You can learn just about any fiber-related skill by joining chat groups, viewing free online videos, and reading instructional narratives.
Spinning Wheel FAQs: http://www.jb.man.ac.uk/~caj/wheel.html
Spinning Wheel Statistics: http://www.textilelinks.com/author/rb/010218.html
Spinning Wheel Sleuth: http://www.spwhsl.com/faqlink.htm
Free online spinning instructional videos: http://www.icanspin.com
Sheep and goat breeds-more than you ever wanted to know about the critters that give us their coats:
http://www.westernmaryland.umd.edu/sheepandgoatbreeds.htm
http://www.sheep101.info/breedsC.html
Good article about spinning history, animals, how-to: http://www.wvu.edu/~exten/infores/pubs/fypubs/WLG_30_Spinni_Good_Yarn.pdf
Great tutorial on spindle spinning:
http://graftonfibers.com/instructions.htm
Make your own PVC niddy noddy: http://www.doctordirt.com/blog/niddy.html
How to use a niddy noddy: http://www.worldknit.com/howto/howtospin/sfiberprep/niddy.html
There are lots of web resources about how to use Kool-Aid to dye protein fibers. Knitty has a good tutorial:
http://www.knitty.com/issuefall02/FEATdyedwool.html
How to hand paint your own roving!
http://www.gfwsheep.com/rov.inst/rov.inst.html
For inspiration about the possibilities of spinning your own designer yarns:
http://www.pluckyfluff.com/
To find just about any kind of chat group on the subject of spinning and the fiber arts:
http://groups.yahoo.com/
Knitting with handspun yarns-great article:
http://www.io.com/~cjwyche/handspun/20031107Handspun.html
Instructional knitting video clips:
http://www.knittinghelp.com/
More knitting instruction:
http://www.knittingpatterncentral.com/directory/instructions.php
Fiber amount guidelines:
Socks: 4 ounces
Vest, medium: 16 ounces
Sweater, ladies medium: 24 to 32 ounces.
Bear in mind that these are estimates. Fibers from different animals vary. Your garment's design features, such as stitch pattern and size can affect the amount of fiber you will need to complete your project.
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