12th December- Wool

One of the great things about spinning your own yarn is the control you have over the yarn you make. Part of that control is being able to pick the right fibre, and even more specifically the right wool. 
There are so many sheep breeds, and so many ways to spin their fleece. Even if you're not a fleece spinner it's still worthwhile knowing about the different breeds because lots of breeds are now available as commercially processed fibre. Even just knowing the difference between BFL and Merino is a good starting point. 

So with that in mind, here's a free Craftsy class with the wonderful Deb Robson to get you started. 

If you prefer reading to watching then the Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook is a treasure trove of information. I refer back to my copy on an almost weekly basis. 
The Spinners Book of Fleece is also excellent. 

Also, be brave. Don't worry about trying new fibres, you might discover your new favourite. Don't be afraid to pull of a small chunk of a new-to-you fibre and experiment. Try a low twist version, or a high twist version, try different drafting methods, and see what gives you the results you're happy with.

This post is part of my advent calendar 2016. Every day in December we're saying so long to 2016 by embracing learning, knowledge and creativity. Each day there will be a new post with a new skill or craft. You can read all the past posts here.