KNITTING
KNITTING CLUB
Monday mornings (10:00 a.m. – noon ) September 11 – December 18
$75 for 15 weeks
OR Tuesday afternoons (1:00 – 3:00 p.m.) September 5 – December 19
$80 for 16 weeks
OR Thursday afternoons (1:00 – 3:00 p.m.) September 7 – December 21
$75 for 15 weeks
OR Thursday evenings (7:00 – 9:00 p.m.) September 7 – December 21
$75 for 15 weeks
OR Friday mornings (10:00 a.m. – noon) September 8 – December 22
$80 for 16 weeks
Advisors: Suzanne Kelly, Carol Quinn, Karen Johnson
This is not a class, but a “support” group for beginners through advanced knitters. Bring your own projects and enjoy the company (and knowledge) of other knitters. One of our staff is always available if you need more help than the group can give you. Some knitting experience is required: you must know how to knit and purl. Members receive a $5 merchandise credit for each week in attendance PLUS 10% OFF all yarn. Feel free to join anytime, even after the sessions have started. (We will prorate the fee). Not sure if this is for you? Try a class for free.
KNITTING FOR BEGINNERS
Maximum 6 participants
Sunday (11 a.m. – 1 p.m.) September 10 AND 17
OR Sunday (11 a.m. – 1 p.m.) October 29 AND November 5
OR Sunday (11 a.m. – 1 p.m.) November 26 AND December 3
$100
Instructor: Ginny Soma
This class is designed for new knitters as well as anyone needing a refresher. We will discuss different yarns, needles, tools, how to cast on stitches, how to knit and purl, and how to knit in the round. Students will be able to apply what they learn to individual projects.
Class one: Overview of knitting. Learn how to cast on stitches, knit and purl stitches.
Class two: Continuation of knit and purl stitches if needed. You will pick out a project and learn how to knit in the round. If time allows, increasing and decreasing, and binding off will be included.
Materials: Students will need to purchase one skein of Plymouth Encore Worsted (in the color of their choice) and size 7 or 8 needles.
SPINNING
SPINNING CLUB
First Monday of each month (1 – 3 p.m.)
No charge
Advisor: Suzanne Kelly
This is a drop-in group. Join us to sit, spin and relax with your wheel or spindle once a month. We’ll share techniques, tips, and conversation. All levels are welcome. Participants will receive 10% OFF spinning fibers the days the club meets.
BEGINNING DROP SPINDLE
Minimum 3 participants, max 6; one 3-hour class
Wednesday (1:00 – 4:00 p.m.) October 18
$50 includes materials
Instructor: Penny Lacroix
Love fiber? Love yarn? Learn to make your own yarn from commercially prepared wool fibers using a drop spindle. Spinning with a drop spindle is relaxing and portable. Students may bring their own drop spindle, borrow one from the instructor, or purchase one at the shop. Each student in this half-day class will go home with a small skein of handspun yarn.
BEGINNING SPINNING ON A WHEEL
Minimum 3 participants, max 5; one 5-hour class (with a break for lunch)
Friday (10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.) November 10
OR Sunday (10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.) November 12
$75 includes materials
Instructor: Penny Lacroix
Do you want to be able to spin your own yarn for knitting, weaving or gifting? Do you want to try different wheels to see what works best for you? Do you want to understand the difference between roving and top, and how to use them? Students will learn to spin from different types of commercially prepared fiber and try several types of wheels. Equipment and fiber will be provided for use in the class. Students may bring their own wheel in good working order if they have one.
GREAT WHEEL SPINNING
Minimum 3 participants; one 2.5- to 3-hour class
No date is set yet. If you are interested in taking it, call to put your name on the list.
$45 includes materials
Instructor: Penny Lacroix
Are you interested in learning to spin on a Great Wheel/Wool Wheel/Walking Wheel? This is a rare opportunity to learn to use the wheel that was left in your grandmother’s house, or the one you picked up at an antique store, or the one at the historic house where you volunteer. Students will practice different techniques with a variety of fibers. Learn to dance with the wheel! Prerequisite: Students must already know how to spin. Being able to bring your own great wheel is preferred, but arrangements may be made to rent one.
