Video Tip: How to Spin Wolf Yarn and Make it Your Own

In the upcoming Summer 2026 issue of Spin Off, Sarah Rothwell shares her stunning Color Splash Brioche Beanie, which she made using odds and ends of colorful fiber on a white base. Sarah was inspired by Judith MacKenzie’s Wolf Yarn technique, a lock-spinning technique that doesn’t require a core. Watch how Judith does it—and why she calls it Wolf Yarn—then read on for more about Sarah’s variation.

Judith’s technique is perfect for maximizing precious locks of fiber. The resulting yarn is light, airy, and textured, and once you get the hang of it, you’ll be making lots of beautiful Wolf Yarn.

Is it really coreless? Not quite! You’re forming the core at the moment before you wrap the fibers around it, but coreless corespun has also become another way we describe Wolf Yarn.

Coreless Corespun Variation

Using a variation on the technique, using odds and ends of combed top, Sarah Rothwell made a speckledyarn for her Color Splash Brioche Beanie. She used a plain, undyed fiber as the core, then added in pops of color randomly to create a speckled yarn that used up all her delightful odds and ends. Here’s how:

Step 1. Start spinning a single with your plain core yarn.

Step 2. Hold the new fiber perpindicular to the core, letting it wrap on.

Step 3. Continue to wrap the new fiber around the core, drafting out out perpindicular to the core.

Step 4. Slowly pull the new fiber away, letting the last bits of it wrap around the core to anchor it.

Repeat as often as you’d like to create your custom speckled yarn.

Click on any image below to see in full-screen mode with instructions.

Resources

• Watch Judith’s full course, Spinner’s Color Toolbox to learn more expert spinning tips.
• Don’t miss out! Subscribe today to get the pattern for Sarah’s Color Splash Brioche Beanie in Spin Off Summer 2026.