'On The Bobbin' A Monthly Newsletter The Spinning Barn Newsletter 003 August 2025
- The Spinning Barn
- Aug 1
- 12 min read
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What's Happening at The Spinning Barn
It’s been an unusually dry start to the season here at The Spinning Barn, and like many smallholders, we’ve felt the pressure. The lack of rain meant our grass simply didn’t grow, and we found ourselves feeding hay to the sheep and horses far earlier in the year than we’d ever expect. That’s precious winter fodder, already being dipped into during what should be prime grazing time. Thankfully, after a long wait, the rain has finally arrived and we’re just starting to see the grass respond. It’s a relief to see some green shoots again, and we’re hopeful this shift in weather brings a little more balance back to the land — and a bit less strain on the hay barn.
We have had some fun workshops during July where several spinners went out of their comfort zone to explore super soft silks and more textured yarns in the tweed workshop. These have been really popular and I shall be adding more dates very soon, so do keep an eye on your inbox for further details.
My new workshops for spinning flax and also cotton have also proved very popular with spaces already booked up, so again watch that inbox for additional dates if you don't want to miss out.
The flax project has been fabulous so far. The support of each other has been just what I had hoped for, especially given that growing flax is very new to most of us so sharing experience and knowledge is such a great way to learn. So thank you to all those who have taken part so far. I think everyone is at the harvesting stage now and there is flax drying all over the country in readiness for the next part of the process ie rippling and retting. If you haven't joined in this year you can still join just to learn and to take a general interest even if you have not grown flax. I think it will inspire you for next year!
Please be aware that I shall be working away from home in the Faroes from 15th - 23rd August so any replies to messages etc may be a little delayed but rest assured I shall answer everything as soon as I am able. |
Spinspiration Tip of the MonthMeasuring the Grist of your yarn:
I shared this tip recently on my Sunday Spinspiration post on Facebook but I make no apologies for sharing it again here as I know not all of you use the social platform. And it is such a useful tip to understand that it is definitely worth sharing for you all here too.
During a workshop recently we chatted briefly about grist- what it is and how to measure it. I promised to make a post about just that so here it is. I hope it helps you to plan your yarns more effectively so do let me know if you have tried it and how it went for you. Read on for more....
What Is Grist? Grist is a way of describing the density of yarn — how much length you get per unit of weight. In hand spinning, we usually measure it in yards per pound (YPP) or metres Grist helps you: * Compare different yarns beyond just WPI (wraps per inch) * Reproduce yarns consistently * Choose the right handspun for a knitting or weaving pattern * Understand how much yardage you’ll get from a given amount of fibre
How to Measure Grist You’ll need: * A scale (accurate to at least 0.1g) * A tape measure or niddy noddy * Your finished, dry, and relaxed yarn (set and skeined) Step-by-step: * Weigh your skein – in grams or ounces. * Measure the length – in metres or yards.
Calculate grist: For yards per pound (YPP): YPP = Yardage ---------------- Weight in pounds
For metres per 100 grams: m/100g = Metres -------------- x 100 Weight in grams×
Example: You spun 150 metres of yarn, and it weighs 85g. 150 --------- x 100 = 176.47m / 100g 85
Bonus Tip: Keep a record of your grist alongside WPI and fibre type in your spinning journal — it’ll help you replicate or adjust future yarns more easily!
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Breed Focus: The SoayThe Soay Sheep: Ancient Fleece from a Wild Heart
Among the many breeds that grace the fields of the British Isles, the Soay sheep stands apart as a true living link to our woolly past. Small, agile, and strikingly primitive in appearance, the Soay is not only one of the oldest breeds of sheep still in existence but also a fascinating source of unique, characterful wool.
A Glimpse into History
Originating from the remote St Kilda archipelago off the west coast of Scotland, Soay sheep are thought to be direct descendants of sheep kept in the Bronze Age — some 4,000 years ago. These hardy animals have roamed freely for centuries, isolated and largely untouched by modern breeding practices and remain remarkably true to their ancestral form.
Their wild nature and independence have helped them thrive in harsh environments, and today they are treasured by conservationists, smallholders, and wool enthusiasts alike for their resilience and genetic purity.
