Teaching and Workshops

Do you love fibre crafts, yarn and all things fluffy? Spinning might just be calling to you! With just one simple tool – the spindle – and the desire to create, you can become part of this most ancient of crafts. 

In this workshop you'll learn the basics of spinning on a drop spindle, with experienced and enthusiastic spinner Francie Goudie. You'll come away with your own skein of yarn, a detailed handbook, and the knowledge you need to keep exploring. This is the perfect workshop for anyone looking to learn to spin, or wanting to brush up on the basics.

Over and under, up and down, in and out. Weaving is, at its heart, a simple and highly approachable craft - the most direct route from yarn to fabric. But it’s the very simplicity of this framework that creates endless possibilities for elaboration - from dazzling levels of technical complexity, to inspired examples of free-form self-expression.

This workshop will provide you with an introduction to the fundamentals of weaving, a rigid heddle loom that is warped and ready for your weaving journey, and an experience that emphasises finding your own creative voice in weaving. You will leave with an artistic woven piece - perhaps a small scarf or wall hanging, a detailed handbook, and a tool kit of weaving techniques and inspiration. Perfect for beginners and anyone looking to learn and explore.

As spinners, we have so many options when it comes to colour - all of the beautiful bright fibre available to us! But it's easy to get overwhelmed, and it can be challenging to keep on track as we move from fibre to yarn to eventual project. 

This workshop will provide you with knowledge and skills to navigate the colour journey - starting with developing an understanding the colour possibilities in fibre - then planning the yarn you want to spin, with or without a project in mind - and finally exploring the techniques that allow you to spin that yarn, including chain plying, fractal spinning, gradient spinning, variegate spinning, matching plies and more.

You will explore a range of samples to discover just how many possibilities exist in a single colourway, as well as having the chance to spin your own. You will also be invited to bring fibre from your own stash that might be posing a colour challenge - to discuss with the group and brainstorm an approach! And you will leave with a detailed handbook of tips and techniques, ready to spin colour with confidence.

Turkish Spindles - cross-armed bottom-whorl spindles with a removable shaft - are an ancient tool that is uniquely suited to modern spinning. Convenient, portable and quite frankly adorable, there's so much to love about the Turkish Spindle. And with the right tips and techniques, it can become a truly productive tool.

In this workshop, experienced spindle-spinner Francie will teach you her approach to spinning on Turkish Spindles. With an emphasis on ergonomics and productivity, you will learn how spinning on a Turkish Spindle can become an enjoyable, peaceful and even meditative experience. Also… longdraw!

Whether you're a new spinner, you've been spinning on a wheel for years, or you've tried spindles but never gotten the hang of them, this workshop will get you started on your Turkish Spindle journey, and guide you on your next steps. The workshop includes a 3D printed spindle for you to keep, and a detailed handbook of tips and techniques.