5 comments about The Alden Amos Big Book of Handspinning: Being a Compendium of Information, Advice, and Opinion on the Noble Art and Craft.

1. I completely disagree with 'belacane "the cashmere cat"'. This book is just unbelievable detailed with all kinds of interesting info. He even tells you how to make the soap that you wash your wool with (if you are so inclined). After having read so many reviews that said he was opinionated, well the cover of the book has the word OPINION on it, and the introduction he admits he can at times be hard headed after years and years of his way working. However the how-to's are wonderful!
   
   I was told by a local sheep farm that you can place the cleaned wool in the washing machine on the spin cycle (no agitation) and you can dry the wool fast this way. Well he even mentions it in the book and basically says 'research it and try at your own discretion' so while he clearly would never do it, he didn't even have to mention it, but he did because it's something other people may have success with.
   
   I find him a delight to read, there is no other single book with all this wonderful information in it. You can tell Alden loves his craft. I am very much enjoying reading it and I am about 40 pages in.



2. Yes, he is opinionated. But the man does have a sense of humor and can laugh at himself. This is a reference book, not necessarily easy armchair reading. I found myself with tools in hand and my nose in the book on more than one occasion and when I followed his advice step-by-step, it worked! The math, quite frankly, at first intimidated me, but again, when I was working on an actual project and needed the math guidance, I turned to this book. I'm hoping to take this book down to our local blacksmith shop (Colonial period re-enactors and a smithing guild) and see if they will make me a set of combs following Amos' directions.



3. This book should be read with a critical eye. Some of the information in it is flat-out wrong. One example (not the only one by far, but a potentially disastrous one) is that Mr. Amos recommends winding off a drop spindle by hanging it from the ceiling and then routing the yarn down to a chair and through the top rail of the back, so that the yarn pulls off the end of the spindle. Please do not do this. Every time the yarn comes off the spindle tip, a twist will be added or removed, depending on how you've wound the yarn. This is the same principle that a Great Wheel works on. On some yarns, the extra or reduced twist won't matter. On others, it can either unspin it until it drifts apart, or twist it until it starts kinking. At the very least, winding off the end is inviting tangles and frustration. Drop spindles are best wound off from the side.
   
   Besides incorrect information, there are also a number of omissions in the book. My personal favorite (again, not the only example by far) is when Mr. Amos is discussing umbrella swifts. He states that plans to build one are included later in the book. The book has no plans for any yarn swift, umbrella or otherwise.
   
   The book is poorly laid out. Information on equipment is spread between 3 or 4 places at least. Similar with discussion of twist and related properties. On the other hand, the break between chapter 4 (Determining Character of Yarn) and chapter 5 (Accurate Measurements) seems completely arbitrary. Mr. Amos also has an annoying, and perhaps unethical, habit of plugging his own products -- without noting that they are his. He also often goes out of his way to avoid mentioning a competitor by name (i.e. referring to "a certain nearly ubiquitous New Zealand manufacturer" instead of using the name Ashford), UNLESS he is criticizing said competitor. Then he'll drop the competitor's name with no trouble whatsoever. I was also less than impressed when he spent the better part of two pages complaining about specific previous customers.
   
   This is not to say that the book has no good information. It is worth reading if a spinner has enough experience or has read enough other material to be able to judge the value of each bit of information. It has the best explanation of a long draw I've seen yet, and his idea of storage bobbins is so brilliant and yet so obvious that I'm shocked it isn't standard practice. I don't think the book is worth owning, however, because of the omissions and errors. And, of course, nothing in the book should be taken at face value. See if your library has a copy, and judge for yourself before you buy a copy.



4. I was expecting a useful compendium of information to help me to become a better spinner and to be able to better evaluate the differences and limitations of various spinning wheels, however, Mr Amos seems to be more intent on patting himself on the back for his own achievements (footnotes abound) and gets so technical with the rest of his info such that only production spinners would find it useful. For example, in one paragraph he writes off all castle wheels as useless (his reason is that they are not useful for production). He also disses double treadle styles as being something of a morphodite set-up (as mentioned by another reviewer).
   
