits as well. I have not tried any of the patterns yet, but several of them are quite appealing and I will be giving them a try later. The profiles of different spinners included were an unexpected inspiration!
If you are looking for lots of patterns or a complete, comprehensive encyclopedia of spinning, this isn't it. If, however, you would like something to help you get started in spinning and some ideas for neat stuff to make with your handspun, check this one out.
reviewed by reviewer on November 29, 2006 7:20 PM