Fleece & Fiber Sourcebook (Storey Publishing LLC)

This visual guide to more than 200 breeds and the fibres they produce for knitting, spinning, and weaving is the ultimate browsing book for crafters and animal raisers. 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. They'll also find expert information on breed conservation and heritage breed propagation; easy-to-use charts and boxes for quick reference; and, a comprehensive resource section.