Classes
Advanced-Beginner/Intermediate Knitting Clinic
Sat Feb 17th 10 - 3:30
Now that you know how to cast on, knit, purl, and bind off ...and maybe one way to increase or decrease... you've probably branched into some more complicated patterns than you started with and may be confused by things in them that you don't understand.
At least that's what I hear from customers in the store all the time - they have a good grasp of basics but then can't sort thru a lot of the pertinent details they need to understand the patterns they want to venture into.
READ CLASS DESCRIPTION AND PRICE So in addition to reviewing gauge and sizing, which it seems always needs reaffirming, we'll also cover some of the tips and tricks that will take your knitting to the next level - how to avoid the nasty "jog" that happens when you change colors at the beginning of a round (even how to knit in the round if you haven't done that yet?), how best to weave in your ends and attach new yarns. Other options for increasing and decreasing and why you might choose one over another for different projects, alternative cast ons (including provisional) and bind offs that may be better suited to your next project. How to graft/seam neatly, pick up stitches like a professional, and understand some of the language that's new to you in patterns. From buttonholes to seaming, short row shaping - the whys and wherefores- the class can really go where you the participants need it to. Continental knitting? Stranded knitting? Reading from charts? You are welcome to bring any particular questions/confusions you may have in a project you're currently working on....or one you want to do. But that is not necessary. Bring a ball of yarn and needles appropriate for that gauge yarn to swatch/practice on. Instruction fee: $75
Wet Felted Slippers
Sat Mar 2nd
Cancelled.
This is an advanced beginner/intermediate class.
Who can't use a pair of slippers?! Warm and durable, felt makes for a great pair of slippers. And slippers are a fun proje ct thru which to expand your skill set and explore design elements.
READ CLASS DESCRIPTION AND PRICE... more information In this class you'll advance your existing knowledge of felting to include felting to a specific size and shape which requires both the making of a pattern and the mathematics needed to calculate your shrinkage rate. This knowledge is important for hats, boots, slippers, dresses, coats or anything really for anything that you want to "fit" properly! You'll also have a chance to explore working with something other than "merino", which is what most new felters use. You'll work with a wool which is well suited to making durable slippers. I'll pull out my bag of odds and ends of goodies (i.e. silk fibers, pin drafted roving, pre-felts, yarns, etc) so you can play with color and design at the wet felt stage. Or, if you prefer, you can keep the slippers made in class simple and keep them a solid color without embellishments and then have fun stitching or needle felting a design on them at your leisure at home. Either way, you'll learn a lot and have a wonderful pair of slippers for yourself! A materials fee of $15 will be collected at the time of class. This includes all the fiber you'll use plus latex (for a non-slip bottom), and something to cover the soap and other consummable supplies used. Instruction fee: $125
Needle Felted Pet Portraits
Sat Mar 9th 10 - 5
FULL
I have seen so many gorgeous pet portraits come out of this class over the years! Cats and Dogs, both! Have yet to have anyone join us for a horse, guinea pig, parrot or ferret.....but maybe this session?
Sometimes we need a "pick-me-up" in March....the snow is gone (or we REALLY wish it was!) and the skies are still grey and cold so its too early to be in the garden. So why not join us and paint a portrait of your best buddy in wool!!
READ CLASS DESCRIPTION AND PRICE Neysa will guide you thru all the steps to capture all the nuances of your best buddy using wool fiber to needle felt their portrait. From their unique expression to the glint in their eye, Neysa's expertise in both portraiture and needle felting will lead you to create the most amazing momento you'll have (aside from memories) of your best buddy (or that of a family member or friend you want to gift this too?) A materials fee of $45 will be collected by the instructor the day of class. This includes all the materials, needles and base to needle on, as well as the color and enlarged photo she has to make from your pdf file in order for her to block out your pets face before class. Instruction fee: $100
Beginning Spinning
Sat Apr 13th 10 - 4
FULL
Now that sheep have been freshly shorn, this is the best time to pick up a local fleece. And I love spinning most in the summer when I can sit out on the deck with my wheel and enjoy the fresh air and garden while I experience the zen that comes from feeling the wool slip thru my fingers and turn into yarn like magic!
