2015 North Country Fiber Fair

Website Updates – 9/3/2015

Much is happening behind the scenes as we prepare for NCFF in a few weeks. We are so excited to help host this year’s fair for you all!

Quick notes for you on website changes.

  • Demo and Animal Display sign ups are no longer on the menu. They’ve been changed to links on the Demonstration and Animals in the Barn pages.  (Our menu was getting so long you couldn’t see all the options! So this will help.)
  • Demonstration listings are now available for your perusal.
  • And there’s more donations posted on the Donations for Door Prizes page.
  • Instructor: Shaina Scott
  • Time: Friday, 5:00-8:00
  • Location: Classroom C
  • Class fee: $45
  • Materials fee: none
  • Class size: min 1/max 20
  • Minimum age: 12
  • Skill level: Intermediate; students should be comfortable with cast-on, knit, purl, yarnover, and bind-off stitches.

During this class, students will learn the basic brioche rib stitch, how to knit brioche using 1 or 2 colors, how to bind off, and how to read their knitting. Students will be given a pattern for the Giant Color Shift Brioche Scarf at no charge, but in class we will be making a smaller sample piece so that all the techniques for the scarf will be covered in the time allotted. By the end of class, students will have the necessary skills to complete the scarf on their own.

For the in-class sample piece, participants should bring 50 yards each of at least 2 colors of worsted weight yarn (this can be scrap yarn); and circular knitting needles 1–2 sizes smaller than what you would normally use for knitting stockinette on worsted weight yarn. (If you are a tight knitter, go down 1 size. If you knit more loosely, go down 2 sizes.)

The Giant Color Shift Brioche Scarf requires size 7 (4.5 mm) 16" circular knitting needles; and 3 balls of Knitpicks City Tweed HW in 3 different colors OR about 165 yards each of 3 colors of any aran/heavy worsted weight yarn.

  • Instructor: Marta Telkamp
  • Sunday, 9:00–12:00 (3 hours)
  • Location: Classroom 2
  • Class fee: $45
  • Materials fee: None. A handout and pattern will be provided.
  • Class size: min 1/max 8
  • Skill level: Intermediate. Students must have taken Beginning Needle Tatting (offered Saturday, 9:00–12:00) or have prior experience in executing rings and chains with picot joins in needle tatting.

Using two needles, two colors, and beads makes your tatting POP! In this class, you will learn to execute rings and chains in contrasting colors, each on its own needle; to float rings off a chain; and to add beads by two methods. Students will make a medallion. While some may complete the project in class, all will have the skills and knowledge to do so at home.

Participants should bring two size-5 tatting needles, 2 balls of size-10 crochet thread in contrasting colors, a small package of size-8/0 beads, and a tiny crochet hook (size 12 or a size that will go through the hole in your bead and hook the thread). Students may wish to bring scissors.

  • Instructor: Cori Eichelberger
  • Time: Sunday, 9:00–12:00 (3 hours)
  • Location: Classroom 1
  • Class fee: $45
  • Materials fee: None. A handout with several patterns will be provided.
  • Class size: min 3/max 15
  • Minimum age: 18
  • Skill level: Intermediate. Students should be able to knit, purl, and use the long-tail cast-on.

Wondering how to make those fancy horizontal braids you see on knitted sweaters, hats, and cowls? Let’s take the mystery out of the process and learn how to do two-color, left- and right-leaning Latvian braids as well as one-color horizontal Vikkel braids. A lesson on Cori’s two-color cast-on is also included in this hands-on skill-building class where participants can choose to start a Choose Your Own Path hat or a cowl.

Participants should bring 2 colors of worsted weight wool yarn (one light and one dark works best; 50 grams are sufficient, so scraps may be used), and TWO US Size 7 (4.5mm) or 8 (5 mm) 16-inch circular knitting needles.

Homework: Using one color of worsted weight wool and your US Size 7 OR 8 16-inch circular needle, cast on 84 stitches and work 2 x 2 ribbing for 2 inches

  • *Please note: this class is for those using iOS/Apple devices (not Android).
    There is a class for the Android version Sunday from 3:00–4:00.
  • Instructor: Marta Telkamp
  • Time: Sunday, 1:00–2:30 (1.5 hours)
  • Location: Classroom 2
  • Class fee: $22.50
  • Materials fee: None. A handout will be provided.
  • Class size: min 1/max 15
  • Skill level: No specific skills are required, but students should be comfortable navigating an iPhone or iPad or Mac and able to download and install an app from the app store.

