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Learning Objectives : Learn to identify the origin of common fiber types. Develop an understanding of which fibers are appropriate for projects.

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This presentation may contain material protected under copyright law. This material was obtained and used following a reasoned analysis of the Fair Use exemption for educators. This presentation may not be reproduced. Alpaca Farm Girl. (2010). [Angora rabbit image]. Retrieved from http://www.alpacafarmgirl.com Auburn University Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology. (2010). [Cartoon silk worm image]. Retrieved from http://www.ag.auburn.edu/enpl Chicago Reader. (2010). [Milk image]. Retrieved from http://www.chicagoreader.com Frontierville. (2010). [Cartoon goat image]. Retrieved from http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100723091123/frontierville/images/4/44/Goat_Baby-icon.png Harris Levy. (2010). [Cotton plant image]. Retrieved from http://www.harrislevy.com Hoverson, J. (2004). Last Minute Knitted Gifts, 20-21. How Stuff Works. (2010). [Flax image]. Retrieved from http://www.howstuffworks.com Knit Be Nimble. (2010, April 7). Milk Yarn. How Does That Work? Retrieved from http://www.knitbenimble.com Partwell Group. (2010). [Acrylic image]. Retrieved from http://www.partwell.com Quality Llama Products, Inc. (2010). [Cartoon llama image]. Retrieved from http://www.llamaproducts.com Sheepcroft House. (2010). [Cartoon sheep image]. Retrieved from http://www.sheepcroft.net Skeinlane Studio. (2010). Know Your Fibers. Retrieved from http://www.skeinlane.com Tutorial Blog. (2010). [Image of bamboo]. Retrieved from http://tutorialblog.org White, S.E. (2010). Knitting With Bamboo Yarn. Retrieved from http://knitting.about.com/od/yarn/a/bamboo_yarn.htm

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All About Fiber New to the Fiber Arts? Learn about some of the most common fibers & how to identify the right yarn for the job. CashmereAngora Silk CottonWoolAlpaca Milk Linen Bamboo Acrylic

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Hom e http://www.sheepcroft.net/Images/creohn_Sheep_in_gray.jpg Wool is shorn from sheep. It is highly durable, warm, and insulating. It is able to hold its warmth even when saturated with water. Wool is flame resistant. It is an EXCELLENT fiber for beginners. Unless specially treated, wool is not machine washable.

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Hom e https://www.llamaproducts.com/assets/product_pics/alpaca_spinning_stick_up.jpg The alpaca is a smaller relative of the camel and the llama Alpaca yarn is very soft, warm, and smooth Alpaca yarn is fuzzier than wool, but less fuzzy than angora Having a luxurious feel with a nice drape, alpaca yarn is known as poor mans cashmere A little slippery, this yarn might not be as easy for beginners as wool, but its not a bad choice Alpaca yarn is not machine washable

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Hom e Cashmere is made from the undercoat of a cashmere goat A luxury fiber, cashmere is soft, silky, warm, lightweight, and has a nice drape It is typically easy to work with, but is quite expensive Cashmere is not machine washable http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100723091123/frontierville/images/4/44/Goat_Baby-icon.png

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Hom e http://www.alpacafarmgirl.com/wp- content/uploads/2009/08/angora_rabbit.jpg Angora is the fur of the angora rabbit Angora yarn is soft, lightweight, very fluffy, and very warm Angoras fluffiness and slipperiness can make it challenging to work with It can be quite expensive Angora is not machine washable

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Hom e http://www.ag.auburn.edu/enpl/courses/silkworm.gif Most silk comes from a domesticated silkworm, Bombyx Mori Silk yarn comes in vibrant colors Silk yarn is smooth, lustrous, and drapes nicely This is not a fiber for beginners, there is no elasticity and very little room for error Hand washing is best for silk

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Hom e http://www.harrislevy.com/product_images/uploaded_images/cotton-plant.jpg Cotton yarn comes from a plant fiber It usually comes in fine gauges as the fiber is dense and heavy Cottons inelasticity and unforgiving nature can make it difficult to work with It is inexpensive, lightweight, and machine washable

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Bamboo is a grass that is distilled into cellulose and spun into yarn Bamboo is an environmentally friendly renewable resource It is naturally antibacterial Bamboo yarn is strong, flexible, breathable, and drapes well Bamboo yarn tends to split easily while working It is not machine washable http://tutorialblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/219.jpg Hom e

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Acrylic is a synthetic polymer fiber made to imitate wool, but it lacks wools insulating properties It is durable, warm, affordable, and comes in all colors and weights Acrylic yarn is machine washable, but heat sensitiveit will melt under high heat http://www.partwell.com/images/pictures/photos/products/bu3/acrylic-2.jpg Hom e

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Linen yarn is derived from the fibers of the flax plant It is one of the oldest fibers used for textiles known to man Linen is strong, lustrous, durable, and comfortable It can be stiff and heavy to work with Linen should be hand washed http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/willow/flax-info0.gif Hom e

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Milk yarn is spun from milk proteina process developed in the 1930s to compete with wool Milk yarn is strong, silky, drapes well, and is eco- friendly It is mothproof, hypoallergenic, and machine washable Milk yarn doesnt breathe as well as animal fibers, and can be itchy It has low elasticity, which can make it challenging for beginners http://www.chicagoreader.com/images/blogimages/2010/01/13/1263409299-milk.jpg Hom e