Upcoming Classes
Nota Bene...
As announced in my February newsletter (which you can sign up for from the Homepage), the classes you see below are the last, regularly scheduled classes I intend to offer here.
I'm still happy and enthusiastic to teach if you get together some of your friends and want to come here for a workshop. Whether it be knitting or crochet, chemical dyeing, natural dyeing, botanical printing, wet felting, nuno feting, needle felting, weaving, sashiko, shibori, silk paper making, etc...you are welcome to email me your group's interest (minimum of 6) and I will get back to you with some ideas. In my next newsletter, I'll put together a summary of the classes I've offered here over the years in case any of them sparks interest.
I do intend to host a visiting instructor each spring/summer for special workshops - the first of whom will be Lisa Binkley next June to share her amazing expertise hand stitching to add texture, line, and dimension to botanical printing - so the week will comprise both botanical printing and creative hand stitching.
SO...if you are interested in any of the classes below, you might want to jump on them!
Introduction to Weaving: Scarf
Wednesdays Mar 19th, 26th, April 2, 9, 16th, 23 and 30th
5:30 - 7:30
FULL
Full
Learn how to plan a project, wind the warp, dress the loom, and weave on a multiple harness loom, all while weaving a scarf. Work 2 colors and do an intricate pattern as shown on the loom in the gallery here, or, pick a colorful yarn and weave a simple twill for a wonderful tweed effect as shown in the finished scarf in the gallery.
From figuring out how much yarn you need to troubleshooting tension issues or broken threads, establishing good weaving technique for the best selvedges, to hemstitching or other possible "finishes" to your piece, I"ll walk you thru every aspect of the weaving process during this class.
READ ABOUT CLASS DETAILS WE supply a 4 harness floor loom for you to use during the class so you do not need any equipment, or previous knowledge to join us. You'll have a pick of yarns and among several different patterns to choose from for your scarf. I'll walk you thru everything you need to learn to weave. From planning a project to winding the warp, dressing the loom, getting good selvedges, troubleshooting problems and even finishing steps! There is no possibility for you to "make up" a class outside of hours if you miss one, so please don't register if you will be out of town for any of the class dates. Class fee includes instruction, extensive handouts and use of the loom: $250 You'll need to purchase your materials for the project the first night of class - so that cost depends on your choices but it could be around $25. Dlass size limited to 4.
Introduction to Wet Felting
Sat Mar 22nd 10 - 5
3 spots available as of 3/4
Learn all about the traditional method of wet felting - from the types of wools used and the differences in how they felt or what sort of project each is better suited for, to learning several of the techniques for laying out wisps of wool to create the fabric of your desired thickness and design. And you'll learn how to felt around a "resist", the basic method for creating a 3-D piece like a vessel, mitten, slipper, hat, boot or garment.
I'm still deciding what the "project" will be, but it will likely be either a small bag/coin purse or fingerless wristlets - or perhaps your choice - as shown in the gallery from past classes.
READ ABOUT CLASS DETAILS From the different breeds of wool and the projects they are best suited for to the different ways wool can be processed and what the wool form (top vs roving vs batt, for example) means to your layout, to various different ways to layout your wool for the best "fit", you'll learn good technique as well as the "whys and wherefores" which seem to be missing from so many online tutorials that focus on how to make whatever end product is highlighted. This class aims to help you understand wool and the process better so you know why and how your choices about wool, layout and the actual process affect your outcome. Ask 10 felters how they felt and you might get 8 different answers. Heck, ask me and I'd tell you it varies depending on the wool I'm using and the product I'm making! So join me and really learn about this technique so you are equipped to make smart choices and good felt and can adjust your technique and layout to create a wide array of projects from heavy durable rugs to lightweight scarves! Instruction fee includes the wool for the project: $100
Explore Breed Specific Yarns
Sat Apr 19th 10 - 5
Make this the year to branch out and explore a wool that you haven't knit with before!
