WOOLLY WEEKENDS
We thank you for your patience - after a lovely regrouping session, we are now able to offer you our updated version of WOOL SCHOOL, renamed as WOOLLY WEEKENDS
As a brief introduction, these weekends began in 2020 when 3 textile students were living here during our shearing season and remained during covid times. As restrictions lifted and Andy and Jen became super hectic lambing, we invited Lesley Hill and the late Christine Rice to help us all by training students how to take the fleece from our shearing shed and transform into beautiful textiles.
Starting from the beginning, hands-on sessions included grading, sorting, washing, drying and storage of beautiful fleece. Next came the decisions - what to make from fleece - rolags for spinning and plying can then be knitted, woven or crocheted - if tender we made tuffet seat pads, short and curly fibres make excellent 3D needled felted creatures, and mastering the art of wet felting, all became part of our original WOOL SCHOOLS.
2026 has brought about new developments as our Focus on Fibre programme has grown into hosting educational session both on and off farm, and after a decade of dedicating time for wool, we have gathered together a bigger team of tutors willing to share their expertise.
Amassing new and pre-loved textile equipment, its our pleasure to offer you our WOOLLY WEEKENDS - two days of hands-on learning sessions, with one-one tutition, group activities and freedom to explore our range of options, listed below;
Blade Shearing Demonstration - with Master Blade Shearer Andy
Wool handling, grading and sorting fleece at shearing - Jen
Discussions - fleece qualities, colourful and curly genetics within British Breeds, selecting fibres for spinning, finding a use for all fleece parts, washing, drying and storage
Carding and Combing - making rolags to spin or weave
Drop Spindles & Spinning Wheels - learn to spin and ply yarns
Knitting - learn a new skill, enhance your skills with needles
Giant French Knitting - using your yarns to create snoods ready to take home and wear
Crochet - have a go with hooks of various sizes
Weaving - have a go on Brinkley and Rigid Heddle Looms
Pin Looms - have a go, learn a new skill, access our equipment - square, triangle, and rectangles available
Peg Loom Weaving - create Tuffet seat pads using raw fleece
2D needle felting - picture art on felt squares
Dates: Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th February 2026
Start and End Timings: Saturdays & Sundays 10am - 4pm with an hour for lunch
Optional Extras: Friday 6th - 2pm - 4pm for those travelling longer distances
Location: Fernhill Farm in our Horseshoe Barn – single story, ground floor, underfloor heated workshop space with ample parking, kitchen-diner and lots of space for workshop activities - ramps throughout the barns
Price / day: £150pp - includes a full day of woolly activities, use of all our craft equipment, materials for spinning, weaving & felting, and one-one and group tuition from 7+ textile experts
All day access to a range of drinks, juices and broths, home made cakes, together with a hot soup for lunch, with open style sandwiches, freshly picked salads, farm meaty treats, pickles and preserves - all dietary requirements are catered for when pre-booked
What to bring along etc: No previous skills required – welcome to bring own materials, wheels, spindles etc if you wish but not necessary – dress warm for a mini farm tour to the sheep shearing shed, where we encourage you to bring boots and slippers / slip-ons
Maximum number we can accept / day: 10 on Saturday - 20 on Sunday (Optional Extra is 8 on Friday afternoon)
How To Book: Please follow this link to book your dates with us:
https://fernhillfibre.co.uk/shop/p/woolly-weekends-7th-8th-february-2026
FYI:
Accommodation can be also be pre-booked - please see www.fernhill-farm.co.uk for details of farm accommodation options
(please note - dates showing as booked online may indicate as reserved for the wool school participants so feel free to email jen@fernhill-farm.co.uk)
We have cosy accommodation here with lots of beds to choose from - these are mostly double bunk beds in shared rooms / glamping arcs
It’s highly likely you shall have your own space and toilet and shower in a big barn on a self catering basis with plenty of social spaces for everyone - please select Bunk Bed option at checkout
Also as some have requested to BYO camper van, we have added this as an option too - please select Van option at £25/n/van at checkout
We have recently added Mutton Club suppers to these biannual events, which have become a fabulous addition to these social weekends and details are HERE
Any issues or concerns or queries, I am here to help thanks jen@fernhill-farm.co.uk
Extra materials can be purchased on site - have a look what we have here www.fernhillfibre.co.uk/shop
New for 2026 - we have our bursary award for those that struggle to attend - if this applies to you, please follow this link to apply to gain your free placement