Here is a list of spinning, knitting, and dyeing workshops which I teach at festivals and at guilds. My fee is $200 for a 3 hour workshop, and $400 for 6 hours.

I am also available for private lessons in spinning, knitting, or dyeing. For these, the lessons go over 4 weeks. Each session lasts as long as it takes for you to learn the skill. I give you "homework" which you practice over the week. At the next session, we go over what you have learned and move on to the next skill. The fee for the 4 weeks is $100.

Workshops: (click on the workshop to learn more)

Worsted vs. Woolen
Wool is not Just Wool
Playing with Plying
Spinning Designer Yarns
Alpaca, Llama, Mohair and More!
Spinning for Lace Knitting
Aran Knitting Made Easy
Sock Knitting Made Easy
Fleecy Mittens
Dyeing with Natural Indigo
Introduction to Natural Dyes
Natural Dyes--Beyond the Basics: Two & Three Color Mixes
Natural Dyes--Exploration, Extraction, Enthusiasm
Natural Dyes--Reds! Glorious Reds!
Beginning Basket Weaving

Worsted vs. Woolen

What's the difference between worsted and woolen? What's semi-worsted? Is there a semi-woolen, too? Learn the difference; practice doing each with different fibers; learn when each is appropriate and what fibers work best for each. As a by-product of learning these spinning technics, you will get a taste of carding and making a rolag, of combing, and of doing a long draw. Students will come away with a glossary of spinning terms, instructions on how to spin these technics, and many samples.

Experience level: basic spinning ability.

Students need to bring: spinning wheel, hand cards, niddy noddy, ball winder, pen                                      and paper.

Materials fee: $15

Class maximum: 15 students
Class minimum: 5 students

Time needed: 3 hours

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Wool is not Just Wool

There is a wool breed which is perfect for every project, but your choice of wool has to be right to make your work a success. We will discuss the properties of different kinds of wools and the ways to approach wool selection. We will "play" with different samples to discover how best to prepare, spin, and ply them for the best results. By the end, you will come away with an excitement for this versatile fiber, as well as many new ideas and approaches to tap your creativity.

Session I:  Fine Wools
Learn the properties of fine wools like Merino, Rambouillet, Cormo, and many more. We will discuss washing procedures, wool preparation, and spinning technics. Learn how to flick, comb, and spin from the lock. With the proper preparation technics, the right amount of twist, and the proper plying, you will come away with wonderful fingering weight yarn samples and the momentum to launch yourself into lace work!

Session II:  Medium and Down Wools
Learn the differences between spinning worsted, semi-worsted, and woolen yarns. All of these technics are used with wools like Corriedale, Columbia, Perendale, Jacob, Cheviot, and many more. If you don't know how to do a long draw, you will learn its merits! We will play with many samples, trying them with different preparations and different spinning technics to see the effects of the quality of the yarns produced.  We will also discuss the best uses for each.

Session III:  Long Wools
People shy away from long wools because they are "harsh". They don't have to be!  We will discuss the properties of long wools, the best ways to prepare and spin them so they have the loft and softness we desire, and the best uses for them. We will comb, flick, and spin from the lock, as well as card. You will come away with an appreciation for the strength of the long staple, ease of spinning, and that beautiful shine found in breeds like Coopworth, Lincoln, Finn, English Leicester, and more.

Experience level: intermediate

Students need to bring: spinning wheel, hand cards, ball winder, niddy noddy, hang
                                 tags, notebook and pen

Materials fee: $20 per session

or $50 for all day class

Class maximum: 15 students
Class minimum: 5 students

Time needed: 3 hours per session
                   or all three can be combined into an all day class (6 hours)

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Playing with Plying

Have you ever wondered how to get a balanced yarn every time you ply? How do you do Navajo ply? Why would you do it? What about spirals and knop yarns? You can learn all these and more in just a few hours! Students will come away with many samples as well as instructions for the "designer" yarns they will make. We will discuss technics for making balanced yarns, uses for the yarns with different effects, what happens if your yarn isn't balanced, and technics of how to fix troubling problems with plying.

Experience level: intermediate

Students need to bring: Spinning wheel; ball winder; niddy noddy; extra bobbins;
                                 lazy kate; hang tags; pen and paper.

Materials fee: $15

Class maximum: 15 students
Class minimum: 5 students

Time needed: 3 hours for half-day class  
                   6 hours for all-day class

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Spinning Designer Yarns

Have you ever wanted to do a spiral yarn, or a core wrap, or a marl yarn? Learn the basics of making the "designer yarns" and many more through several blending, spinning, and plying technics. Many types of fibers will be provided for the students to choose from. Students will take home written instructions and many samples that they will make in class.

