Hedgerow Willows

11/07/2026

Trinkets and Treasures in Ferndale.

11/07/2026

Join us at Ferndale High School for the Trinkets and Treasures Holiday Market!

Come shop small and find something special for the holidays! We’ll be bringing Hedgerow Willows farm-grown Finnsheep wool, small-batch handspun yarn, Electric Spinning Wheels, handmade willow weavings, sheep milk soaps and lotions, fiber art, and naturally inspired gifts.

From pasture to fleece to yarn, and hedgerow to woven art, every piece carries a little story from our farm.

Come support local makers, get a little holiday shopping done, and find something truly unique for the fiber lovers and nature enthusiasts on your list.

We can’t wait to see you there!

Hedgerow Willows
Growing willow, raising wool, weaving our story.

11/05/2026

11/04/2026

Meet Bleu, one of our Salix purpurea basketry willow.

There’s a lot to love about this one growing in the willow patch. Fresh-cut, Bleu starts out in shades of dark green, red, and purplish-red. Give those rods time to dry and cure, and they settle into a lovely dark gray with hints of purple-red tucked into the bark.

Like most things on the farm, Bleu has its own personality. Being a Salix purpurea, its bark is a little more delicate than our triandra varieties, so a gentle hand goes a long way. The good news for impatient weavers (you know who you are!) is that Bleu generally needs a shorter soak than triandra. Still, every bundle is different, so test those rods for flexibility before you start weaving.

Bleu is a handy willow to have around for basketry, staking, and building structure into your baskets. And willow isn't just for the weaving bench! It can be used for wattle fences, living willow furniture, hedges (or fedges), and even helping with streambank erosion control.

We love growing useful plants here at Hedgerow Willows. There's something satisfying about tending a patch through the seasons and eventually turning those humble rods into something you'll use for years.

A little dirt under the fingernails, a bundle of willow by the soaking tank, and another basket waiting to take shape.

Growing willow, raising wool, weaving our story.

11/04/2026

Prepping batts for winter spinning.

This one? Omgoodness a lovely black piebald finnsheep lamb fleece. Sooooo soft and delicate. I'm thinking of adding a bit of sparkle to the fleece....

11/02/2026

The wool is washed, the willow is woven, and we're packing up a little bit of the farm.

Come and see us at Trinkets and Treasures this Saturday, November 7th from 9:00 to 4:00 p.m. will be bringing finnsheep wool, small batch yarn from the mill and our own wheel, willow holiday trimmings hand woven treasures, spinning wheels and a few other farm made goodies.

Come wander, visit, and find something a little different for your holiday giving.

A little wool, a little willow, and a whole lot of handmade goodness

10/31/2026

These rainy days have put the farm projects on pause, so I'm weaving.

Oh, willow, how I've missed you.

The feel of a freshly soaked rod bending between my fingers, the quiet creak as it finds its curve, the soft rustle of one strand weaving over and under another. There is something so familiar and comforting about it.

It seems that until the season turns dark, I have so little time to give you. There are always fences to mend, sheep to tend, and a hundred little things calling for my attention.

But here we are, with rain on the roof and willow in my hands. The rhythm is returning, the willow slowly taking shape, and my hands feel at ease again.

10/30/2026

Finnsheep Friday: Meet Fish!

Fish is our black badger piebald Finnsheep ewe and our one-and-only true bottle baby. Born to Bessie and Chester, she’s grown into a lovely ewe with a lot to offer our flock.

In spring 2026, Fish became a first-time mom, and she made us wait! She was the last ewe to lamb that season, welcoming two beautiful white ewe lambs, each sporting a single black spot. They were absolutely darling, and Fish turned out to be a wonderful mother.

Her first freshening wasn't quite the milk production we’d hoped for, but she has a nicely attached udder and teat size that works well for both hand and machine milking. As with any young ewe, we’ll continue to learn how she develops with experience.

Fish brings some lovely qualities to our breeding program: a soft fleece with delicate crimp and a beautiful range of natural colors, along with a sweet temperament and strong mothering instincts. Those are traits we value as we continue building our Finnsheep flock.

For the 2027 lambing season, we paired Fish with Barley, our rich brown Finnsheep ram. We’re excited to see what this pairing brings, both in fleece color and quality and in the next generation of lambs!

Every fleece tells a story, and Fish is writing hers one lambing season at a time.

10/29/2026

They're here, and I'm so excited!!

You'll find us at several holiday markets soon, where you can get your hands on the Spinolution line of wheels and give them a spin for yourself.

I've been curious about the Hopper for a long time, and now that I'm a dealer, I finally had the opportunity to bring one in to share with you all at the shows.

I'm not much of an art yarn spinner myself, but I love watching the creativity and magic other folks bring to the craft. The Hopper Studio package is quite the setup! It came with a lazy Kate, a skein winder, an 8 oz flyer, a hook or***ce, tube or***ces for both flyer heads, and a 16 oz flyer. You can also get a 32 oz flyer, which I didn't order with this particular wheel, but I'm happy to order one for you separately.

And, of course, I brought in a King Bee, too. I already have the Queen and the Worker Bee, so it only seemed right to add another bee to the hive. The Beeline is still my absolute favorite.

But this little frog is pretty fun, too!

Unlike some wheels that rely on toe treadles, the Hopper has full foot treadles. It's a different feel, and I'm looking forward to hearing what you think.

I can't wait for you to try these wheels at an upcoming show. Come on over, take a seat, and give them a whirl!

Happy spinning!

10/28/2026

Noir de Touraine is a traditional French basketry willow originating in the Touraine province of France, particularly associated with the renowned basket-making region around Villaines-les-Rochers in Indre-et-Loire. This part of France has a long history of willow growing and basket weaving, making the variety a lovely connection to generations of traditional craft.

One thing to know about the triandra varieties is that they need time! TIme to age/dry properly, often up to 10 months and time to soak well. Due to their naturally waxy, resinous bark triandras can be slower to soak and rehydrate than some other basketry willows. But patience pays off! Once properly rehydrated, it tends to retain its suppleness a little longer, giving you a more forgiving window for weaving.

At Hedgerow Willows, we’re cultivating several Salix triandra varieties, including Black Maul, Noir de Touraine, and Noir de Villaine.

We’re excited to grow these dependable basketry willows for weavers who appreciate getting to know their materials and the stories behind them.

Growing willow is an exercise in patience, just like weaving. Give these varieties the time they need, learn how they respond to soaking, and they’ll reward you with a reliable material for beautiful, lasting baskets.

Growing willow, raising wool, weaving our story..