Using Fresh Twist  Energy to Create New Knit Surface

Yarn constructions of every kind begin by spinning a single yarn. I feel this is where our knowledge of yarns and the physics behind them should originate. When we understand the energy we introduce into a single yarn, we can begin to reshape how we think about all yarns, as well as the cloth we make from those yarns. It becomes possible to direct the yarn’s energy along predetermined paths, releasing it into knit-purl stitch combinations allowing traditional works to take on new dimensions. The energy in the yarn can actually determine the surface designs of the cloth.

In this class we will begin by spinning singles using using medium staple wool tops. These yarns will not be finished-rather we will knit with this yarn while it is still on our spinning wheel bobbins. The yarn will will be full of visible energy which we will use to

change the shape of knitting as we have know it with balanced yarns. We will start our knitting samples with traditional knit and purl stitch combinations watching the stitches lean, turning ribbing into tumbling blocks and garter stitch in to a chain mail kind of double cloth. The energy changes these traditional surfaces as we have known them, but the cloth itself will not bias.

The class is a good choice for beginners and experienced spinners alike, it is a good foundation for new spinners while enhancing an experienced spinners body of knowledge in an area that will offer up new and exciting ways to think about yarns.

Students should bring

Spinning wheel with at least four bobbins

Lazy kate

Knitting needles, double point size 4,5 and 8. I like bamboo in the 8″ length for this.

The points are really pointy for ease of picking up stitches as we knit.

Two day class $225 includes Materials

Do you dream of spinning fairy tale fine lace yarn? This class will get you spinning finer than you ever thought.

We’ll go over all of the aspects that go into the spinning of a fine yarn, wheel settings, drafting methods, plys, fiber preparations, and fiber choice.

We will begin with learning to tune your particular spinning wheel to its best settings so you can get the right amount of twist for the finest yarn.

What kind of ratios work? Do you really need those lace kits that many wheel manufacturers sell?

There are many drafting methods at our disposal to help us spin the finer, shorter or slicker fibers. We will try different drafting methods with different fibers and look at the results obtained in finished yarns and swatches.

Is there a right number of plys for lace? We’ll explore plys and see how a single, a 2 ply and more than 2 ply effects knitted lace.

You’ll learn how different fiber preps will give different results, and how to best utilize those hand combs and blend fibers on your handcards.  We’ll look at yarns spun straight from commercially (?) prepped fine fibers and see what happens if we do a bit of touch up prep on those fibers before spinning them.  We’ll see how final yarns are effected by spinning freshly hand prepped fiber, both woolen and worsted.

We will look at the wide range of fibers we can use for spinning laceweight yarns including mill preps and raw fleece, from the finest of fibers like cashmere and silk to wools you never would have thought of for lace.

Students should bring knitting needles size 5 and below for swatching and sampling. We will also be using flick cards, hand combs and hand cards for preparing fibers. Students should bring the tools they have as well as at least 3 bobbins and a lazy kate. Some tools will be available to borrow in class.

For the spinners that use a WooLee Winders bring your WooLee Winder as well as the flyer that came with your wheel.

Cost is $175 plus $45 for materials.

A minimum of 4 students are required

This class takes a spinner on a comprehensive journey from choosing types of wool, through preparation, spinning, and finishing of yarn, resulting in the exact yarn the spinner dreamed of knitting or weaving with.

In this class we will start with an overview of wool breeds and their classifications.

We will learn how to wash wool to maintain the lock structure, wash lock by lock as well as washing in small batches.

In addition we will have an opportunity to try a variety of processing tools.  Each tool will be used to its best ability and on the appropriate fiber. Students can then take their new knowledge to experiment and find out their favorite processing methods. We will combine each processing method with different spinning techniques which will result in yarns for specific uses.

We will discuss yarns desired for different knitting techniques such as stockinette, cables and lace as well as how to design a yarn for weaving.

Several breeds from each class will be sampled including Fine Wools, Long Wools and Crossbred,

Down and Down Types as well as the category fondly called Other in which certain breeds which are difficult to classify are kept.

