Spinning 101

Book excerpt: Welcome to Tom’s beginner spinning class! Come on in and he will teach you everything you need to know to turn raw wool into your first hand spun yarn. Tom has been teaching introductory spinning for over 30 years, and in this book, he shares all of this knowledge in his easy-to-understand manner, illustrated with photographs to guide you through each of the steps. From how to choose a spinning wheel and how to set it up and keep it running smoothly; to how to select and prepare your fiber; how to spin your first yarn, and the various options for how to do so; to plying and finishing—Tom explains it all in simple terms and with helpful visuals. Because Tom has taught so many classes of spinners, he knows all the common pitfalls and addresses them with his troubleshooting tips. At its essence, yarn is fiber with twist added to keep it together, and Tom keeps the whole process as simple as that. You will soon be whirring away, spinning yards and yards of glorious yarn!