Workshops
Here is a list of the workshops that will be offered at our 2008 events:
Full day workshops will have a lunch break. Participants should bring a sack lunch or order a boxed lunch. See the Silver Spoon Boxed lunch special on the Special Events page.
Registration Form:
http://www.tnfiberfestival.com/WorkshopRegistration.pdf
Friday Workshop
Take Spinning Back to Basics
taught by Joanne Seiff
3 hours 9 a.m.- 12 p.m.
Many spinners rely exclusively on processed wool roving these days. What’s it like to take it back to the basics? This class will cover techniques for processing and spinning raw wool and washed locks. We’ll use a variety of basic tools to create yarns and get back to the way that many people around the world used to spin or still spin. If there’s time, we’ll knit or crochet up swatches to see how our efforts turn out. Note: you need to be able to spin to take this class.
Please bring: a spindle or spinning wheel that you are comfortable using. Optional materials: (bring them if you have them and want to use them) hand cards, combs or flick carder. knitting needles or crochet hook for the weight of yarn you often spin.
Class Fee: $35 Material Fee: $10 maximum class size 25
Rag Rug Weaving by LaraLee
Friday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
A fun workshop to create your own rag rug. You will learn how to warp a floor loom by yourself, how to create patterns on a 2H loom, and how to combine fabrics and colours for a pleasing outcome. All materials are provided. All levels of weavers from beginners to experienced are welcome!
Class Fee $50 maximum class size 6
The Shepherd’s Rug
taught by Ann Brown Friday 9 am- 4 pm
This workshop is for the fiber artist with a closet full of fiber, the shepherd wishing to make something from their wool sheep and the hand-crafter looking to add warmth and a decorative flair to their home. Students will learn how to braid roving, felt the braids, and sew the braids into a beautiful, functional heirloom rug to be enjoyed now and passed on to another generation. Students will complete a simple chair pad, using minimal equipment, from their roving or ours. The techinque can be used to create their own beautiful rugs at home.
Class Fee $35 Material Fee $12* *Materials fee covers supplies if you bring your own roving. You will need at least one pound of roving, in two to four colors for this project. Your instructor will have 1/4 pound balls of roving for sell for $6 each. Students must know how to braid and have basic sewing skills.
Combs, Cards and Colors
Taught by Kim Caulfield Friday 2-5
this workshop will explore a wide range of methods for processing fibers including hand cards, drum carders, and various types of combs. We will explore preparing a wide variety of fibers for spinning and play with layering and blending colors. There will be both demonstrations and hands on practice. Fell free to bring any carders or combs of your own, or samples of fibers that you are trying to process.
Class Fee $35 maximum class size 8
Beginning Knitting
taught by Jennifer Adair Friday 9am -12 noon
The nice thing about felting your first piece of knitting is that any mistakes tend to disappear in the wash. The class will cover making a trivet, which you will take home and throw in the washer and drier to felt. You will learn a basic cast-on method, what to do with yarn tails, the knit stitch and how to decrease. This same pattern can be made smaller for coasters or larger for potholders. No previous experience is needed.
Needles: bring your own or buy needles from instructor, a set of 8mm (#11) circulars, at least 24″ long. Straight needles will work also. Yarn: hand washable is OK, but do not ger a machine-washable wool, because it will not felt. Also, white wool usually doesn’t felt well due to the processing done to bleach it. Yarn for this project will be available for purchase from the instructor.
Class fee $35 needles $15 Yarn material fee $15 maximum class size 5
Weaving on the Ashford Knitter’s Loom
taught by Melissa Goodwin & Wendy Reimer
This workshop will be packed full of the basics of rigid heddle weaving using the Ashford knitters loom! In this 1/2 day class we will warp the looms and learn about project design, from color and yarn considerations to finishing your project. We will also discuss design techniques such as hand controlled weaves like leno and inlay, and creating surface texture. Weaver’s from beginning to experienced will be welcome.
Some looms available for use in class.
10% off on Ashford knitters loom with this class. See www.countrysidecrafts.biz for prices on looms or call or e-mail Wendy at 931-829-2057 or email backwoodsforever@aol.com
Class Fee $35 materials fee $12 not including the loom
Ashford knitters loom 12″ with carry bag $ 230.00
20 ” with carry bag 228.00
Saturday Workshops
Dyeing Verigated Yarn
taught by Gail White
4 hours Saturday 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Come and join Gail White and learn how to dye a ball of yarn to get a varigated yarn to knit or weave with. You will use printer and painter colors. You will see how the colors blend together to make a variety of different colors in one skein.
