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Enroll Now ☆

SPIN AND DYE
online workshop

Workshop
A$57.00
One time

In this course students will learn how to spin 2 ply wool yarn using a drop spindle and botanically dye yarn using three different methods. Included is a PDF booklet along with resource and suppliers list and suggested dyestuff.

✓ 1.5 hours of instructional videos
✓ Unlimited lifetime access
✓ Additional PDF booklet

Spin and Dye

There is absolutely nothing more satisfying than using materials in your practice that you have created yourself. The Spin and Dye workshop will connect you to two ancient crafts - using a drop spindle and natural dyes. In this workshop you will have lifelong access to over one and a half hours of instructional video and learn how to create your own 2 ply yarn and naturally dye it afterwards using plants you are able to forage for locally. This workshop is perfect for beginners whether you are a knitter, weaver, crocheter, felter, craft curious or want to include bespoke handspun yarns into your art practice.

This course covers:

  • How to prepare your fibres to make sure you are successful and begin learning how to spin using the park and draft method

  • You will advance to plying yarn and confidently be spinning standing and suspended in no time. I will also discuss spinning from a fibre batt and raw wool locks

  • We will go over all the necessary safety precautions to use mordants and natural dyes

  • You will learn how to create your own iron mordant as well as how to use a combination of alum and iron for variegated results

  • You will learn three different methods to dye your handspun yarn.

  • Learn how to wet finish your yarn as well as how to calculate yardage and turn a skein into a hank and ball.

Meet your instructor

Norton Fredericks

Norton lives and works on Kombumerri Country, Gold Coast, they are a visual artist and workshop facilitator and have been spinning yarn for 5 years and using natural dyes in their art practice for close to a decade. They have work in the collection of the Museum of Brisbane, had work tour nationally with the Tamworth Textile Triennial and won the Commendation and Peoples Choice Awards in the Churchie emerging arts prize.

    • Drop spindle - Ashford students drop spindle/ or similar: 80mm, 65g (3⅛", 2¼oz)

    • 300g corriedale wool top/ sliver/ roving, natural white (other breeds of sheeps wool suitable for beginners include: Blue Faced Leicester, Jacob, Polwarth, Finn, Shetland, Romney)

    • Dedicated dye pot, 15-20L is big enough

    • 2 x buckets

    • Digital kitchen scales

    • Mordants: Alum, iron (or small handful of rusty objects)

    • 2 x large glass jars (1L minimum, can be reused from honey, pickles etc.)

    • 1m long x 40cm wide of plain cotton fabric - can be an old white bed sheet or calico

    • Rope/ twine

    • A length of natural fibre yarn or cotton string about 18 inches or 45cm

    • 2 x cardboard/ metal straws or knitting needles

    • 2 toilet paper cardboard rolls

    • Shoe box/ perforated plastic basket

    • Face mask

    • Dyestuff (List of dye stuff to use attached)

    • Vinegar

    • Scissors

    • Chair

    • A rock that fits inside your jar

    Optional 

    • 50-100g raw wool locks

    • 50-100g fibre batts

    • Dishwashing detergent 

    • Steamer

  • The workshop is pre-recorded so you can access it at any time and work at your own pace

  • I have included a full page of plants and food waste you can use in the PDF booklet that comes with this workshop. Every country has a rich history with natural dyeing so it is also a great opportunity to learn more about that too!

  • That’s okay, I have included the specs of the spindle in the PDF booklet so you can easily find another similar top whorl spindle easily

  • This workshop has been made with beginners in mind, I will step you through every process of spinning yarn and naturally dyeing it.

  • Once you have signed up you will have access to the members only part of my website and you can find the login in the top right hand corner of the webpage under account. When you have signed up you will be asked to verify your email address.

  • You can purchase them here:

    https://retritus.com/store-tvit8/online-workshop-packs

  • You can use your beautiful handspun yarn for anything you can think of! Crochet, knitting, weaving, surface design on felt, include it in basketry or any which way you can imagine in your arts practice!

Student testimonials

  • “Norton's online Spin and Dye workshop was a lot of fun! I felt fully immersed in the experience and walked away with so much knowledge. I now feel confident to spin with a drop spindle and dye my beautiful homespun wool with plants from my garden. They have a very calm and clear way of explaining things and I enjoyed the words of encouragement after completing each section. If you are looking for a way to deepen your practice or for a new hobby give this workshop a spin!”
    Anne de Nooijer, textile and fibre artist

  • "The ‘Spin and Dye Workshop’ has been a wonderful opportunity to learn new ways of engaging with materials in considered ways. Norton has a beautiful ecological sensitivity and their wealth of knowledge is impressive, the workshop is very accessible and presented in understandable ways. It has been an honour to learn these ancient skills and I really appreciate the fact I could do each session in my own time. The workshop is amazing, thank you for sharing your knowledge!"
    Emily Imeson, visual artist

Enroll Now

☆

Enroll Now ☆

Workshop
A$57.00
One time

In this course students will learn how to spin 2 ply wool yarn using a drop spindle and botanically dye yarn using three different methods. Included is a PDF booklet along with resource and suppliers list and suggested dyestuff.

✓ 1.5 hours of instructional videos
✓ Unlimited lifetime access
✓ Additional PDF booklet

Still have questions?