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Home > Fiber Festival > Fiber Festival Workshops

Fiber Festival Workshops


Please Note: Any materials fee needs to be paid to the instructor at the beginning of the workshop. Please be sure to check in 15 minutes before the start of the class.


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Interested in hosting a 2018 Workshop? Click here for an application
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Saturday
November 3, 2018
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Oxford Punch Lamb Ornament

November 3 | 9:30 - 11 am
Location: Workshop 1
Instructor: Kathy Donovan of Checkmate Farm
Minimum: 2 Maximum: 10

About
Skill Level: Beginner
Cost: $20
Join us for this simple introduction into Punch needle rug hooking. Great for beginners and children age 10 years. We will be creating this quick little lamb ornament using our Karakul sheep rug yarn and size 10 Regular Oxford Punch Needle. Your kit will include supplies for the ornament, (design on monk's cloth, yarn and embellishments), the instructor will supply punch needle and frame. You will complete the lamb in class. The lamb is 4" x 6".

Materials
Fee: $15
The fee covers the kit which includes the pattern, yarn and embellishments.

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Begin to Spin!

November 3 | 9:30 - 11:30am
Location: Workshop 2
Instructor: Marcia Weinert
Minimum: 2 Maximum: 7

About
Skill Level: Beginner
Cost: $45
Learn to make your own, unique handspun yarn on a spinning wheel! We’ll play with several types of prepared wool while we discuss wheel maintenance, drafting, treadling, plying and finishing techniques to make a balanced yarn. As time permits, we’ll touch on various types of fiber preparation and non-wool fibers. No previous experience required. Warning: spinning can be addictive!

Materials
Fee: $10
The fee covers all fiber and handouts, as well as in-class use of ball winder, niddy-noddy and lazy kate. Bring a treadle-driven wheel in good working condition, with at least two bobbins. For an additional $10, students may borrow a spinning wheel and bobbins for use in class. Please let us know if you need to borrow a loaner wheel.

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Harmony Santa

November 3 | 10 - 1 pm
Location: Workshop 2
Instructor: Susan Rice of Bartlett Yarns
Minimum: 1 Maximum: 20

About
Skill Level: Basic/Intermediate
Cost: $25
Create an adorable needle felted Santa using the cookie cutter method by Bartlett Yarns. This charming ornament is personalized by the maker and can be cherished for years. Make one in class and take it home.

Materials
Fee: $25
Complete kit which includes block, needles, cutter, roving and embellishments.

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Rigid Heddle Weaving

November 3 | 10am - 1pm
Location: Workshop 4
Instructor: Jill Staubitz of Hartford Artisans Weaving Center
Minimum: 2 Maximum: 6

About
Skill Level: Beginner
Cost: $70
Rigid Heddle looms are perfect for knitters or anyone with the desire to weave! Class will focus on a quick and easy way to warp your rigid heddle loom. You will weave a sample once your loom is warped. We will discuss which yarns work best on a rigid heddle, and learn the difference between the 8, 10 and 12 dent heddles. We'll talk about various projects ideas that you can make with your loom.

Materials
Fee: $5
Instructor will provide detailed handouts, header yarn, paper for winding on, and several novelty yarns to add to your warp. Students will pay an out-of-pocket fee of $5 for provided supplies. Schacht 15" Cricket looms will be available to rent, with the option to purchase at 10% discount. (Weavers bringing their own looms- please bring warping peg, clamps, threading hook, shuttle and 8 dent heddle).

Students should bring approximately 200 yards of a 2-ply worsted weight wool/wool blend, Paton's Worsted Wool is easily available at craft srores and is great practice yarn. Bring measuring tape, scissors, pen, and paper. If renting, please let me know ahead of time and I will have a loom set up for you.


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Flight of Fancy

November 3 | 11:30 - 1:30 pm
Location: Workshop 1
Instructor: Kris Weyrick-Scott of Heart 2 Heart Studio
Minimum: 4 Maximum: 12

About
Level: Basic
Cost: $35
Your imagination is the limit when you combine fabric with needle felting to create a fabulous feathered friend. You will sculpt wool using felting techniques, then fuse with fabric to feather your flying friend to perfection. This is the perfect project for those of us who can't bear to throw away our beautiful fabric scraps!

Materials
Fee: $5
Kit including wool, fabric and wire. Students should bring sharp scissors, a felting pad and needles if they have them.

