Library News!
This is one of occasional reviews of books that we have in the NOBO library. Please feel free to write a review of books from our library. We have close to 200 books, there is bound to be one you wish to read and review!
Adventures in Yarn Farming: Four Seasons on a New England Fiber Farm by Barbara Perry.
Over a year ago Barbara Perry came to NOBO to talk about her farm in western MA. At that time NOBO purchased her book, which she signed for us. In the meantime, we have received a second copy of this book.
I decided it was time I read it. Not because we received a second copy, but because I had been wanting to read it ever since her talk.
What a delightful book! It is filled with the most wonderful photographs of her farm, of sheep, of lambs, of the countryside where her farm is located. If you do nothing else, it’s at least worth perusing the photos.
However, once I started to read the book it was hard to put it down. The book is divided into four sections, one for each season of the year. Within those sections she explains the tasks that she performs during that particular season (as the title implies). Spring is primarily the shearing and lambing season, summer is the season where they harvest the hay, fall she dyes her yarns and has the sheep and rams mate, and in winter she makes sure the sheep are kept secure and fed. However, it’s not a boring, detailed account of what goes on each season. Instead, Barbara is able to convey the amount of work she does succinctly and clearly. At the end you will probably not have enough knowledge to know whether or not to start your own fiber farm, but you will have a greater appreciation of the effort involved in having one.
Some of her chapter titles are delightful:
Good Fibrations
Lamb-pedes and a Llama
Hay-lelujah!
The Ram is Half the Sweater
Snowshoe Shepherd
She includes knitting patterns, instructions, and recipes. Below are a few of the projects included.
Jammies for Lambies
A Summer Meal
Lavender Pillows
Sundance Scarf
The jammies are so cute, I want a lamb just so that I can make it jammies!! There are many more projects, including a woven project.
I highly recommend this book, you won’t be disappointed!