WEAVING
BEGINNING 4-SHAFT WEAVING
Minimum 3 participants, max 5; two 6-hour classes (with a break for lunch)
Saturdays September 2 (10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) AND September 16 (10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
$200 plus materials (includes loom rental fee)
Instructor: Penny Lacroix
This 2-day class is a start-to-finish beginning weaving experience on a 4-shaft loom. The first day, students are guided through measuring out a warp, beaming the warp, sleying the reed and threading the heddles. The first few rows of weaving will be complete before the end of the day. The looms go home along with students with instructions for weaving a sampler between the classes. Support is available between the classes. On the second day, the samplers are completed and we take a step back to get an introduction to project planning and drafting. Portable 4-shaft tabletop looms are provided for use during and between the classes as part of the class fee. An additional materials fee covers the yarn used for the sampler. Materials fee: cost of 6-9 oz perle cotton (~$2 per ounce) and the optional purchase of Learning to Weave by Debbie Chandler.
Special offer for Beginning Weaving only: Take the class with a friend for just $30 more! You’ll work on one loom and make one sampler, but you will both learn just as much!
ADVANCED BEGINNING WEAVING SERIES
Minimum 3 participants, max 5
Thursdays (5:30 – 8:30 p.m.) October 19, 26, November 2, 9, 16
$50 for each individual session; $200 for the entire series
Instructor: Penny Lacroix
This series is designed for those who have taken a beginner class and want to know more. There will not be any weaving in the class, but optional homework will be suggested for those who wish to put the class concepts into practice. In all the classes, handouts and references for suggested reading will be provided. Although the classes focus on multi-shaft looms and weavers, most topics also apply to rigid heddle weavers. Prerequisite: Students must have taken a beginning weaving class or have some weaving experience. A loom is NOT required.
Week 1. Intro to Fiberworks PCW, Thursday October 19
Week 2. Name drafting, Thursday October 26
Week 3. DIY Patterns (modifying published patterns), Thursday November 2
Week 4. Intro to Doubleweave, Thursday November 9
Week 5. Weaving Analysis, Thursday November 16
SESSION DESCRIPTIONS:
Intro to Fiberworks: Fiberworks PCW is one of the popular weaving design packages available today, both for Mac and PC users. Learn about the basic functionality of it – using the menus, customizing the layout, creating drafts, adding colors, and documenting your work – effectively and efficiently. Participants should have at least some exposure to reading weaving drafts. All participants will need a laptop (Mac or PC) with any version of Fiberworks loaded on it. It can be downloaded here. http://www.fiberworks-pcw.com. Any version (including the free download) is appropriate for this class. This class will provide the basis for any computer drafting done in the other classes but it is not a prerequisite for the other classes.
Name drafting: With infinite possibilities for designing with color, how is a weaver to choose one that is appealing and meaningful? Name drafting is a loose set of techniques that starts with a name, word or phrase and translates it into a pattern. It may be stripes, colors, blocks of pattern, a threading sequence or any other variable chosen by the designer. With it, subtle designs create secret messages in the woven fabric. What could be more personal than a baby’s name encoded in a blanket or a special message encrypted in a scarf? In this class, we’ll play with different techniques and generate lots of inspiration for future projects! Supplies: graph paper, colored pencils, ruler and computer (Mac or PC) with weaving SW (optional). Other supplies will be provided.
DIY patterns: There are many sources of inspiration for weaving projects: books, magazines, published patterns, samples from other weavers, etc. But what happens when the yarn is no longer available, or you want to make the project with different dimensions, or there is a draft but no details on how to create a finished product? In this workshop, students will learn how to customize a draft and the weaving details to make *your* project. Yarn, sett, loom limitations, and other design factors will all be considered. Participants will go home with a customized pattern they created and the confidence to do it again! Supplies: any weaving pattern, graph paper, colored pencils, ruler and computer (Mac or PC) with weaving SW (optional). Other supplies will be provided.
Intro to Doubleweave: This class will focus on doubleweave techniques that can be woven on a 4-shaft loom. Tubes, double-width fabrics and 2-layer designs will no longer be a mystery! Participants will get a chance to try weaving each variation and will also go home with their own design for a doubleweave sampler to try at home. A rigid heddle loom will also be set up with double weave for experimenting. Supplies: graph paper, colored pencils, ruler. Other supplies will be provided.
Weaving Analysis: Looking at a piece of fabric (commercial or handwoven), have you ever wondered if you could weave the pattern? Learn how to examine a piece of woven fabric and reverse engineer the draft. Participants should already be familiar with how to read and create a draft. We’ll work both on paper and on Fiberworks PCW (optional). Supplies: graph paper, colored pencils, ruler. Optional supplies: fabrics you’re interested in analyzing, a pick glass or magnifying glass, and a laptop with Fiberworks (any version), or other device with weaving software. A free version of Fiberworks is available for both Mac and PC users.
