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A Distaff Spinner’s Diary @distaff-spinner.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

I love finding a peaceful, historic place to spin and this particular historic place is Buildwas Abbey. Tucked away down a lane, not far from Telford and the Ironbridge Gorge museums, this free entry English Heritage property was the perfect place to fill a spindle. #distaffspinning #handspunyarn

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A Distaff Spinner’s Diary @distaff-spinner.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

It’s not often these days that I get the chance to do some spinning in costume, so I really enjoyed a day out filming at Cosmeston Medieval Village last week.

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A Distaff Spinner’s Diary @distaff-spinner.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

It lovely to see how many people are taking it up these days, I really enjoy teaching it too. Whilst it does take time to develop proficiency, even your first skein of yarn can be turned into something useful and if you enjoy the process that’s all that really matters, the rest will come in time.

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A Distaff Spinner’s Diary @distaff-spinner.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

A couple of years ago I did a small time trial where I included both combing and spinning time. It took me 1hr 1min 28secs to turn 16g of fibre into 64.5m of yarn at 28WPI, using a spindle and distaff. I’ve been a hand spinner for over 40 years and a distaff spinner for 11 years.

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A Distaff Spinner’s Diary @distaff-spinner.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

That’s quite a leisurely pace, if I push it I can get up to 120m/hr but I couldn’t sustain that all day.

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A Distaff Spinner’s Diary @distaff-spinner.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

It very much depends on how much time I have in the day or week for spinning, but I can spin 100m in an hour using a spindle and distaff.

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A Distaff Spinner’s Diary @distaff-spinner.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Last week was just too warm to do very much, but my neighbours six foot high fence provides some welcome shade in my garden. #handspinning #distaffspinning #handspunyarn

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A Distaff Spinner’s Diary @distaff-spinner.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

Thank you, I am delighted with how well they came out.

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A Distaff Spinner’s Diary @distaff-spinner.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

That’s the one I’d be most likely to wear.

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A Distaff Spinner’s Diary @distaff-spinner.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

Thank you, I loved the way they all came out, will definitely be doing more!

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A Distaff Spinner’s Diary @distaff-spinner.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

I’ve been experimenting with bundle dyeing using natural dyes just recently. These are the four main colour ways I have come up with so far and, whilst I like them all, I think the autumnal browns and orange are my favourite. Which is yours? #naturaldyes #plantdyed #bundledyeing #handspunyarn

A skein of hand spun yarn lying on a silk scarf. Both the skein and scarf have been bundle dyed together using dyer’s chamomile and Saxon blue to give vivid shades of yellow, blue and green. The original white of both scarf and skein shows through in places.

A skein of hand spun yarn lying on a silk scarf. Both the skein and scarf have been bundle dyed together using dyer’s chamomile, sulphur cosmos and cochineal to give vivid shades of yellow, orange and red. The original white of both scarf and skein shows through in places.

A skein of hand spun yarn lying on a silk scarf. Both the skein and scarf have been bundle dyed together using dyer’s chamomile, sulphur cosmos and walnut hulls to give autumnal shades of yellow, orange and brown. The original white of both scarf and skein shows through in places.

A skein of hand spun yarn lying on a silk scarf. Both the skein and scarf have been bundle dyed together using logwood chips, cochineal and Saxon blue to give strong shades of purple, red and blue. The original white of both scarf and skein shows through in places.

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A Distaff Spinner’s Diary @distaff-spinner.bsky.social · 17/11/2025

Thank you, I’m glad you’ve found it useful!

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A Distaff Spinner’s Diary @distaff-spinner.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

Each time I have posted this video on other platforms the response has shown how useful people have found it. I teach face to face lessons in distaff spinning in the UK, but I know there are so many people, worldwide, interested in learning this technique and tutors are few. Hope this helps.

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A Distaff Spinner’s Diary @distaff-spinner.bsky.social · 12/11/2025

Is my hand spun yarn suitable for tablet weaving? Looks like the answer is yes. Three ply Romney yarn dyed with cochineal, genista tinctoria and Saxon blue. The pattern is a variation of the Oseberg band. #tabletweaving #cardweaving #handspun #plantdyed #textilecraft

A narrow woven band with a geometric pattern in red, blue and yellow is lying on a white background.

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A Distaff Spinner’s Diary @distaff-spinner.bsky.social · 03/11/2025

Thank you. I’ve always enjoyed knitting lace patterns and this particular stitch is an easy one to memorise.

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A Distaff Spinner’s Diary @distaff-spinner.bsky.social · 02/11/2025

This scarf has been on my knitting needles since last December. Knitting long, straight pieces has never held much enjoyment for me, so it did get neglected for long periods. Yarn is handspun cashmere at around 26 WPI. Glad to have it finished at last! #cashmere #handspun #handknitted

A hand knitted pale beige cashmere scarf is arranged on a dark red background. The scarf is knitted in a lace pattern which looks like vertical columns of leaves down its length.

