Raising animals for fiber is a year-long commitment, with your fiber animals growing their fleeces over many months—only for it all to come off in just a few minutes. A well-prepared shearing day not only makes the process smoother, but also helps you get the highest quality (and value) from your fleeces. Here are some helpful tips.

By Sarabeth Paraido As we head into the fall and holiday season, many will start to handcraft their gifts for loved ones.   For those who raise their own fiber animals,  this is a wonderful expression of their creativity and love for both their animals and the ones they are gifting their items with.  One of the most magical parts of working with fiber is watching wool transform—from a soft, creamy fleece to vibrant yarn full of depth and life. Natural dyeing is a craft of tra