Have you ever wondered how the wool gets from sheep to sweater?  How flax is spun into linen thread?  Or, have you wondered about the simplicity of spinning cotton that Ghandi believed was important?  Almost any fiber can be spun into thread or yarn.  Our beginning classes focus on wool spinning and different types of spinning wheels.  Each of our advanced handspinning classes is focused on a different fiber and the methods used in processing and spinning.  Some spinning experience helpful.  Bring your own wheel if you have one.   If you are not sure whether it is working order, we can check it out for you.  We also have the resources to point you in the direction of finding a wheel that might suit your needs.  Fiber materials will be provided.

Beginning Handspinning

I. Wool                                                                                                                                               1/2 day      $85    

Learn how to prepare your wool fleece for spinning.  We will show you the stages of washing and carding your own wool for handspinning into yarn. 

           

II. Drop Spindle Spinning with Wool                                                                                               1/2 day     $85     

Learn the basic principles of spinning wool fleece into yarn.  You will use the forces of gravity and motion to twist fibers together on a drop spindle.  All it takes is a little hand-eye coordination and some practice.  Two advantages of a drop spindle are that it is small and portable so you can spin almost anywhere, anytime.

III. Great Wheel Spinning with Wool                                                                                               1/2 day      $85    

Have you always wondered how those large old spinning wheels were used?  Now you can find out.  Great wheels, also known as "walking wheels" for the motion the spinner uses to spin the yarn, use a drive band to mechanize the process of spinning started with the drop spindle. 

IV. Treadle Wheel Spinning with Wool                                                                                            1/2 day     $85     

Spinning wool on a treadle or foot pedal wheel is comparable to rubbing your stomach and patting your head at the same time.  The more you do it, the less you have to think about it.  We will give you pointers as you work.  Bring your own spinning wheel if you have one.  If you are not sure whether it is in working order, we can check it out for you.  We also have the resources to point you in the direction of finding a wheel that might suit your needs.

Advanced Handspinning:  Exploring Fibers

V. Flax                                                                                                                                              1/2 day        $85    

Flax has been spun for centuries, primarily for use in weaving and sewing.  Many terms related to this domestic industry have become commonplace in the modern world.   Discover the processes for turning flax  into linen by retting, hackling and combing. Learn how  the distaff is dressed and how  to spin fine thread on a treadle wheel.  Spinning flax is slightly different than wool due to the nature of its longer woody fibers.

VI. Cotton                                                                                                                                         1/2 day       $85    

Cotton spinning brings to mind images of Ghandi sitting on the floor with a charka wheel.  He felt that by spinning and weaving their own cotton cloth he and his countrymen would have more understanding and control of one of their home industries and the processes would bring unity to the country.  Here is an opportunity to learn to spin cotton on a modern charka and get a glimpse at why many describe it as peaceful or relaxing.  Sometimes it takes a simple process on a simple machine to center our thoughts in such a busy mechanical age.

VII. Alpaca, Angora and Other Specialty Fibers                                                                          1/2 day        $85    

Have you ever wondered about spinning other fibers?  Here is your chance to experiment with some of our local alpaca, and  llama,  as well as other specialty fibers, such as angora.  Some people even spin their own dog's hair.  If you have something unusual, bring it along.