You'll learn all the fundamentals of spinning a balanced 2-ply yarn, PLUS, we'll analyze a fresh fleece, learn how to sort it, wash it, and card it! And you'll learn more about yarn and yarn characteristics than you ever appreciated as a knitter, weaver or crocheter!
READ CLASS DESCRIPTION AND PRICE Everyone picks this up at a different rate, so some participants may leave at the end of the day with a skein that is thick and thin, or perhaps evenly spun but thicker or thinner than they wanted while others will leave with a skein of yarn that looks almost commercially spun! But it's not a competition and the goal in a one day class is not to leave with a perfect skein, but that you leave with a skein that has integrity (i.e. is balanced and you could use it even if you don't like the looks of it!). The nuances of spinning evenly or to the thickness you desire will come with more practice, but the key is that you will learn and leave with the knowledge (and some muscle memory built up in class) of how to get to your ideal yarn with more practice. Instruction fee includes all the fiber spun in class: $125
Indigo Dip Dye Day for Students from last year's Shibori Classes
Sat April 27th 12 - 4
I'm inviting the students from the 2023 Shibori workshops (the Shibori Market Bag in July and the 3 Day Deep Dive Shibori Class in August back to dip some pieces they have potentially stitched thru the winter.
I'll have recharged/remade my 2 30 gallon vats earlier in the month and thought this might be a nice day of the participants of those two classes to come together and enjoy a day together folding and clamping or dipping something they stitched.
READ CLASS DESCRIPTION AND PRICE Free for the 18 participants in last year's shibori classes. Bring your own, pre-washed/scoured WHITE fabric (if you need a refresher on how to scour your fabric in advance, shoot me an email). So search your linen closet for pillow cases or sheets on their last legs and spend some time this winter nui (stitching) some design so you can dip it this spring and then make yourself a nice bag or something!
Discharge Itajime Shibori
Sat May 11th 10 - 5
Discharge Shibori is a fun way to create really dramatic fabrics to work into garments, quilts or accessories such as bags, shawls or scarves.
And it can be a great way to take a black scarf, shawl, bag or Tee Shirt from Marshall or the thrift store, and turn it into something more interesting.
"Discharging" is the process of removing color (but in a gentler manner than with bleach) in a very specific design and then re introducing another color (or two) in a specific manner to create additional design elements. This can be done to "ready-to-wear" garments from the store that are dark colors (black, navy, etc) or to dark colored fabric which can then be used in sewing and quilting designs.
Planning the design is tricky because you have to think several steps ahead and both about removing and adding color and design elements that work together but are done at different stages.
And depending on the design elements you choose (i.e. the big ovals shown in a few of the pieces in the gallery), discharge can make a dramatic canvas on which to STITCH!!!
More photos to come..
READ CLASS DESCRIPTION AND PRICE We will be using "Itajime shibori" (known as fold and clamp shibori) because it is an easy way to create patterns thru discharging and dyeing - even for those who have never done shibori before! I'll provide you with 2 yards of a black 100% cotton fabric (45" wide) to work with (not all commercially dyed fabrics discharge well, so I need to provide it to be sure it works in class) for you to design and discharge/itajime dye. I'll walk you thru the design/thought process so you can plan out your pattern and then I'll show you how to fold and clamp (itajime shibori) to discharge....and then refold and reclamp with a different blocks or in a different manner, to create interesting geometric designs. We won't have time to work a "ready-to-wear" garment in class, but how to approach that will also be discussed. YOu'll have enough fabric to sew a bag or several zippered pouches, make a book cover, etc. Instruction fee includes the fabric, the discharge and the dye: $150
Botanical Printing & Natural Dyeing - Cotton (and other cellulosic fibers)
Sat - Monday August 10 - 12th 10 - 5
During this 3 day deep dive into both botanical printing and natural dyeing for the cellulosic fibers, you'll learn a lot and have an opportunity to make lots of sizeable samples of each technique individually, as well as combining the two techniques in a variety of ways.
From scouring the fabric to learning about a variety of different tannins (and combinations thereof) and how your choice of each affects the outcome, to naturally dyeing a range of colors created from the store's dye garden (and my brother's wood working shop!), you'll have lots of wonderful pieces that can also use in quilting, sewing bags or other accessories, or as a base for decorative stitching for wall art!
