Intro to Fancy Yarns with Amanda Hannaford
So, you can spin a fairly even yarn, and you feel like you are ready to take on a new challenge? Then why not try this introduction to fancy / art yarns (no previous experience necessary)? Amanda will show you the building blocks to create many styles of art yarn. These basic techniques will cover core spinning, thick and thin singles, and spiral plying.
We will be working with combed tops for starters, but some of the techniques also work well with locks or carded batts. Core-spun yarn is the perfect technique to show off the luscious colours in striped or space-dyed top, and those same tops with just a bit of extra know-how can create a very stable slubbed single. You will then be able to combine these elements to create bulky textured yarns, spirals, flame, coils, beehives and many more, all from your favourite combed tops. Why not join us and put that stash to new and exciting uses (or even discover a new reason to add to it)?
Skill Level Information (what will be covered): The class is aimed at competent spinners who have good control over their wheel, but no prior knowledge or experience of fancy / art yarns is necessary.
What is included? 150g of wool and wool blend tops will be provided as class materials, plus cotton threads (for core and bindings). You will also receive a voucher for a beverage of your choosing from the pop-up MOW café.
What do students need to bring? A wheel (clean and well oiled) with at least three bobbins (don’t necessarily need to be empty, we can work on top of existing yarn). A sample niddy-noddy , lazy-kate and notebook and pencil, plus swing tags for labelling samples. Any cones of fine two-ply yarn or cotton sewing thread they have in stash, no need to go out and buy anything specially, as the tutor will have a good range available for use during class.
If you click the link below then you will be taken to our booking system on Eventbrite to complete your booking. You’re also more then welcome to give us a bell (+44 (0)1769 579861) and book over the phone if you would prefer. Thanks!
Time: 10:00 am to 1:00 pm – 3 hours. Please arrive 30 mins before event starts
Date: Sunday 18th June, 2023
Location: The Courtroom, South Molton Town Hall, EX36 3AB
Price: £55.00 including materials
For more information about our Mill Open Weekend celebrations please visit our website.
We are so looking forward to throwing our doors open and inviting you inside for our MOW celebrations!
– The Mill Folk x
Tutor Bio: Amanda has been spinning for about forty years, and dyeing for nearly as long. She is a member of Liskeard Spinners, Somerset, Peter Tavy and the Online Guilds and has had work selected for several Association Exhibitions. As well as teaching workshops and masterclasses around the UK and Europe she has also taught at all but two of the Association Summer Schools since 2007. In 2015 she was invited to teach for two weeks in Kabul, Afghanistan, and the following year she spent five weeks teaching in a textile workshop in Tibet plus being invited back there in 2018 for a further three weeks.
She holds the National Association of Guilds’ Certificates of Achievement in spinning and dyeing, and has a City & Guilds Stage 1 teaching certificate.
Although her passion for dyeing started with natural dyes, which also formed the bulk of her certificate portfolio, over the years she has tried many different types of dye and for many years ran an Etsy shop selling mainly acid-dyed fibres.
