Workshops - 2024
Sign up for workshops here! Scroll down (and keep scrolling and scrolling . . . ) to find your class. Each class description has a class registration button below it. (Prefer a paper and pencil? You can also register by mailing a check with the form on the
brochure.)
Tunisian Crochet Basics
9:00 am to Noon; $25
Cris Robinson, Instructor
Minimum 4 Students / Maximum 12
With elements of knitting, weaving, and crochet, Tunisian crochet produces a thick, lofty fabric perfect for scarfs, blankets, dishcloths, and potholders. But it can also produce delicate, lacy textures for shawls and garments. If you can knit or crochet, you can learn Tunisian crochet! We’ll start with the foundation row that is the basis for all projects and master the forward and reverse pass in Tunisian Simple Stitch. We’ll learn the knit and purl stitches and the fabrics that they create, and we’ll finish the sampler by learning how to bind off. We’ll discuss options for seaming, methods to convert ordinary crochet hooks to Tunisian hooks, and sources for patterns.
Students should bring:
- At least 100 yards of a solid-colored, smooth worsted or DK weight yarn in a light color. Avoid yarn that splits easily.
- A crochet hook two sizes larger than recommended for your yarn. Inline or tapered hook is fine, but the hook cannot have a padded handle or large thumb indentation. Special Tunisian hooks are NOT required for this class.
- Magnification and battery operated task lighting if needed for close work
- Scissors
- Yarn needle
Carding Wool with Handcards:
Techniques and Special Effects
9:00 am to Noon; $60
Evie Schwartz, JillianEve
Minimum 6 Students / Maximum 12
There is more to carding wool than just rubbing two hand cards across each other! In this hand carding workshop Evie will show you that hand carding can be done comfortably, consistently, and efficiently. It is the best way to make lofty rolags that are perfect for long draw spinning and creating fuzzy bouncy "true" woolen yarn. Hand cards are also perfect to blend wool for needle felting. Once we have practiced several carding techniques, we will play with special effects that you can accomplish with hand cards to blend color, fibers, and create self-striping gradient rolags and mini batts. You will love spinning or felting from your hand carded wool! Students should bring their own set of wool hand cards to this class. Evie will provide wool for carding practice. Wear durable clothing such as jeans or an apron. Spindles will be available for students to test spin their rolags during class, or students may bring their own spinning wheel/spindle.
Knitting 101
9:30 am to Noon; $35
Ellen Sullivan, Instructor
Minimum 2 Students / Maximum 12
Learn the basics of knitting using your handspun or commercial yarns. You’ll learn how to cast on, knit, increase, decrease, do an I-cord edging, cast off and sew a short seam, creating an ear warmer. Students should bring yarn (#4 med weight), knitting needles(size appropriate for the yarn, 7 or 8's), markers, ruler, etc. Age 10 and up.
Felting Soap
11:00 am to Noon; $10
Danielle Zimmerman, Meadow Ridge Alpacas
Minimum 1 Students / Maximum 10
A simple way to felt soap using alpaca fiber. Take home your soap masterpiece. All ages welcome. No experience necessary.
Woolen Spinning:
Long Draw 101
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm; $60
Evie Schwartz, JillianEve
Minimum 6 Students / Maximum 12
Long draw spinning is the fastest way to produce lots of beautiful, lofty, and warm woolen yarn. Woolen yarn is perfect for knitting or crochet. In this workshop, we will learn how to spin long draw from start to finish. We will practice with several different fiber preparations: rolags, batts, and roving. Then we will explore why a long draw spun yarn isn’t finished until it is plied and wet finished. After this workshop, your woolen yarn will have all the loft and bounce you dream of! Students should bring a spinning wheel in good working order to this class and have an understanding of how to adjust the wheel’s tension and produce handspun yarn. Evie will provide wool in various preparations for spinning practice. If you take Evie's Carding Wool With Handcards class, you can bring your own carded rolags.
Navaho Plying for Knitters & Crocheters
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm; $25
Mary Jo Burke, Instructor
Minimum 1 Students / Maximum 6
Have you ever found the perfect yarn and the perfect pattern, but they don't match because the yarn is too thin? Navaho plying is a method developed by spinners to turn a one-ply yarn into a 3-ply yarn without having to manage 3 balls or skeins. The technique is very simple and is the same whether you are a knitter or crocheter. It does take practice to develop speed and smoothness, so there will be time in the class for practice and help if you get tangled. Fee includes two types of yarn: a baby acrylic and an exotic fiber, and you may bring your own yarn too. Also bring size 6 or 7 needles, or G or H crochet hooks.
