'On The Bobbin' A Monthly Newsletter: Choosing the Best Wool for Hand Spinning
- The Spinning Barn
- 17 minutes ago
- 9 min read
Hello and a very warm welcome to Issue 9 of On the Bobbin!
I can hardly believe I’m already writing your February newsletter — this year already feels like it’s going to fly by.
As I sit here writing, listening to the rain lashing against the windows and hammering on the roof, it feels quite surreal that just two days ago I was enjoying sunshine in Tenerife. Today has been something of a reality check!
I’m glad to say that while I was away, my sheep stoically weathered the storms — just as they’re designed to do — and my thoughts have already turned to shearing time in the summer. I must remember to book the sheep shearer today.
If you’re new to the newsletter, I hope you’ll enjoy it and use it as another way for us to stay connected: to share ideas, inspiration, and remind ourselves that we’re part of a wonderful, woolly community. Each month you can look forward to:
Spinning inspiration and tips
A spotlight on a sheep breed
Upcoming workshop news
So, let’s get into this month’s newsletter, where I’m focusing on choosing your fibres for spinning.
Theresa x
What's Happening at The Spinning Barn
I don’t know about you, but I often find February is a quieter month. January arrives full of fresh starts and bright ideas, while February feels more like a time to pause, take stock, and settle into the year at a gentler pace. I’m learning to accept this as Mother Nature’s way of encouraging us to rest for a while—and I’m very happy to embrace that. I use this month to reflect on the year just gone and to prepare for the one ahead, which is already shaping up to be a busy one.
I’ve finally finished my latest article for PLY magazine for the sericulture issue, and managed to post the parcel of samples off to the USA the day before I left for my holiday. If I hadn’t, I know I wouldn’t have relaxed at all! Whether you already spin silk or are simply curious to learn more about it, I’m sure this issue will be packed with fascinating and useful information.
Following the very successful retreat I taught in the Faroes last year, I’ve been invited back again, and James and I will be flying out at the end of February for a week. I suspect I’ll be packing plenty of woolly jumpers for that trip!
And speaking of retreats, I’m absolutely delighted to say that my Summer Retreat for 2026 sold out so quickly—I can hardly believe it. Thank you so much to everyone who has booked or shown an interest; I truly can’t tell you how much I appreciate it. February will now also be spent planning the retreat, and I’m so excited to bring it all together for you. I can’t wait to see you there.
If you missed out, I’ll be opening a registration page in case of any cancellations, so you can add your name and register your interest.
And finally, I’d love to hear from you. Help me plan the workshops for the coming year—what would you like to learn or focus on? Are there any workshop ideas you’d love to see? After all, everything I do is for you.
Spinspiration: Tip of the Month- Fibre Choices, Choosing the Best Wool for Hand Spinning
When starting a spinning project, the first thing to think about is the fibre you’ll be spinning. For many spinners, this can be a challenge. Often, we spin for the joy of it without a clear idea of what we’ll make from the yarn. Afterward, we might find ourselves frantically searching for a pattern that fits the yarn’s weight and quantity, which can be overwhelming. Or, like many spinners, you may accumulate a collection of beautiful yarns that were a pleasure to spin but now sit waiting for the right project.
So, how do we approach this? Well, it depends. You might fall in love with a particular fleece or a luxuriously soft fibre without any plan for what to make with it. On the other hand, you could have a knitting pattern in mind, such as a sweater for the fast-approaching winter, and need to spin the perfect yarn for that project. In either case, the choice of fibre is key to creating a successful yarn.
When examining a fleece, there are several factors to consider that can help guide you toward spinning the best possible yarn. It’s important to celebrate the uniqueness of each sheep breed. For example, coarse fibres generally produce coarse yarns, which might not be ideal for clothing worn next to the skin but could be perfect for outerwear or rugs. With a little forethought, you can make informed decisions about how each fibre can be most useful.
As spinners, we have access to a wide variety of prepared fibres, including protein fibres from animals, plant-based fibres, and synthetics (though I’ll focus on wool here). Understanding the composition of the fibre you’re working with allows you to spin it in a way that enhances its qualities—whether that’s texture, softness, or colour. Sometimes, going back to the basics and learning about the specific fleece type at its source can be extremely helpful. A quick online search or a look into a fleece directory can give you all the information you need before starting your project.
Let's take a closer look then at what we should be considering about our fleece or prepared fibres.
Breed - knowing the breed is helpful if we need to research a bit about it however, sometimes we do not even know which breed, or cross breed the wool actually is. And that doesn't matter really as long as you consider all of the characteristics of the wool in front of you.
Staple length - this is one thing that can suggest the best way to prepare the wool and the best spinning technique to use. Fibres which are less than 3 inches long are usually hand carded into rolags and spun using the longdraw method to produce more lofty yarns. Longer fibres are usually combed to align the fibres and spun using the worsted technique to produce more resilient yarns with more drape.
Crimp - this refers to the wave pattern in the staple of wool. It gives elasticity to the yarn. The amount of crimp varies in each breed and can range from very close waves to longer waves and is counted as crimp per inch. As a general rule the finer wools have more crimp per inch.
Lustre - this refers to the sheen caused by how the light reflects off the fibre. It is more evident in longer wools eg Cotswold or Wensleydale. The sheen remains once spun as a worsted yarn and gives a gentle sheen to your yarn.
Fibre size - This is the micron count ie the diameter of each individual fibre. A little research will offer you this information easily. If you are buying the fibre ready processed the information should be available in the information section. Generally finer fibres have a low micron count eg merino ranges from about 11 - 26 which can comfortably be worn next to the skin, whereas Wensleydale ranges from 30 -36 microns and would not be so comfy to wear. This information will help you to choose the best fibre for your project or vice versa.
