Spin To Knit

Knitters who want new worlds to conquer can reach for this guide to handspinning their own designer yarns. A rundown on equipment introduces the drop spindle, supported spindle, niddy-noddy, McMorran balance, and yarn meter, while the following sections include choosing wool and other fibers, presenting knitting patterns suitable for handspun yarn, and in-depth profiles of real urban spinners. For crafters who want to experiment with spinning but don't want to sacrifice too much of their knitting time, there are lots of ideas for jazzing up a thrift-store cardigan with handspun trim or knitting a boatneck pullover in a combination of commercial and handspun yarns. Methods for incorporating beads and threads into yarn and a technique for dyeing yarn in the dishwasher are also featured.

Inspire and unleash a passion for hand-crafted color! "Unapologetic" is how Felicia Lo always describes her obsession with color and craft. In Dyeing to Spin and Knit, Felicia, founder and creative director of SweetGeorgia Yarns and highly sought after teacher and lecturer, provides clear and accessible guidance for creating gorgeous hand-dyed yarns and spinning fibers and an understanding of how dyeing affects knitted yarn and handspun yarn. Fiber artists will learn the fundamentals of how color works, how to combine and coordinate colors, and how to control the results when dyeing wool and silk yarns and fibers. Spinners will learn how to subdue intense and bright colorways or prevent muddiness in handspun. Knitters will gain the knowledge to avoid or maximize the effects of pooling. And finally, this book will include 10 patterns that use hand-dyed and handspun yarns and fibers to their most exciting advantage in knitting projects. Complete with detailed photographs from Felicia's own dyeing studio, Dyeing to Spin and Knit offers a master class in preparing hand-dyed yarns and fibers. Ignite your love of color--unapologetically!

Introduces the processes of spinning and dying yarn and explains how to match homespun fiber and yarn to knitted projects.

Create your dream yarn! Discover the pleasures of designing and building custom-made yarn by spinning it yourself, choosing everything from color to feel and gauge. Jillian Moreno leads you through every step of yarn construction, with detailed instructions and step-by-step photos showing you how to select the fiber you want (wool, cotton, silk, synthetic), establish a foundation, and spin a beautiful yarn with the structure, texture, and color pattern that you want. In addition to teaching you the techniques you need for success, Moreno also offers 12 delicious original patterns from prominent designers, each one showcasing hand-spun yarns.

"Create these romantic shawls and scarves with luxury fibers, and then wrap yourself up in the inspiring stories behind each design. Gorgeous, lacy projects will provide the comfort, while real-life tales will heal the heart"--Publisher website (April 2008).

Have you ever tried spinning hand painted top or dyed rovings only to be disappointed with the color outcomes in your yarns or finished projects? This book clearly and artfully walks you through understanding color theory making it less intimidating for both novice and expert spinners alike. Never before has a book presented the same dyed top worked up into 20+ different approaches accompanied by easy to follow directions. You will be able to see how the techniques look in both a skein and a knitted swatch. Plus there are photos of finished products accompanying the techniques to make envisioning the spinning applications even easier. After reading this book you will be inspired to delve into your stash with excitement and colorful confidence in your spinning.

Jeannine Bakriges is a master spinner, dyer, and knitter. The book includes three sections, one on each discipline. Bakriges discusses spinning in-depth, gives instruction for solar dyeing, and knits her handspun using Elizabeth Zimmermann's designs. The book includes instructions for twenty Elizabeth Zimmermann and Meg Swansen knitting designs including: the Moeibus scarf, the sock-toe scarf, the watch cap, the jogger's mitts, I-cord gloves, the very warm hat, the Mananita shawl, the 3-cornered German shawl, the Bohus sweater and hat, the knit stitch sweater, epaulet jacket, Moeibus vest, a halter top, knee socks, moccasin socks and more.

Gorgeous knitting patterns designed for the colorful natural-fiber yarns produced by the Green Mountain Spinnery of Putney, Vermont. This inviting, lavishly illustrated book presents 30 of the most popular designs from the famous Green Mountain Spinnery, a collective of highly creative knitters, designers, and craftspeople located in rural Vermont, whose passion for natural fibers, colors, and designs is legendary. Knitters of all abilities, from beginner to advanced, will find a wealth of designs (and color combinations) from which to choose from appealing sweaters, vests, cardigans, and children's sweaters, to accessories such as hats, scarves, socks, and mittens. Each design is fully illustrated with color photographs, pattern charts, and schematics. A delightful addition to any serious knitter's library. Full-color throughout.

For spinners and weavers alike! Get in-depth information on fiber properties and color choices, as well as beautifully photographed samples. Spin to Weave is not simply a how-to-spin book, but a how-to-spin-exactly-what-you-want book. Weavers who spin their own yarns have the ability to choose fiber type, method of twist insertion (woolen, worsted), twist amount and/or direction, finishing methods, and grist. Author Sara Lamb focuses on the process of spinning for specific results, providing detailed instructions, a sampling of projects, variations, and a gallery of pieces by other spinners. Sara takes the reader to the very source of woven fabric--introducing the thought processes and concepts related to choosing fibers and how to spin them with finished fabric in mind.