KnitCompanion is a powerful app for people who knit, crochet, sew, or take part in any activity that uses patterns. Discover how you can save printer supplies; stop worrying about where you put your pattern, your counter, and your pen/pencil; and stop writing hash marks on your paper. You’ll never need to print a pattern again!

With KnitCompanion you can read your pattern, highlight, zoom in and out, track progress on charts using adjustable row/stitch markers and row/stitch counters (even linked counters—think “at the same time”!), and you can connect your Ravelry and Dropbox accounts. There is even support for mystery-alongs, so you can append pages to your project. Come along as we explore all the features available in the KnitCompanion app!

Students will learn to use KnitCompanion to upload pdf patterns, create projects, and track their progress using the sliding markers and simple counters; use project notes and timer; and link their Ravelry and Dropbox accounts to the app. Students will also receive a demo of the many additional options available with a low-cost paid subscription. By the end of class, students will have set up a project in KnitCompanion.

Participants should have an iPhone or iPad running iOS 13.6 or later, or a Mac running macOS 11.0 or later, and may wish to have paper and pen/pencil. Ravelry and Dropbox accounts are helpful but not required.

  • Please note: this class is for those using Android (not Apple or iOS) devices.
    There is a class for the Apple/iOS version Sunday from 1:00–2:30.
  • Instructor: Marta Telkamp
  • Time: Sunday, 3:00–4:00 (1 hour)
  • Location: Classroom 2
  • Class fee: $15
  • Materials fee: None. A handout will be provided.
  • Class size: min 1/max 15
  • Skill level: No specific skills are required, but students should be comfortable navigating an Android smartphone or tablet. They should be able to download and install an app from the Google Play store.

KnitCompanion is a powerful app for people who knit, crochet, sew, or take part in any activity that uses patterns. Discover how you can save printer supplies; stop worrying about where you put your pattern, your counter, and your pen/pencil; and stop writing hash marks on your paper. You’ll never need to print a pattern again!

With KnitCompanion you can read your pattern, highlight, zoom in and out, track progress on charts using adjustable row/stitch markers and row/stitch counters (even linked counters—think “at the same time”!), and you can connect your Ravelry and Dropbox accounts. There is even support for mystery-alongs, so you can append pages to your project. Come along as we explore all the features available in the KnitCompanion app!

Students will learn to use KnitCompanion to upload pdf patterns, create projects, and track their progress using the sliding markers and simple counters; use project notes and timer; and link their Ravelry and Dropbox accounts to the app. Students will also receive a demo of the many additional options available with a low-cost paid subscription. By the end of class, students will have set up a project in KnitCompanion.

Participants should have an Android smartphone or tablet running Android 7.0 or higher and may wish to have paper and pen/pencil. Ravelry and Dropbox accounts are helpful but not required.

  • Instructor: Annie Mullin
  • Time: Sunday, 1:00–4:00 (3 hours)
  • Location: Classroom B
  • Class fee: $45
  • Materials fee: None
  • Class size: min 1/max 20
  • Minimum age: 10
  • Skill level: Beginner, but students must already know basic crochet stitches (ch, sc, dc, etc.)

Tunisian crochet can create everything from wonderfully warm and thick fabric to lace that is light as air. In this hands-on introduction to Tunisian crochet, students will learn basic Tunisian stitches and troubleshooting. We will be making swatches in class.

Participants should bring:

  • two skeins of yarn, light colored but with some contrast for colorwork, in light (CYC 3) or medium (CYC 4) weight, and one skein of superfine (CYC 1) weight yarn. (They don’t have to be full skeins, just more than half; 200–300 yards of each should suffice.)
  • their own hooks. An elongated hook (with interchangeable cables or a solid long one similar to a knitting needle) is typically used, but any crochet hook with a straight shaft (without a widened thumb grip or an extra handle) will work. Bring multiple sizes of hooks, if possible, since the hook used for Tunisian crochet varies depending on what the goal is for the finished fabric.

