Travel to Sweden, home to at least 19 different breeds of sheep and a centuries old spinning and knitting tradition. Meet the international famous and newly minted knitwear designers who live there and enjoy their sensational knitting patterns. Sara Wolf has reproduced knitting designs from Sweden's museums and translated them into knits using commercially available yarns. Josefin Waltin has spun the different breeds to show how hand spun yarns can be used to bring out the amazing characteristics of Swedish wool. Some of these sheep live north of the Arctic Circle. Others are primitive breeds descended from the earliest domesticated breeds. Join Sara and Josefin as they describe how to incorporate wool from sheep with locks a foot or longer into useable yarn, and discuss how to achieve next-to-skin softness from others by choosing an appropriate spinning method. Learn about the rise in interest in heritage and endangered species of sheep whose wool is now valued, where it was recently burned or composted for lack of a market. Find unusual, boutique yarns in cities, on farms, and at spinning mills across the country. Richly illustrated, with easy-to-follow written knitting instructions, there is something for everyone in this book, from the hardcore fiberista to the armchair traveler.

Introduces the processes of spinning and dying yarn and explains how to match homespun fiber and yarn to knitted projects.

Follow Irene Waggener's journey into the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco to learn about a knitting tradition that stretches back in time through generations to the very origins of the craft.In this collection of essays and patterns, Irene provides a glimpse of life in a High Atlas village where knitting once played a key role in surviving harsh, snowy winters.The knitting patterns in this book include traditional designs by shepherds who want to share their knowledge with other knitters and future generations. The patterns are presented against the backdrop of Irene's essays, providing the cultural and environmental context in which knitting was practiced in the High Atlas.In addition, Irene's research takes the reader backwards in time as she examines the history of knitting in Morocco and North Africa. Through historical accounts, linguistic clues, and museum artifacts - some of which have not been available to the general public until now - Irene presents a picture of early knitting and how it may have developed in North Africa. Her research is accompanied by knitting patterns inspired by historical sources, bringing to life once again the skills of early North African knitters.

Learn to knit luxurious sweaters, coats, dresses, and more with these Swedish-inspired patterns and instructions.

Knitting designer Maja Karlsson delved into the fascinating history of Swedish fibercrafts, and discovered a rich tradition of multi-color patterning--the perfect source of inspiration for this lovely collection of 40 uniquely Swedish motifs, applied and combined into 22 projects. Flowers, borders, geometric figures, landscapes, people, and animals, on their own or together, form the backbone of traditional Swedish stranded patterns. With the help of clear diagrams and full-color knitted swatches, a little knitting school, a pattern library, and eyecatching photography, intermediate knitters can confidently try out wrist warmers, hats, and ponchos; and veterans can challenge themselves with sweaters, jackets, and gloves. Pull out your needles, choose your yarns, and get ready to explore the depth, complexity, and beauty of traditional Swedish knitting!