The Fleece & Fiber Sourcebook

May 1, 2011

In this extensive volume, experienced fiber artist Robson and livestock and farming expert Ekarius introduce fiber artists to the variety of wool-producing animals. The focus is on sheep breeds and sheep's wool, but there's also a section on other animals from angora rabbits and household cats and dogs to musk oxen, yaks, and bison. Full-color photographs of each animal and its fiber, along with a breed history and specifications and suggested uses for the fiber, are included. This is an excellent resource for fiber artists curious about different types of animal fibers and how best to use them.

Copyright 2011 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from May 15, 2011
Two experts, one a farmer and livestock guru, the other a fiber magazine editor, join forces to produce this resource for yarn crafters. Robson and Ekarius enliven the pictures and descriptions of about 200 breeds of sheep, inserting critical information and fun facts. The preface covers benefits, biology, and terms to know, from badger-faced to yield, and includes a few intriguing paragraphs on what makes wool scratchy. Obviously, most of the presented wool producers are sheep. For each major breed, there are color photographs of the animal and its output (fleece and finished fiber), great background data, and good notes about suitability for dyeing and knitting, spinning, and other best uses. Both domesticated (the Lonk and Scottish blackface) and feral (e.g., loose animals in New Zealand and some Scottish isles) are covered. Though not described in as much detail, such other species as goats, camels, alpacas, and even the newer crosses (e.g., cashgora and pygora) arent given short shrift. Robson and Ekarius even nod to rabbit, dog, wolf, and cat (Chances are good that if youre considering dog hair, . . . youre either a spinner or you know one). Well written and researched, a reference for all ages.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)