Fibre at Fern Spring Class Schedule

Dyeing with Dragons with Annika 

Saturday AM: Session One (9:30am - 11:45am) 

We all know hand-painted yarn is a dream to work with, now you can have all the fun of creating it yourself! Starting with only the basic colours, we'll learn how to combine them to make all the colours of the rainbow and then squirt them all over yarn! Choose from fingering, DK, or worsted weight skeins to design your masterpiece onto. All the dye, pans, squirters, instruction, and shenanigans are included in the class free of charge. There are a few different weights of yarn available for $30 a skein (and yes, you can totally dye more than one, even in different bases if you want!)

Bring With You:
Messy clothes (or apron) and shoes you don't mind getting dye on Any pictures that inspire you
Your imagination, and most importantly, your sense of adventure! 

Kits: $30/skein

Choose from the following: 

Sleipnir - 80% SW Merino / 20% Nylon - 375yds 100g

Oh my goodness, it's SO sprongy! With 8 plys, and named after Odin's great eight-legged horse, this yarn has all the get-up-and-go needed to get you wherever you need to be. It's a different twist than normal, but it's better that way! Truly machine washable and even dryable, this is our tried and true sock yarn that has no problem being a shawl or even a shirt. Hard-wearing and unflappable in the face of danger. Laundry monsters, bugger off! 

Fairy Wrap - 100% SW Merino - 218yds 100g

As a four-ply yarn, this wonderful stuff has a great stitch definition. One of the springiest yarns of the lineup, this yarn feels fabulous to knit with. Soft enough for next-to-the-skin items such as cowls and sweaters that you don't need to wear a shirt underneath - it's a favourite! This yarn likes to be worn and it's best to hand wash and lay flat to dry, we don't want to feed the laundry monster. 

Pixie Wrap - 100% SW Merino - 231yds 100g

The Fairy's baby sister! A four-ply yarn that is one of the workhorses of the lineup, this yarn is great and very crisp. Soft enough for next to the skin but makes the cables go bong! Best to hand wash and lay flat to dry, we don't want to feed the laundry monster. 

Maximum Number of Students: 12 

Cut It Out: Taking the EEK out of Steeking with Marisa 

Saturday AM: Session One (9:30am - 11:45am) 

While cutting up your beautiful colourwork project sounds like the stuff of knitting nightmares, steeking remains on many knitters' skill-testing bucket lists. In this class, you'll review where steeking came from and why you do it, before diving in and steeking two mug cozies. This will allow you to cover two different reinforcement methods, as well as different edging and finishing techniques. Basic crochet skills will be helpful. 

Materials Needed / To Bring:
Worsted weight yarn in at least two colours as per the suggested patterns. Untreated wool works best
Sharp small scissors
A darning needle
Crochet hooks and knitting needles specified in the patterns
Worsted weight yarn to match your projects to reinfornce your steeks and finish your projects
Sewing thread

Homework:
Knit the Sinensis PLUS either the Steeked Mug Hug OR the Stranded Coffee Mug Cozy (or all 3)

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sinensis

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/steeked-mug-hug

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/stranded-coffee-mug-cozy

Fission Knitting - Saturday with Mary Pat

Saturday AM: Session One (9:30am - 11:45am) 

Fission Knitting looks fancy and difficult, but it's actually fancy and simple to learn. A very clever technique from Mary W. Martin, Fission Knitting produces a reversible, colour-work fabric, with a different design on each side! It's knit with two yarns held together in a marled background. The yarns are separated to work the raised slip-stitch designs on each side. 

In this class, you'll knit a sample swatch covering the basic steps, with emphasis on the 3 Rules of Fission Knitting, which are simple and easy to remember. You'll be amazed! 

Bring With You:
Two colours of yarn in the same weight; fingering to DK would be best
Needles in a larger size than specified for a single strand of your yarn (for example, 4.5mm for fingering weight)
Cable needle or a dpn
Removable stitch markers 

Homework:
Holding the two yarns together and using any cast-on, cast on 20 stitches. Purl 2 rows.