It's so easy to land on a yarn we love - for some of you its Lamb's Pride, others its Rios, Ciao, Rasta or Cascade 220- and thats great. I have my go-tos as well.
But every breed of sheep has different characteristics in their wool that lend differet qualities to the yarn and therefore the end product! And having a range or variety for these attributes can be really nice to take advantage of for different types of projects.
The yarn that makes a great cowl isn't necessarily the best choice for a sweater....and the one you loved for a multi color mitten may not be the best choice for a shawl! So come explore the varieties with me!
READ ABOUT CLASS DETAILS During class, we'll learn about 6-10 different breeds of sheep and look at their raw wool as well as discuss the fiber characteristics and what those unique characteristics are best suited to. Then you'll knit a swatch of each, exploring how each is suited to different projects and/or results in a different surface or fabric drape. Hand in hand with how the breed of sheep affects a yarn is the way the yarn is processed. So we'll discuss yarn construction as well, so you better understand why a yarn may be made as a single or 8 ply, blown in yarn, or chainette. You'll enjoy trying lots of differe nt yarns that you haven't yet had a chance to knit while learning so much about yarn that your choices for your next project will be better for all the knowledge you will learn. Instruction fee includes all the yarn for the swatches as well as handouts. Please bring a range of knitting needles with you to class to cover fingering to bulky gauge yarns. $125
Experience Shibori - Scarf, Bag, Credit Card Holder, Pillow - lots of options!
Sat June 28th 10 - 5
Have fun learning a few of the basics of the traditional dye technique of Japan - "shibori" and experience the magic of the indigo dye vat!
While there are tons of shibori techniques and designs possible, in this 1 day "primer" class, we'll focus on a couple of the quicker and easier ones to do. You can choose to shibori a bag, a scarf or a piece of cotton (which at home on your own could be used to make the credit card holder, a small zippered accessory bag the front of a pillow, etc as shown in the gallery, left).
READ ABOUT CLASS DETAILS In the morning, I'll show you a couple of shibori techniques and you'll spend the morning and early afternoon stitching or folding and clamping your design in place. Then in the afternoon, you'll learn about the indigo vat and begin your sequence of dipping to achieve the level of blue you desire The instruction fee includes the bag or wool scarf or piece of cotton fabric for your shibori, as well as the indigo for the dyeing and - $125
Explore Shibori Techniques
Sat & Sun July 19th and 20th 10 - 5
During this in depth workshop, I'll guide you thru a range of interesting and varied stitched (nui) designs as well as several fold and clamp (itajime) techniques for applying pattern to fabric. And if time permits, I can introduce you to some pole wrapped designs as well.
You'll have an opportunity in this 2 day class to shibori and dye 6 pieces of cotton fabric to learn several techniques and explore the design possibilities of them. While these techniques can be used with chemical dyes as well as natural dyes, in class, we'll be using indigo (so blue) for the majority of pieces, since that is traditional. But one piece of shibori on the second day can be dyed in a natural dye bath -the color to be determined by the class majority. So you're learning with natural dyes, but the technique can be applied to chemical dyes on your own.
READ CLASS DETAILS A 2 day class gives you time to dig in to several techniques to experience the range of design possibilities that shibori technqiues offer. And because we have time, you'll have an opportunity to work up 6 samples which are large enough to be used in projects of your own choosing at home (knot bag, collaged book cover, zippered accessory bag, credit card holder, passport holder, pillow fronts, potholders, to name a few ideas) We'll be using indigo for 5 of the samples, since that is traditional, but I'll have a natural dye bath going on day 2 so you can dye one shibori in a different color (which color is to be determined by general consensus the day of class). What you learn can be applied to chemical dyes as well, Instruction fee includes all the indigo, thread for stitching, cotton fabric for samples and handouts. - $225
Natural Dyeing & Botanical Printing Primer
Sat & Sun August 2nd & 3rd 10 - 5
Come learn how to bring the colors of nature into your knitting, quilting, and sewing!