Bulk - some wools just bounce back when you squeeze them eg the Down breeds whereas long wools in comparison are somewhat flat. This again helps you to decide the best method of preparation and spinning technique to use.
Having some knowledge about the wool you choose can make a big difference in the success of your spinning project. For example, if you're planning to make a soft, cosy scarf or cowl, it's best to pick a fibre with a low micron count, which will feel soft and comfortable against the skin. On the other hand, if you're making a blanket, softness may not be as crucial as durability, so a fibre with a mid-range micron count would be more suitable.
There are, of course, other factors to consider such as preparation methods, amount of twist, twist angles and plying methods but I'll dive into those in another post where we’ll explore them in more detail.
In the meantime, I hope this initial insight has been helpful and that you feel inspired to make more thoughtful fibre choices for your projects!
Breed Focus: The Black Welsh Mountain
This breed continually inspires and surprises me with its true black colour (not dark brown), lively crimp, and manageable staple length — all of which make it a real pleasure to spin. If you haven’t tried it yet, I highly recommend doing so; I think you’ll be glad you did.
Origins & Breed History
The Black Welsh Mountain sheep (Defaid Mynydd Duon) is a historic Welsh hill breed, recorded in writings as far back as the Middle Ages and later selectively bred in the 19th century for its distinctive black fleece. A formal breed society was established in the early 1920s to help preserve the breed. Originating in the uplands of Mid-Wales, it is the only purely black sheep breed native to Britain.
Small to medium in size, these hardy sheep thrive on rough grazing with minimal input. They are known for easy lambing, strong maternal instincts, and resilience in exposed hill conditions.
Fleece Qualities
The fleece is a deep, uniform black, often showing warm reddish tones at the tips in sunlight. Fibre diameter typically falls between 28–36 microns, making it a robust but reasonably soft medium wool. Staple length averages 5–10 cm (2–4 inches), suitable for both carding and combing, and fleeces usually weigh around 1.25–2 kg (3–4 lbs).
Preparation & Spinning
As with many hill fleeces, some vegetable matter and lanolin are present, so good skirting and gentle washing are important.
Carding produces lofty rolags or batts ideal for woollen spinning and warm, bouncy yarns.
Combing suits worsted spinning, creating smoother, stronger singles with crisp stitch definition.
Both methods work well; the choice depends on the yarn style you want.
Uses for the Yarn
The natural black colour is a rare and valuable feature, perfect for undyed projects, colourwork with other natural fleeces, or tweed-style blends. This wool is well suited to outerwear and accessories, traditional garments, weaving, and blending with softer fibres. It takes twist well, producing strong, characterful yarns, though it may feel firmer next to the skin than finer breeds.
You can learn more about this breed by following the link to the breed society below.
Hand Spinner Spotlight
This section of the newsletter is devoted to you, our amazing community of hand spinners, where each month I cast the spotlight on just one member of our fabulous spinning community.
I believe that every spinner, at whatever stage of their spinning 'journey' deserves to take the limelight and share their story with us all to help us celebrate their achievements and to inspire us all.
Sadly this month I do not have a spinner to spotlight. If you would like to take part in the coming months do please send me a few details about your spinning, weaving, knitting etc at whatever stage your craft is at. I know your stories inspire others so don't be shy. Just a brief introduction and a photo or two is all that is needed. If you need any help please just ask.
Upcoming Workshops
Treat yourself to a creative date in the diary! I’ve got some lovely workshops coming up over the next couple of months, with spaces still available. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to level up your spinning skills, there’s something here for you.
Plan ahead, try something new, and enjoy a relaxing day with wool, wheels, and like-minded company.
Want the full line-up? Check out the complete Workshop Calendar on my website — there’s something for beginners and improvers alike.
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Let me know! I love adding extra dates and tailoring sessions to suit your needs. Drop me a message, and let’s make it happen.
February
7th, 15th - Basics and Beyond - Hand Spinning Workshop The perfect place to learn or refresh your spinning skills.
20th - English Woollen Longdraw - Experience this amazing technique to produce bouncy, airy yarns.
22nd – Refine Your Hand Spinning Take your skills up a notch with improved drafting and control to spin the yarns you really need.
March
7th, 21st, 29th - Basics and Beyond - Hand Spinning Workshop The perfect place to learn or refresh your spinning skills.
14th - get Creative with Art Yarns - learn some basic art yarn techniques which will fire up your creativity to produce interesting textured yarns. It's so much fun.
19th - English Woollen Longdraw - Experience this amazing technique to produce bouncy, airy yarns.
20th - Spin the Perfect Worsted Yarns - learn how to prepare and spin your fibres to produce durable and lustrous drapey yarns.
27th - Spin to Retain the Vibrant Colours - Never be disappointed again when spinning gorgeous colourful fibre blends. Achieve the colours you hoped for and some surprises.
Booking & Info
You’ll find full details and booking links on my website with more dates until the end of the year also available. 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.
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 on the day. 10am - 1pm
Here are the upcoming dates:
Wednesday 11th February
NOTE our Saturday meeting is still TBC as I shall be away on 28th
Wednesday 11th March
Saturday 28th March
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!
Until Next Time…
I do hope that this newsletter has inspired you to try a new fibre, join a workshop or just engage with the wider spinning community. Remember to let yourself slow down too this month as you too prepare for the coming year. It's going to be great together.
Warm woolly wishes,
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