The Practical Spinner’s Guide: Rare Luxury Fibers

By Judith MacKenzie – A technical and inspiring guide to spinning rare and precious fibers

Discover the world of exceptional fibers with The Practical Spinner’s Guide: Rare Luxury Fibers, written by master spinner Judith MacKenzie.
This book is an essential resource for any spinner who wants to deepen their understanding of rare, fine, and high-value fibers such as qiviut (muskox), yak, camel, cashmere, alpaca, and other unusual or luxurious materials.

Clear, experienced, and highly practical, this guide explores each fiber’s unique characteristics and provides step-by-step methods for preparing, spinning, and finishing them to achieve the best results—whether you spin for weaving, knitting, or artistic projects.

What’s Inside

• Origins and characteristics of rare luxury fibers
• How to prepare delicate fibers: washing, carding, combing
• Techniques for spinning fine, short, or slippery fibers
• Spindle and wheel methods tailored to each fiber type
• Choosing the right ply, twist, and finishing approach
• Behavior of luxury fibers in knitted or woven textiles
• Tips for purchasing, storing, and handling precious fibers

Book Details

• Author: Judith MacKenzie
• Language: English
• Publisher: Interweave
• Pages: 144 pages (illustrated)
• Format: Softcover
• ISBN: 978-1596681605

Perfect For

• Spinners exploring rare or luxury fibers
• Intermediate to advanced fibre artists
• Makers wanting to improve their fine spinning techniques
• Anyone working with qiviut, yak, camel, cashmere, superfine alpaca, and other specialty fibers

Why We Recommend It

• Written by one of the world’s most respected spinning teachers
• Rich in technical detail while remaining approachable
• Covers fibers that few other books address
• An invaluable reference for improving skill, confidence, and fiber knowledge