Workshops November & December 2014

Workshops November & December 2014
2nd Nov 10am - 1pm Fleece and Fibre Preparation   £40  Only 2 places left!!
at 206 High Street (GRM Podiatry), Auchterarder, PH3 1AF


Starting from the raw fleece, learn how to sort the wool into different qualities and prepare it in two different ways for hand spinning different styles of yarns.We will discuss how to choose a good fleece for handspinning, the characteristics and uses of fleeces from different breeds of sheep, and different non-wool fibres. This is essential for understanding the raw materials and how to get the best yarns possible from them. 
Materials and use of equipment included.

2nd Nov 2pm-5pm Drop Spindle Spinning  £40  Only 2 places left!!
at 206 High Street (GRM Podiatry), Auchterarder, PH3 1AF
 

An ideal start for beginners, using a drop spindle lets us separate the different phases of the spinning process and slow things right down while learning how to spin. A drop spindle is an inexpensive, portable and very versatile tool with which you can learn to spin a wide range of yarns.
The manual skills of drop spindle spinning transfer directly to spinning with a spinning wheel and learning to use a spinning wheel is much easier if you have had a little practice with a spindle first.
Materials and use of equipment included. £10 off if you also book the morning workshop

9th November 2 - 5pm Knitting Christmas baubles £35
at 204 High Street, Auchterarder, PH3 1AF

For a real home - made Christmas look - and they make lovely gifts. A good introduction to knitting Fair Isle in the round on double-pointed needles, or magic loop.
Workshop includes a kit with instructions and materials to make four different baubles - we will make a start on one, you can finish the rest at home. Yarn is pure Shetland wool.
Please bring a set of 5 3mm double pointed needles, or a 100cm long 3mm circular needle.

23rd November 10am - 5pm Getting the best from your spinning wheel  £70
at 206 High Street (GRM Podiatry), Auchterarder, PH3 1AF

Ideal next step for those who have learned to spin with a spindle, this workshop will also suit spinners who want to improve their technique or vary the kinds of yarn they can spin. You can try at least three different models of spinning wheel if you are thinking about buying one, or if you already have a wheel bring it along for a mini-service*.
Materials and use of equipment included.
*Please let me know if you are bringing your own wheel*

30th November 10 am - 5 pm Spinning Multicoloured Fibres £55

Those delicious hand-painted braids, tops and handcarded batts can be disappointing when spun, unless you know how to control the colour changes. This workshop will teach you a range of techniques to ensure you get the effect you want, whether that is vibrant, subtle, graduated or fractal.
Not suitable for complete beginners
NB Price does NOT include materials - either bring a 100g braid and a 50g blended batt or purchase at the workshop (£15). Spinning wheels and other equipment available for use or bring your own.

7th December  2pm - 5pm Introduction to Fair Isle knitting £20 plus cost of kit
at 204 High Street, Auchterarder, PH3 1AF

Learn some new tricks for easier and better results with tihs traditional technique.
NB Price does not include materials:Choose from one of a range of kits, all using pure Shetland wool yarn from £12 - £18.
Please bring a set of 5 3mm double pointed needles, or a 100cm 3mm circular needle.


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