Fiber Newsflash
Crockett Fiber Arts Studio will be closed April 3-10. I’ll be in Cape Girardeau, Missouri mastering my sock machine.
I’m planning to take lots of short videos and photos of my experience, which I’ll upload to an online blog. I’ll send the link when it’s set up.
Free Events
Fiber Artists’ Night Out, Second Thurs., April 11, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
April Focus: Choosing a Fleece to Process and Spin
I’ll be sharing the fleeces I bought from shearer John Sanchez and explain my rationale for selecting each one, followed by a casual discussion of fleece selection. Bring a project and a snack to share. I’ll have coffee, tea, and water. If you wish to drink something else, you’ll need to bring it. Adult beverages are allowed.
It’s Shearing Season!
I am so loving the John Sanchez fleeces. I used the Corriedale cross as the base batt for Sunday’s Wet Felting class. The results were spectacular!
I’m waiting to hear from shearer John Sanchez regarding a trip to his barn in Petaluma.. I’ll let everyone know when a date is set.
Don’t know what to do with a raw fleece? I can teach you that! In my Wool Processing for Spinning class you’ll learn how to select a fleece, prepare fiber for washing, the washing process, and preparation of washed and dried iober for spinning using a drum carder, hand cards, and combs. You’ll also learn how to choose a preparation method for many types of fiber. You’ll leave with lots of fiber and an understand w=of why preparing their own fiber is a passion for many spinners.
One, four-hour class with a 30 minute break half-way through: $125
Sunday, April 21, 11:00 a.m..; Saturday, April 27, 2:30 p.m.; Saturday, May 4, 11:00 a.m.
Spinning!
Now that you know how to prepare that fleece, spinning is on your mind. In Beginning Spinning and Plying, you’ll learn the basics of wheel operation and maintenance, treadling, pre-drafting, drafting, and spinning yarn. You’ll try spinning three different wool preparations: roving, rolags, and batts. We’ll also talk about spinning “in the grease;” what it means and the pros and cons of spinning unprepared wool. You’ll leave with a skein of two-ply yarn, fiber for practice, and a syllabus full of useful information. Bring your own wheel, or use one of mine.
One, three and a half-hour session (30 minute break half-way through). $125
Saturday, April 14, 11:00 a.m.; Saturday, May 11, 11:00 a.m.
Want to spin enough yarn for a sweater or other large project, but spinning 1500 yards or more of the same yarn feels daunting? Never fear! There are techniques that can help you spin quickly and efficiently, bringing large projects easily within reach. In Production Spinning: Spinning Yarn for a Large Project, you’ll learn the long draw spinning technique with a variety of fibers and preparations. Once you have some singles on a couple of bobbins, you’ll learn a wonderful “speed plying” technique that will insure your yarn has consistent twist. We’ll also do some speed drills to practice spinning quickly and consistently.
One, two-hour session $125
Sunday, April 14, 11:00 a.m., Sunday, May 5, 2;00 p.m.
Don’t forget these other classes!
Felting, while rather counterintuitive for a spinner, is such a fun thing to do. Wet Felting is a regular at the studio and the results are always striking!You can register here.
90 minutes, $60.
Friday, April 19, 5:00 p.m., Saturday, April 27, 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 4, 4:00 p.m.
Nuno Felting is coming soon. My friend Lindy Pickens will teach it on Sunday, May 5 at 11:00 a.m. I’ll have the description and details in next week’s newsletter. Lindy is an incredible felting artist. She is envisioning a series of three classes, each taking this amazing technique to the next level. I’m so excited to be able to offer her expertise through the studio.
Ecoprinting is also happening soon. There are spaces available in the class on Saturday, April 27, at 11:00 a.m. Spring flowers offer a whole new range of possibilities in Ecoprinting. You can register here. Much of the time is spent waiting for projects to steam, so bring something to work on while you wait.
3 hours, $100.
Saturday, April 20, 4:00 p.m., Sunday, May 12, 4:00 p.m.
Circular Sock Machine
Both Bonnie (one of my traveling companions) and I want to learn how to do Fair Isle knitting on the CSM. Yes, it’s possible! We’ll share our learning curve on the soon-to-be established blog. Stay tuned!
Check the website for lots more fibery fun!
Melanie