Opened Spot - Spinning 102, Part 2 of Improving Your Spinning SkillsSpinning 102 - Part 2 of Improving your Spinning Skills Instructors: Karen Chabinsky Day: Saturday Time: 12:30 – 2:30 pm Hours Required: 2 hours Maximum Students: 10 Total Class Fee (Includes $10 material fee): $81 Location: 4-H Building Class Description: Solving the problems of lumpy, bumpy yarns, yarns that are never evenly spun, plying solutions and general issues you have at this stage are the goals of this class. We will do a review at the start of class to focus on areas of individual concern. We will also cover how to create an evenly spun yarn, understand the twist process, how to determine your wheel ratio, and breaking down the various spinning methods like long draw, modified long draw, etc., and cover “hard to spin” fibers with sampling during class. Required Skills: You do not have to have taken Spinning 101, Part 1. You should be able to spin on your wheel. Does not have to be perfect yarn. You should have an understanding of how your wheel works. Students Should Bring to Class: Bring spinning wheel in working condition, several extra bobbins, extra drive band, oil, scissors, paper and pencil, and normal spinning accoutrements. Bring some sample yarns you have spun. If you have some fiber you have questions on or want to learn how to spin, bring it. Supplies Provided by Instructor: Fiber to sample during class. |
Opened Spot - Beginning Spinning (wheels provided by instructor)Beginning Spinning (wheels provided by instructor) Instructor: Wendy Clark Day: Sunday All Day Time: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm Hours Required: 6 hours with 1 hr lunch break Total Class Fee: $229 (no materials fee) Maximum Students: 10 Location: 4-H Building Class Description: You’ve done it before. You walk past someone spinning on a wheel and thought to yourself “spinning looks so relaxing and magical, I sure would like to learn how to do that myself”, but you don’t have the equipment. Wendy Clark has the teaching wheel for you! This beginning spinning wheel class will give you an opportunity to learn how to spin on an Ashford Kiwi 3 spinning wheel without needing to have your own to start out. This course will get you started on the road of a lifetime of passion for the spinning fiber arts. Wheels, bobbins, drop spindles and fiber are provided in this complete classroom package! Student’s Required Skills: None. Student Should Bring to Class: Ready to learn to spin. Supplies Provided by Instructor: All supplies included in the cost of the class. This includes the use of the Ashford Kiwi spinning wheel, drop spindles, and fiber for spinning. |
Opened Spot - The Magic of Spinning with a Wooden SpindleThe Magic of Spinning with a Wooden Spindle Instructor: Karen Chabinsky & Barbara Seeler Day: Saturday Time: 3:00 – 5:00 pm Hours Required: 2 hours Maximum Students: 15 Total Class Fee (Includes $25 material fee): $82 Location: 4-H Building Class Description: Have you wanted to learn how to spin but find buying a wheel too expensive? The spindle is a very affordable option and this class will teach you the in’s and out’s of spinning on a spindle. Plus, you get to take the fiber and spindle home! There is something magical about spinning your own yarn and turning it into a knitted shawl, a crocheted hat, or other handcrafted item. Using a well-balanced wood spindle, we will talk about fiber choices, show you how to prepare fiber to spin, and how to start spinning. You will learn the differences between fibers such as wool, alpaca, and cotton, best practices, and differences of spinning clockwise or counterclockwise. We will briefly discuss plying, how to finish up your yarn by washing it, along with options such as dyeing. Come and join the fun of spinning. There will be vendors available in the Vendor Marketplace that have additional fiber you can purchase in a variety of fiber types and colors. Required Skills: No experience needed. Students Should Bring to Class: Excitement and enthusiasm! Supplies Provided by Instructor: A wooden spindle and 2 oz. of fiber to spin for you to keep. |
Opened Spot - Natural Dyes – Onion SkinsNatural Dyes – Onion Skins Instructor: Madeline Keller-King Day: Sunday Time: 1:30 – 4:30 pm Hours Required: 3 hours Maximum Students: 10 Total Class Fee (Includes $5 material fee): $62 Location: The Cabin (check in at the 4-H Building) Class Description: Yes, onion skins. This humble kitchen scrap is also one powerhouse of a dye source, and the perfect place to start exploring natural dyes! In this class we will be introduced to the basics of natural dyeing, and using one dye to achieve a range of colors on cotton, wool, and silk. While the dye pots are simmering, we’ll have time for questions and exploration on the “whys” of how this works, giving students an understanding of the dye process and a jumping off point for future dye experiments. Required Skills: None. Student Should Bring to Class: Gloves and an apron or long sleeve shirt. Supplies Provided by Instructor: Yarn, onion skins, dye, and dye pots. Also, sample cards for students to keep track of their work. |
Opened Spot - Great Yarn Comes from Great Preparation!Great Yarn Comes from Great Preparation! Learn to use fiber preparation tools to get the best results Instructor: Wendy Clark Day: Saturday Time: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm Hours Required: 4 hours Maximum Students: 8 Total Class Fee: $107 (no materials fee) Location: 4-H Building Class Description: One of the keys for successful spinning is good fiber preparation. There are many fiber types, lengths, and crimp structures. What do you do with longer fibers? How do you prepare short fibers? How about blending fibers like wool and alpaca or adding silk? What is the preparation if I wanted to blend a shorter fiber with a longer one? What is the best preparation for worsted vs woolen spinning? Or perhaps you purchased a braid of fiber years ago, but the color does not excite you anymore, how can you change it? These are the questions we will explore while learning best practices with drum carders, hand carders, flick carders, combs, and blending boards. Whether you are preparing your fibers after washing your own fleece or want to change the structure of a braid for spinning, this class will help you look at fibers in a new way and the best tools to create that yarn you are looking for! Required Skills: Some basic spinning experience helpful. Students Should Bring to Class: Ready to learn, practice and improve your skills. Supplies Provided by Instructor: 6 sets of hand carders, 4 comb sets, 2 Ashford blending boards, and one Ashford manual/one Big Tom electric drum carder. |
Opened Spot - Coiled Pine Needle Basket with BeadsCoiled Pine Needle Basket with Beads Instructor: Gay Chapman and Trisha Speer Day: Saturday all day Time: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Hours Required: 6 hours with 2 hr lunch break Maximum Students: 12 Total Class Fee (Includes $30 material fee): $87 Location: 4-H Building Class Description: Starting with long leaf pine needles that have been soaked in glycerin we will make a small pine needle basket. Using a needle and waxed linen thread, we will coil around a round disc with a V stitch and decorate with beads. This is a small basket which will fit in the palm of your hand. Student’s Required Skills: No experience necessary, but students must be able to thread a needle. Student Should Bring to Class: Everything is provided. Supplies Provided by Instructor: Waxed thread, needles, beads, pine needles soaked in glycerin to coil, and directions. |