Experience level: intermediate

Students need to bring: spinning wheel, hand carders, extra bobbins, lazy kate, ball
                                 winder, niddy noddy, hang tags, notebook and pen.

Materials fee: $20 for half-day class

$35 for all-day class

Class maximum: 15 students
Class minimum: 5 students

Time needed: 3 hours for half-day class 
                   6 hours for all-day class

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Alpaca, Llama, Mohair and More!

Learn the ins and outs of the hair fibers! In this class, students will learn to blend a variety of "hair" fibers with wool and to spin them by themselves. There will be extensive discussions on the characteristics of these fibers, how best to spin them, and the most appropriate uses for them in making an article of clothing. We will use alpaca, llama, mohair, angora rabbit, dog, and  cat as well as downy fibers like cashmere, yak, or quiviet. Students will take home information handouts on the fibers and many samples that they have spun during the class.

Experience level: intermediate

Students need to bring: spinning wheel, hand carders, extra bobbins, lazy kate, ball 
                                 winder, niddy noddy, hand tags, notebook and pen.

Materials fee: $20 for half-day class

$35 for all-day class

Class maximum: 15 students
Class minimum: 5 students

Time needed: 3 hours for half-day class
                   6 hours for all-day class

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Spinning for Lace Knitting

Learn to spin very fine, lace weight yarn in a number of different fibers suitable for lace knitting. We will discuss appropriate fibers, needle size, and knitting technics to enhance our projects.  Students will spin fine wool, silk, cashmere, cotton, and linen and knit a lace swatch with each, resulting in many samples to take home. The goal is to produce sumptuous, luxurious yarns that will make our lace knitting all the more special.

Experience level: intermediate

Students need to bring: Size 7 or 8 knitting needles (can be straight or circular)

Materials fee: $15

Class maximum: 15 students
Class minimum: 5 students

Time needed: minimum 3 hours

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Aran Knitting Made Easy

Have you wondered how to keep all those Aran Knit patterns straight without losing it?  This class will cover all the basic patterns that Irish knitters used to make those wonderful sweaters for their loved ones.  It will let you know the meanings and feelings behind the patterns so that you will be able to design and create the personalized and special sweater for someone special.  You will learn to "read" the sweater as you are working, so that you won't have to rely on a chart or pattern.  This way, you can just enjoy the knitting and the satisfaction in the act of creating.

In the class, we will work on samples of all the patterns, and then put them together in a sampler.  You will go home with instructions for each of the patterns and samples of each.  Also, you will begin a sampler which can easily be turned into a pillow top or wall hanging.

Experience level: intermediate

Students need to bring: Size 7 or 8 knitting needles (can be straight or circular)

Materials fee: $15

Class maximum: 20 students
Class minimum: 5 students

Time needed: minimum 3 hours

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Sock Knitting Made Easy

Learn to knit a basic sock, and find out how easy it is! We will cover the basic ports of a sock, knitting in the round with double point needles, and types of wool best suited for socks. You will knit a small sock to learn each step and leave with clear knowledge and confidence for making the "best socks in the world"! Students should know how to knit and purl, but no prior sock-knitting experience is necessary.  Included in the class will be a handout of instructions and a pattern for basic socks.

Experience level: Students need to know how to knit, purl, and knit in the round on

double point needles.

Students need to bring: Size 3 and 4 double point needles, tapestry needle, 75 yds

of sport weight yarn, note taking materials.

Materials fee: $10

Class maximum: 20 students
Class minimum: 5 students

Time needed: 3-4 hours

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Fleecy Mittens

Learn to make the warmest mittens in the world! You knit with handspun yarn and fleece which forms a pattern on the outside of the mitten and a wonderful fleece lining on the inside. Students come away with handspun yarn, fleece for the lining, and original pattern.

Experience level: Students need to know how to knit, purl, and knit in the round on

double point needles.

Students need to bring: size 3 and 4 double point needles.

Materials fee: $35

Class maximum: 20 students
Class minimum: 5 students

Time needed: 3 hours

Dyeing with Natural Indigo

Enjoy the magic of dyeing with natural indigo. Students will learn to make a stock solution, to control all the particulars of a natural indigo vat, and to dye various shades of blues, greens, and purples the "natural way." They will take home instructions on how to dye with indigo on their own, as well as many samples.

Experience level: No dyeing experience necessary.

Students needs to bring: rubber gloves, apron, several old towels, plastic wrap,
                                  zip-lock bags, hang tags, notebook and pen.