  • Instructor: Cori Eichelberger
  • Time: Sunday, 1:30–3:30 (2 hours)
  • Location: Classroom 1
  • Class fee: $30
  • Materials fee: None. A handout will be provided.
  • Class size: min 3/max 15
  • Minimum age: 18
  • Skill level: No specific skills are needed.

Did one of your knitting projects have a problem? Have you finished knitting a sweater shawl or sweater and don’t wear it? Based on the popular HGTV show Fixer Upper, I’m here to bring your old, unused, projects back to life. Bring your problem projects to this class for a little help on fixes, tips, and tricks for specific problems, such as necklines, button bands, or armhole depths. I’ve had my share of problem knits throughout my 30+ years of knitting, and I’ve come up with some unique and interesting fixes. Class participation will be required, as there really is no class if no one brings a problem. Please sign up only if you’re willing to bring a project or question. I will bring several problem knitwear items to class to present the most common issues.

Students do not need to provide supplies, but must bring a problem knit or question.

  • Instructor: Shaina Scott
  • Time: Sunday, 1:00–3:00 (2 hours)
  • Location: Classroom C
  • Class fee: $30
  • Materials fee: None.
  • Class size: min 1/max 10
  • Minimum age: 12
  • Skill level: Intermediate; students should be comfortable with cast-on, knit, purl, and bind-off stitches, and picking up stitches with a crochet hook.

During this class, students will learn the fun technique of adding multi-gauge stitches to their knitting. We'll cover the basics of creating knit stitches that are 2 and 3 times the size of normal stitches, and how to add this technique into a pre-existing pattern. We'll be adding this technique to a simple set of fingerless mitts that students will prepare ahead of time as homework. By the end of class students should be binding off and will have a finished project to take home.

Participants should bring a crochet hook in a size similar to the needles used; locking stitch markers; scissors; notepad and pen; and at least 1 homework mitt with stitches live on the needles OR a 6" swatch with the stitches live on the needles.

Homework: I will be providing full copies of the mitts pattern to all students at no extra charge. These will be sent upon registration so you have time to complete at least one mitt before class.

  • Instructor: Cori Eichelberger
  • Time: Saturday, 9:00–12:00 (3 hours)
  • Location: Classroom 1
  • Class fee: $45
  • Materials fee: None. A large handout of resources and instructions for each kind of fix is provided.
  • Class size: min 3/max 15
  • Minimum age: 18
  • Skill level: Advanced beginner to intermediate. Students must know how to knit, purl, cast on, and bind off.

Learn how to fix the most common mistakes that face knitters. Students in this class will knit a small swatch with mistakes included. (I’ll provide instructions and it’s easy.) We will work together following an instruction sheet to address each type of problem: tinking, frogging, changing purls to knits and vice versa many rows down, dropping stitches down and laddering back up, removing extra YOs, picking up stitches 4 rows down to rip more quickly, fixing mis-crossed cables rows below, duplicate stitches, neat edges, placing lifelines, and more.

The feedback I’ve received is that this is the best class some knitters have ever taken. You can up your knitting game when you’re confident about your fixing skills.

Students should bring an extra knitting needle (US size 2, 3, or 4, any length); a crochet hook (G, H, or I works best); scrap yarn; and a finished homework swatch.

Homework: An instruction sheet for the swatch will be emailed to members of the class before the event.

  • Instructor: Kelly Knispel
  • Time: Sunday, 9:00–11:00 (2 hours). This class is also taught on Friday, 2:00–4:00 pm.
  • Location: Classroom A
  • Class fee: $30
  • Materials fee: $20
  • Class size: min 3/max 5
  • Minimum age: 14
  • Skill level: Easy/basic. No experience is needed—just excitement and interest!

Learn how to spin wool into wonderful yarn. This class is for beginners wanting to learn a new skill, or anyone needing a bit of guidance with their own wheel. Students will leave with a small skein of single-ply yarn.

The materials fee includes approximately 4 oz. of fiber. A variety of fibers will also be for sale.

Participants should bring bobbins and a spinning wheel that is in working order. Due to the short class period, wheel maintenance will not be available. If you would like to borrow a spinning wheel, please indicate this on your registration form.