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Simple Bookmark

November 3 | 12 - 1:30 pm
Location: Workshop 2
Instructor: Aimee Gilbert of Knitting with Aimee at Hemlock Knoll
Minimum: 2 Maximum: 10

About
Level: Beginner
Cost: $15
Learn to cast on, to make the knit stitch, bind off and add fringe.

Materials
Fee: $0
Students should bring size 7 knitting needles

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Plying Demystified!

November 3 | 1:30 - 4:30 pm
Location: Workshop 3
Instructor: Marcia Weinert
Minimum: 3 Maximum: 6

About
Level: Basic spinning skills required: must be able to spin a continuous yarn
Cost: $ 45
Your yarn is all spun- but what happens next at your wheel can make your finished item sparkle or sag. Let's explore all the ways that plying can affect color, durability, texture, and ease of completion- whether you're spinning to knit, crochet or weave! We'll conquer Andean plying and chain ("Navajo") plying, and learn how and why to make and use a tensioned Lazy Kate for 3- and 4- ply yarns and MORE!


Materials
Fee: $10
The materials fee included handouts, singles yarns, and materials to build Lazy Kates. Students should bring a spinning wheel in good working condition; selection of small amounts (8-20 yards or more) of singles (UNPLIED) yarns in matching and contrasting colors; 2-5 bobbins, Lazy Kate (if available)



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Pocket Gnome

November 3 | 1:30 - 3 pm
Location: Workshop 4
Instructor: Jennifer VanSant of Going Gnome
Minimum:Maximum: 22

About
Level: Beginner
Cost: $ 25
This workshop is a great way to learn how to needle felt- or for the experienced felter, a chance to make this cute project.


Materials
Fee: $10
The materials fee includes 2 needles, work pad and all of the wool to complete the project.

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Beginner Rug Hooking

November 3 | 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Location: Workshop 1
Instructor: Lindsay Krauss of Green Mountain Hooked Rugs
Minimum: N/A Maximum: 15

About
Cost: $20
Through lecture, demonstration and hands-on work students will experience the art of rug hooking while on a small project to take home. This class is designed for students who have never tried rug hooking or have very little knowledge of proper technique. Students can arrive knowing little to nothing about rug hooking and will leave being able to pull loops and complete projects! Class content will include discussions of equipment, setup, proper technique and different styles.

Materials
Fee: $ 45
The kit for this class contains the pattern and cut wool strips. There will be 4 color schemes to choose from.
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Folk Art Rug Hooking

November 3 | 2:00 - 5:00 pm
Location: Workshop 2
Instructor: Janet Conner of J Conner Hooked Rugs
Minimum: 3 Maximum: 14

About
Cost: $35
Like all old fashioned crafts, rug hooking is low-tech, simple and fun! You can easily incorporate rovings, hand spun and commercial yarns, felting techniques and embellishments, once you have mastered the basics. Learn the sequence and procedure of rug hooking, from start to finish. Every step will be demonstrated. We will discuss the history and tradition of primitive rug hooking, learn about finding and preparing materials, and research sources of design inspiration. You will choose from a variety of simple folk art designed hooking KITS, for a small mat or chair pad, purchased directly from the instructor.

Materials
Fee: $ 35-60
Your rug hooking kit will include everything needed: hook, instructions, design suggestions, binding, burlap, hoop and a selection of one-of-a-kind heirloom and hand dyed wools. Complete kits and tools priced $35-60 students choice. Materials paid directly to the teacher during the class. Students should bring a pair of fabric scissors to class.
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Sunday
November 4, 2018
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Design and Dye a Sock Blank

November 4 | 9:30 - 11 am
Location: Workshop 1
Instructor: Ellen Minard of Ellen's 1/2 Pint Farm
Minimum: 8 Maximum: 16

About
Level: N/A
Cost: $ 25
Want to design your own sock colors? We will start with a very brief overview of hand painting, take a look at some dyed blanks, and how they will knit up into a pair of socks (because what you see is not necessarily what you get), and then quickly move on to the fun! You will design your own color-way and paint a sock blank. These blanks are double strand, which means you will end up with yarn to knit a pair of exactly matching socks!

Materials
Fee: $20
The materials fee will cover a sock blank and all dyes needed. Students should bring an old T-shirt or apron.

