Features
Table of Contents
Why Spin?
Start with Wool:
The world is full of exciting, exotic fibers from lustrous, smooth silk
to soft, buttery cashmere. Plants give us sturdy linen and fine cotton,
and don�t forget soy, bamboo, and corn fibers. All these fibers make
beautiful, useful yarns, but wool is the easiest fiber to spin and the
best one to learn with.
Things to Know Before you Spin:
With fiber in hand, you�re probably eager to start spinning right away.
Before you start twisting your fiber into yarn, learn a few techniques
and ideas that will help you understand the processes better.
Spinning Yarn on a Spindle: Want to get in touch with the past? Learn to spin on a spindle.
Spinning Wheels 101:
While some spinners are completely satisfied with the spindle�s beauty
and portability, the speed and flexibility of the spinning wheel can�t
be beat.
Getting Acquainted with Your Wheel:
Take some time to make friends with your wheel before you start to
spin. Set aside time when you won�t be interrupted, put on some good
music, and take a good look at your wheel.
Spinning Yarn on a Wheel: When you�re comfortable with treadling your wheel and adjusting the tension, you�re ready to start making yarn!
Plying:
You might wonder why anyone in her right mind would ply her yarn. The
most important reason to ply is to create balanced yarn. A balanced
yarn knits up with ease and produces a lovely smooth fabric; the same
is true with weaving.
Finishing Yarn: So after all that drafting, spinning, winding, and plying, your yarn must be finished, right? Well�not quite.
Know Your Spun Yarn:
When you first begin spinning, turning a rolag into yarn without
breaking feels like a huge accomplishment. As you practice, however,
you develop higher expectations.
Drafting in Depth: How fibers are prepared, and how twist enters those fibers, affects how your yarn looks and behaves.
Using Your Handspun Yarn:
I really can�t say enough about the pleasure of using your handspun.
First you have the enjoyment of creating the yarn and then the
satisfaction of turning it into fabric.
Appendices
From Sheep to Spinning
Spinning Wheel Maintenance
Glossary
Bibliography
Acknowledgements
Index
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