Inspired to Spin

Aim

We have written a beautiful, comprehensive guide to spinning yarn. We would like your help to publish it.

Hi, we are Alison Daykin and Cath Snape.

Inspired to spin is for the inquisitive starter and seasoned spinner alike.It’s clear and concise for ease of use. The go-to book to answer all those questions that pop up whilst learning this craft .    This is the book of answers for you, your fellow crafters, textile enthusiasts and anyone you know who loves their spinning wheel. 

It will be a hardback book with over 250 pages of detailed instructions, clear illustrations and beautiful photographs, printed on quality paper. 

About us 

Alison is an award winning designer of hand woven textiles. She has been teaching spinning and weaving for over thirty years and is an acclaimed tutor in the UK and Europe. Cath has crafted since childhood and began spinning fifteen years ago. Her scientific, research background  feeds her love of learning and the need to understand.  She has studied for spinning certificates in the UK and New Zealand and now teaches face to face and via zoom across the world.

Why this book 

This is the book Cath wished was available when she was developing her spinning  skills. Alison mentored Cath's spinning journey, and with her encouragement and advice, Cath achieved a distinction in the certificate of achievement of the UK Association of Guilds of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers.  

During this journey they became firm friends and identified the need for this book. There is no book that provides all the information in one place in an easy to access format. They wanted others to have the guidance and support Cath received from Alison.

Writing the book 

Over the last 3 years Alison and Cath have worked together spinning, writing and taking photographs.  They spun all the fibres and tested every technique in the book, to ensure that the details were clear.  Alison has translated some of the photographs into illustrations to aid clarity.

Amanda Hannaford and Jane Deane, renowned spinning tutors across the world and examiners of UK spinning certificates, have added their expertise, reviewing the book to ensure all techniques are clearly explained. 

The book covers 

• 'Know your wheel' and tips on learning
• Wool, from fleece to sorting, washing and preparing 
• Understanding yarn, spinning and plying techniques
• Other fibres, silk, cotton, flax, alpaca, cashmere, mohair and angora
• Blending and fancy yarns, locks, slubs, coils, boucle and many more
• Design, image analysis, sketchbooks and colour theory 
• Projects to use your yarns

Why does it matter?

Crafting in general and spinning in particular are now recognised for their value to our well being. There is a gap in the market for an easy to read, comprehensive spinning book to inspire spinners of all abilities. Alison's design background and Cath's scientific one are complementary, creating a beautiful book to encourage you to expand your spinning horizons.  

We hope 'Inspired to Spin' will become the go to book for spinners across the world.

What milestones achieved so far?

The content, images and illustrations for the book are complete 

The initial chapters are with the copy editor

The publisher is working on a design layout

What will the money raised be used for?

The money raised will be used to pay the copy editor and publisher to ensure a high-quality, beautifully designed and finished book, that will be treasured for years. 

This project successfully funded on 5th August 2022