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 …
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
…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
Obviously, I need to get a copy of this book, because these days my favorite fiber is merino, and I’m not real sure what kind of sheep it comes from. Are there merino sheep? Yea, gonna need to research that right quick…. just googled it and yup, there are merino sheep! (I’m a bit embarrassed I just typed all of this.( I love merino for its soft squishiness!! A close second favorite is silk/alpaca blend…and I do know where those come from!
Baby alpaca….because it’s so soft. We also have a farm close by that raises alpaca and the babies are just so sweet.
I love Gotland, especially the yarn a local friend produces, here in Belgium.
The yarn is soooo soft and has that ‘dry’ feel that makes my hands happy. And as it is locally produced, it feels even better.
I like the classic sheep. Without sheep where would we be? Wool from sheep never goes out of style.
My favorite is sheep because it is so versatile and warm!
I love merino and alpaca. They are both soft – especially merino which I can wear next to my skin. They are both warm, and can be washed in cool water with wool wash. They don’t even need washing often.
I also like mixtures with these wools with cashmere.
These beautiful yarns are wonderful to knit with and watch your project become a beautiful sweater, hat, scarf….. Keeps me a happy knitter!
Sheep? I love knitting with wool of all kinds – merino may be my favorite. Mix in a bit of cashmere, and I’m one happy knitter : ) Thanks for this offer!
Love it all, but I think Baby alpaca is my fave.
I like them all.
cashmere goats- I love mixing cashmere with wool and goats are fabulous animals!
Sheep! I love wool, even the smell! And with so many varieties I never tire of it. I would adore this book, as her Book of Yarn is a fave!
sheep! Wool is the best, the staple, the bread to my butter. I love other fibers, but wool is home!
Alpaga!! So soft…
I like merino wool because it is soft and holds up well.
Since I just finished my first pair of socks, I would have to say merino!
Alpaca – nothing like it for softness!
Alpaca is so soft, but also expensive, so I will say Merino!
Ah, it’s so hard to choose! But it has to be angora bunnies for me, because bunnies always win. :-)
I am particularly enamored of alpaca yarn at the moment. I have just finished my first pair of mittens from natural alpaca yarn that I purchased from an alpaca farm along the Columbia River. When I wear the mittens I feel a connection to all things natural, warm and nurturing. It is pure joy.
Alpaca. They have such sweet faces. And it is such a light, yet warm, fiber.
I love alpacas – both the animals and their fleece/yarn. A few years ago, I visited an alpaca farm in Vinton, IA (near my home in Cedar Rapids). The animals were so gentle and beautiful, and I was able to learn about the whole process of shearing, milling, and spinning the fleece into yarn. I bought two skeins (which were named for the animals they came from) and made a hounds-tooth patterned scarf, which is my Marjorie/Chloe scarf!
I would love to learn more about all different types of wool! Thanks!
Mmm..I love me some Blue-faced Leicester. It’s so soft with beautiful stitch definition!
I love bison yarn, it is great for neckwarmer, fingerless gloves, hat outdoor gear. It is soft and can withstand getting wet. The color hues are nicely highlighted in the sunshine as well
Hello. Alpaca because they so cute and the yarn is soo soft!
I’m going with Merino! I also just finished a pair of socks and they are delightfully soft and warm!
I love merino with some cashmere. It’s my favorite because it’s soft and durable. I recently got some blue faced leicester yarn for a shawl that is so soft. I can’t wait to knit it :) I also like Alpaca and Llama! I guess I just like wool :)
I love merino because it can be worn next to the skin and alpaca for it’s texture.