  • Instructor: Annie Mullin
  • Time: Sunday, 9:00–12:00 (3 hours)
  • Location: Classroom B
  • Class fee: $45
  • Materials fee: None.
  • Class size: min 1/max 20
  • Minimum age: 10
  • Skill level: Beginner, but students must already know basic crochet stitches (ch, sc, dc, dec, etc.)

Students will learn tips and tricks that I’ve collected over the years for improving crocheted amigurumi (crocheted stuffed toys), including not-a-magic-ring, foundation crochet, invisible decrease, ultimate finish, seamless joining of toy body parts, and no more ch-3 dc replacements at the beginning of a row. Students are welcome to bring partially finished amigurumi to try the new techniques on. Otherwise, we will be doing swatches and test pieces, and finding solutions to any issues students may have run into while crocheting toys.

Bring most of a skein of light-colored yarn in light (CYC 3) or medium (CYC 4) weight, your own hook(s), and any questions or problems that may need a solution you haven't already found. Feel free to email problems ahead of time.

  • Instructor: Lyla Agius
  • Time: Saturday, 1:00–3:00 (2 hours)
  • Location: Classroom 2
  • Class fee: $30
  • Materials fee: None, but sample yarn packets may be purchased for $5–10.
  • Class size: min 2/max 10
  • Minimum age: 16
  • Skill level: No specific skills required. Beginning to advanced weavers are welcome.

Are your weaving selvages not as straight as you would like, or are you having trouble with them? Learn some of my tricks to help you maintain good straight selvages, and learn why changing a weave structure or yarn can change the selvage edge. Students will gain a better understanding of how the warp and weft interlace with each other and how not to fight the weaving process.

Optional materials fee will include some yarn sample packets that the students can buy to try various yarn weights.

Participants must provide their own loom, warped and ready to weave. Rigid heddle and harness looms are both welcome. Students must also bring their own weaving supplies: shuttles, yarn, hooks—whatever is necessary for their loom. Harness looms should be threaded in a twill weave of the student’s choice. I will e-mail students more information. Wear comfortable shoes if you are using a table loom.

  • Instructor: Jeri Kurtz
  • Time: Saturday 1:00–4:00 (3 hours)
  • Location: Classroom A
  • Class fee: $45
  • Materials fee: None. A handout will be provided.
  • Class size: min 1/max 10
  • Minimum age: 12
  • Skill level: Beginner, but knowledge of basic crochet stitches is required (sc, dc, ch, sl st. etc.).

I love crochet! I try new things all the time. But not everyone feels that way. Maybe you know basic crochet stitches but are unsure about moving forward. This class is for you! We will try some new stitches, make some squares, and play with colors, all just for fun! Ever tried crocheting in the round, overlay versus inset mosaic crochet, crocheting in the front and back loops, working with twisted stitches, or reverse single crochet? We'll try these things in this class.

We'll be working with some squares from the current and ongoing Moogly 2022CAL (with permission). Because the class is about learning different crochet stitches, it aims to provide inspiration rather than a finished project. You will make parts of blanket squares; you may decide to finish them and make a whole blanket, or you may decide to forget the whole thing, your choice!

Participants should bring about 2 oz. in each of 4 colors of worsted weight yarn (4 wt) that go together. At least one should be a lighter color for background and one should be darker for emphasis, with the two other colors in between. Students should also bring an appropriate-sized hook (I or J) and their own supplies such as scissors.

  • Instructor: DiAnn Boehm
  • Time: Saturday, 9:00–12:00 (3 hours)
  • Location: Classroom 2
  • Class fee: $45
  • Materials fee: $25, payable to the instructor in class
  • Class size: min 3/max 20
  • Skill level: Intermediate. Students should know how to confidently spin yarn.

DiAnn will help students learn to spin angora rabbit fiber. She will demonstrate how to groom, care for, and maintain angora rabbits, as well as how to harvest and store their fiber. In addition to spinning 100% angora fiber, students will be taught how to blend and spin wool with angora.

The materials fee includes corridale sheep roving and angora rabbit fiber.

Participants need to provide hand cards and a functional spinning wheel or drop spindle.