   He allows a "generous" two pages each explaining bobbin-lead vs flyer-lead and scotch tension as compared to about thirty pages extolling the virtues of the double drive system (can you guess which one he prefers). He then devotes another two chapters to the mathematics of whorls, ratios, grist and twist in relation to, of course, the double drive system (without a lick of info regarding how to keep consistency using a single drive system).
   
   All in all, though the book is full of worthy information, if and only if you have a double-drive, saxony-style wheel, the presentation was annoying and biased. I really feel that it didn't impart the knowledge that I was expecting at all. I'm glad I checked this book out from the Library, as I will NOT be purchasing it.



5. This is a wonderful, informational book. I really like that it seems (to me), to be written in a way that new spinners will understand and be able to try this wonderful art. The additional historical notes are great as well - you could just spend time reading them. Plans/drawings for making your own (or having someone make) spinning wheel, accessories, are drawn beautifully. Other spinnning books are excellent too (Mabel Ross, etc), but I have found Mr. Amos style of writing very smooth and easy flowing. I highly recommend this book to any spinner at any level.

5 comments about Hands on Spinning.

1. I did not find this book as helpful as I had expected to. I guess if I was using a wheel, it would be better. But the instructions for using a hand spindle were pretty sketchy, I thought.



2. I should've bought this book about a year ago or so when I first became interested in spinning. Don't know why I didn't but it really is a good starter book. It touches on a good variety of subjects and had I bought it previously, might not've made some of the choices I did.



3. The book is very educational. I learned alot about different methods of spinning. I also learned how to process yarn and storing it. The book also has many different projects you can do after you are done spinning the yarn. It is a good book to have around the house. Glad I purchased it.



4. This is an excellent book for learning to spin yarn. A lot is covered in this book, but it is not cumbersome. While taking spinning classes, I found it very helpful as added explanations to what I was learning - like my own personal tutor. This book was recommended to me and I, too, would recommend this to anyone wanting to learn to spin wool into yarn. It would also make a great reference source to someone who has learned to spin. Patterns are included to knit items with the yarn you spin.



5. This is the best spinning book I have read. I have borrowed several other books from the library, including those by Judith Mackenzie McCuin and this is the only one that I actually BOUGHT. It is definitely worth owning. I love it. Clear explanations, good pictures, and overall a wonderful spinning book.

5 comments about Knitting With Dog Hair: Better A Sweater From A Dog You Know and Love Than From A Sheep You'll Never Meet.

1. I found the information presented in this book to be of inestimable value to the aspiring dog-hair knitter. Unfortunately, I feel that a somewhat negative personal experience diminished the book's usefulness. In the future, I do not recommend that you attempt to shave a half-starved, unneutered Presa Canario unless you are absolutely certain that you can get by without your right arm. I say this because I have found it very difficult to knit with an unwieldy steel claw.



2. I must say that I was initially excited about this book. Knitting with dog hair seems like one of those ideas that every pet-owning, recycling, energy-conscious responsible human being should subscribe to. However, one little thing you should be aware of before you get this book. You have to REMOVE the hair from the dog BEFORE you knit. I really wish I had been told this before I started. Sure Scout makes a great hat, but it's really embarrassing if you are walking down the street, wearing your admittedly very stylish chapeau, and the hat pees down the back of your neck. Believe me, after the sixth or seventh time that happened I realized there was something wrong.
   
   Fortunately Scout is getting old and struggles less and less each time I wear him and has learned to thrash his legs when he needs to be let down to "do his business" (although that causes problems, too, I'll have to get a book about how to knit bandages from mouse hair next). However, I've been thinking about a pair of socks and I'm pretty sure the knitting techniques will be similar, but my cats Snookums and Woogy seem to get very edgy whenever I pick up my razor.



3. As an on again off again fiber artist I found this book to be very informative as a review as well as adding to the knowledge I already had. If you enjoy knitting and love dogs spinning their hair into yarn is a fun thing to do. Don't have a dog? Contact a local groomer and request long, clean hair. It's free for the asking and the color, texture, and staple length is varied which makes for very unique yarns.



