three for the new year
It was nice to be able to relax and finally sit and enjoy a novel or two and write two reviews I’ve been holding. They are both innovate books and very enjoyable. I didn’t necessarily want to slap something together. I want to give the thoughtful review I wish I could give every book I read to quench my insatiable book thirst.
In no particular order..
Respect the Spindle: Spin Infinite Yarns with One Amazing Tool
by Abby Franquemont
When you know an addition to your bookshelf will change your life and make something you enjoy doing much more enjoyable and easier, how do you write a proper review?
When I first started spindling I was very shy and scared and really really bad at it. Some people I asked for assistance had a very anti-spindle bias; they saw a spindle as a stepping-stone on the way to a wheel. I knew that was silly and that for many cultures there were spindles, not wheels doing the yarn production. I am very lucky that I have some very good friends who love spindling *and* wheels and they helped me get on the right direction. I’m still not very good.
When I heard Abby was writing a book I was thrilled. I found her articles and blog posts informative and very helpful over the years. A few months ago she had posted a video tutorial that introduced me to the concept of winding a butterfly and my spindling immediately got easier (there’s a photo tutorial on p 86).
When I finally got my hands on a copy (thanks to a surprise gift from my husband) and I actually had a chance to sit and read through this book while fondling holding my spindles I was thrilled and thankful.
This is a soft cover book, so it is light and could be taken along in a bag. It’s not spiral bound, but I don’t find I care about that in my spinning books. The photos are clear and if a technique is being demonstrated it is done so with very precise steps and I’m very thankful for the plain background and Abby’s simple clothing.
Just reading this book will not make you a better spinner overnight, you still need to practice but I think Abby has written a superb book. This book is valuable for anyone, whether you spindle or not, thought if you aren’t interested in spinning you might only like the first 47 pages of history, science, and other knowledgeable things. I think this will help me if anyone wants me to try to explain the basics of spinning to them. I wouldn’t go out and ask to be hired as a teacher, but when you spindle in public, people are interested and this book should help me figure out a clear and concise way to explain what I’m trying to do.
The most amusing part of the book was seeing two different ways to wind a cop and realizing that my other life prepared me for this one. I used to make my own bassoon reeds and the thread knotting method for that is very similar to winding a cop using the crossing method. I love it when my life experiences overlap!
Reversible Knitting: 50 Brand-New, Groundbreaking Stitch Patterns
by Lynne Barr
Barr takes the innovations and lessons from her first book, Knitting New Scarves and takes a huge leap forward with this new title. While it is a traditional hardback book, I wasn’t upset as I sat on the train absorbed in the clear photos, unique stitch organization for the 50 included designs, and the unique patterns Barr and others have contributed to show the extreme flexibility and endless possibilities for reversible knitting. I can’t decide which new stitch pattern excites me the most, I’ll have to try them all. If you are looking for a unique dictionary or inspiration maker for either yourself or the knitter who has everything and likes to try it all, you will not be disappointed with this book.
If one were to take a mash-up of my undergraduate degree (Computer Science:Artificial Intelligence, also Psycholinguistics wannabe) and crossed it with my graduate degree (Information & Archive Management) and mixed in my random interests you might come up with this book. I randomly picked it off the shelf at the used bookstore and am delighted to have found it. I enjoyed reading it and will look into Scott’s other writings.
Reader interactions
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You enabler, you!
I have now finished reading Dreamships, and am several chapters into Dreaming Metal.
I will say I found some of the ship’s, shall we say, ‘decorating style’ discussion totally irrelevant to the plot and unnecessary – and a good reason to keep this away from my kids, but other than that I really enjoyed it.