Why I Love to Spin Yarn from Natural Batts
The Beauty of the Unrefined
There’s something deeply grounding about spinning from a natural batt. The colors are more subtle, the textures more varied, and the experience more intimate. Unlike perfectly processed roving, natural batts still carry the memory of the animal, the land, and the hands that prepared them. Every time I sit down to spin one, I feel like I’m learning something new — not just about the fiber, but about the craft itself.
What Is a Natural Batt/Roving?
A natural batt is a fluffy, carded sheet of wool that hasn’t been dyed or overly refined. Mine are hand-blended in small batches using heritage breed wools sourced from USA farms I trust. These batts are made to preserve the character of each fiber, giving you a tactile connection to the animal and its origin. Some have crimp and curl, others a silky sheen or toothy grip. Each is different. That’s what makes them so addicting.
Why I Keep Reaching for Them
No two spins are the same. That’s part of the appeal. Spinning natural batts teaches your hands to adapt, respond, and feel instead of just execute. You can’t spin on autopilot. You have to be present. And that’s what I love about them most: they invite slowness, curiosity, and growth.
There’s also the aesthetic beauty. Creamy whites, warm oatmeal tones, chocolatey browns, and sun-bleached golds. It’s like spinning the palette of the earth itself.
Part of My Boutique Fiber Subscriptions
These batts are a centerpiece of my monthly Fiber Arts Subscription Boxes, which I curate with obsessive care. Each month features different blends of natural USA-grown wool from small farms I admire. Some batts are fluffy and lofty, some are more structured and grippy. All are inspiring. Whether you’re a new spinner or a seasoned one, there’s something deeply satisfying about diving into a fresh batt and letting it teach you what it wants to become.
"These batts always surprise me. No two spin the same way, and that's the fun of it." — KS
Explore the Subscription
If you’re ready to experience the meditative joy of natural fiber, I invite you to join my boutique fiber arts subscription. It’s a chance to reconnect with your materials, support ethical farms, and fall in love with spinning all over again.
Favorite Fibers I Love to Blend
Each batt we create is a sensory experience rooted in heritage, history, and hands-on texture. Over the years, I’ve developed a deep love for certain breeds and plant-based fibers that bring unique qualities to every spin. Below is a quick index of some of my favorites that frequently appear in my natural batt blends:
Gotland
Silvery and curly, Gotland wool has an elegant luster and a soft halo. It adds sheen and drape to blends, perfect for finer yarns with a bit of rustic romance.
Cotswold
One of the oldest English longwools, Cotswold brings strength and shimmer. It creates beautiful texture in batts, especially when blended with softer fibers.
Corriedale
A dream to spin, Corriedale has a balanced crimp and medium softness. It drafts smoothly and creates consistent yarn, making it a favorite foundation fiber.
Icelandic
Dual-coated and wild. Icelandic wool offers both a soft undercoat and a coarser outer layer, bringing depth and dimension to your spin. Great for learning how to work with texture.
Shetland
Earthy, versatile, and full of heritage. Shetland spins beautifully into both fine and rustic yarns. The natural color variations are especially fun to work with.
Alpaca
Incredibly soft and insulating, alpaca brings drape and luxury. I love using small amounts to add a buttery feel to any blend.
Bamboo Fiber
A plant-based staple with a silky, cool feel. Bamboo brings shine and softness to a batt and helps create a smoother drafting experience.
Cotton Neps
These tiny textured tufts create visual interest and slubby texture. They’re perfect for adding flecks of white or cream and a little whimsy.
Each month, I choose a different mix of these fibers to showcase in my Fiber Arts Subscription Boxes, so your hands (and heart) never get bored. It’s a way to stay creatively inspired while supporting sustainable, small-batch materials.
Get a more detailed Wool Breed Index for free along with many other resources in my Yarn Skein Collective find out more below
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