'On The Bobbin' A Monthly Newsletter The Spinning Barn Newsletter 008 January 2026
- The Spinning Barn
- Feb 10
- 7 min read
Welcome to the first newsletter of 2026!
And may I wish you all a very happy and healthy New Year.
It is great to be back among you all and I hope you had a wonderfully restful festive season, filled with good food, cosy moments, and perhaps a little time for fibre and spinning. As the new year begins, it feels like the perfect moment to gently reset, gather our ideas, and look ahead to the creative months to come. I’m so glad you’re here, and I’m looking forward to sharing what’s spinning at the barn this January. If you are new to the newsletter I hope you will enjoy it and use it as another way for us to stay connected, to share ideas, and to remind ourselves that we’re part of a wonderful, woolly community. Here each month you can look forward to.......
So, let’s get into this first newsletter of 2026 as we start another year of spinning joy together. |
What's Happening at The Spinning BarnJanuary is always the time of year when I feel myself take a deep breath and get into planning mode for the year to come. I just love sitting down with a proper paper diary and start making notes on the pristine pages. I always feel full of inspiration and excitement for another year of meeting so many new spinners, delivering our favourite workshops and designing new ones just for you. And that often comes from your ideas. Spinning is such an enormous subject that although we all start at the same place we often tend to veer off in all sorts of directions with different techniques or fibres depending on what our planned outcome might be. So if you have any ideas for a new workshop this year just let me know and I shall do my best to make it happen. I shall be hosting a fabulous new hand spinning retreat in July. I advertised this just before Christmas and was staggered by the response. So thank you all who booked places so quickly. If you still haven't booked your space there are still tickets available and I would love to welcome you to the spectacular How Hill for five days of pure spinning joy and relaxation. The focus will be on the incredible rare breed sheep of Britain and their importance as we seek sustainability in this frantic world. Before the retreat I am lucky to be re-visiting the Faroe Islands to teach at another week-long spinning retreat there to support as many people as possible to make the best use of their fabulous sheep fleeces too.
I am very much looking forward to my first workshop of 2026 on January 10th but you can also find more dates listed below.
Theresax |
Spinspiration: Tip of the MonthSpinning Tip for the New Year: Begin with a Sampler SpinA new year doesn’t need big resolutions — just a gentle place to begin. As you step into 2026, start with a small sampler spin rather than a full project. Choose a small amount of fibre (20–30g is plenty) and give yourself permission to spin slowly and without expectation. If you’re new to spinning, this is a chance to simply notice how the fibre feels in your hands and how the wheel responds. If you’re an experienced spinner, try changing one small thing — a touch more twist, a lighter treadle rhythm, a different fibre, or a softer drafting hand. This first spin isn’t about perfection or productivity. It’s about re-introducing your hands to the wheel and setting an intention of curiosity and care for the year ahead. When you’re finished, label it: “First spin of 2026 – no rules.”
Tuck it into your spinning journal or sample box. It becomes a quiet marker of where you’re starting from — and a reminder that every project this year begins with a single, thoughtful thread.
And of course I would love to hear about your sampler. What did you change and how did it feel? Drop me a reply and let me know.
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 Breed Focus: The CheviotOrigins & HistoryThe Cheviot sheep originates from the Cheviot Hills, straddling the border between Scotland and Northumberland in England. It’s an ancient hill breed, well adapted to harsh, windy upland conditions. This tough environment has shaped both the sheep and its wool: resilient, weather-resistant, and long-wearing. Cheviots became especially popular in the 18th and 19th centuries as Britain’s textile industry grew, valued for producing durable cloth suitable for everyday wear and outer garments. Wool CharacteristicsCheviot wool is classed as a medium wool, prized for its structure and spring rather than softness.
