Handspinning Classes

Learn to Spin

Class A: Wednesdays, July 16 & 23, 6 pm to 9 pm, two sessions

or Class B: Sundays, October 12 & 19, 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm, two sessions

or Class C, 2009: Saturdays, January, 10 & 17, 9 am to 12 pm, two sessions

or Class D, 2009: Saturdays, February, 14 & 21, 10 am to 1 pm, two sessions

or Class E, 2009: Sundays, April, 19 & 26, 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm, two sessions

Learn the basics starting with learning how the yarn moves through your hands before it is twisted on the drop spindle and graduate to the spinning wheel. You will learn how to make usable yarn, what makes a good yarn, how to ply, a little about different types of spinning fibers, and basic wheel maintenance. Includes all supplies and a drop spindle. Book is extra.

Required book: Spin It by Lee Raven

Required equipment: Scissors, pen and paper, and niddy noddy. If you already have a spinning wheel in good working order, bring it for the second half of the class. If you have a used wheel that needs maintenance you must bring it in to the shop two weeks prior to class. $15.00 fee for tune up; repair charge may apply. Please call ahead.

Annie Szuch, $75 class fee per two-session class, includes drop spindle and wool.

7407 Breed of the Month

Dates, 2008 into 2009: Second Wednesdays, September 10, 2008 through June 10, 2009, 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm, 10 sessions:

September 10: Gotland, October 15: Romney, November 12: Cormo, December 10: Jacob, January 14, 2009: Corriedale, February 11: Fleecewood Leicester, March 11: Blue Faced Leicester, April 15: Targhee, May 13: Suffolk, June 10: Lincoln

Many people don't realize just how different the wool from various breeds of sheep can be. This series of classes will provide an up-close and personal experience with a variety of common and not-so-common breeds of sheep. Each class will begin with a lecture and then we will examine the wool and classify it to learn how it "wants" to be spun. We will work with hand cards, flick cards, and combs, to compare different fiber preparations and see what works best for that breed for projects you may have in mind.

Required books: In Sheep's Clothing by Fournier and Fournier, and Spinning Wool: Beyond the Basics by Anne Field (this book is out of print and is held for you in Joan's office as long as Joan's copies last).

Required equipment and supplies: hand combs, hand carders, flick carder, cards for winding samples (embroidery floss cards are available on our notions wall - these work well and look nice), binder for storing your samples, spinning wheel with spare drive band and oil, drop spindle, small niddy noddy, large niddy noddy, and drum carder if you have one.

Joan Hoover, $265 class fee, plus cost of wool each month (varies).