The Woolery
Class & Workshop Calendar
Class sizes are limited. Please check back regularly for new additions and cancelations.

WINTER/SPRING 2010

 

Classes

Private Lessons 

Spinning-Weaving-Knitting-Rug Hooking 

Offered at a rate of $25 per hour -2 Hour minimum-Please call to schedule.

Free Knit In
Tuesdays and Fridays 11 AM to 1 PM - Informal lunch time social and instruction.

Stop in on your lunch hour & bring your lunch.  Learn from others knitters and our staff. Fellowship and fun!  Informal, non-structured social and knitting time, with space to spread out your brown bag lunch.  Get a little help with your knotty spots, or help someone else with theirs! Fellowship and fun at for lunch are available right here at The Woolery.

Free Hook In
Third Thursday of the month 12:30 PM to 3 PM

Learn from other Rug Hookers. Fellowship and fun!  Informal, non-structured social and hooking time with space to spread out. Some will have lunch first-next store @ 11:30 AM.

December 2009

Free Knit In
Tuesdays and Fridays 11 AM to 1 PM
Informal lunch time social and instruction. Stop in on your lunch hour & bring your lunch.  Learn from others knitters and our staff. Fellowship and fun!  Informal, non-structured social and knitting time, with space to spread out your brown bag lunch.  Get a little help with your knotty spots, or help someone else with theirs! Fellowship and fun at for lunch are available right here at The Woolery.

Free Hook In
Third Thursday of the month 12:30 PM to 3 PM
Learn from other Hookers. Fellowship and fun! Informal, non-structured social and hooking time with space to spread out.
Some will have lunch first-next store @ 11:30 AM

Free Demonstration Weaving on 4 Harness Loom -December 19th - Saturday from 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM
Weaving only looks hard because of the size of the loom, but we'll take all the mystery out of it by starting out with one already warped (really!).  You can try your hand at this ancient craft, or just watch as someone else puts in a few inches on this dishtowel-in-progress.  It is SO satisfying to make your own cloth!  

 

January 2010

Beginning Knitting

This is a 2 Day Class with the first session  on January 12, 2009,  Tuesday 6PM – 8PM and continued on January 19, 2009 Tuesday 6PM – 8PM.  If it's something you've always wanted to learn to do, but trying to learn from the books just didn't get it for you, then come to a class.  We'll learn to cast on, knit and purl, increase and decrease, and finally bind off our sampler.  We'll talk about yarns of different fibers and some of their properties, the differences in knitting needles, and we'll begin to decipher the odd language that knitting patterns are written in.  Bring note-taking supplies. 

Minimum enrollment: 4, maximum enrollment: 6

Fee - $60 includes knitting needles and a skein of wool
Instructor: Nancy Reid

 

Beginners Weaving

This is a 2 Day Class with the first session on Tuesday, January 26  from 6PM – 9PM and continued on Tuesday, February 16 from 6PM – 9PM. In this class you will learn everything you need to become a basic weaver. You will learn about the technical aspects, how to make a warp, dress a loom, and start perfecting your technique. We will also go over problems you might encounter and how to fix them. You will be weaving a sampler and scarf with wool yarn using a plain weave. The cost of this class includes instruction, handouts, the yarn for two projects, and a 10" rigid heddle loom. All you need to bring is a three ring binder, a simple calculator, and the excitement of learning.

DAY 1
Tuesday, January 26  from 6PM – 9PM - Basic terminology, Identify the parts of the loom, winding the warp, dressing the warp (warping), loading the shuttles and basic weaving. Homework: finish the first project.

DAY 2
Tuesday, February 16 from 6PM – 9PM - Finishing, calculating weft and warp, solving problems, ideas for additional projects and question and answer session.
Class duration: 6 hours

Max enrollment: 6

Fee - $175 includes loom and materials
Instructor – Traci Bray

 

Kids Learn to Knit ( For Kids 8 and Up)

January 28th, Thursday, 6PM-9PM

Want to learn how to make a fashionable scarf?  Come learn how to cast on and knit a scarf for you or someone special. Supplies are included in the class fee.

