LEarn to spin

No workshops currently scheduled, but Contact me to schedule a 1:1 lesson in my studio that meets your goals. Learn to spin on your spinning wheel or on one of mine. (If you are learning on your own spinning wheel this can also include checking the wheel out to get it in good working order.)

No charge for spinning lessons in honor of the 4H leaders and farmers who changed my life by teaching me to spin when I was a kid and in the tradition of the women (and men) who taught younger generations throughout history.❤️

Monthly spin-in gatherings

Early Winter Spin-Ins are Tuesday Dec 17, 2024 and Tuesday Jan 7, 2025, 1-4 PM

(Watch Facebook event in case of changes.)

Informal, no-cost gatherings in the studio. Please NOTE THE CHANGE for the January spin in - I have a conflict on the third Tuesday of January so have rescheduled this one to the first Tuesday of January. We can reevaluate these dates together in January for the rest of the winter/spring of 2025 to find a day that works best for everyone. :)

Let’s spin together! (or knit, crochet, needle felt, weave, rug hook… whatever you enjoy!). I’ll provide something to drink and something to munch on. BYO spinning wheel or feel free to use one of mine. You’re welcome to use my dye area and dyes if you’d like (bring some fiber or get some here) - happy to share. :)

Please contact me to RSVP and to get directions to my house/studio which is just over a mile from the Four Corners intersection of 107/140. The Spin Ins are also publicized on Facebook as Events so follow me there to keep tabs on our monthly spin ins - that is where I will post any cancellations or changes and it’s nice to get a ‘head count’ of who is expected to attend that way.

Please also note that the studio is down a flight of stairs.

freeform weaving saori stye on a rigid heddle loom

FRIDAY DECEMBER 6th 1-4 PM ~ 4 slots available. $65 Please register by Saturday November 30th so I have time to prewarp the looms. At least two participants are required to run the workshop.

If this time/date does not work for you, please contact me to be contacted when more are scheduled or to schedule a private workshop for yourself or a group of 2-4 participants.

Freeform weaving is a very easy, fun, no-mistakes practice. Relax and explore your creative side with the many colors and textures of yarns and fibers available in the studio. Freeform weaving encourages freedom of expression and improvisation. No prior weaving experience is necessary. Think of it as a “Paint Night” with fiber!

When you arrive you will sit right down at a 15” Cricket rigid heddle loom that is prewarped with black thread and ready to use. You’ll be taught the basics very quickly so you will be weaving right away. Gentle guidance will be provided as you weave sharing helpful tips and techniques. Please also note that the studio is down a flight of stairs.

Please bring yarn or yarns you love and/or plan to buy some of my handspun yarn* as the basis of your weaving. I suggest a DK or sock weight yarn, a worsted weight yarn or a bulky yarn to begin with, but truly anything goes. It is fun to mix things up, experiment and have a variety of colors, textures and weights of yarn to add to your free form weaving. Beyond the yarn you bring with you, I will provide oodles of colorful, texture rich novelty yarns, ribbons and other “treasures” that will make your weavings sing and inspire your creativity! All yarns and fibers throughout the studio (other than the handspun yarns) will be up for grabs - curly locks of mohair, clumps of sari silk thread and banana silk fibers, strands of dyed silk, fabric scraps cut into long ribbons, strips of hand dyed wools, colorful fun commercial and novelty yarns, ribbons, lace trims, feathers, things that sparkle…! If you have a stash of yarn scraps/balls that you aren’t sure what to do with please consider bringing them along to donate to a community yarn basket that everyone is welcome to use.

The size of your completed weaving will depend on the yarns and techniques you choose to use. During a three hour session you will likely create a fabric that could be used as a table mat for a candle or plant, a small wall hanging, possibly even a small scarf or fabric that could be sewn into a small bag or pouch. Freeform weaving is a process oriented practice, but the resulting fabric is one of a kind, creative and beautiful!

Includes: use of prewarped rigid heddle loom and all the treasures you like

You provide: at least 200 yards of yarn or yarns you like ~ see yarn suggestions above

*If you would like to purchase my handspun yarns to use in your weavings you can view them here. Class participants have the option to purchase either a full skein or a half a skein. If you’d like to purchase ahead of time for class please contact me and I will hold the yarn here for you. You are also welcome to purchase handspun yarns during the class. This is completely optional.

15” Cricket rigid heddle looms (including everything you need to weave at home), loom stands and loom traps will be available for a 10% discount for class participants who fall in love with weaving and want to continue at home.

rigid heddle loom weaving for beginners

Friday, December 13th 10:00-5:00 in my Gilmanton, NH studio $125 3 slots available (class will still run with one or two participants) Please register prior to Saturday, December 7th.

If this date/time don’t work for you, please contact me to be notified when more are scheduled or to arrange a private workshop for yourself or your group of 2-3 participants.

The goal of this class is to teach you to use a rigid heddle loom from start to finish. Using a 15” Schacht Cricket rigid heddle loom, participants will spend the morning learning to warp, weave and finish a piece of fabric. After a lunch break, participants will choose to continue on their morning weaving or to repeat the process a second time building on their knowledge from the morning to plan and use a new warp. Although the workshop is more about learning the process from beginning to end, I hope you will love your2 first little rigid heddle loom weaving(s)! Please also note that the studio is down a flight of stairs.

Includes: Use of a Cricket loom, your warp (3/2 mercerized cotton in your choice of black or white - this is what you will put on the loom to weave on) and a variety of fun ‘treasures’ (novelty yarns/various fibers/sparkly things, etc) to add in as you weave if you desire

You provide: your weft* (this is what you will weave in and out of your warp) — at least 200-400 yards of yarn/yarns you love & your lunch/beverage

*Weft suggestions - I suggest a DK, sport or sock weight yarn, a worsted weight yarn or a bulky yarn to begin with but truly anything goes. It is fun to mix things up and have a variety of colors and weights of yarn with which to experiment and play as you learn. If there are yarns you’d like to experiment with, bring them! If you have a stash of yarn scraps/balls that you aren’t sure what to do with please consider bringing them along to donate to a community yarn basket that everyone is welcome to use.

If you would like to purchase my handspun yarns to use as weft in your weavings you can view them here. Class participants have the option to purchase either a full skein or a half a skein. If you’d like to purchase ahead of time for class please contact me and I will hold the yarn here for you. You are also welcome to purchase handspun yarns during the class. This is completely optional.

15” Cricket rigid heddle looms (including everything you need to weave at home) will be available for a 10% discount for class participants who fall in love with weaving and want to continue at home.

COMING IN 2025…

Please join me in 2025 for classes at Sanborn Mills Farm in Loudon, NH! I am excited to begin teaching classes at this beautiful location this year including Introduction to Rigid Heddle Loom Weaving (April 5, 2025), Beginning Spinning on a Spinning Wheel (June 7, 2025) and Spinning Art Yarns (November 1, 2025). More details and registration information at the Sanborn Mills Farm website.