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A Distaff Spinner’s Diary @distaff-spinner.bsky.social · 28/09/2025

I sell hand spun yarn and a few small knitted items but only within the UK.

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A Distaff Spinner’s Diary @distaff-spinner.bsky.social · 27/09/2025

Thank you, yes, there are several shades of madder in it.

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A Distaff Spinner’s Diary @distaff-spinner.bsky.social · 27/09/2025

My current WIP is a granny square knee blanket. It started life as squares for a cardigan, but I think I will get more use out of a blanket, so here it is. All hand spun yarn, dyed with plant dyes many of which are from my garden. #grannysquares #crochet #handspun #plantdyed #homegrowncolour

Close up view of a crocheted granny square blanket showing the border being worked. The squares are each of three contrasting colours with a white border and each has been slip stitched to the next. A wooden crochet hook lies in the top right corner, inserted into a loop on the edge of the border, ready to make the next stitch. In the bottom right corner is a ball of caramel coloured yarn which the border is currently being worked with.

A close up view of a crocheted granny square blanket showing the squares being slip stitched together. Each square has three contrasting colours and a white border and most of the seams are completed, just the vertical seam on the right needs to be finished. A wooden crochet hook lies inserted into the work at the point the seam has reached and the ball of white yarn being used for the seam lies on the blanket.

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A Distaff Spinner’s Diary @distaff-spinner.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

The sulphur cosmos have produced a bumper crop this summer. This hand spun Romney yarn takes the colour very well. The skein on the left is from 50% WOF of dried flowers, on the right is the exhaust colour. #plantdyed #handspun #sulphurcosmos #naturaldyes

A skein of hand spun yarn soaking in an orange dye bath.

Two hand spun skeins of yarn lying vertically side by side on a linen background. The left hand skein is a vibrant orange colour whilst the right hand skein appears a strong yellow.

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A Distaff Spinner’s Diary @distaff-spinner.bsky.social · 16/08/2025

In the current hot weather it's a treat to find some shade outdoors and just sit and spin for a while. The wool on my distaff is hand combed Romney from Fernhill Fleece and Fibre. #distaffspinning #suspendedspinning #handspinning #wool #heritagecraft

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A Distaff Spinner’s Diary @distaff-spinner.bsky.social · 13/08/2025

The latest batch from the dye pot, all hand spun Romney yarn this time dyed with sulphur cosmos on the left, logwood in the centre and cochineal on the right. #handspun #handdyed #naturaldyes #plantdyes

Three small skeins of hand spun Romney yarn lying vertically side by side. The two on the left are a strong orange colour and the one on the right is a paler orange in colour.

Three skeins of hand spun Romney yarn lying vertically side by side. The far left skein is a dark, almost navy blue, the middle one is slightly paler and the one on the far right is a deep purple colour.

Two small skeins lying vertically side by side. The one on the left is a bright red in colour and the one on the right is a strong pink.

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A Distaff Spinner’s Diary @distaff-spinner.bsky.social · 11/08/2025

Three more hand spun Romney skeins, fresh from the dye pot. Left and centre are dyed with home grown madder, the skein on the right is dyed with Saxon Blue (sulphonated indigo). #handspunyarn #handdyed #plantdyed #naturaldye

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A Distaff Spinner’s Diary @distaff-spinner.bsky.social · 10/08/2025

After finishing spinning the first of four Romney fleeces, I have made a start on dyeing the skeins. This first batch is dyed with cochineal, logwood and home grown coreopsis. #handspun #romney #plantdyed #cochineal #logwood #coreopsis

Five skeins of hand spun Romney wool lying vertically side by side on an unbleached linen cloth. The skein on the far left is a strong pink, the next skein a deep pinky red, the middle skein is lavender blue the next is a darker blue and the far right skein is yellow.

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A Distaff Spinner’s Diary @distaff-spinner.bsky.social · 10/08/2025

Thank you. This has been a lovely fleece to work with.

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A Distaff Spinner’s Diary @distaff-spinner.bsky.social · 30/07/2025

These are my finished skeins from #tourdefleece2025. Some were spun with distaff and spindle whilst on holiday, the rest were spun on my Schacht Matchless at home. Full details in alt text. #handspun #handspinning #wool #handspunyarn #heritagecraft

A collection of skeins of hand spun yarn in various sizes and colours.
Top left of picture, three large skeins of natural white Romney yarn spun on a spinning wheel.
Top right, three smaller skeins, a grey Romney, a black Romney Shetland and a white Portland spun with distaff and spindle.
Bottom left a skein of singles dyed in shades of blue and purple lying beside a smaller skein dyed with pinks and greens, both wheel spun.
Bottom right, six small breed study sample skeins, all distaff and spindle spun. The breeds are Clun Forest, Shropshire, Devon Closewool, British Milksheep, Teeswater and Dorset Down.

