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Welcome to Woolplay,
a farm to fibre British wool yarn and fibre producer and stockist

Check out our yarns

A selection of locks, rovings and wool tops that we stock

And don't forget the fibres!

a selection of Emma Ball products with a sheep theme

Treat yourself or a friend to a sheepy gift

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The field of creativity that exists within each each of us is freed by moving out of ideas of wrong-doing or right doing

Woolplay has grown out of a small flock of rare breed sheep and their annual fleeces! It's been a journey of discovery and reconnection with a simpler life, grounded in what we humans have been doing for centuries. I invite you to join me in cherishing the amazing British sheep breeds we have in this country, supporting the dedicated spinning mills supporting small sheep farmers like me and taking pleasure in the slow lane of wool crafts be it hand dyeing, spinning, weaving, knitting, crochet and much more.

Learn More

Explore the Collection

We supply yarns and fibres for wool crafters ranging from washed locks to rovings and tops through to yarns - we hope there is something to tempt you

Latest Blog Posts

Woolly Warmth: crafting comfort as the nights draw in

Spinning - how hard can it be?!

Dive into rovings and tops

After spending three long days in a marquee at the Suffolk County Christmas Fair, it was fab to be back home and doing smallholder things with the sheep. A great reminder that they are the main characters in the story of all we do with their wool.

#britishsheep
#britishwool
#simplelifehappylife
#simpleliving
#smallholdinguk

All set up for the Suffolk County Christmas Fair - looking forward to a great weekend

#christmasfair
#britishwool
#simpleliving
#rarebreedsheep
#shopsmall

Just a reminder that Woolplay's studio is not open this weekend.

Instead Woolplay is at the Suffolk County Christmas Fair at Hintlesham Hall. The Fair starts at 2pm on Friday with late night shopping until 8 and then 10 till 6 on Saturday and 10 till 5 on Sunday.

Looking forward to getting all Christmassy and maybe even doing some Christmas shopping!

#suffolkcountychristmasfair #whatsoninsuffolk #christmasfair #whatsoninnorfolk #christmasprep #HeritageCrafts #WoolCrafts

In a world that celebrates speed and convenience, wool slows everything down in the best possible way. Wool naturally resists odours, keeps its shape, and ages gracefully with care.

That longevity makes wool one of the most meaningful and sustainable presents you can give. Unlike disposable fashion or synthetic gadgets, a wool product grows more personal over time — softening, adapting, and gathering sentimental weight with every wear or use.

Thoughtful gifting with a touch of warmth.

#giftingideas #BritishWool #woolcraft #christmasideas #shoplocaluk #sustainablefashion #slowliving #simplicity

Sheep - the perfect antidote to Black Friday marketing!

#rarebreedsheep #britishwool #simpleliving #smallholdinguk

Whether we are prepared or not, Christmas is definitely coming. For me though much of the joy of this season is the preparation and anticipation, if we take it slow and take time to savour it. Woolplay has set up a Christmas Pop Up page on its website. You’ll find plenty of ideas for thoughtful gifts at a range of prices. Let loved ones know what you'd like, choose stock fillers for a woolly crafter in your family or something more significant for that special friend or family member. Here are a couple of ideas for you - all of them can be found at woolplay.co.uk/christmas

#christmasideas #giftingideas #woolcraft #shoplocaluk #knittingaddict #BritishWool #knitting #handspinners #crochet

With the weather set to change, I've made another aran hat kit, this time in Shetland Heather Aran. You can either make the hat yourself or it makes a great mid price gift for Christmas. Kits come with or without needles and in a range of colours.

It's available on line and at the studio and will be available at the Christmas market next weekend at Hintlesham Hall

#giftingideas #christmasideas #shetlandwool #knittinginspiration #sustainablefashion #LoveWool .#suffolkcountychristmasfair

Woolplay's wool shop and studio
is open today and tomorrow from 10 till 4.

You'll find it just off the B1123 after Withersdale Street
on the way to Metfield on Hollow Lane, Mendham IP20
0JP.

