And today, is the perfect day, for a little pay-it-forward…
Something about knitting that is always true: there is always something MORE to learn…
Even though I’ve been knitting for ages now (and designing from Studio Chic Knits for way over 10 years), almost every day, some nugget of info enters the scene, sometimes shaking it up, sometimes helping an idea cross the bridge from a thought to the needle.
I’ve been trying to aid and abet the speed of the shaky times with as much information as I can find – so I have knit encyclopedias, how-to-books, stitch pattern books, etc. in lots of versions, types and publish dates.
But something that I found I needed to truly understand what knitting was all about was not in my sights until this:
First of all: Clara Parkes.
Known far and wide as the ultimate yarn whisperer, she really put the pedal to the metal on this tome and goes far and wide to give us a wonderful look into the way-back story of wool itself. From sheep breeds to the types of wool they produce to an abundance of project patterns to test your new knowledge (more than 20!), it’s all there.
Secondly: this is a great basic go-to book to have in any knitter’s library. Even if you never set foot on a farm or go to a festival, it is an easy way to catch up on the organic nature and mystery of what’s been living on your needles all this time (and, yes, no mud…) There’s been a great renaissance of small producers here in the U.S. (and around the globe) and this book is perfect to help understand the evolution of some of the fabulous yarns appearing on the scene.
{{So: if you’d like a copy of The Book of Wool, just leave a comment below telling us which type of fibery animal is your favorite and why!}} … Comments closed – stand-by for winner announcement …
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…from our last visit to Bountiful Fridays on Chic Knits: the winner of 2-skeins of ToshDK in the TART colorway is Sharon A. who writes, “I love knitting because it’s always in my heart.” yes.
THANKS SO much to everyone for taking the time to comment and share with us your joy in our beloved craft. I invite everyone to get a nice refreshing cuppa and linger over the comments – they are some wonderful, inspiring reading…
happy weekend & happy knitting,
Bonne Marie
Ive spun dog, cat rabbit, sheep, & silkworm, but I gotta say Alpaca is my favorite–it’s so soft!
For me — it’s always alpaca . . . love the feel in my hands when I knit with it. And then the face of any alpaca — you just have to love them. Currently I’m knitting a wrap in alpaca from Winnie and Brown Derby — and I’ve met them both! I do love the lightness with all the warmth of the actual fiber.
(As an aside — I love yak — the yarn. Who knows? If I ever have the chance to see one face to face, it could become my all-time favorite.
I love alpacas. I love he soft warmth of their wool and I love their sweet little faces and long long neck s
sheep! my favorite fiber is wool, of course!
Yak! Not only is a joy to knit with, but the mental image of someone meticulously combing a yak makes me giggle every time
For me, it is sheep. Not only do I love their fleecy softness, but they have the cutest faces.
I love knitting with alpaca..so soft!!!
sheep! cause i love to knit with wool
Alpaca for mittens, warmer than wool. Cotton, I overlooked it for too long.
I often knit w wool but alpaca is my favourite. So soft and who could resist those cuddly cuties?!
I love to knit with alpaca and they are adorable!
I think my favorite has to be the Merino sheep because they are an ancient breed(I respect history and survival) and produce the most fabulous, versatile and high quality fiber (whether finely woven or chunkily knit).
Sheep!!
Baby King Llama!!!
My mother grew up on a sheep farm on the island of Texel, in North Holland, so I have a soft spot for the Texel sheep :)
I love using wool so I guess it’s sheep for me!
Sheep!
Camel! I love camels!
For me it will always be hardwearing, reliable, warm and cosy sheep’s wool.
Sheep! Merino sheep. Although Blue Faced Leicester is a close second…
Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!
Although there are many beautiful natural fibres, merino wool is still my favourite with a lovely tight spin. It is stretchy, resilient and provides beautiful stitch definition.
I like the alpacas just because of their haircuts.
The Icelandic Sheep is my favorite sheep because I like the way they look and I also admire their wool. They have a playful, even whimsical look, which makes me feel light hearted when I see them.
Cormo sheep. They are sweet animals with buttery soft fiber.
This winter I have become even more in love with angora. Working outside I always have a hat on in winter but my hat that has a high angora content is the only one that really repels the moisture and lets my head stay dry and warm.Not to mention how awesome those angora rabbits are!
I LOVE Merino wool….so, I guess Merino Sheep would be my favorite…..
Sheep – wool of course! So versatile, works for everything. Plus I’ve always loved the smell.
Alpaca! They’re so soft & warm as well as so sweet looking. I love visiting them and petting their noses.
I just love knitting and I just love Alpaca. Besides being soft and warm I know some of these beautiful creatures personally. They are a hoot and give us a wonderful product to work with.
Sheep, in all fleeces and colors. From such a humble animal comes such a luscious fiber. Thanks, sheep!
I love knitting with baby alpaca yarn. It is so incredibly soft while still being strong enough for my knitting projects.
Angora – because I have an English Angora bunny – Marilyn Bunroe. So soft and you can spin with her on your lap !
It is alpaca for me too. So wonderfully soft to wear and to knit!
I love angora bunnies! So soft and gorgeous,and love angora fibre…especially when blended with sheeps wool. I love sheep too. I have just finished a garment in Jacob wool, and it was wonderful! Such an ancient breed,it is like knitting with history…really cool.
I’m pretty sure alpaca are my favorite – not only is their yarn super soft, but I love the adorable tuft of hair left on their heads after they’re sheared! But I have to confess, I have a couple of “fantasy fibers” – I would love to try spinning with hair from a wooly mammoth, and the idea of wool dogs just fascinates me. But since both of those critters are extinct, I’m going to stick with alpaca ;)
Alpaca!!! There’s a running joke in my family that I’m getting one for the back yard! They are so cute and then there’s the bonus of the fiber, of course! :)
Alpaca is lovely – but sheep is the traditional wool of this country and we need to support that.
Angora! Because it is so soft, snuggly and retro all wrapped up in a fabulous halo. It also alwasy makes me think of Johnny Depp – his Ed Wood fetish!
The sheep! There are so many wool choices and many of them at reasonable prices.
Sheep is my fav animal fiber. It is so incredibly versatile and can be spun so many different ways. :) Thanks!!
Sheep. Because wool. :)
Alpaca is my absolute favorite! I love the feel and the softness as I’m knitting with it. And I love wearing it.
Do I have to pick just one? I just finished a cowl knitted with a blend of alpaca, mohair and silk. Fluffy, yummy and soft!
How can you pick just one??? That would be like trying to pick your favorite child!
I love alpaca not just because of the fiber’s buttery softness but because the animals are so lovely and gentle and inquisitive.
I love knitting with all forms of wool. It holds its shape, it makes the stitches look so much smoother and things just seem to look so much neater and perfect with wool.
Sheep, because they’ve been there for us for thousands of years keeping us warm, wet or dry, with their wool!
Wool! I love wool for all it’s redeeming qualities but mostly because I can count on it to behave!
Knitting with merino is like coming home again – it’s reliable, comes in marvelous colors, has great memory and creates such wearable fabric!
I love wool from a sheep, it is so versatile and natural. Plus, my grandma taught me to knit with wool, so it always takes me back to those days when she was alive and teaching me to love knitting like she did!!