Enrollment Deadline: July 28, 2023

Spinning fractal, gradient and ombré handspun yarns is by no means new. What is new, is how Kim uses one handcard or a blending board clamped to a table and a diz for their fibre prep. The focus of this workshop is all about colour management. How to effectively work with handpainted braids to achieve interesting colour effects in your handspun yarns. As well as fractal, gradient and ombré yarns, you will learn how to prepare and spin for blended solids, raindrop, rill yarns, and more.

Materials for this workshop include two 100-gram Corriedale braids (included in the workshop price), one handpainted and one natural white. In the morning you will choose which colour effect you wish to work on. Then armed with a few tips and tricks from Kim, you will create cascades of beautiful carded roving for an afternoon of spinning.

Kim’s technique has other advantages besides colour effects:
• Loft is added to worsted spun yarns.
• It opens up fibres which are often slightly compacted due to the dyeing process.
• It is quicker than attenuating fibre by hand.
• It results in a more consistent roving, which makes for a more consistent handspun yarn.

The afternoon will be spent spinning your beautifully prepared roving for a project. It is often the smallest of changes or nuances which improve the consistency of your handspun yarn. So, while you spin, Kim will make suggestions to improve your signature spinning technique. What is your signature spinning technique? It is the spinning draft you are most comfortable using. The draft that “feels right to you” as you spin.

Kim strives to have participants leave her workshops with more knowledge, a deeper understanding, and a more solid skill set than they had at the start of their day.

There is homework suggested before the workshop. It is, however, not something to stress about. If the homework is completed, that is awesome. Participants who complete the homework will have a richer learning experience. Because seeing is, most definitely believing.

Workshop fee includes 100 grams each of Sweet Georgia Yarns natural white and handpainted 100% Corriedale roving.

Check out the suggested Equipment/Supply List to bring to the workshop (link on website).

Maximum number of participants: 12

Student Requirements
Must be able to spin a continuous yarn and have a solid working knowledge with respect to their wheel.