And this afternoon we're enjoying our monthly Thursday cake + make from2pm till 4. Come along with your current woolly craft project and enjoy some cake and company.

#shoplocaluk #woolcraft #knittingaddict #BritishWool
#britishwool #knittingcommunity #whatsoninnorfolk
#whatsoninsuffolk

Woolplay will be at the Suffolk County Christmas Fair at Hintlesham Hall next weekend.

There'll be lots of woolly gift ideas to help you get through your Christmas list - knitting kits, sheep themed gifts, yarns from local sheep flocks, hand dyed yarns to name but a few.

Come along and get in the get in the Christmas spirit!

#whatsoninsuffolk #woolcraft #giftingideas #christmasfair #christmasideas

I'm loving putting together yarn boxes and fibre bundles for gifting to woolly crafting friends and family members. They are available at Christmas pop up shop on the Woolplay website along with lots of other goodies - just type woolplay.co.uk/christmas

#christmasiscoming
#giftideas
#thoughtfulgifts
#gifting
#britishwool

The studio won't be open till 1 on Friday as I need to take a poorly sheep to the vets.

It'll be open 10 till 4 on Saturday.

Many apologies but trust you understand .

Woolplay's wool shop and studio is open today, tomorrow and Saturday from 10 till 4.

You'll find it just off the B1123 after Withersdale Street on the way to Metfield on Hollow Lane, Mendham IP20 0JP. Look out for the sign on the B1123

With the shorter days, woolly jumper season is definitely here so why not indulge in glorious British sheep yarn to keep you warm!

#shoplocaluk #woolcraft #knittingaddict #BritishWool
#britishwool #knittingcommunity #whatsoninnorfolk
#whatsoninsuffolk

Just now I'm weaving scarves for the various upcoming Christmas Fairs and to sell in the Studio.

This is the latest and I'm very pleased with how it's come out. It's a colour and weave design using 4ply Blue Faced Leicester and Shetland yarn for both the warp and weft.

I love weaving scarves on a rigid heddle loom - quick (in comparison with my floor loom) to warp, and so much fun choosing the colours and design - and then I can weave them in the evenings listening to an audiobook.

And the best thing with finishing this one, is I can now start the process all over again!

#britishwool #weaving #heritagecrafts #weaver #weaversofinstagram #weavers #rigidheddleweaving

Wow it's November! Where has the year gone and now we're heading towards the shortest day and the Christmas Festivities.

I'm think I'm a middling person when it comes to buying my Christmas gifts. I don't have them all under the bed just needing to be wrapped. Rather over the last few months I've been starting to think about possible presents for people. Now I'm getting to the decisive stage because I want them all purchased by mid December.

What type of Christmas present shopper are you?

And I love to give people gifts that show I've thought about something specifically for them. So if you know a knitter, crocheter, spinner or felter, what about something related to their hobby. It's an easy win - you can get them yarns or fibres, sheep themed gifts or useful accessories - all from woolplay.co.uk.

The online Christmas pop up shop will be opening this weekend where I've curated what I think are the best gifts - in other words the ones I'd like to receive! So look out on social media for Go Live

Yesterday we become the proud new owners of this beautiful wheel - just a day round trip to the New Forest to pick it up!

It's a Herring Spinning Wheel made by Simon Williams for Frank Herring, a family-run arts and crafts shop that opened in the 1930s in Dorchester. By the 1980s they identified a market for a British spinning wheel and assembled a team of designers, engineers and manufacturers to create The Herring spinning wheel, introduced in 1983. The use of moulded, laminated beech creates this fabulous mid century look. Its design was considered so aesthetically pleasing it won a London Design Centre award.

I love the simple, clean lines but without being too utilitarian and no pretensions of looking 'antique'. Afterall, my other wheels are a black and beach Kromski Fantasia and a Schat Sidekick.

Used to double treadles, I'll need to adjust to using a single treadle and it's double drive instead of Scotch tension.

#spinningwheels #handspinners #handspinnersofinstagram #aesthetics #aesthetically

Over the last few weeks, the studio has begun to look as though it's preparing for a siege - there are so many boxes of yarns and fibres and I can't believe how much natural dyeing I've been doing as well as winding of yarn for kits and yarn boxes.