4. Okay, the next time you see some poor schmuck sitting on a curb looking into his lap and doing nothing...and you find yourself tempted to think, "that poor guy really needs to get a life,"...I want you to remember some of the books you've been reading and what you're considering a valid hobby.
   
   Knitting with dog hair?
   
   What's next? Cooking with dust bunnies?
   
   There are a thousand (more like a million) sane and self-esteem building hobbies in the world.
   
   Knitting with dog hair is not one of them.



5. In these times of impending environmental catastrophe, it behoves all of us to recycle to reduce our carbon footprint. Happily, this onerous task has just been made easier by this publication.
   
   With Kendall Crolius as my guide, I was able to produce a handsome pair of lederhosen and a saucy g-string from the excess hair produced by my pooch. I now intend to press on to the advanced section where there are designs for a fireman's uniform and a peek-a-boo bra.
   
   My friend, Phil, has always been ahead of the recycling game - his ABBA tank-top made from the scummy bits in the shower plughole is legendary - but now he faces some real competition.

5 comments about The Twisted Sisters Sock Workbook: Dyeing, Painting, Spinning, Designing, Knitting.

1. The directions for mixing dyes and using them to dye and paint roving and yarn are excellent. They are clearly written and illustrated. The directions for socks are equally well written and easy to follow. The photographs are wonderful and make me want to make almost all of the projects!



2. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. As a beginning sock knitter, finally a book with multiple sock patterns, including one that you knit flat without those darn dpns, that is till you get to the heel and toe. I'm tired of sticking myself inthe eye or nose with dpn's! Written clearly and concisely, a joy to your book collection



3. A knitter of only afghans, I read this book after being inspired to try a pair of socks by some of the humorous blogs. The chatty and easy writing mistakenly convinced me to try her basic sock pattern as my first. Turning the heel, and an important omission in the directions earlier were the death of my attempt with these directions. This book is not for the sock virgin.



4. This is indeed a gorgeous book and I love all the information and was anxious to try a different kind of heel that appears to be so versatile and repairable, but I could not get the heels to come out correctly. I ripped them out over and over and still they are a sorry mess. I have gone back to the traditional type of sock heel but hope someday to figure out what the book is trying to convey.



5. I love that this book shows so many pictures of the roving, the yarn and then the sock. Great. Love it.

5 comments about The Twisted Sisters Knit Sweaters: A Knit-to-Fit Workshop (Knit to Fit Workshop).

1. THis was even better than the sock book, I can't wait for the next book from them!



2. Title is "Knit-to-fit workshop" but there is nothing in this book about custom tailoring or shaping; i.e., how to fit a handknit garment. Basically, this is a collection of pretty pictures of--IMHO--uninteresting garments on models a couple sizes too small, making them rather unattractive (the sweaters AND to a lesser extent, the models).



3. The book stretches your creativity and challenges you to make something beautiful that is entirely your own. The sections of information on how to measure and determine guage, yardage, etc. are worth the price alone. I loved the side-to-side garments, but then, I loved the entire book. The colors and textures are inspiring.



4. I have never knit a sweater before buying this book. This book is very well laid out and offers information in a form and layout that does not overwhelm the first time sweater knitter. I think it is also in depth enough that experienced sweater knitters will also enjoy it. The patterns are interesting and intriguing. The explanations are very clear and accessible. I'd recommend this book to anyone who is interested in sweater knitting.



5. Just my 2 cents but I thought this was full of pretty pictures but hard to follow the formula they give to make your own patterns. Not my favorite knitting book and wish I had skipped buying it. Pretty cover though....

5 comments about Creative Spinning.

1. This is a stunningly beautiful book, if you want to see close ups of gorgeously spun yarns. However, that's about all it is. The sparse information in the front on spinning can be obtained from most spinning websites or in pamphlets given away with the purchase of a spindle. I found very little useful information or even inspiration to copy the yarns created. My recommendation, peruse this one at a bookstore with a cup of coffee, then put it back on the shelf and instead spend your money on some yummy fiber to spin.



2. This is a beautiful book. I took it to our spinning group, Delta, Colorado, last Friday and everyone wanted my book. I think the best thing is the photos of different fibers and the mixing of fibers and seeing the wonderful combinations and results. You will be inspired by this one. Since moving to Colorado I have found many fibers to work with and this book is helping me see the fibers up close.



