Blending Fibers and Spinning for Lace
This is a two-day workshop.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Prerequisites: Can spin a single and ply. Participants should be able to spin a stable, continuous yarn.
Class Description:
Are you also intrigued by the possibilities that a blending board opens up but don’t know where to start? Or maybe you have played around with your blending board and now you would like to explore some new options.
Have you ever seen a Cobweb-like lace shawl and wished that you could spin yarn that fine?
In this workshop, we will start with blending fine fibers together to create various effects, such as making matching batts, striping, layering, etc. We will also discuss the basics of applying and removing fiber and the care and cleaning of your blending board.
Then you will learn techniques that will have you spinning fine yarns before you know it! We will cover some of the different factors that determine the characteristics of your yarn, including wheel set-up, fiber preparation, drafting technique, ply, and other such topics. We’ll start with some heavier wool that may surprise you with its ability to create a lace weight yarn!
Participants should bring:
Note taking supplies, a Blending Board (if you have one), a spinning wheel in good working order, extra bobbins, and lazy kate.
Materials fee includes:
Participants will receive fiber, additional blending board supplies, and handouts.
Terri Will Provide:
Terri will have a limited number of blending boards available for participants to borrow during the workshop. However, Terri’s boards must be reserved in advance by emailing Terri at TerriSpins@gmail.com. In addition, Terri will have a few pieces of equipment (i.e., niddy noddies, nostepinnes) for participants to use during the workshop.
C&C (Crepe and Cable) Yarns
Skill Level: Intermediate
Prerequisites: Can spin a single and ply. Participants should be able to spin a stable, continuous yarn.
Class Description:
If you are looking for new and interesting ways to stretch a braid of fiber, spinning a crepe or cable yarn is a good alternative to a marled yarn. Maybe you’re looking for a different way to combine braids with different colorways.
Crepe yarns are a plied yarn and a single plied together. A cable yarn is a plied yarn plied with another plied yarn. These novelty yarns can also be a way to expand your yarn options in fabric construction.
Participants should bring:
Note taking supplies, a spinning wheel in good working order, extra bobbins, lazy kate, and a niddy noddy.
Optional – multi-colored or solid top (different from what was spun for homework).
Homework:
Pre-spin ½ or so ounces of singles (solid color) before the class, yarn should be spun firmly but not overspun.
Materials fee includes:
Participants will receive handouts and various supplies as needed create these intriguing yarns.
Terri Will Provide:
Terri will also have a few pieces of equipment (i.e., niddy noddies, nostepinnes) for participants to use during the workshop.
Introduction to E-Spinners
Skill Level: All Levels
Prerequisites: The only prerequisite is an open mind and a desire to learn.
Class Description:
Have you been wondering if you would like spinning on an e-spinner? If the answer is "Yes," then this workshop is for you! We will spend a relaxing time and begin with the basics of spinning on an e-spinner. Included in the workshop will be discussions and demonstrations drafting and plying methods.
Participants should bring:
Note taking supplies and an e-spinner, if you have one.
Materials fee includes:
Participants will receive fiber and handouts.
Terri Will Provide:
Terri will have a limited number of e-spinners available for participants to use during the workshop. However, Terri’s e-spinners must be reserved in advance, please contact Terri at TerriSpins@gmail.com to discuss arrangements.
Terri will also have a few pieces of equipment (i.e., niddy noddies, nostepinnes) for participants to use during the workshop.
Organizer May Need to Provide:
E-spinners for those participants that do not have one. Terri may be able to provide a few extra e-spinners depending upon travel situation.
Introduction to Spindle Spinning
Skill Level: Beginner
Prerequisites: The only prerequisite is an open mind and a desire to learn.
Class Description:
Enter the world of spinning on the go! We will begin with the basics of drop spindle spinning using the “park and draft method.” The Workshop will include) discussions and demonstrations of drafting and plying methods and spindle care. We will also discuss different types of spindles and their various characteristics.
