Five of the Best Books for Fiber Arts

This book has to be the most comprehensive book available today on the subject of fiber animals and fiber. The photographs are gorgeous and there are descriptions of almost every breed of sheep in the world. Along with the wonderful pictures of the animals, are detailed descriptions, photographs of the fiber and what it is best used for. Some even show samples of the yarns knitted and woven.

It’s not just a reference book though. There are lively descriptions of individuals such as Shrek, the Merino sheep in New Zealand who evaded the shearers for six years. When finally caught, his fleece weighed 60 pounds.

The world’s smallest sheep, the ouessant, will capture your imagination. They are smaller than some breeds of dogs.

This is a book that can be enjoyed on many different levels for many years.

I’ve always had an interest in archeology and especially the daily lives of people who lived in ancient times. This book describes the production of cloth and clothing and the changing role of women in producing them.

Barber begins her book describing the Paleolithic "Venus figure" carved wearing a string skirt and goes on to describe the creation and significance of the garment. She traces the evolution of textiles, spinning and weaving.

Barber uses a light, conversational tone in the book without assuming that the reader is an expert in spinning and weaving. Still, she is scholarly in her approach  She bases her facts on archaeology, geology, art, and ancient texts.

I had trouble putting this book down. The author was funny and fascinating with tales from a sheep farm and a reluctant shepherd. My dogs were frequently jolted out of a good nap by my outburst of laughter as I read the saga of farm life in a northern part of the United States.

Friend never really wanted to farm but was led astray by her partner. Now, after 15 years, she’s tired and wants to give it up. She realizes, however, that sheep and small farms are perhaps too important to give up.

I had to read Friend’s previous books “Hit by a Farm” and “The Compassionate Carnivore.” They were every bit as good as "Sheepish."

Since I have a perfectly nice spinning wheel, I tend to forget about my spindles. This book by Abby Franquemont has reminded me that the spindle is not just something to learn on before making the big purchase of a wheel.For many generations and cultures, it was the tool of choice.

Franquemont not only explains the differences between top whorl and bottom whorl spindles, but also the difference between a drop spindle and a support spindle and what each can be used for. She gives tips for buying or making your own spindles and ways to use them.

Franquemont learned to spin in the Andes as a child and offers us a unique view of childhood in South America and the value placed on the craft of making cloth.