Adventures in Yarn Farming: Four Seasons on a New England Fiber Farm
*Starred Review* Visually as well as informatively inviting, Barry’s story of her New England farm, particularly how she produces yarn for crafters, will absorb readers regardless of their previous interest in or even exposure to the nearly magical world of yarn preparation. Barry describes herself as a shepherdess and textile artisan, and those two sides of herself and her professional life are given outlets on her western Massachusetts “fiber farm” as she raises sheep for their wool and assumes the hat of a crafter, using her own product for knitting and weaving projects. Her luscious book is a year-in-the-life-of presentation. She follows her farm’s processes and procedures from spring to summer to fall to winter, from shearing to awaiting new lambs to making hay to lamb weaning to the final steps in the making of yarn. Sprinkled throughout her spirited and inspirational text are directions for knitting garments and accessories, including patterns by name knitwear designers. Photographic accompaniment to the text is more than simply support. The abundant and eye-catching photos rivet the reader’s attention in their own right. Obviously, this is more than just a how-to, and the book should be see-also-referenced from the library’s farming and agricultural section. --Brad Hooper