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Respect the Spindle
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Enjoying a resurgence in popularity thanks to the current trend of DIY crafts, the hand spindle remains one of the most productive, versatile, and convenient tools for creating stunning fiber arts from home, as this beautifully illustrated guide from a veteran spinner and spindle aficionado demonstrates. With step-by-step instructions, this essential manual details the bas
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This is going to be inflammatory. You have been warned.
I ordered this book the day I picked up a spindle, and waited impatiently for Amazon to take its sweet time sending the book to me. In the meantime, of course, there was no way I was putting that spindle down, and I spun and spun and spun while I awaited the book that was touted as the spindlers' Bible, written by the woman touted as the omnipotent goddess of spinning.
In the couple of weeks it took to arrive, I learnt almost everything tha ...more
I ordered this book the day I picked up a spindle, and waited impatiently for Amazon to take its sweet time sending the book to me. In the meantime, of course, there was no way I was putting that spindle down, and I spun and spun and spun while I awaited the book that was touted as the spindlers' Bible, written by the woman touted as the omnipotent goddess of spinning.
In the couple of weeks it took to arrive, I learnt almost everything tha ...more
Oct 03, 2010
Velma
rated it
it was amazing
Recommends it for:
fiber artists of all stripes
Recommended to Velma by:
my personal corporeal spinning guardian angel, Morgaine Wilder
Disclaimer: I'm friends with the author, so my gushing review should be taken as gospel because I know what the hell I'm talking about.
I came to spinning with a spindle late: I learned long after mastering spinning with a spinning wheel. But I figured, "Hey, if little kids can do it, how hard can it be for a talented girl like me?!?" Well, yes and no. Yes, I can do it, but it does require some instruction. And I'd say that, short of an in-person class with the author (which I highly recommend), ...more
I came to spinning with a spindle late: I learned long after mastering spinning with a spinning wheel. But I figured, "Hey, if little kids can do it, how hard can it be for a talented girl like me?!?" Well, yes and no. Yes, I can do it, but it does require some instruction. And I'd say that, short of an in-person class with the author (which I highly recommend), ...more
It wouldn't let me add this book to my shelves without including a rating, which is weird for me to try to do because I wrote it, so I have no idea how to rate it, really. That said... well, I use it as a text when I teach. ;-)
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This book is amazing. I especially recommend it for anybody who's interested in spinning but who has a disability that affects their ability to use a treadle.
I didn't really notice it at the time, but when you start (or return to after a ~25 year absence) spinning and go through the myriad of books, videos, and tutorials on the topic, it all assumes that you're going to move onto a wheel. The spindle is considered valuable, but as a learning tool, not quite a toy but not for those interested in ...more
I didn't really notice it at the time, but when you start (or return to after a ~25 year absence) spinning and go through the myriad of books, videos, and tutorials on the topic, it all assumes that you're going to move onto a wheel. The spindle is considered valuable, but as a learning tool, not quite a toy but not for those interested in ...more
When you know an addition to your bookshelf will change your life and make something you enjoy doing much more enjoyable and easier, how do you write a proper review?
When I first started spindling I was very shy and scared and really really bad at it. Some people I asked for assistance had a very anti-spindle bias; they saw a spindle as a stepping-stone on the way to a wheel. I knew that was silly and that for many cultures there were spindles, not wheels doing the yarn production. I am very lu ...more
When I first started spindling I was very shy and scared and really really bad at it. Some people I asked for assistance had a very anti-spindle bias; they saw a spindle as a stepping-stone on the way to a wheel. I knew that was silly and that for many cultures there were spindles, not wheels doing the yarn production. I am very lu ...more
Excellent. The author has a wonderful perspective on the usefulness of multiple spinning tools, discusses briefly the benefits of spindles versus wheels without denigrating either, and then goes on to give an incredibly complete review of types of spindles, how to spin on them, and which ones tend to be best for different tasks/fibers.
Well worth adding to your spinning library.
edit to add:
Okay, so I read a couple of the less positive reviews and some of the feedback and I decided that maybe I wa ...more
Well worth adding to your spinning library.
edit to add:
Okay, so I read a couple of the less positive reviews and some of the feedback and I decided that maybe I wa ...more
I picked up this book at a spinning shop in Kyoto, Japan called Kin no Hitsuji, which translates to Golden Sheep. It was a bit of an impulse buy and was a little pricey at 3614 yen.
