Ginger Clark has been spinning and teaching for 40 years. Her experience has given her the skills to be an effective teacher and sharer of knowledge. She has devised a variety of spinning classes designed to update your skills and to give you new tools for your spinning experience. Here is a selection of classes/workshop that can be done on a 1 or 2 day basis. ginger can also customize and design any type of class you would like! Just ask!
Back to Basics
This one day workshop is for spinners at all levels. When you learn to spin on a wheel, there are so many things going on at once and all you want to do is get a continuous yarn! In this class we will go back to the basics of spinning on a wheel. We will review the parts of the wheel, how each part works, how it interacts with other parts, and how to maintain your wheel so it is always ready for action. Then we will go back to basics for spinning yarn. We will talk about the drafting triangle, how to see it, and how to use it to control the grist of the yarn you are spinning. Controlling the fibers in the drafting triangle is the magic that lets you spin the yarn you want rather than the yarn you get. To gain control, you will learn different drafting techniques that will be valuable for spinning fibers of all lengths. Students will learn what items are ideal for a spinning wheel tool kit.
Students should bring working spinning wheels.
Instructor will provide fiber and assistance in tweaking wheels.
(For organizers: This is a one day class and requires adequate space for spinning wheel and chairs.)
1 day: $300/6 hour, plus transportation, food, and lodging
Maximum: 15 students
Materials: $20
Woolen v Worsted
In a day when everyone spun yarns for specific projects, everyone knew the differences between woolen and worsted yarns. Today with mechanized spinning and standardized yarn sizes, the differences have been lost. In the world of handspinning, woolen and worsted have to do with how the yarn is spun and not its grist. In this class students will learn the differences between the two types of yarns, the characteristics and qualities of each and why you would choose one over the other. Students will learn how to prepare fibers for spinning a woolen or worsted yarn, which tools give the best preparations, and spin samples for knitting or weaving. Fibers will be provided.
The instructor will provide fibers, some processing equipment (hand carders, combs, hackle, drum carders) and spinning wheels for those that do not have wheels. Advanced notice is required for use of spinning wheels. Students are encouraged to bring their own fibers and processing tools. Spinning wheels must be in good working order and with extra bobbins. If using spindles, student must be comfortable with their spindles.
Students must be able to spin a continuous thread with their wheel or spindle.
(For organizers: This can be a one day to weekend workshop. One day would be about 6 hours and students will spin samples for knitting or weaving with at home. The 2 day workshop will have students knitting or weaving samples during the class. Adequate table space will be required for the equipment.)
1 day: $300/6 hour class, plus transportation, food, and lodging
2 day: $600 plus transportation, food, and lodging
Materials: $20
Maximum: 20 students
Spinning Points
Spindle spinning is ideal for spinning short fibers and very fine cobweb yarn. Students will learn a bit of spinning history, what spindles are best for which fibers, and a lot about fiber preparation for spindle spinning. Different supported spindles (takhlis, Russians, Tibetans, etc) and charkas will be available for students to practice on. Student will have the opportunity to prep and spin a variety of short, fine luxury fibers and learn how to blend some of those fibers to extend a limited supply.
The instructor will provide fibers, hand carders, and a variety of supported spindles.
Students are encouraged to bring their own spindles and hand carders.
This is a beginner to intermediate class.
(For organizers: As a one day class, students will spin singles and leave with instructions on how to ply and finish their yarn if there has not been enough time during the class. As a 2 day class, students will learn how to ply and finish their yarn during the course of the class.)
1 day: $300/ 6 hour class, plus transportation, food, and lodging
2 day: $600 plus transportation, food, and lodging
Materials: $30
Maximum: 15 students
Fiber Casserole
This is a fiber blending class! Students will learn how to blend all those luscious fiber for spinning fabulous, unique, one of a kind yarns. There are so many beautiful fibers in wonderful colors and textures. In this class students will learn how to blend fibers and colors using a variety of different techniques. Not everyone has access to expensive processing equipment. We will start with the most basic tools and blending techniques and work up to the more expensive toys for fiber preparation. Students will learn what fibers go well together and why, how to blend very different fibers, and cautionary tales of sweaty hands and not paying attention to the color wheel. Students will have a choice of lovely soft wools, dyed bright colors and will blend them with silk, Tencel, bamboo, faux cashmere, and other fibers to make a unique, one of a kind batt, rolag, or roving for spinning. This class is all about blending for color and texture. We will use a variety of different tools and talk about which fibers are compatible with each other for a wonderful blend. Those students who have brought wheels or spindles will be able to start spinning their unique fiber blends and will have an opportunity to ask questions spinning their blends.
The instructor will provide fibers, hand carders, combs, hackle, and drum carders.
Students are encouraged to bring their own tools and any fibers they might like to share or have questions about.
(For organizers: As a one day class: students will have time to blend and pull several batts or roving and may have time to start spinning. As a 2 day workshop, students will blend fibers on day 1 and then spin on day 2. Students will provide their own spinning equipment in good working order. Adequate table space will be needed for the equipment.)
1 day: $300/6 hour class, plus transportation, food, and lodging
2 day: $600 plus transportation, food, and lodging
Maximum: 15 students
Materials: $20
Spinning for Embroidery and Needlepoint
Learn how to spin yarns specifically for embroidery and needlepoint. These yarns have very different characteristics than knitting or weaving yarns due to their usage. Embroidery and needlepoint yarns need to pass through fabric over and over without fraying or breaking. Students will learn what fibers are best for this type of yarn and spin them. Silks and silk blends will be used for the embroidery yarns because who doesn’t want shiny, glittering yarns for embroidery! Long wools will be used for the needlepoint yarns. Students will learn about worsted preparations for a smooth strong yarn that will resist fraying when being used.
Instructor will provide fibers, hand carders, combs, and hackle. Instructor will provide small practice embroidery or needlepoint fabric/mesh for students to use their handspun yarns.
Students are encouraged to bring their own tools (hand carders, combs, hackle, drum carder) and any fibers they would like to share or have questions about appropriate use. Students will also bring a spinning wheel in good working order or spindles they are comfortable using. Students must be able to spin a continuous thread.
(For organizers: As a 1 day class, students will prepare fibers and begin spinning. They will leave with instructions on how to ply and finish their yarns for future use. As a 2 day class, students will finish spinning some small skeins of yarn and start using them for embroidery or needlepoint. Adequate table space will be needed for equipment.)
1 day: $300/6 hour, plus transportation, food, and lodging
2 day: $600 plus transportation, food, and lodging
Maximum: 15 students
Materials: $25