Boho Bead & Fiber Bracelet
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm; $40
Cris Robinson, Instructor
Minimum 5 Students / Maximum 12
Combine loom weaving, bead weaving, laddering, beaded warp, and micro macrame techniques to create a bracelet of beautiful glass beads with hand dyed cotton/silk threads or lace weight yarn. No weaving or beading experience necessary. Most students will complete their bracelets in class, or will leave with complete understanding of how to finish on their own.
Workshop includes materials: handouts, bracelet loom and weaving accessories, several yards of hand dyed threads for warp and weft, decorative button, and assorted 2/0, 6/0, and 8/0 glass beads in a choice of colorways. If you have a specific color preference or would like to incorporate your own supplies, please email Cris at craftunstrung at gmail dot com as soon as your class registration is confirmed.
Students should bring scissors. Magnification and battery operated task lighting if needed for close work is also helpful. A small mat will be provided in class, but students may prefer their favorite beading mat or tray.
Drop Spindle Contest
2:00 to 4:00 pm, Free
Minimum 1 Student / No Maximum
Nancy Jones, Instructor
Spinners have been using drop spindles since ancient times. They are cheap, easy and portable - a great first step for a new spinner, and a favorite among many experienced spinners! You’ll learn how to spin on a drop spindle, then test your new skills with a contest. Spinners are separated by age (youth and adults) and experience (beginners and experienced). No age restrictions. No experience needed. All supplies will be provided. Prizes will be awarded!
This class is free and all are welcome - preregistration is not necessary.
Preparing Flax for Spinning
Drop in between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm; Free
Tom & Joanne Blodgett, Instructors
In this casual, walk-in demonstration you will see a continuous demonstration of processing flax into linen. The demo consists of breaking, scutching, hackling, and spinning. There will also be a Peacock loom with Linsey-woolsey fabric, books, pulled flax, flax seed, fabric, etc. on display. Ask questions and stay as long as you please!
This demonstration is free and all are welcome - preregistration is not necessary.
To Dye For . . . .
Drop in between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm; $5 to $20
Kim Hazer, The Vintage God Girl
Create your very own custom dyed “to dye for” items! Choose from a selection of dyeable items and then design a beautiful colorway using pre-mixed dyes. Choose a 100 yd skein of yarn ($5), silk handkerchief ($5), 200 yd skein of yarn ($10), or double knit sock blank ($20). Plan to spend 10 to 20 minutes to create your yarn. No experience necessary.
You may register, but you don't have to. Walk-ups are welcome!
Because our workshops provide one-on-one, hands-on instruction, class sizes are limited. Sign up early to make sure you get a spot!
To Pay with a Credit or Debit Card: Click on the button by the class you want. Please be sure to include your "shipping address." Nothing will be shipped to you, but we will add your address to next year's brochure mailing list. Your credit card statement will list "Stephenson County Fiber Art Fair" as the business paid. If you have any questions regarding your transaction please contact Suzy at
Suzy@SuzytheShepherdess.com or call 815-541-0897.
A Notice to Procrastinators: On-line class registrations will be accepted until 9 pm on the Friday before the show. Registration will be accepted at the Fiber Art Fair until just a few minutes before each class starts. But that is only if there is room - many of our classes fill up early!
A Note on the Admission Fee:
Your class registration does not include the three dollar admission fee. The entire class fee goes to the instructor to cover her time and materials, and we will still collect your $3 admission fee at the door to help us cover the rental of the facility.
To mail in your class registration: Use the form in the
brochure or list the classes you want on a sheet of paper. Be sure to include your name and mailing address, and mail it to Nancy Jones, P.O. Box 5, Cedarville, IL 61013. Checks should be written to "Stephenson County Fiber Art Fair."
Do you have a fiber related skill or technique to share? Our workshops are very popular and we are always eager for new ideas and instructors. We are taking applications to teach a workshop at our 2025 show. You can submit an application at any time during the year, but all workshop decisions will be made in January. For a workshop instructor application click here: Workshop Instructor Application.
