This is a great book, we use it in our 4H displays and any other place that we want to have people get information with no pressure.  The only improvement I would suggest is more information on plying, specifically how to ply in the simplest form

Hi

I'm a viewer of Shay Pendray's show and am very interested in learning to knit.  I have never done it and don't have any tools.  I'm hoping for a guide to what tools I would need an easy yarn and pattern to work with and specific step by step instructions.  I f I could get a Slide show to look at or something along those lines I would appreciate any help you could offer.

Thanks for your help

Kandy Stoeck

If anyone has a Scottish Highlands festival near them, or a Renaissance, fair, the spinners, knitters, and weavers, abound there, it's a great source of hands on, and the demonstrators don't mind  sharing. That's where the bug really bit me bad. and that was 14 years ago.

i've been spinning for about 7 years now.  You'll get it.  If *I* could learn (self taught) anyone can, lol.

I agree with Indulgence, on both counts.  A CD spindle tends to be very light, and isn't exactly the best for the heavier, 'begginers yarn' that most folks who are just starting out end up with.  

I haven't looked at this file yet (thinking about using it as a base for teaching some Girl Scouts), but I had found that using the 'park and draft' method to help a lot while learning to draft.  Eventually, you'll be spining without having to stop the spindle for anything but winding on.  

Also, don't get discouraged if it comes out totally different than what you want.  Get the idea down first, then refine your technique to obtain the style you like.  

Probably two of my favorite sites are www.joyofhandspinning.com and http://www.ispindle.com/.  

HTH

You tube has alot of videos of people showing you how to spin with a spindle or a wheel, and all facets of fiber preparations. It is how I learned.

Just took a spinning course this month.  This is a very cool refresher.  Need a kniddy knoddy though....

Try "pre-drafting" the fiber a little, like they do when using a wheel....it makes it easier when you get to it.  Drafting is the big issue, when it comes to spinning....once you can master getting that fiber thinner without pulling it all the way off....it gets much easier!  I've been doing it a little over a month now...and its getting much easier.  

It actually got ALOT easier, once I purchased a "real" spindle.  The cd one was just too cumbersome.

I am trying to learn as well.  I got my spindle and some roving at the Dixon lambtown fair.  I have some links tagged on delicious.  Here is the link to those:

del.icio.us/.../spinning%2Bvideo

I got a spinner kit at the Makerfaire a few weeks ago and although it came with instructions....I need some more help!  Anyone know of good spinning videos, too?

I don't even have time to knit the stuff, let alone spin it!  However, I've always wanted to learn.  No problem, as I suffer from the Yarn Harlot's "Start-itis!"