The Burlington Weavers and Spinners Guild’s most recent newsletter posted a review of Sprang Unsprung:
Carol James’ book, “Sprang Unsprung” is great for anyone wishing to learn Sprang from the basics through to more advanced pattern making and colour play. The step-by-step instructions are offered for both left and right-handed folks, and are always accompanied by helpful coloured illustrations and photographs of work in progress. Each page of the book is jam packed with project details interspersed with historic sprang woven pieces.
James’ experience with Sprang weaving is extensive, and it shows in her clear instructions and logical progression of technique. She even provides schematics for building several different types of frame looms for weaving. The projects build upon what the weaver has learned from the last chapter, and for further inspiration and learning, James has put together a thorough annotated bibliography.
This book is very user-friendly and would be a good resource for anyone wanting to learn Sprang from the ground up.

The Burlington Weavers and Spinners Guild’s most recent newsletter posted a review of Sprang Unsprung:
Carol James’ book, “Sprang Unsprung” is great for anyone wishing to learn Sprang from the basics through to more advanced pattern making and colour play. The step-by-step instructions are offered for both left and right-handed folks, and are always accompanied by helpful coloured illustrations and photographs of work in progress. Each page of the book is jam packed with project details interspersed with historic sprang woven pieces.
James’ experience with Sprang weaving is extensive, and it shows in her clear instructions and logical progression of technique. She even provides schematics for building several different types of frame looms for weaving. The projects build upon what the weaver has learned from the last chapter, and for further inspiration and learning, James has put together a thorough annotated bibliography.
This book is very user-friendly and would be a good resource for anyone wanting to learn Sprang from the ground up.

Reviews are beginning to come in from readers of Sprang Unsprung.
Of course friends are supportive. I’ve been holding my breath for comments from someone who has minimal weaving experience. Such a review came today from Helen:
I found it very easy to read, very clear, and very simply written. That being said, it carried an immense amount of information. Really, that is the perfect balance.
I followed along some of the activities. As I am not a weaver, I found having so many loose ends hard to just have active. All my issue, not yours. :). The instructions are just right for someone who has a basic knowledge of fibre arts in general who is looking to expand. It is a beautifully accessible book. Well done!
Take care,
Helen

I’ve been working these past several months researching the subject of sprang, looking for North American examples, and have found plenty. More recently I’ve put nose to the grindstone, and have been working on a how-to book. My goal is to produce something similar to Fingerweaving Untangled. That is to say, I’m creating the step-by-step drawings, and taking detailed photos. Every time a thread is moved, another image is required. I’m working on the book that I wish I had when I was trying to figure out how to ‘sprang’.
I’ve heard tell of many examples of sprang from coptic excavations, from danish bogs, eastern Europe, and the like. I’d like to firmly root my book in the North American experience.
Things like the ‘no frame’ method will definitely be covered. There is evidence that this is the method used by early North American residents. Simple frames will also be featured. I’ll cover a basic list of patterns, monochrome, stripes, how to get the colors to move diagonally. I’ll also include patterns made on the surface by playing with S and Z (of course and explanation of S and Z themselves), patterns made by creating holes, and the like. Any special requests out there?
Well on the way with a set of basic drawings and instructions already done, I’m hoping to have this book off the press and ready for distribution by April 2011.

