Workshops & Classes 2010 Detail

Saturday Workshops

Natural Dyes Beyond the Basics: Two and Three Color Mixes w/Stefania Isaacson
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 techniques, 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 palette. 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!
Cost: $80
Supply cost $30, payable to teacher at time of class
Students need to bring apron, rubber gloves, 2 old towels, paper towels, plastic wrap, calculator, pen and paper.
Note: Minimum of 5 students; maximum of 15
Time: Saturday 10 - 5

Dress Your Loom Alone w/Freda Peisley
Learn my fast and easy way to make a warp, dress a loom, and spend more time weaving. With practice, it will take you only 1 hour to make a warp, and 2 hours to dress a loom. This is a "hands-on" workshop. Using my warping board and loom, we will make a warp, wind it on the back beam, and thread the loom.
Cost: $40
Students need to bring a notebook and a list of their weaving problems.
Note: Minimum of 2 students; maximum of 12
Time: Saturday 10 - 1

Fiber Art Jewelry w/Nancy Jo Design (Mary Jo LaClair and Nancy Tepas)
Create a broach or necklace. The jewelry is made of felt and decorated with yarns, beads and braids. We will guide you through techniques that include: Norwegian braid, hyperbolic planes, French knots, crochet/knitting and surface design. This is truly a "cross" craft project which is suitable for everyone. (Must know how to knit or crochet)
Cost: $30
Supply cost for kit is $10, payable to teachers at time of class
Note: Minimum of 4 students; maximum of 20 students.
Time: Saturday 10:30 - 2:30

Noodle Hat w/Erin Kosich or Genevieve Grew
You can't help but feel happy wearing this hat! That's because it features row after row of twisted cord "noodles" all over it. Alternated with rows of basic ribbing, it's the ultimate happy head-hugger!
Cost: $28, yarn and pattern included
Students need to bring one 16" circular needle, size 8.
Note: Minimum of 3 students; maximum of 25 students
Time: Saturday 11 - 12:30

Spinning Colored Yarn w/Carol McFadden
Students will learn how to put multiple colors in your spinning without buying hand painted roving. We'll explore different carding and spinning methods to achieve mixed-color yarns and space-dyed effects and discuss the results and their uses. Students should be comfortable spinning on either a wheel or spindle to make well-constructed yarn.
Cost: $30
Supply cost $10 for colored combed top & handout, payable to teacher at time of class
Students need to bring their spindle or wheel, (don't forget oil, hook & extra drive band), and hand cards if you have them. Spindlers should bring a storage method to wind off yarns as you make them.
Note: Minimum of 5 students; maximum of 15 students
Time: Saturday 11 - 1

Beginning Spinning w/Alanna Wilcox
Students will learn how to maintain their spinning wheels, how to spin a consistent yarn and troubleshoot any spinning problems they may have encountered.
Cost: $55
Supply cost $10, payable to teacher at time of class
Students will need to bring a spinning wheel in working order, 3 bobbins, spinning wheel oil, and lazy kate if you have one. Any other spinning items that the student would like to learn how to use time permitting: niddy noddy, hand cards, combs, flicker, etc.
Contact the instructor for arrangements if you don't have a spinning wheel.
Note: Minimum of 3 students; maximum of 8 students
Time: Saturday 12:30 - 4

Fabulous Felt Making w/Sandi Cirillo
This class will introduce you to the joys of feltmaking. Each student will create a landscape in felt suitable for framing. Both wet and needle felting techniques will be covered. Participants are asked to bring a picture or photo of what they might like to work on in this class. More advanced felters are also welcome to join us.
Cost: $25
Supply cost $8, payable to teacher at time of class
Students will need to bring an old towel and scissors.
Note: Maximum of 4 students; maximum of 15 students
Time: Saturday 1 - 4

Spinning Flax into Linen w/Freda Peisley
Bring your spinning wheel and distaff if you have one and learn how to dress a distaff with line flax and spin it into linen as our ancestors did hundreds of years ago. Linen was once made into clothing, sheets, towels, potato sacks, sails for ships and the rope to tie the ships to the docks.
Cost: $20
Supply cost $10, payable to teacher at time of class
Students will need to bring a spinning wheel in working order and distaff if you have one.
Note: Minimum of 2 students; maximum of 10 students
Time: Saturday 2 - 3 pm