Characteristics of Soay Sheep
Soay sheep are small and light-footed, with lean bodies, naturally short tails, and a distinctive fleece that sheds on its own in spring or early summer. They can be tan, dark brown, or almost black, sometimes with lighter underbellies and facial markings. Rams and some ewes bear elegant, curved horns, lending them an unmistakable, ancient look.
Because they’re not commercially bred for fleece production, their wool isn’t abundant — but what they do offer is precious.
Soay Wool: A Spinner’s Delight?
Soay fleece is fine and soft for a primitive breed, though each sheep may carry a mix of fibre types. You’ll often find a blend of soft undercoat and coarser outer hairs. Staple lengths range from 1.5 to 4 inches, and the fleece typically weighs between 300–500g — far less than commercial breeds, but prized by hand spinners for its unique qualities including a range of micron counts from 9 - 48 (undercoat & outercoat).
Wool from Soay sheep is:
Processing Tips
Due to their primitive nature, Soay sheep often roo — that is, shed — their fleece naturally. This means it can often be plucked or "rooed" by hand when ready, or gently collected from the fields. Shearing is also an option, though timing is key to avoid breakage or weak points in the staple.
The fleece generally benefits from:
Spinners often choose to spin Soay wool long draw for a soft, airy yarn, or semi-worsted for strength and stitch definition.
Why Spin Soay?
Spinning Soay wool isn’t about convenience or high yield — it’s about connection. Working with this ancient fleece links us directly to Britain’s woolly heritage and reminds us that not all value lies in uniformity or mass production. The experience is tactile, thoughtful, and deeply satisfying.
Whether you’re spinning a single skein or planning a heritage project, Soay wool brings with it a sense of story — and for those of us at the wheel, that’s something truly special.
For more information on this fascinating breed visit the breed society website following the link below. And do let me know your experiences of spinning this incredible fleece.
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Upcoming Workshops
There’s nothing like having a creative date in the diary to look forward to — and I’ve got some lovely workshops coming up with spaces still available over the next couple of months. Whether you're new to spinning or looking to deepen your skills, there’s something here just for you. Curious about what’s coming up?Here’s your chance to plan ahead, try something new, and enjoy a relaxing day immersed in wool, wheels, and like-minded company. Want the full picture?You can always browse the complete workshop calendar over on the Workshops page of my website. From beginners to improvers, there really is something for everyone. Can’t see what you’re looking for?If there’s a specific workshop or date you’ve been hoping for, just let me know! I love hearing your suggestions, and I’m often able to add extra dates or tailor sessions to suit. Drop me a message — let’s see what we can make happen.
August Saturday 2nd – Beginner SpinningA perfect place to start your spinning journey — no experience needed! September Saturday 6th – Beginner Spinning Friday 12th – Beginner Spinning Sunday 14th – Refine Your Hand SpinningTake your skills up a notch with improved drafting and control. Friday19th – Spin to Keep the Colours VibrantSay goodbye to muddy colours and learn how to preserve bold, beautiful blends. Sunday 21st – Spin True Worsted YarnsMaster the smooth, strong worsted technique for durable, lustrous yarns. Friday 26th – Perfect Your Carding TechniquesFrom batts to rolags, refine your fibre prep for consistent results.
October Saturday 4th – Flax Spinning – FULLY BOOKEDMore dates coming soon — this one’s popular! Saturday 18th – Create Textured Tweed YarnsBlend colours and texture to craft rustic, classic tweeds. Wednesday 15th – Spin True Woollen YarnsDiscover the airy bounce and warmth of true woollen spinning. Friday 17th – Get Creative with Art YarnsAdd drama, texture, and flair to your spinning with playful techniques. Thursday 24th – Beginner Spinning
Booking & InfoYou’ll find full details and booking links on the Workshops page of my website. And remember — if you don’t see the workshop you want, just get in touch. I’m always happy to consider new dates or tailor sessions to suit your interests.
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Hand Spinner Spotlight - Could You be Next?
I’ve been absolutely loving this feature, and I hope you have too! Each month, we highlight a spinner from our community — because every journey is worth celebrating, whether you’ve only just discovered the joy of spinning or have decades of woolly wisdom to share. If you’d like to be featured, just drop me a message and I’ll send you a simple guide to help shape your story. This is a space to connect, inspire, and support one another — one spinner at a time. So don’t be shy! Your story might be just the spark someone else needs to dust off their wheel and start spinning.
