No Sheep for You: Knit Happy with Cotton, Silk, Linen, Hemp, Bamboo & Other Delights (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: stitch guide, rep rows, work rows, Finished Size, Side Chart, Notions Markers (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Comprehensive info on knitting with alternatives [to wool]. . . .  The book is also filled with beautiful knitting patterns; you'll find yourself drooling over the variety of projects you can knit."  —Craft

"Amy R. Singer . . . has made a non-wool believer out of me."  —All Info About Knitting.com

"Amy celebrates what these fibers are good at, is deadly honest about what they can and can't do, and delightfully releases them from their hollow place in the shadow of my beloved wool. It's a good book, even to a resister like me."  —

Stephanie Pearl McPhee, author, The Yarn Harlot and Knitting Rules!

"Full of wit, wisdom, and answers to questions I never even thought to ask about my favorite fibers. And it's a wonderful pattern book. Some are ingenious solutions to the non-wool knitter's quandary of how to knit a garment that traditionally is wool."  —Kay Gardiner, author, Mason-Dixon Knitting on Knitty.com

"Whether you're allergic to wool or not, No Sheep for You is a fantastic book. The patterns are consistently gorgeous . . . the fiber education alone is invaluable, for beginner and expert alike."  —Cable Gram

"This is a nice, gently humorous take on non-wool knitting that, although geared to the intermediate knitter, should have no difficulties [for] beginners utilizing the treasure trove of information presented here."  —Monsters and Critics.com

"Really innovative projects that use all sorts of fiber—linen, silk, bamboo, hemp, but not wool."  —The News & Observer

Product Description

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 and warmth, the right tricks and techniques produce non-wool fashions that fit well, wear well, and hang beautifully. Knitters are taught to knit swatches to study the behavior of a yarn, to choose an appropriate pattern, and to master techniques for reinforcing stitches and inserting knit-ins of springier yarn to keep cotton, silk, and other fibers from sagging. Key information about durability, weight, pilling, and special handling is provided for acrylic, bamboo, cotton, hemp, Ingeo, linen, lycra, nylon, polyester, rayon, silk, soy, Tencel, and viscose yarns, and a chapter of helpful tips advises on needles to use (and avoid), how to start new balls and weave in ends, how to work intarsia and Fair Isle patterns, smart ways to control the cost of materials, and the right methods for washing, drying, and blocking the finished pieces.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Interweave Press (April 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596680121
• ISBN-13: 978-1596680128
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #351,574 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book Covering Everything But Wool, March 1, 2007

By	Julia Starkey (Medford, MA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just for people with wool allergies!, March 5, 2007

By	Regina (NY Metro area) - See all my reviews

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.

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wool free and couldn't be happier, March 26, 2007

By	Not That Kat "urbanfantasy.org" (USA) - See all my reviews

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.