Black Sheep Gathering

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List of All Classes &
Their Availability

    Color Key:
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  • Class Cancelled

Friday Classes

Morning Classes
  • Bountiful Sheep: Spinning Shetland – Judith MacKenzie
  • Crisscrossing the Rainbow: Color Cables – Harry Wells
  • Spinpossible – Mission Objective: Tweed Effects with Silk – Michael Kelson
  • Navajo Style Spindling – Christine Thomas-Flitcroft
  • The ABCs of Drop Spindling – Teresa Waldo
All-Day Classes
  • Adventures in Drum Carding – Henry and Roy Clemes
  • Beginning Rigid Heddle – Diane McKinnon
  • Beginning Wheel Spinning – Linda Hansen
  • Create Your Own Dye Recipe Book – Day 1 of 2 – Terry Mattison
  • Demystifying Resists in Felt Making – Patti Barker
  • Dragon Magic – Nancy Skakel
  • Dye Your Own Fiber – Allison Harding
Afternoon Classes
  • Beginning Inkle Loom – Leslie Verts
  • Ooops! Correcting Mistakes and Learning to "Read" Your Knitting – Harry Wells
  • Spinpossible – Mission Objective: Boucle – Michael Kelson
  • Supported Spindle Spinning – Teresa Waldo
  • The Art of Plying – Judith MacKenzie

Saturday Classes

Morning Classes
  • Colorwork the Easy Way: Mosaic Knitting – Harry Wells
  • Spinpossible – Mission Objective: Socks – Michael Kelson
  • Viking Knit 4 Petal Bracelet – Teresa Waldo
All-Day Classes
  • A Bag of Your Own – Nancy Skakel
  • Advanced Pick-up Inkle Weaving – Leslie Verts
  • Color Theory: Carding for Tints and Shades – Henry and Roy Clemes
  • Create Your Own Dye Recipe Book – Day 2 of 2 – Terry Mattison
  • Delightful Drafting – Ruth Northrop
  • Dye Your Own Yarn – Allison Harding
  • Felted Journal/Book Cover – Patti Barker
  • Popular Wheel Mechanics – Judith MacKenzie
  • Rigid Heddle Loom Weaving: Intermediate / Advanced Weaving Structures – Diane McKinnon
Afternoon Classes
  • Classic Afghan Stitch: Basic Tunisian Crochet with Cross Stitch Patterns – Harry Wells
  • Spinpossible – Mission Objective: Lace – Michael Kelson
  • Stranded Knitting with Portuguese Purling – Teresa Waldo

Sunday Classes

Morning Classes
  • All Things Valais Blacknose! – Marita Tauni
  • Home Alone with a Fleece – Judith MacKenzie
  • Felted Buttons of Many Colors – Loyce Ericson
  • Intro to Blending Boards – Henry and Roy Clemes
  • Learn to Spin Using a Cross-armed Spindle – Wanda Jenkins
  • Sheep Breed Study – Lois Olund
  • Short Steps to Long Draw – Ruth Northrop
  • Cancelled - Spinning Silk Hankies without Tears – Barbara diJeannene
All-Day Classes
  • Beyond Plain Weave – Hazel Spencer
  • Nuno Felt Art Vest – Patti Barker
  • One Pot Dye Wonder! – Diane McKinnon
  • Tapestry Weaving Sampler – Teresa Waldo
  • Water, Time, and Patience: Creating a Wet Felt Hat – Sara Gibson
Afternoon Classes
  • All-in-One Beginning Rug Hooking – Judy Taylor
  • Beginning Tablet Weaving – Caroline Feyling
  • Cancelled - Fabulous and Fun Locker Hooking – Roseanne Anderson
  • Felted Sheep: Basic 3D Needle Felting – Miranda Rommel
  • Intro to Circular Weaving – Rachael Grow