INKLE WEAVING
Minimum 3 participants, max 5; one 5-hour session
Monday (10 a.m. – 3 p.m.) October 16
$75 (includes borrowing a loom during the class if needed)
Instructor: Penny Lacroix
Inkle weaving is a simple and inexpensive way to weave narrow bands of fabric. There are limitless possibilities of color design. Participants will learn to make heddles and efficiently warp the loom in different color patterns and will weave a narrow band, bookmarks, or shoelaces. When signing up, please indicate whether you have an inkle loom or not. Some looms are available to borrow for the class and will be available for purchase at a discount following the class. There will be a break for lunch. Students over 12 are welcome to join the class.
INKLE WRITING AND PICKUP
Minimum 3 participants, max 5; one 5-hour session (with a break for lunch)
Monday (10 a.m. – 3 p.m.) October 30
$75 (includes borrowing a loom during the class if needed)
Instructor: Penny Lacroix
This class is for people who are already familiar with plain inkle weaving but would like to learn about weaving bands with alphabets, messages and other pickup patterns. We’ll look at different methods of warping an inkle loom for letters and discuss the pros and cons of each. Then students will design their own message, warp their loom, and start “writing” their message! It will likely need to be finished after the class. If you need to purchase a loom, please indicate this when you register for the class. Yarns will be available for purchase. Prerequisite: Intro to Inkle Weaving or familiarity with warping an inkle loom on your own. Please bring at least 30 heddles for your inkle loom.
SCARF IN A DAY
One participant at a time
Call to schedule a date – allow 4 hours
$75 includes materials, instruction and use of the pre-warped loom for a day
Come in and weave a rayon chenille scarf on a pre-warped loom. You will receive personal instructions on how to wind bobbins and weave the scarf. You’ll weave the scarf on your own, but someone will be available for questions. When you are done weaving, you cut the scarf off the loom and take it home for finishing. Fringing and washing instructions will be provided. No need to invest in a loom, warping, or materials. Let us do that for you!
Special Request Classes
Are you interested in learning something specialized? Maybe a special spinning technique or a specific weaving structure? Let the shop know! We’ll be setting up fall classes over the summer, and we’re always looking for new class ideas!
CROCHET
TUNISIAN CROCHET TECHNIQUE CLASS
Minimum 3 participants, max 6
Tuesdays (10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.) October 3
$35
Instructor: Harry Reardon-Daley
Learn the basics of Tunisian crochet using any Tunisian crochet stitch from reference book provided during workshop. If you are new to Tunisian crochet, you can choose any basic stitch (Tunisian simple, reverse, knit, and purl). Tunisian crochet hooks will be provided for in-class use only. Students must be comfortable making standard crochet stitches (sc, hdc, dc) in rows. Materials: any worsted weight yarn.
BEGINNER CROCHET
Minimum 3 participants, max 6
Tuesday (10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.) October 24
$35
Instructor: Harry Reardon-Daley
This class is suitable for the absolute beginner. You will learn all the techniques needed to create a 7- by-9-inch afghan section, including holding the hook, keeping tension, making the foundation chain, single crochet and half double crochet stitches. The class will start with learning how to keep tension on a gauge swatch and then how to measure the gauge. Materials: One skein Plymouth Encore, size I (5.5mm) crochet hook
CROCHET DOLL WORKSHOP
Minimum 3 participants, max 6
Tuesdays (10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.) November 7, 14, 21 AND 28
$80
Instructor: Harry Reardon-Daley
Learn to make your own customized crochet doll using mercerized cotton yarn and a 2-2.5 mm crochet hook. In this four-part course, you will learn the techniques to shape your own doll (including the yarn-under method and making joints for a moveable head) and to write your own pattern. \You will shape the feet using a crochet diagram, make removable doll clothes, use embroidery floss for the eyebrows, and either needle-felt or crochet a hair wig. This workshop is suitable for the intermediate crocheter that is comfortable with working with tight tension and familiar with reading patterns. Prerequisite: You must be able to work with basic crochet stitches in both rows and rounds as well as be able to read a pattern. Note: CROCHET DOLLS USE TIGHT TENSION! Consider practicing on a gauge swatch before the workshop with a similar hook and yarn. Materials: Tahki Cotton Classic worsted in your color of choice. Pattern is worked using a size 2mm-2.5mm crochet hook. Polyfill, safety eyes and embroidery thread will be provided.