  • Instructor: Shaina Scott
  • Time: Saturday, 9:00–12:00 (3 hours)
  • Location: Classroom A
  • Class fee: $45
  • Materials fee: None
  • Class size: min 1/max 20
  • Minimum age: All ages are welcome.
  • Skill level: Beginner

In this fun new class you'll learn how to easily make a custom Hobby Journal that will work for any craft or pastime that strikes your fancy, all with the skills and supplies you have available. The intention behind a Hobby Journal is to create a place to record your hobbies while also giving you time to pause and reflect on your accomplishments. Plus, it's just a lot of fun creating journaling spreads for your various projects!

Students will be provided with a journaling system and template that will work for everything from knitting to reading to spinning to cooking, and the best part is that you can use whatever paper-crafting supplies you have available to you! This system works with any type of notebook: lined, dot-grid, sketch pad, etc. Just be sure to bring plenty of supplies you enjoy working with. You will focus on one journal in class, but you are welcome to bring additional supplies if you are interested in beginning more journals and want a bit of guidance. By the end of class, you will have the necessary skills and inspiration to continue your hobby journaling adventure.

This is truly a class that meets you where you are in your paper-crafting and artistic skills. As long as you can hold a pencil and/or put down some stickers or stamps, you'll be able to participate in class.

Participants should bring:

  • a notebook. The type of paper and binding doesn't matter; just bring one that you'll enjoy working in and that will hold up to the art supplies that you want to use in it. For example, if you plan to use markers, a heavier paper is recommended so the ink doesn't bleed through the pages.
  • a pencil and eraser. We will be doing subtle sketching to lay out our pages.
  • any paper-crafting supplies you want to use in your journal. For example, pens, markers, stickers, washi tape, stamps, watercolor paints are possibilities. The supplies you bring are all at your discretion. You don't need everything; just bring what you have and want to use in your journal.

  • Instructor: Cori Eichelberger
  • Time: Saturday, 1:30–4:30 (3 hours)
  • Location: Classroom 1
  • Class fee: $45
  • Materials fee: None. Students will receive an alphabetized spreadsheet of all sweaters shown in class, as well as a couple of resource handouts.
  • Class size: min 3/max 15
  • Minimum age: 16
  • Skill level: No specific skills are needed

Never knit a sweater? Knit a few sweaters but none of them fit quite right? This chance to look at construction styles of 60 sweaters, along with yarn choices, will allow students to really visually “see” what they may like or dislike about a sweater they plan to knit. How to fix a gaping neckline? What about if a sweater is too long? What if sleeves are too short? Can a hand-knit sweater actually make you look thinner?

In this class, Cori will give you ideas for things you’ve never heard of doing to get a sweater to fit you superbly. She’ll show you why some sweaters look great on everyone and will talk about why some sweaters will never fit anyone well, even though we love the look of them. Learn these tips and more all in one place at one time, and you can try them all on!

Students should bring paper and a pen or pencil.

  • Instructor: Marta Telkamp
  • Time: Saturday, 9:00–12:00 (3 hours)
  • Location: Classroom C
  • Class fee: $45
  • Materials fee: None. A handout and pattern are provided.
  • Class size: min 1/max 8
  • Skill level: No specific skills are required.

If you have tried tatting and struggled to pass the shuttle between your fingers while keeping your stitches neat, needle tatting is the answer! If you have always admired tatted pieces, but thought you could never do it yourself, needle tatting is for you! If you are looking for a new medium to expand your fiber horizons, needle tatting will do it! Anyone who knits or crochets can usually learn needle tatting! Tatting is an inexpensive art that takes very few tools and materials, but satisfies the desire to create something beautiful to share with the world. In this class, you will learn the basics of needle tatting and use these techniques to make a beautiful pendant. Everyone is welcome regardless of experience, but the class is designed for the absolute beginner.

Participants will learn to make the double stitch and picot, as well as how to join picots and connect a series of stitches into rings and chains. All students will start a lovely pendant; some students will complete their pendant in class, yet all will have the skills and knowledge to do so at home.

Students need to bring one size-5 tatting needle and one ball of light-colored size-10 crochet thread.

  • Instructor: DiAnn Boehm
  • Time: Saturday, 1:00–3:00 (2 hours)
  • Location: Kitchen
  • Class fee: $30
  • Materials fee: $15
  • Class size: min 1/max 20
  • Skill level: No specific skills are needed, just an open mind and the ability to color.

Students will have fun dying silk scarves with alcohol dyes. Basic color theory will be covered, as well as how to dye scarves with alcohol dyes. Students will take away beautiful dyed silk scarves.