3. This is a very informative and easy to follow instructional book for any spinner who would like to spin creative yarns.



4. beautiful photos, love the "recipies" for the wool, and the how the yarn looks knit up. A+



5. I have not had time to go through the 3 books I bought. Just look at them. I would like to learn to spin and I think they will be helpful.

5 comments about The Whole Craft of Spinning: From the Raw Material to the Finished Yarn.

1. I purchased this book as I was unsure of whether I wanted to spend a lot of money on spinning, and I just wanted to get some of the basic information. That was 4 months ago, and I have bought a spinning wheel.

   This book gave me the basic information about types of spinning, wheels, types of fibers, as well as technique information on types of drafting, how to set yarn and basic yarn structure.

   It was very much what I thought it was, a book to get someone started without a lot of initial outlay.




2. New spinners should have a copy of this book in their library. Not only does it tell you about spinning, the history of spinning and spinning wheels, it also provides a brief synopsis of spinning exotic fibers.



3. this is a good book for a beginner spinner or for someone who wants a helpful book should they forget the basics. good value.



4. The book was very basic and an excellent resource for the novice spinner. I was able to teach myself how to use my spinning wheel and how to spin my own wool. Highly recommend this reference.



5. This is a good, basic, spinning book. However.....
   It need an update! There is a Sources of supply section, at the back of the book. Not one online link! Published in 1981, with no updates on sources? That is my only negative.

5 comments about Spinning in the Old Way: How (and Why) To Make Your Own Yarn With A High-Whorl Handspindle.

1. I have several books on hand-spinning and this is THE best. My only complaint is lack of photos but that would jack up the price and isn't really necessary. The illustrations do a good job as is. I learned to spin on a high-whorl spindle by buying one and doing the spinny thing with my fingers - this book shows how you get WAY more spin by spinning it (in the old way!) up or down your thigh. At first this sounded hokey. I thought I had a good spin using my fingers. I was wrong. Now I'm a convert to thigh-spinning! (I know it sounds weird, but this author knows what she is talking about!)
   
   The book also talks about how you can use cheap and inexpensive things as spinning tools. I like the author's idea of keeping it simple and portable. I also like the section on plying - lacking in a lot of books. The author actually tried a bunch of ways and rated them for ease, and then tells how to do it in the easiest way. That's useful.
   
   I love the book and would recommend it to anyone. If you don't have a drop spindle yet, BUY THE BOOK FIRST, then shop for your spindle when you know something about the difference between a good, useful one and a bad one. I had to get rid of my first "beginner" spindle - it wobbled, had a bad hook, and no notch.



2. Gave a wonderful overview of hand spinning, making a strong case for the top whorl spindle. I had been trying to learn by myself, with a starter spindle a friend gave me, and found myself spinning better within hours of reading! I love the drawings, the connections to tradition, and her helpful sharing of various techniques.



3. I am new to spinning with a top whorl spindle, and got this on a whim. I found it fully digestible, with loads of well-written information. The illustrations are clear and useful, covering types of spindles, preparation of purchased fiber, woolen vs. worsted preparation and spinning, direction of spin, plying, cabling, and finishing. It also covers using a nostepinne as a tool for plying.
   
   Ms. Gibson-Roberts is clear, concise and logical about her preferences, but adds other alternatives so that the reader can choose her methods or alternatives, understanding why each might be useful or problematic. She is thrifty, encouraging a minimalistic approach. A list of suppliers is provided at the end, many of whom can be found on the web.
   
   This is an excellent introduction for the novice "spindler".



4. this is the best thing ive ever bought on the subject in book form and im thrilled that i bought it! i would recommend it to anyone wishing to learn to spin!



5. This book covers almost every aspect of using a high whorl drop spindle. It is well written and easy to follow for the beginner and a good reference for more advanced spinners. I rate it as a must have book for any spinners.
   
   PGR gives more than 1 way to do each action and encourages you to use the one that feels right for you. There are always more than "1 way to skin a cat" and most books don't tell you that. The pics and tables are great. Both eastern and western styles of spinning are discussed. There are very good sections on cop building, plying and yarn finishing.
   
