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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 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 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
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) 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 Spinning Designer YarnsHave 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.
Class maximum: 15 students Class minimum: 5 students Time needed: 3 hours for half-day class 6 hours for all-day class 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.
Class maximum: 15 students Class minimum: 5 students Time needed: 3 hours for half-day class 6 hours for all-day class Spinning for Lace KnittingLearn 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 Spinning BulkyYou have been spinning finer and finer yarn, and you can do wonderful lace weight! Now, you are having a hard time spinning a worsted weight or bulky yarn (which you want because you are tired of knitting forever to finish a project...). OK. We can fix the problem. Spend a few hours learning how to vary your yarn thickness, and at the end of the day, you will be able to apply a few principles and get whatever kind of yarn you want—with consistency. Wow, who thought spinning the yarn of your choice could be so easy! In this class, students will learn to control the thickness of yarn, the amount of twist in both spin and ply, and the consistency of their yarn. They will take home many samples and discussion notes as to appropriate fibers to use.Students need to bring: spinning wheel in good working order, ball winder, niddy noddy, hang tags, pen and paper. Materials fee: $20 Class maximum: 15 students Class minimum: 5 students Time needed: 3 hours The Long DrawDid you know that for spinning some fibers, you have to do a long draw? Did you know that you can’t get a true woolen spun yarn without the long draw? Did you know that, in the end, spinning with a long draw is faster? This class will not only show you how to do a long draw, it will let you know when to use it, the fibers best done with it, and the best preparations for it. We will spin with a number of different fibers, and students will spin from thick to thin and everywhere in between to create many samples in learning the technique.Students need to bring: Spinning wheel, ball winder, niddy noddy, hang tags, pen and paper. Class size: 5-15 Class time: 3 hours Materials fee: $20 Aran Knitting Made EasyHave 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 Sock Knitting Made EasyLearn 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.
Materials fee: $10 Class maximum: 20 students Time needed: 3-4 hours Back to Workshops List
Introduction to Lace KnittingLearn the basics of lace
knitting! We will explore different patterns of lace knitting,
appropriate yarns for different purposes, appropriate needle sizes for
the best effect, and uses for lace work. Students will come away
with many samples as well as a handout with many basic patterns.
Yarn will be provided. Experience level: basic knitting ability Students need to bring: knitting needles, size 3, 5, 7 (can be straight or circular), calculator, note pad and pen. Materials fee: $20 Class maximum: 15 students Class minimum: 5 students Time needed: 3 hours Fleecy MittensLearn 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.
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. |
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