This wool has excellent elasticity and bounce, making it ideal for yarns that need to hold their shape. Preparation Techniques for Hand SpinnersCheviot is a versatile fleece that responds well to different preparations: Carding
Combing
Cheviot’s relatively long staple makes it easy to work with for newer spinners, especially those moving beyond very fine wools. Best Uses for Hand Spinners & Fibre ArtistsCheviot truly shines in projects where structure, durability, and stitch clarity are important:
While not a “next-to-skin soft” wool for most people, Cheviot excels in hard-working textiles that are meant to last. Why Spin Cheviot?For hand spinners, Cheviot offers:
It’s a wonderful choice when you want to explore functional yarns with character—perfect for garments and textiles designed to be worn, used, and loved.
If you have not tried this wool yet I would urge you to give it a go. I was pleasantly surprised and am planning to make a cabled waistcoat with my yarn. Find out more at the breed society below. |
Hand Spinner Spotlight
This part of the newsletter is all about you — our wonderful community of hand spinners! Each month, I love shining a light on one member of our fabulous spinning family, celebrating their achievements and sharing their story to inspire us all.
This month, we don’t have a spotlighted spinner yet — and that’s where you come in! I’d love to hear about your spinning journey, no matter what stage you’re at. Let’s kick off 2026 with plenty of inspiration and a chance to connect and grow our community even more.
Just reply to this email with a few details about yourself and your spinning, and a photo or two if you like — I’ll take care of the rest!
Upcoming Workshops
New Year, New Creative Adventures! 🌟
2026 is the perfect time to try something new — why not start the year with a day of spinning, wool, and pure creativity? Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned spinner ready to level up, I’ve got workshops coming up that are just waiting for you.
✨ Make it a date with yourself!Plan ahead, try your hand at something new, and enjoy a day immersed in wool, wheels, and friendly, like-minded company. A little creativity goes a long way in setting the tone for a joyful year!
📅 See what’s coming upCheck out the full workshop calendar on my Workshops page — there’s something for every skill level.
💌 Can’t find your perfect session?If there’s a workshop you’ve been dreaming of or a date that works best for you, just let me know! I love adding extra sessions and tailoring workshops, so your 2026 creative plans can really happen.
January 2026
Saturday 10th and 24th – Hand Spinning-- Basics and Beyond The perfect place to learn or refresh your spinning skills.
Tuesday 13th - Spin True Worsted Yarns Master the smooth, strong worsted technique for durable, lustrous yarns.
Saturday 17th - Get Creative with Art Yarns Add drama, texture, and flair to your spinning with playful techniques.
Sunday 18th - Flax Spinning - in this very popular and fun workshop you will learn how to spin flax fibre into linen ready for a whole range of projects.
Sunday 25th – Drop Spindle Taster Session. Slow down and experience the leisurely art of spinning on a drop spindle in a simple but very effective way.
Tuesday 27th - Perfect your Carding skills. Effective spinning relies on the best preparation techniques. Join me to perfect both hand carding and drum carding and get your spinning off to the best start.
February
Saturday 7th and 21st– Hand Spinning-- Basics and Beyond The perfect place to learn or refresh your spinning skills.
Sunday 8th - Drop Spindle Taster Session. Slow down and experience the leisurely art of spinning on a drop spindle in a simple but very effective way.
Sunday 15th - Hand Spinning-- Basics and Beyond
Booking & Info You’ll find full details and booking links on the Workshops page of 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,, knitting or other portable project 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. Each session starts at 10am - 1pm.
Here are the upcoming dates:
Saturday 31st January
Wednesday 11th February
Saturday 28th February.
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…
That’s it for this edition — As we step into 2026, I want to take a moment to thank you again for being part of our creative community over the past year. Your energy, curiosity, and love of spinning made 2025 truly special. I’m so excited for all the new workshops, projects, and shared creative moments we have ahead — it’s going to be a year full of inspiration, growth, and woolly fun. Here’s to new beginnings and making 2026 our most creative year yet!
Warm woolly wishes,
Theresa x
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