Contact me anytime to set up a private lesson or group class.
Possible classes might include:
Beginner Drop Spinning
Learn how to spin your own yarn from natural fibers without the hassle and cost of a spinning wheel. In this class, we’ll learn the basics of spindles and wool, draft fibers, and practice spinning on a drop spindle to create the first half of a yarn skein. In the latter half of the class, we will learn a couple of plying techniques to complete the yarn. All attendees will go home with yarn that they have made and a handmade drop spindle.
Spindle+: Leveling Up
Interested in taking the next step with your spindle? Whether you’re a beginner who still has questions or a more advanced explorer, this class will help you on your quest for learning. Included in the class will be informal question-asking and lots of practice in a relaxed space as well as a hands-on presentation of different types of fiber and different types of spindles and how the two relate to one another. We’ll talk about longer fibers, like longwools and alpaca, vs shorter fibers, like cotton and angora, and the basic physics of spindles, like the difference between a top-whorl and a bottom-whorl and why you can’t spin chunky on a Russian spindle or laceweight on a Navajo spindle. Bring questions! And if you already have a spindle and a specific fiber you are working with, bring that, too, but if not, plenty of other fibers and spindles will be provided for your use during the class.
Sweater Unraveling
Unraveling knit sweaters can provide you with plenty of yarn, but not all sweaters are made equal. Learn how to choose the right sweater to unravel, deseam a sweater, and begin unraveling (the fun part!). Every student will be provided with one thrift-store sweater. Feel free to bring a sweater from home to learn more about it. There will be tools to share – a seam ripper, a pair of small scissors, a nostepinne, an umbrella swift, some drop spindles, and perhaps a spinning wheel – but if you have any of these or similar items, please bring them (especially seam rippers and swifts!). You’ll be able to take home all of the yarn you unravel plus the rest of your sweater to finish unraveling it.
Beginner Crochet
Are you wanting to learn how to crochet or perhaps get a refresher? In this class, we’ll cover the basic stitches and talk about simple designs and patterns. All yarn and crochet hooks provided.
Bicycle Wheel Weaving
What better way to use an old rusty bike than to weave on it? In this class, we’ll take scrapped bike wheels and, using a design technique similar to Ojos de Dios, we will weave on them with hand-dyed wool roving.
Frame Loom Weaving
Create a beautiful wall hanging for yourself or as a unique, one-of-a-kind gift for a special someone. In this class, we will provide you with a loom made from a canvas frame and nails. You’ll learn how to warp the loom, then we will spend time experimenting with different fibers, yarn, ribbons, flowers, etc as the weft. All materials will be provided, but you are also welcome to bring your own materials (minimum 1/2 yard in length; variable widths). Looms are yours to keep if you want them – you can even leave the weaving on the frame for an artistic hanging.
Wet Felted Miniature Balls
When combined with soap and water, wool can be wet felted into many shapes. In this class, we will make small balls – these can be used as cat balls, soft marbles, or can be strung together as decorations for a fire place, window or Christmas tree.
The Science of Fiber & the History of Technology
For me, my love of the fiber world actually began with programming. When I first started spinning on a spindle, I quickly realized that there was a whole lot of physics going on. When I started naturally dyeing…well, that one was easy – chemistry! And then came my obsession with weaving – over, under, over, under…0, 1, 0, 1.
Learn all about the history of technology beginning with the 20,000+-year-old spindle, moving through physics, chemistry, and weaving, the direct predecessor to computing.