Due to COVID-19 concerns, these workshops & presentations have been postponed. We will share rescheduling information when available!

While the COVID-19 situation is rapidly evolving, we will update our website with any changes or precautions needed to ensure the safety of these events. Please check back regularly!

We are excited to share these upcoming workshops with you. Check back in the fall for registration!

Natural Dyeing Workshop

If you have attended the Wool Gathering in the past few years, you would recognize Laura Krugh and her beautiful, naturally dyed yarn. She offers so many color variations of pre-dyed yarn as well as dying kits which include her handspun yarn from neighboring sheep and plants from her own backyard. Some of the plants Laura uses to dye with include Goldenrod, Hopi Black Sunflower, Chamomile, Onion, and Rabbitbrush, along with many others!
Learn new dyeing techniques for using natural colors as well as how to harvest and process plants from your own backyard.

You can check out Laura’s Etsy shop here to view her naturally dyed yarns! 

Laura’s workshop is scheduled for October 4th!

Intermediate Spinning Workshop

Betty Forsythe opened her fiber shop in 1996 on her farm of 50 Shetland sheep and show horses. She has been a member of the National Association of Shetland Sheep and a lifelong teacher. After selling her studio to a student and then purchasing it again in 2012, Betty has offered numerous workshops for beginners through advanced related to all things fiber.

In this workshop you will learn how to:
-Make woolen yarn and worsted yarn using the same yarn
-Short draw and long draw techniques
-Spin the perfect single- how to put enough twist in singles so that it doesn’t fall apart and how not to add too much twist that yarn is hard or stiff)
-Blend color and fibers
-Blend your own unique fiber from your stash
-Blend to improve drape- what fiber you can use
-Mix fiber to improve softness
-Determine which fleece you use for a project you want to create

Learn more about Betty and Gatehouse Fiber Arts here.

Betty’s workshop will be October 24 & 25.

We hope to see you at a fall workshop!

This event has been cancelled due to the Ohio Department of Health’s Stay-At-Home order to prevent the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and flatten the curve of those who develop the COVID-19 disease.

Sunday, May 17, 2020 – 1:30 pm-5:30 pm

Cedar Ridge Lodge, Franklin County Metroparks
1775 Darby Creek Dr., Galloway
Click here for a map and directions.

We are so excited to welcome Esther Rodgers to Ohio for the first time!!

Take your weaving to the next creative and textural level! In this class we will use Rigid Heddle (RH) looms to weave with expressive freedom.  Warping with creative warping tricks will be demonstrated.  Students will learn techniques from across the weaving spectrum, along with new tricks to create texture and colorplay within woven cloth. Students will learn weft techniques, as well as playing with manipulating warp threads during weaving, and adding supplemental warp threads.   Students are encouraged to bring add in’s (any trims, bits, bobs or collected memories they’d like to include) textured yarns, and creative handspun yarns to use in their weaving. Students can use the yarns they spun in previous workshops from this weekend!

Students need to bring a RH loom that they have warped at home.
Techniques will transfer to SAORI or floor looms as well.
Bring any add-ins you would like.

The cost for this workshop is $95, which includes materials!
Registration for this workshop closes March 31!

Esther is a full time fiber artist from Mebane NC, known for her creative art yarns, and her unique fiber preparation. She is constantly innovating her spinning techniques to create new textures and is on the cutting edge in terms of yarn design. She loves to design and spin concept yarns from an inspiration and tell stories with her yarns. Esther is also a SAORI weaver and creative knitter which gives her the perspective of how these extra special yarns can be used. She challenges herself by creating garments and other items out of her yarns and woven cloth.
Esther is very conscious of where her fiber comes from, sourcing her wool from local and friendly farms, directly from wonderful shepherds with happy animals, and is often seen lugging, pulling and otherwise schlepping as many bags as she can manage from the fleece shows she visits. She is a master of packing fleeces into suitcases, boxes and otherwise figuring out how to get it all home since she “never plans to buy any”.
Esther is an enthusiastic and patient teacher; possessing both national and international teaching experience. She enjoys the adventure of traveling around, sharing her techniques and fun. Some of the events she has taught at include Iceland spinners group, MAFA, John C Campbell Folk School, Interweave YarnFest, PlyAway, New York Sheep and Wool (Rhinebeck), Southeastern Animal Fiber Festival (SAFF), Stitches South and Stitches Midwest and Majacraft Camp in New Zealand. She loves to challenge her students to embrace their design elements rather than “mistakes” and to learn from each new spin.
Esther has 2 new streaming videos out through Interweave Press, along with 2 Interweave videos- How to Spin Art Yarn and Carding and Combing wool for Color progressions. She also has a Craftsy class on Fiber Preparation for Spinning. Esther is a regular contributor to PLY, Spin Off and Handwoven magazines, and was included in Ashley Martineau’s 2013 book, “Spinning and Dyeing yarn” and , Lexi Boeger’s 2012 book “Handspun, New Spins on Traditional Techniques.”