READ CLASS DESCRIPTION AND PRICE The first day will be about working up 6 small samples so you get experience with the technique, get a chance to practice laying out your plant materials in an aesthetically appealing way, and learning how the different mordants and tannins interact, since each of the samples will be a different combination of variables. Day two will be about giving you time to work u p at least 4 pieces in the combination of mordant, tannin you liked best from Day 1 and with the experience from Day 1 informing your choice of plant and layout of the plant materials for a pleasing outcome! This way you'll have a set of learning samples PLUS more larger pieces from the second day that you could use in a quilt, wall hanging, to make bags, etc. On Day 3 we'll cover the process of natural dyeing on cellulosic fibers and combining pieces of botanical printing with natural dye colors! So you'll have an opportunity to naturally dye a new piece of fabric and then botanically print it...as well as naturally dye over a previously printed sample from the first day. AND you'll also have an opportunity to design a new sample piece where you'll print and naturally dye at the same time! So you'll experience a variety of ways to add both color and print while learning all about various methods of extracting the color from different types of plant materials and also ways of modifying the natural dyes to create dofferemt colors. A materials list will be sent out a month beforfe class so you can gather your fabrics. Instruction fee: $325 A materials fee of $40 will be collected the day of class to cover all the propane tanks, tannins, mordants, and natural dyes.
Botanical Printing - Cotton (and other cellulosic fibers)
Sat & Sun Aug 10th & 11th 10 - 5
N.B. this is the first 2 days of the more comprehensive 3 day workshop listed above.
During this 2 day intro to botanical printing on the cellulosic fibers, you'll learn about prepping/scouring the fabric, the chemistry of mordanting, the affect of your choice of tannins to the color outcome, and the plants that are best for printing.
And you'll have an opportunity to work up several samples.
This is the first two days of the 3 day workshop described above. So if you register for just this part, your fabric designs will not have any background color - you will be entirely reliant on color from the plant material and the tannins for color. If you want colorful backgrounds as seen in the eco print gallery for the class above this one, you need to take the third day to learn that.
READ CLASS DESCRIPTION AND PRICE The first day will be about working up 6 small samples so you get experience with the technique, get a chance to practice laying out your plant materials in an aesthetically appealing way, and learning how the different mordants and tannins interact, since each of the samples will be a different combination of variables. Day two will be about giving you time to work up pieces in the combination of mordant, tannin you liked best from Day 1 and with the experience from Day 1 informing your choice of plant and layout of the plant materials for a pleasing outcome! This way you'll have a set of learning samples PLUS another 4-6 more pieces from the second day that you could use in a quilt, wall hanging, to make bags, etc. A materials list will be sent out a month beforfe class so you can gather your fabrics. Instruction fee: $275 A materials fee of $30 will be collected the day of class to cover all the propane tanks, tannins, mordants.
Shibori & Sashiko Primer
Wed nights June 12, 19 and 26th 5:30 - 7
I made a shibori, origami wallet 7 or 8 years ago (2nd photo) and it's definitely time to replace it! Not that it has any holes or tears - but because over time it has become stained and grungy. And I never stitched on it, which I think adds a lot to the look.
Since I need to make a fresh one for myself, I thought I'd offer it as a class since I'll be in an "origami' state of mind anyway!
So join me for this three week class and you'll make a wallet (like those my sister Joany made shown here in the first picture of the gallery-those that have stitching) while learning the basics of three Japanese traditions - shibori, sashiko and origami!
READ CLASS DESCRIPTION AND PRICE On the first night, you'll pick between two simple shibori techniques - a Japanese tradition for putting design to fabric using a natural blue dye called indigo. And I'll guide you thru putting that design to fabric and you'll dip to dye your piece the shade of blue you desire. When we meet for the second class, you'll learn the basics of sashiko (a decorative stitching popular in Japan) while stitching a typical pattern on the fabric you dyed the week before. You may have some homework this week to finish your stitching - it depends on how much you want to do! But you'll learn the how-to and get started in class this night. And during the last class, I'll show you how to fold your shibori'd and stitched piece of fabric, origami style, into a functional wallet! Instruction fee: $65 A materials fee of $30 to cover the fabric, thread, dye and needle will be collected the first night of class.
