Wool Tasting Set

Description

Once you’ve settled into the rhythm of spinning, you’ll notice your hands growing smarter. They begin to know when to draft, how much twist to add, and how the fiber will respond. That’s what we call muscle memory. You don’t build this muscle memory by always doing the same thing, but by adding variation.

This Wool Tasting set is designed to feed and develop that muscle memory. You’ll receive three 25 g tops, each different in fiber length, scale structure, and elasticity. As you spin, you’ll learn to sense when a fiber grips or slips, when to add twist or let it go — and at the same time, you’ll discover which qualities best suit your own spinning style.

How it spins – fiber by fiber

Teeswater Top

Teeswater is a longwool breed with silky, lustrous fibers. Its long staple length (up to 20 cm) makes it exceptionally smooth and strong, but also a bit slippery. It benefits from slow, controlled drafting with plenty of twist. Perfect for refining your long draw or worsted spinning technique. The resulting yarn is glossy and flowing with a gentle drape, beautiful for shawls or weaving projects.

Stricken Lonk

A true British classic with character! Stricken Lonk has a medium staple length (around 10–15 cm) and a springy, resilient structure. It spins with more grip than Teeswater, feeling stable and familiar in the hand. This wool teaches you to work with fibers that have more bounce and “bite,” helping to build control and rhythm. The yarn is full, strong, and warm. Ideal for sweaters and accessories.

Zwartbles

Zwartbles is a versatile, medium-grade wool with a good crimp and soft hand. The shorter staple length (6–10 cm) provides plenty of grip, making it an excellent exercise in consistent drafting and twist control. It spins easily and predictably, yet feels distinct from the other two fibers in the set. The finished yarn is airy and woolly: perfect for warm, rustic projects.

Suitable Tools?

All three tops can be spun on a size 2 or 3 spindle. Teeswater benefits from higher speed and control, Stricken Lonk feels stable and predictable, and Zwartbles offers the most grip. Use whatever setup you’re comfortable with, and let the differences between the fibers do the teaching. They’ll show your hands what more they can do.