Class duration: 3 hours
Class maximum enrollment: 6

Fee: $30 - includes knitting needles and a skein of wool
Instructor:  Anita Themer

 

February 2010

Beginning Spinning

February 6, Saturday, 10AM - 3PM

In this class you will learn to spin a yarn, first by mastering the basics of drafting on a hand spindle, and then progressing to the wheel.  The basics of fiber selection will be covered, as well as the differences in various kinds of spinning wheels.  All materials will be provided, as well as the equipment to learn on, both spindles and wheels.  Everything will also be available for purchase, and guidance offered for the first-time wheel buyer.  

Class duration: 4 hours
Class maximum enrollment: 6

Fee: $60 -Includes Materials and use of spinning wheel or bring your own.
Instructor: Nancy Reid

 

Kids Learn to Weave (For Kids 8 and Up)

February 25th, Thursday, 6PM-9PM

Using the Lap loom, which is included in the class fee. The lap loom is designed to help develop fine motor control, concentration, understanding of spatial relationships and basic mathematical concepts. In addition, ITS FUN! Weaving is a hands-on activity that stimulates imagination, encourages self-confidence and gives a sense of accomplishment.

Class duration: 3 hours
Class maximum enrollment: 6

Fee: $60 -Includes Materials and Loom (you keep)
Instructor: Nancy Reid

 

March 2010

Intermediate Weaving

March 16, Tuesday from 6PM - 9PM

In this class you will build on what you already know about the rigid heddle and plain weave technique. We will learn and practice usage of the pick-up stick and hand manipulations to make twill and lace-like weaves. We will also learn how to add interest to your weaving with colors as well as the in's and out's of design and finishing. You will be weaving a sampler and designing for an individual project which will be started in class. The cost of this class includes instruction & handouts. In addition, you will need to purchase two cones of Maysville Cotton and a Beka 12" pick-up stick. You will also need to bring your rigid heddle loom warped for a 10"x36" project, the pick-up stick, your project notebook, a upholstery needle, a simple calculator, and the excitement of learning.

Class duration: 3 hours
Max enrollment: 6-8

Fee - $55 plus materials- 2 cones of Maysville Cotton in different colors and a 12" pickup stick. Materials must be purchased before day of class to allow time for warping your loom.
Instructor – Traci Bray

Upcoming Class Details 2010

Beginning Spinning
In this class you will learn to spin a yarn, first by mastering the basics of drafting on a hand spindle, and then progressing to the wheel.  The basics of fiber selection will be covered, as well as the differences in various kinds of spinning wheels.  All materials will be provided, as well as the equipment to learn on, both spindles and wheels.  Everything will also be available for purchase, and guidance offered for the first-time wheel buyer.  

Class duration: 4 hours
Class maximum enrollment: 6

Intermediate Spinning
Explore a little more deeply the world of making your own yarn as we get into the technicalities of plying, how much twist is too much, setting twist and working with singles yarns, fleece and wool selection, washing raw wool, the importance of sampling, spinning for knitting and how it differs from spinning for weaving, finishing yarns, and lots of other aspects of the yarnsmith trade.  Participants should already know how to spin, and bring with them a spinning wheel in good working order, a lazy Kate (we'll learn in class how to make one very inexpensively from a shoebox), 3 bobbins, a sample niddy-noddy if they have one, and note-taking materials.  Wool for spinning will be provided.

Class duration: 4 hours
Max enrollment: 10

Intermediate Knitting
In this class we'll take what we learned in beginning knitting into our first project, a simple stocking cap or toboggan, as they say in this part of the world.  We'll combine the techniques of knit, purl and rib learned in beginning knitting; add in circular knitting and a little double-point work, sample Continental knitting and some 2-color rows; and you'll be one present closer to Christmas next year!  You'll need 4 oz. of worsted weight yarn, a 16" circular size 7 or 8 needle, and a set of size 7 or 8 double-points.  As usual, if you need the materials and tools, we have them here at the shop.
Class is 2 hours long each evening.

DAY 1
Tuesday, February 2  from 6PM – 8PM 

DAY 2
Tuesday, February 9 from 6PM – 9PM 

Max enrollment: 8

Fee - $60 includes 1 Skein of wool
Instructor – Nancy Reid

Spindle Spinning
We will learn to spin on 3 types of spindles, the high-whorl, low-whorl, and Turkish; and also learn Andean plying, a technique for making a two ply yarn from 1 spindle of singles.  We'll also evaluate different spindles, and learn to choose the right spindle for each job.  Remember, spindle spinning may seem slow, but what it lacks in speed it makes up for in portability; and it's amazing how much you can get done while waiting for other things to happen!  All materials and equipment are provided, but bring your favorite spindle if you have one.

