With a foreword by Deborah Robson who co-wrote one of the
most comprehensive books available on breed-specific
wools, (The Fleece and Fiber Source Book), Beth Smith's
SPINNER'S BOOK OF FLEECE: A Breed-by-Breed Guide to
Choosing and Spinning the Perfect Fiber for Every Purpose
has eminent wool-cred. Beth's nine years of professional
spinning experience is none-too shabby, either.
As she explains in her introduction, Beth Smith's
SPINNER'S BOOK OF FLEECE is not intended to give specific
information on wool from all specific sheep breeds but
rather to give the reader information and tools with
which they can examine a fleece or even a mystery hank of
roving and make an informed determination on what broad
category of wool it falls into and make a choice on the
best use of that type of fiber. Even further, she gives
thorough information on a variety of ways to treat and
process that wool depending on what the spinner's final
intended use shall be.
Although the tips and procedures can be very technical
and precise, even a beginner spinner can benefit from the
information provided, although a certain basic knowledge
of spinning is assumed. The proper use of combs, carder
and diz is valuable as is the discussion of setting up
spinning wheel whorls in different ratios and the
benefits of those choices. As you read through the broad
categories of wool type (fine, down, longwools etc) and
the more specific breed information you find gems
sprinkled throughout, tips and techniques that otherwise
only hard experience can provide.
If you have any interest in spinning your own yarn
whether it is just a wish or you are an established hand
at the skill I highly recommend adding Beth Smith's
SPINNER'S BOOK OF FLEECE to your reference shelf. It's
like having a knowledgeable neighbor ready to consult
whenever you have a question on the subject.
As spinners, knitters, and weavers know, the
characteristics
of fleece -- its structure, grease content, and fiber
diameter -- vary widely depending on the breed of sheep
the
fleece comes from. These factors are crucial when you're
deciding how to spin your fleece and use your finished
yarn.
In this comprehensive reference, Beth Smith presents a
thorough overview of 21 sheep breeds, including each
breed's
characteristics and history, a photo of the animal and its
locks, the best methods for washing its fleece, and
specific
techniques for preparing, spinning, and finishing the
fleece. You'll discover how to select the fleece that is
best for your project and how to spin exactly the yarn you
need.
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