You can find Esther’s workshop schedule and peruse her tutorials and general chatter at
www.jazzturtle.com . She also sells her yarn and fiber at www.jazzturtle.etsy.com .

What Esther’s Students say about her work:
“Really an excellent class and very knowledgeable teacher. Esther was patient and knew how to get the class going despite students being at different levels of experience. I am looking forward to taking more of her classes in the future.” ~ SAFF student, NC
“what an awesome workshop last saturday morning. I wish I could have stayed to take your tailspinning workshop too!! Kudos for being generous and confident and organized and spontaneous. Your class on color blending touched on so many topics and tools giving me lots to think about!” ~ Karen S., NY
“Esther’s class has given me permission to not follow rules, to fight the need to do what is expected. We are encouraged to trust our muse, to go blindly into the world of all things fiber and, to create great rolling strands. It’s worth doing again every couple of years just to give ourselves permission to play!” ~ Cynthia W. GA

This event has been cancelled due to the Ohio Department of Health’s Stay-At-Home order to prevent the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and flatten the curve of those who develop the COVID-19 disease.

Sunday, May 17, 2020 – 8:30 am-11:30am

Cedar Ridge Lodge, Franklin County Metroparks
1775 Darby Creek Dr., Galloway
Click here for a map and directions.

We are so excited to welcome Esther Rodgers to Ohio for the first time!!

Ever wonder how to how to spin those funky plied yarns with bobbles and coils? In this class we’ll cover the entire process by combining the function with the funky with the essentials of artplying.  We’ll spin the singles needed, then we’ll “wild” ply into coils, crescents, beehives, stacks and spirals! As a bonus in this class we will talk about how these yarns are used in knitting. Patterns will be provided, as well as knitted and woven samples will be available for examination and discussion. Carding textured art batts will also be demonstrated. 

Students must be able to spin a single and ply on a wheel.

Students should bring mix of batts and top/roving. Spinning wheel, bobbins, bobbin of fresh overspun singles (as even as possible), niddy noddy, lazy kate, any plying yarns they would like to play with.

Included materials are: assorted batts and combed top, use of plying yarn.

The cost for this workshop is $80, which includes materials!
Registration for this workshop closes March 31!

Esther is a full time fiber artist from Mebane NC, known for her creative art yarns, and her unique fiber preparation. She is constantly innovating her spinning techniques to create new textures and is on the cutting edge in terms of yarn design. She loves to design and spin concept yarns from an inspiration and tell stories with her yarns. Esther is also a SAORI weaver and creative knitter which gives her the perspective of how these extra special yarns can be used. She challenges herself by creating garments and other items out of her yarns and woven cloth.
Esther is very conscious of where her fiber comes from, sourcing her wool from local and friendly farms, directly from wonderful shepherds with happy animals, and is often seen lugging, pulling and otherwise schlepping as many bags as she can manage from the fleece shows she visits. She is a master of packing fleeces into suitcases, boxes and otherwise figuring out how to get it all home since she “never plans to buy any”.
Esther is an enthusiastic and patient teacher; possessing both national and international teaching experience. She enjoys the adventure of traveling around, sharing her techniques and fun. Some of the events she has taught at include Iceland spinners group, MAFA, John C Campbell Folk School, Interweave YarnFest, PlyAway, New York Sheep and Wool (Rhinebeck), Southeastern Animal Fiber Festival (SAFF), Stitches South and Stitches Midwest and Majacraft Camp in New Zealand. She loves to challenge her students to embrace their design elements rather than “mistakes” and to learn from each new spin.
Esther has 2 new streaming videos out through Interweave Press, along with 2 Interweave videos- How to Spin Art Yarn and Carding and Combing wool for Color progressions. She also has a Craftsy class on Fiber Preparation for Spinning. Esther is a regular contributor to PLY, Spin Off and Handwoven magazines, and was included in Ashley Martineau’s 2013 book, “Spinning and Dyeing yarn” and , Lexi Boeger’s 2012 book “Handspun, New Spins on Traditional Techniques.”

