Yarn production and the rearing of sheep have shaped the county of Cumbria, from ancient sheep breeds and farming methods impacting the landscape to yarn production and garment manufacture shaping many of the towns. Different breeds produce different yarns for different purposes, and today the Cumbrian sheep are competing on the world stage with yarns from around the globe.
In Cumbrian Yarn: The Wool That Binds the County Beth and Steve Pipe follow local yarn production from the sheep to the sweater. They describe the breeds of sheep associated with the county, look at how sheep farming has shaped the landscape over the centuries, explore how the wools differ and how fleeces are obtained and then turned into yarns, and also look at how spinning and dyeing has changed over time. Sheep rearing and yarn and wool production have been a vital part of Cumbria for centuries and all face new challenges today. This fully illustrated look into the world of Cumbrian wool provides a unique insight into its fascinating history and its importance today.