A Cowl to Make You Howl! w/ Erin Kosich or Genevieve Grew
The cowl is definitely the must-make item of the season, the perfect project for using a soft, squooshy, decadent, skein of wonderful yarn (like Plymouth's new Baby Alpaca Grande). It's the perfect project for learning some fun new stitch techniques and looks especially nice when accented with a pair of shawl sticks (the perfect little accessory to go with your perfect little accessory)!
Cost: $40, includes yarn and shawl sticks
Students will need to bring one 16" circular needle, size 11.
Note: Minimum of 3 students; maximum of 25 students
Time: Saturday 2 - 3

Ready, Set... Oops! w/Tina Turner
Learn to read yarn labels, why gauge is important, how to fix mistakes in your knitting, how to read your work, how to count rows, what a twisted stitch looks like, what is WPI, how to figure out what needle to use with handspun, how to figure yarn weight by using WPI information.
Cost: $25
Students will need to bring size G crochet hook, homework and second needle
Homework required: Sample knitted with light colored worsted weight yarn, using size US 7 or 8 needle. Cast on 24 stitches, knit 2 inches of stockinette stitch (knit one row, purl one row); 2 inches of 2 x 2 ribbing (K2, P2); 2 inches of garter stitch (knit every row); and finish with 1 inch of stockinette stitch. Leave the sample on the needle. Do NOT bind off.
Note: Minimum of 2 students; maximum of 6 students
Time: Saturday 2 - 4

Spinning Woolen vs. Worsted w/Carol McFadden
Did you know that the preparation of your wool affects the type of yarn you will produce? Did you know there are different methods of drafting your wool to achieve either woolen or worsted yarn? Get the answers to these and other questions about woolen and worsted spinning, and learn the traditional uses for both types of yarn.
Cost: $30
Supply cost $2, payable to teacher at time of class
Students need to bring spindle or wheel (don't forget oil, hook & extra drive band); handcards and minicombs, if you have them; approx. 4 oz. short-stapled fiber (2-3"); approx. 4 oz/ medium-stapled fiber (4-6")
Note: Minimum of 5 students; maximum of 15 students
Time: Saturday 2 - 4

Tape Weaving w/Bonnie Weidert
Students will lean how to dress a tape loom and weave including different techniques such as tubes, fringe, and adding beads. A round robin workshop will allow students a chance to weave on each loom. Sample tapes and a design chart utilizing color, books and periodicals will be available for inspiration. Instructors book, Tape Looms: Past and Present, will be available for sale. Students are required to bring their enthusiasm and smiles and will leave with all tapes they weave and a handout.
Cost: $20
Note: Minimum of 4 students; maximum of 8 students
Time: Saturday 2 - 4

Sunflowers and Spidery Mums w/Christine Haag
Fashion felted sweaters into sunflower and mum pins, handbag or hat embellishments using dyed fleece, handmade clay buttons and decorations such as clay birds and beads. The petals will be pre-cut for class time sake but patterns will be included so students can continue creating more at home! Supply fee covers materials for both a sunflower and mum for each student.
Cost: $15
Supply cost $7, payable to teacher at time of class
Note: Minimum of 4 students; maximum of 16 students
Time: Saturday 2:30 - 3:30

Spinning Silk w/Freda Peisley
Bring your wheel and learn to spin several different kinds of silk.
Cost: $20
Supply cost $15, payable to teacher at time of class
Students will need to bring a spinning wheel in working order.
Note: Minimum of 2 students; maximum of 12 students
Time: Saturday 3 - 4

Short Row Multi-Directional Scarf w/Erin Kosich or Genevieve Grew
Get ready to learn lots of techniques and take your knitting in all different directions! See how the combination of space-dyed yarn and short row shaping can create a one-of-a-kind accessory. It can be felted too! Get ready for a knitting adventure.
Cost: $35 and includes yarn and pattern.
Students will need to bring short, straight needles, size 4
Note: Minimum of 3 students; maximum of 25 students.
Time: Saturday 3 - 4:30