Workshop Descriptions

FRIDAY, JUNE 23, MORNING CLASSES

Bountiful Sheep: Spinning Shetland
Judith MacKenzie 18 students
Friday, June 23, 9am-12pm
Cost: $55 Plus Materials Fee: $20 – includes all fibers used in class
Class Description: Shetland sheep are an ancient breed that has been producing beautiful fiber for handspinners for centuries. These sheep have provided fleece for everything from incredibly fine lace shawls to strong and enduring sails for ships. Their beautiful fleeces come in an amazing range of colors. We will learn how to spin the whole variety of types of fibers, learn how to sort and how — and when — to de-hair. We’ll make a lace yarn, some warm and robust sweater yarns, and spin a bit of the hair coat for cords. Along the way, we will learn about where these sheep came from and the culture that produced them.
Skill Level Required: Students should have a good working rela-tionship with their wheel and be capable of spinning a consistent single.
Students Bring: Students should bring their wheel and all its parts— even the ones you don’t use, a ball winder and a swift if you have them, niddy-noddy, hand cards (cotton ones if you have them) and combs, if you have them.
Instructor’s Bio: Judith MacKenzie has spun, woven and knit for many years. Her love of textiles has led her to many places, including Peru and Turkey. She has taught throughout North America and Europe. Judith is a frequent contributor to Spin•Off, Handwoven, Piecework and Interweave Knits. She has 10 DVDs and has published three books on spinning: Teach Your Self Handspinning, The Intentional Spinner and The Practical Spinner’s Guide — Rare Luxury Fibers.
Crisscrossing the Rainbow: Color Cables
Harry Wells 20 students
Friday, June 23, 9am-12pm
Cost: $55 Plus Materials Fee: $2 – includes printed materials
Class Description: One can spend a knitting lifetime exploring the various lovely twists and turns that make up regular cable combina-tions. Now add color to that mix! One color cable pattern against a different background color, different color cable strands meander-ing all over and among each other, striped cables, and bi-color rope cables are some of the combinations covered. You will be amazed at how the same cable pattern can produce very different visual experiences by changing which stitch columns receive color. And discover the fun of experimenting with color placement as you learn how to convert a cable chart into a color cable chart using graph paper and/or a charting program.
Skill Level Required: Advanced beginner to intermediate. Partici-pants must be able to accomplish basic long tail cast-on, and basic stitches such as knit, purl, K2tog, SSK, yo, and how to do a basic rope cable. Also knowledge of how to read knitting charts with cable symbols.
Students Bring: Four balls of worsted weight yarn (25 grams each) in 4 different colors, with at least 2 colors being medium or light colors. Wool or predominantly wool blended yarn is recommended. Needles in sizes you normally use for worsted weight yarn (usually needles sizes 6, 7, or 8). Stitch markers, locking stitch markers, cable needle, color pencils (at least 10 colors) and graph paper. Homework: none
Instructor’s Bio: Teaching and knitting are passions for Harry. In 2010, he retired from being a university professor to pursue his passion for knitting professionally, teaching a myriad of classes at knitting conferences and fiber festivals on the regional circuit. Harry’s extensive experience in classroom presentation and prepa-ration makes for an organized and engaging learning experience, whether virtually or in-person. He enjoys designing knitwear with an aesthetic that emphasizes texture and linear flow. Check out his designs and knitting blog at www.goodforaboy.com. He is Knitteryninja on Ravelry, @harrywellsknits on Instagram, and Good for a Boy on Facebook.
Navajo Style Spindling
Christine Thomas-Flitcroft 12 students
Friday, June 23, 9am-12pm
Cost: $55 Plus Materials Fee: $15 – Wool top, Navajo Churro wool, other wool types and handouts
Class Description: This workshop will cover Navajo spinning techniques using a Navajo style spindle. We will discuss different types of Navajo spindles, Navajo spinning techniques and wool types traditionally used. We will focus on the Navajo technique of drafting and spinning wool two and three times. We will also cover the Navajo 3-ply techniques on the Navajo spindle.
Skill Level Required: Beginner – some spinning experience help-ful.
