We know lofty yarn is warm, fuzzy, and light yarn, but how do we getthere? We’ll explore the fiber qualities, preparations, drafting style, and ply structuresthat make a yarn lofty and where these yarns best perform. To get into the rightheadspace to really understand loft, we recommend wearing pajama pants and/or slippersto this class. 3
Some fiber is stretchy and some is drapey. Some wool feels prickly andsome doesn’t. Most wool felts… but some doesn’t. Why? We’ll explore the microscopyof fiber and what that means to the hand spinner. We’ll have something squishy for youto spin while we zoom in on the world of fiber. We’ll have something squishyfor you
Congratulations on deciding to start your new fiber arts business! Beforeyou make that first sale, though, there are a few things you need to know. Frombuilding your paper trail for taxes in the beginning, to mounting your first marketingcampaign, we’ll cover the basics of monetizing your hobby. We’ll also discuss howhobby businesses impact the larger
Natural dyeing is a science more than an art. It can be intimidating, especially once you realize it takes a whole lot more than soaking a few petals or leaves in water. But nature offers a bounty of colors to those who are willing to try. During the morning, we will work with some easy
Almost anything can be fiber, if you try hard enough. In this class, we’ll explore pineapple fiber, and I don’t mean that silky soft viscose from pineapple. Be prepared to roll up your sleeves and get sticky as we literally beat the fiber out of a pineapple and discuss the importance of experimenting with new
There is something satisfying about growing your own fiber. Cotton is full of tricks, especially if you live further north. In this class, we’ll talk about the process of growing cotton from seed, how to process that cotton for spinning, and some tips on how to spin cotton. Cotton is restricted in some states, so
You just impulse bought a beautiful braid of indie dyed fiber in the vendor hall. It matches nothing else in your stash. You don’t just want to ply it against itself. Now what? In this class, we’ll explore color handling methods, including fractal plying, chain plying, and creating a “true neutral.” One braid holds a
Your very first yarn was thick and uneven. Shortly after, you mastered spinning the finest lace… and couldn’t quite get that thick yarn again. Now you want something in the middle. There are a number of different factors you can control to get the yarn thickness you want, from what you do in the draft
Drape, that elusive quality of how fabric hangs and moves. Merino won’t get you there. How yarn is constructed has a lot to do with how it lays in a finished project. In this class we’ll explore what elements contribute to drape in handspun yarn and how to avoid some pitfalls, like underspinning for drape.