Class duration: 3 hours

Wool Combing for the Beginner
Wool combs seem like intimidating instruments, but the fiber preparation that can be done with them is just amazing; and the better your prep, the nicer your yarn!  Explore this old method of worsted preparation for spinning smooth, strong yarns; and come away with a new appreciation of what the Industrial Revolution truly meant to our ancestors.  Please note that your tetanus shots should be up-to-date; we'll work with washed fleeces, but there's always a little risk with wool and pointy objects!  Bring your wheel or spindle for test-spinning your results; all other equipment and materials are provided.

Class duration: 3 hours
Max enrollment: 10

Learn to Knit
If it's something you've always wanted to learn to do, but trying to learn from the books just didn't get it for you, then come to a class.  We'll learn to cast on, knit and purl, increase and decrease, and finally bind off our sampler.  We'll talk about yarns of different fibers and some of their properties, the differences in knitting needles, and we'll begin to decipher the odd language that knitting patterns are written in.  Bring a pair of size 7 or 8 or 9 knitting needles, preferably wood, or buy them here in the shop.  Also bring a skein of light-colored, worsted-weight wool yarn (or buy it here).  Bring note-taking supplies, too, and something for a refreshment break!  Knitters need breaks more than other fiber artists, so we may as well make the most of it.

Class duration: 4 hours
Max enrollment: 6

Sock Knitting
Learn the basics of a sock in just one short class, as we do a sample sock with all the easy, routine bits done in miniature, and all the "hard parts" worked out full-size.  You must be able to knit, purl, and cast on competently; and it would help if you've also worked in the round before.  Bring (or buy) a 5-needle set of double-points, size 6 or 7 or 8, and at least 2 ounces of light-colored, worsted-weight yarn.  You'll also need a tapestry needle and note-taking supplies.  Be prepared to buckle down and work hard, but you'll come out of the class with the ability to knit the socks you've always wanted!

Class duration: 4 hours
Max enrollment: 8

Planning Your First Sweater, or an Introduction to EPS (Elizabeth's Percentage System)
For the slightly more adventurous knitter, here's a chance to veer off the path of the "blind follower" and plan your own sweater!  It's much easier than it sounds, and it not only teaches one a great deal about the structure of knitting, it frees one up from the tyranny of following a commercial pattern line-by-line!  We'll meet for 4 hours the first night to get started, and then for 2 hours in each of the next 5 weeks after that to work together and fix any problems that arise.  Bring that yarn that's been hiding in the stash waiting for you to get ready to use it, and we'll go from there.  Bring your knitting needle collection as well, and we'll match yarn to needle and talk about gauge swatches; note-taking supplies, as usual, and maybe even a sketch book should come.  As always, if you don't have these things at home, the shop will be happy to provide inspiration and yarn for that special first sweater, for their usual reasonable price. 
Class duration: 6 weeks; 4 hours first night, once a week for 2 hours after that, 14 hours in all
Max enrollment: 8

An Introduction to 4-Shaft Weaving
If you've always wondered about weaving, but had no idea where to start, this is the class for you.  We'll go through every step in the process, from choosing yarns and winding the warp, to getting it on the loom, weaving it off, and wet-finishing.  We'll produce a sampler first, and then repeat the whole process again and plan the first "real" project, a scarf, and weave it.  Along the way you'll learn to read drafts, the symbolic language that weaving is written in, and learn the names of a whole host of odd objects!  Weaving can be a rather expensive hobby, as the equipment is significant; see if you like it before you take the plunge.  All materials and equipment are provided, but bring note-taking supplies and a pair of scissors.