The materials fee covers a scarf, dyes, and fixative. Additional scarves may be purchased for $10 each.

  • Instructor: Elizabeth Fox
  • Time: Saturday, 9–12 (3 hours)
  • Location: Kitchen
  • Class fee: $45
  • Materials fee: $25. A full-sized skein may be purchased for an additional $9.50.
  • Class size: min 1/max 10
  • Skill level: No specific skills are needed.

Each student will dye 9 mini skeins with a combination of primary colors to see how the dyes interact to create new colors. A further 1–2 mini skeins of a contrasting fiber will also be dyed to experiment with how the same dyes react with different fibers. In addition, students may choose to dye a full skein for an extra fee. All fibers will be protein (animal) fibers.

We will employ the dyebath method of dyeing wool, using acid dyes from Dharma Trading to create a color wheel of wool with primary and secondary colors.

The materials fee includes 11 mini skeins of wool of sock weight; dyes; and all equipment needed to dye in a dyebath. A handout, gloves, and masks will be provided. Note that masks will be worn when chemicals are used to protect the lungs from citric acid and dye powder.

Students should wear either clothes that can be stained or a waterproof apron.

  • Instructor: Kim Oslund
  • Time: Saturday, 12:00–4:00 (4 hours)
  • Location: Classroom C
  • Class fee: $60
  • Materials fee: $25, payable to the instructor in class.
  • Class size: min 3/max 12
  • Minimum age: 15
  • Skill level: Beginner. Students should know how to cast on, bind off, knit, and purl.

Curated yarns in different colors, brought together with big needles and exciting stitches, are all you need to create this very easy, stunningly beautiful, Alchemy Shawl. Each one is completely unique. Students will learn about color/fiber mixing, measuring, embellishing, creating, and finishing! In class, you will learn to curate your yarns, combine your fibers, and prepare to knit your Alchemy Shawl.

The materials fee includes a pattern, large circular knitting needle, and enough yarn to create a complete Alchemy Shawl.

Participants should bring scraps that you have been saving from your stash!

  • Instructor: Kim Oslund
  • Time: Friday, 5:00–8:00 (3 hours)
  • Location: Classroom A
  • Class fee: $45
  • Materials fee: $15, payable to instructor in class
  • Class size: min 4/min 25
  • Minimum age: 7
  • Skill level: Nothing is needed but a great attitude! This class is fun for kids.

Needle felting is for anyone who can “poke” wool with a barbed needle, agitating the fibers until they bond together to create the object, picture, or fabric you are trying to create. Students will learn needle felting technique, and explore colors and fibers to make a couple of very cool holiday ornaments. Each ornament is completely unique.

The materials fee includes a felting kit with needles, backing, instruction, and plenty of colorful fibers to complete two ornaments.

  • Instructor: Lyla Agius
  • Time: Friday, 1:00–4:00 and 5:00–8:00 (6 hours)
  • Location: Kitchen
  • Class fee: $90
  • Materials fee: None
  • Class size: min 2/max 4
  • Minimum age: 18
  • Skill level: Beginner, or a weaver who is interested in a warping refresher. No previous weaving experience required.

Does warping a loom scare you? This is a hands-on class to learn how to fully “dress a loom.” Each student will help measure the warp, put it on the loom, and get it “dressed” for weaving. This class is for anyone who is interested in setting up a loom. Materials and handouts are included.

Participants should bring a notepad and a pen/pencil for taking notes.

  • Instructor: Kerry Maas
  • Time: Friday, 1:00–4:00 and 5:00–8:00 (6 hours)
  • Location: Classroom 2
  • Class fee: $90
  • Materials fee: None
  • Class size: min 2/max 10
  • Skill level: Intermediate. Students must be able to knit on double-pointed needles, be familiar with short rows (we will use two different kinds), and know how to make the crochet provisional cast on and M1 increases.

We will be doing two things in this class: (1) knitting a miniature toe-up sock, so that participants can experience all the parts of toe-up sock knitting; and (2) using our foot measurements, knitting gauge, and math to work out the recipe for knitting socks to fit our feet. Students will leave the class with a miniature toe-up sock and a personal recipe for knitting their own full-sized toe-up socks.

