Maggie Casey shares her holiday recommendations

One of the great things about being in northern Colorado is our close proximity to the city of Boulder, home of Shuttles, Spindles and Skeins. This shop is a must stop for visiting spinners, weavers, and knitters, with a large selection of fiber, coned yarn, and a vast library of books and magazines for sale. Specializing not only in fiber and equipment, the store also has an impressive lineup of regular classes and visiting fiber experts offering workshops. And if all this wasn't enough, it is co-owned by one of the best spinning teachers there is, Maggie Casey. Known for her calm understanding, Maggie is a regular SOAR mentor, as well as Interweave author and workshop personality. Just check out the "Maggie Taught Me" group on Ravelry if you'd like to hear more. With the holidays rapidly approaching, we asked Maggie to share her recommendations of what she thinks should be on every spinner's wish list. Being in the unique position of a master spinner and shop owner, she has a very useful list to share.

Maggie Casey generously shares her list of "must haves" for any spinner.

__Maggie: __Here is a list of my top recommendations for any spinner:

1. A spinning class—no matter how long you have been spinning, there is always more to learn
2. Subscription to Spin-Off magazine—such a wonderful resource
3. Sarah Anderson's The Spinner's Book of Yarn Designs—beautiful, full of ideas and information
4. Wool combs
5. Ann Budd's The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns—so you can make your project fit your yarn, not the yarn fit the project
6. Ann Budd's The Knitter's Handy Guide to Yarn Requirements or Knit Handy app and Crochet Handy app—so you know how much yarn to spin
7. Drum carder
8. Judith MacKenzie's The Intentional Spinner—great resource, instructions and projects
9. Hand dyed or exotic fibers
10. Deb Menz's Color in Spinning—out of print, but such a treasure
11. Yarn gauge
12. Jane and Nola Fournier's_ In Sheep's Clothing_—information on lots of sheep breeds and wonderful spinning details
13. Extra bobbins
14. Deb Robson & Carol Ekarius's Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook—information, pictures and so much more on many, many sheep breeds and other fibery animals.
15. Deb Robson and Carol Ekarius's The Field Guide to Fleece—a very handy information source to take to the next wool festival
16. The Yarn to Yards balance
17. DVDs by Judith MacKenzie, Sara Lamb, Stephenie Gaustad, Robin Russo, Deb Menz, and more—a lovely way to spend a couple of hours with your favorite spinning instructor

What a great group of suggestions! I know I would be a very happy spinner to get anything from this list under my tree this year, and I bet you would be, too.

Happy gifting and receiving,