The Early Years

I moved to Berkshire in 1985 and found someone to teach me to spin the following year.

I had wanted to learn for as long as I can remember and even though I lived in Scotland for 15 years I didn't know anyone who could spin.( I discovered subsequently that I had lived only 30 miles away from the legendary Mabel Ross).

I soon discovered that spinning was to become a large part of my life, I became involved with a local guild of spinners weavers & dyers and attended workshops in many disciplines, I soon found that I had a preference for fine and exotic fibres and discovered the joys of cashmere, silk, camel down and fine wools.

Soon after learning to spin I purchased a Cashmere Lop rabbit, this is a dwarf lop with a double cashmere coat, the undercoat is approximately one inch long and quite shiny and silky, not as woolly as Angora and tends to shed and felt less.

I normally spin mine as 2 singles of cashmere and one of either silk or fine wool. Once knitted the fibre fluffs right up to make a furry pile, it is extremely warm and light and the lighter colours take dye well.

Over the years I bought in a doe and bred a few litters, selling some babies to other spinners, I kept some myself until we had around 20 rabbits, it was then I realised I was spending nearly all of my spare time taking care of the rabbits and hardly any time spinning! so I sold off some of the young stock and gradually as odd ones got old and died I didn't replace them. I haven't any rabbits now as life has taken on a new dimension leaving me no time to care properly for an animal which takes a certain amount of grooming.