Book Review: The Spinner's Book of Yarn Designs

My poor postman - every time I am expecting a parcel I plague him until my exciting package arrives. The look of relief on his face today when The Spinner's Book of Yarn Designs arrived was priceless.

This book was described by various forum members on Ravelry, and I wanted to see what the hype was about - and I was so glad I did. It was not hype - the book is a wonderful resource....

The book is written by Sarah Anderson, who has been spinning for many years. She is based in the USA. She starts the book by going back to basics. After making sure the reader has a firm foundation to build on, she then delves into fibre preparation before exploring various spinning techniques.

Whar follows in the remaining pages is pure heaven - a thorough explanation of how to make a variety of types of yarn with the most exquisite photography. This book is real inspiration, and after only a few hours of owning the book, I want to  try out all 80 varieties of yarn that she describes.

The book also comes with 64 unique reference cards that you can keep by your spinning wheel as an aide memoire. 

If you are a spinner, or know someone who is, then this is THE book to inspire and enthuse you to take your spinning to the next level. I highly recommend it.

PHATfibre box - the most enjoyable packet!

I am a member of the website Ravelry. Its THE most useful website I have found EVER. The community of knitters it has brought together are the most generous, most talented bunch of people on the planet.

One group of talented spinners and dyers has formed an international group called PHATfibres. They use a monthly box of samples to promote their businesses. I was lucky enough to get one of these sample boxes recently. It's a brilliant way of tryng out the samples from fibre artists around the world.

Well, the box arrived. I then spent the next 10 hours or so spinning up the samples that arrived. What inspiration I got from this box! I tried new fibres that I'd never spun before including yak and mulberry silk. Wow! What an experience! The colours too are sensational.

I'm also going to use the pattern in the box to make a shawl out of the fibres in this box. It's available on Ravelry (of course) and is known as PHAT SHAWL. All I need to do now is spin up some grey fibre to ply my sample fibre with - and I'm away.

I love the creativity that Ravelry inspires in me - helped by a beautiful sunny day here in the UK - first this year really. So that is how I will spnd my day off today - finishing the yarn and then sourcing some grey fleece to spin up. I just love it when I get inspired by others - so to the Phatties - as they are known - I thank you. Again you've brought a smile to my face and a lovely warm feeling in my heart....