Not all yarns are alike. Some make our hearts and hands sing, some get the job done without much fanfare, and some cause nothing but frustration an...
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reviews
Oct 12, 2007
Shelia
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I need to qualify my review to mwntion that I am a contributor, in a small way, so I am not totally unbiased. This is a book that I wish had been available when I was a new knitter, and even without taking account of any of the patterns, it is one that will be useful to knitters and other fiber crafters because of the solid infornation that the author has included.
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Oct 21, 2007
Jennie
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I'm willing to admit that this book probaby sounds deadly boring to non-knitters, and maybe even to some less-dedicated knitters. But if you want to understand the basis of the medium, this book is a very good start. The organization (kinds of fiber, how they're spun and dyed, and why yarn is or isn't plied) is good. The author does a good job of explaining how the structure of the yarn influences how designers use them in knitted garments. And although I'm not a fan of all the patterns in the b
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Jul 06, 2008
Anodyne_from_Walkers
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An excellent book I'd like to buy. It gives you the family tree (categorizations) of yarn, and tells you, as you have been told no where else, what yarns are good for what types of knitting projects ! It discusses how yarn is made, from what source (animal, veggie, man-made), the types of ply's, whether large industry or small farm, giving patterns for the particular yarns that will showcase them off best. She gives additional reading and internet resources, and encourages patronizing small m
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Jan 27, 2008
Jen
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Such a clear explanation of each type of fiber, what its characteristics are, and why. Perfect for someone like me who never finds a pattern and goes out and buys the exact specified yarn - my style is more trying to adjust a pattern I found to yarn I've had for years, or unravelled from an old sweater, etc - so knowing what yarn is appropriate (for warmth, drape, wear, itchiness, type of stitches...) would really be great. A really good resource - now I just have to memorize this before retur
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Sep 10, 2008
julia
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I LOVE this book! I've learned so much about the different categories of yarn and which purposes each type of yarn are suited for. I appreciate yarn even more now. The projects in here are great too. The next big yarn sale I go to will definitely find me with this book in hand to better understand what I'm buying. A timeless reference book.
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Nov 05, 2007
Beth666ann
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Excellent, clear description of types of yarn and how they are produced. (note to self: silk is repulsive) Finally, I understand this "ply" thing, and weights, etc.etc. Plus, there are great, great patterns to do in each type of yarn. Very lovely design as well.
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Jan 09, 2012
Lil' Grogan
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Judging by its billing as the "ultimate guide" this book failed for me. While there were details I found useful, it's very American and author-centric. There were fibres not covered in the book, which may reflect on the speed of new yarn being developed/made available or a reflection on the author's limitations (on availability, it seems. Though if you're setting out to write the ultimate guide, surely you'd try to get your hands on the more "exotic" materials).
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Jun 17, 2008
Cillaann
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I may be the only one that isn't ohing and ahing about this title. I think the problem is the fact that I have a strong textile chemistry background and the fiber chapters were not all together accurate. So I found the book anoying.
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Aug 26, 2008
Rho
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This may be on my read shelf but it is a book that gets taken of often for information about a yarn I might be thinking of using.
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Apr 12, 2009
Jean
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This is an excellent primer on yarn. The author describes the whole process of yarn from the fiber level to the finished spun yarn. She provides a great survey of the different types of fibers and the inherent nature of these fibers and how it affects your knitted piece. It's kind of the "Good Eats" of knitting. She goes into some scientific detail but not too deeply -- just enough for what you need. Very easy to read. I borrowed this from the library and intend to get my own copy
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Jan 03, 2010
Teresa
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I really enjoyed the first half of the book where it talked about the different types of yarn, and give that 4 stars. However, the patterns in the second half rather confused me (granted, I'm not a great knitter), and I wasn't that interested in them, so I give 2.5 stars to part 2.
I'd actually consider buying this book if it were just the first part and therefore a fraction of the price. Maybe I should check out her "The Knitter's Book of Wool: The Ultimate Guide to Understand More...
I'd actually consider buying this book if it were just the first part and therefore a fraction of the price. Maybe I should check out her "The Knitter's Book of Wool: The Ultimate Guide to Understand More...
Jun 03, 2008
Donna
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I learned a lot about different types of fiber from this book, those chapters are clearly-written and really interesting.
I'm not wild about the pattern selection, though of course taste in knitting patterns is really subjective. So I'd be much more likely to buy this book if more of the space dedicated to patterns had been reserved for yarn talk.
The sections about yarn construction were brief and mostly served as introductions for each pattern chapter. These sections wer More...
I'm not wild about the pattern selection, though of course taste in knitting patterns is really subjective. So I'd be much more likely to buy this book if more of the space dedicated to patterns had been reserved for yarn talk.
