Book Review: Teach Yourself Visually: Spinning

Counting down to Ms3 Clue #5 (& theme reveal!) I have one more book review:

Teach Yourself Visually: Handspinning
by Judith MacKenzie McCuin
softcover / 208 pages / $21.99
5 tinks on the tink-o-meter!

Last time I met with my local MS3 group, we were discussing good books on spinning. Many thanks to Linda for recommending this gem by masterspinner Judith MacKenzie McCuin.

Teach Yourself Visually: Handspinning may not have a snappy title, but don’t let that stop you from looking it over next time you’re in Borders. This excellent spinning manual not only has a plethora of helpful color photos -- it also has a staggering amount of well organized information.

To give you an idea, here’s a sampling of topics covered: Hand spindling, making a simple hand spindle, types of spinning wheels and what each type does best, what to look for in your first wheel, spinning accessories and tools and how to use them, a thorough overview of fibers, how to wash and card different types of fibers, the difference between the “worsted” and “woolen” drafts, dyeing roving in a crock pot, plying, making specialty yarns, spinning exotic fibers, designing with handspun, weaving your handspun yarn, constructing a loom out of copper pipe . . .

. . . And I have left a lot out! Sometimes I pick up craft books, leaf through them, and am surprised that they don’t just float away -- a lot of fluff out there with not much substance.

TYV:HS is just the opposite: it is so packed with information you feel like you’re getting a 400-page book that has been carefully whittled down to give the reader only the “good stuff” -- a solid, complete and concise tutorial on the art of spinning.

The back of the book holds a helpful glossary of spinning terms and a very detailed index. My one complaint (and it’s a small one) is the binding -- a spiral binding would make this book dang near perfect.