by Lori Law
Spin Art : Mastering the Craft of Spinning Textured Yarn
Jacey Boggs
This looks to be an excellent book.
I have to admit, I am new to art yarn spinning. But, given the amount of expertise and guidance in this book, I’m sure I could learn much from it.
The book begins with the basics – supplies needed, as well as tools, followed by a section about basic tips – ratios, tension, using commercial yarns, where to sit in relation to your wheel, anchoring, finishing and more.
Then come the Techniques sections (Singles, Plies and Multiplies), with an introduction to each specific yarn technique with step-by step illustrations and instructions.
What I really appreciate about each particular technique is Boggs’ descriptions in light of being familiar with more traditional spinning. She describes the type of draw required so that one can visualize how it might all work before they even get to the more direct instructions. She also provides information about what types of fibre (fiber) will work best for each particular yarn and what it will function best for. Her instructions also describe how to set up your wheel.
Once you are past the basic techniques in each section it’s noted which preceding technique will be most helpful in order to learn the next one (ie. for Autowrap and Tornado yarn, it’s helpful to have played with Racing Stripes).
All of this description and instruction is accompanied by gorgeous photos of each technique and the resulting possible yarns.
The DVD included with this edition is also extremely well done and helpful and will be a boon to those who enjoy watching in order to learn instead of just looking at photos and reading.
Purchase this book from Interweave Press:
Generally, I would think some basic spinning experience, but, perhaps not a lot, would be helpful to get the most use out of Spin Art. I would suggest being familiar with your wheel and being able to at least be able to spin a single which holds together well. On the other hand, those of us who have been spinning for years might find these techniques to be a bit dodgy and unfamiliar – there is more starting and stopping, for example, and more of a ‘spin, then wind on’ motion involved, vs. the traditional methods (aside from woolen/long-draw) of having the singles develop while simultaneously winding onto the bobbin. i.e. Everything is in constant motion all the time, your hands, your feet and the bobbin. In this sense, someone with less traditional experience might possibly benefit since they won’t have to teach their hands quite as many new tricks.
I am intending to use this book as a starting point to learning to spin art yarns. I am confident anything I might need to know or discover will be available in the book or via the DVD.
Never mind, as stated on the back cover: “Yummy. Indulge your appetite for gorgeous textured yarns with 30 delicious new concoctions.”
Yummy, indeed.
