The Natural Knitter: How to Choose, Use, and Knit Natural Fibers from Alpaca to Yak by Barbara Albright, published by Potter Craft (March 6, 2007).

For yarn lovers. A book devoted to natural fibres - wool and other animal fibres, silk, plant fibres and plant dyes. This book explains what the terms ‘natural’ and ‘organic’ really mean.

This book is filled with luscious images of yarn in all its manifestations - yarn lovers will drool over this book. The main important aspect of this book is the explanation of the various yarns, from good old wool, to camel, Alpaca and Angora, then followed by a few patterns/projects using each particular yarn - the projects are simple and stylish - lots of lovely sweaters, as well as some toys and children’s outfits. I particularly liked the meditation rug and the angora infant sweater.

It is a very readable book, I enjoyed not only reading about the yarns, but also about various yarn makers - small artisans, business owners and farmers who either produce the fibre in its raw state, who take the raw fibres and turn it into yarn and also those who use natural dyes to produce art yarns. Towards the back of the book there is a small section on spinning and dyeing fibres so you can give it a go yourself, however this is not primarily a how-to book, rather a combination of patterns, how-to’s, stories and descriptions of fibre. An excellent book if you are into using alternative and organic yarns - timeless - highly recommend.

Barbara Albright died in 2006 at age 51 from a brain tumor, leaving behind her husband and two children.

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