Wool is a versatile material that has impacted the human experience beyond measure. From swaddle to shroud we interact with textiles, they are so interwoven in our lives as to be almost overlooked. Historically wool has been used to make the sails that enabled travel, blankets that ensured survival through winter and clothing for exploration to lands far away. Connect with this tradition and discover the enjoyment of crimp, the mesmerizing spin on a wheel, and the warmth of cloth.

In this co-taught class, shepherdess Leslie Chaplin will lead students through the experience of shearing a sheep, skirting (sorting out debris) the fleece, scouring (washing) the wool, combing and carding into a preparation ready to spin into yarn. This group activity will familiarize students with characteristics of wool, including discussion of crimp and softness, desired wool types for a variety of applications (blankets vs rugs), selecting quality fleeces, and the types of wool available from different sheep breeds.

In the second part of the class, fiber artisan Josie Cooke will guide students through spinning the prepared fiber on a drop spindle to make their own yarn. This yarn will be used to weave a set of coasters or “mug rugs” on a hand held weave it loom. Students can choose to gently felt to experience the process of fulling into cloth. As time allows, Josie will demonstrate spinning on a wheel and weaving on a floor loom, which students will be welcome to try.

By the end of class, students will be familiar with types of wool, selecting a fleece, processing wool into yarn, and have an introduction to basic weaving. Students will go home with fiber to continue spinning, and one to two completed mug rugs, with the knowledge to create more.