Jan 25
Nancy Shroyer
10:00 – 1:00
May 19, 2012
Learn to use a drop spindle in a easy stress free way. Learn about the difference between worsted vs. woolen spinning, learn to Andean ply and then finish the yarn. Determine the “weight” of the yarn. We will also discuss what to look for in buying a spindle.
Cost – $45 Early Bird/ $50 Regular plus $7 materials fee.
Kristin Conrad
10:00 – 5:00
May 18, 2012
Making bobbin lace is quite easy: all you need to know is how to cross and twist threads. Come learn the basics of making the very same lace they make in Belgium and England and all over the world.
What will students learn: Students will learn: how to dress a pillow; how to prepare bobbins and patterns; the two basic stitches of bobbin lace making.
Cost is $90 Early Bird / $100 Regular
Nancy Shroyer
10:00 – 1:00
May 20, 2012
Continental knitters say they knit faster, with better tension and less movement; is the more efficient method, requiring the shortest number of specific hand-motions per stitch. I have been a right hand thrower all my life but learned to knit Continental for Fair Isle knitting. Let me show you how to change hands for knitting, purling and ribbing. Training the left hand to work for you for knitting and purling back, backwards will also be covere.
Students should bring the following materials:
Cost – $45 Early Bird/ $50 Regular
Vickie Clontz
10:00 to 5:00
May 20, 2012
Learn to wet-felt a beautiful one-of-a-kind art scarf using hand-dyed silk chiffon, hand-dyed wool fibers, and novelty fibers for some sparkle and pizazz! Choose from Vickie’s wide assortment of colors.
Materials the students should bring: Apron or old shirt, large towel, bubble wrap 12″ wide x 8 ft. long, large white plastic trash bag, scissors, 2-1/2 yds. narrow elastic cut in 3 equal lengths, large disposable aluminum roasting pan.
Costs – $90 Early Bird / $100 Regular plus $35 materials fee
Nancy Shroyer
10:00 – 1:00
May 18, 2012
All those colors in Fair Isle knitting can seem scary, but once you learn the techniques the colors will just flow from your fingers and you will want to knit “just one more row”. “Fair Isle Knitting” has become a synonym for 2 color stranded work, but actually, the women from the small island of Fair Isle Scotland had their own specific rules to make this technique faster and easier. Learn about these and how they differ from other 2 color stranded work, and intarsia while you knit a head band. Continental knitting, corrugated ribbing, carrying both colors in one hand or one in each hand, and catching floats, will be covered as well as the history of Fair Isle knitting.
Students should bring the following materials:
Cost – $45 Early Bird/ $50 Regular plus $10 for materials.
Kim Garnett
10:00 to 1:00
May 18, 2012
Socks are hot! And not just to keep your feet warm. In this workshop, you will knit a small sock and along the way learn all the techniques needed to begin your sock knitting journey. Once your feet have experienced hand knit socks, they won’t settle for anything else.
Materials the students should bring: Students should bring at least 100 yards of worsted weight yarn and a size 6 circular needle approximately 32” long.
Costs – $45 Early Bird / $50 Regular
Samantha Burks
10:00 to 1:00
May 20, 2012
Design and crochet a headband using Jacquard crochet (also called tapestry crochet) and a pinch of color theory! This class will take you through the information needed to create vibrant multi-colored pieces with no ends to weave in!
Materials the students should bring: US H / 5.0mm crochet hook
Costs – $45 Early Bird / $50 Regular plus $10 materials fee
Beth Smith
2:00 to 5:00
May 18, 2012
Plying can make or break your final yarn. We will look at 6 plying techniques beginning with a simple 2 ply yarn. We’ll also work on 3 ply or more, chain ply and cable ply as well as talking about Andean style plying for those bits left on your bobbin. We’ll discuss which type of ply is best for different types of knitting and weaving.
* Participants should bring with them: _A Spinning Wheel in good working order and niddy noddy. Also useful are hang tags, and a pen. Please come with 3 bobbins partially full of singles, and a lazy kate as well as at least one empty bobbin for plying.
Cost – $45 Early Bird/ $50 Regular with $5 materials fee.
Nancy Shroyer
2:00 – 5:00
May 20, 2012
Choosing colors that will go together well in knitting or for any purpose can be confusing or even scary if you don’t have that in-born color sense. This class will give the students a set of formulas that are easy to follow to build a color palette. All they have to do is choose ONE color they like and build on it.
Students should bring the following materials: # 3 double pointed or circular knitting needles, or D crochet hook, tapestry needle
Cost – $45 Early Bird/ $50 Regular plus $14 materials fee.
Esther Rodgers
2:00 to 5:00
May 19, 2012
I believe that corespinning is the foundation of many art yarn techniques! If you want to learn how to get the most out of precious fiber (like cashmere) and how to get the most texture and create funky art yarns, then corespinning is for you! First we’ll learn how to corespin, with proper attention to achieving a balanced yarn. Then focus will shift to experimenting with different corespinning techniques- corespinning thin, corespinning with locks, coreless corespinning and adding objects into your yarns like felted nubbies, sequins, fabric, cocoons and other things you may bring. Carding textured art batts will also be demonstrated. Included materials are: 4+oz batt, 1+oz loose locks, ball of core thread, bag of add in’s. Students should bring their wheel, bobbins, scissors, a tapestry needle, a niddy noddy and any fiber or add in’s they’d like to corespin into yarn.