Participants should bring:
You should bring a spindle, if you already own one. If you need a spindle for the workshop, please contact Terri at TerriSpins@gmail.com to discuss arrangements.
Materials fee includes:
Participants will receive fiber and handouts.
Terri Will Provide:
Terri will have a limited number of spindles available for participants to borrow during the workshop. However, the Terri’s spindles must be reserved in advance, please contact Terri at TerriSpins@gmail.com to discuss arrangements.
Terri will also have a few pieces of equipment (i.e., niddy noddies, nostepinnes) for participants to use during the workshop.
Introduction to Wheel Spinning
Skill Level: Beginner
Prerequisites: The only prerequisite is an open mind and a desire to learn.
Class Description:
Have you ever wished that you could make your own yarn, just the way you want it? If the answer is "Yes," then this is the workshop for you! We will spend a relaxing time and begin with the basics of wheel spinning. Included in the workshop will be discussions and demonstrations drafting and plying methods.
Participants should bring:
Note taking supplies and (if you have one) a spinning wheel in good working order.
Optional: extra bobbins and lazy kate.
Materials fee includes:
Participants will receive fiber and handouts.
Terri Will Provide:
Terri will have a few pieces of equipment (i.e., niddy noddies, nostepinnes) for participants to use during the workshop. Depending on the location of the workshop, Terri may be able to bring a few wheels for participants to use in class. If additional wheels are needed for the workshop, please contact Terri at TerriSpins@gmail.com to discuss arrangements.
Organizer May Need to Provide:
Spinning wheels for those participants that do not have one. Terri may be able to provide a few extra spinning wheels depending upon travel situation.
Spindle Clinic
Skill Level: All Levels
Prerequisites: The only prerequisite is an open mind and a desire to learn.
Class Description:
The Spindle Clinic is sure to have something for everyone! Most spinners, both new and experienced, have a spindle in their stash that gives them trouble. Or sometimes it may be a particular fiber/spindle combination. Do you have a spindle that has been sitting idle because the two of you just don’t seem to get along? Would you like to improve your relationship with your spindle and/or fiber options? Bring your spindles, the ones that you love and the ones that you hate, and whether you’ve lost the magic or never actually found it in the first place; our goal is to bring the Spindle Magic into your spinning!! As with the Introduction to Spindle Spinning listed above, we will begin with the basics of drop spindle spinning using the “park and draft method.” Included in the workshop will be discussions and demonstrations of various types of spindles, drafting and plying methods and spindle care. Participants will receive fiber, handouts, and suggestions for new and experienced spinners.
Participants should bring:
You should bring a spindle, if you already own one.
Materials fee includes:
Participants will receive fiber and handouts. Spindles may be made available for new spinners for an additional nominal fee. If you need a spindle for the workshop, please contact Terri at TerriSpins@gmail.com to discuss arrangements.
Terri Will Provide:
Terri will have a few pieces of equipment (i.e., niddy noddies, nostepinnes) for participants to use during the workshop. In addition, Terri will have and discuss examples of a variety of different spindles.
Terri will have the following available for participants to borrow:
Niddy noddies, nostepinnes
Notes:
While beginners can certainly take this workshop, it is not meant to be an “Introduction to Spindle Spinning” workshop. It is actually geared toward spinners that are looking for help with topics which include, but not limited to):
A particular type of spindle (i.e., Support spindles),
A fiber/spindle combination (spinning cotton on a takhli), or
Particular technique (winding on a Turkish spindle to make a center-pull ball)
Spinning for Lace
Skill Level: Intermediate
Prerequisites: Can spin a single and ply. Participants should be able to spin a stable, continuous yarn.
Class Description:
Have you ever seen a lace shawl and wished that you could spin yarn that fine? In this class, you’ll learn techniques that will have you spinning fine yarns in no time at all! We will cover some of the different elements that can determine the characteristics of your yarn, including wheel set-up, drafting technique, ply, etc. We’ll also work with various fibers that we can use for spinning lace weight yarns, ranging from fine alpaca to some heavier wools that might surprise you!