Sunday Workshops

Introduction to Lace Knitting w/Stefania Isaacson
Learn 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.
Cost: $40
Supply cost $20, payable to teacher at time of class
Students will need to bring knitting needles, size 3, 5, and 7 (can be straight or circular), calculator, note pad, and pen.
Note: Minimum of 5 students; maximum of 15 students.
Time: Sunday 10:30 - 1:30

Intermediate Spinning w/Alanna Wilcox
Students will learn how to have more control over yarn consistency, spin to the yarn thickness/thinness they desire, and how to spin yarn for a project.
Cost: $45
Supply cost $10, payable to teacher at time of class
Students will need to bring a spinning wheel in working order, 3 bobbins, spinning wheel oil, and lazy kate. Any other spinning items that the student would like to learn how to use time permitting: niddy noddy, hand cards, combs, flicker, etc.
Contact the instructor for arrangements if you don't have a spinning wheel.
Note: Minimum of 3 students; maximum of 8 students
Time: Sunday 10:30 - 1:30

Seaming Techniques: Joining Garter Stitch & Stockinette Stitch w/Tamara Kelley
Seaming is one of those things that just about everyone dislikes but we all need to do at some point. The techniques that will be covered make it relatively painless and give your knit garment a much more professional looking finish. You will learn to join stockinette and garter stitch invisibly to make a pillow cover or carry bag - your choice. Students will need to know how to cast-on, bind-off, knit and purl.
Cost: $40
Supply cost $5, payable to teacher at time of class
Students need to bring the required homework, 8-10 yards of worsted weight yarn your choice of color and yarn, 1 large-eye needle
Homework required: You will need to have stockinette and garter stitch squares ready for joining the day of class. Don't worry about weaving the ends in, but do leave them long. Yarn of a different color for seaming is helpful as you can then use your samples to refer to later as a reminder. Size of the squares is up to you - just make sure they are all the same size. Lighter colored yarn makes it easier to see your work.
Four 6 or 7" squares worsted weight yarn in stockinette stitch - your choice of yarn and color
Four 6 or 7" squares worsted weight yarn in garter stitch - your choice of yarn and color
Note: Minimum of 1 student; maximum of 10 students
Time: Sunday 10:30 - 1:30

Herringbone Button Scarf w/Erin Kosich or Genevieve Grew
This is a super-nifty knitting stitch that makes a super-nifty scarf with the look of being woven! I think every knitter in my shop was making one of these this year, because once they saw the scarf, they couldn't wait to try the stitch (it's really unique). You accent the scarf with a pair of buttons that simply push through the fabric to create different wearing options!
Cost: $35 and includes yarn and buttons
Supply cost $10, payable to teacher at time of class
Students will need to bring short, straight needles, size 13 or 15
Note: Minimum of 3 students; maximum of 25
Time: Sunday 11 - 12

Rug Hooking w/Freda Peisley
Learn how this easy craft is done and start a small piece for a mug mat or pin. You will pick from several patterns and receive enough to finish your piece. You will also have the knowledge to make a larger project.
Cost: $10
Supply cost $10, payable to teacher at time of class
Note: Minimum of 4 students; maximum of 15 students
Time: Sunday 11 - 1

Spinning Textured Yarns w/Carol McFadden
Ever wonder how tweed yarns are made? Don't know what to do with that ounce of Angelina or dyed silk waste you bought at the last fiber festival? In this workshop we'll address these questions and more. If you have a fiber you've been wanting to try, bring it along too! We'll experiment with it if there's time. If using a wheel bring 3 or more bobbins for your wheel, if using a spindle, bring a storage method to wind off yarns you've spun. Students should be comfortable spinning on either a wheel or spindle to make well constructed yarn.
Cost: $55
Supply cost $10, payable to teacher at time of class for fiber, additions, and handout
Students will need to bring their spindle or wheel (don't forget oil, hook & extra drive band), hand cards if you have them, niddy noddy, and hang tags to wind off and label sample skeins (optional). If using a wheel, bring 3 or more bobbins for your wheel and if using a spindle, bring a storage method to wind off yarns you've spun
Note: Minimum of 5 students; maximum of 15 students
Time: Sunday 11 - 3:00

