Hand Wool Combing and Spinning – Peter Teal – Blandford Press (UK) 1976 ISBN 0 7137 0814 X – This is a whole book on producing wool yarn using the worsted process (as opposed to the woollen process) where wool is combed rather than carded. It is a very comprehensive treatise on the process, with lots of black and white photos and line drawings when the actual spinning process itself is described. History, tools, wool scouring and other treatments and dyeing are also covered.
The spinners Workshop – John Mercer – Prism Press (UK) 1978 ISBN 0 0904727 97 1 – This small book is a social history and review of fibres and spinning rather than a “how to” book but is very interesting nevertheless. For me, though, it’s main interest is chapter 10, where it describes how to make your own wheel from timber, a bicycle wheel and associated other odds and sods. A couple of black and white photos and some line drawings.
Spinning and Weaving – Mary Beeston – Fontana Collins (AUS) 1986 ISBN 0 00 636907 3 –This one has a unique perspective in that it is mainly about setting up your spinning and weaving workshop as a business so you can support yourself, and assumes some knowledge and talent for spinning already. It even covers market research, production, marketing and promotion. No photos and a few line drawings.
Handspinning – Eliza Leadbeater – Studio Vista (UK)1976 – 0 289 70598 3 – this is a good general book on spinning wheels and technique of spinning. Apart from some history the book covers preparing the fleece, spinning with a spindle, great wheel and treadle wheel, experimenting, natural dyeing and designing your yarn. Lots of great black and white photos of the spinning process.
Spinning Wheels, Spinners and Spinning – Patricia Baines – B.T. Batsford Ltd (UK) 1977 ISBN 0 7134 0822 7 – If I could only have one book on spinning, this would be it – it is as good a general overview of the history, tools and techniques of spinning. The “how to” bit would benefit from more photos but covers carding, spinning wool worsted style and using the short draw technique, spinning cotton and flax, plying, reeling scouring and drying. Reasonable black and white photos and lots of good info!
The Care and Feeding of Spinning Wheels – Karen Pauli – Interweave Press (US) 1981 ISBN 0 934026 04 1 – This book is part buyers guide, part owner’s manual so if you can already spin and have a wheel, or are in the market for one, this is a good book. The book goes into some detail on the type of wheels available, what to look for in one that works, what DIY repairs you can carry out and when to consult a professional. There are a couple of pages on making a wheel yourself, but not huge amounts of detail although the sketches are good, and some stuff on problem solving and maintenance. No photos but some line drawings.
Handspinning, Dyeing and Working with Merino Superfine wools – Margaret Stove – Kangaroo Press (AUS) 1991 ISBN 0 86417 353 9 – This is a glossy book with lots of black and white photos and line drawings on the spinning process. The book covers preparation, techniques for spinning singles, wheel adjustments and spinning from the tip, how much twist to put in and dyeing and using merino with other fibres.
The Craft of Handspinning – Eileen Chadwick – B.T.Batsford Ltd (UK) ISBN 0 442 25033 9 – This is a really good book for beginners covering basic principles of hand spinning, sheep breeds, preparing the fleece, spinning with a drop spindle and wheel, plying, colour and special effects, skeining and then goes through the spinning of a number of animal and vegetable fibres. The book has lots and lots of black and white photos as well as a few colour ones.
Spin Your Own Wool – Molly Duncan – A. H. & A. W. Reed (AUS) 1972 ISBN 0 589 00334 8 – This is a thin little book of only 50 pages but has lots of line drawings, black and white photos and information. There are sections on spinning with a wheel and spindle, plying and skeining, choosing your wheel, scouring bleaching and dyeing as well. There is also an intro to hand weaving!
Understanding the Spinning Wheel – Eric Corran – Self Published (AUS) 1997 ISBN 0 646 32068 8 – This one is a treasure trove of data on how to design and build your own spinning wheel. There are a large amount of black and white photos and line drawings, if you want to build wheels or really understand them this is the book for you.
Creative Spinning Weaving & Plant Dyeing – Beryl Anderson – Angus & Robertson (AUS) 1971 ISBN 0 207 12227 X – A basic book with some good info and line drawing about the technique of spinning, the sections on weaving and dyeing are VERY basic and lacking in detail. There are also some black and white and colour photos.
