Quantity:

Express Checkout with PayPhrase

What's this? | Create PayPhrase

More Buying Choices

38 used & new from $11.65

Have one to sell? Sell yours here

Share with Friends

See all product images
See all 9 customer images

Share your own customer images

Search inside this book

Tell the Publisher! I�d like to read this book on Kindle Don�t have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here.

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...)

4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (23 customer reviews)

List Price:	$22.95
Price:	$19.62 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details
You Save:	$3.33 (15%)
	o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o

In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.

Want it delivered Monday, November 23? Choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. Details

21 new from $12.95 17 used from $11.65

Frequently Bought Together

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

The Knitter's Book of Yarn: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing, Using, and Enjoying Yarn

by Clara Parkes

4.9 out of 5 stars (58) $19.80

The Natural Knitter: How to Choose, Use, and Knit Natural Fibers from Alpaca to Yak

by Barbara Albright

4.3 out of 5 stars (15) $12.52

Custom Knits: Unleash Your Inner Designer with Top-Down and Improvisational Techniques

by Wendy Bernard

4.8 out of 5 stars (37) $18.15

Lace Style: Traditional to Innovative, 21 Inspired Designs to Knit

by Pam Allen

4.2 out of 5 stars (30) $16.47

Ocean Breezes: Knitted Scarves Inspired by the Sea

by Sheryl Thies

4.8 out of 5 stars (28) $16.47

› Explore similar items

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.

See all Editorial Reviews

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: #243,656 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

› Visit Amazon's Amy R. Singer Page

Inside This Book (learn more)

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
stitch guide, rep rows, work rows, rep rnds, needles size, shape armholes, repeat rows, wrapped sts tog, working patt rep, cir needle, sts rem, gusset sts, sts decd, selvedge sts, sts kwise, purl all sts, border sts, sew sleeve caps into armholes, use the backward loop method, patt until armhole measures, stranded knitting, bust circumference, geeky thing, dec row, end last rep

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Finished Size, Side Chart, Notions Markers, Yarn Worsted-weight, Rep Charts, Notions Stitch, Shape Cap, Lang Yarns Opal, Join Shoulders Place, Rep Dec, South West Trading Company, Summer Tweed, Rowan Calmer, Cheeky Ribbed, Hem Shaping Rows, Work Rnds, Front Sts, New Sts, End Beg

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	88% buy the item featured on this page: No Sheep for You: Knit Happy with Cotton, Silk, Linen, Hemp, Bamboo & Other Delights 4.3 out of 5 stars (23) $19.62
	3% buy Fitted Knits: 25 Projects for the Fashionable Knitter 4.2 out of 5 stars (100) $15.63
	3% buy Getting Started Knitting Socks (Getting Started series) 4.8 out of 5 stars (60) $12.89
	3% buy Knitting Rules!: The Yarn Harlot's Bag of Knitting Tricks 4.7 out of 5 stars (90) $9.32

Explore similar items

Tags Customers Associate with This Product

(What's this?)

Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.

knitting(26)

cotton(13)

hemp(12)

bamboo(11)

linen(10)

silk(9)

corn(6)

beadwork(5)

non-wool(4)

vegan(4)

Agree with these tags?

See all 18 tags...

Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store

If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store. Learn more

Customer Reviews

23 Reviews

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

Average Customer Review

4.3 out of 5 stars (23 customer reviews)

Share your thoughts with other customers:

Create your own review

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

58 of 58 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.

Comment Comments (2) | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)

34 of 34 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.

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)

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.

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all 23 customer reviews...

Most Recent Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Don't be misled
This is a good book - some nice patterns in it - BUT - by the title, I was led to believe it would teach me how to knit with things other than yarn - Nope - it tells you how... Read more

Published 7 months ago by J. Carle

4.0 out of 5 stars Something for everybody
Nice book. Easy and very difficult patterns, everything from socks to a drunk argyle! Nice introductory section to explain the properties of the different types of materials and... Read more

Published 10 months ago by P. G. Elliott

5.0 out of 5 stars A Gem!
I have over twenty knitting books, and none can hold a candle to this one! The prose is engaging and fun. Read more

Published 16 months ago by Jennifer Barrett

4.0 out of 5 stars Written for People With Wool Allergies, Not Vegans
I'm a new knitter and don't want to use wool because of the cruel practices (including mulesling, the cutting without anesthesia of part of the tail and surrounding skin of lambs... Read more

Published 21 months ago by V

5.0 out of 5 stars No Sheep for You: Knit Happy with Cotton, Silk, Linen, Hemp Bamboo and Other Delights
No Sheep for You: Knit Happy with Cotton, Silk, Linen, Hemp, Bamboo & Other Delights
Finally, a book for non-wool knitters that offers more than just patterns for... Read more

Published 22 months ago by J Cillus

4.0 out of 5 stars Basics and Some Fun Patterns
This is a wonderful little knitting book. It has sweaters using ribbon, cotton, summer tops, winter knits, and men's knits. The patterns are very easy to read. Read more

Published 22 months ago by C. A Scovel

5.0 out of 5 stars Great patterns
Love the intro... fantastic explanation of all the different kinds of nonwool yarns. Very informative. Patterns are great, wide range of large and small, easy and difficult.

Published 23 months ago by Knerq

5.0 out of 5 stars The title says it all
Reviewed by Janelle Martin

Subtitled: Knit happy with cotton, silk, linen, hemp, bamboo & other delights

Amy Singer, editor and founder of Knitty. Read more

Published on November 1, 2007 by armchairinterviews.com

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Resource for non-wool fibers
I love this book. I didn't think I would, but in the first chapter there is a detailed explanation of many fibers and how they are transformed into knittable goodness... Read more

Published on September 23, 2007 by Knitting, Tunes and Bargains

5.0 out of 5 stars Informative & inspiring
I picked up this book thinking, I don't need another knitting book -- but this is not just another book of patterns. Read more

Published on July 30, 2007 by J. M. Crofts

› See all 23 customer reviews...

.jsOffDisplayBlock { display: block; } .jsOffDisplayInline { display: inline; } .jsOffVisibility { visibility: visible; } .jsOnDisplayBlock { display: none; } .jsOnDisplayNoneBlock { display: block; } .jsOnDisplayNoneInline { display: inline; } .jsOnDisplayInline { display: none; } .jsOnVisibility { visibility: hidden; } .jqOnDisplayBlock { display: none; } .jqOnDisplayInline { display: none; } .jqOnVisibility { visibility: hidden; } .jqOnDisplayNoneBlock { display: block; } .jqOnDisplayNoneInline { display: inline; }

Customer Discussions

This product's forum

Discussion	Replies	Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight

Start a new discussion

Topic:

First post:

Receive e-mail when new posts are made

Prompts for sign-in

Guidelines

Active discussions in related forums

Discussion	Replies	Latest Post
crafts Do you have a crafty website? Please share!	137	3 hours ago
crafts Your Favorite Craft Books	9	8 hours ago
crafts Where can I sell a Dollfie?	0	22 hours ago
crafts Is anyone on Etsy.com (PART III)? i would like to see your stuff!	230	23 hours ago
knitting Ravelry: I just don't get it	70	2 days ago
crafts Parchment crafters in the U.S.	9	5 days ago
knitting What do you think of knitting and knitters?	152	15 days ago