Instructor will supply class notes, gloves, plastic niddy noddies, dye, ball of yarn, tongs, etc. Students should bring: hang tags for skein identification, plastic baggies for wet skeins, pencil and paper.
Class Fee: $60 materials fee $25 maximum class size 10
Beginning Spinning
2 Hours Saturday 2-4
This is a class for those who would like to learn how to spin. The will cover the basics of spinning, including spinning on a wheel. No previous experience is needed. Students be able to try several different wheels.
Class Fee $35 maximum class size 5
Weaving on a Triangle Loom
taught by Jill Wood
Saturday 9 - 12
In this class, participants will learn to weave on a triangle loom. All materials are included and students will leave with their project. Looms will be available for purchase after the class.
Class Fee: $35 or $65 including the Loom maximum class size 10
The Art of Felting: Scarves of Silk and Wool
taught by Laura Artates 3 hours Saturday 9 am - 12 pm
This 1/2 day workshop will start with the basics of felting with unspun wool fibers, and then introduce the participants to techinques for various color and texture effects with flat felt using wool and silk to create a luxurious one-of-a-kind textile. Participants are invited to bring fabrics, threads, yarns, fiber or small objects that they would like to try incorporating into their scarves.
Class Fee $35 Maximum class size 10
Introduction to Naalbinding
taught by Laura Artates 3-4 hours Saturday 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm
If you’ve ever tried to decipher the written instructions for naalbinding, you know how challenging it can be. This single-needle technique uses short lengths of wool yarns and splicing techniques to create thick, dense fabric with a beautiful texture. This class will start with the basics of single-needle-netting and quickly move to forming stitches over the thumb, and you will use different techniques to create two samples. Once you’ve learned the two basic stitches, along with basic shaping techniques, you will more easily be able to understand the stitches in the published naalbinding pattern books. This is a wonderful technique for handspun wool yarns, and once you master this technique, you’re sure to have the warmest mittens around!
Class Fee $35 maximum class size 10
Beginning Felting: Felt a Mug Rug
Taught by Elaine Aldous Saturday 1:30- 4:30
Learn the basics of felting while creating an adorable little Mug Rug for your coffee or tea cup. We will use merino wool and hot soapy water to create this little work of art. I will have additional fibers and embellishments available to ersonalize your pieces. You will receive enough fiber for more than one Mug Rug.
Class Fee $35 Materials fee $5 Maximum class Size 10
Short Row Knitting
taught by Jennifer Adair 3 hours Saturday 9 am- 12 pm
Short rows are not only great for shaping garments, they also can produce beautiful two color designs. And if you don’t follow the standard instructions, they are easy to do. You really don’t have to slip the turning stitch, wrap the yarn around it, slip the turning stitch back, put the yarn where it now belongs, and then pick up the $%#^*% wraps on the final row, which usually can’t be seen until after you’ve finished the row. At which time every wrap you’ve missed will stand out like neon at midnight. This class will show you a gentler, kinder way to short row. You will be making a felted trivet, using short rows and two colors ( only one of which will be in your hands at any given moment). You will felt the trivet at home later, in the privacy of your own laundry. the pattern can be made smaller for coasters, larger for potholders, or rectangular for a table runner or scarf. Please have at least a passing acquaintance with casting on and knitting.
Needles: bring your own or buy fromt he instructor a set of 8 mm (#11) circular at least 24″ long. Straight needles will also work. Yarn: 100 grams bulky or worsted FELTABLE wool., more or less evenly divided into two colors. See wool notes under beginning Knitting.
Class Fee $35 Needles $15 Yarn material Fee $15 maximum class size 6
Beginning Crochet
Taught by Jennifer Adair 3 hours Saturday 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm
You guessed it, it’s another felted trivet. But this one will be crochet. You will again take it home and throw in the washer and drier to felt. No previous experience is needed. Crochet hook: bring your own or buy one from the instructor a 6.5 mm (K) hook. Yarn” 150 grams of bulky or worsted FELTABLE wool. See wool notes under Beginning spinning.
Class Fee $35 Crochet hook $2 Yarn material fee $ 23 maximum class size 5
Special Children’s Workshop
Basic Looming on a Circle Loom Saturday 10-12
taught by Amy Hass
Learn how to make all of the stitches on a circle loom. The class will be 2 hours in length participants will leave with a hat in progress and all of the supplies that are needed to complete the project. The $10 materials fee covers the yarn and the circle loom. Ages 8-18.
Class Fee $20 material fee $10