Connect with spinning traditions of the ancient world with toolmaker and fiber artist Robin Goatey. Learn to use a distaff to spin and ply wool on three European low-whorl spindle forms recreated or reimagined in The Dancing Goats studio: ceramic whorls of the ancient Near East, pewter whorls of the Roman/Celtic La Tène cultures, and soapstone whorls of the far north proto-Viking cultures. You will also have a chance to use a nøstepinne and Roman/Norse-style wool combs. Wool fibers used during class are gathered from Robin’s flock of Jacob, Border Leicester, Shetland, and Finn sheep. Class discussion and handouts will focus on the works of British historian John Peter Wild’s research on the Roman northern provinces and Roman Britain.

No additional supplies are needed

Students are welcome to bring any rare or unusual fiber that they wish to discuss and spin during class. If you plan to bring fiber, please bring enough for everyone in class to taste-test

Stripes are a fun way to incorporate more colors into our textiles, but weaving in all those ends can be a drag. Join Kate for a two-day deep dive into creating self-striping effects that increase our color options without all those loose ends. Using several different yarn structures that can be harnessed for color effects, you will create stripey samples that range from gentle color undulations to clear, hard stripes. Then, using an intuitive approach, we will discuss how to adjust the striping scale for specific projects large and small. The focus will be on creating self-striping handspun for knitting, but crocheters, weavers, and more are welcome!

A working wheel or e-spinner, extra bobbins, lazy kate, handcards, and tape measure. Knitters: we will be knitting swatches, so bring at least three needle sizes that correspond to the gauge yarn you typically spin. Bringing additional sizes or an interchangeable set is recommended. If you are not a knitter, no problem! Contact Kate prior to class to discuss: klarson@longthreadmedia.com

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Deep in the High Atlas mountains of Morocco, women use supported spindles called izdi to spin wool into yarn for their male family members to knit into socks, pants, and other articles of clothing. This class will take you through the process from wool to socks using High Atlas spinning and knitting techniques. Instructor Irene Waggener teaches this class with encouragement from her knitting teachers Hussein Mardi and Muah Ahasali, who collaborated with her to create the book, Keepers of the Sheep: Knitting in Morocco’s High Atlas and Beyond. It is their hope that others will be interested in learning about these spinning and knitting techniques that are no longer being practiced as widely as they once were.

Set of 5 double-pointed knitting needles (any size, but recommended range is US 3 to 7) and handcards

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Looking closely at antique linens, we can see the incredible skill of makers from the past. Join Tom for a two-day workshop learning about the properties of flax and how it is prepared, spun, and woven into handmade cloth. You will spin flax roving and also be shown how to dress a distaff using long line flax fiber. We will also discuss how to finish the thread after it is spun to prepare it for weaving. Tom will prepare a warp during class and have a loom to show you how to easily warp it for weaving fabric. Learn a few tricks to make the warping process go easily for you and to make your first linen weaving project a total success. There will be numerous antique textiles, such as sheets, pillowcases, towels, and coverlets, from Tom's personal collection for you to look at and handle to inspire you to weave with your linen thread.

Notebook with pen or pencil, spinning wheel in good working order, three bobbins, sample size niddy noddy, a cup to put water in for spinning, a threading hook, spinning oil, and any additional tools that you like to use as you spin

Camera or your cell phone to take pictures during the workshop

Most singles are spun with the intent to ply, but there are wonderful benefits to working with singles yarns just as they are. In this intensive, you will learn how to set up your wheel/e-spinner and start spinning both low-twist and high-twist yarns. Heavenly will share her approach to taking accurate measurements, including grist and angle of twist, for record-keeping and replication. Discover key factors for spinning singles with integrity while using different fibers and drafting techniques. On day two, we will dive into fun ways to spin S- and Z-twist singles using combination drafting and interesting colorplay to design your own yarns. Heavenly will help you troubleshoot consistency issues with tips and tricks, and when the spinning is all done, we’ll shift gears to evaluating and finishing yarns that will last. Ready for a new kind of spin? By the end of this intensive, you just might want to create a variety of extraordinary singles!

Spinning wheel or e-spinner in working condition, at least 3 empty bobbins, notebook, writing utensil, niddy noddy (or equivalent)

Students may bring additional fibers from their stash to spin

Medium-wool breeds are the best! Not too long, not too short, they are just right. Using fleece from some well-known breeders, we will use handcards, combs, flickers, and other tools to prepare the locks to spin woolen, worsted, and all the in-betweens. For extra fun, we’ll also spin some medium-wool braids. You will be delighted to know just how useful and versatile wool from these breeds can be.

Spinning wheel in good working condition and all its parts or several spindles, lazy kate and at least 3 bobbins, wool handcards, and flick card

Extra flick cards, dog comb, and Viking or medium combs if you already own them

Learn about the tradition of Ravenstail weaving and the beginner-level techniques needed to create a small, finished textile with Tlingit weaver Lily Hope. Using warps prepared by Lily, you will learn to use a vertical frame to weave a 4 x 6-inch finger-twined textile utilizing historic patterns. You’ll walk away with a completed textile that you can hang on the wall or sew to some fabric to create a small bag for carrying your favorite things. Learn more about Lily, traditional spinning materials used in Ravenstail and Chilkat weaving, and the textile traditions she carries forward at spinoffmagazine.com.

