I currently offer three workshops on spinning and fiber preparation, with more in development. While I’m located in Toronto and teach through The Purple Purl, I am occasionally available for teaching in other cities such as Ottawa and Montreal. Please contact me for details at lordal (at) gmail (dot) com.
Upcoming dates and locations are listed below each workshop.
Beginning Spinning on a Drop Spindle
Learn the basics of spinning your own yarn using the simple and portable drop spindle. This class will show you how to make a 2-ply yarn suitable for knitting, crochet, or weaving, and includes a drop spindle, fiber, and notes for you to take home.
Offered at The Purple Purl on Saturday, March 31, 1:00-4:00pm.
Long Draw Drafting
Learn to spin light, airy yarns with this useful technique. We’ll go over the fibres and preparations best suited to the long draw, and you’ll learn the basic principles of woollen (as opposed to worsted) spinning, as well as a few variations.
Participants should be able to spin a continuous yarn and will need to bring their own spindle or wheel. All fibers and notes are included.
Offered at The Purple Purl on Thursday, April 12, 7:00-9:00pm.
Plying Methods
Go beyond your basic 2-ply with this class on plying methods. We’ll cover ways to ply from a single source of yarn, plying to preserve colour changes, cabled yarns, and more.
Participants should be able to spin a continuous yarn and will need to bring their own spindle or wheel. All fibers and notes are included.
Offered at The Purple Purl on Thursday, April 19, 7:00-9:00pm.
Spinning 2
Expand your skillset with this intermediate-level class. You’ll play with different fibers and preparations as you learn new techniques to create the yarn you want. All fibers and notes to take home are included and the class is open to both spindlers and wheel spinners. Students taking this class should be able to spin a continuous yarn on a spindle or wheel.
Fiber Prep
This class will teach you everything you need to know to hand-process a raw fleece for spinning. Learn how to select, skirt, and wash a fleece, as well as use a variety of tools to turn it into a spinnable preparation. Fiber to take home and notes are included.
Offered at The Purple Purl on Sunday, April 1, 1:00-4:00pm.
Hi
I am interested in taking the Spinning 2 class..have you any sessions scheduled?
Thx Sheila
Hi Sheila,
Spinning 2 is being taught as two separate, 2-hour classes (Drafting and Plying) now at The Purple Purl in Toronto. The new class schedule just went up; check it out here: http://thepurplepurl.com/spinning/index.shtml
I would like to learn to spin using my Grandmother’s wheel but it requires some maintenance (mainly to be put together). Do you do that kind of work? If not, could you suggest someone who would? Are you planning on a “beginner’s course” in using a wheel? I would be very interested in that. Thanks!
Hi Andrea,
I don’t currently offer a beginner’s course in wheel spinning, but I do offer private lessons in it. I’ll send you an email, and include the name of a couple of spinning wheel restorers who may be able to help you with your grandmother’s wheel!
Leslie