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A Distaff Spinner’s Diary @distaff-spinner.bsky.social · 28/07/2025

My final spin of #tourdefleece2025 took place at Tretower Castle. I'm spinning Romney wool, using a distaff and medieval style spindle and a short suspension technique. #distaffspinning #handspinning #Romney #wool #heritagecraft

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A Distaff Spinner’s Diary @distaff-spinner.bsky.social · 26/07/2025

My favourite place too, always such excellent quality!

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A Distaff Spinner’s Diary @distaff-spinner.bsky.social · 26/07/2025

Yesterday’s spin for #tourdefleece was a gorgeously squishy Romney fibre from Fernhill Fleece & Fibre. Spun on my Schacht Matchless. #romney #handspun #handspinning #wool

Picture shows a bobbin on a spinning wheel filled with a white 2ply yarn.

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A Distaff Spinner’s Diary @distaff-spinner.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

Yes, it’s lovely. I wish I could get hold of it more often.

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A Distaff Spinner’s Diary @distaff-spinner.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

Whilst on holiday last week, I came across a walnut tree, a rare find here in the UK. We’d had a couple of windy nights and the ground was covered with immature walnuts, which I quickly scooped into a bag. Today I dyed a gradient set of hand spun mini skeins using the outer husks from the walnuts.

Five mini skeins of hand spun yarn lying vertically, side by side, on a grey background. The skeins are dyed in a gradient of warm brown tones with the darkest on the left and lightest on the right.

#handspun #walnut #plantdye #plantdyedyarn

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A Distaff Spinner’s Diary @distaff-spinner.bsky.social · 20/07/2025

Last week I was on holiday in Lincolnshire and, as usual, my distaff and spindle came with me. I found some lovely places to spin, but probably the best was in the Great Hall at Gainsborough Old Hall. The wool I am spinning is Portland, a British rare breed and one of my favourites. #handspinning

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A Distaff Spinner’s Diary @distaff-spinner.bsky.social · 05/07/2025

Dyer’s chamomile gives an excellent yellow and also gives the best green in my opinion, when used to overdye woad or indigo.

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A Distaff Spinner’s Diary @distaff-spinner.bsky.social · 04/07/2025

The French marigolds and coreopsis are flowering well in the garden and I have been picking and drying them for some time. I have just used up the remainder of last year’s marigold flowers and dyed one skein of Romney yarn and two of Portland, all hand spun. #plantdye #naturaldye #handspun

Three skeins of hand spun yarn lying vertically on a natural linen cloth. The right hand skein is a rich deep golden yellow and the other two are slightly paler.

A plastic box filled with freshly picked flower heads in bright oranges and yellows.

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A Distaff Spinner’s Diary @distaff-spinner.bsky.social · 03/07/2025

Thank you! They feel really comfortable, though a little warm just now!

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A Distaff Spinner’s Diary @distaff-spinner.bsky.social · 03/07/2025

It’s both together. I carded it on my drum carder and then pre-drafted the batt into a roving to spin worsted.

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A Distaff Spinner’s Diary @distaff-spinner.bsky.social · 03/07/2025

My hand spun Icelandic socks are finally finished. They are a very warm, sturdy pair of socks and hopefully will prove to be hard wearing. #handknittedsocks #handspun #icelandic

A pair of feet wearing hand knitted socks in a pale grey hand spun yarn. The socks have an all over cabled rib pattern. The feet are resting on a blue checked hand woven blanket.

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A Distaff Spinner’s Diary @distaff-spinner.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

I’m afraid I’ll have to keep you in suspense, I have only finished one sock so far and it will be some months before I’ll need to wear them. The signs are good though.

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A Distaff Spinner’s Diary @distaff-spinner.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

It really was and a beautiful setting as well. 🌼 🐝 🦋

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A Distaff Spinner’s Diary @distaff-spinner.bsky.social · 14/06/2025

It was a lovely afternoon for sitting in the sun, spinning, at Caldicot Castle. With children playing on the grass, jackdaws calling from the tops of the towers and the scent of roses filling the air. #distaffspinning #handspinning #caldicotcastle

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A Distaff Spinner’s Diary @distaff-spinner.bsky.social · 11/06/2025

This þel fibre, from the Icelandic fleece I have just spun, was so beautifully soft the temptation to face plant into it was huge! (Yes, I did, more than once.) #icelandic #handspinning #cardedfibre

Three rolled batts of soft white fibre lying side by side on a linen sheet.

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