Dr Jennifer Beamer
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expertlydyed.bsky.social
Dr Jennifer Beamer
@expertlydyed.bsky.social
Doctorate in archaeology, specialist in later prehistoric textile tools in Britain. Creative director of Expertly Dyed. Hand spinning tutorials on YouTube. Forever DM. Cat mom. Sourdough enthusiast. #autistic www.expertlydyed.com
Do you smoosh your face into freshly hanked yarn? It's okay if you do, I do. I'll also wind it into a hank, wiggle it at my partner and demand he smoosh it too. I love that he humours me. After the squish, he says something like "oh, that's really soft!"

Who's the enabler here, amirite? 🧐😅🤣🤣
October 19, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Endless Dream. 2025. Acid dyes on Merino wool. Handdyed products are literally works of art. If I kept this recipe, which I haven't, it would be difficult to replicate this colourway precisely.
October 17, 2025 at 6:44 AM
On a cool autumnal morning, all you want is beautiful accessories. This is the latest batch of yarns I've been remaking for the @cotswoldwoolweekend this weekend being held at the @cornhallmarketscirencester 😁
September 30, 2025 at 6:41 AM
I'm getting ready for the Cotswold Wool Weekend on October 4 & 5 in Cirencester! You can squish this #handspun in person, or buy it online at www.expertlydyed.com (it'll be listed this weekend) ☺️

Thanks for the name suggestions everyone!

#knitting #weaving
September 25, 2025 at 7:26 AM
Saturday spins are so relaxing. I give myself a luxurious 2 hour start to the day, complete with 2 cups of coffee.

My conundrum? WHAT DO I NAME THIS YARN?!😂😅 "Sea Breeze"? "Fairy Light"? Ideas appreciated 😊😬

#handspun #knitting
September 20, 2025 at 8:54 AM
I am preparing for some upcoming wool shows and realised I'm running low on handspun yarn! I love being a yarn designer 😊

#knitting #knitters
September 9, 2025 at 8:46 AM
Now that I have your attention, there's a premiere for a new video set to air on my YouTube channel at 8p (UK) on Monday night. I mentioned cutting out vegetable matter from a fleece I bought back in April this year, but now I've sorted and washed that wool (and got around to editing the video) 😊
August 31, 2025 at 10:30 AM
It has been a pleasure to spin life into yarn with Iron Age spindle whorls. I'm pootling along with my experiments for the Spindling for Weaving project, and now working with North Ronaldsay wool. I have published updates on my Patreon and on my blog (www.expertlydyed.com).
August 29, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Open air museums impress you with their scale, atmosphere, and sussurations of the past. This is an Iron Age roundhouse reconstruction, Bryn Eryr, originally located in Anglesey, and now seen at #stfagansnationalhistorymuseum 😯
August 27, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Majestic, isn't it? I know that the top of the minstrel is the tension adjustment, but I like to think of it as a gorgeous woman on the runway. I will finish a skein and pop it on there and admire it for a day or so. Does anyone else do this? I wanna know. Tell me you're quirky too. 😂😉#handspun
August 19, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Frumpy batts can make gorgeous yarns, so be careful how you judge! This batt was made from various British rare wools and laid down in discrete sheets onto the drum carder. After being pulled into drafted strips, those coloured layers make a subtle barber pole. #yarn #handspun
August 17, 2025 at 8:02 AM
I communed with ancient Britain and found Mother Gaia.

#Avebury
August 13, 2025 at 8:59 AM
I've completed my first round of experiments! For those who attended the #festivalofarchaeology at the @coriniummuseum you got a cheeky sneak peek at my results so far. I'll be making a poll soon on Instagram and YouTube, so everyone will have a chance to participate in my research.
July 30, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Whoever said you need to use undyed wool for testing replica spindle whorls? Also, air dry clay is great to use if you're inspired by my project.
It's a good balance between price and results!

Now, to do some spinning 🥴

#chalkwhorlspindling #textilestudies
July 18, 2025 at 6:57 PM
I'm absolutely chuffed to be sharing my first public progress update of my spindling experiment! Check out my blog on expertlydyed.com 😊😊 Thanks EXARC!

Use the tag #chalkwhorlspindling to help me track discussions about this project!

www.instagram.com/p/DMCeiCIswv...
July 13, 2025 at 7:05 AM
Here's a cheeky sneak peek of a current project I'm doing, using replicas I've made from the Danebury assemblage.

Dry, my little beauties!
June 10, 2025 at 6:53 PM
I wake up with enough time to have breakfast, coffee, and crafting time. It's a slow project, but it's what I need to not whip myself into a frenzy. I need me time too.

#knitting

www.instagram.com/p/DKd7EOPMjx...
June 4, 2025 at 5:44 AM
I have new stitch markers in my shop (www.expertlydyed.com)! These are handmade by me and unique, and every purchase supports a critical link in the chain of textile production.

Also, this is my favourite colour combo. 😁

#knitting
May 31, 2025 at 4:02 PM
So, yeah, the sett of my linen towel project is less than ideal, but that's fine because I learned something! I didn't get weighed down by my obsessive planning need, yet I still learned the lesson. I feel more creative now. ☺️

#weaving

www.instagram.com/p/DKPJX6ksOA...
May 29, 2025 at 12:07 PM
I'm nervously setting up a linen warp on a rigid heddle loom and suddenly wondering if it'll turn out like I think it might 🤔 😅

#weaving

www.instagram.com/p/DKKS5EJM3j...
May 27, 2025 at 2:50 PM
I love looking at the variation my hands create when they collide with lengths of fiber.

#flax #linen #handspun #yarn

www.instagram.com/p/DKCE0fYMl-...
May 24, 2025 at 7:07 PM
I get why crafters work with #linen #yarn in the warmer months. I'm actually craving spinning my #flax!

#knitters #weavers #spinners

www.instagram.com/p/DJzkVmUMhY...
May 18, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Did you know that I've got experience as a barista, thanks to the archaeology and heritage sectors being so disrupted post COVID and after finishing my PhD?

We got a new machine and my skills are still pretty good!

#knitting #archaeology #coffee

www.instagram.com/p/DJwUaOxsJf...
May 17, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Mmm, cold drink and a #knitting project on a hot day? Yes please!

www.instagram.com/p/DJmmn3vMx0...
May 13, 2025 at 6:08 PM
This lovely Cotswold wool art yarn is plied and ready for a project idea (after a nice wash). What would you make with a fluffy yarn like this?

#knitting #weaving #crocheting

www.instagram.com/p/DJhL4A5sam...
May 11, 2025 at 3:39 PM