2011: I like how she talks about the design process both for spinning and for knitting. I love the patterns. This is one to buy and treasure.

2021: Guess I've slowed down over the past ten years, as these all look like a lot too much fuss. There are lots of different cables and Aran patterns. I would pass this on if I knew someone who would enjoy it. ( )

A fine fleece, knitting with handspun yarns. Lisa Lloyd, Potter. 2008.

Although the only yarns I spin are stories, I found this book immensely engaging, and it’s beautiful to look at.

She begins with Handspinning, Breeds of sheep, Spinning, the right yarn for the job & Technical Spinning stuff, which includes Twist, preparing the yarn for knitting, & how much per project.

The pleasing projects are divided into three sections:
1: Studies in Contrasts, how small adjustments and choice of yarn can give a traditional or contemporary look, be suitable for male or female, Town & Country i.e. dressing up or dressing down. Each of these designs is shown in a handspun and a commercially available yarn.
2. In the Scale & Perspective chapter the projects show how the weight of stitches and cables to different gauges gives a homey or more sophisticated look.
3. And the last group of designs, arans and laces in different yarns, using the large body of sweater canvas shows how to create a mood: mysterious Gaelic mist, symmetry and balance in the Arans, or the snakelike myths of St Patrick.

She finishes with a glossary of terms, and resources for spinners and the yarns used in this book.

Jacqueline Biéler, November 2008

There are a lot of nice patterns in here- esp sweaters and lace and scarves ( )