The sections about yarn construction were brief and mostly served as introductions for each pattern chapter. These sections wer More...
Jan 06, 2009
Jen
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I am a fiber geek now
I know that qiviut is the warmest yarn (and expensive). That you can knit with opossum. And that rayon used to be called "wood silk".
I know the difference between woolen spun and worsted.
I know why merino feels so dang good.
And why angora is stifly hot.
ohhh the things in my little head.
Good book. Not sure about the patterns, but go have fun.
I know that qiviut is the warmest yarn (and expensive). That you can knit with opossum. And that rayon used to be called "wood silk".
I know the difference between woolen spun and worsted.
I know why merino feels so dang good.
And why angora is stifly hot.
ohhh the things in my little head.
Good book. Not sure about the patterns, but go have fun.
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Jul 27, 2011
Sarah
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The Book of Yarn is actually pretty darn nifty. The book talks about the different fibers and weights that are typically used in yarn, and how to decided what's appropriate for certain projects. It also has a healthy number of patterns I'd actually make. Totally recommended for someone who is just getting past the scarf stage and is trying to understand what is at their disposal.
Apr 25, 2010
Theresa
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Essentially an overview of the different types of yarn both man-made and natural along with patterns. Explains how yarn goes from being on an animal to becoming yarn (and all the steps in between). Also explains why yarns do things like felt, shrink, grow, etc.
Very interesting as a reference book on what has the potential to be a rather boring subject.
Very interesting as a reference book on what has the potential to be a rather boring subject.
Jan 30, 2009
Rachel
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Geeky!
after finishing: Lots of useful information, lots of stuff to think about. Patterns kind of ehhh, but I'm not really a pattern kind of person to begin with. A fair amount of folksy mysticism about Letting The Yarn Speak at the end, which was amusing and sort of embarrassing but not unexpected.
All in all,a pretty decent resource.
after finishing: Lots of useful information, lots of stuff to think about. Patterns kind of ehhh, but I'm not really a pattern kind of person to begin with. A fair amount of folksy mysticism about Letting The Yarn Speak at the end, which was amusing and sort of embarrassing but not unexpected.
All in all,a pretty decent resource.
Dec 11, 2009
Becca
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This book is a great reference, but I wish it contained more information on the spinning. The patterns do not particularly appeal to me for the most part, though I like how they are presented. Overall, this would be great for a knitter who doesn't spin, to give them information about yarn composition they wouldn't otherwise have.
Nov 20, 2008
MJ
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If you know nothing about knitting fibers this is the book for you. The straight-forward information is presented with personal asides and humor. The author suggests we support our local “yarn” growers and invest in expensive beautiful single balls of yarn just to try things out. Includes patterns.
Jun 25, 2009
Amanda
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I requested this one from the library for the tea cozy pattern in it. The first part goes into great detail about yarns, fibers and how they're made which I found very interesting. The projects are all nice looking and there are gorgeous yarns used. If only my stash were as pretty!
Jul 08, 2010
Ashley
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This is a really excellent reference book for any halfway serious knitter. Great information on how different yarns are made, and how to choose the best type of yarn for different projects. Plus, there are some good patterns in the back half of the book.
Aug 16, 2010
Bookish
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Gift from pal and fellow-knitter Rhonda. Love this book. Read it cover to cover and found other great books about yarn, sheep, and spinning as a result of it.
Jan 22, 2010
Cayenne
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Clara is such a good writer and I'm always amazed at the depth of her knowledge. Excellent resource for how yarns are made and what they can be made of. Wonderful patterns too.
Jul 31, 2009
Reilly!
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Not crazy about the patterns, but the rest of the content is invaluable to any knitter, from the curious beginner to the professional designer!
Jan 02, 2009
Barbara
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Wow, a great book to link the degree of satisfaction of knitting to knowing about yarn. It definitely helped make the connection for me.
Mar 09, 2010
Tina
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As a relatively new knitter I found this to be an excellent reference book on yarn. It went over all of the basics...fiber source, coloring, and plying. There were also several patterns included in the book which highlighted some of the yarns discussed in the book. I plan on keeping this book around for a long, long, time.
Nov 29, 2009
Caitlin
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This is a GREAT idea for a book! It's helped me understand more about the yarn I'm working with, and explains how the yarn and pattern work together. (Which explains why those mittens for my brother I made out of heavy cotton yarn turned out terribly.) Definitely going on my Christmas list.
May 23, 2010
Linda
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Fabulous. Can't wait to get my own copy, since I had to give the library copy back.
Apr 10, 2010
Emmaj
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A phenomenal resource. I like it better than The Knitters Book of Wool.
Mar 08, 2010
Good information about the wide variety of fibers available to knitters.
