My roots are Yorkshire -

- villages, craftspeople, moorland and sea.

My influences are William Morris and the Arts & Crafts Movement

Their ethos that items should be handmade from start to finish, using local materials, be affordable, have clear form and function, simple decoration and use traditional methods has guided my textile journey from the age of 16.

I began spinning my own yarn

..in 2019, creating characterful yarns which inspire my simply designed head-wear, neck-wear and craft kits.

I believe it's vitally important to share skills..

..and keep traditional crafts alive, so when I'm not demonstrating and enthusing at craft events, I offer bespoke 1:1 tutorials, and host Yarn Club Creative sessions at my studio on the Wiltshire/New Forest border.
Go to 'Book a Class' for details of tuitorials and Yarn Club Creative sessions.

Welcome to A Tail of Yarn Studio!

Find Home Farm on Whiteshoot Hill in Redlynch, wave at Alison Hulme in her Textile Studio (she's my neighbour, and you can visit her in a moment!) and follow the car park signs through the farm yard to A Tail of Yarn Studio!

Entrance Porch for muddy boots and wet coats..

..the studio is situated opposite Tinney's Firs, a glorious Woodland Trust, Wood, and a couple of miles from Hale Purlieu and the New Forest - perfect for walking, so feel free to pop in, boots and all!

I have three spinning wheels available -

Bou (short for Boudicca) is an Ashford Country Spinner and takes NO prisoners!
Betsey is a hand-built Ashford Traditional style wheel - perfect for learning to spin.
LIttle Oullo is a Norwegian 'byrokk' or 'city spinner'; compact and ideal for spinning lace weight yarn.
Plus a myriad drop spindles, each one perfect for learning to draft and spin fibre.

This central wooden craft table

- has seen many crafts explored and perfected over its 60 year life. Originally based in the kitchen of my childhood home, it now takes pride of place as the main crafting table and home to a blending board, drum carder, crochet hooks, embroidery silks, beads.....

The Studio Shop

Sited in the dairy washroom, the Studio Shop provides a light and airy display area for all my yarn products. Most are available to view and purchase through my online shop but there's a few items that you just have to be here to buy!!

Dream Designs start here!

Whether it's a 50g blend of dyed merino inspired by spring flowers, or a hooded shawl designed made to fit using colours requested by the customer, all ideas and designs are best captured on paper first, even if it's just a note of how many rows knitted in garter stitch!
Inspiration is all around us, so I welcome drawings and doodles made by visitors - my next yarn may be inspired by YOU!

No Fleece left behind!

I HATE the idea of 'waste' fibre, or things being thrown away because they're not 'good enough', and where possible I incorporate textile and fibre waste into my creations - so denim throwsters waste, merino laps and tops, sari silk threads all find their way into my yarn along with locally sourced native and rare breed sheep and plant dyes.

The Knitting Chair!

A collection of needles (and crochet hooks!) of all sizes plus a basket of commercially produced scrap yarn = safe place to learn to knit and crochet!
Book a 1:1 tutorial or join a Yarn Club Creative session, and take home 20g of hand spun yarn to continue your yarn journey at home.

Curl up with a Good Book!

Browse art and craft books from the 1900s to the 21st century - or just sit with a coffee and watch the crafting happen.

Raw Fleece (and Sheep Study) Room

Smells AMAZING, and is hopefully going to be packed with information about different sheep breeds - definitely my ongoing Research Project and Major Work in Progress!

View from the Studio!

Home Farm is a working farm nestling between the New Forest, Bohemia and Lover - cows, pigs, sheep and dogs are regular visitors across the farm yard which is also the car park so DRIVE SLOWLY and watch out for the wildlife!

Cloakroom Facilities!

Hope you have enjoyed your virtual tour of A Tail of Yarn Studio - we look forward to welcoming you during opening times - Hot drinks and refreshments in the Studio - toilet facilities across the farm yard!