This book would never have been written and published without the help, love, and support of many, many people. My heartfelt thanks go out to the people listed below and to the people I’ve met in the fiber community who sparked an idea in passing or just simply understood my passion.
To my family I love you. Thank you for dealing with my crabby moods and my mess, for knowing the difference between a goat and a sheep, for pretending you understand what I’m always talking about, and for having fiber stuck to every piece of clothing you own and not minding too much.
To the people who literally touched this book in one way or another. I am grateful beyond measure.
The folks at Storey Publishing Gwen Steege, for believing in this book, for your encouragement, kindness, respect, and for holding all of the threads through the whole process.
Deborah Balmuth, for giving this book the green light and for treating your reps so well.
Carolyn Eckert, for your unique and beautiful vision for my book and for the shared love of texture.
John Polak, for making my book come alive with the most detailed and exquisite fiber photography.
Alee Moncy and Sarah Armour, for telling the world about my book.
Beth Smith, for giving this book your spinning stamp of approval and arguing about only one thing.
Kate Atherley, for being the greatest, most relentless tech editor any book or designer could have.
My designers Kate Atherley, Adrian Bizilia, Julia Farwell-Clay, Romi Hill, Bristol Ivy, Kirsten Kapur, Amy King, Laura Nelkin, and Lynne Vogel, who honored this book with their talent. Thank you for saying yes when this fan girl asked.
The dyers, for inspiring me with luscious color, for featuring prominently in my personal stash and supporting me with fiber for my samples (and more):
Christine Eschbach and James Shapiro, Carla Kohoyda-Inglis, Amy King, Sarah Freitas, Tina Newton, David Schulz, Adrian Bizilia, Riin Gill, Sasha Torres, Lisa Souza, Beth Casey, Kate Sitzman, Emily Wohlscheid, Esther Rogers, Josette McWilliams, Rachel Brown, Katie Weston, Felicia Lo, Mary Ann Pagano, and Casey Ryder.
To my spinners Carol Knox and Beth Smith, thanks for your steady hands, consistent drafting, and perfect yarns.
To The Porches for letting us shoot most of the book in your wonderfully eclectic hotel.
A big fuzzy hug to the people who kept me going, who answered my questions, who applied kindness and a foot to my butt in equal measure — this book would never have happened without you.
To my flock of friends, fiber and otherwise, who cheered me on, thank you for listening, always asking, “How’s the book?,” reminding me that I know how to spin, and believing in me and this book.
Kat Christensen, Greg Cotton, Kate Jackman, Amy King, Kirsten Mowrey, Sasha Torres.
The Women of BLAR: Alice, Beth, Carla, Dynese, Erica, Katherine, and Sarah — thank you for the years of fiber getaways, the thousands of hours of movies, spinning, alcohol, and rude humor.
Carla Kohoyda-Inglis, for all the years of shared fiber obsession.
Jane Patrick (not the weaver), for letting me say whatever is in my head no matter how awful it is.
Amy Singer, for encouraging me to follow whatever dreams I have and helping to make them happen with Knitty.
Beth Smith, for teaching me so many things and for being my friend even though I don’t like spinning white fiber.
I’ve encountered a lot of wickedly smart and creative women on my personal spinning journey. These women are my light; they keep me inspired, keep me going back to the wheel, the classroom, and the keyboard. I am indebted.
Jacey Boggs, for going your own way and thriving.
Maggie Casey, for teaching me that there is not just one way to spin.
Linda Ligon, for opening the door to the world of fiber publishing and giving me a chance when you didn’t really want to. For planting the seeds for our spinning community from which so much has bloomed.
Judith MacKenzie, for keeping and sharing the stories and for the words of encouragement.
Clara Parkes, for leading by thoughtful example.
Jane Patrick, for creating the most beautiful spinning tools and adapting so well to a changing market.
Deb Robson, for never giving up, ever.
Sarah Swett, for showing how to be dedicated to your craft.
Lynne Vogel, for color and creativity and for starting me on this path.
Saving the best for last, my thanks to the spinners I have sat beside and talked to over the years — thank you for so generously sharing with me what you know and what you think.
To my students, for showing up, always asking the best questions, teaching me new things, and not minding when I sing or dance in class.
To you, for buying this book — thank you and happy spinning.