This from the Handweavers Guild of America publication, Shuttle Spindle & Dyepot, Fall 2008, a review of my book:
Fingerweaving Untangled,
by Carol James.
Self-published, 140, 4u3 Notre Dame, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R2H 0C1, Canada.
2008. Soft cover. 64 pages. $19.95
Described as “an illustrated beginner’s guide including detailed patterns and common mistakes,” this book is the perfect introduction to the ancient art of fingerweaving. Also known as ceinture fléchée or free end braiding, fingerweving has been used by American Indians, First Nations Peoples, and French-Canadians to make sashes, straps and belts.
In fingerweaving, the warp and weft are continuous: one becomes the other to produce a warp-faced fabric. This many-stranded braiding technique takes us beyond the summer camp lanyard experience. James guides the reader from a beginner’s friendship bracelet through more complex patterns, and finally to the traditional designs of diamond, flame, arrowhead, Acadian, and Assomption.
The book includes clear drawings with numbered step-by-step instructions.  James includes a line drawing of her plan for a comfortable fingerweaving set-up, and she explains issues to help the weaver produce an evenly tensioned band. Just-in-time terminology accompanies clear photographs of the process and the product. Hints for troubleshooting and solutions to potential problems prevent the weaver from going astray, and finishing instructions are included.
A collection of patterns includes step-by-step instruction and photographs, along with pattern descriptions, rules to follow, and pitfalls to avoid. The book ends with a selection of pattern graphs and a glossary.
This book will appeal to anyone interested in historical textiles and braiding, along with fiber enthusiasts interested in simple, meditative techniques. Weavers interested in “back to basics” will find this book delightful.
Reviewed by Elaine Bradley
Atlanta Georgia
Shuttle Spondle & Dyepot: Fall 2008

Published inBraid Society Newsletter June 2008
Carol is a weaver. teacher and researcher of the Sash, which is woven by the technique of Fingerweaving or Free End Braiding. The equipment needed is minimal, just a few sticks, some masking tape, and a fixing point- oh! and some nimble fingers.
Any smooth yarn can be used, but given the work required in a sizeable project, it is worth procuring a good quality worsted wool which will not pill or felt.
Carol takes us gently from a Beginner’s Project through stripes, diamonds and arrows to the Assomption and Arcadian patterns, thus providing a repertoire for more complex designs. The instructions are clear and the diagrams superb so even this rookie fingerweaver could follow them with no problems.
Carol’s method of making and maintaining the shed did not take long to learn and, with practice, I am sure that a good rhythm can be achieved.
Book review from the Fur Trade Quarterly, Fall 2008
You may recall the excellent Quarterly article by Carol James in which she carefully explained the difference between fingerwoven and machine woven French Canadian sashes. This is a superb how-to book with all color illustrations that can help anyone become a fingerweaver. Not only are the best patterns (arrowhead, Assomption, Acadian, flame, diamond, etc.) included, and the techniques to create them shown; she tells how to add beads to the sash and how to appropriately twist the end fringes.
James illustrates the most common errors of fingerweaving and tells the reader how to correct them. There is plenty of information about how to get started, including where to buy suitable yarn, and there are lots of beautiful pictures of old, original sashes. There is so much to recommend this book, either for the collector, the weaver, or the reenactor. It’s a bust buy.  – JAH
Susan Styrchak’s review for the Guild of Canadian Weavers
Fingerweaving Untangled: an Illustrated Beginner’s Guide Including Detailed Patterns and Common Mistakes by Carol James.  64 pages paper $19.95 available from McNally Robinson: www.mcnallyrobinson.com  ISBN 978-0-9784695-0-4
This book is, as it says, an excellent book for a beginner. At first, like most beginners, I got “hung up” on the pages describing the common mistakes, but as I examined the sequence of projects, it all made sense.
A simple eight strand friendship bracelet is the first project. And with that, Carol leads you to the beginner’s method of manipulating the threads, and then illustrates the “advanced” method. The essentials of set up, measurement of warp, materials to use and variations of pattern are all dealt with in a straightforward manner, and traditional patterns, like the sawtooth, lightning or arrowhead to name a few, are illustrated with simple examples to practice on .  The colour order for these various patterns are given first in written instructions and later in graph form.
On every page there are many diagrams and photos to help you see what the item should, or shouldn’t! look like.  Photos of some of Carol’s own sashes provide inspiration and photos of historical sashes from museum collections provide edification. These illustrate some errors but do not negate the fact that these weavings are nevertheless an impressive achievement.
If you ever abandoned a piece of finger weaving because it wasn’t turning out, or  wanted to try it because, after all, “what could be simpler?” this book will help you keep on track.