Dyeing Yarns with Plant Colors
Saturday, October 4, 9:00am – 5:00pm
One-Day Workshop / $95, including yarns
Renew and deepen your relationship to nature’s gifts and enliven your appreciation for color. Spend the day in communion with nature observing the plants in our dye garden and explore how to work with them so that they impart their beautiful colors to the fibers.
As the manifold colors from the roots, leaves, flowers and nuts of our harvest appear on our fibers we cannot but experience a sense of wonder and gratitude and feel enlivened in our whole being. Each participant will receive 6 oz. of plant-dyed yarn.
Enrollment is limited to 12 participants; register here.
With Mikae Toma
Open Studio
Fridays, October 3 - November 21, 2:30pm - 4:30 pm
Come visit us at our Studio at Orchard House to browse, see us at work and experience our unique plant-dyed materials. Our yarns and craft kits are available for sale, and we are ready to assist you as needed.
With Renate Hiller and Mikae Toma, co-directors of the Fiber Craft Studio
Introduction to Fiber Crafts
Wednesdays, September 17 – December 3, 8:30am – 10:00am
12 classes / $250, including materials
The experience of working with natural materials opens us up to new ways of perceiving nature. Exploration of wool fibers through washing, carding, spinning and dyeing is an experience of continuous transformation that reveals nature’s wisdom. These preparatory stages of work allow us to engage deeply in the creative process of creating simple items by knitting, crocheting and felting. Individual guidance and joyous collaboration will be part of the experience.
Enrollment is limited to 12 participants; register here.
With Mikae Toma
Knitting in the Round
Tuesdays, September 23 – November 18, 1:30pm – 3:00pm
Course for Intermediate Knitters
9 classes / $180
Enhance your knitting skills and your creative capacities while enjoying a sense of community with your fellow knitters. Explore the art and craft of “knitting in the round” with four needles or circular needles to create socks, mittens, hats or scarves. As you develop new skills, you will be guided to create your own design working consciously with color and form. Beautiful plant-dyed yarns and knitting needles will be available for purchase at our Studio.
Enrollment is limited to 12 participants; register here.
With Renate Hiller
New York State Sheep and Wool Festival
Rhinebeck, NY
Saturday and Sunday, October 18 and 19
Visit us in Building 22, Booth 34 at the New York State Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, NY, and don’t miss our felting demonstrations on Saturday at 10:00am and noon, outside of Building 22.
Doll-Making Workshop
Tuesdays, October 28 - December 2, 7:30pm - 9:00pm
6 Classes / $145, including materials
This step-by-step approach to making a hand-sewn cloth doll will take 6 classes; we will first form the head, then make a pattern for the body, sew the body, form the limbs and trunk, sew the parts together, create hair, eyes and mouth and finally dress the doll. We will start each step together in class and continue the work as homework in order to be ready for the next step, in the next class. This is an opportunity to create a special gift, an enlivened toy for a lucky child.
Some hand sewing experience is necessary, and enrollment is limited to 12 students; register here.
With Chris Marlow
Felting Retreat – Items to Enjoy at Home
Friday, November 7 – Sunday, November 9
Friday, 6:30-9pm / Saturday 9am-5pm / Sunday 9am-1pm
$180, including materials
The process of felting offers a wealth of creative possibilities, transforming wool fibers into fabric that is lightweight, sturdy, water-resistant and warm to the touch. We will take a look at the history of felting and will explore the many ways we can use this fiber craft to create hand-made items to bring beauty and comfort to the home. We will use a variety of wool and other fibers and yarns in colorful hues to create slippers and table runners or window panels.
Enrollment is limited to 15 participants; register here.
With Renate Hiller and Mikae Toma
Open Studio and Holiday Sale
Fridays, December 5 and 12, 11:00am – 4:30pm
Come visit us at our Studio at Orchard House to browse and find unique gifts.
Plant-dyed yarns, fiber craft kits, wool fleece in many colors, hand-felted accessories … and more!
Felting Gnomes and Crystal Caves
Saturday, December 13, 1:00pm - 5:00pm
Workshop / $65, including materials
Toys made out of wool feel warm to the touch, nourish the senses and inspire creative play. Through sculpting with wool and needle-felting techniques, we will create gnomes and crystal caves and bring the gnomes to life through poetry and play. Wool in natural and plant-dyed colors will be used.
Enrollment is limited to 18 participants; register here.
With Renate Hiller and Mikae Toma