Costs – $45 Early Bird/ $50 Regular plus $30 materials fee
Nancy Shroyer
2:00 – 5:00
May 19, 2012
Some handpainted yarns can result in uneven striping or pooling. Students will learn why this happens and then, how to dye a yarn that blends all the colors beautifully with no striping. Yarn appropriate for socks will be used with the option to also dye for contrasting heels and toes.
Students should bring the following materials: apron or old shirt, 2 large old towels
Cost – $45 Early Bird/ $50 Regular plus $18 materials fee.
Laura C Frazier
10:00 – 5:00
May 19, 2012
Come learn to sculpt a sheep from wool using needle felting techniques. Since wool comes from sheep, we’ll learn to sculpt with it by creating a sheep from start to finish.
Cost – $90 Early Bird/ $100 Regular plus $15 for materials.
Leslie Gonzalez
10:00 to 1:00
May 19, 2012
Explore textured patterning beyond cables and basic knit/purl combinations. Discover how to wrap, elongate and cluster stitches to create beautiful textured fabrics. Students will work a sampler scarf using several types of unique textural stitches.
Materials the students should bring: 100 gms (about 200 yds) of smooth worsted weight yarn, this will be the Main Color (MC) 50 gms (about 100 yds) of the same yarn in a contrasting color (CC) Appropriate size needles for the yarn–check ball band. Tapestry needle, dpn (smaller size than needles) or straight cable needle (not U shaped), pen or pencil, scissors and basic knitting accessories.
Costs – $45 Early Bird / $50 Regular plus $3 materials fee
Jane Bynum
10:00 – 1:00
May 18, 2012
Natural dyes can be an exciting adventure in color. Even with standardized recipes, they never give quite the same result as the previous time. This class will focus on the relatively safe dye materials derived from food and landscape materials. Students are not required to bring any equipment, however you can bring a swift, skein winder,niddy-noddy if you have one.
Cost – $45 Early Bird / $50 Regular plus $20 for materials.
Linda Suzan Davis
May 18, 2012
1:00 – 5:00
The student will get an introduction on how to spin on a wheel. The class will include the use of a wheel, the fiber needed for the class, and materials. Students may bring their own wheels if they have one. Information covered in the class includes: Learning about the spinning wheel and all its parts; how to treadle; threading the wheel, proper tension, and ratio; spinning yarns; how to ply; using a Niddy-Noddy: and creating a skein and setting the twist. Students may bring their own wheel if they like.
Cost – $60 Early Bird/ $65 regular plus a $20 materials fee
Cynthia Mollenkopf
10:00 to 5:00
May 19, 2012
Feltmaking is an ancient art form used for both the creation of wearables as well as artistic self expression. Learn about the art of feltmaking and create your own beautiful 2 & 3 dimensional items from wool. We will discuss the history of feltmaking, what factors make a quality felt, choosing the right wool for the project, preparation, combining needle and wet felting, and post production embellishment. This is an in-depth, hands-on, exploration of feltmaking for those with little or no experience, providing the building blocks to take feltmaking in any direction you chose.
Students should bring: one large sponge, one bath towel & one hand towel, 1 plastic mixing bowl, sharp sewing scissors.
Costs – Early Bird $90/ Regular $100 plus $15 for wool and instructions.
Esther Rodgers
2:00 to 5:00
May 20, 2012
In this workshop we learn the essentials of artplying-Spinning the singles needed for them, then plying bobbles, supercoils, beehives, twists, halos, grannystacks and MORE!! Proper focus is given to spinning a balanced and sound yarn- merging art with function. Carding textured art batts will also be demonstrated. Included materials are: 2 2+oz batts, 2 oz combed top, ball of plying yarn. Students should bring wheel, bobbins, bobbin of fresh overspun singles, niddy noddy, lazy kate, any plying yarns they would like to play with.
Costs – $45 Early Bird/ $50 Regular plus $25 materials fee.
Beth Smith
10:00 to 1:00
May 18, 2012
Woolen? Worsted? Semi-woolen? What is it and how do you do it and what kind of yarn does it make? This class will answer all of your questions and teach you 5 different drafting method – short forward draw, short backward draw, supported long draw, and long draw. You’ll also learn which method of drafting will give you the type of yarn you want for your knitting or weaving project.
* Participants should bring with them: _A Spinning Wheel in good working order and at least 3 bobbins as well as a lazy kate and niddy noddy. Also useful are hang tags, and a pen.
Cost – $45 Early Bird/ $50 Regular with $15 materials fee.
Kate Shirley
10:00 – 1:00
May 18, 2012
Always wanted to learn to make soap but were afraid to deal with the lye? This course will teach you how to make soap. You will learn how to safely handle lye, read and make a basic recipe, and develop some basic soaping skills. Students will leave with soap they have made themselves, a mold so they can make soap at home, and a booklet clearly explaining everything learned in class that includes a resource page, tips and ideas for making different kinds of soap and a trouble shooting guide should things go wrong with your soap.