Students Bring: Students should bring a Navajo spindle and hand cards if you have them. Some spindles will be available for use in class. Homework: none
Instructor’s Bio: Christine Thomas-Flitcroft has been spinning and weaving for forty years. She studied weaving at the University of Idaho and wool and sheep production at both the University of Idaho and Montana State University. Chris is the owner of Aurora Colony Fiber Arts. She maintains a small flock of Border Leicester sheep on her family farm in Aurora, Oregon. Chris specializes in selling a multitude of fibers for spinning, felting and related fiber arts. She also is interested in antique spinning wheels and often rescues them for restoration and resale. Chris teaches spinning workshops, and her current interest is tapestry weaving Navajo style, using the handspun yarns spun on Navajo spindles and wheels along with commercial yarns.
Spinpossible – Mission Objective: Tweed Effects with Silk
Michael Kelson 16 students
Friday, June 23, 9am-12pm
Cost: $55 Plus Materials Fee: $15 – includes all fiber and samples used in class
Class Description: Tweed yarns are great fun to spin! Tweed yarns typically have inclusions which add color or textural elements to a plied yarn, and a great way to add a tweedy effect to your yarn is to add silk! This class will explore getting tweed-like effects using various preparations of silk, including silk top, silk hankies, and silk noil in both preparation and ply. The skills you will learn to achieve a tweedy effect include working with silk hankies to add a tweedy effect to your plied yarns, “frosting” your singles using silk tops, using hand cards to card silk inclusions into your fiber prep. Inclusions we will explore will include sari silk, sari silk thread, and silk noil.
Skill Level Required: Students must already have a good working relationship with your wheel. Be able to spin a consistent single and have some experience plying and finishing yarn.
Students Bring: A spinning wheel in good working condition with extra bobbins, lazy kate (if you have one). Bring any tools you might like to use (hand cards, mini-combs, etc.) and any fiber you would like to practice with.
Instructor’s Bio: Michael Kelson (he/him/his) is the coordinator of the annual “Men’s Fall Knitting Retreat” and “The Seattle Men Who Knit” meet-up groups. He is passionate about sharing his love for spinning with beginning students. By day Michael is a software professional, but on weekends he’s usually out and about with his e-Spinner in tow.
The ABCs of Drop Spindling
Teresa Waldo 20 students
Friday, June 23, 9am-12pm
Cost: $55 Plus Materials Fee $12 – includes fiber and printed materials
Class Description: If you have always been intrigued by spinners demonstrating their craft, have been curious about yarn construc-tion, and/or have always wanted to learn to spin yourself, then this class is for you. We will begin with some background knowledge on drop spindles (history, types, anatomy, weights and mechanics, and supplemental tools). Then we will get down to the business of learning the steps to spinning a single on a spindle (choosing a spindle and fiber, starting with or without a leader thread, drafting techniques, winding on and building a secure cop). After spinning for a while and fine tuning our techniques, we will explore winding off options, plying options, and how to finish your yarn. And yes, you will go home a spinner! This class is also great for wheel spinners who want to master a spindle!
Skill Level Required: none
Students Bring: Bring a drop spindle, instructor will have some for use in class if you do not own one of your own.
Instructor’s Bio: Teresa Waldo combines her passion for teaching with her passion for crafting. She is a retired elementary teacher and has taught adult crafting classes for ten plus years. Teresa has been knitting since age five and has fallen down other fiber related rabbit holes (spinning, weaving, crocheting) in the last 20 years. Teresa loves sharing her excitement for anything fiber related with others and has keen ability to break a skill down into manageable steps. She makes sure all her students are successful and that they leave with a new skill. Teresa has taught various knitting, spinning, little loom weaving, and crocheting classes in shops around the Pacific North-west and at regional conferences. She resides in Auburn Washington and is a member of NwSFA, Arachne Guild, Moonspinners’ Guild, Yarning for Community and Covington Knitworms.