I've Been Fleeced! Or: An Introduction to Washing & Preparing a Fleece w/Diane Seely
This class will show you how to wash a fleece and introduce you to a number of methods to prepare your fleece for spinning. A variety of preparation tools including hand cards, combs, and drum carder will be available for you to see and feel the different results.
Cost: $20
Supply cost $10, payable to teacher at time of class
Note: Minimum of 5 students; maximum of 15 students
Time: Sunday 12 - 2

Learn to Knit w/Sandy Moore
This class is an introduction to knitting. Students will create a sample swatch while learning how to cast on, knit, purl, knit 2 together, yarn over and bind off. You will have the supplies and knowledge to create 2 scarves. Supplies include practice yarn, 2 skeins of yarn, needles, pattern, knitting reference book.
Cost: $20
Supply cost $25, payable to teacher at time of class
Note: Minimum of 5 students; maximum of 10 students
Time: Sunday 12 - 2

Fiber Art Jewelry w/Nancy Jo Design (Mary Jo LaClair and Nancy Tepas)
Create a broach or necklace. The jewelry is made of felt and decorated with yarns, beads and braids. We will guide you through techniques that include: Norwegian Braid, hyperbolic planes, French knots, crochet/knitting and surface design. This is truly a "cross" craft project which is suitable for everyone. (Must know how to knit or crochet)
Cost: $30
Supply cost for kit $10, payable to teachers at time of class
Note: Minimum of 4 students; maximum of 20 students.
Time: Saturday 10:30 - 2:30

Bead Weaving w/Bonnie Weidert
Students will learn how to design a pattern, dress a bead loom, and weave. Samples of instructor's work will be available for inspiration as well as periodicals and literature. Off loom techniques can be included if there is interest and time available. Students are required to bring their enthusiasm and smiles. Students may bring their own equipment if they wish.
Cost: $15
Supply cost for Loom kit and beads $8, payable to teachers at time of class
Note: Minimum of 4 students an; maximum of 10 students
Time: Sunday 1 - 2:30

Hip to be Square Afghan w/Erin Kosich or Genevieve Grew
It's such a dilemma... what to do with all that leftover sock yarn! Well, I have a suggestion that could quickly become an obsession if you are not careful - it's the mini-mitered square afghan, based on a blog by designer Shelly Kang, also known online as The Heathen Housewife. With her leftover mini-bits of sock yarn, she creates mini-mitered square baby blankets, which, once started, are hard to resist! You knit a square, then, pick up stitches along the completed square to start your next square, so there is no sewing. Once you learn the technique, you will be dreaming of king-sized bedspreads, car covers, circus tents, etc.
Cost: $20 and includes yarn and pattern
Students will need to bring short, straight or double pointed needles, size 3
Note: Minimum of 3 students; maximum of 25
Time: Sunday 1 - 2

Playing with Plying w/Stefania Isaacson
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 techniques for making balanced yarns, uses for the yarns with different effects, what happens if your yarn isn't balanced, and techniques of how to fix troubling problems with plying.
Cost: $40
Supply cost $15, payable to teacher at time of class
Students will need to bring spinning wheel, ball winder, niddy noddy, extra bobbins, lazy kate, hang tags, pen, and paper.
Note: Minimum of 5 students; maximum of 15 students
Time: Sunday 1:30 - 4

Cables, Cables, Cables w/Tamara Kelley
Learn to knit traditional cables as well as reversible cables that work well for scarves. Students must be able to knit and purl.
Cost: $20
Students will need to bring a skein of smooth yarn, worsted weight, in a light color, knitting needles US size 7, 8, or 9, cable needle in similar size, yarn needle for finishing.
Note: Minimum of 1 student; maximum of 10 students
Time: Sunday 2 - 3:30

Learn to Spin Cotton on Your Wheel w/Alanna Wilcox
Students will learn how to spin cotton on their spinning wheel using the long draw technique. The process may be intimidating at first, but with a little practice you won't want to use your support spindle for cotton spinning! This is for the advanced beginner-intermediate spinner.
Cost: $35
Supply cost $7, includes cotton and wool to spin, payable to teacher at time of class
Students will need to bring a spinning wheel/flyer that can spin at high ratio for ease of spinning.
Note: Minimum of 3 students; maximum of 8 students
Time: Sunday 2 - 4

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Last updated: September 8, 2010