Spinning Workshop with Brenda Gibson

programme on May 12, 2025

For Intermediate Spinners Only

The Workshop will cover:-

  • Spinning deliberately thick or thin singles
  • Normal plying (two singles of same thickness and same tension)
  • Andean Plying
  • Corkscrew effect yarn (unequal tension, thickness
  • Chain plying 3 (or more) ply yarn (Navajo Plying)
  • Boucle Yarn

These would each be demonstrated and then practiced.  There is a possibility for other techniques, but these should be requested in advance (but there may not be time to include them)

What to bring

  • Spinning wheel or espinner
  • Fibre prepared ready to spin
  • At least 2 bobbins of spun singles (not necessarily full but a decent amount and ideally including something a bit slippery)
  • Fine commercial yarn to use as a binder eg sewing thread or fine silk
  • At least one empty bobbin with leader
  • Lazy Kate – can be improvised eg shoe box with knitting needles
  • Note Taking materials and or/phone camera.

Cost £25.00 for LGWSD members . 

This workshop is now full 05/08/25

please contact juliette.syme@gmail.com to reserve your place

3D Pod Making Workshop with Mary Crabb -Workshop Full

programme on March 1, 2025

Mary Crabb pods

This one-day workshop will offer an opportunity to learn the basketry/textile technique of twining with the aim of creating 3D forms, called pods.  The cost to Guild Members is £55 including materials (currently open to GuildMembers only).  To reserve a place and payment details please contact:-  juliette.syme@gmail.com

Working in the hands using an off-loom weaving technique, participants will learn how to twine by making a small sample motif. This will continue with the working of a second piece which will become a pod form. The morning will be spent becoming familiar with the technique, and essentials such as joining in new threads, dividing warps, tensioning and finishing the ends. Mary will provide paper yarn for the motif and pod.

In the afternoon, participants will be encouraged to work with items of their choice, with advice from Mary as to suitable materials for warp and weft. This would be a great opportunity to use some spun fibres for twining to make your pod individual to you. Simple patterns can be worked with two colours. If the 3D pod form requires it, Mary will demonstrate how to add in additional warps. Twining is a slow process, unless the materials are substantial, so the pods made in the afternoon may not be completed, but the workshop should enable participants to leave with the skills to finish independently.

Mary will demonstrate techniques, provide visual notes and offer individual support to enable participants to create their own unique pod.

Please note: 

Work is small scale, all made in the hands and can be tiring on the hands, neck and shoulders so please consider this before booking.

Asthma and hayfever sufferers are advised to bring their medication as occasionally the fibres from wool and some strings may bring on symptoms.

MATERIALS and EQUIPMENT: 

Tools will be available on loan from Mary if required.

You are also welcome to bring along materials you might want to use

Mary will bring the following 

  • Thread, wools, string, thin rope, twine and cords, in a selection of colours and textures • Scissors, a pair suitable for cutting string and twine, and a finer pair for threads • Large eyed needles, metal and plastic
  • Support materials for use during and after the workshop. These are for personal use only and must not be copied without permission.

Please bring any of the above, if you have them, and in addition:

  • A notebook or sketch book for recording any additional information
  • Reading glasses are advisable if you need them for close up work

Tea, Coffee and Biscuits will be supplied, but please bring along your own lunch.

www.crabbbaskets.com