MAWS - Montana Association of Weavers and Spinners
Cabin Fever Virtual Workshops
You will need to pay online for each class separately or register by mail
1/13/2024 Animal Fiber Primer for Knitters, Spinners, and Weavers
Time: 10 a.m. MST
Instructor: Deborah Robson
Deborah co-author of “The Fleece & Fiber Sourcebook” and the “Field Guide to Fleece and the DVD Handspinning Rare Wools will give this slide-based session geared to fiber users. She will discuss fiber critters and the fiber they produced and give tips on buying and using breed-specific fibers. She will give some breed examples and talk about saving rare breeds, plus the small-scale farmers and ranchers here and around the globe who are raising the fiber we love.
Fee $10 must register before 1/10/2024.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC
2/10/2024 Bertha Gray Hayes and her Miniature Overshot Patterns
Time: 10 a.m. MST
Instructor: Norma Smayda
Learn about Bertha Gray Hayes, a well-known Rhode Island weaver and the topic of a book Ms. Smayda co-authored in 2009. This talk covers the weaver’s charming life and the 92 patterns she created, as well as a look at the national weaving scene of the 1920's-1950's. The presentation will include slides of some of Ms. Hayes’ drafts and samples of her work. Trained in the Norwegian weaving tradition, Norma Smayda established the Saunderstown Weaving school in 1974. She is the co-author of “Ondulé Textiles: Weaving Contours with a Fan Reed” and “Weaving Designs by Bertha Gray Hayes: Miniature Overshot Patterns.”
Fee $10 must register before 2/7/2024
3/9/2024 A Question of Balance
Time: 10 a.m. MST
Instructor: Michelle Boyd
Spinners are always told we need to make a “balanced” yarn, but what does that mean? Clear up the confusion and find out how easy it is to make a balanced yarn. We will look at how spinning singles and plying come together to make a yarn once we understand how the two directions of twist work together. First Michelle will introduce the concepts of twist and balance and then we will spin together practicing the theory. This seminar is e-spinner and spindle friendly. Michelle is a Master Spinner, weaver, and writer who lives in Olds, Alberta, Canada. In addition to regularly teaching spinning, she is also a frequent contributor to both PLY Magazine and Digits & Threads and is currently completing her first book about spinning. A simple supply list and directions will be provided once you register.
Fee $10. Must register by 3/6/2024
4/13/2024 Thrummed Knitting
Time: 10 a.m. MST
Instructor: Vanessa Bjerreskov
Thrumming is a knitting technique from Newfoundland that incorporates pieces of unspun sheep’s wool into an accessory like hats, mittens, or slippers to create a warm, soft lining. We will knit a thrummed wrist-warmer to learn the basics. Vanessa Bjerreskov started working with fibre as a child starting with crochet, cross stitch, progressing to knitting and finally to spinning. She graduated Olds College Master Spinner Program and has been published in PLY Magazine and SpinOff, A simple supply list, pattern and directions will be provided once you register. An optional Thrumed MAWS KAL will continue in the weeks after the program.
Fee $10 Must register by 4/10/2024
OR Pay by Mail