I am a brand new spinner and was looking for a book specifically about spindle spinning. I am not very interested in buying a wheel, so it was nice to feel validated in sticking with spindles entirely. The parts about this book that I enjoyed most are where Franquemont writes about her personal experiences and outlook ...more
I am a brand new spinner and was looking for a book specifically about spindle spinning. I am not very interested in buying a wheel, so it was nice to feel validated in sticking with spindles entirely. The parts about this book that I enjoyed most are where Franquemont writes about her personal experiences and outlook ...more
Once you've tried out spinning just a bit, this is a perfect resource to use as you think about what type(s) of yarn you most want to make and which tool(s) will help you achieve that. Book contains excellent information about how your tools (heavy spindles, light spindles, supported spindles, walking wheels, flyer and bobbin wheels, etc.) impact the type of yarn you make. Good photos and succinct accompanying text to explain drafting methods, ergonomics, and ways to ply. I picked up this book w
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Very helpful for a beginner like me - helped me to envision the entire process of hand-spinning yarn. I know I will come back to it after I feel confident I have the process down so I can re-read and see what I missed the first time around because I did not yet have the experience to understand. I am doing well after only a couple of days of practice. Having spent thousands of hours of my life handling and creating with yarn since I was a child, I seem to have an affinity for adding new skills t
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Fantastic introduction to spindle spinning! Franquemont gives us a general history of spindles, an overview of the physics behind spinning, practical wisdom and tricks of the trade, while encouraging new spinners to try out whatever feels right for them. I've completed a couple of skeins of yarn while reading this book and I honestly don't think I would have made such quick progress without Franquemont's wisdom. I recommend this book to every person looking to break in their first spindle, impro
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Why you should Respect the Spindle
Abby is a powerhouse of knowledge. This book is authoritative and covers everything you need to know about spindle spinning. I recommend it to beginners, but also to those for whom the spindle was a thing to begin with but move on from... The book is as much for you as a newcomer. Come in, read, learn the ways of the spindle and respect it as a simple yet effective tool. Never forget- all textiles the world over were spun using some form of spindle or hand spinn ...more
Abby is a powerhouse of knowledge. This book is authoritative and covers everything you need to know about spindle spinning. I recommend it to beginners, but also to those for whom the spindle was a thing to begin with but move on from... The book is as much for you as a newcomer. Come in, read, learn the ways of the spindle and respect it as a simple yet effective tool. Never forget- all textiles the world over were spun using some form of spindle or hand spinn ...more
Very readable and interesting! This book doesn't just explain how to spin, but also why spinning works. It goes into the science and history behind spinning, building up an engaging tradition that modern people are invited to join. The book also includes exercises to build up muscle memory for each discrete action involved in spinning. The photographs are also gorgeous.
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Terrifically informative and reassuring to the novice (that would be me). This books covers a variety of spindle types - something for everyone. I appreciate that spindles are treated as a legitimate spinning tool in their own right, and not just a stepping-stone to a wheel. Must-have for anyone interested in spindling.
I did not find this sufficient to learn how to spin (classes with a local instructor got me off the ground), but it is a great resource to fine tune your spindling and to know which terms to search for when looking for videos on specific techniques. I really enjoyed the chapters describing how the different elements of the spindle and the fiber contribute to the yarn you make. Physics is fun.
An excellent beginner's how-two book. My only complaint is that maybe some of the techniques would be easier to understand in motion (i.e., video), but in print form, the step-by-step pictures and detailed descriptions are the next best thing.
It's really difficult to describe in detail a craft that involves so much intuitive movement and muscle memory, but this book succeeds. ...more
It's really difficult to describe in detail a craft that involves so much intuitive movement and muscle memory, but this book succeeds. ...more
I just finished reading this book for the second time. I first picked up a spindle in 2009, and I learned some new things in this reading that I missed the first time. I'd like to have a copy for my own library eventually.
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I have always been curious about all fiber arts--embroidery, crochet, weaving, spinning among others. This is a good survey for anyone just starting out (me) or anyone who wants to improve their skills.
Very thorough book about spindle spinning by Amy, who learned to spin as a child. It has not only the history of spindles, but lots of tips and techniques for anyone interested in using a spindle. This is one I want for my personal library.
A very helpful book for begging and advanced spinners. I still use mine as a reference all the time.
Very detailed but sometimes a bit tedious and difficult to read and follow. Good photos and illustrations.
I guess this didn't end up being very helpful, but it was nice to read nonetheless.
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A very good basic introduction to tools, methods, and techniques for spindle spinning.
A brilliant introduction to all things spindle spinning!
Thank you Abby for a clear, in-depth insight into the world of spinning. I loved sharing your passion and seeing your amazing skillfulness.
Good book with lots of information. But hard to learn something like spinning from a book. the pictures were helpful, but... But it got me excited again and I really am going to start spinning sometime soon. really i am.
I picked up this book from the Carolina Homespun booth at the Puyallup Sewing Expo earlier this month, the day before I took a beginner's spinning class from the shop proprietor. I read part of it the night before the class, then eagerly finished it over the next day or so after learning the basics from the teacher. This was a great way to get me introduced and started to the basics of drop spinning, and I highly recommend taking a class in conjunction with reading the book as both the class and
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This book has been at my bedside every since I got it for Christmas last year. I read a bunch at once, but I also dip into it for inspiration and reference every so often. I decided it's finally time to close it out on goodreads, though, even though it won't leave my bedside table.
First off, this book is visually seductive. I like the square format (what is it about square books?), and the photographs are stunning. I love the neutral, textured backgrounds on which spindles and fiber are displaye ...more
First off, this book is visually seductive. I like the square format (what is it about square books?), and the photographs are stunning. I love the neutral, textured backgrounds on which spindles and fiber are displaye ...more
Jan 02, 2011
Sasha
rated it
it was amazing
Recommends it for:
potential spindlers
Recommended to Sasha by:
ravelry
As a spindler or potential spindler, you have to love the audacious and direct title, and the reality behind it. Spindles are amazing, and they deserve to be taken seriously, not to merely play second fiddle to spinning wheels. Heck, you can start spinning with a great quality basic spindle for $20 and less, and most of the top quality spindles are still around $50. The technique may be archaic but there's no reason why it needs to be relegated to history; almost anyone can learn, though it may
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If you have ever had the nerve to think of the drop spindle as a simple tool, or that you knew what you were doing on the drop spindle then read this book. You will lose all of your silly illusions of competence. Really, I love this book. It did take quite a bit for me to get through all of it, but I have always had that problem with non-fiction books. There is an amazing wealth of information, from different types of spindles, different ways of spinning, various methods of increasing your spinn
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I finished this late last night as I was staying up to admin a dose of medication to gram. I really liked this book. It gives pretty clear directions on things and I would even be willing to try them based on the directions and pictures alone. Usually, I would want someone right next to me to help walk me through the process as it were. I am really loving the idea of spinning fiber. I am not sure how I will feel about the practice of it - but well, I won't know till I try. Some of the spindles a
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