Learn to make, decorate, and use a suspended spindle, an ancient textile tool that is as versatile and fun to use in the modern world as it was thousands of years ago.

Students will create a decorative design for their spindles before learning pattern and texture through carving techniques, such as chip carving and gouge work. Once settled on a design, students will carve the design into the spindle. Finally, we will paint the spindles with milkpaint. Milkpaint is a durable and historic paint, which layered to amplify the carved textures or patterns.

Once students have their spindle, they will learn beginner-friendly spinning techniques to get started creating their own yarns to use for knitting, crocheting, weaving, and other fiber pursuits. We will learn to add more or less twist, make multi-strand yarns, and review options for finishing to set students off on the path towards making just the right yarn for your purpose. This course is open to beginners as well as students with experience in carving and/or spinning.

Physical ability note: Bring glasses or magnification if needed for working on small projects.

This course is open to students ages 16+. Youth ages 14+ are welcome to register with an adult. A 25% tuition discount applies to the youth registrant when registering with a full-paying adult; call to register.

Optional Tools

• Bring glasses or magnification if you need them