Tyddyn Bryn

Wool crafts from the smallholding on the Hill

Welcome to Our World of Hand-Dyed Yarns: A Journey from Fleece to Fibre

Nestled in the tranquil landscape of West Wales, we are proud to bring you a collection of hand-dyed yarns that reflect the beauty and harmony of nature. Our smallholding is home to a no-kill flock of sheep, each lovingly raised and cared for in a way that places their well-being at the heart of everything we do. Every skein of yarn we produce tells a story—of ethical farming, sustainability, and a deep connection with the land. This is more than just yarn; it is a labour of love, created with passion, care, and an eye for detail that makes every piece truly unique.

Our No-Kill Flock: A Commitment to Ethical Farming

At the core of our smallholding is our no-kill flock—a philosophy that drives our approach to farming and animal care. In an industry where the lives of animals are often cut short, we choose a different path. Our sheep are not raised for slaughter, and they live out their natural lives on our smallholding, free to graze, roam, and enjoy their surroundings. This ethical approach allows us to foster a deep bond with each of our animals, knowing that they will continue to be a part of our farm for years to come.

Our flock consists of a mix of breeds, each carefully chosen for their wool quality, personality, hardiness, and ability to thrive in the lush Welsh landscape, so many are local to this area of Wales. The sheep graze on natural pastures, benefiting from the rich biodiversity of the land. We believe that happy, healthy sheep produce the best wool, and the care we give them is reflected in the softness and durability of the yarn we create.

A Farm-to-Skein Process: How We Turn Our Fleece into Yarn

The journey from fleece to yarn is one that we undertake with great care and attention to detail. Once the sheep have been shorn, the fleece is carefully sorted and washed, ready to be spun into yarn. We work closely with a local family run mill to ensure that the wool is processed in a way that maintains its natural qualities, while also being soft and luxurious to the touch.

Each step of the process is guided by our commitment to sustainability and minimizing waste. The wool we use comes from our own flock, and also from the flocks of a few neighbours, ensuring that we know exactly where every skein of yarn originates. The result is a product that is as close to nature as possible—pure, untreated wool that retains all the warmth, breathability, and natural lanolin that makes wool such a versatile and treasured fibre.

Dyeing with Nature: The Art of Hand-Dyeing

The true magic of our yarns happens in the dyeing process. Ellie, our resident dyer, takes great inspiration from the natural world, using colours and techniques that bring the beauty of West Wales to life. Each skein is hand-dyed using a traditional wood-fired burner, a method that not only gives the yarn a unique character but also honours the age-old craft of dyeing with fire.

What sets our yarns apart is the use of both acid dyes and natural dyes, many of the latter are foraged from the land surrounding our smallholding. These natural dyes are sourced from local plants, flowers, bark, and even lichens, which Ellie gathers sustainably throughout the seasons. The colours produced by these natural materials are unlike anything you’ll find in mass-produced yarns—earthy, subtle, and deeply connected to the environment they come from.

For Ellie, dyeing is as much an art as it is a science. The process involves a careful balance of heat, time, and the natural materials used. Each skein is unique, with slight variations in colour and pattern that make it a one-of-a-kind piece of art. Some yarns may be dyed with deep, rich hues inspired by the dense forests and rolling hills around us, while others reflect the soft pastels of a Welsh sunset or the vibrant greens of a rain-soaked field.

The Colours of Our Land: Inspiration from Nature

Our smallholding is nestled in a landscape that provides endless inspiration for our yarns. The changing seasons, the diverse flora and fauna, and the ever-shifting light all play a part in the colors Ellie creates. In spring, when the fields are bursting with wildflowers, you’ll find bright yellows, soft pinks, and fresh greens in our yarns. Come autumn, the palette shifts to earthy tones—burnt oranges, deep reds, and browns, capturing the essence of the fallen leaves and the golden light of the season.

The natural world is not only our muse, but also our partner in this creative process. Many of the natural dyes we use are foraged directly from our smallholding or the surrounding countryside. Plants like nettle, elderberry, hawthorn, and oak provide a rich array of colours, each one reflecting the life cycle of the land around us. These natural dyes are sustainable and biodegradable, leaving no harmful chemicals behind, and they give our yarns a soft, organic feel that cannot be replicated with synthetic dyes.

Even the wood used to fire our dyeing burner comes from the land, creating a closed-loop system that ties everything back to our philosophy of living and working in harmony with nature. The result is a yarn that not only looks beautiful, but is also a reflection of our commitment to sustainability and ethical farming practices.

A Handmade Product with a Story

Every skein of yarn we produce has a story to tell—of the sheep who grew the wool, the land that provided the natural dyes, and the hands that carefully crafted it into something special. We believe that when you knit or crochet with our yarns, you’re not just creating a garment or a piece of fabric; you’re creating a connection to the land, to the animals, and to the age-old traditions of farming and fibre arts.

Because our yarns are dyed in small batches, each one is unique. The variations in colour, texture, and pattern are a testament to the handmade nature of the product, and they add a richness and depth that mass-produced yarns simply cannot offer. Whether you’re looking for a skein to create a special project or just want to experience the joy of working with natural, hand-dyed fibres, our yarns offer something truly special.

Sustainability at Every Step

Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. From the ethical treatment of our no-kill flock to the natural dyes we use, we are committed to producing yarns in a way that is kind to the environment and the animals we care for. We believe that the future of farming and fibre arts lies in sustainable practices, and we are proud to play our part in creating a more responsible and thoughtful approach to producing wool.

Our smallholding is managed with sustainability in mind, using permaculture principles and organic practices to ensure that the land remains healthy and productive for generations to come. The sheep graze on rotational pastures, which helps to maintain soil health and promotes biodiversity. The use of natural dyes further reduces our environmental impact, as we seek to reduce the harsh chemicals and synthetic dyes that can be harmful to the ecosystem.

Even the wood-fired burner we use for dyeing is part of our commitment to sustainability. The wood we use is sourced from our smallholding, either from fallen branches or from sustainable coppicing practices. This not only provides a renewable source of fuel, but also ties our entire process back to the land, by the ash from the burners feeding the pastures in which our animals graze and the raised bed garden where we grow our vegetables. Thus creating a harmonious cycle of production that is both efficient and environmentally responsible.

A Yarn for Every Project

Whether you’re an experienced knitter or just starting your journey with fibre arts, our yarns are perfect for a wide range of projects. The natural wool is soft, warm, and breathable, making it ideal for garments, accessories, and home décor items. The unique colourways and one-of-a-kind patterns add a special touch to any project, ensuring that whatever you create is truly your own.

We offer a variety of yarn weights and blends, all designed to showcase the natural beauty of the wool and the dyes. From 4 ply yarns perfect for delicate shawls to DK or worsted weight yarns ideal for cosy blankets, you’ll find something for every project in our collection.

Join Us on Our Journey

We invite you to explore our world of hand-dyed yarns and discover the beauty of nature in every skein. By choosing our yarns, you’re not only supporting an ethical and sustainable smallholding, but you’re also joining a community of like-minded makers who value quality, craftsmanship, and the natural world.

Each purchase helps us continue our work, allowing us to care for our no-kill flock, nurture the land, and keep the art of hand-dyeing alive. We are grateful for the opportunity to share our passion with you and hope that our yarns inspire you to create something beautiful.