Actually it feels quite exciting - the start of something festive though it looks a bit chaotic to anyone popping in.

#woolcrafts #woolcraft #shoplocaluk #christmasprep #festivemood #giftingideas

This morning at the Woolplay studio on Hollow Lane, Mendham IP20 0JP, we're enjoying our monthly Saturday morning cake + make from 10.30 till 1.

Come along with your current woolly craft project and enjoy some cake and company. The log burner is lit and the studio feels cosy!

#autumndays #MentalWellbeing #Community #communitysupport #shoplocaluk

Don't you just hate it when you read something you don't want to hear!
But when I think about, all the worthwhile things in life don't happen instantly.

We can't leap from A to Z and if you try, it's incomplete and somehow disappointing. We need to acquire skills or gain experience and these can't be rushed.
I will still be learning how to be a weaver decades from now. It really is about truly embracing the journey and isn't all of life just a series of stages of instability?

This is what comes of having a few days away and time to think! I'll be back in the thick of it tomorrow😀
#thoughtprovoking #thoughtful #lifequestions #lifejourney

Just a quick reminder that the Studio isn't open today - I've got a monthly Guild meeting which falls right in the middle of the day. Mind you as there's a talk on Viking Weaving, it should be an interesting meeting.

But we'll be open tomorrow and Saturday as usual from 10 till 4 and it's cake + make on Saturday morning from 10.30 till 1.

#shoplocaluk #woolcraft #LoveWool #crochet #knitting #FarmtoYarn #handspinningyarn #knittingaddict #weaving #heritagecrafts

Moving the last of the sheep back to our fields for the winter. Fortunately they love their food and so were happy to follow the bucket from the field across the lane, through the yard and across another field. With the clocks going back tonight the days will definitely shorter for outdoor jobs like feeding.

#smallholder
#rarebreedsheep
#britishwool rlongwool
#lovesheep
#wool
#simpleliving

At our cake + make on Friday 24th October, we'll be supporting wear it pink day.

Every year, people wear pink for breast cancer to spread awareness of the disease. Woolplay want to wear pink this Friday to show support for people affected by breast cancer and to raise funds for life-saving research and life-changing support.

So come along in something pink, or with a pink woolly project. We'll be holding a raffle of some lovely woolly items to raise money for Breast Cancer Now and the usual cake + make donations will be going to Breast Cancer Now too.

#goodcause #breastcancer #WearItPink

After a couple of weeks of dyeing with walnut husks it was time for some colour! I've been experimenting with cochineal (and used the remainder of the dye bath to dye some locks. The orange is from madder with soda ash and the variegated turquoise green is from fermented indigo with pomegranate and some citric acid to increase the acidity of the dye bath.

#naturaldyes
#creativeplay
#creativity
#britishwool
#woolmonth
#wooladdict

This is what you'll find me busy doing if you pop by my studio at the moment. These are such useful pieces of equipment enabling me to prepare wool for weaving, wind wool for knitting kits and to make my hand dyed yarns into balls of wool.

All these activities are a large part of my preparation for the Christmas season and the various Christmas markets I'll be at. I'm glad to say it's a restful activity (provided the yarn behaves!) which is what I'm enjoying right now. The panic will no doubt set in later!

#britishwool
#wooladdict
#wool
#shopsmall
#preparation

Just a reminder that Woolplay's studio is open today, Friday and Saturday from 10 till 4.
If you're local and would like to squish lovely 100% British wool, please pop by.
The address is Woolplay Studio, Hollow Lane, Mendham IP20 0JP and the sign is on the B1123 shortly after Withersdale Street on the way to Metfield.

I'm warping up my floor loom to weave some towels along side preparing for my next batch of dyeing over the weekend and winding the wool from last week's dyeing so lots to keep me occupied!

#LoveWool #BritishWool #shoplocaluk #woolcraft #FarmtoYarn #knitting #crochet

It's lovely to see the leaves changing colour - so inspiring. My recent hand dyeing and weaving has definitely had an autumn feel

All lovely til you remember the raking!