FRIDAY, JUNE 23, ALL-DAY CLASSES

Adventures in Drum Carding
Henry and Roy Clemes 16 students
Friday, June 23, 9am-12pm and 1:30-4:30pm
Cost: $100 Plus Materials Fee: $50 includes use of a carder; all fiber carded during class and use of blending boards and other equipment
Class Description: This workshop is the companion class to Ex-ploring the Drum Carder. In this class, we continue to demystify the drum carder. Batts will be prepared both semi-worsted and woolen. Students will learn different techniques to create an art batt, prepare batts for spinning sock yarn, and learn to add silk or bamboo intowoolen batts. Students will also learn to remove fiber as rolags and pencil-sized sliver through a diz. An ambitious goal of five batts produced during class means students will have ample fiber for spinning samples and small projects after class. All carding and blending will be done on our Elite Series Drum Carders with each student using their own electric carder. All materials, carders, and tools will be provided for use by the instructors.
Skill Level Required: Having taken our “Exploring the Drum Carder” or “Intro to Drum Carding.” Hands-on drum carding expe-rience is a must. Class is preferred.
Students Bring: None — but students should bring an attitude for learning. All tools and materials will be provided by instructors.
Instructor’s Bio: This class will be taught by a tag team of Henry and Roy. A lifelong woodworker and small business owner, Henry has been building fiber equipment for almost 50 years and drum carders for over 40 years. Roy grew up working in his family’s woodshop and is president of Lambtown Festival, the largest sheep and wool show in California. Together they have introduced many innovations to the fiber community and their equipment is known for being not only thoughtfully engineered but visually pleasing and durable as well. They regularly consult and instruct spinners, felters, fiber growers and professional fiber artists in the use of drum carders for fiber prep.
Beginning Rigid Heddle Loom Weaving
Diane McKinnon 12 students
Friday, June 23, 9am-12pm and 1:30-4:30pm
Cost: $100 Plus Materials Fee: $15 includes all yarns for class project, use of extra weaving equipment and tools during class, and detailed handout.
Class Description: Learn how to make the most of the Rigid Heddle Loom! These wonderful looms make it easy to weave just about anywhere and anytime. They are a relatively inexpensive way to get into weaving and are lightweight, portable and practical. They can be used to make everything from everyday useful things such as hand towels to luxurious shawls for that evening at the opera. This class is designed to teach the soup-to-nuts of weaving on a Rigid Heddle loom. We’ll cover how to select yarns and plan a project, how to prepare and calculate a warp, how to thread the loom, and how to weave the project. You will leave the class with a completed purse and the ability to use your Rigid Heddle Loom on your own to weave a variety of handwoven projects.
Skill Level Required: all levels from beginning to advanced
Students Bring: Rigid Heddle loom that is ASSEMBLED and ready to weave on. If you have any questions, please contact me to discuss it. All extra equipment that came with the loom, shuttle (instructor will bring extras), scissors, tape measure, pen/pencil. NO Harrisville Easy Weaver looms please (I’ve had some unassembled as well as really poor to completely unusable looms show up in class).
Instructor’s Bio: Diane McKinnon is an avid weaver and spinner who especially enjoys seeing her students discover their own poten-tial as they have fun with fibers. Her first loom was a rigid heddle loom. She has a long history of weaving study. She teaches at BSG, NwRSA’s annual conference, Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival and holds regular fiber classes at her home studio — The Thistle Patch Fiber Studio. She was selected as an Invitational Artist for 2012 at Oregon Flock and Fiber. Diane is an enthusiastic spinner, and she uses her collection of looms to weave her special yarns into unique hand-woven items. She especially enjoys sharing the wonders of weaving with beginning weavers.
Beginning Wheel Spinning
Linda Hansen 10 students
Friday, June 23, 9am-12pm and 1:30-4:30pm
Cost: $100 Plus Materials Fee: $45 includes all fiber and handouts
Class Description: Have you been wanting to learn to spin? This class will get you started spinning on a wheel. From first steps to making your own yarn, we’ll also touch on basic wheel mechanics and maintenance as well as primer information on fibers. We’ll be using prepared wool to learn the magic of spinning and plying yarn.
Skill Level Required: beginner
Students Bring: a well-functioning spinning wheel
Instructor’s Bio: Besides managing her small sheep farm, Linda is a partner with The Bellwether Wool Company. Linda brings her teaching skills and experience as a livestock and wool judge to sharing her passion for the fiber arts. Linda has taught spinning and music privately and in workshops.
Create Your Own Dye Recipe Book — Day 1 of 2
Terry Mattison 12 students
Friday, June 23, 9am-12pm and 1:30-4:30pm
Cost: $100 Plus Materials Fee: $50 – includes dye, dye chemicals, cardstock for samples, and flagging for labeling, wool yarn, color blending cups, Ziplock® bags and notebook
