This learn to spin class consists of four lesson over four days; the instructor is Kim McManus. Everyone should come away with basic knowledge to spin, ply and finish a skein of yarn. If you have your own wheel, please let Kim know as soon as you are able and please bring three bobbins to fit your wheel. Class is located at the Oatland Island Wildlife Center, 2nd floor. Wheels are available to borrow for free for a period of time to be determined after the class is over. Bring a beverage. Members but subject to change, email us at info@fiberguildsav.com if you are a nonmember and are interested. The dates and times are:
Sat. June 8, 2-4
Sun. June 9, 1-3
Sat. June 15, 10-12
Sat June 22, 10-12
Class 1: We will start from the very beginning with treadle control. Once participants are able to gain some control over speed and direction, we will add our hand coordination to the mix. Everyone will go home with their wheel and homework that first day.
Class 2: We will see how a good night’s sleep gives our brains time to work on our hand, eye and foot coordination. The second day we will look at the actual fiber, talk a little about fiber prep for spinning and then, we will spin. Each person will take their wheel and fiber home with instructions to spin a good 1/2 bobbin of singles.
Class 3: We will talk about the wheel a little more. Topics include changing to an empty bobbin, when and how to clean and oil a wheel and when/how to change a drive band. We will also talk about spin control and how to get a similar thickness of yarn throughout an entire bobbin. This days homework is to spin a second 1/2 bobbin of singles onto a second bobbin.
Class 4 is all about plying and and finishing techniques. We will make 1/2 bobbin of 2 ply yarn. We will then learn how to wind the yarn off onto a niddy noddy (and how to count yardage as you do). We will talk about wet finishing and steam finishing as well as when, why and how to “thwack” a hank of yarn. We will learn how to take the leftover singles, wrap it into a bracelet and 2 ply off the wrist. I will demonstrate chain plying and show how that looks different than plying from 3 bobbins.
Four class series to learn to spin yarn on a spinning wheel. Four dates:
Sat. June 8, 2 pm - 4 pm
Sun. June 9, 1 pm -3 pm
Sat. June 15, 10 am -12 pm
Sat June 22, 10 am -12 pm