#autumn
#autumnyarn
#inspiration
#ceativity

I'm enjoying Wool month - I hope you are.
It's giving me the chance to think about the different aspects of wool from British Sheep. While I often focus on the lovely yarns we get produced and sourced and my hand dyes, I really like rovings and tops - the half way point in processing between the fleece and the spun yarn. They are so tactile and so soft you can't help holding and stroking them!
I like to spin with washed and processed fleece, whether that's my own processing (washing and carding or combing) or buying /having processed commercial rovings and tops.
At Woolplay we have three types of rovings/tops
- breed specific (of course) ranging from our own Leicester Longwools, local Ryeland (in three shades), Jacob and Zwartble as well as a range of Shetland shades
- fabulous tops from John Arbon, full of colours and a delight to spin
- tops from recycled wool which have new british wool added. A but trickier to spin but great for needle and wet felters

And for those of you wondering about rovings and tops -
Roving is carded wool where fibres are aligned loosely in one direction. It feels fluffy and airy, retaining bounce—ideal for soft, lofty yarns and expressive felting.
Tops are combed after carding, removing shorter staples and thoroughly aligning fibres. This creates a sleek, smooth texture that’s excellent for spinning smooth, even yarn or adding precision to detailed felting work.

#LoveWool #BritishWool #WoolMonth #handspinning #handspinningwool #handspinningyarn

A lovely box of goodies from Emma Ball arrived today. Here's a small selection

Check out the full range of sheepy and woolly themed gifts and accessories Woolplay stocks at
https://www.woolplay.co.uk/sheepthemedgifts

#emmaball #sheepygifts #shoplocaluk #LoveWool #knittingaddict #crochet

Hard to believe how bottle fed Annie and Frappé have grown from these little lambs to sheep who stand their ground in the flock. They still like a bit of human fuss which is much appreciated.

#britishsheep
#smallholder
#rurallife
#lovesheep

It was lovely to be sent some "official" photos from our day at the London Sheep Fair. As you see we were honoured with a visit to the stand by @adamhenson_

#woolmen #BritishWool #smallholdinglife #supportbritishfarmers #handspinning

It’s Wool Month—and the perfect time to celebrate the many benefits of British wool! 🐑✨

As I mentioned in my first post about Wool month, it all starts with the sheep - we have over 60 different sheep breeds in the UK. And their wool is one of nature’s most sustainable fibres: renewable, biodegradable, and grown every year by the sheep. Choosing British wool supports local farmers and rural communities, ensures high animal welfare, and helps preserve centuries of craftsmanship.

Wool is naturally insulating, breathable, durable, and comfortingly soft—ideal for clothing, home décor, and crafts that last for years. A couple of years back we bought a wool duvet for our bed - we don't need to change it with the seasons as it keeps us warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

Unlike synthetics, it breaks down in the soil, leaving behind vital nutrients and reducing microplastic pollution. We use all the "waste" from fleeces going off to be processed as mulch in the garden. And when your woolly item really can be used no more, it will break down in landfill.

This Wool Month, Woolplay invites you to discover the lasting warmth and beauty of authentic British wool—good for the earth, good for local makers, and good for every creative project!

#WoolMonth #BritishWool #SustainableStyle #FarmtoFibre

On this windy damp morning why not treat yourself to indulging in a couple of hours of knitting, crochet, weaving at Woolplay's studio?

We've a log fire burning and a delicious apple and sultana cake to welcome you.

Ignore the road closed signs on the B1123 - we are accessible! The address is Woolplay Studio Hollow Lane Mendham IP20 0JP if you've not been before.

