The Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook

Deborah Robson and Carol Ekarius began writing the Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook after the United Nations declared that 2009 would be the International Year of Natural Fibers. The declaration was an environmental one as the process of producing synthetic fibers released harmful compounds into the air. The result was smog and many health problems for people who lived near the areas where they were produced.  The book was published in 2011.

As a person who spins fiber into yarn, having a book with information on 200 different sheep and other animals is quite resourceful to have on my bookshelf. The hair, or fiber, that is shorn from each type of animal has different characteristics and may need to be spun a certain way.  A spinner may need to purchase more fiber from a particular species to complete a project than from another species. Having all this information at your fingertips helps in making purchasing decisions.

When an animal can be grouped into a category, it is.  For example, there is the Cheviot Family of sheep, a Down Family, English Longwool Family, Merino Family and others.  Goats, camelids, bison, yak, rabbits and musk ox are also covered. Note that a camelid can be an alpaca, llama, guanaco, vicuna, or camel.

For each sheep/animal there is a description of its traits, facts on its fleece weight, length, diameter, lock characteristics and natural colors. There is also information on how to prepare it for spinning, how well it takes dyes, and the types of garments it is best suited for. In addition, there is a full color page showing the fiber in various forms.

You can see with all this information at hand, the spinner or weaver basically has a goof proof guide to selecting the best fiber for a project.

This is a must read for all spinners!