Festival Classes
Saturday Classes
Dorset Buttons with Merit Scotford
Tired of searching for the perfect match? Make your own yarn buttons to match your garment or just fun colors. Merit will teach you how to make pretty buttons using yarn and curtain rings.
On the hour all day (except 1 to 2 pm)
Class Length: 1 hour
Class maximum: 10
Materials: Provided
Class Cost: $10
Beginning Spinning with Jane Woodhouse
This course is for the beginning spinner or one who has never spun before. Students will learn the basic techniques for spinning wool on a wheel. We will discuss wheel basics, spinning technique and fiber preparation. Class will include notes, prepared fiber to spin, and a wheel to use during the class.
If you have your own wheel, please bring it. David Paul from The Merlin Tree will be available as the “Wheel Doctor” to help get your wheel running correctly. This way you will learn on the wheel you will be using at home.
10:30 am to 1:30 pm
Class Length: 3 hours
Class Size: Min 3 Max 8
Materials: Provided
Class Cost: $40
Beaded Lace Capelet with Linda Glazer
Learn to knit with beads while making this attractive capelet.
11 am to 1pm
Class Length: 2 hours
Class Size: 6
Materials: Available at Vermont Bead Studio (may use lace weight yarn)
Class Cost: $25
No Gauge Toe-Up Socks with Donna Kay
Start with an easy, effective cast on, knit your way through a child size sock complete with a unique short row heel and a stretchy bind off. Workshop participants will leave with a foolproof method for knitting toe up socks that will work for any size foot and any yarn.
10:30 am to 1:30 pm
Class Length: 3 hours
Class Size: 15
Materials: Please bring a smooth, light colored worsted weight yarn and a set of double-point needles US size 6, stitch marker, scissors and darning needle.
Class Cost: $30
Drop Spindling with Kristin Husher
One of the earliest tools used for making yarn was the drop spindle. It is still one of the most portable and inexpensive methods to create your own wonderful yarn. Learn how to spin wool, make a 2-ply yarn, and skein your finished yarn. No previous experience is necessary.
2 to 4 pm
Class Length: 2 hours
Class Size: 20
Materials: Provided are Fiber and Drop Spindle or Just Fiber
Class Cost: $40 for both fiber and spindle
$35 for just fiber and you bring a spindle.
Dye Theory & Practice with Jane Woodhouse
This class will cover basic dye theory with instruction on mixing and using dyes for protein and plant fibers and for natural dyes. We will mix stock solutions that can be used in stepped amounts to dye gradations of colors.
Covered in the class will be technical information for the classes of dyes we will use. Students will have a chance to mix some dye and do some sampling. And finally we will discuss the dreaded subject of dyer's math in hopes of simplifying the process and opening a new world of unlimited color possibilities.
Each student will receive a folder of notes for reproducing the steps at home, a bibliography and resources for dyes and equipment. Technical information in this class can be used for both immersion dyeing and painting fabric or yarn.
2 to 5 pm
Class Length: 3 hours
Class Size: Min 3 Max 15
Materials: Provided
Class Cost: $45
Knit to Fit with Donna Kay
Do you have problems with your sweaters not fitting? Never say “Oh well, it will fit someone” again! In this workshop Donna will teach you how to measure for a well fitting sweater and how to avoid many of the fitting “downfalls”. We will cover how to correctly size and make changes in a pattern to suit your body shape. As time allows we will discuss any sweaters and patterns you have brought. You will leave the class feeling confident in your knitting.
2 to 5 pm
Class Length: 3 hours
Class Size: 20
Materials: Please bring any sweaters you have problems with for helpful, constructive suggestions, patterns you have questions about, a notebook and pen for notes.
Class Cost: $30
Sunday Classes
Dorset Buttons with Merit Scotford
Tired of searching for the perfect match? Make your own yarn buttons to match your garment or just fun colors. Merit will teach you how to make pretty buttons using yarn and curtain rings.
On the hour all day (except 1 to 2 pm)
Class Length: 1 hour
Class maximum: 10
Materials: Provided
Class Cost: $10
Advanced Spinning with Jane Woodhouse
This class is for students who would like to fine-tune their skills. The primary focus will be to improve control and consistency in your yarns. In addition we will cover skirting and sorting fleeces, evaluation of fiber, hand carding and commercial preparation of fiber. Finally we will look at techniques and tools that can aid the spinner who would like to substitute their handspun yarn for commercial yarns in patterns. Students can use one of our wheels or bring their own. Please indicate when registering whether you will be bringing your wheel and what kind, or whether you will need to borrow one. Class includes notes and fiber to spin.
David Paul from The Merlin Tree will be available as a “Wheel Doctor” to make repairs on wheels there if you need a little fine tuning with your wheel.
10:30 am to 1:30 pm
Class Length: 3 hours
Class Size: Min 3, Max 6 to 7
Materials: Provided
Class Cost: $40
Beaded Scarf with Linda Glazer
Learn to knit with beads while making this attractive scarf.
11 am to 1pm
Class Length: 2 hours
Class Size: 6
Materials: Available at Vermont Bead Studio (may use lace weight yarn)
Class Cost: $25
4 Needle Mittens with Lorna Watson
(Intermediate, experienced with the use of double-pointed needles) Mittens make the neatest gifts, and you have time to whip some up before the holidays! We will use a very easy-to-follow pattern (supplied by the instructor).
Because this will be an abbreviated session rather than a full class, you will need to bring with you one mitten cuff, still on the needles (using your US 3 needles, cast on 36 stitches and work a 1 x 1 rib for ~ 3 inches (about 20 rounds).
10:30 am to 12:30 pm
Class Length: 2 hours
Class Size: 6
Materials: US 3 an US 5 double – point needles, 100 grams worsted-weight yarn. Yarn needle, stitch marker, 12” scrap yarn contrasting color.
Class Cost: $25
Alternative Sock Heels with Lorna Watson
(Experienced sock knitters). While the traditional turned heel is attractive and fun to knit, many wearers of handknit socks have discovered that non-traditional heels are much more comfortable. If that isn’t enough to persuade you to try one of these alternatives, you might be interested to learn that these heels are easily replaced, should the original spring a leak. And, last but not least, these heels can be used in either toe-up or top-down construction. Choose a wrap-and-turn short-row heel or an inserted (or peasant or Turkish) heel.
1 pm to 3 pm
Class Length: 2 hours
Class Size: 6
Materials: A sock leg or foot (any length), still on the needles; 12” scrap yarn in contrasting color; Needles and arn that sock was worke with
Class Cost: $25
No Gauge Triangular Shawl with Donna Kay
This easy to knit shape is the perfect way to begin designing your own shawls. You may use any weight yarn and knit it to any size! Learn to add eyelet patterns and borders as you knit. Instant gratification at it’s best! A great project for that special hand dyed yarn.
10:30 am to 1:30 pm
Class Length: 3 hours
Class Size: 20
Materials: Please bring a smooth, light colored worsted weight yarn and a set of double-point needles US size 6, stitch marker, scissors and darning needle.
Class Cost: $30
