When I'm interested in something, I like to learn as much as I can about it, so I am always on the look out for useful books. I recently picked up the wonderful book, Beautiful Sheep by Kathryn Dun. It's chock full of gorgeous, full size, glossy, color photos. Each breed gets a two page layout. The left hand page outlines all sorts of useful information about the breed and the fiber. It's such a nice reference book. It will go right on my desk next to the book, In Sheep's Clothing, by Nola Fournier and Jane Fournier, this is my "go to book" when I'm sourcing fleeces and fiber. It's well organized and it's a good size to tuck in your bag when you head off to the fiber festivals.
At spinning recently, one of my friends recommended the book Sheepish, by Catherine Friend, which lead me to another book of hers, Hit By A Farm. Both are great reads, they are the perfect combination of information, paired with hilarious anecdotes.(And some not so hilarious, but it's important to see it all, right?) I came away with an honest glimpse at their path as they became sheep farmers.
The last two are oldies but goodies, Raising Sheep The Modern Way and Turning Wool Into A Cottage Industry, both by Paula Simmons of Pat Green Carders fame. I have quite a few of her books, love them all!
Now you may be wondering, why does a spinner need to know so much about raising sheep? It's interesting for one, but also, I have learned so much about the fiber I work with everyday. There is also the dream of so many spinners, me included, that someday I will have a little spinners flock on my own little farm. Stay tuned for that!
If you have any books you would like to recommend, I'd love to hear about them!
Have a wonderful weekend! Blessings Friends!
Melissa
I have most of those books along with just getting the Fleece to Fiber Book and the Knitters Book of Wool.
ReplyDeleteBooks, books, glorious books! Now for the time to sit and read them.... Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteYou know, I could have written your first sentence myself, I love to learn everything I can about a subject when I start out :) Also, I love books!
ReplyDeleteI must admit, a little sheepishly, I don't own and have not read even one of those books. Bad girl...I guess it's been all about the alpaca...I'd better get busy wih my education.
ReplyDeleteHappy Fiber Arts Friday!!
"It's chock full of gorgeous, full size, glossy, color photos"
ReplyDeleteSheep pr0n ... lol!
That's awesome! I really want to spend some time researching the various breeds, too.
ReplyDeleteJess
Ditto on The Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook. It's full of anything and everything you would want to know about spinning fibers and the animals that donate them... as an added bonus (for me anyway) one of the authors has become a friend of mine. :-) by Deb Robson and Carol Ekarius.
ReplyDeleteAlso I really enjoyed The Year of the Goat by Margaret Hathaway. It's an autobiographical journey of one couple's journey to becoming goat farmers and cheese makers... Not exactly the same as fiber and sheep, but the story of the path is relevant.
I share your dream of having a fibery flock some day. I'll take bunnies, merino sheep, alpaca, cashmere goats, even long haired dogs, some silk worms would be nice too.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the lovely comment on my blog! Have a great weekend and I hope you get your little flock soon!
ReplyDeleteWhat great books and beautiful yarn that you have! Thanks for your nice comments today!
ReplyDeleteI read In Sheep's Clothing recently. It had some interesting info in it. My mom's all into learning about the different kinds of fleeces (it's her book), but I'm more into color and artsy spinning techniques. I think it's interesting how spinning can be so unique to the spinner. Love it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the great suggestions, if they're weren't already on my list, they are now! Year of the Goat sounds great, I'm gonna go look for it now.
ReplyDeleteHi! Your books sound great! I love also books and enjoy so much reading!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your sweet comment!
Sunny wishes! Teje
My mom gave me Fleeces and Fiber Sourcebook by Robson and Ekarius. It is really good. I think you would like it. Very comprehensive. Great photos.
ReplyDeleteEven if you didn't want your own flock, it makes perfect sense to me to want to know as much as you can about where your fiber comes from. I've read the Knitter's Book of Wool as well as a few books on non-animal sources of fiber. It all goes into the fiber and textile hopper. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat collection. You can ad "Fleece in your Hands" and "Angora Goats the modern way".
ReplyDelete