   PGR also tries to give the reader many low cost options and shows how portable using drop spindles can be (also how it can be used to allow many to spin even if they have physical difficulties with their hands).
   
   I use both spinning wheels and drop spindles and always have a little carry bag with my drop spindle and fiber to take with me whenever I am out and about. As she says, it is amazing just how much yarn you can spin in short periods of time. The only problem I have had with the high whorl spindle is convincing my cats that it is not a toy for their amusement!

5 comments about Intertwined: The Art of Handspun Yarn, Modern Patterns and Creative Spinning (Handspun Revolution).

1. This is a one note and variation on a style of spinning yarn that I'm not a fan of nor do I like. For others this would be very exciting and challenging artistic expression. The patterns were good except I didn't like the spun yarn that was used.



2. I adore this book because of the artistic slant it takes rather than for its "how to spin" instructions. I am an artist who has worked with fiber for a long time, but mostly in mixed media sculptures, knitting and felting. I am a pretty inexperienced spinner. But although some of the techniques described in Intertwined may be beyond my spinning expertise (for now), the ideas it gave me are not! Unlike one of the other reviewers, I am not put off by the thought of mixing disparate elements into the spun fiber. In fact, I have always enjoyed mixing media - although I have been producing necklaces, art dolls and wall pieces rather than hats - so that might make for a different opinion. Even if I don't become an expert spinner overnight, I see myself plying some unusual combinations of yarns in the very near future, and I have this book to thank for the inspiration.



3. I'm dazzled. Seriously, visiting Lexi Boeger's already interesting Pluckyfluff web site, amazing as it is, doesn't come close to the fantastical, fun, magic world of yarn in this book. If you're into funky, offbeat, one-of-a-kind, this is your book. I really enjoyed how the author, through stepwise photos and text takes you inside the creation of her every-one-unique yarns. The designs to use them are appropriately simple, because with yarns made out of dolls, or flowers, or thread or shredded paper or all of the above, the yarn is art, your body a stabilizing surface on which to show it off.
   This wonderful book is appropriate for fiber artists, painters, knitters, sculptors and any museum goer who likes "cool" things. Can't recommend highly enough, has already been endorsed as "very interesting" by my generally not endorsement prone 16 year old.



4. From the very first page I knew my 'yarning' life would never be the same again! Lexi writes inspirationally, obviously loving her craft. It's almost impossible to decribe the impact this book has, one way of putting it is to say it's like being released from a 'cosy' module - and being twirled away into the infinite space of new dimensions!



5. I am relatively new to spinning, so my handspun is never perfect and even, but it is fun and I like it. This book gives the opportunity to think of yarn itself as a freestanding piece of art. It is exciting to see the colors and interaction of fibers in making a ball of yarn. Perhaps it is possible to think of yarn for yarn's sake. Actually the section on what to make with the yarn is unnecessary, as the yarn loses some of its artistic quality when made into a functional item. She makes the point that you have to learn the basics of spinning as a good foundation before you can make good art yarns. This is the basis of art, you have to learn the basic elements of composition before one can produce good abstract art. I would probably never slavishly copy anything in this book, as that is really not its intent. A book like this should inspire a fiber artist, or any artist, to think outside the box, to see things that are visually exciting. It is possible to visualize a highly interesting pile of wildly handspun yarn in a contemporary bowl in a gallery setting. If the objective of spinning is to make a hat, then nice and even will keep your ears warm. If fiber used in an aesthetically interesting way will make the viewer think that perhaps fiber can be a medium for real art and not just craft, then this book is inspirational.

5 comments about A Fine Fleece: Knitting with Handspun Yarns.

1. I love, love, love this book. I'm presently working on two sweaters and planning on knitting 85-90% of the rest. It would be 100% but I don't do hats and scarves. This is the best knitting pattern book I've bought in all of my 66 years. Love it! Can't wait for your next book.