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Beginning Naalbinding

November 4 | 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Location: Workshop 2
Instructor: Katherine Johnson
Minimum: 4 Maximum: 10

About
Level: Beginner
Cost: $30
Naalbinding is a fabric-making technique that employs one needle and short-ish lengths of yarn. Its roots stretch deep into human prehistory, and there has been a modern resurgence recently. In this class you will learn Oslo stitch to create a wrist cuff.

Materials
Fee: $8
The materials fee will include the appropriate yarn and the naalbinding needle.
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Gingerbread Swag

November 4 | 10- 12 noon
Location: Workshop 3
Instructor: Susan Rice of Bartlett Yarns
Minimum: 1 Maximum: 20

About
Skill Level: Basic/Intermediate
Cost: $25
Create a needle felted gingerbread swag using a cookie cutter and Bartlett Yarns round roving for a cute and unique holiday decoration.

Materials
Fee: $20
Kit which includes block, needles, cutter, roving and embellishments. The kit has enough supplies to complete one in class and one at home.

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Needle Felted Color Cascade

November 4 | 10 am - 1 pm
Location: Workshop 4
Instructor: Pat Pawlowicz of A Fistful of Felt!
Minimum: 1 Maximum: 20 *Ages 10 & up

About
Level: All Levels (ages 10 and up)
Cost: $35
Blending wool is a great way to create custom colors whether you are making beads in a color palette that flows, using the wo for 20 Landscape work to imitate sky, grass, ocean or forest, or making realistic for or feathers for animal sculpture. This class will teach you the techniques needled to successfully blend wool, needle felt beads and assemble a bracelet. You choose your favorite colors to blend from our wide variety.

Materials
Fee: $10
The materials fee includes all necessary materials plus written and illustrated instructions. Students should bring small sharp scissors and don't forget your glasses if you need them.

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Learn to Knit with beads!

November 4 | 11:30 - 3 pm
Location: Workshop 1
Instructor: Jean Elizabeth Glass of Bead Biz
Minimum: 8 Maximum: 20

About
Cost: $ 20
Level: Beginner (can knit, pearl, cast on and cast off)
We will show you multiple methods for adding beads to your projects and talk about what beads are good for different types and sizes of fibers. You will start to make a beaded cuff bracelet. This is an easy project that lets you focus on the beads instead of complicated directions. If you knit, you can make this beautiful, sparkly, soft bracelet. Come and have fun with beads.

Materials
Fee: $ 29.95
Students buy a kit which includes 100 yards of hand dyed DK yarn, beads, clasp and big eye needle. Multiple color choices available. Students should bring one set of US 2 needles (straight, circular or dpns)

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Intermediate Rug Hooking

November 4 | 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Location: Workshop 2
Instructor: Lindsay Krauss of Green Mountain Hooked Rugs
Minimum: N/A Maximum: 15

About
Cost: $20
If you're familiar with the technique of rug hooking but want to expand your knowledge or haven't done it in many years, this class will help you build upon your current knowledge base. Through lecture, demonstration and hands-on work students will work on a this classic pictorial design. Learn about directional hooking, creating detail and a few techniques for finishing your projects. Take this class alone or pair it with the beginner class for a fun-filled day of rug hooking!

Materials
Fee: $ 45
The kit for this class contains the pattern and cut wool strips. There will be 4 color schemes to choose from.
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Knit Bird Bookmark

November 4 | 12:30 - 2:30 pm
Location: Workshop 3
Instructor: Aimee Gilbert of Knitting with Aimee at Hemlock Knoll
Minimum: 2 Maximum: 10

About
Cost: $20
Learn to knit this cute bookmark for you and your friends. Skills used are knitting, increasing, decreasing, stuffing, sewing closed, adding eyes and braids.

Materials
Fee: $25 only if purchasing a kit
Scissors, darning needle and stuffing will all being included. $25 yarn kits will be available for purchase the day of the class if you would like to purchase one. Students should bring 3 or 4 knitting needles- should be straights or 8" double point, 10 yards of fingering or DK weight yarn.

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Modular Knitting

November 4 | 1:30 - 3 pm
Location: Workshop 4
Instructor: Uyvonne Bigham of A2Z Fibers LLC
Minimum: 5 Maximum: 20

About
Cost: $10
Working on a small amount of stitches to make spectacular designs! This class will focus on making a module that can be worked into a beautiful shawl.

Materials
Fee: $ 20
Yarn and pattern will be provided in class. The $20 material fee includes 3 balls of yarn and pattern for modular scalloped shawl. Students should bring US 7 (9.5 mm) or 8 (5 mm) needles knitting.

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