Two-Handed Stranded Knitting with Gabriela 

Saturday AM: Session One (9:30am - 11:45am) 

This is the most traditional and favoured method of managing yarn for two-colour stranded knitting. It is also used for Fair Isle knitting where, although there are many colours in a project, there are only ever two colours used in one round of knitting. 

The method is called "two-handed" because both hands carry a yarn. This combines two traditional ways of holding yarn for knitting - 'continental' and 'English'. The yarn in the left hand is knitted in the 'continental' method and the yarn in the right hand is knitted in the 'English' method. 

Materials to Bring:
4.0mm and 4.5-5.0mm circular needles, 60cm long
Two high contrasting colours of Worsted weight yarn
Stitch markers, chart keeper (optional)

Homework:
With smaller needles and main colour, cast on 96st. You will be working on a hat. Join to work in the round, place marker and work (K1, P1) ribbing for 6 rounds. Change to larger needles and knit 1 round. 

Turkish Spindle Spinning with Thamo

Saturday AM: Session One (9:30am - 11:45am) 

Spindle spinning in its various forms has been around for thousands of years. Turkish spindles are among my favourite because they are easily portable and versatile. In this workshop, you'll start with Turkish Spindle anatomy, how to create a leader and how to spin singles. You'll also discuss plying and finishing your yarns so they're ready to be knit, crocheted, or woven. 

You'll Need:
A Turkish Spindle
Fibre that's ready to spin (a braid or rolags are great to start with)

Optional Class Kit - $50.00 +hst includes a 3D printed Turkish Spindle and 30g+ of fibre to spin

Homework: None

Beginner Floral Embroidery on Knits with Julie

Let Julie Crawford from Knitted Bliss help you to embellish your knitwear with embroidery. Join us for this workshop where you will learn several embroidery stitches suitable for knitwear. Talk through supplies, techniques, and pattern interpretation while you stitch a Knitted Bliss floral motif. Students should bring a knitted swatch or hat to embroider. 

Class Kit is $12.00 +hst and includes a Knitted Bliss embroidery pattern and template, 4 colours of embroidery thread, stabilizer, embroidery needles

Please Bring With You:
Knit item to embroider (sweater, cardigan, tote bag, scarf, or swatch - just avoid small circumferences like mittens or socks)

No experience necessary. 

Crocheted Mosaic Baskets with Miranda 

Everyone loves a nice basket and crocheters love fooling their knitting friends with a crochet stitch that appears to be knit! 

Materials to Bring:
2 Skeins of Estelle Macrame Twist - 1 skein for main colour, 1 skein for contrasting colour (this will provide you with enough for 2 baskets)
4.5mm crochet hook
Locking stitch marker
Darning needle to weave in ends 

Homework: None

Dyeing with Dragons with Annika

Experience - Beginner

Skills Required - A playful imagination

Description - We all know hand-painted yarn is a dream to work with, now you can have all the fun of creating it yourself! Starting with only the basic colours, we'll learn how to combine them to make all the colours of the rainbow and then squirt them all over yarn! Choose from fingering, DK, or worsted weight skeins to design your masterpiece onto. All the dye, pans, squirters, instruction, and shenanigans are included in the class free of charge. There are a few different weights of yarn available for $30 a skein (and yes, you can totally dye more than one, even in different bases if you want!)

You will learn: How to combine colours 

Bring  - Messy clothes (or apron), shoes you don't mind getting dye on, any pictures that inspire you, your imagination, and most importantly, your sense of adventure! 

Kits: $30/skein

Choose from the following: 

Sleipnir - 80% SW Merino / 20% Nylon - 375yds 100g

Oh my goodness, it's SO sprongy! With 8 plys, and named after Odin's great eight-legged horse, this yarn has all the get-up-and-go needed to get you wherever you need to be. It's a different twist than normal, but it's better that way! Truly machine washable and even dryable, this is our tried and true sock yarn that has no problem being a shawl or even a shirt. Hard-wearing and unflappable in the face of danger. Laundry monsters, bugger off! 

Fairy Wrap - 100% SW Merino - 218yds 100g

As a four-ply yarn, this wonderful stuff has a great stitch definition. One of the springiest yarns of the lineup, this yarn feels fabulous to knit with. Soft enough for next-to-the-skin items such as cowls and sweaters that you don't need to wear a shirt underneath - it's a favourite! This yarn likes to be worn and it's best to hand wash and lay flat to dry, we don't want to feed the laundry monster. 