Class Description: Build a dye book you can take home with you. Take the mystery out of the color wheel and free yourself to dye the color you want by learning a simple system of color blending! Using acid dyes and wool yarns, students will create over 100 samples for their own personal dye book (the more students, the more samples!). Along with a wonderful set of samples, each student will have the recipes and know how to recreate each color on their own.
Skill Level Required: beginner
Students Bring: Apron, gloves, regular Sharpie® pen (no fat or skinny ones), two (2) one-gallon buckets for soaking yarn and washing samples, and scissors
Instructor’s Bio: Terry Mattison is an award-winning spinner and weaver who claims dyeing is her first love! She has over 30 years as an industry professional, matching color for clients nationwide. She works with both synthetic and natural dyes creating her own unique designs in her studio in Washington state.
Demystifying Resists in Felt Making
Patti Barker 16 students
Friday, June 23, 9am-12pm and 1:30-4:30pm
Cost: $100 Plus Materials Fee: $50 – five mini project kits and written instructions
Class Description: Sculptural felting and garment making begin with resists. How do you make a flat shape into three dimensional felt? How do you create a felted garment that’s seamless? Learn the answer to these questions and much more in this class. We’ll explore open, closed, layered, embedded and donut resists with a discussion on book resists and basic pattern making for all types of projects
Skill Level Required: no experience required
Students Bring: Bring bubble wrap as a rolling mat (minimum of 12" wide by minimum of 8' long), pool noodle (cut one a minimum of 14" long); wetting mechanism (suggest a one-gallon garden sprayer OR a ball brause with a bucket); small amount of liquid soap (dish soap is fine); at least one old towel you don’t mind staining; a plastic grocery bag to take home wet towels in; a pair of sharp, full-sized scissors; 4 table leg risers (optional – to save your back); wear comfy shoes. And be aware that felting requires physical stamina and the ability to stand for long periods of time.
Instructor’s Bio: Felt making has spoken to me from my very first experience. It is satisfying to begin with loose fibers and sculpt them into art with nothing but soapy water and my hands. I’m a graduate of WWU where I began with felting all types of simulated skins. Techniques used in my work include dyeing, wet and dry felting, stitching and beading, each of which enhances the stories behind my wearable art. I have been felting for over a dozen years and have won many awards. The last six years find me focusing on wearable art designed for the stage. I enjoy sharing the magic of felt making by teaching techniques and projects across the US.
Dragon Magic
Nancy Skakel 10 students
Friday, June 23, 9am-12pm and 1:30-4:30pm
Cost: $100 Plus Materials Fee: $45 – includes 3oz Corriedale wool roving, 1 oz embellishment fiber, armature wire
Class Description: You will create a needle felted dragon with armature, form, materials and ideas to make your own unique dragon sculpture.
Skill Level Required: Students should have some needle felting experience.
Students Bring: all materials provided by instructor
Instructor’s Bio: Nancy Skakel of Soft Heart Creations — inspira-tion comes from the pleasure of fiber in my hands and connecting with people throughout history who have created useful and beau-tiful things with fiber. It has been a wonderful privilege and inspira-tion to learn from several world-renowned felt artists including Pat Spark, Fiona Duthie, Katia Mokeyeva, Flora Carlisle-Kova, and Nicola Brown. From these master felters I have learned many techniques and different ways to develop my skills and ideas into my creations. The marvelous capacity of wool to take from silk, linen, and so many other fibers is a continual wonder for me.
Dye Your Own Fiber
Allison Harding 10 students
Friday, June 23, 9am-12pm and 1:30-4:30pm
Cost: $100 Plus Materials Fee: $35 – includes 12 oz plus more of high quality wool/wool blend fibers and more, dyes and use of equipment and detailed handouts. Additional fibers will be available for purchase at time of class. Students may bring some of your own CLEAN undyed fiber to dye if time and space is available.
Class Description: Design and dye three different fibers plus 1 oz samples of things like nylon sparkle for spinning or felting! Learn about random, gradient, painted, and palindrome versus continuous color repeats. Dye fibers differently or dye to coordinate for a bigger project. Allison will take you through each step from preparing your fibers to finishing the set dye with a little color theory for good measure!
Skill Level Required: a love of color and yarn/fiber
Students Bring: Old clothes or bring an apron, color inspiration photos, waterproof gloves, (instructor will provide powder free vinyl gloves, please bring your own if you have allergies).
Instructor’s Bio: Allison Harding (aka Fleebers) still remembers the pattern for her first knitting project at age 7, an orange acrylic scarf, which launched her into a lifetime love of all fibers. While working as the in-house costume designer for Studio East School for Performing Arts, Allison fell in love with teaching. She is now a published and an award-winning fiber artist who strives to explain not only the how, but the why of everything she does in fun and innovative ways. Allison loves ALL the colors and playing with pointy sticks.

