Nice to see another book from a non-U.S. author.  Don’t get nearly enough of those.  The author has been spinning for over twenty years. She is an active member and past chair of the London Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers, having won awards for her spinning and weaving, and now teaches both subjects. She is a past winner of the Fashion and Textiles Award from  London’s Victoria and Albert Museum.  This book has a lot of good information–especially in the commercial section.

Aran Knits by Martin Storey

Beautifully photographed. Inspiring patterns.  Here is another book for those of you obsessed or fascinated by cables.  Patterns range from trendy shrugs to traditional sweaters.  Recommended yarns for these patterns vary from the usual 100% wool and include many interesting blends.

Knitting off the Axis by Matthew Gnagy.   Very interesting patterns for the intermediate to advanced knitter.  I say that mostly because very few beginners start with sideways knitting or construction skills.  The sideways & multi directional patterns and instructions found in this book will inspire you to incorporate these skills in your own designer creations.

Spin Art by Jacey Boggs.  Good photography & color.

Hand Spun; New Spins on Traditional Techniques by Lexi Boeger.  Another nice edition by Lexi and continues building on the skills shown in her previous books.  As reflected in the title this book is more about the technique for constructing fancy yarns and learning skills to build on.  Good photography.

We didn’t have a huge turn-out for the Charity Spin-in this past summer, however, we did have a lot of cans that were dropped by folks visiting before and after the actual event.  Total cans donated: 132   Matching by Little Barn brought the total donation to 264 cans.

Roc Day 2012 saw us with not so great weather but spinners, knitters and fiber enthusiasts came anyway and brought cans for the Food Bank.

Total cans donated: 111  Matching by Little Barn brought the total donation to 222 cans.

We will continue to donate to the Food Bank and hope you continue to support us and help make a difference in our community.  Thank You!

Date:  Jan 7, 2012

Time:  10am-4pm

Where:  Little Barn, 173 McKee Rd. Harvest, AL 35749

Drinks will be provided.  BYO snacks.

New fax number is listed on the contact page of the website.

Harvesting Color by Rebecca Burgess

Beautifully photographed natural dye book.  Good coverage of preparation, mordanting, and ecological harvesting techniques.  Dyestuffs featured are for the most part wild harvested–something that more of us should learn how to do.  The highlight of this text, IMO, has to be  the excellent photos of the plants (in color!!!).  You could actually go plant hunting with this book as a guide.  Different parts of plants can dye different colors and the author has included this with photos and dyed skeins.  While it obviously doesn’t include every dye plant available, this book does provide a range of common plants from all areas of the U.S. and would make an excellent reference for anyone interested in harvesting your own material for natural dying.

The Fleece & Fiber Sourcebook by Deborah Robson & Carol Ekarius

This book was obviously a huge undertaking; attempting to cover all fiber bearing animals world wide.  Sheep are separated and presented by “families” which may be confusing for some spinners who are used to other classification methods.  For example Dorset Down is under the Down Family chapter but Dorset Horn and Polled Dorset are in the Dorset Group chapter.  No matter your perspective on categorizing sheep and their wool, there is good info to be found throughout the book as well as color photos of sheep, skeins and finished samples.  Tips & hints for preparation, spinning & finishing are also included with each breed.   Of particular interest to spinners who seek out the rare and different will be the chapters on lesser known international and feral breeds. We were proud to have a photo of  our own “‘Possum” included on the Romeldale/CVM pages.  Over the years she has become quite the celebrity and has been included in other Storey published books.  Additional chapters cover goats, goat crosses, camelids, and an everything else chapter that includes ….well, everything else.   My hat is off to the authors for putting together this many samples and photos.

1st annual

Charity Spin-in

July 16, 2011 10:00a-5p

The first annual Charity Spin-in will be held on Saturday, July 16. Weather permitting we will fill the front area under the trees with spinners, knitters and weavers. If we need more room…..we will just expand to the driveway next door or the front pasture. Both are shaded areas too. (If it rains, we’ll use the shop) Our goal is to spin yarn and knit or weave items that can be sold.  All funds raised will be used to purchase food bank items. We want to raise enough money to surpass our Roc Day food donation…. and have fun in the process.

1. Please email or call Little Barn and let us know if you are coming. If you are coming as a group, we need that number as well. (that way we can guarantee enough chairs for everyone!) This will also let us plan so we have plenty of fiber available.
   

2. If you wish to work as a team, that’s fantastic! Two spinners and one plyer definitely produce more yarn than a single individual.
   

3. Bring your own equipment—wheels, hand carders, flickers, needles, looms etc.. Whatever you want to work with—Bring it!
   

4. We will NOT be able to accommodate electric equipment. Sorry, no electric spinners or carders. (Extra long extension cords are a personal safety and property fire hazard—sorry).
   

5. If you are weaving and can use 8/4 natural color cotton for your warp, we will have that available.
   

6. Spinning fiber will be in both clean dyed and processed forms.
   

7. Spin-in begins at 10am and ends at 5pm……or when you wear out.
   

8. We will have reels with yardage counters and tags available for measuring and labeling the finished yarns.
   

9. Light snacks and water will be provided.

   Finished yarns, woven or knitted items will be displayed and sold at the New York Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, NY. Funds raised will be used to buy canned food for the Food Bank of North Alabama.