Participants should bring:

  • 1 yard of waste yarn (preferably not feltable wool) close to the same size as the main yarn
  • 5 yards of yarn in a size between fingering and worsted weight
  • A set of double-pointed needles that work best with the chosen yarn
  • A crochet hook sized to work with that yarn

  • Instructor: Rhonda Berman
  • Time: Sunday, 9:00–1:00 (4 hours)
  • Location: Kitchen
  • Class fee: $60
  • Materials fee: None
  • Class size: min 3/max 12
  • Minimum age: Very sharp needles are used, so it is preferable if students are at least 12 years old.
  • Skill level: Beginner. This class is open to all skill levels. If you can thread a needle you can do this art form. Needle felting experience is a plus but not a prerequisite for this class.

Each student will be making a brooch/shawl pin using zippers, roving, and embellishments. The zipper is hand sewn onto wool felt, making an outline of a design. The inside is then filled in with wool roving using the technique of needle felting. Then buttons, beads, metal, and other embellishments are added.

Students will learn also how to prepare a zipper and apply a pattern. Needle felting instruction will be included in this class, as well as embellishment tips and finishing options.

  • Instructor: Marta Telkamp
  • Time: Friday, 1:00–4:00 (3 hours)
  • Location: Classroom 1
  • Class fee: $45
  • Materials fee: None. A handout and pattern will be provided.
  • Class size: min 1/max 8
  • Skill level: Intermediate. Students should be able to knit, purl, decrease by k2tog, perform a stretchy cast on such as the German twisted cast on, and work in the round. It will be helpful but is not required if students have knit a hat before.

Stranded colorwork can often seem complex or intimidating. The term ‘stranded colorwork’ refers to knitting that uses two colors at once, where both colors are carried behind the work as the stitches are knitted. This technique produces incredibly beautiful eye-catching garments, and knitting with two or more colors also tends to make these items quite a bit warmer than single-color items. Demystify stranded knitting and achieve colorwork success as you knit a hat with traditional Norwegian motifs.

Students will learn how to hold two colors of yarn at once, manage floats, and read colorwork charts, and will pick up some helpful tips along the way. Students will also understand color dominance and the effect of stranding on tension. At the end of the class, students should be able to complete the hat on their own.

Students will need:

  • 2 contrasting colors of DK weight yarn:
    • 100 grams background color
    • 50 grams pattern color
  • Circular Needles, any length from 12" to 20" will work:
    • Size US 2.5 (3 mm)
    • Size US 4 (3.5 mm) or size to meet gauge of 22 sts to 4” (10 cm)

Homework: Cast on 120 sts with background color on smaller needle. Join, being careful not to twist the yarn around the needle. Work 2 ¼” (6 cm) in stockinette, purl one round, then knit 2 or 3 more rounds.

  • Instructor: Jessie Nesseim
  • Time: Friday, 5:00–7:00 (2 hours)
  • Location: Classroom B
  • Class fee: $30
  • Materials fee: $5
  • Class size: min 2/max 12
  • Minimum age: 10
  • Skill level: Easy/basic

Students will learn the basics of spinning with a drop spindle. This is a great beginner class to learn spinning. Students will come away with the basics of spinning and plying. We will be working with low and high whorl spindles.

The materials fee includes a basic student spindle, roving, and take-home notes.

Participants should bring a ball of scrap sport-weight yarn to practice plying technique. If you have a spindle you would like to use, you can bring it.

  • Instructor: Kelly Knispel
  • Time: Friday, 2:00–4:00 (2 hours). This class is also taught on Sunday, 9:00–11:00.
  • Location: Classroom A
  • Class fee: $30
  • Materials fee: $20
  • Class size: min 3/max 5
  • Minimum age: 14
  • Skill level: Easy/basic. No experience is needed—just excitement and interest!

Learn how to spin wool into wonderful yarn. This class is for beginners wanting to learn a new skill, or anyone needing a bit of guidance with their own wheel. Students will leave with a small skein of single-ply yarn.

The materials fee includes approximately 4 oz. of fiber. A variety of fibers will also be for sale.

Participants should bring bobbins and a spinning wheel that is in working order. Due to the short class period, wheel maintenance will not be available. If you would like to borrow a spinning wheel, please indicate this on your registration form.