FRIDAY, JUNE 23, AFTERNOON CLASSES

Beginning Inkle Loom
Leslie Verts 15 students
Friday, June 23, 1:30-4:30pm
Cost: $55 Plus Materials Fee $10 – handouts
Class Description: Students will learn to warp their looms and begin weaving a band. This is an easy and fun way to make bookmarks and belts.
Skill Level Required: beginner
Students Bring: Need a functioning inkle loom and shuttle; need 2 colors (white with a dark color) of 5/2 or 3/2 cotton thread.
Instructor’s Bio: Leslie has been inkle weaving since 2003 and is the leader of the Eugene Weaving Guild Inkle Group.
Ooops! Correcting Mistakes and Learning to “Read” Your Knitting
Harry Wells 20 students
Friday, June 23, 1:30-4:30pm
Cost: $55 Plus Materials Fee $1– printed materials
Class Description: This class is specifically designed for less experienced knitters and is all about knitting literacy, being able to “read your knitting.” You will leave class a more competent, informed knitter. Ever look at your knitting and say, “What hap-pened there?” Or picked up your knitting project and wondered “Where am I in this pattern?” “How many decreases/increases have I worked, what row was I on?” Etc. And, “Why did this end up too big / small?” Ever panicked as a dropped stitch ran down your knitting not knowing what to do? Take this class! Divided into two sections, “Knowing Where You Are” and “Identifying and Correct-ing Mistakes,” this class teaches how to “read” your knitting — to recognize what you are looking at, where you are, and what to do next, whether that be correcting a problem or moving ahead!
Skill Level Required: Beginner — students must be proficient at casting on with basic long tail cast-on without assistance and be able to knit and purl.
Students Bring: Worsted weight wool or wool blend yarn in light color (no dark colors), size 7 straight or 16" circular needles, stitch markers, locking stitch markers or knitter’s pins, Knitter’s repair hook or a crochet hook (size F or G is best), ruler, tape measure or Knit-chek (recommended), tapestry needle, scissors, perle cotton or fingering weight waste yarn. Homework: Two swatches using worsted weight yarn in light or medium color and size 7 needle: cast-on 20 stitches for each swatch. Work each swatch for 4". Make one stockinette stitch swatch (knit a row, purl a row, repeat both rows) and one garter stitch swatch (knit every row). Bind off and block the swatches.
Instructor’s Bio: See Crisscrossing the Rainbow: Color Cables in Friday’s morning listing for bio.
Spinpossible – Mission Objective: Bouclé
Michael Kelson 16 students
Friday, June 23, 1:30-4:30pm
Cost: $55 plus Materials Fee: $15 – includes all fiber and samples used in class
Class Description: Bouclé yarns are great fun to spin but can be a little challenging. Traditional bouclé yarns are spun with 3 plies: the core, the wrap and the binder. This class will take you through all the steps to create a traditional bouclé yarn. We’ll explore handspun and commercial cores and binders, and we’ll spin our own wrap singles from a variety of different fibers including mohair, silk and a variety of longwools. We will also discuss techniques for creating textured yarns from blending different types of singles in the ply (i.e., different shrinkage bouclé). Finally, we’ll discuss using different fibers, cores, and binders to get different surfaces, loops, and textures in your bouclés.
Skill Level Required: Students will have a good working relation-ship with their spinning wheels. Be able to spin a consistent single and have some experience plying and finishing yarn. Note: bouclé is a ply-heavy technique, students should be comfortable with the basics of plying.
