Learn to Spin Wool

Learn to Spin Wool

Join me for a morning, as we learn to spin with prepared fibre on both drop spindles and wheels.  If you have your own wheel then you are welcome to bring it – if necessary I will help carry it up the steps.  Please note this is a course for absolute beginners, if you can already basically spin and ply then contact me and we can arrange an improvers morning.

Course Outline

Starting at 9.30am, we will discuss different types of fibre and their preparation.  You will be able to prepare some fibre yourself with carders, if you wish. We will then move onto using drop spindles to start to learn to draft and twist pre-prepared fibre.  After a short refreshment break, you will have the opportunity to try spinning on one of my wheels or your own if you wish.  We will also discuss plying and finishing yarn (the most important part). You will be able to take the yarn you prepare home.

We aim to finish by 12.30pm.

Key areas covered:

• Types of fibre and different types of spinning depending on preparation
• Spinning with a drop spindle and wheel
• The importance of plying and balanced yarn
• How to finish yarn

Please note, I do not provide handouts, but if you wish to make your own notes then you are welcome to do so.

Children

All children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult who has paid in full.  Young people have a reduced rate, please contact me BEFORE booking.

DATES

Friday 14th August 2026
Saturday 3rd October 2026

If you have a date in mind and cannot attend on a Saturday, please email me info@dorsetwool.co.uk

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Courses run at Penally are limited to a maximum of 3 participants. I have 2 large dogs, who are locked out of the way during the course.  If you are allergic to dogs, please let me know and we will find a different venue,

My home is also at the top of 30 steps, so if you have limited mobility this would not be the best venue for you to attend.

All courses run from 9.30am – 12.30pm with a refreshment/comfort break included.  I find that we can achieve as much in this time as in a day long course.

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About the tutor

Jo has taught Science to reluctant teenagers for over 30 years.  She enjoys breaking subjects down into easy-to-understand stages.  She has been a natural dyer for too many years to admit to.  She wrote her first essay on natural dyes before she was 9 years old and attended a Royal Society of Chemistry lecture on the chemistry of dyes whilst a sixth former (being a true geek, she still has the notes!).

Initially she studied environmental and animal science, before researching her PhD into the control of wool growth in sheep.

Over the years she continued her research into the environmental effects of agriculture and natural colours alongside her day job as a teacher.  This led to more research and self-learning to develop her skills.  She has focussed on natural dyeing of wool for over 15 years now and enjoys the jeopardy of not really knowing what colour she will obtain (although it tends to be more reliable now).  Additionally, she has bred rare breed Portland sheep for their fibre.

Over the years, Jo has attended various seminars and conferences (mostly online as she hates to leave Dorset!) and has realised that many dyers (including some that teach natural dye techniques) don’t actually understand the chemistry.  Therefore, with this series of workshops, she aims to help people learn and understand a bit more.

In the future, Jo aims to carry out the LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) of her hand spun and woven products, when not shearing, growing plants, dyeing, spinning, weaving or teaching….