Participants should bring:
Participants should bring a spinning wheel in good working order, extra bobbins, and lazy kate.
Optional: Although we probably won't have extra time in class, you may want to bring some knitting needles to try out your new yarn after class!
Materials fee includes:
Participants will receive fiber and handouts.
Terri Will Provide:
Terri will have a few pieces of equipment (i.e., niddy noddies, nostepinnes) for participants to use during the workshop.
Spinning in Public
Skill Level: All Levels
Prerequisites: The only prerequisite is an open mind, a sense of humor, and a desire to learn.
Class Description:
In times when spinning was a necessary skill, spinners learned at a very young age at our mothers’ and grandmothers’ knees. That is still how spinning is taught to the next generation in some lands. Most of us were first exposed to spinning in our adult years. We may have seen someone spinning at a fiber festival or historical reenactment. If we want to keep our craft alive, we need to be visible when we’re spinning. Whether you have spun in public before or not, it can be a bit overwhelming. In this workshop, we will share our experiences spinning (or knitting) in public. We’ll explore the variety of opportunities available to us for spreading our joy in the fiber arts. And we’ll cover some of the more common questions that people ask and how best to answer them.
Participants should bring:
Note taking supplies and a sense of humor and adventure.
Optional: You may want to bring a spindle or spinning wheel to put you in the mood 😊
Materials fee includes:
Participants will receive handouts.
Terri Will Provide:
Wit and humor! After all, this is essential when dealing with the public! 😊
Spinning Wheel Clinic
Skill Level: All Levels
Prerequisites: The only prerequisite is an open mind and a desire to learn.
Class Description:
Are you spinning out of control? Many spinners, both new and experienced, have a wheel in their “herd” that gives them trouble (or for the new spinner, a wheel that just doesn’t want to cooperate). Or perhaps it is a particular spinning fiber that has you challenged. Bring your wheels, the ones that you love and the ones that you hate, and whether you’ve lost the magic or never actually found it in the first place; our goal is to bring the Spinning Magic into your fiber life!! Included in the workshop will be discussions and demonstrations of various types of drafting and plying methods and wheel care. The Wheel Clinic is sure to have something for everyone!
Participants should bring:
Participants should bring note-taking supplies and a wheel that is giving you problems or that you would like to learn more about.
Materials fee includes:
Participants will receive fiber and handouts. Instructor may also be able to provide materials that will improve your wheel’s function.
Terri Will Provide:
Instructor will have a few pieces of equipment (i.e., niddy noddies, nostepinnes) for participants to use during the workshop.
What Every Spinner Needs to Know
Skill Level: All Levels
Prerequisites: The only prerequisite is an open mind and a desire to learn.
Class Description:
Do you remember all the advice that more experienced spinners shared with you when you first started spinning? And all those fabulous tips and tricks that they swore by? No? Maybe you have forgotten some of them due to information overload? Yes? Well, fear not!
We will cover those questions that surface most often for spinners, whether wheel or spindle, and will offer suggestions on ways to overcome the problems and issues in a range of spinning topics. Some of the topics covered in this workshop will include: Wheel maintenance, spindle storage, fiber characteristics, drafting, plying, and finishing.
I want to be prepared with the necessary tools and supplies! Bring your questions or submit them before the workshop to TerriSpins@gmail.com.
Participants will receive handouts and various supplies as needed to answer questions and resolve spinning issues.
Participants should bring:
Note taking supplies. A spinning wheel in good working order or spindles, any tools and/or fiber that are related to your specific questions (i.e., handcards, nostepinne, etc.).
Materials fee includes:
Participants will receive handouts and various supplies as needed to answer questions and resolve spinning issues.
Instructor Will Provide:
Participants will receive handouts and various supplies as needed to answer questions and resolve spinning issues.
Rates and Scheduling
Please contact Terri to discuss rates and scheduling of demonstrations.
Email
TerriSpins@gmail.com