*Spinning Designer Yarns*

-by Diane Varney

Diane Varney offers good solid advice on spinning, yarn design intent,
and handling fibers and yarn for many different project uses. She covers
the topic thoroughly, describing and defining fiber and yarn
characteristics, fiber preparation, spinning, dyeing and blending. The
text and chapters are easy to read. At only 91 pages, the book is packed
with information and worth reading cover to cover. Key points are noted
in the margins to highlight what is important. Color photos throughout
the book describe visually how various spinning techniques, fibers,
twist, numbers of plies and designer features compare and contrast with
each other.

Varney explains the characteristics of yarn types and how they will
behave in a finished piece, to help you design the appropriate yarn to
the intended project. She recommends yarn types for knitting and weaving
projects, and the appropriate tools for those yarn types. The author
writes from her own experiences and mistakes, giving many examples of
what works and what does not.

Even though it would seem to be easier to learn to spin designer yarns
by watching, rather than reading, I found Varney’s descriptions,
sketches and photos clear enough to make a good mental video of the
process. Designer yarn spinning and plying techniques include core
spinning, curly yarns, tufted yarns, and crepe yarns, among others.
Several variations of yarn design are described for each technique.

/Christine Williamson, Librarian, Sept.2008/