Listen to the Wool: A Why-to Guide for Joyful Spinning

by Josefin Waltin, Dan Waltin (Photographer)

Overview

Unlock the timeless art of spinning with Listen to the Wool, a guide that invites you into a world where wool transforms into more than just yarn—it's a journey of connection, creativity, and mindful craftsmanship. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced spinner, this book is your perfect companion, offering insights into every aspect of wool preparation and spinning. Learn how to listen to the wool, feel its story, and create something truly unique from every fleece you encounter. Through practical exercises and deep reflections, you'll cultivate a deeper connection to the wool and a richer understanding of your own spinning process.

In Listen to the Wool, every step, from selecting the fleece to spinning the perfect yarn, becomes an exploration of mind, body, emotion, and spirit. This is not just a technical manual—it's a guide to rediscovering the joy and beauty in every twist and turn of the fiber. Embrace the process of slow, mindful spinning, and find the deeper satisfaction that comes from honoring the wool’s journey. With tips for both beginners and seasoned crafters, you’ll gain confidence, creativity, and a deeper understanding of your craft, while being gently guided through each step of your spinning journey.

More than just a how-to book, Listen to the Wool fosters a sense of community, inviting you to connect with fellow spinners, share experiences, and celebrate the collective journey of learning. With every page, you’ll not only refine your technique but also learn to approach your craft with gratitude, respect, and intention. Ready to dive in? Turn the page, and let the wool teach you its secrets—one spin at a time.

 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780811776691
Publisher:	Globe Pequot
Publication date:	11/04/2025
Pages:	184
Product dimensions:	8.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.38(d)

About the Author

Josefin Waltin has been teaching spinning in person and online for 12 years and has gathered a faithful following of dedicated spinners. She has written articles for Spin-Off and PLY and is the co-author of Knit (spin) Sweden! with Sara J. Wolf.

Table of Contents

Contents
Foreword
Prologue
Ways to Read this Book
 
Part 1: Explore
A Box in My Lap
Chapter 1: Off the Hoof: Listen to the Sheep
Chapter 2: A Smorgasbord of Wool
Chapter 3: On Washing Fleece
Chapter 4: Staple by Staple: Pick Your Fleece
 
Part 2: Play
Create and Destroy
Chapter 5: Superpowers
Chapter 6: Sampling, Swatching, and Keeping Records
Chapter 7: Add Air: Tease Your Wool
Chapter 8: Prepare: Shape the Mass and Structure the Fibers with Cards and Combs
 
Part 3: Create
I Am a Spinner
Chapter 9: Twist Model
Chapter 10: Spin, Ply, Finish
Chapter 11: Be Kind
Chapter 12: Break the Rules
Chapter 13: In the Bubble
 
Part 4: Expand
The Map and the Pillowcase
Chapter 14: Closeness
Chapter 15: Slow
Chapter 16: We Need to Talk
Chapter17: Embrace Your Mistakes
 
Part 5: Listen
The Wool Spirit
Chapter 18: The Knowledge of the Hands
Chapter 19: With My Two Hands
Chapter 20: The Inner Spinner
Chapter 21: Let the Wool Be Your Teacher
 
Epilogue: Echoes
Acknowledgments
Appendix 1: Featured Tools and Wools
Appendix 2: Toolkit
Glossary
Bibliography
 
 

Editorial Reviews

I’ve spent decades exploring the idiosyncratic qualities of a multitude of fleeces, along with different tools and techniques. I know very well the joy of pulling a lock out of a newly-shorn fleece and gauging its length, crimp, color, and texture—wondering which adventure it will lead me on. Josefin’s contributions to our community encourage us to open our hearts and our hands to the incomparable pleasures offered by every woolly sheep, who annually shares its bounty with us and bounces back into the field, already growing the fleece that will carry subtle traces of the year to come into our future crafting quests.

I encourage you to open this book and your mind and let Josefin guide you on this incomparable voyage.

Listen to the Wool Deborah Robson