Cost – $45 Early Bird/ $50 Regular plus $10 for materials.
Kim Garnett
2:00 to 5:00
May 18, 2012
Have you been wondering what all the fun is about? Here’s your chance to find out. Sign up for this 3 hour workshop and you will be knitting by the time you leave. You will learn how to cast on, knit, purl and bind off as you begin knitting your first scarf.
Costs – $45 Early Bird / $50 Regular plus $10 materials fee
Samantha Burks
2:00 to 5:00
May 20, 2012
Begin your journey with this versatile craft while making a pair of fingerless mitts. We’ll compare and contrast Tunisian with knitting and crochet, and talk about how to take advantage of its unique properties.
Materials the students should bring: US J / 6.0mm Tunisian crochet hook and a 50gm skein of light-colored worsted or aran weight yarn.
Costs – $45 Early Bird / $50 Regular
Esther Rodgers
9:00 to 1:00
May 20, 2012
In this class we card all sorts of batts.. Focusing on pairing spinning technique with specific carding techniques and prepping styles. We’ll talk about the function of drum carders and how create texture- while still maintaining the well-being of the machine. You’ll leave with mini batts and yarn samples and a headfull of ideas! Included Materials are: 6+oz assorted fiber for carding. Students should bring their wheel (or felting materials) bobbins, lazy kate. Students should bring any fibers they’d like to card and are encouraged to bring a drum carder if they own one!
Costs – $60 Early Bird/ $65 Regular plus $35 materials fee
Cynthia Mollenkopf
2:00 to 5:00
May 18, 2012
Create a beautiful and versatile scarf that can be worn open and airy as an accent or tightly gathered to keep your neck warm.
Students should bring one large sponge, one bath towel & one hand towel, 1 plastic mixing bowl
Facilities – Hot water access (like a sink) or electricity to heat my own water, cold water.
Costs – Early Bird $45/ Regular $50 plus $15 for wool and instructions.
Linda Suzan Davis
May 20, 2012
9:00 – 5:00
Students will learn the basics of weaving. Using a rigid heddle loom, each student will create the fabric for a tote bag. Class will cover how to fast warp the loom, create two separate pieces, tie off for tension, and do basic weaving. Looms and tools will be provided for the class.
Cost – $120 Early Bird / $140 Regular plus a $20 materials fee
Leslie Gonzalez
2:00 to 5:00
May 19, 2012
Blocking improves your finished work by balancing the fabric and establishing drape. It makes seaming easier by flattening selvedges and creating equally sized pieces. In this fun, hands on class students explore blocking for many types of hand knits. We will examine equipment and methods for correct blocking and discuss how to choose a blocking method considering both stitch pattern and fiber content. Students block lace, Fair Isle, textured and shaped pieces as well a different fibers. We block using a variety of techniques and equipment. Care and cleaning of hand knits is also covered.
Materials the students should bring: Each student should bring a towel to use in class. Students are also encouraged to bring a project or questions concerning a blocking of a project.
Costs – $45 Early Bird / $50 Regular plus
Jane Bynum
2:00 – 5:00
May 18, 2012
Woven bands are decorative and easy to make on simple looms. The techniques date to the bronze age, and are a good introduction to the production of woven fabrics. Materials fee includes a mini inkle loom.
Cost – $45 Early Bird / $50 Regular plus $50 for materials.
Beth Smith
10:00 to 5:00
May 20, 2012
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?”.
Cost – $90 Early Bird/ $100 Regular with $45 materials fee.
Vickie Clontz
10:00 to 1:00
May 19, 2012
Wet-felt beads of wool fibers and sparkling Angelia to make a dazzling pair of earrings and funky chunky ring. Lots of colors available.
Materials the students should bring: Towel, apron or old shirt; students are also welcome to bring their own beads to incorporate into jewelry.
Costs – $45 Early Bird / $50 Regular plus $15 materials fee
Beth Smith
10:00 to 5:00
May 19, 2012
Do you dream of hanspun lace shawls?
This class will get you spinning finer than you thought possible. You’ll learn the mechanics of spinning lace – wheel set up, type of draw, ratios and ply for the lace you want to make.
We’ll also look at the wide range of fibers we can use for spinning laceweight yarns including mill preps and lace yarns from raw fleece, from the finest of fibers like cashmere to wools you never would have thought of for 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.
This is a really fun class. Bring some of your smaller needles in case of a need for swatching!
*You should bring a spinning wheel in good working order, three bobbins, a lazy kate, and combs, cards and a flick if you have them. If you don’t have them a few will be available in class to borrow.
Cost – $90 Early Bird/ $100 Regular with $30 materials fee.
CFF is very excited to have Beth Smith as its featured teacher for 2012. Welcome, Beth!
Beth has built a strong and loyal following among fiber enthusiasts. She and The Spinning Loft, her world-class fiber shop in Howell, Michigan, are go-to resources for specialty wools for handspinning. Take a look at her must-do classes for spinners. Online class registration is coming soon!
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