Book Review: The Handspinner’s Companion by Amanda Hannaford

The Handspinner’s Companion: From Fibre to Yarn

by Amanda Hannaford

Publisher: The Crowood Press
Paperback, e-book, 144 pages
Publication date: August 12, 2025
$31.49

(As this title is published out of the UK, the physical book will not be widely available outside of the UK until February 10, 2026. However, the e-book is available now!) 

Buy now at crowood.com

Review by Meagan Condon

One of my favorite things to tell students is to read multiple books on the same topic and listen to multiple teachers or watch multiple videos. Every teacher and writer says things a little differently, and sometimes it takes hearing the same information presented differently for it to click. If you’ve struggled to learn how to spin, there are so many fantastic books geared toward learning the basics of how to make yarn. 

The Handspinner’s Companion, by Amanda Hannaford, is a great introduction to the world of spinning. The book, based on the author’s intensive 6-hour beginning spinner course, starts not with the tools but with the fiber itself, explaining how to choose and prepare wool from fleece. Many beginner lessons skip this important step and start with the spindle or the wheel. Hannaford provides enough information in the early part of this book to give readers a foundational vocabulary that lays out a pathway for future learning. 

The entire book is chock-full of detailed, close-up photographs of techniques accompanied by descriptive captions. I often find it difficult to follow photo tutorials, but I found Hannaford’s instructions easy to follow.  

Despite lots of clear photos, I will say this book is very text-heavy. If you are a crafter who likes to deep-dive quickly, this title will appeal to you. It is less of a “quick skim” book and more of a true companion to guide you through your first few months of spinning. This will make a great addition to any fiber guild’s library!