When studying Fine wools we will wash lock by lock as well as using tulle to keep the lock structure.

Wool will be made ready for spinning using a flick carder and spinning it from the lock or from the fold.

Long wools will be combed using hand combs and English combs.  Use of a diz will be shown and wool top will be spun.  We will also pull fiber from the comb without a diz as well as spin directly from the comb.

Down breeds will be processed using several hand carding methods and drum carders will be used for batt making.  Traditional doffing methods will be used as well as using a diz to make roving.

In the other category we will be processing using no tools.  Icelandic fits in this category and students will separate coats by hand and spin them just as they are after separation.  Jacob will also be processed by hand by pulling the locks apart until the wool is in a cloud style prep and then students will spin just from that cloud.

This class takes the mystery out of the question “what wool when?”.

Using Fresh Twist  Energy to Create New Knit Surface

Yarn constructions of every kind begin by spinning a single yarn. I feel this is where our knowledge of yarns and the physics behind them should originate. When we understand the energy we introduce into a single yarn, we can begin to reshape how we think about all yarns, as well as the cloth we make from those yarns. It becomes possible to direct the yarn’s energy along predetermined paths, releasing it into knit-purl stitch combinations allowing traditional works to take on new dimensions. The energy in the yarn can actually determine the surface designs of the cloth.

In this class we will begin by spinning singles using using medium staple wool tops. These yarns will not be finished-rather we will knit with this yarn while it is still on our spinning wheel bobbins. The yarn will will be full of visible energy which we will use to

change the shape of knitting as we have know it with balanced yarns. We will start our knitting samples with traditional knit and purl stitch combinations watching the stitches lean, turning ribbing into tumbling blocks and garter stitch in to a chain mail kind of double cloth. The energy changes these traditional surfaces as we have known them, but the cloth itself will not bias.

The class is a good choice for beginners and experienced spinners alike, it is a good foundation for new spinners while enhancing an experienced spinners body of knowledge in an area that will offer up new and exciting ways to think about yarns.

Students should bring

Spinning wheel with at least four bobbins

Lazy kate

Knitting needles, double point size 4,5 and 8. I like bamboo in the 8″ length for this.

The points are really pointy for ease of picking up stitches as we knit.

Two day class $225 includes Materials

DESIGNING SOCK YARN Friday 6-9PM & Saturday 

Socks take maybe 4-5 ounces of yarn and tuck along in the knitting bag. They knit up fast and offer fun challenges as you turn the heal, knit from the toe up, make reinforced heel backs and Kitchener the toes. Often we look for sock yarns with our fingers, going for the soft, sumptuous feel and find that those merino yarns don’t hold up to wear and need darning way too soon. It is doubly disappointing if we spun the yarn for those socks. Come discover ways to test your handspun yarn and see your fiber choices before you cast on the first stitch. Good sock yarn may end up just on your feet, but good design choices make the difference between “wearing out” and “wearing on”.

Students should bring: a functional spinning wheel, hand carders, oil, extra bobbins and lazy kate, niddy noddy, notebook and double pointed (or circular) needles in your familiar sizes. (2-3 sizes are plenty)

$165 including Materials

Spinning the Lovely Bast fibers: flax, hemp and ramie. 

Sunday June 10th 10-5

For summertime coolness, there is nothing to best the comfort of the bast fibers. But a lot of knitters don’t knit linen, hemp or ramie claiming that these yarns are “hard” to knit. It is true that some yarns and freshly spun handspun flax are not easy to manage. However, there are things you can do to the yarns which soften them, and needle choices which tame these cool yarns and make them easier to work up into comfortable, long wearing tops, socks and bags. Are you up for a yarn that goes through the washer and not only gets cleaner but nicer, softer, and in the case of natural undyed flax, whiter?

Students should bring: a functional spinning wheel, oil, extra bobbins, a Christmas tree stand and straw broom, (if you can’t locate the Christmas tree stand, that’s o.k. We will come up with an alternative), a notebook.

$125 including Materials.