This month I am delighted to introduce to you Glenys Crocker who has recently moved to live in Norfolk and has happily joined our Social Spinning Group. I have been blown away by the depth of knowledge that Glenys clearly keeps mainly up her sleeve, so I am thrilled that she has shared a little of her creative background with us this month. Here is what she has to say...
Looms, Combs and Linen I have played with all kinds of textiles since my grandmother taught me to knit. Later, through my interest in archaeology, I wanted to weave on a warp-weighted loom. I joined Regia Anglorum, an early medieval re-enactment society, in order to learn but soon got diverted by the project of an embroidered wall-hanging in the style of the Bayeux Tapestry. It was to show highlights of Regia's own story and was to hang in the long-hall they were building in Kent. I did a substantial share of it and occasionally took part in events but for ancient spinning and weaving I found help nearer my home in Surrey at Butser Ancient Farm on the South Downs in Hampshire.
The farm was started in the 1970s as an experimental archaeology project set in the Iron Age, with reconstructions of buildings of the period, and it both grew crops and kept livestock. Subsequently it expanded to cover the earlier Stone and Bronze Ages and the Roman and Anglo-Saxon periods. Besides doing its own research, it opened to the public, held events and workshops and ran a large programme of visits by school parties.
I was one of the informal volunteers who met visitors and demonstrated my work on a one-to-one basis, especially to families with children, who I would teach to spin and allow to help to do a bit of the work in progress on the loom.
Other staff and volunteers demonstrated a wide range of ancient skills, and practical workshops were held, including house-building, cooking, flint knapping, pottery, woodwork, metalwork, basketry, and making artefacts from animal bone and antler.
I wrote an article about learning to weave from plain tabby to twill on the warp-weighted loom and it was published in the Association of Guilds of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers Journal 262 in 2017. I belonged to two county guilds -- West and East Surrey, because I lived in the middle. Then family circumstances made me move to East Anglia and I was delighted to be introduced to the Spinning Barn.
I had been interested in several issues, one about the use of a bone implement that came to be known as a weaving comb. Many were found in archaeological excavations from the 19th century onwards, such as those in the Somerset levels. They were often found among other textile finds and their precise purpose was not obvious but they came to be called weaving combs, which may still be controversial. So I assumed I should use one for weaving and had a replica made.
Cloth is woven from the top downwards on a warp weighted loom and the weft is beaten upwards with a long sword beater. I did not find the comb very useful. Then I saw custom-made bone combs being used in addition to sword beaters at the Viking Ship Museum at Roskilde in Denmark, to pack the weft as hard as possible for making windproof woollen sails.
Continuing to look for uses for my replica comb I found it could prepare wool for spinning but was not ideal. However it proved excellent for combing flax.
There had been little archaeological evidence for early linen or hemp production in much of northern Europe because cellulose fibres do not survive well in acid conditions in the ground. So it was woollen clothing, such as was found with burials in peat soils in Britain and Denmark, that dominated the record until scientific progress revealed more details about materials in recent decades.
There has been a massive increase in knowledge and understanding, driven by science and, I like to think, more women doing post-graduate studies. So the Spinning Barn's flax project may be timely.
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Social Spinning Group – Come Spin with Us!
Our Social Spinning Group is a lovely, relaxed way to connect with fellow spinners, share ideas, and enjoy some peaceful time at the wheel (or spindle!). Whether you're a regular or it’s your first time, everyone is welcome — just bring your spinning and settle in for some good company and woolly chat, and of course there is always coffee, tea, cake and lots of laughter! Each meeting costs just £5 payable n the day.
Here are the upcoming dates:
If you’ve been meaning to join us, why not pop a date in your diary and come along? We’d love to see you there!
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Until Next Time…
That’s all for this edition — thank you for spinning along with me! I hope you’ve found a little inspiration, a few dates to look forward to, and maybe even the spark to try something new at your wheel.
As always, I love hearing from you — whether it’s a story to share, a workshop idea, or just a hello. This community is what makes The Spinning Barn so special, and I’m so glad you’re part of it.
Wishing you happy spinning and peaceful moments until we meet again in the next edition.
Warm woolly wishes, Theresa x |
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