This 'YARN TO DYE FOR' weekend workshop is designed for ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS. What you will learn are the exact same techniques that I use in my own studio, presented in an easy to understand format so that you will feel confident working with your fiber at home.
The workshop cost includes all of your materials, all you need to do is show up and come along on this very hands-on adventure :)
Below is a detailed description of what we'll be doing over the weekend. You can take just the yarn dyeing part on day 1, or the weaving part on day 2, but we'd love it if you would join us for the full experience. If you sign up for yarn dyeing only and decide you're having so much fun that you want to come back the following day, we can accommodate you provided part II is not already full.
Part I: YARN & HAND PAINTING (1:00pm - 5:00pm)
For those who purchase whole alpaca fleeces, or who are lucky enough to raise their own alpaca, sending the fiber off to the mill can be confusing! How should it be prepared? What about all that confusing terminology? It's expensive to have yarn made, how can you get the most for your money? We'll be:
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skirting an alpaca fleece to send to the mill |
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learning how yarn is made |
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seeing the differences in the types of yarns |
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prepping yarn for dyeing |
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hand painting and steaming the skeins |
Steaming the skeins will take several hours. We will begin this process at the end of the workshop, but the process won't be complete until well after you've gone home. I'll rinse and hang everyone's skeins later that evening, except for the skeins that I painted as a demonstration during class.
A little something SPECIAL for this workshop...
Participants normally work with alpaca or fisherman's wool for this workshop, but this time everyone is being treated to something very special! We will be working with Mary's Special Reserve yarn - this particular line is a blend of baby alpaca and pearl-infused rose fiber, fresh off the production line, and waiting for you to paint it, included in your class materials!
Part II: TRILOOM WEAVING (10:30am - 5:00pm)
We're meeting at 10:30 so that I can use my demonstration skeins to show you step by step how I rinsed and hung everyone's skeins to dry. It is then time to admire the outcome of yesterday's painting session! Yes, you can take pictures and post them to Facebook :) Before we eat lunch, we'll be winding all the skeins into center-pull balls, ready for weaving.
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Weaving was always so enticing to me until I realised that warping is completely not my thing, so when I took a short triloom weaving class several years ago it was love at first sight! It is simple, quick, beautiful, and best of all - it is instant gratification. Whether you weave on a 12 inch loom or a 7 foot loom, the technique is the same.
During this workshop you will learn to weave on a triloom using the continuous strand method (an entire skein of yarn without cutting, except for fringe) while making a small but fabulous fringed shawlette on a 2.5 foot loom. Imagine the shawls you will be able to weave afterwards, either to sell or as gifts for family and friends, from either commercial or hand spun yarns.
Important:
- Wear comfortable clothing, but nothing with knitted long sleeves as these may catch on the nails on the loom
At the conclusion of each day you will be able to shop in the little makeshift store for items & materials you would like to take home so that you can continue dyeing and weaving at home. All participants receive 20% off the regular price.
Cash, checks and credit cards are accepted.
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About Roo Kline
A graphic artist by trade, Roo Kline became involved with alpacas in 2006 and shortly after purchasing her own herd in early 2007, the 'Moonwood Farm' fiber studio was launched, gathering a following of spinners and fiber artists who fell in love with her luxuriously handcrafted spinning fibers and supplies.
Since 2010 Roo has been teaching her personal techniques and style to others, especially those who love and/or raise alpacas.
She has instructed at Magical Farms, fiber festivals and alpaca shows, local yarn shops, has been featured on several videocasts, has provided her spinning fibers for classes of renowned spinning teachers and has written fiber related articles for American Livestock Magazine. |
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She was the creator of Alpaca Fiber Solutions and judges the occasional Fiber Arts & Skein competition and spin-off.
She lives with her husband and 11 year old son in Huntsville, AL.
Email Roo
Roo on Facebook
Moonwood Farm on Facebook |
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Alpaca owners and fiber artists...
Did you know that all workshops and classes are TAX DEDUCTIBLE?
They fall under 'education'! |
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images on this page (c) 2007-2016 Roo Kline and Mary's Alpaca
triloom woven shawls and photos (c) Vicki Ramsey and Roo Kline
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