Judy Mooers and Karen Doyle presented an encyclopedic presentation on fibers to the Five Rivers Fiber Guild on November 9.
They started with wool and the characteristics of fleeces by breed, reported Nan Harvey. They moved through the other kinds of animal hair, including goats, alpaca, vicuna, guanaco, musk ox, angora rabbit, and dog hair.
For most of these, Mooers had knit samples and many articles of clothing that showcased the special qualities of each. Doyle provided fleeces from her sheep flock in the varying stages of processing.
Other protein fibers—including silk, soy silk, silk latte made from milk—also accept dyes as readily…