I offered this class last summer as a 3 day intensive that gave participants additional opportunity to explore the wide range of mordants and dyes and to dye up a lot more quantity of material.
But I know the third day prohibited a few people from participating last year, so this year I decided to scale it back so those who work and can't take a Monday off, could have fun with us this year learning the fundamentals of both of these approaches to natural dyeing!
READ CLASS DETAILS During this 2 day workshop, you'll learn about the process of mordanting wool and cotton, extracting the natural colors of dyes from plants, and exploring 2 ways of capturing these colors on yarn and fabric! Very hands on and very busy - I'll team you up with a partner so everyone has experience with each step of the process but we can achieve more colors by dividing and conquering! You'll all leave with a sample book of yarn & fabric samples and the 'formulas" so you know how each colors was achieved, as well as with a couple of pieces of botanically printed fabric that you could potentially sew into a potholder or make into a small bag or credit card holder, for example (at home on your own...these are for ideas only, NOT what we'll be doing in class). Instruction fee includes all dyes, yarn samples, fabric, handouts, all mordants, all propane - $250
Felted Slippers
Sat Oct 4th. 9 - 5
Learn to felt a pair of slippers to keep your toes toasty this winter - or to give as a wonderful holiday gift!
You must have experience felting to take this class - see our Whys and Wherefores class above if you need to learn the basics of wet felting before taking this workshop!
Using 100% wool, hot water and soap, I'll walk you thru every step to design a pair of slippers to fit you perfectly! From making a pattern to laying out the wool, adding design (if desired) to the tops and then felting them into a durable, warm and soft slipper.
Instruction fee includes all materials: $125
READ CLASS DESCRIPTION AND PRICE Instruction fee includes the 125 gms of 1 color of wool to felt the slippers, and I'll have out my bags of "embellishment" colors so you can add a design during the felting, if you like. If not, you can create a solid color pair of slippers and then embellish at home with some stitching or some needle felting! Depending on how you work, you will either completely felt both slippers or, for those of you who work a bit more slowly, you may only completely felt 1 slipper, but will have the second slipper laid out (so its the same as the first one!) and at least felted to a "soft felt" stage so you can easily complete it at home. In the last class, everyone finished both slippers before the end of class....but I like to include this caveat because over the years of teaching I have had a couple of participants that didn't complete both. Instruction fee: $100
Felted Neck Noodle
Sat Nov 2nd, 9 - 5
Learn how working with resists, shibori techniques, and differential shrinkage in wet felting can create a fantastic piece which I'm calling a Neck Noodle for alliterative fun
.
Using fine merino wool and incorporating silk embellishments, I'll walk you thru several different approaches for felting a cozy neck warmer that really makes a statement!
Instruction fee: $125 (You can purchase the extrafine merino here the day of class at a discount; I'll provide various forms of silk for embellishment).
Check back for more photos this spring....
READ CLASS DESCRIPTION AND PRICE Join me and create a wonderful Neck Noodle to both keep your neck warm this winter and to really make a fashion statement. Play with color and texture while learning some new techniques and have fun adding a splash of sheen or color with silk embellishments. Instruction fee includes a variety of silks for embellishment: $125 Participants must supply their own extra fine merino (or purchase it here the day of class at a discount), soap, towels, dish pan.
Needle Felted Pet Portraits
Sat Dec 6th, 9 - 5
Join Neysa and learn to bring your favorite pet to life needle felting his/her portrait.
Whether it is a dog or cat, horse or ferret, Neysa can guide you thru the nuances of shading that will bring out the jois de vie of your best buddy.
Registration closes a month before the class - or when it fills up if it fills sooner than that - to ensure that participants have time to get a photo of their pet to the instructor 3 weeks before class begins.
Instruction fee includes all materials: $125
READ CLASS DESCRIPTION AND PRICE Each participant will be required to submit a jpeg of their pet to the instructor no later than Nov 13th in order for the instructor to package the kit (enlarged photo of your pet, the wool colors and partial felt) Instruction fee includes all the materials: $125 Instruction fee: $100