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You will need a rectangular or square basket for mounting the warped loom Lily will provide. Measurements should be roughly 10 x 12 x 14 inches. Lily often suggests inexpensive wastebaskets for use in class. A basket will be available for you to use during class if you do not bring your own.

It is always the wheel, not the spinner (well, maybe not always, but a lot of the time). Sometimes just the smallest adjustment to your wheel can make a world of difference. Because spinning wheels, like people, need a little TLC, we will start the session by cleaning and oiling and adjusting our wheels. When the wheels are tuned up and happy, we will play some tricks with them to make them more responsive. Sometimes all it takes is a new drive band or an adjustment here or there to let your wheel do things you didn’t know it could.

Spinning wheel in good working condition and all its parts

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Tweed fabrics often draw us in with their complex colors and wooly texture, but the subdued hues of most tweeds often begin as a collection of shockingly vibrant colors. Join us as we explore the intersection of easy color theory, spinning fibers, and history. We will use dyed locks, rovings, and combed tops to make our own blends, yarns, and textile inspirations.

Spinning wheel in working order, e-spinner, or several spindles; handcards; and lazy kate

Extra bobbins for your wheel or e-spinner

In this class, we will experience several breeds of sheep from islands around the world. Included will be some you may have worked with before and some you may never have even heard of yet! Amy scours (see what we did there?) the fields looking for rare breeds to bring to class, and she hopes you’ll find a new favorite. We will start with her favorite American breed that developed practically ferally on an island and then spend time with some UK islanders. Amy will talk about not only the history and attributes of these awesome sheep, but also their application in your fiber arts journey.

Basic fiber prep equipment, including flick card, handcards, and combs; a working spinning wheel or spindle; a niddy noddy or ball winder; and preferably 4 or more bobbins (there are work-arounds if you don’t have 4)

Notebook, pencil, small baggies for storing samples

Wool combs are beloved tools that can be a great benefit to a spinner's experience with fiber. In this session, you will learn how to comb fleece safely with ease and less waste. There will be opportunities to practice proper loading techniques for combing clean fleece and proper posture and ergonomics to avoid combing “burnout.” Heavenly will share the ins and outs of various wool combs available for handspinners, including their many uses and applications. Prepare yourself for discovery: Heavenly has plenty of tips and tricks for using a diz to remove fibers from wool combs and effectively removing combed top by hand without a diz. Whether you want to build or fine-tune your skills for making your own combed top or explore a relaxing new technique, this session is for you.

Small set of hand combs, either double row or single row is fine; a lap cloth or apron for protecting clothes from debris. A few sets of combs will be available to borrow, and you must contact the SOAR staff to reserve at the time of registration

Students may bring additional fibers to comb

Join Sara Bixler for an introduction to weaving clasped weft. Although woven on a plain weave foundation using simple looms such as rigid heddle, they are anything but "simple" or "plain." Students will not only weave a beautiful, one-of-a-kind fabric that can be transformed into a wearable cowl but also gain critical tips and tricks to plan and construct amazing fabric with your handspun yarns. You will have a chance to see many of Sara's samples highlighting unique materials, scale differences in threads, and variations in projects such as table linens, wearables, and even rugs. Have fun in this low-pressure class that is accessible to even the most novice of weavers. Looms will be pre-warped and a variety of yarns will be available to sample.

Notebook, pencil/pen, colored pencils, and camera or phone for taking photos

Feel free to bring along some of your handspun in a variety of sizes if you like, but it's certainly not necessary. All other supplies and handouts will be provided by your instructor

Knitting has a long history among the Armenian people. Socks were a particularly important knit item that were made by women as gifts and as part of their dowry. While the old designs are no longer as fashionable as they once were, some women still use older techniques for knitting toes and turning heels. In this class, you will learn how to knit socks in the style popular with Armenian knitters from Hadrut. These socks are knit from the toe up. Instructor Irene Waggener teaches this class with encouragement from her teachers at the Hadrut Children's Development Center in Yerevan, Armenia.

Set of 5 double-pointed knitting needles (US size 0, 1, or 2)

Additional knitting supplies, such as stitch markers, extra needles, or yarn bowl. Millspun yarn will be provided, but you can also bring handspun fingering-weight yarn

Join Lily Hope for a three-hour intro to Ravenstail weaving. You’ll get a brief overview of the history and significance of this Northwest Coast artform. You’ll spend some time thigh-spinning Ravenstail warp and finger-twining a small keychain utilizing historic patterns in the style of Ravenstail. Walk away with one square inch of ceremony and a beginner’s understanding of how to weave Ravenstail textiles. Learn more about Lily, traditional spinning materials used in Ravenstail and Chilkat weaving, and the textile traditions she carries forward at spinoffmagazine.com.

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