Pixie Wrap - 100% SW Merino - 231yds 100g

The Fairy's baby sister! A four-ply yarn that is one of the workhorses of the lineup, this yarn is great and very crisp. Soft enough for next to the skin but makes the cables go bong! Best to hand wash and lay flat to dry, we don't want to feed the laundry monster. 

Maximum Number of Students: 12 

Stabbing Succs: Needle Felted Terrariums with Marisa 

Tired of forgetting to water your house plants, only for them to die on you? Do life's frustrations leave you feeling a bit stabby? Allow me to introduce, Needle Felted Terrariums. In this class, you'll safely stab wool into felted terrariums of succulents and cacti that will never die. 

Guided by Marisa of Pretyt Little Yarns Ltd., you'll learn to felt 3D shapes, when to use core wool, and how to layer colours to transform fluffy wool fibres into miniature plants. The magic unfolds as you assemble your creations inside glass terrariums, creating a world of sweet succulents and colourful cacti. 

Whether you're a seasoned crafter, or a total beginner, this class is for anyone who wants to explore needle felting. By the end of the class, you'll be well on your way in your creation and have the confidence to continue needle felting beyond the classroom. 

The Class Kit is $30 +hst and includes 3 Felting Needles, Terrarium Jar, Foam Block, 100% Core Wool, 100% Coloured Felting Wool

Please Bring:
Small scissors 

Homework: None! 

My 2026 Favourite Things with Mary Pat

Like a magpie seeking shiny objects, Mary Pat has been stashing new knit-wisdoms this past year! 

The 2026 Favourite Things class sheds light on:

• Always knowing how long to make the yarn tail before a long-tail cast-on

• Dissecting the basics of the iPhone Pocket so you might make your own 

• Effortless weaving ends as you go

• Jazzy high-texture stitches 

• Mid-row bind-off that avoids a hole at one end, for necklines and button holes

• And more! 

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner / Intermediate 

Bring With You:
Smooth yarn in two or three light colours
Needles to match your yarn (more than just one set/pair/circular for different exercises)
Knitters' standard toolkit (scissors, tape measure, sewing needle, etc)

Homework: None 

Matching Cast On and Bind Off Techniques with Gabriela 

First and last impressions are important, and so are the way you begin and end your knitting projects. Wouldn't it be nice to have the start and finish look the same? 

Materials to Bring:
DK or Worsted weight yarn
Straight or circular needles: 4.0mm for DK and 4.5mm for Worsted weight 

Homework: None 

Brioche Knitting with Thamo 

This class will introduce you to the basics of Brioche Knitting, an innovative way of working two colours to create a warm and fully reversible fabric! You'll spend time setting up your project so that by the end, you'll be well on your way to a 2-colour Brioche Cowl. 

Materials to Bring:
2 high contrast colours of Worsted weight yarn (100g each and ideally no black so you can really see your stitches)
5.0mm circular needle, 16" (if you're already familiar with magic loop you can use a longer cord)

Homework: You'll be using the Training Wheels Cowl Pattern which can be found for free on Ravelry. Casting on before class will allow us to get right into the Brioche during the retreat! 

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/training-wheels

Introduction to Thread Painting with Julie

Learn the beautiful art of thread painting with Julie Crawford from Knitted Bliss! In this beginner-friendly workshop, you'll stitch a charming cardinal motif onto your favourite knit piece. No embroidery experience necessary. Thread painting brings designs to life with dimensional, painterly stitches, and this class will guide you through each step at a relaxed pace. Whether you're embellishing a sweater, adding personality to a store-bought cardigan, or working on a practice swatch, you'll leave with new skills and a piece you'll be proud to wear or display. 

You'll work together in a supportive, encouraging atmosphere where questions are welcome and creativity flows freely. This is the perfect opportunity to slow down, learn something new, and connect with fellow fibre enthusiasts over the meditative rhythm of needle and thread. 

