Adult Classes

Collectively Tangled Wet Felting

Friday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $170 Registration (+$25 Material Fee)
Instructor: Taylor Hanigosky
Class Limit: 10 Students

Large-scale felt making is a deeply embodied and tactile craft that asks for collaborative labor to fabricate durable and functional textiles. Though this workshop, we will engage a study of the intrinsic properties of wool by opening a pathway to experience the material as teacher and the hands as student. Wool is an especially responsive material, and we will gain awareness of how our movements affect the bonding of fibers. More specifically, we will ask how unique sheep breeds, with distinct lineages and stories, offer their own subtle character to the process and resultant fabric.

In a full-day workshop, our group will work together in a playful and ancient ritual to create a sizable work that none could alone. We will cover methods of preparing raw wool for felting and
participate in the transformation of material through both guided and emergent techniques. A
hearty session of stomping, dancing, and fulling firmly situates our shared experience in to a
physical object that students can personalize and carry home. Beginner and experienced fellers alike will come away with a renewed perspective of this collaborative craft.

Note for students: All materials and tools are provided for a fee of $25, payable directly to the
instructor. Please plan to bring your lunch, snacks and beverages, as food vendors will not be
available on Friday.

Wet Felting is a physical task that can be strenuous for some. This workshop will entail prolonged periods of standing, dexterity in the hands, some bending and squatting, and some
lifting. Persons with physical considerations may reach out to the instructor for accommodations to participate at [email protected] .

Wet felting, is well, wet. Dress accordingly and bring dry clothes for after the workshop if you
like.

Introduction to Drop Spindle

Friday 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cost: $85 Registration (+$10 Material Fee)
Instructor: Dorothea Pierce
Class Limit: 6 Students

Learn how to create your own yarn with the timeless skill of drop spinning. In this introduction to drop spinning you will learn how to choose a fiber to spin, how to draft and apply appropriate twist, how to ply, and how to finish your yarn. Easy to learn and with practice can be a very meditative and peaceful pastime. Adult learners only. Drop spindle and fiber included.

Paint with Fiber: Needle Felt a Botanical Flower

Friday 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cost: $85 Registration (+$15 Material Fee)
Instructor: Donna Westermann
Class Limit: 12 Students

Basic and experienced needle felters will learn and apply skills to create a two dimensional picture of a favorite flower. Bring an image or samples will be available. Learn about felting on varied backgrounds and the application of felted designs to clothing. Learn color blending techniques and the effects of using varied wool fibers, in the creation of your floral image. 

Note to students: Materials including all fiber and needles will be provided. Feel free to bring a needle holder if you have your own, you wish to use. A material feel of $15 is payable directly to the instructor. If you wish to needle felt on an article of clothing (ie- jean jacket – bring that along).

Introduction to Wheel Spinning

Friday 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $85 Registration (+$10 Material Fee)
Instructor: Dorothea Pierce
Class Limit: 6 Students

Learn the ancient and timeless art of spinning.  Students will start on a drop spindle to learn basic skills, and then move onto a wheel if they wish.  Easy to learn and so rewarding, this is a class you will enjoy and a skill you will learn to love. The class includes an introduction to fiber characteristics, basic spinning skills, and hands on assistance from a spinner with more than fifteen years’ experience teaching spinning. Students do not need to bring anything with them but a little patience and a sense of humor. Students will be provided with wool for spinning in class. Students who wish to bring their own wheel to use in class should plan to arrive at least ten minutes early to class to allow the instructor to approve the wheel. The teacher will provide wheels for those who don’t have one.

Weaving: Finding Relevance in the Garden

Friday 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $85 Registration (No Material Fee)
Instructor: Laurie Gundersen
Class Limit: 10 Students

In this weaving workshop you will learn to transform commonly discarded plant materials into a beautiful woven mat or wall hanging. Materials will include iris, daylillies and crocosmia. Participants will learn about growing and harvesting these plants, as well as the weaving techniques using a small common vise as a loom. We will use bamboo skewers as the warp. Each student will complete a mat.

All materials are included.

Full Day Dye Intensive

Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $170 Registration (+$35 Material Fee)
Instructor: Justin R. Cockrell
Class Limit: 10 Students

Learn to work with natural dyes on fiber, yarn and fabric, in this all day workshop. Techniques for both cellulose and protein fibers will be covered. We will cover material preparation, dye extraction, and working with indigo along with dye processes such as immersion dyeing, eco printing and resist dyeing.

You will leave with samples, and the necessary recipes to incorporate natural dye in your fiber art. Hanks of cotton and wool yarn, some roving, and swatch sized cotton and silk fabrics will be included. Feel welcome to bring fiber from your own stash to experiment with as well. There is some downtime in the dyeing process, so feel free to bring a project to work on, if you’d like!