Woolplay's studio is open today and tomorrow from 10 till 4.
It's at Hollow Lane, Mendham IP20 0JP, just off the B1123 after Withersdale Street towards Metfield. There are still road closed signs up but we are definitely accessible from both directions.
And don't forget there's a cake+make get together tomorrow morning from 10.30 till 1.
Don't be put of by the weather - our log burner is lit so it's lovely and cosy

#BritishWool #LoveWool #WoolMonth #shoplocaluk #woolcraft

It’s Wool Month! 🧶 This October, Woolplay is joining the nationwide celebration of one of Britain’s most natural, renewable, and beautiful fibres—wool. All month long we’ll be sharing the magic behind our 100% British sheep wool, highlighting unique breed specific yarns, sustainable farm stories, and why wool matters. Whether you’re crafting garments or gifting warmth, Woolplay invites you to discover the comfort, versatility, and lasting legacy of British wool. So let's start with some sheep - at the left Shetland sheep in Shetland and middle and right, our own #rarebreed Leicester Longwools

#WoolMonth #BritishWool #LoveWool #FarmtoYarn

Well we had a great time yesterday. It was a fantastic event - lots of pomp and tradition, huge crowds as well as sheep and lovely stalls. The rain stayed away till mid afternoon. Lots of people loved and bought our wool! So hopefully there'll be some more converts to British sheep wool

#woolmensheepdrive
#britishwool
#rarebreedsheep
#sheepfarming
#britishfarming
#supportbritishfarmers
#campaignforwool

Here we are in London - feels very odd. I spent my old career here and now I'm here with my new one. I know which I prefer

#woolmensheepdrive
#britishwool
#rarebreedsheep
#supportlocalbusiness

Well I think I've packed as much as the car could fit! We've come down to London ready for setting up at the London Sheep Fair first thing in the morning.

It will be a fascinating day and amazing to be part of it. The weather forecast is good so hopefully there'll be lots of people to watch the driving of the sheep and wander round the fair getting thoroughly sheepy!

#woolmen
#britishwool
#sheepfarming
#rarebreedsheep
#londonsheepdrive

Woolplay's wool and textile studio is open today and tomorrow from 10 till 4.
The address is Woolplay Studio Hollow Lane Mendham IP20 0JP which is just off the B1123 after Withersdale Street on the way to Metfield. Ignore the road closed signs as the road is fully open till Linstead!

And this afternoon we've a cake + make get together from 2 so if you're local and fancy an afternoon working on your currently woolly project, pop a long

#shoplocaluk #creativity #woolcraft #britishwool #rarebreedsheep

Just a reminder that the studio isn't open today - I'm demonstrating wool processing and weaver along with fellow Diss Guild members. But we are open tomorrow and Saturday and of course the website is always open!
Have a lovely day whatever you are doing

With the cooler weather, how about a warm hat made of coloured Ryeland aran yarn? This is a new kit that I've just added to the website and will be taking to the London Sheep Fair on Sunday. I'm just testing it out in Shetland aran yarn as well and once the sample is made, will be adding more colours/sheep breed yarns as options

#rarebreedsheep #britishwool #knittingaddict #shoplocaluk #knittingcommunity #knitting #sustainablefashion #autumnstyle #autumndays

I've been dyeing some of our yarn from local flocks with Walnut husks and love the shades it produces - oyster through to brown sugar.

I'll definitely be taking some to the London Sheep Fair on Sunday and it'll be available at the studio. I'm brimming with knitting and weaving project ideas for it

#naturaldyes
#smallholder
#rarebreedsheep
#goodlife

There's nothing better for a Monday than a beautiful day and some sheep to make everything right with the world. Wishing you a happy Monday where ever and whatever you are doing.

And make it your goal this week to do something fun and /or creative!

#britishwool #rarebreedsheep #smallholdinglife #creativity #happymonday

We're open today and tomorrow from 10 till 4.

I'll be busy hand dyeing over the weekend. This afternoon someone is popping over for some help to skirt her first fleece which might encourage me to get on with skirting my last clip of fleeces.

We've had lots of spun wool back from the mills in the last week, which is always exciting - seeing how the local fleeces have been transformed into yarn. For the first time we've had Dorset Down (DK and Aran) and Jacob (4ply and DK) spun and both are gorgeous! As well as available in the natural colours, I'm in the process of dyeing some of the Dorset Down. And Lazy Boy's fleece produced over 2kg of DK yarn! Such a clever boy.