Students Bring: Spinning wheel in good working condition with extra bobbins, notebook, lazy kate (if you have one). Bring any tools you might like to use (handcards, mini combs, etc.) and any fiber you would like to practice with.
Instructor’s Bio: See Spinpossible – Mission Objective: Tweed Effects with Silk in Friday’s morning listing for bio.
Supported Spindle Spinning
Teresa Waldo 20 students
Friday, June 23, 1:30-4:30pm
Cost: $55 Plus Materials Fee $15 – extensive handouts and fiber packet
Class Description: You spin to relax, right? Well come learn this ultimate relaxing way to spin — SUPPORT SPINDLING! You can do this with your feet up lying in bed, or even while driving (well, not anymore with the distracted driving laws). Did you know any fiber can be spun on a supported spindle? In this class the instructor will give you a wealth of information on supported spinning and will take you step by step through the process of spinning on a supported spindle. And yes, you will have the hang of it before our time is up. You will also have the chance to try different fibers, different spindles and spindle bowls.
Skill Level Required: Students must have some spinning experi-ence on either a wheel or spindle and be able to spin a continuous thread.
Students Bring: No advanced preparation required. Please bring a support spindle and bowl to class if you have them. Instructor will have some for use in class if you do not have them. Homework: none
Instructor’s Bio: See the ABCs of Drop Spindling in Friday’s morning listing for bio.
The Art of Plying
Judith MacKenzie 18 students
Friday, June 23, 1:30-4:30pm
Cost: $55 Plus Materials Fee: $20 – includes all fibers used in class
Class Description: Plying is an art just like drafting a beautiful single. It is the basis of most novelty yarns as well as lovely classic yarns like Gansey. In this class we’ll learn not only how to ply but why to ply. We’ll learn how to choose the best type of ply for the fabric you’re designing whether it is knitted or woven. We’ll make a variety of plys — everything from a two-ply to a six-ply, plus several novelty plies. You’ll learn lots of tips and tricks plus ways to make your own equipment to help you ply successfully.
Skill Level Required: Students should have a good working rela-tionship with your wheel and be capable of spinning a consistent single.
Students Bring: Students should bring their wheel and all its parts— even the ones you don’t use, a ball winder and a swift if you have them, niddy-noddy, hand cards (cotton ones if you have them) and combs if you have them.
Instructor’s Bio: See Beautiful Sheep: Spinning Shetland in Friday’s morning listing for bio.

SHEEP SHOW

Judge: David Cook
Wakeman, Ohio

The Cook family started raising purebred sheep in 1891; they were showing nationally from railcars by 1906. David has been around the show ring his entire life. Read More.

ANGORA GOAT SHOW

Judge: Dr Fred Speck
Kerrville, Texas

Dr. Fred Speck is a 5th generation Texas Angora goat producer. His grandfather gave him eight registered Angora does and one buck to start his own herd when he was eight years old. Read More.

FLEECE SHOW

Wool and Alpaca Judge: Ann Brezina
Fort Bragg, California

udging for over 30 years while maintaining her own handspinning flock, Ann’s passion and expertise promise to make it an informative and entertaining show.  Read More.

FIBER ARTS AND YARN SHOW

Judge: Kira Dulaney
Oakland, California

Kira Dulaney has been teaching fiber arts classes and hosting crafty events since 2002 and is the designer behind Kira K Designs, a line of original knitting and crochet patterns and kits. Read More.