Wool is an incredibly versatile, durable, and beautiful fiber that is surprisingly easy to make into fabric. In this team-taught class, we will start at the beginning of the process, as we hand-shear sheep from Prairie Willows Farm. We will process the wool step by step together; shearing, skirting, washing, drying, carding, making batts, spinning, and, finally, felting. Once the wool is processed, and divided amongst the class, we will practice the very foundation of making fabric: spinning fibers, which leads to knitting and weaving. On Day 3, will work on wet felting, which is the ancient method of making fabric. Students who wish to continue spinning instead of felting can do so.

Students will go home with new skills, an appreciation of processing their own wool, and one substantial wet-felted project. In the past, students have felted purses, slippers, table runners, mittens, and more. Note that this is an introductory class, and gaining proficiency at spinning is a practice that takes time.

This course provides a unique opportunity for students to fully immerse themselves in wool craft and directly connect with the source of the wool. This course is open to students ages 18+. Youth ages 12-17 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.

Required Tools

• 1 large towel
• 1 small towel
• Clothes that can get dirty/wet or an apron
• Plastic bags to bring your wool, yarn and wet projects home

Optional Tools

• Feel free to bring your favorite tools and whatever materials you might feel appropriate for this course. Apron, rubber gloves, etc. If you have your own carders and spinning tools you may bring them.
• Also, feel free to bring your own raw wool that may be processed and used for your felting project, if suitable for felting.
• Felting uses small bubble bubble wrap. Please bring any you have at home instead of throwing it in the garbage. Especially pieces larger than 1’ x 2’

You will need the following tools for this class:

1. 2 large towels
2. clothes that can get dirty/wet or an apron
3. plastic bags to bring your wet projects home
4. a bar of olive oil soap
5. a sponge

Feel free to bring your favorite tools and whatever materials you might feel appropriate for this course.

• apron
• rubber gloves
• food for potluck lunch