Rickie Van Berkum Workshops
Spindle Spinning
(The Portable and Economical Way to Spin)
Friday, June 12th, 1pm – 4pm
Cost: $45
(Cost includes fiber. Rickie will have spindles available for sale for $25, if students need one.)
This workshop is for beginning spinners and for people who can spin on a wheel, but have never managed a spindle. The goal is to get everyone spindle spinning as quickly as possible so that people have a chance to practice and get feedback while we discuss other issues. The class will work together to go through the basic steps, then they will practice while Rickie provides individual help.
Rickie will discuss fiber preparation, drafting, twist, body dynamics to prevent fatigue and injury, what to do with your yarn once the spindle is full, graduating to regular drop spindle spinning, plying on the spindle, washing and blocking the yarn, where to get more fiber, and what you can make with your spindle-spun yarn.
Rickie Van Berkum has been spinning for 25 years, and spindle spinning for 10 years. She spins a wide range of fiber on her spindle and loves teaching people to spin at the Clark Fork River Farmer’s Market in Missoula. She is a member of the Big Sky Fiber Arts Guild, Program Chair of the Missoula Weavers Guild, former President of the Spinning Study Group of Long Island and owner of Raven Ridge Fiber Arts in Huson, MT.