Handspinner’s Companion: From Fibre to Yarn, Amanda Hannaford

Handspinner’s Companion is a beautifully illustrated and thoroughly practical guide that takes you on the journey from raw fleece to hand-spun yarn. Amanda Hannaford unpacks every phase—from selecting, preparing and carding the fleece, through to the nuances of drafting, spinning, plying and finishing your yarn—accompanied by step-by-step sequences and over 400 photographs that demystify the craft and enable even beginners to build confidence.

The book is written with a thoughtful tone, honouring the tactile nature of fibre, the rhythms of spinning, and the personal satisfaction of making your own yarn. With clear instruction, visual clarity and design sensibility, it’s as much an invitation to slow, considered creativity as it is a technical manual.

About the Author
Amanda Hannaford is a seasoned spinner and educator whose expertise spans traditional and contemporary hand-spinning techniques. Her background in craft education and deep engagement with fibre culture infuses the volume with both practical know-how and a maker’s empathy. Her approach emphasises not just how to spin, but why—highlighting material choices, process decisions and creative possibilities.

Publication date: 2025
Publisher: The Crowood Press
Pages: 144
ISBN: 9780719845277

Dimensions: 21.49 x 1.27 x 26.01 cm