Explore Shibori
Sat & Sun July 13th & 14th 10 - 5
During this 2 day shibori I'll lead you thru an exploration of various stitched (nui), fold & clamp (itajime) and bound (makiage) patterns to create some gorgeous pieces of fabric for you to sew and/or stitch for bags and accessories thru the summer!
Come learn about this traditional Japanese dye technique and the wonders of indigo, a natural blue dye which we'll use.
READ CLASS DESCRIPTION AND PRICE Learn several different shibori techniques to create a wide array (see photo gallery for some of the possibilities!) of patterns. You'll have time in class to work some small samples to test each of the three basic approaches I mentioned above (nui, itajime and makiage) and then time after sampling to choose to create several larger pieces in your choice of pattern. These pieces will be large enough to then make bags or accessories, for example, or to work into a sewn garment , quilt or wall hanging. Instruction fee: $250 A materials fee will be collected at class to cover the indigo and thread used as well as all your cotton fabric sample pieces and three large pieces of fabric for you to shibori in your favorite designs: $35
Natural Dyeing- Silk & Wool Yarn, Fabric & Fiber
Sat July 20th 10 - 5
Learn to harvest and use the colors of nature to dye wool or silk yarn, fabric or raw fiber! Even felt!
You'll be in awe of the colors we can create from the dye garden out back of the store, using wood chips from my brother's woodworking shop, and even scraps from our own kitchen table! Along with a few that aren't indigenous to this area but are readily available to play with!
READ CLASS DESCRIPTION AND PRICE During this workshop you'll learn several different manners of extracting color from dye plants, you'll learn how to adjust and alter the color by shifting the pH of the dye baths, and you'll learn about several different mordants we use in naturally dyeing and how the choice of mordant affects the color outcome. I'll supply yarn samples for your notebook so you will have a sample of each dyebath and pH adjustment for future reference so you can repeat colors (see photo of a typical "sample notebook" in the gallery of photos. And you are welcome to bring 4 - 6 ounces of yarn or fiber or felt to throw into a pot in the afternoon - there are always colors left over and so as we take the last hour of class to review what we did and the chemistry behind it all as we assemble your sample notebooks, we can have some of your own yarns, fibers, fabric pieces or felt in cooking so you have a nice piece to go home to knit, spin, or sew!: Instruction fee: $100 A materials fee will be collected at class to cover the propane used, the mordants, the yarn samples for your notebooks, extensive handouts and the natural dyes: $25
Shibori Furoshiki Project Bag
Sat June 29th 10 - 5
Have fun designing a new "project bag" for your knitting or crochet project, stitching or handquilting project?
You'll explore two traditional Japanese techniques: shibori and furoshiki!
Shibori is the traditional manner in which Japanese create a pattern on fabric using the natural dye indigo.
Furoshiki is the art whereby the Japanese take a beautifully patterned piece of fabric and knot it in various ingenious ways to create an array of bags, holders and gift wrappings.
So you can choose to make a project bag with your piece in class, but next month, you could refold and knot it into a backpack or shoulder bag! Or use it as a gorgeous gift wrapping for a special friend and the recipient can reuse the fabric for a bag of their own!
So many options! In the photo gallery right now you'll see a few examples of some patterns you could do (in class the only option will be indigo blue) and some photos of commercial fabric furoshiki'd into various bags. Once I have the dye tents up in April, I'll make up a few Shibori Furoshiki Project Bags and add them to the gallery. For now, you can get an idea of some of the patterns and some of the furoshiki styles you could use your shibori piece for!
READ CLASS DESCRIPTION AND PRICE In the morning, I'll show you several examples of different patterns you can create using simple shibori technique and then you'll have a couple of hours to actually put the design on your fabric as I guide you thru the steps. Then you'll learn the process of indigo dyeing as you dip your piece multiple times to achieve the level of bue you would like. Then, in the last hour I'll show you a couple of different ways you can fold and knot your fabric to create a couple of different "project bags" for your knitting or other craft hobby! Instruction fee: $75 Materials fee will be collected the day of class and will cover both the indigo dye, thread and the piece of cloth. Handles are NOT included but are optional for you to bring if you'd like to add those. The actual materials fee may be a bit less (depending on the actual cost of the pre-hemmed cotton fabric I purchase closer to the class), but I expect it will be around $35
Nuno Felt Tunic/Tank Top/Vest
Sat & Sun May 25th and 26th 10 - 5
Advanced Beginner/Intermediate Nuno felters welcome. This is not a beginner class.