CROCHET CHRISTMAS TREE SKIRT
Minimum 3 participants, max 6
Tuesdays (10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.) December 12 AND 19
$50
Instructor: Harry Reardon-Daley
Suitable for the confident beginner who is comfortable working the round. In this class, you will learn the techniques needed to create a custom Christmas tree skirt using pattern books provided for in-class use. Materials: any yarn you’d like for the desired look plus a suitable crochet hook.
FELTING
BLEEDING TOOTH MUSHOOM
Minimum 3 participants, max 6
Tuesdays (10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.) September 19 AND
(10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.) September 26
$35
Instructor: Harry Reardon-Daley
Students will crochet the Bleeding Tooth Mushroom Plush while also learning to needle felt into crochet. In this two part workshop you will be provided with a pattern using Plymouth Encore and then learn the basics of needle-felting into crochet. Prerequisite: Beginner needle-felting along with knowing how to crochet in rows. Materials: Plymouth Encore in white or off white and 3-3.25 mm crochet hook (D). Wool and tools for needle-felting will be provided for in-class use.
NEEDLE-FELTED PUMPKIN
Minimum 3 participants, max 6
Tuesdays (10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.) October 10 AND 17
$35
Instructor: Harry Reardon-Daley
In this beginner needle felting class, learn to make cute fall pumpkins using 3D needle-felting techniques. You will create the core for the pumpkin by shaping the core wool then add the colors and details. Materials: Core wool used for center along with orange, green and brown wool.
NEEDLE-FELTED COOKIE CUTTER ORNAMENTS
Minimum 3 participants, max 6
Tuesdays (10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.) December 5
$35
Instructor: Harry Reardon-Daley
Perfect for the absolute beginner! You will learn to make Christmas ornaments using Christmas cookie cutters. 2d needle felting techniques will be used to create the flat outline, fine tune and create the details. Suggested wool colors are anything Christmas colored and any colors for the details (such as frosting, or bulbs). Learn how to create crisp clean lines with felting as well as rounded shapes.
PRIVATE LESSONS
Want to take a class but can’t make the scheduled session? We offer private spinning or 4-harness weaving lessons at $40 per hour by Penny Lacroix. Our private rigid heddle weaving lessons are $40 per hour and are taught by Ann Murphy. We also offer crochet and knitting private lessons for $40 per hour. Give us a call at 978-456-8669 for more information or to set up an appointment.
THINGS TO KNOW
We accept Master Card, Visa, Discover, and American Express, as well as checks and cash. Phone registration accepted with credit card. Tuition for classes will be charged 4 days prior to a session. No refunds after that time. Tuitions will be refunded if class is cancelled.
All materials can be bought at the Fiber Loft, either ahead of time or the day of the class.
Unless otherwise noted in the class listing, the cost of materials is additional. While enrolled in a class at the Fiber Loft, students receive a 10% discount on yarns and fibers. Teenagers are welcome in all adult classes. Please plan on either bringing your lunch or buying it elsewhere for those classes that run all day.
If the weather is bad, check our Facebook page for information on either the shop closing for the day or opening late.
SOME OF OUR INSTRUCTORS
Penny Lacroix is a weaver, spinner, knitter, dyer and lover of all things fiber. As a historian, she appreciates the manual creation of useful products and enjoys sharing this knowledge and skill with others. She’s been weaving and spinning since 2000 and also teaches at the Weavers’ Guild of Boston and other venues. She is a member of the Boston Area Spinners and Dyers and is co-chair of the Nashoba Valley Weavers’ Guild. See her work at http://pennylacroix.com and www.instagram.com/penoix/
Ann Murphy is a weaver and spinner. She has been weaving since the 1970s and is proficient in both 4-harness and rigid-heddle weaving. Ann belongs to both the Boston Area Spinners and Dyers Guild and the Boston Weavers Guild.
Harry Reardon-Daley is a Craft Yarn Council Certified Instructor. Harry has taught both in nursing homes (he is a Certified Activity Director) and various other settings (such as Fabrics n Things). He will provide in-home instruction for a groups of three or more people. To see samples of his work, visit his Facebook page: Harry’s Hooks And Needles.