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yummyyarnMJ
New Pal
Germany
10 Posts |
 Posted - 12/02/2005 : 6:22:38 PM
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Is there a definitive book on fiber types or sheep breeds? As a novice spinner I'm curious about all the different types of fiber out there. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!
MJ
http://yummyyarn.indus3ous.com |
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yarnlover
Permanent Resident
1729 Posts |
Posted - 12/02/2005 : 7:35:51 PM
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I don't know of a book that is currently available, but I recently obtained a copy of a workbook titled Focus on Fleece.
A couple of months ago I accidently found out about a spinners guild that meets only 2-3 miles from my home. Of course, I joined up immediately. At last month's meeting one of the spinners, a gentleman in his 70s, was selling some tools and things that belonged to a member who recently had to go into a nursing home. I never had a chance to meet her, but everyone spoke so fondly of her. One of the items for sale was her copy of this workbook, Focus on Fleece. I snatched it up, as no one seemed interested, and it is well worn, looks like she used it a lot, and I didn't want to see it left behind, plus it has so much wonderful information inside.
It was published in 1983 & 1986 by a group in Canada. In the introduction, it says the book is the result of 15 Canadian spinners who met through the summer spinning program at Georgian College, Owen Sound, Ontario, led by Dorothy Kirk.
They decided to examine the fleece qualities of different breeds of sheep in Canada, with the objective of compiling the guide for spinners. Each member spun 4 oz. sample from each fleece and kept accurate records of her results. The results of this spinning is the workbook.
It is set up with two facing pages for each breed. On the left side is an illustration of the sheep with general information about the breed underneath. On the facing page this information is provided: Staple length, Appearance of fleece, How it was prepared, Spinning time with comments on how easy (or not) the fleece was to spin, How much weight was lost due to scouring, the shrinkage (not sure how this was derived), and recommended uses for the fleece. Some of the pages have sample locks of fleece and/or sample yarn.
What a treasure this is. It is all done in calligraphy, hand-done calligraphy by the same woman who did the illustrations.
I paid a grand total of $2 for this treasure.
See My Stuff: Here
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RoseByAny
Permanent Resident
USA
12598 Posts |
Posted - 12/02/2005 : 7:47:33 PM
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A terrific resource is In Sheeps Clothing: a handspinner's guide to wool (by Nola Fournier & Jane Fournier)
Shows breeds from all over the world, describes the sheep, the fleece, the staple, and so on, often close pictures of the staple.
I was just using it last night!
"Choose your friends by their character and your socks by their color. Choosing your socks by their character makes no sense, and choosing your friends by their color is unthinkable."
http://RoseByAny.BlogSpot.Com |
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kknitter
Gabber Extraordinaire
407 Posts |
Posted - 12/03/2005 : 04:18:38 AM
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| I'll second RosebyAny's suggestion of In Sheeps Clothing. It's a great resource. Or you can ask here about specific fibers and see who has spun them and what they think about them. |
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SpinaYarn
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
492 Posts |
Posted - 12/03/2005 : 08:51:43 AM
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Another great little book is "Handspun Treasures from Rare Wools" published by Spin Off copyright 2000. I love the photos in this book - just tremendous!
An also there is: the "British Sheep and Wool Book". Its a small booklet of the sheep breeds in England. Gorgeous photos of the sheep, and small bits of info on the fiber etc. (mostly a good book for animal lovers..I bought it for my husband a couple years ago)
By the way, how's the spinning going MJ ?
knit with joy-
Teyani
www.http://intrepidfiberwizard.blogspot.com/ |
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BessH
Permanent Resident
3095 Posts |
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SpinaYarn
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
492 Posts |
Posted - 12/08/2005 : 10:18:10 AM
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Oh yeah - I forgot about that one! Its a fabulous book too!
You know, don't you, that Jonelle now owns Southwest Trading Company, the ones who first began importing Soysilk? She's doing great!!
knit with joy-
Teyani
www.http://intrepidfiberwizard.blogspot.com/ |
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