Handspinners Companion

If you’ve ever been curious about turning raw fleece into beautiful handspun yarn, The Handspinner’s Companion by Amanda Hannaford is a wonderfully approachable guide to the entire process. Written with beginners in mind but detailed enough to grow with your skills, this book walks through every stage of handspinning — from choosing and preparing fleece to spinning singles and creating finished plied yarns.

Filled with over 400 photographs and step-by-step tutorials, the book makes spinning feel far less intimidating and much more accessible. Amanda Hannaford breaks techniques down clearly, helping readers understand not just how to spin, but how different fibers, preparations, and drafting methods affect the finished yarn.

Whether you’re using a spindle, spinning wheel, or simply dreaming about learning the craft someday, this is the kind of practical reference you’ll return to often. A lovely resource for fiber lovers interested in slow making, traditional textile arts, and creating truly one-of-a-kind yarns by hand.