Yarn Spinning with a Modern Twist How to create your own gorgeous yarns using a drop spindle

Want to spin your own beautiful yarn? Expert spinner Vanessa Kroening shows you how in this easy introduction to spinning with a drop spindle. No need to invest in an expensive spinning wheel!

"The bounty of photos ensure readers will know how every step should look, and Kroening’s knowledge of the craft impresses. This makes yarn spinning easy." - Publishers Weekly

Expert spinner Vanessa Kroening shows you how to spin in this wonderfully accessible introduction to spinning with a drop spindle. Vanessa explains how to:

• clean and prepare fleece for spinning

• what to look out for when choosing a fleece

• how to card, blend colors, and make rolags and batts.

• use a drop spindle

• ply your yarn and how to add beads, sequins and other elements, as well as how to dye your yarn

Spinning with a drop spindle isn’t just fun – it's amazingly relaxing and highly creative too. You get to choose the type of fiber, and the colors and thickness of the yarn you make - you can even dye the yarn, and add beads, sequins and other embellishments to create your own unique yarns. A spindle is so compact, you can carry it around town with you and is not even necessary to have to spin. Be inspired and take your knitting, crochet, felting and weaving to a whole new level!

Vanessa Kroening is married with one child and lives near Cambridge, UK. She is American and has been living here since 2004. Vanessa was an aircraft mechanic in the United States Air Force for 15 years. She currently owns an online shop called The Spinner's Stash, specializing in handmade drop spindles, and spinning and felting fibres.

Though she's had no professional training in textiles, she has several years of acquired knowledge through reading, researching, experimenting and meeting with like-minded crafters. Currently, Vanessa exhibits as The Spinner's Stash at craft and fibre shows such as The British Wool Show, Kirsty Allsopp's Handmade Fair, Yarnporium and Textiles East. Additionally, she offers lessons and workshops in both spinning and felting. Samples of her work can be found on her website, thespinnersstash.com and on Instagram @thespinnersstash.