Spinning Classes

0901 Learn to Spin

Dates: Saturdays, 9/18 and 9/25, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, 2 sessions

Learn the basics starting with learning how the yarn moves through your hands before it is twisted on the drop spindle and graduate to the spinning wheel. You will learn how to make usable yarn, what makes a good yarn, how to ply, a little about different types of spinning fibers, and basic wheel maintenance. Includes all supplies and a drop spindle. Book is extra.

Required supplies and equipment: Scissors, pen and paper, and niddy noddy. If you already have a spinning wheel in good working order, bring it for the second half of the class. If you have a used wheel that needs maintenance you must bring it in to the shop two weeks prior to class. $15.00 fee for tune up; repair charge may apply. Please call ahead.

Required Books: Start Spinning by Maggie Casey

Prerequisite: none

1906 Carding - Fiber Preparation and Blending

Dates: Sunday, 9/26, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, 1 sessions

Hand carding is an important skill for spinning but frustrates many people. By the end of this class you will be comfortable with the carding process. We will card locks from different breeds, blend colors, blend fibers, and spin them to see the resulting yarn.

Required supplies and equipment: Hand cards, spinning wheel or spindle. $5 material fee included in course fee.

Required Books: None

Prerequisite: None

Pre-Class Prep: None

1916 Combing Wool - Fiber Preparation and Blending

Dates: Sunday, 9/26, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, 1 sessions

We'll use mini and St. Blaise combs to produce a roving that will produce beautiful worsted yarn. In addition to combing a variety of breeds, you will also have an opportunity to blend fibers and colors. You'll love this fiber preparation for long and medium wools. Bring your combs and diz if you have them.

Required supplies and equipment: Spinning wheel, oil, lazy kate, three bobbins, small niddy noddy, extra drive band, other spinning supplies you usually use. Hand cards will not be needed but bring combs if you have them. $5 material fee included in course fee.

Required Books: None

Prerequisite: None

Pre-Class Prep: None

1915 Big and Lofty Yarns

Dates: Saturday, 11/13, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, 1 sessions

Do you yearn to have some of those big and chunky yarns but find you keep spinning the thin stuff? This class will focus on preparation needed for big yarns and spinning techniques that will help you get the yarn you want. We'll also work on putting some of the slubs in that you haven't had since first learning. If you have a particular style of yarn you would like to spin, bring it along and we'll work at reproducing it.

Required supplies and equipment: Spinning wheel, oil, hand cards, combs if you have them, lazy kate, niddy noddy, extra drive band, any other equipment you usually use when spinning. Pictures or samples of yarn you want to duplicate. $10 material fee included in course fee.

Required Books: None

Prerequisite: None

Pre-Class Prep: None