Thursday evenings (5 weeks)
6.30pm-8.30pm
January 15th, 22nd, 29th, February 5th & 12th 2026
Kentish Town City Farm, NW5 4BN
(closest transport: Gospel Oak (overground), Kentish Town (Northern line and Thameslink)
Learn how to spin and naturally dye your own wool for knitting, crocheting and other crafts. This course will introduce you to the ancient tradition of hand-spinning with a drop-spindle, a relaxing and meditative skill using minimal technology.
You’ll learn how to ply your wool, create skeins and then mordant and naturally dye your yarn using cololurs from plants.
The course is taking place at Kentish Town City Farm where you’ll meet the rare-breed Jacob’s sheep and learn how to wash their raw wool, card and then spin it.
Timetable:
Week 1: Meet the Jacob’s sheep at the farm and learn how to process and wash their raw wool. Start spinning with a drop spindle.
Week 2: Learn about carding the washed wool and continue spinning with a drop spindle.
Week 3: Learn about plying the wool you have spun and creating a skein.
Week 4: Learn about mordanting your wool in preparation for dyeing with plant dyes
Week 5: Learn about dyeing your wool with plant dyes
This is a participatory, hands-on course where you’ll have a chance to learn by doing in a collaborative, fun atmosphere.
What you will need: a drop spindle, rubber gloves and an apron
What you will take away: skein of dyed wool that you have spun
No experience necessary.
Positive comments on my style of teaching:
“Very good – super relaxed and friendly while being full of info” – Maz
“Great hands-on learning” – Betty
“Relaxed, informative. Very knowledgeable” – Yvonne
“ Very knowledgeable, always willing to answer questions and very generous with time and materials.” – Sophie