#britishwool #shoplocaluk #SustainableFarming #environmentallyfriendly #knittingaddict #knitting_inspiration #crochet #crochet

Taking a break when you're busy is often hard to do. But today, needing some spinning photos made me sit down at the wheel. And it was great! I find the rhythmic treading and just focusing on the wool in my hands perfect to give me a complete break from all the jobs that need doing, even if just for 10 minutes.

#handspinning
#wellbeing
#downtime
#heritagecrafts

With the upcoming London Sheep Fair, I'm busy weaving some scarves. This is a favourite pattern of mine, great for coordinating but contrasting yarns.

#weaversofinstagram
#weaving
#rigidheddleweaving
#happiness
#creativity

For a while I've been captivated by the lovely shades @cambrian_wool comes in. In the end, I could resist no longer! I pulled out some balls from the shelf, warped my loom with some of the colours and got weaving using the dark slate! This is the result - I love it and want to make another one - perhaps a bit wider and seeing how a navy or dark brown weft would look

#weaving #rigidheddleweaving #weaver #britishwool #HeritageCrafts #heritagecrafts

Today we're in Harleston as part of their Heritage weekend. We've a great selection of breed specific yarns, many of which are from local flocks - our own Leicester Longwool as well as Ryeland, Dorset Down, Jacob, Zwartble and a mixed coloured blend. There's also real Shetland, Welsh Mule and Romney.
We've got some knitting kits and hand dyed yarns in some of the yarns as well.

Hope to see you if you're local

#craftfair
#heritage
#localbusiness
#whatsonnorfolk
#southnorfolk
#suffolk
#shoplocal

Our daily delivery of hay always goes down well with the sheep at the moment - though this should be a winter event! We've been feeding hay since July as there's not been enough grass. Hoping the grass will get chance to grow over the coming weeks

#sheepfarming
#hobbyfarm
#rarebreedsheep
#britishwool
#sheepoftheweek
#simplelifehappylife

Looking forward to cake + make today which starts at 2pm. It's been busy morning with yarn deliveries and starting to get organised for the craft fair on Saturday.
If you're free and local, why not join me!

Today I want to focus on making. Afterall it's what Woolplay is all about - making yarn from the sheep in our fields and then making things from the yarn.

Making is at the centre of what it is to be human. And even in this busy, technology dominant world, we still make - whether its a cup of coffee, a meal for the family or friends, or a lovely scarf. It's satisfying, and often essential, to create something that didn't exist before. But it's not just about the outcome, making requires us to slow down, focus and become absorbed in the process. And so long as you enjoyed the processed and are pleased with the result, that's what counts.

Making with natural materials—from wool to wood, stone, and leaf— is even more wonderful. It offers a profound way to create objects of beauty or utility while slowing down, engaging the senses, and reconnecting with the world around us. In an era where speed and convenience often prevail, the gentle art of using materials gathered from nature invites a slower, more mindful pace—one that fosters absorption in the process and transforms each project into an experience. By using our hands to transform natural materials into objects of beauty and/or utility, we reconnect with our creativity, our environment and back to ourselves.

Making with Woolplay’s British wool and fibres is an invitation to slow down and savour the art of crafting— each project becomes a journey into texture, heritage, and mindful presence. In a world of speed and disposability, working with natural wool offers a deeply tactile and soulful experience, reconnecting makers to landscape, tradition, and the gentle rhythms of handwork.

So check out our website (www.woolplay.co.uk), pop along to our wool studio on Thursday and Friday this week, join our cake + make gethogether on Thursday afternoon or come and see us at the Beauty of Nature event in Harleston on Saturday

#crochet #yarnshop #SustainableLiving #Mindfulness #whatsoninnorfolk #whatsoninsuffolk #knittinginspiration #knittingcommunity #woolcrafts #MentalWellbeing #shoplocaluk #britishwool #woolcraft #shoplocal #knitting

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Welcome to Woolplay, a farm to fibre British wool yarn and fibre producer and stockist