No Sheep for You : Knit Happy with Cotton, Silk, Linen, Hemp, Bamboo, and Other Delights

by Amy R. Singer

Book Overview

Yarns made from plant fibers, modern synthetics, and silk take the spotlight in this collection of 21 classic knitting patterns for socks, scarves, hats, bags, vests, sweaters, and even a luxurious bathrobe. Some knitters are discouraged by the thought of baggy hemp sweaters and droopy cotton socks when they consider vegetable fibers, but this authoritative, fun, and light-hearted guide promises that, while wool has no equal when it comes to elasticity...

Customer Reviews

have not put it down

I got this book because I was curious about non-wool yarn. I've been taking my own notes and researching on the web. It's truly cool to know down to the nitty gritty what is a fabric made of and capable of. Right now, I'm considering the silks and the seacell. This is a very detailed book, well illustrated and all is explained. For example, one store told me that linen is hemp when in fact they are from two similar plants. This book is worth the effort.

Wool free and couldn't be happier

Let me start by stating that I have neither a physical nor an ethical problem knitting with wool or other animal fibers. Nope, no allergies here. My desire for this book is driven largely by climate issues. Living in the Mid-to-Deep South (USA) the season for cushy, cuddly, woolen garments is lamentably short. What's a natural fiber girl to do in the face of overwhelming heat and humidity through much of the year? This book provides many alternatives that fit my needs. Where this book really shines is the section on different fiber types and their properties. I had already developed a good relationship with cotton and linen, and recently delved into bamboo and other "semi-synthetics", but didn't always know enough about the fiber characteristics to use them to their best advantage. Amy covers a full range of natural, created from natural sources, and pure synthetic "non-hair" fibers: what they can and can't do in and for your knitting and how to get the best from yarns that have been at best misunderstood and at worst maligned by much of the knitting community. The chapter on Geeky things has changed forever how I approach swatching, especially for a new yarn or fiber type. The patterns -- some I love, some I like, some are... meh. This is typical for me with books that feature multiple designers. There were enough patterns that I can see myself knitting to make the pattern section worthwhile. If you have any interest in plant based yarns and silk, this book would be an invaluable resource and a great addition to any knitting library.

Not just for people with wool allergies!

What a terrific book! The patterns are challenging enough to keep things interesting, but not at all intimidating. I've always knit with wool but have been hestitant to work with a lot of other fibers because I was reluctant to spend a bunch of money without having a sense of how the fiber would behave, drape, hold up to repeated washings, etc. Besides featuring interesting, well-written patterns for extremely wearable garments, this book offers highly detailed information about linen, silk, bamboo, hemp, cotton, rayon, polyester, etc. and even offers a section about how to substitute non-wool fiber in patterns written with wool in mind. A terrific collection to anyone's knitting library.

Great Book Covering Everything But Wool

I have problems knitting with wool (a combination of various allergies and skin sensitivities) but I've have been frustrated getting non wool fibers to work. Most knitting books wax poetic about the greatness of wool and scorn other fibers. Which isn't helpful when you can't even touch most wool. Singer starts out by describing the properties of various types of non-animal fibers (her one exception is silk). This section is amazing since she explains what various fibers can and can not do. Singer is positive and focuses on what they can do, rather than complaining about what they can't. She has tables which let you know the relative weight, elasticity, strength, etc. of various yarns. Singer also has a good section on using swatches (or "geeky things") to help figure out if your non-wool fiber will work in a particular pattern. The patterns are really great. They're all solidly designed and by pattern makers you may already know from Knitty and designers with an online presence. I've already started a hat and am completely fixated on a sleeveless linen sweater and a silk sweater with mosaic color work. The sizing covers a wide range of sizes (through at least a 52" bust for the sweaters). She also has patterns for thrummed mittens (thrumming with silk instead of wool) and how to steek with non wool yarns. My only complaint is that none of the patterns showcase bamboo (though she does give plenty of guidelines for substituting yarns). This is a great addition to any knitting library.

4 main reasons this is a great book

There are 4 main reasons I really like this book - the patterns, the fiber knowledge, the knitting skills, and the friendliness. The patterns are ones a normal, non-model person would actually wear. The instructions are well presented and cover a wide range of knitting skill levels. The fiber knowledge for non-wool knitting is awesome. I live in Florida so I need to convert wool patterns to fibers I can wear for more than a month a year. There are helpful little tidbits of knitting skills sprinkled throughout the book that guide and encourage. And finally, the friendliness. Reading this book is like talking to an old friend that shares my passion (and obsession) for knitting. This book is a welcome addition to my library.