Deborah Robson

The characteristics of fleece — its structure, grease content, and fiber diameter — vary widely depending on the breed of sheep the fleece comes from. In this comprehensive guide, Beth Smith profiles 21 types of fleece, from bouncy and pliant to lacy and lightweight. A sheep-by-sheep reference describes the best way to wash and spin each fleece into rich, soft yarn. You’ll soon be confidently choosing the right fleece, spinning it to perfection, and enjoying the perfect yarn for your next fiber creation.

With this compact portable reference in hand, crafters can quickly and easily look up any of 100 different sheep breeds, the characteristics of their fleece, and the kinds of projects for which their fleece is best suited. Each breed profile includes a photograph of the animal and information about its origin and conservation status, as well as the weight, staple length, fiber diameter, and natural colors of its fleece. This is a great primer for beginners, and a handy guide for anyone who loves working with fleece.

It offers an unusual combination of information on the characteristics of each fibre-producing breed, as well as the unique qualities of each fibre, its history, and its potential uses. It covers almost every sheep breed in the world - the longwool breeds of the United Kingdom, the Tasmanian merino, the Navajo churro, the northern European Faroese and dozens and dozens more. It also includes goats (mohair and cashmere of course); camelids, such as alpacas, llamas, and vicunas; bison; horses; musk oxen; rabbits; and, even dogs. Readers will find everything they want to know about each animal and its fibre, including the fibre's colour, density, strength, and staple length, and recommendations for processing and using it.