Intro to Spinning

Description

Understand your equipment, learn how to maintain it, then spin, ply and wet-finish your first handspun yarn!  

This is a four week class, where you will learn how to

• wheel mechanics
• cleaning & maintenance of wheels & spindles
• ergonomics
• setting up your wheel for the yarn you want to make
• picking & preparing spinning fibers
  
• drafting
• spinning a continuous single
• plying techniques for traditional 2-ply, traditional 3-ply and chain-plying
• wet-finishing techniques like fulling, snapping & thwacking
• additional equipment to add to your wish list
  

Your class fee includes 8 hours of instruction, fiber to spin, yarns to ply, wool wash and more. There will be homework between classes to help you build your skills!

This is a four part class. Dates will be on Tuesdays, from 6-8pm.

Materials Needed

You will need to bring:

• Your spinning equipment: spindles, treadle wheels & e-spinners welcome!
• a lazy kate (if you have one)
  
• orifice hook
• spinning wheel oil or lubricant recommended by your equipment maker
• a mask to protect yourself, your fellow students & your teacher!

Wheels must be completely assembled & in working order: things that should move do and things that shouldn't move don't; drive bands, brake bands & footmen are in tact; all parts are present, including flyer & bobbin.

Spindles should be ~ 1 oz or 30 grams (weight without any fiber on them); cross-arm or low-whorl spindles are highly recommended!

Students are not obligated to purchase their supplies from Dye Mad Yarns. If you are without a wheel, you are able to rent one from Dye Mad Yarns ($100 for initial week, $25 for each additional week, and part of your rent can go towards purchasing the wheel at the end of the class, if you'd like).  

Prerequisites

This class is a must for beginners, those returning to spinning after a hiatus and those who want to deepen their understanding & skills!

Please review our Class Cancellation Policy here, and please use your email to check out so your instructor can reach you as we get closer!