You can find Esther’s workshop schedule and peruse her tutorials and general chatter at
www.jazzturtle.com . She also sells her yarn and fiber at www.jazzturtle.etsy.com .

What Esther’s Students say about her work:
“Really an excellent class and very knowledgeable teacher. Esther was patient and knew how to get the class going despite students being at different levels of experience. I am looking forward to taking more of her classes in the future.” ~ SAFF student, NC
“what an awesome workshop last saturday morning. I wish I could have stayed to take your tailspinning workshop too!! Kudos for being generous and confident and organized and spontaneous. Your class on color blending touched on so many topics and tools giving me lots to think about!” ~ Karen S., NY
“Esther’s class has given me permission to not follow rules, to fight the need to do what is expected. We are encouraged to trust our muse, to go blindly into the world of all things fiber and, to create great rolling strands. It’s worth doing again every couple of years just to give ourselves permission to play!” ~ Cynthia W. GA

This event has been cancelled due to the Ohio Department of Health’s Stay-At-Home order to prevent the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and flatten the curve of those who develop the COVID-19 disease.

Saturday, May 16, 2020 – 1:30 pm-5:30 pm

Cedar Ridge Lodge, Franklin County Metroparks
1775 Darby Creek Dr., Galloway
Click here for a map and directions.

We are so excited to welcome Esther Rodgers to Ohio for the first time!!

Have you seen those weavings that scream for you to reach out and squoosh the fiber?  Ever wonder how to achieve that textured look that’s so trending in weaving right now?  In this class students will weave with unspun fiber!
Students will be provided with loose locks, silk hankies, carded rolags and hand combed top.   Techniques will be taught for using traditional weft yarns and this unspun fiber on floor, lap/rigid heddle and tapestry looms.

Students should bring their loom warped with white or black yarns, and weaving tools, as well as an assortment of yarns  in different colors and weights to use as weft.
Class can also be taught with students bringing their looms (Rigid Heddle/floor/SAORI looms) already warped.

A selection of weft yarns & inclusions will be included

The cost of this workshop is $80, which includes materials!
Registration for this workshop closes March 31!

Esther is a full time fiber artist from Mebane NC, known for her creative art yarns, and her unique fiber preparation. She is constantly innovating her spinning techniques to create new textures and is on the cutting edge in terms of yarn design. She loves to design and spin concept yarns from an inspiration and tell stories with her yarns. Esther is also a SAORI weaver and creative knitter which gives her the perspective of how these extra special yarns can be used. She challenges herself by creating garments and other items out of her yarns and woven cloth.
Esther is very conscious of where her fiber comes from, sourcing her wool from local and friendly farms, directly from wonderful shepherds with happy animals, and is often seen lugging, pulling and otherwise schlepping as many bags as she can manage from the fleece shows she visits. She is a master of packing fleeces into suitcases, boxes and otherwise figuring out how to get it all home since she “never plans to buy any”.
Esther is an enthusiastic and patient teacher; possessing both national and international teaching experience. She enjoys the adventure of traveling around, sharing her techniques and fun. Some of the events she has taught at include Iceland spinners group, MAFA, John C Campbell Folk School, Interweave YarnFest, PlyAway, New York Sheep and Wool (Rhinebeck), Southeastern Animal Fiber Festival (SAFF), Stitches South and Stitches Midwest and Majacraft Camp in New Zealand. She loves to challenge her students to embrace their design elements rather than “mistakes” and to learn from each new spin.
Esther has 2 new streaming videos out through Interweave Press, along with 2 Interweave videos- How to Spin Art Yarn and Carding and Combing wool for Color progressions. She also has a Craftsy class on Fiber Preparation for Spinning. Esther is a regular contributor to PLY, Spin Off and Handwoven magazines, and was included in Ashley Martineau’s 2013 book, “Spinning and Dyeing yarn” and , Lexi Boeger’s 2012 book “Handspun, New Spins on Traditional Techniques.”

You can find Esther’s workshop schedule and peruse her tutorials and general chatter at
www.jazzturtle.com . She also sells her yarn and fiber at www.jazzturtle.etsy.com .

