Ever wanted to spin your own yarn and/or use a spinning wheel? In this workshop, Gina will explain and demonstrate, step by step, how to transform raw fleece to finished yarn that you can knit with. You will be impressed with your own creativity and the unique yarn you spin.

During this workshop, you will:

• Examine the essential equipment used for spinning fleece to yarn;
• Follow health and safety procedures when using spinning equipment;
• Discuss techniques and procedures for washing and preparing fleece;
• Card fleece using hand carders;
• Card fleece using a drum carder;
• Discuss methods of creating a drop spindle;
• Spin carded wool fibres  on a drop spindle; and
• Spin your carded fleece on a spinning wheel.

Learners will take home a mini-skein of plied yarn, an information sheet, along with ideas of how to use your hand spun yarn. Everything you need to continue learning and practicing at home. 

The Rural Skills Centre will provide:

• All materials and equipment for the workshop so that you get the full experience of spinning yarn from fleece;
• Tea/Coffee and lots of cake;
• Lunch (let us know if you have any specific dietary requirements);
• Parking; and
• Accessible facilities.

This workshop is suitable for complete beginners and those who have maybe dabbled in spinning (drop spindling or on a wheel), but never really got the hang of it.

This workshop is taught by Gina Charlesworth