A knitting book focusing on the sheep-to-shawl process by a well-known knitter, shepherd, and artisanal yarn producer.
Gain an insider’s view on fiber farming and yarn craft, from sheep to skein, all told through the eyes of shepherd and textile artisan Barbara Parry. Follow her flock over the course of a year and discover all the facets of life with sheep: from shearing day and lambing season, to preparing fiber for yarn. Along the way you’ll find projects for the fiber obsessed by top knitwear designers, essays on country life, and over 100 stunning photographs. With the growing locavore movement, the rising trend in sustainable farming, and the ever-increasing interest in crafting, this book is perfect for those who yearn for a closer connection to a rural lifestyle and who enjoy making things by hand.
PRAISE FOR THE BOOK:
“Visually as well as informatively inviting, Barry’s story of her New England farm, particularly how she produces yarn for crafters, will absorb readers regardless of their previous interest in or even exposure to the nearly magical world of yarn preparation.”—Booklist , starred review
“Many people dream of ditching it all and starting a farm in the country, but Barbara Parry actually did it. In 1997 she began building a flock of sheep that has since become the foundation of her thriving Western Massachusetts fiber farm. Here she offers a beautiful, vivid portrayal of the life she has chosen. Season by season, she presents a narrative that is dreamy yet concrete, inspiring yet informative, and, always, unblinkingly honest. A must-read for anyone who wants to better appreciate where their yarn comes from.”—Clara Parkes
“Parry’s skillful hand and gentle heart are the perfect blend to capture the joys and heartaches of farming in the beautiful Berkshire Mountains.”—Linda Cortright, publisher of Wild Fibers magazine
“Many of us wool enthusiasts daydream about someday owning a farm, raising sheep, harvesting yarn, and going back to the land. Follow Barbara Parry—a former English teacher who made this dream a reality—on a journey that teaches us all ‘about the intangible gains of . . . taking the long road.’ ”—Jared Flood, knitwear designer and owner of Brooklyn Tweed
“In my very first years of sheep farming—and the resulting shearing, spinning, and knitting that goes along with it—I found myself turning each page slowly, not wanting the education and camaraderie to end. But no matter where you find yourself on the spectrum —farmer, spinner, dyer, knitter, or weaver—you are sure to find inspiration, laughter, and joy in the farm tales that Barbara shares.”—Amanda Soule, author of The Rhythm of Family
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Casting On
Spring Springdelle Jacket (project)Jammies for Lambies (project)
Summer A Summer Meal from the Kitchen Garden (project)Lavender Pillows (project)Bridge of Flowers Sweater (project)
Fall Dyeing and Hand Spinning a Self-Striping Yarn (project)Field and Sky Woven Tablet Cozy (project)Dyeing, Combing, and Spinning Mohair (project)Sundance Scarf (project)Wildwood Cabled Pullover (project)
Winter Solstice Hat (project)Dip Dyed Yarn Full Snow Moon Cowl and Mitts (project)Sumac Mittens (project)
Binding Off
Details
320 Pages
Hardcover
9.28 × 7.25 × .85 in
"Estoy muy emocionada de encontrar finalmente mi tienda de lanas local perfecta. Tienen una increíble variedad de lanas, desde lana de origen local hasta lotes pequeños de oveja, madejas y teñidas de forma natural. He estado dos veces (¡hasta ahora!) y he estado". Siempre me saludan muy amablemente. No se siente camarilla ni snob como lo hacen algunas tiendas. Su variedad es realmente sorprendente y hasta ahora he conseguido hilo para suéteres e hilo para dos chales diferentes aquí. Dawn también es genial y me da consejos sobre colores. . ¡Muy recomendable!" - Revisión de Google
"No podía dejar esta tienda con una puntuación lo suficientemente alta. 10000/10. En el instante en que entré, me saludaron cálidamente y me ayudaron de inmediato. Entré a comprar hilo para calcetines, pero me sentí abrumada por todos los increíbles hilos locales. "Me encanta que tienen una relación directa con sus artesanos del hilo. Incluso se quedó unos minutos después del cierre cuando yo tenía problemas para elegir una sola madeja. Nunca se sintió apurada o como si quisiera que me fuera. Se tomó el tiempo para asegurarse de que Estaba obteniendo exactamente el producto correcto e incluso puse mi madeja en un pastel. Es un servicio increíble que nunca antes me habían ofrecido. No puedo decir lo suficiente sobre este lugar. Definitivamente haré el viaje allí más a menudo. !" - Revisión de Google
