Book Review: Shear Spirit

Ten Fiber Farms, Twenty Patterns, Miles of Yarn

Joan Tapper, Gale Zucker (Photography)

I don't normally buy pattern books unless they offer something else. Not to say I don't own them, I just normally check them out from the library to get a pattern or two that I like.

This book offers so much more than patterns, and the patterns offered are fabulous.

Shear Spirit is a photographic journal of fiber farms across America. I started browsing through the copy I bought while at Victory Ranch, and had to add it to my pile of purchases.

The photography:

These photos are so rich in color and texture you could almost touch them. A variety of fiber animals and the people that work with them. These aren't just snapshots, they capture the feel of the setting and span the seasons. The photos of the projects showcase their beauty, and are artfully modeled. I also love close up photos and schematics of projects this book provides. The photos in Shear Spirit are coffe table book quality, and I will often just browse through them for inspiration.

The writing:

It actually took me a while to read the stories of each fiber farm. I was so drawn in by the photos and the projects that I read them last. That was a shame. The stories associated with each fiber farm are engaging, and often relate the struggles of making fiber your life work. Without being dull, the stories illustrate the day to day work of the farms represented and are as colorful as the photos. One of my personal favorites is Meadowcroft Farms. Nanney Kennedy dyes her yarns using sea water and sun in big open air bath tubs, letting nature do the work. Most of the stories have an underlying theme of the change of seasons, which gives the writing a timeless feel.

The projects:

Most of the projects are for knitting. there is a crocheted hotpad, a felted tote bag and instructions for making Navajo braided rope. The projects range from small and simple to larger and more intensive. There is a good mix of men's and women's projects, some unisex projects and a childs cardigan. I have not knit any of them yet, but there seems to be a good range of experience levels with the projects. All of the projects are created from the yarn each farm produces. When I actually get time to knit, the first project I want to try is the Meseta Alta Shawl from Victory Ranch. I actually saw the shawl while visiting the ranch and it is luscious!

The good:

Stunning photography, engaging stories and a lot of inspiration. A lot of variety in the projects with notes from the designer and graphics where needed. The projects for the felted tote bag and the Navajo rope are interesting inclusions.

The bad:

Most of the projects are knit. I would love to see a little more variety in crochet and perhaps even weaving. But the rest of the book makes up for the lack technique variety in the projects.