2. I'm a huge Lisa Lloyd fan and have been for a long time, so this book is never going to make it to the shelf, it's going to stay in the pile next to my knitting chair. I want to make every pattern in this book. The patterns are classic, this book will be just as valuable in your knitting library in 30 years as it is today. Everyone always wants The Perfect Sweater, the one to wear on your autumn walk to go kick leaves, and there are a dozen of them in this collection. There are patterns for a variety of yarn grists, and patterns typically go up to about 52".
   
   The beginning section on spinning and wool characteristics is a good intro to new spinners, or wannabe spinners. It was good information to get new spinners thinking about spinning for a big project. I've been spinning for years and it didn't have any new information for me, but reading it got me whipped up to start spinning with one of these projects in mind.
   
   However. The photographs, while beautiful and artsy and fun to look at, leave a lot to the imagination - not a great thing in a knitting pattern book. They're teaser photos - look good in the picture, but if you come to a question in your knitting you won't be able to figure out what you're doing by looking at the picture. I don't think there are more than a couple of patterns with good photos you can really tell what the pattern looks like. I'd expect this would be a struggle for a person who hasn't had a lot of experience knitting cables. I've been knitting them for years and I still need to refer to pictures, it's really a shame they aren't more available. "Harriet" has a diamond lace pattern, but you would never know that the bottom third of the sweater has an entirely different lace pattern. They've pinned sweaters to make them look shaped (a BIG, BIG NO!), but almost all of the sweaters have straight sides. The publisher wants this to be a fashion layout, with fuzzy pictures and beautiful settings, but they don't seem to get that it's an instruction manual and clear pictures of the designs need to be included. And they need to know their audience - spinners like microscopic closeups of yarn!
   
   So overall, I love the book. I am excited to have this collection of Lisa Lloyd's patterns and I expect to wear this book out. A big finger-wagging to the publisher on the photography and thankfully I have the internet available to see some other pictures.



3. When I first saw this book, I thought "Ho hum, another knitting book".
   Closer examination proved how wrong that assessment was.
   
   Yes, it is a knitting book. But it is also a spinning book. Each of the projects included is shown in both commercially spun yarn and in handspun yarn. Since knitting books usually do not include handspun projects, this concept is unique.
   
   The patterns cover a range of classic designs in highly textured knits. There are cabled sweaters, cabled socks, and a cabled scarf. A bit of lace makes an appearance in a couple of the sweater and scarf patterns.
   
   In the text portion, the author discusses the breeds of sheep and other fiber producing animals that produced the fleece she used to create the blends of handspun she used to spin the yarn for the handspun garments shown in the book. There are also notes on spinning, determining knitting gauge for handspun, preparing handspun for knitting, and how to figure out if you have enough fiber for your project. There is much useful information here for the handspinner.
   
   The patterns are well written, the charts are good sized, clear and easy to read, and the garments are beautifully photographed with commemrcial yarn and handpsun versions shown side by side.
   
   I seldom buy knitting books in this price range as there is usually only one or two patterns that interest me. Not the case with this book - I want to spin the yarn and knit almost every single pattern!
   
   If I have one criticism, it is that there is little information given on the specific handspun yarns used in the patterns. For example, tpi and wpi for the handspun yarns is not given.
   
   And, one question: Why is that spindle (pg.16) in a jar with what appears to be some sort of liquid?



4. This book is a treasury of magnificent textured knitting patterns for women(many shaped hourglass, with a few more unisex)...mainly sweaters/ cardigans, although there are a few knock-out scarves and socks, and a bit of colorwork/lace as well.
   
   Most are knit on size 5 to 8 needles, so the yarns aren't ultra-fine (as the book's title may suggest), and are presented in both handspun and commercial natural yarn equivalents, a nice comparison.
   
   The photography leaves a lot to be desired as for seeing the clear patterning of the textured knitting. And the models are often posed holding large items in front of them (which obscures the whole front of their sweater), or are sitting such that you can't see the hem/ waist, or cuff finish of the garment...



5. I do not spin - I bought the book solely for the patterns. Wow - they are all fabulous. I want to make them all!!! I love the fact that she has a couple of topdown sweaters in the book (no seaming). Even the scarves are beautiful. I am going to cast on Rhinebeck tonight with some beautiful dream in color yarn I have in my stash. My biggest problem will be what do I want to make next!!!