Class duration: 2 full (8 to 9 hour days)
Max enrollment:  6

Bag-on-a-Box, or An Easy Introduction to Tapestry Weaving
This is an off-loom (way off-loom!) weaving project that requires very little in the way of equipment, materials, or prior knowledge.  We'll weave a small tote bag, using a cardboard box as the loom, and along the way see what tapestry weaving is all about.  You'll probably never look at a box the same way again!  Fairly thick wool yarns work best for this, and you'll need less than 8 oz. total, in whatever color palette you choose; or of course yarns can be purchased here.  The instructor will provide a choice of boxes to be used.  Bring a tapestry needle or sacking needle, and small belt shuttle or netting shuttle, or buy those things here.  You'll also need a ruler, box cutter, pen or marker, and some duct tape.  This is a chance to really let your free-form creativity flow, as pictorial work can be incorporated into the design.

Class duration: Once a week for 4 weeks, 3 hours/evening
Max enrollment: 12

An Exploration of Twills
For the weaver who is ready to move beyond plain weave, this is the next class to really get the inspiration flowing.  We'll thread up the looms to a straight draw, the easiest and most common threading, and weave a sampler with over 30 different variations that can be woven on that one threading!  Students should already be able to warp a loom by themselves without complaining or swearing too loudly, and the materials and equipment will all be furnished.  Bring graph paper and note-taking supplies, and lunch (or plan to go out), this class will last all day.

Class duration: one day, about 7-8 hours
Max enrollment: 12

 

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Instructors

Nancy Reid - I've been knitting since I was 5, and that's (gasp!) over 50 years now. I've taught various knitting classes for the last 15 years, and even managed to teach my husband to knit. I've been spinning since 1993, and took up weaving in 1994 when I realized that yarn was coming out much faster than I could possibly knit it all up. I've taught both spinning and weaving classes at festivals and retreats, as well as privately, for the last 12 years. I also teach dyeing, but that takes a whole other set of equipment. I've got Blue State Fair ribbons for weaving, spinning, and knitting. We raised sheep here on the farm for several years before giving up livestock, and now just watch the deer and turkeys in the pasture.

Abby Franquemont - Abby is the author of “Respect the Spindle: Spin Infinite Yarns with One Amazing Tool” coming out his fall from InterWeave Press. She has been spinning since 1977 and teaches nationwide at premier fiber events such as the Spin-Off Autumn Retreat and Sock Summit. Her writing has appeared in Spin-Off, Knitty, Spindlicity, Twist Collective and more. She blogs at abbysyarns.com.

Traci Bray - Traci grew up on the edge of the Cumberland Plateau, in Science Hill, Ky. After graduating Berea College she was inspired to learn and salvage the dying arts of the Appalachian people. An avid spinner, knitter, and weaver, she now spends her time spreading this knowledge to keep the heritage of these arts alive.

Jan Durham - Jan grew up in Southeastern Kentucky full of admiration for the women in her family who were fiber artists before there was such a term. She learned to appreciate things that were made by hand and to take an idea and turn it into something that could be seen and touched. Wool quickly became Jan's favorite; she creates beautiful needle-felted art forms and scenes. 

Anita Themer - I have been knitting for over 20 years. I am a former instructor for both adults and children.  I have taught knitting in the past and even taught my pre-teen son to knit.  My knitting has won ribbons at the fair.  

Melissa Elliott - Melissa first fell in love with rug hooking in 1998 when she attended a three day workshop at Shaker Village in Pleasant Hill KY.  After completing her first project, a small Tree of Life mat, she knew she had found her passion.  Soon after, she began drawing her own designs eventually turning her love into a small design business, Main Street Rugs.  In addition to hooking her own designs, Melissa also developed a love of teaching others to hook and found herself teaching the same Shaker workshop where she had learned to hook several years earlier.  She regularly attends the Southern Division of the McGown Teachers’ Workshop in Ripley, West Virginia where she received her McGown certification.  She also enjoys teaching at camps and workshops. Several of Melissa’s rugs have been featured in “A Celebration of Hand Hooked Rugs” and she was recently honored by being asked to judge the upcoming juried exhibit sponsored by Rug Hooking Magazine.  She has also been a contributing writer for the magazine, most recently in the September/October 2009 edition where she shared her attempt at a personal goal, “The Seven Day Rug Challenge”. For the past two years, Melissa has been involved with the planning and execution of the ATHA Biennial in Louisville KY which was held in September 2009.  In addition to organizing the tours, she also designed the Biennial logo and designed a special Biennial pattern, Kentucky Montage, for the “One Rug Three Ways” presentation.

 

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This page was last update on: Thursday February 4, 2010

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