Yarns made from plant fibers, modern synthetics, and silk take the spotlight in this collection of 21 classic knitting patterns for socks, scarves, hats, bags, vests, sweaters, and even a luxurious bathrobe. Some knitters are discouraged by the thought of baggy hemp sweaters and droopy cotton socks when they consider vegetable fibers, but this authoritative, fun, and light-hearted guide promises that, while wool has no equal when it comes to elasticity and warmth, the right tricks and techniques produce non-wool fashions that fit well, wear well, and hang beautifully. Knitters are taught to knit swatches to study the behavior of a yarn, to choose an appropriate pattern, and to master techniques for reinforcing stitches and inserting knit-ins of springier yarn to keep cotton, silk, and other fibers from sagging. Key information about durability, weight, pilling, and special handling is provided for acrylic, bamboo, cotton, hemp, Ingeo, linen, lycra, nylon, polyester, rayon, silk, soy, Tencel, and viscose yarns, and a chapter of helpful tips advises on needles to use (and avoid), how to start new balls and weave in ends, how to work intarsia and Fair Isle patterns, smart ways to control the cost of materials, and the right methods for washing, drying, and blocking the finished pieces.

"Comprehensive info on knitting with alternatives [to wool]. . . .  The book is also filled with beautiful knitting patterns; you'll find yourself drooling over the variety of projects you can knit."  —Craft

"Amy R. Singer . . . has made a non-wool believer out of me."  —All Info About Knitting.com

"Amy celebrates what these fibers are good at, is deadly honest about what they can and can't do, and delightfully releases them from their hollow place in the shadow of my beloved wool. It's a good book, even to a resister like me."  —

"Full of wit, wisdom, and answers to questions I never even thought to ask about my favorite fibers. And it's a wonderful pattern book. Some are ingenious solutions to the non-wool knitter's quandary of how to knit a garment that traditionally is wool."  —Kay Gardiner, author, Mason-Dixon Knitting on Knitty.com

"Whether you're allergic to wool or not, No Sheep for You is a fantastic book. The patterns are consistently gorgeous . . . the fiber education alone is invaluable, for beginner and expert alike."  —Cable Gram

"This is a nice, gently humorous take on non-wool knitting that, although geared to the intermediate knitter, should have no difficulties [for] beginners utilizing the treasure trove of information presented here."  —Monsters and Critics.com

"Really innovative projects that use all sorts of fiber—linen, silk, bamboo, hemp, but not wool."  —The News & Observer