During this 2 day workshop you'll sample to determine your shrinkage, calculate the dimensions of your resist, layout and felt a sleeveless nuno felt top (i.e. vest, tank top).
More photos to come - shown right now are some of the older store models which at least give you an idea of a few styles. Check back at the end of February for new models on display.
READ CLASS DESCRIPTION AND PRICE I'll walk you thru the process of determining your shrinkage rate and making a pattern for your size as well as laying out and seamlessly felting your top. Whether you choose to bring printed silk fabrics for your design (as in the gold/orange top shown first), create a lot of negative space using wool roving (second photo), or go with a more traditional nuno felt fabric and use color gradients, prefelts or silk embellishments to create interest is all up to you. All vests will be hip length (you don't have time for a longer tunic) and you'll have a choice of a more fitted armhole (as in the first photo) or a fitted armhole (third photo). You'll also have a choice of v or round neckline. Instruction fee: $250 A materials list will be sent out to participants a month beforfe class. You can bring your own merino and silk fabric and soap, or purchase all that here at a class discount of 15% the day of class.
Silk Paper Making
Sat Aug 3rd 10 - 5
Silk takes the dye like no other fiber - its rich and saturated in color and so lustrous in character that it is really special. And the possibilities for embellishing it are endless!
Learn to make beautiful silk paper that's wonderful for notecards, binding journals and notebooks, and making an elegant wedding invitation. Not to mention designers use of it in lampshades. And then there's also the working of it into multimedia, art quilts, and even basket making!!
Stitch on it, weave it, bind with it, write on it. Lots of possibilities (scroll down for other classes to be held on weeknights in August and Sept to learn different binding and stitching techniques to put the silk paper to use!)
READ CLASS DESCRIPTION AND PRICE In this full day workshop, you'll make several (4-6 pieces of silk paper, giving you a chance to explore different colors of dyed tussah, dyed bombyx and also various wild type and natural silks like muga, eri, peduncle, etc! All while having fun experimenting with different surface embellishments! Keep it pure and embellish with silk thrums, reeled silk and mawattas....or go glam with glitter, dessicated leaves and flowers! You'll also make several different qualities of silk paper - some suited to stitching, others to book binding and notecards and another more suitable for weaving baskets with! Instruction fee: $100 A materials fee will be collected at the time of class to cover the textile mediums and all the silk fibers and embellishments used: $35
Silk Paper Journal or Notepad
Wednesday evenings Aug 7th and 14th 5:30 - 7:30
For those who have taken silk paper making before and want to now get some ideas for stitching or printing on the paper for further design and then learn how to use it to bind a journal of some 20 - 25 pages, create a refillable notepad, or make notecards.
Bring your silk paper with you. I'll supply the paper and bookbinding supplies you'll need to either make a reusable notepad, a bound journal or a set of notecards. Depending on how quickly you work and what you choose to make, you may have time to create one item each of the two nights.....or take it easy and learn just one over 2 nights! Instruction fee: $35 A materials fee will be collected the first night of class - depending on what you choose to make, it will range from $10 - $25
Nalbind like a Viking!
free and whenever you like - online tutorial!
Sorry....this is down temporarily. I let my Vimeo subscription run out because I thought I wasn't using it anymore!)
I'll figure it out next week.
Nalbinding predated knitting as a technique for working yarn into hats, mittens, socks, etc. I have always associated it with the Vikings, but actually the Egyptians used this technique as well, so it was a more widespread fiber art technique than many of us think.
Anyway, after several trips to Iceland, Norway, Gotland and other points of Viking interest about ten years ago I taught myself to nalbind. And because I had to piece together aspects of the craft from a lot of different videos out there, I put together this FREE online workshop so all the basics were in one place! Work at your own pace and make a headband, hat and ultimately mittens!