British Yarn

Deb Robson is a spinner, knitter, weaver, (crocheter, braider . . . ), with a longstanding interest in fibres, especially breed-specific wools.  She is widely accepted as being the authority on spinning with rare breed fibres. The owner and publisher of Nomad Press, she previously edited books for Interweave Press; Spin-Off: The Magazine for Handspinners; and Shuttle Spindle & Dyepot. She is also an accomplished writer and artist.

Classes with Deb will take place in the Cottrell Building

All fibres and yarns will be provided.

ONLY FIVE PLACES REMAINING

Rare breed wools for knitters

Some of the most wonderful and practical wools come from what are now rare breeds of sheep. Come discover kindly wools and beaver wools, double-coats and singles, lustres that have shine and body, classics that have bounce and warmth . . . and, in a number of these breeds, a rainbow of sheepy colours. If we don’t use these fibres, we’ll lose them! We can’t use them--or know what we’re missing--if we don’t know what they are. We’ll explore the range of wools, with a focus on the rare ones, and we’ll swatch, play and open doors of possibility.

We’ll work with the breeds identified on the watch list of the (British) Rare Breeds Survival Trust. These will include at least ten of the following: Balwen, Boreray, Castlemilk Moorit, Cotswold, Devon and Cornwall Longwool, Dorset Down, Dorset Horn, Greyface Dartmoor, Hill Radnor, Leicester Longwool, Lincoln Longwool, Manx Loaghtan, Norfolk Horn, North Ronaldsay, Oxford Down, Portland, Shropshire, Soay, Teeswater, Wensleydale, Whitefaced Dartmoor and Whitefaced Woodland.  For more information on these breeds, click here

When: Tuesday, 9.30 - 5.00

Level: Advanced beginner plus

Class Skills: Comfortable with basic knit stitches

Cost: £80

Bring with you:

4mm and 5mm knitting needles

Notepad and pen/pencil

Class Length: 6 hours

Minimum class number: 10 Maximum class number: 15

ONLY FOUR PLACES REMAINING

Introduction to spinning with a hand (drop) spindle - for those who want a better understanding of yarn, as well as those who think they’d really like to get into spinning

This class will cover the basics of yarn construction, spinning singles and plying, along with an introduction to different qualities of wool. We will work with prepared (British) fibres.

Aimed at: not-yet-spinners and curious knitters/crocheters/weavers

When: Wednesday, 9.30 - 12.30

Level: Beginner plus

Class Skills: None

Cost: £40

Bring with you:

A  hand (drop)  spindle.  Deb prefers high-whorl spindles that weigh about 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 ounces (approx. 40 to 75g) and advises not go below 1 ounce (28g) or above 3 ounces (85g). Please note that drop spindles will be on sale (at a reduced price for students of this class) before your class should you need to purchase one.

Notepad and pen/pencil

Class Length: 3 hours

Minimum class number: 10 Maximum class number: 15

ONLY FOUR PLACES REMAINING

Rare breed wools for spinners

Some of the most wonderful and practical fibres come from what are now rare breeds of sheep. Come discover kindly wools and beaver wools, double-coats and singles, lustres that have shine and body, classics that have bounce and warmth . . . and, in a number of these breeds, a rainbow of sheepy colours. If we don’t use these fibres, we’ll lose them! We can’t use them--or know what we’re missing--if we don’t know what they are. We’ll explore the range of fleeces, with a focus on the rare ones, and we’ll spin, play and open doors of possibility. We’ll learn about how to prepare fleeces for spinning too.

We’ll work with the breeds identified on the watch list of the (British) Rare Breeds Survival Trust. These will include: at least ten of the following: Balwen, Boreray, Castlemilk Moorit, Cotswold, Devon and Cornwall Longwool, Dorset Down, Dorset Horn, Greyface Dartmoor, Hill Radnor, Leicester Longwool, Lincoln Longwool, Manx Loaghtan, Norfolk Horn, North Ronaldsay, Oxford Down, Portland, Shropshire, Soay, Teeswater, Wensleydale, Whitefaced Dartmoor and Whitefaced Woodland.  For more information on these breeds, click here

When: Thursday, 9.30 - 5.00

Level: Advanced beginner plus spinner

Class Skills: Some experience of spinning, plying, preparing fibres for spinning

Cost: £80

Bring with you:

Your wheel, a few bobbins, lazy kate, handcarders (if you have them), notepad and pen.

Class Length: 6 hours

Minimum class number: 10 Maximum class number: 15

Please note that a wheel can be loaned for this class, should you require it.

Understanding and working with breed-specific wool yarns

This is a class aimed at everyone: knitters, crocheters, weavers alike!  Come and have fun playing with different British yarns, learning what makes each one very special.  Deb will guide you through the best uses for each yarn, discuss what each yarn has been traditionally used for and will give you some ideas on suitable projects for each yarn.  You will be given a sample pack of 10-15 yarns to play with.

When: Friday, 9.30 - 12.30

Level: Beginner plus

Class Skills: Comfortable making swatches.  The main thing you need for this class is an interest in the yarns, their history and where they come from.

Cost: £40

Bring with you: Equipment that you are comfortable with for sampling--knitting needles, crochet hooks etc.  We will suggest bringing a range of tools between 3mm and 5mm. Also bring a notepad and pen

Class Length: 3 hours

Minimum class number: 10 Maximum class number: 15