Fiber Revival, August 18th

Join the Newburyport Spinners and Historic New England for a day-long exploration of the fiber arts, featuring spinning, weaving, felting, alpaca and sheep husbandry, colonial rug-making, and knitting at the Spencer-Pierce-Little Farm, 5 Little's Lane in Newbury, Massachusetts from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Vendors will offer a variety of natural fibers, yarn, and equipment.  To register for workshops on Scandinavian weaving, needle felting, dyeing, knitting, and more, please contact the instructors directly, as indicated in the class descriptions below.  Spinners, Knitters and Circular Sock Machine Crankers are invited to bring their projects and sit under the maples in the courtyard of the farm's stone house for a day of community and chat.  Plans are in the works for box lunches, details forthcoming.

No rain date.

$5 entrance fee to the property.  Children under 12 free.

For further information, email me, Seedstitch Cheryl, or Kathleen Corcoran at the Spencer Pierce Little Farm.

Classes

9 am to 12 pm

1. Dyeing a Rainbow:  Using just three primary dyes learn how to create a whole rainbow and how, by changing one base color, you can create a totally different set of colors. Take home samples produced by the whole class to duplicate any color. Learn how to shift colors and create your own personal palette
Class cost: $45, includes materials.
Contact: Linda Whiting

2. Spinning a Superfine: Break out of your default single and learn how to stretch that cherished fiber into a consistent laceweight. Students should bring a wheel, the smallest whorl you have and one bobbin.
Class cost: $32  includes materials fee.
Contact: Barbara Clorite-Ventura

3. Math for Knitters
Ever wish you could design your own sweater?  Convert a worsted gauge to one suitable for that dk yarn in your stash? Make a better neckline on a pattern you otherwise love?  Then this is the class for you.
Class cost: $15
Contact: Alison Green Will

4. Finnish Weaving Techniques, Session 1
We are honoured to be featuring Bianca Haglich as an instructor at our inaugural Fiber Revival, you can read more about her here.  Three special techniques will be studied: Finnweave  or Takana, a double-weave construction; Raanu, a weft-faced weave using a single-ply tarn; and Kuultokudos, a transparency weave featuring linen.  Looms will be set up with these weaves so there will be opportunity for student sampling.  This class is appropriate for new weavers.

Instructor: Bianca Haglich
Class cost: $35
Contact: Kathleen Corcoran

Afternoon
2pm to 5 pm

1. Spinning for Magic not Mudpies: What to do with that delicious handpainted roving you bought or dyed yourself?  Learn how to design your yarn and control color for vibrant results.  Students should bring a wheel, about 60 or so yards of a variegated singles, about 2 yards of a plain colored single and at least 3, (preferably 5) bobbins. 

Class cost:$ 35 includes materials fee.
Contact: Barbara Clorite-Ventura

2.  Needle-Felting Workshop for ALL AGES!  Come one, come all! Needle felting is an easy way to embellish your knitted work, or make felted objects. Learn to felt belts, buttons, and flowers. No knitting necessary.

Class cost: Workshop fee: $45 (includes needle felting kit and fleece)
Contact: Jill Stover

3. Finnish Weaving Techniques Session 2

Due to anticipated demand for this class, we will have a second session available in the afternoon. See session one above for description. 

Instructor: Bianca Haglich
Class cost: $35
Contact: Kathleen Corcoran

Vendors:

Sereknity Yarn and Fiber

Yarns in the Farms

Pinestar Studios

Parker River Alpacas

Comments

[Lucia]

Dang, sounds like terrific fun, but I'll be on my way back from Rangeley.

[Kathy]

We are leaving for vacation that day -- thinking about a creative plan . . .

[FemiKnit Mafia]

Date blocked off in my calendar. Wifey already agreed. The car and wheel will be lubed up and ready. Social skills engaged. See you in a couple weeks. What a great idea! Thanks!

[Tonia]

Sounds so great. I would so be there if I lived closer. :-( Wahhhhhhh!!!!!

[Manise]

I'm working on coming! The date is marked off on the calendar! This should be great!

[Romi]

Sounds wonderful! :) I wish I were close enough to go.

[Kim]

The weaving class sounds great! Do we contact you to sign up or the weave instructor?

[susan]

Interesting. I'm descended from both Pierces and Spencers on my father's side. But they're from Dover and Weston.

[benedetta]

I can hardly believe it, but it looks like i might make it!
Wonderful! I was just about to put the spinning wheel in storage, but maybe storage can wait...

[Wanda]

How fun. Too bad I am not in the area or I would definitely make it.