Description
Join us for a “Taste of Fiber” at the Nome Schoolhouse. Here’s the place to try out many fiber art skills and find your happy place. We’ll talk about types of fibers, learn how to make the yarn and how to use the yarn for projects. We’ll do knitting, crochet, hand-spinning, weaving, dyeing and felting using various fibers. Bring a friend and enjoy the hospitality of the Nome Schoolhouse. Spend the weekend at the Schoolhouse with meals, classes and supplies for one price.
Individual class descriptions:
Drop Spindle: the simplest method of creating yarn made simple. We will begin with a quick session on the characteristics of wool that make it easy to create yarn. We will next do an easy exercise to demonstrate the technique of spinning wool. Then we will begin on the spindle. After learning the parts and their purpose, we will learn by doing. Before the end of the class, we will discuss plying, making a finished yarn, and do a quick show-and-tell.
Carding Wool: While we make batts and rollags, we will learn how to combine colors, how to select fibers that go well together, and some basic maintenance to keep your carding equipment in top shape. Working with the color wheel, we will learn some tips to get a new color by combining others.
Knit Part 1: students will begin to knit with a sample that has already been cast on. From there, we will introduce common knitting terminology, sizing of needles, yarn and purposes. Students will learn both the knit stitch and the purl stitch, as well as a simple cast off.
Wet Felting: Enjoy the magic of wet felting where you can make fiber items without needles, hooks or stitches. We will talk about how wet felting works, and choose some good fibers to use. Each student will have a completed project.
Spinning on a Spinning Wheel: Building on skills learned in the drop spindle class, students will apply that knowledge in using a spinning wheel. Students can bring their own wheel or use one provided. After spinning their single ply, we will learn to use a knitty knotty or a nostepinne to wind off their yarn.
Crochet: Making the familiar granny square is a great way to learn to crochet. Students will learn to chain, single crochet and double crochet. Then we will learn to put those stitches together into a granny square.
Knit Part 2: Building on skills from the previous session, students will learn to cast on, stockinette stitch, and a simple lace pattern. After casting off, students will have a finished sample.
Dyeing: Students will dye a scarf, fiber or yarn. As we work, we will talk about how dyes are made for different fibers. We will also talk about complementary colors. Once we have rinsed out our dye projects, we will have a quick show-and-tell.
Weaving on a Small Loom: Students will use a small loom to make a mug rug sized sampler. We will also talk about the history of weaving and its importance in history. Once we have
completed this project, we will take the project off the loom, and complete with finishing techniques. Students may want to use their spun yarn or carded fiber from earlier classes.
Needle Felting: Learn the Basics of needle felting while making a beautiful bouquet of flowers. A super easy introduction to needle felting.