Class Kit is $12.00 +hst and includes Knitted Bliss embroidery pattern, stitch stabilizer, and embroidery floss and needle

Please Bring With You:
Knit item or to embroider (sweater, cardigan, tote bag, scarf, or swatch - just avoid small circumferences like mittens or socks)

No experience necessary. 

Crocheted Market Bag with Miranda 

Description coming shortly...

No Stress Toe Up Socks with Carolyn 

Looking to try toe-up socks for the first time? Or, are you a sock knitter who has ever said, “Toe-up socks NEVER fit me,” with a sigh when you see a cute pattern that is written for that direction? Never say never! This class covers everything you need to succeed at making any toe-up sock you like: how to cast on at the toe, how to make sure the foot is exactly the right length, and how to do a simple stretchy bind off at the cuff. With easy vanilla-sock formulas that work at any row gauge, plus additional resources to let you magically convert any other toe-up sock pattern’s measurements to suit your own yarn and tension for a perfect fit, you’ll wonder why you ever thought toe-up socks were a mysterious or frustrating experience! We will make a little heavyweight sock with a forethought-style afterthought heel for practice, and then you’ll be ready to make your next toe-up sock to fit you just right.

Materials: 30-50g of any DK or worsted weight yarn that is suitable for socks (or the same weight of fingering-weight sock yarn you intend to hold double). You will need appropriately-sized needles in the style you are comfortable with for knitting a small circumference in the round (so, either double-pointed needles, two circular needles, or a single set of circular needles with a long cord for Magic Loop); this can be 2.75 mm / US 2, 3.0 mm / US 2.5, or 3.25 mm / US 3, depending on what sizes you have available and how thick your yarn is. Please bring a basic knitter’s tool kit (including: a yarn/tapestry needle, snips/scissors, stitch markers, and a measuring tape) as well.

Homework: None!

Prerequisite skills: No sock knitting experience is required; the class is designed to suit both brand-new sock knitters and those who are already comfortable with cuff-down sock knitting. However, participants should already know how to knit a small circumference in the round using their method of choice (i.e., either DPNs or circular needles).

Tangled Strands with Annika 

Sunday AM: Session Three (9:30am - 11:45am)

In this exciting and informative class, you'll explore the fascinating world of colourwork! You'll learn the difference between Stranded, Fair Isle, Ladderback Jacquard, Duplicate Stitch, and Intarsia Techniques. You'll also discuss the advantages and limitations of each method, so you can choose the perfect technique for your next project. 

While most of the information will be presented as a lecture, there will be plenty of opportunities to practice your skills. So, grab your needles and some spare worsted weight yarn, and join Annika for a fun and educational experience! 

Bring: Worsted weight yarn, appropriate needles for this yarn

Maximum 12 people. 

Felt Like Doodling: An Introduction to Elements and Principles of Design, Meditative Doodling, and Needle Felting with Marisa 

Sunday AM: Session Three (9:30am - 11:45am)

In today's world, do you find yourself in need of more ways to beat stress? Does perfectionism take the shine out of your usual creative projects? Does traditional mediation make you feel restless and unsettled? Do you maybe just want to STAB something? We've got you covered! 

In this class, you will start with an introduction to the elements and principles of design. These are the things that make even casual visual compositions just look "right". You will talk about how to incorporate some of them into your work. Next, you'll review how to approach your project in a more present headspace to allow your creative practice to aide in reducing stress. And lastly, you'll jump into the needle felting itself, creating woolen doodles of your own design based on what you've learned. The doodles will be created on 8"x8" felt pads which can then be used as trivets or hung on the wall. 

Materials:
The Class Kit is $30 +hst, which includes 3 Felting Needles, Foam Block, 8"x8" 100% Wool Felt Mats, Assorted 100% Coloured Felting Wool, Paper Templates 

Please Bring:
Small scissors 

Homework: None! 

Fission Knitting - Sunday with Mary Pat

Sunday AM: Session Three (9:30am - 11:45am)

Fission Knitting looks fancy and difficult, but it's actually fancy and simple to learn. A very clever technique from Mary W. Martin, Fission Knitting produces a reversible, colour-work fabric, with a different design on each side! It's knit with two yarns held together in a marled background. The yarns are separated to work the raised slip-stitch designs on each side. 

