Do you want to learn how to make your own yarn? Do you love the idea of keeping a traditional skill alive? Have you seen all those beautiful tops and/or batts and want to know what to do with them? Do you one day want to go from fleece to finished object? Do you want to make the yarn you’ve got in your minds eye?
I offer one-to-one spinning lessons, taking you from commercial fibre preps (e.g. tops or batts) through to a finished skein of yarn. The sessions are offered as two, two hour sessions, ideally at least a week apart.
I’ve been spinning for many years, and have demonstrated spinning at events such as Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft, Saddlescoombe Farm, Ardingly spring show, and more. I am based in Brighton, East Sussex, UK.
Session 1
Topics covered:
- Anatomy of yarn
- Understanding terminology
- Introduction to your equipment
- Spinning a single
By the end of this session you will be able to produce a single (unplied) piece of yarn, be able to set up and adjust your equipment and have a basic grounding of terms needed to discuss your work.
Session 2
- Reviewing previous singles
- Addressing any issues from previous week
- Plying
- Finishing
- What next
By the end of this session you will have a finished skein of yarn (plied). You will be left with the knowledge of where to procure more fibre and how to finish your yarn to be used in either knitting, crocheting or weaving.
Equipment
Equipment can be rented from myself for a deposit, and all fibre is provided within the cost of the sessions. Single drive spinning wheels or a variety of drop spindles are available.
In these covid times we can arrange to meet outside, for example in a park.
Cost
For both sessions, and fibre enough to get you started, the cost is £110.
So if you’re interested, fill in the form below!
I also offer advance courses on things such as prepping fleeces, spinning art yarns, advanced drafting techniques and a spinning wheel workshop (for those wheels that need a little love!).
Examples of handspun yarn — perhaps not beginner level! But an idea of what you could start on the road to!
Gradient braid spun into yarn Same as previous 
Previous skein of yarn, now caked, ready to knit 
Starting knitting with previous yarn 
Three different colour yarns, all natural, spun from same jacob sheep fleece 
Previous yarns knitted into hat 
Commercial top spun into yarn 
Commercial top being spun into singles 
Plied yarn 
Commercial top being spun into singles 
Top next to plied yarn 
Pony knitted with previous yarns 
Art yarn