This book has a lot of interesting information about spindles, their histories, and the history of textiles. But as an instruction how-to manual to teach beginning spinners I find it lacking. I routinely teach myself different crafts through reading books, which is how I have learned origami, knitting, and bobbin lace. I bought this to learn special techniques or which types of yarn can be made with a spindle. My largest pet peeve about this book was that it kept repeating that any type of yarn can be made with a spindle or spinning wheel depending on the spinners expertise and skill level. There was too much general information and not enough special techniques. ( )

I worked back and forth between this book and the DVD by the same name to teach myself drop spindling at home. It worked pretty well. By the time I got to my local weaver's guild I had only a few flaws that needed to be worked out by a live spinner's observations and comments. ( )

Obviously, I wouldn't have bought this if I didn't want to spin, but it has intensified that desire. Now to find my spindle - or a new one and try it out. I'll update when I know if it took.

It took. I am having a wonderful time with my spindles and various wools, etc.

Update 2015. Still spinning, and although I now have a wheel, I use that mostly for plying. I hadn't remembered most of what this book has to offer. Her best advice is that you need to find what works for you to make the yarn you want to spin. If that isn't the way someone else does it, who cares? I find that several things I do are the opposite from what she does, but I also understand why my method works for me. Confirming 4 1/2 stars. ( )

Superb book, not just about spindles and creating yarn by spindling but about the cultural background and history, what wheels change about the culture. Something like the differance between swords and guns.

Don't think I will ever make the effort to learn to use a spindle well, but at least I know why not. ( )

Excellent book about spindle spinning for beginners. ( )