Workshop Overview

Throughout most of human history we relied on the skills of a handful of talented spinners to make every thread for every piece of clothing, every flour sack, every sail on every ship. Spinning fibers into thread or yarn is one of the oldest human skills. Today, we practice hand spinning for the joy it brings us through the creation of something beautiful and useful, through the fun of playing with various textures and colors, and for the relaxation of the rhythm when we sit at the wheel.

In this workshop, students will enter the world of hand spinning and explore the joy of making your own yarn in this engaging, fast-paced class. Cathy will introduce you to both wheel and drop-spindle spinning, give you an overview of fiber prep tools, such as the drum carder, and give you plenty of hands-on practice and coaching to launch your spinning journey. By the end of the day you will go home with your first handspun yarn and be on your way to years of spinning enjoyment!

This workshop will be offered in the spring and fall of 2022. 

Skills + Techniques

Students will learn:

• How to set up and manage your wheel
• The basics of fiber prep and selection
• How to spin a singles yarn
• How to ply two singles to make a finished yarn
• The basics of spinning on a drop spindle
• Practice fiber blending on a drum carder

Instructor

Catherine Crooker

Tools + Materials

Students should bring:

• Your own spinning wheel in good working order if you have one
• A limited number of loaner wheels may be available upon request
• Students are also invited to bring fiber they are curious to try spinning, but not required

Material Fee:

• $15.00 paid at time of workshop

COVID-19 

• Please read our COVID-19 Policy prior to registering
• We are honoring each instructor’s specific COVID-19 safety requests. For this workshop, your instructor reserves the right to require additional safety requirements depending on the state of the pandemic at the time of the workshop

Housing + Meals

Housing and meals will be available on-site in 2022. We will let all registered students know when housing registration is open. Spots will be first-come, first serve. The option to choose meals will be open to all students. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

$100.00 / per student