Some of the most wonderful and practical fibers come from what are now rare breeds of sheep. Come discover kindly wools and beaver wools, double-coats and singles, lusters that have shine and body, classics that have bounce and warmth…and, in a number of these breeds, a rainbow of sheepy colours. If we don’t use these fibers, we’ll lose them! We can’t use them-or know what we’re missing-if we don’t know what they are. We’ll explore the range of fleeces, with a focus on the rare ones but likely with a couple of baseline standards thrown in so you can feel the differences, and we’ll spin, play, and open doors of possibility.
Experience: Advanced beginner plus spinner with some experience of spinning, plying, preparing fibers for spinning
Materials fee: $30
Deborah Robson is a fiber generalist, with specialized knowledge about spinning, knitting, and weaving. Currently editor and publisher of Nomad Press, she is also a consultant on publishing, a freelance editor and book designer, and …oh, yes, writer! For fourteen years she served as an editor at Interweave Press, including twelve years as editor-in-chief of Spin-Off: The Magazine for Handspinners. She also edited Shuttle Spindle &Dyepot and has worked for a number of other presses, including trade, literary, and scholarly houses. She has contributed essays to fiber-related anthologies including KnitLit (too), KnitLit the Third, Hooked, and The Knitter’s Gift, has published her designs in several magazines and collections, and has most recently been the fiber author of Storey’s Illustrated Guide to [official title to come by late spring 2010]. She has also published fiction, poetry, and articles on a number of nonfiction topics in magazines and anthologies. She earned an MFA in writing from Goddard/Warren Wilson and is a member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors and of the Colorado Authors’ League.