Creative Fibre Correspondence Courses
Hand Spinning
Hand spinning 1 – Wool (limit 20 students)
Hand Spinning 2 – Merino
Click to register for a hand spinning course.
Certificate in Hand spinning 1 – Wool
Tutor: Pat Old
Duration: Six months
Course fee (inclusive of GST):
New Zealand Member:
PDF download: NZD215.00
Printed material: NZD245.00
Overseas Member
PDF download: NZD230.00
The fee for a New Zealand member includes a fleece pack which contains raw and unwashed fleece. An overseas member will be guided by their tutor to source their own wool.
This course is designed to extend your yarn spinning skills and knowledge, i.e. you will already have control of the spinning wheel and can spin a single and can ply. It will also interest those who may want to teach spinning. You will be introduced to spinning different fleece types and to worsted, semi-worsted and woollen spinning.
This course consists of four modules:
Module one: Knowledge of spinning and fibre equipment
A range of items of preparation and spinning equipment is studied to gain a better understanding of the choices that you have in preparing and spinning any fibre.
Module two: Spinning and plying to a standard
This module examines a number of technical aspects of yarn design such as twist direction, yarn and finishing techniques suitable for the fibre used.
Module three: Preparing wool
You will work with raw fleece from a range of NZ breeds and learn how to select and assess a fleece, how to wash it and how to prepare it for different spinning styles.
Module four: Spinning wool
You will learn to examine the fibre for type and quality and then choose the most appropriate preparation method to create the yarn that you have chosen to spin.
For this course you will need access to a spinning wheel in good working order, Lazy Kate, flick carder or hair comb, double hand carders and wool combs. Some preparation equipment can be borrowed from friends or sometimes hired from your local spinners group.
Certificate in Hand spinning 2 – Merino
Tutor: Natasha Marshall
Duration: Six months
Course fee (inclusive of GST):
New Zealand Member
PDF download: NZD198.00
Printed material: NZD228.00
Overseas Member
PDF download: NZD218.00
The fee for a New Zealand member includes a fleece pack which contains raw and unwashed fleece. An overseas member will be guided by their tutor to source their own wool.
Prerequisite: You have successfully completed Creative Fibre’s correspondence course Hand spinning 1 – Wool or be a competent spinner.
This course builds on your knowledge of preparation and spinning of wool from the correspondence course Hand spinning 1 – Wool. Merino fibre has unique and distinctive properties and is often seen by spinners as difficult to prepare and spin. This course focuses on the preparation and spinning techniques best-suited to Merino wool and gives you the confidence to refine your skills to produce first class Merino yarns.
This course is based on the work of Margaret Stove QSM and consists of four modules:
Module one: History and fibre preparation
You will learn about the history and special characteristics of Merino wool and prepare a sample for spinning.
Module two: Wheel adjustment and spinning singles
This module guides you through exercises to adjust your spinning wheel correctly to spin your first skein.
Module three: Grist, elasticity and loft
In this module you focus on some common terms to spin samples of Merino singles.
Module four: Plying, skeining and washing
In this last module you focus on the amount of twist you give and the making of strong joins to your singles. Then you are guided to ply, skein and wash your finished Merino yarn.
For this course you will need access to a spinning wheel in good working order, Lazy Kate and have access to Margaret Stove’s book and DVD.
Stove, M., (1991). Merino: Handspinning, Dyeing and Working with Merino and Superfine Wools, Caxton Press, Christchurch, NZ, ISBN 0-908563-39-6
DVD – Spinning for Lace, 2011 – (Interweave Press)