In this class, you'll knit a sample swatch covering the basic steps, with emphasis on the 3 Rules of Fission Knitting, which are simple and easy to remember. You'll be amazed! 

Bring With You:
Two colours of yarn in the same weight; fingering to DK would be best
Needles in a larger size than specified for a single strand of your yarn (for example, 4.5mm for fingering weight)
Cable needle or a dpn
Removable stitch markers 

Homework:
Holding the two yarns together and using any cast-on, cast on 20 stitches. Purl 2 rows.

Roosimine, Roositud, or Inlay Knitting with Gabriela 

Sunday AM: Session Three (9:30am - 11:45am)

Roositude knitting (pronounced royce-tood) is a colourwork tecnnique that involves no real knitting with the contrast colour. Instead, all you're doing is essentially wrapping your secondary colour(s) around your work horizontally row-by-row to create some sort of design. 

You will be knitting a small bag in the round with this technique. 

Materials to Bring:
MC: 100g Worsted weight yarn
CC: 50g Bulky weight yarn in one or two colours each
4.0mm-5.00mm 16" circular needles (I used 4.0mm because I'm a loose knitter)

Homework:
Cast on a multiple of 8sts: Cast on 72sts and work 2cm in K1, P1 or K2, P2 ribbing. You may cast on more stitches if you like for a bigger hat or less stitches for a wrist warmer, as long as it is a multiple of 8sts. 

Tunisian Crochet with Thamo

Sunday AM: Session Three (9:30am - 11:45am)

Tunisian Crochet is the perfect marriage of knitting and crochet.  You can create a truly unique fabric with multiple applications.  The many possible stitches, including one that looks knit, are all made using a long crochet hook to carry multiple stitches like knitting. 

Some experience using a crochet hook and making a crocheted chain would be beneficial for this class. 

To participate during the workshop you’ll need: 

A 6.5mm Tunisian Crochet Hook with a 24” cord*

100g of DK weight yarn 

*interchangeable hooks are pretty common now and offer versatility for future projects but if you have a long solid hook that will work too! 

Optional Tool set for $22 includes an interchangeable Tunisian hook and Cord

Beginner Floral Embroidery on Knits with Julie

Sunday AM: Session Three (9:30am - 11:45am)

Let Julie Crawford from Knitted Bliss help you to embellish your knitwear with embroidery. Join us for this workshop where you will learn several embroidery stitches suitable for knitwear. Talk through supplies, techniques, and pattern interpretation while you stitch a Knitted Bliss floral motif. Students should bring a knitted swatch or hat to embroider. 

Class Kit is $12.00 +hst and includes a Knitted Bliss embroidery pattern and template, 4 colours of embroidery thread, stabilizer, embroidery needles

Please Bring With You:
Knit item to embroider (sweater, cardigan, tote bag, scarf, or swatch - just avoid small circumferences like mittens or socks)

No experience necessary. 

Crocheted Mosaic Basket with Miranda 

Sunday AM: Session Three (9:30am - 11:45am)

Everyone loves a nice basket and crocheters love fooling their knitting friends with a crochet stitch that appears to be knit! 

Materials to Bring:
2 Skeins of Estelle Macrame Twist - 1 skein for main colour, 1 skein for contrasting colour (this will provide you with enough for 2 baskets)
4.5mm crochet hook
Locking stitch marker
Darning needle to weave in ends 

Homework: None

Knitting a Cozy Memory Blanket with Karin 

Sunday AM: Session Three (9:30am - 11:45am)

Join Karin and cast on something truly special - a Cozy Memory Blanket. This class is perfect for knitters who have been saving their fingering weight scraps and are ready to turn those little bits into a beautiful, memory-filled blanket. 

In this beginner-friendly workshop, Karin will focus on getting you confidently started. You'll learn how to knit your first square, how to join squares together seamlessly as you go (one finished square will be provided), and time permitting, how to add a left side and a right side square, giving you the skills you need to continue building your blanket at home. 

Please Bring With You: 

2.0mm - 2.75mm DPNs or a short circular needle
Stitch markers
Fingering weight leftovers and scraps (enough to make 2-3 squares, approximately 3g per square)

Homework: None