Dyeing can be messy, feel free to bring an apron and wear appropriate clothes. There will be a lunch break. Food Vendors will be available on Saturday, but feel free to bring snacks, lunch and beverages.

Introduction to Wheel Spinning

Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cost: $85 Registration (+$10 Material Fee)
Instructor: Dorothea Pierce
Class Limit: 6 Students

Learn the ancient and timeless art of spinning.  Students will start on a drop spindle to learn basic skills, and then move onto a wheel if they wish.  Easy to learn and so rewarding, this is a class you will enjoy and a skill you will learn to love. The class includes an introduction to fiber characteristics, basic spinning skills, and hands on assistance from a spinner with more than fifteen years’ experience teaching spinning. Students do not need to bring anything with them but a little patience and a sense of humor. Students will be provided with wool for spinning in class. Students who wish to bring their own wheel to use in class should plan to arrive at least ten minutes early to class to allow the instructor to approve the wheel. The teacher will provide wheels for those who don’t have one.

Wheel Spinning Next Steps

Saturday 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $85 Registration (+$15 Material Fee)
Instructor: Dorothea Pierce
Class Limit: 6 Students

You have a wheel, and you can spin a basic single ply yarn but it takes longer than it should and you aren’t sure what to do next. Don’t worry! There is more out there – if you are excited to learn, take that next step NOW! Learn back draw and forward draw, and the famous long draw! We will practice some different plying techniques, venture a tiny bit down the art yarn path, and work on finishing techniques as well. Up your wheel spinning game in a safe environment with a teacher who has been spinning for decades. This class comes with a bit of mandatory prep work.

Fair Isle or Stranded Knitting

Saturday 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $85 Registration (No Material Fee)
Instructor: Rusty Boyd
Class Limit: 10 Students

Skill Level: Experienced Beginner

Class Description: Have you ever wanted to knit a Nordic Motif scarf? Not sure how to start, what to do with 2 yarns, how to hold them……In this class, students will be instructed on stranded knitting, how to carry both yarns, locking them in place, what are “floats”, and how to read a chart for 2 color knitting. Instructor will provide pattern, chart and a list of helpful hints and tips for fair isle/stranded knitting. 

Supplies to bring: Worsted Weight Yarn, solid color, in 2 high contrasting colors (for example: white/navy or cream/brown) US 7(4.5mm) needles. Scissors, tapestry needle, other notions

Homework: Instructor will send short homework assignment to begin square in advance of class.

Skills required: Knit stitch, purl stitch, casting on, binding off.

Introduction to Wheel Spinning

Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cost: $85 Registration (+$10 Material Fee)
Instructor: Dorothea Pierce
Class Limit: 6 Students

Learn the ancient and timeless art of spinning.  Students will start on a drop spindle to learn basic skills, and then move onto a wheel if they wish.  Easy to learn and so rewarding, this is a class you will enjoy and a skill you will learn to love. The class includes an introduction to fiber characteristics, basic spinning skills, and hands on assistance from a spinner with more than fifteen years’ experience teaching spinning. Students do not need to bring anything with them but a little patience and a sense of humor. Students will be provided with wool for spinning in class. Students who wish to bring their own wheel to use in class should plan to arrive at least ten minutes early to class to allow the instructor to approve the wheel. The teacher will provide wheels for those who don’t have one.

Crochet Granny Square

Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cost: $85 Registration (No Material Fee)
Instructor: Rusty Boyd
Class Limit: 10 Students

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner (crochet)

Class Description: Retro is back and the Granny Square is getting her second wind. In this class, you’ll learn how to make a continuous granny square using one yarn (not changing colors), a multi colored basic granny square (how to change colors), and view/practice a few variations on the basic square to see different types of squares and projects that can be created.

Skills required: chain (or magic circle), single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet.

Supplies to Bring: Worsted Weight yarn in 3-4 coordinating colors and soldi or variegated skein for continuous square (scrap yarn will work or full skeins/hanks if you wish to create a project). Size H or I crochet hook. Scissors and a tapestry needle or smaller crochet hook for hiding/weaving ends.

Introduction to Drop Spindle

Sunday 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $85 Registration (+$10 Material Fee)
Instructor: Dorothea Pierce
Class Limit: 6 Students

Learn how to create your own yarn with the timeless skill of drop spinning. In this introduction to drop spinning you will learn how to choose a fiber to spin, how to draft and apply appropriate twist, how to ply, and how to finish your yarn. Easy to learn and with practice can be a very meditative and peaceful pastime. Adult learners only. Drop spindle and fiber included.

Needle Felt – Songbird

Sunday 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $85 Registration (+$10 Material Fee)
Instructor: Donna Westermann
Class Limit: 12 Students

Use needle felting techniques to create a  bluebird or chickadee. Learn about felting equipment, 3d techniques, working with prefelt balls, blending fibers/colors, mastering details.  Materials for both bird types with be included with class fee.