Materials fee: $20 for half-day class

Class maximum: 15 students
Class minimum: 5 students

Time needed: 3 hours for half-day class

I will need electricity, water source, heat source (if possible), 5 or 6 long tables.


Introduction to Natural Dyes

Spend a day with natural dyes, and learn a new avenue into color possibilities from ancient traditions. This class will cover some of the long history of natural dyes, the color possibilities they offer, mordanting technics, the dyeing process, and some color theory. We will use readily available dyes like indigo, cochineal, osage, logwood, fustic, and madder, as well as talk about the process for extracting dyes from common "weeds" like Queen Anne's Lace and Goldenrod. Students will take home dyeing instructions, many samples, and information on each of the dyes used and source lists on where to get them. 

Experience level: No dyeing experience necessary.

Students need to bring: apron, robber gloves, 2 old towels, paper towels, plastic
                                 wrap, calculator, pen and paper.

Materials fee: $30

Class maximum: 15 students
Class minimum: 5 students

Time needed: 6 hours

I will need electricity, water source, heat sources (if possible), 5 or 6 long tables.

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Natural Dyes--Beyond the Basics: Two & Three Color Mixes

Spend another day with natural dyes, and learn a new avenue into color possibilities from ancient traditions. This class will cover some of the long history of natural dyes, the color possibilities they offer, mordanting technics, the dyeing process, and some color theory. We will use readily available dyes like indigo, cochineal, osage, logwood, fustic, and madder, and combine them for an extension to our color palate. We will get a variety of greens, olives, melons, and reds. We will also talk about the process for extracting dyes from common "weeds" like Queen Anne's Lace and Goldenrod.  Students will take home dyeing instructions, many samples, and information on each of the dyes used and source lists on where to get them. This class is for everyone interested in natural dyes, even those with no experience with them. Join us for a fun day!

Experience level: No dyeing experience necessary.

Students need to bring: apron, rubber gloves, 2 old towels, paper towels, plastic                                        wrap, calculator, pen and paper.

Materials fee: $30

Class maximum: 15 students
Class minimum: 5 students

Time needed: 6 hours

I will need electricity, water source, heat sources (if possible), 5 or 6 long tables.

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Natural Dyes--Exploration, Extraction, Enthusiasm

This natural dye class will explore plant materials from garden to field, how to extract the dye, and how to create our own dye pot. We will use the flowers of Queen Anne's Lace, Goldenrod, Weld, and Marigolds to get yellows, and then we will overdye in indigo and cochineal to get a variety of greens and oranges. Students will become immersed in color theory as well as the dye process. They will take home many samples, instruction, and knowledge of how to dye from nature on their own. As always, enthusiasm for beautiful color and for the fun process will abound!

Experience level: No dyeing experience necessary.

Students need to bring: Rubber gloves, apron, old towels, small plastic bags,                                              calculator, notebook and pen.

Materials fee: $30

Class maximum: 15 students
Class minimum: 5 students

Time needed: 6 hours

I will need electricity, water source, heat sources (if possible), 5 or 6 long tables.

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Natural Dyes--Reds! Glorious Reds!

Reds have always been the color of passion! In this class we will explore nature's passion with a variety of natural red dyes such as cochineal, lac, madder, quebracho, and amaranthus. We will extend our palette by overdying with indigo and fustic for a variety of purples and oranges. The class will also cover some of the long history of natural dyes, the color possibilities they offer, mordanting technics, the dyeing process, and some color theory. Students will take home dyeing instructions, many samples, and information on each of the dyes used and sourc lists on where to get them. This class is for everyone interested in natural dyes, even those with no experience in them. Join us for a fun day!

Experience level: No dyeing experience necessary.

Students need to bring: apron, rubber gloves, several old towels, paper towels,                                        plastic baggies, calculator, pen and paper.

Materials fee: $30

Class maximum: 15 students
Class minimum: 5 students

Time needed: 6 hours

I will need electricity, water source, heat sources (if possible), 5 or 6 long tables.

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Begining Basket Weaving

Learn the basic elements of basket weaving, and come out with something useful as well as pretty! Students will learn about spoke placement, sizing, tension, color and texture interest, plain weave and twining, and rimming and lashing. They will take home the basket they make and a pattern with a source list for supplies.
No experience necessary.

Experience level: No basket weaving experience necessary.

Students need to bring: ruler/tape measure, scissors, spring type clothes pins,
                                 bucket, small screw driver, towel, plastic wrap, and a pencil.

Materials fee: $20

Class maximum: 15 students
Class minimum: 5 students

Time needed: 3-4 hours

 


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