What Esther’s Students say about her work:
“Really an excellent class and very knowledgeable teacher. Esther was patient and knew how to get the class going despite students being at different levels of experience. I am looking forward to taking more of her classes in the future.” ~ SAFF student, NC
“what an awesome workshop last saturday morning. I wish I could have stayed to take your tailspinning workshop too!! Kudos for being generous and confident and organized and spontaneous. Your class on color blending touched on so many topics and tools giving me lots to think about!” ~ Karen S., NY
“Esther’s class has given me permission to not follow rules, to fight the need to do what is expected. We are encouraged to trust our muse, to go blindly into the world of all things fiber and, to create great rolling strands. It’s worth doing again every couple of years just to give ourselves permission to play!” ~ Cynthia W. GA

This event has been cancelled due to the Ohio Department of Health’s Stay-At-Home order to prevent the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and flatten the curve of those who develop the COVID-19 disease.

Saturday, May 16, 2020 – 8:30 am-11:30 am

Cedar Ridge Lodge, Franklin County Metroparks
1775 Darby Creek Dr., Galloway
Click here for a map and directions.

We are so excited to welcome Esther Rodgers to Ohio for the first time!!

This class is all about preparing fiber in a creative out of the box way. We’ll card batts, and rolags with drum carders and blending boards. We’ll comb fiber with hand combs and hackles, and diz off top (sometimes called roving, but it’s not and we’ll talk about why!!) We’ll look at layering and color blending. We’ll talk about the function of different tools, while still maintaining the well-being of the machine.  Extra cool tips will be shared like how to card rolags on a drum carder, and how to diz roving off blending boards and drum carders. We’ll figure out how to prepare fibers to produce specific kinds of yarns, as well as layering texture.

No particular skills are needed if student just wants to learn fiber prep,  however spinning or felting knowledge is encouraged.

Students should bring any fibers they’d like to card or comb and are encouraged to bring any fiber prep tools they own.

Multiple types of drum carders, blending boards, hand combs and an art roving hackles will be provided for students to use.
Included materials are assorted fiber for students to use.

The cost for this workshop is $95, which includes materials!
Registration for this workshop closes March 31!

Esther is a full time fiber artist from Mebane NC, known for her creative art yarns, and her unique fiber preparation. She is constantly innovating her spinning techniques to create new textures and is on the cutting edge in terms of yarn design. She loves to design and spin concept yarns from an inspiration and tell stories with her yarns. Esther is also a SAORI weaver and creative knitter which gives her the perspective of how these extra special yarns can be used. She challenges herself by creating garments and other items out of her yarns and woven cloth.
Esther is very conscious of where her fiber comes from, sourcing her wool from local and friendly farms, directly from wonderful shepherds with happy animals, and is often seen lugging, pulling and otherwise schlepping as many bags as she can manage from the fleece shows she visits. She is a master of packing fleeces into suitcases, boxes and otherwise figuring out how to get it all home since she “never plans to buy any”.
Esther is an enthusiastic and patient teacher; possessing both national and international teaching experience. She enjoys the adventure of traveling around, sharing her techniques and fun. Some of the events she has taught at include Iceland spinners group, MAFA, John C Campbell Folk School, Interweave YarnFest, PlyAway, New York Sheep and Wool (Rhinebeck), Southeastern Animal Fiber Festival (SAFF), Stitches South and Stitches Midwest and Majacraft Camp in New Zealand. She loves to challenge her students to embrace their design elements rather than “mistakes” and to learn from each new spin.
Esther has 2 new streaming videos out through Interweave Press, along with 2 Interweave videos- How to Spin Art Yarn and Carding and Combing wool for Color progressions. She also has a Craftsy class on Fiber Preparation for Spinning. Esther is a regular contributor to PLY, Spin Off and Handwoven magazines, and was included in Ashley Martineau’s 2013 book, “Spinning and Dyeing yarn” and , Lexi Boeger’s 2012 book “Handspun, New Spins on Traditional Techniques.”

You can find Esther’s workshop schedule and peruse her tutorials and general chatter at
www.jazzturtle.com . She also sells her yarn and fiber at www.jazzturtle.etsy.com .

What Esther’s Students say about her work:
“Really an excellent class and very knowledgeable teacher. Esther was patient and knew how to get the class going despite students being at different levels of experience. I am looking forward to taking more of her classes in the future.” ~ SAFF student, NC
“what an awesome workshop last saturday morning. I wish I could have stayed to take your tailspinning workshop too!! Kudos for being generous and confident and organized and spontaneous. Your class on color blending touched on so many topics and tools giving me lots to think about!” ~ Karen S., NY
“Esther’s class has given me permission to not follow rules, to fight the need to do what is expected. We are encouraged to trust our muse, to go blindly into the world of all things fiber and, to create great rolling strands. It’s worth doing again every couple of years just to give ourselves permission to play!” ~ Cynthia W. GA