Controlling Creative Chaos: Focus on the Warp

November 9-10, 2024 • 10:00 am-5:00 pm

Spring Hollow Lodge, 1069 W. Main Street, Westerville, Ohio  43081

Workshop Description

This is a 2-day jam packed class that is guaranteed to give you some new insight into what you are already weaving and what you might add to that in the future.

Students will use instructor provided hand-painted warps in which the colors flow and change – creating designs in the woven fabric that appear complex in planning, but actually spring from making flexible and intuitive decisions as they are set up and woven. Students might choose to mix warps of different weights, textures, and fiber content to create stripes within the space-dyed design. They will learn to cleanly split warp chains to use threads that their current project requires while saving extra warp threads for future projects.

These workshop warps can be woven in a variety of weave structures: Plain weave, ribb, repp, turned taqueté, twills, double weave, etc. Everyone’s class design will be unique so class members learn from their own projects as well as from the others. In this workshop we start the designing process by tying on to a dummy warp that students have threaded before class. Tying on is an essential step in our designing process. This workshop is not suitable for rigid heddle looms.

I provide a wide range of hand-dyed warps for students to choose from for this class and at least one more for a future project. Class warps will be offered to students at a discount off the prices for similar warps in my webshop: blazingshuttles.com/shop. Students may also bring warps previously purchased from me.   

Meet the Instructor

Kathrin Weber

Kathrin has been a full-time studio fiber artist since 1980. Her work revolves around dyeing, weaving and teaching. She has a fearless enjoyment in using hand-dyed color in her teaching, shop sales, and weaving. She enthusiastically encourages student to dive into color.

“My goal in my work, as well as for my students’ work, is to design and weave well made personal fabric using efficient techniques in set up, weaving and finishing. I approach designing and weaving with more anticipation of unfolding possibilities and less rigid pre-determination of the final product. This approach leads to a creative flow of physical time spent at the loom and to weaving projects that leave the door open to fabrics that are beyond original intent and planning.”

— Kathrin Weber

Workshop Details

Skill level: 
Advanced Beginner (Must be able to set up a loom) to Advanced Weaver
(There will be plenty of new information for advanced weavers!)

Max. number of participants: 10

Instruction fee:
members: $285.00
non members: $310.00

Material fee: $75+ depending on students choice of hand-dyed warps (Yarn will  be discounted from retail webshop prices) to be paid to instructor at time of workshop

Participant requirements:
* 4 to 8 Shaft loom with 300 thread dummy warp. 

*registrants will receive detailed instructions for setting up a dummy warp as well as more detailed supply list*

Instructor provides(covered by materials fee):
* Three pre-wound, hand-dyed 4.5 yard, 100 thread warp chains (a total of 300 threads.)
* Handouts

Spinning Locks with Amy Tyler

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Meet the instructor:

Amy Tyler, a nationally recognized spinning teacher, has her formal education in Modern Dance, Kinesiology(MS) and Animal Physiology(PhD). But she left her academic life to pursue the Fiberarts in 2004.  She has been teaching spinning and other fiberarts since 2007.  She has taught a multitude of classes on various spinning topics and wheel mechanics all over the US and Canada.  Some of the venues she has taught at are:

Ply Away 
New York Sheep & Wool (Rhinebeck) 
Southeast Animal Fiber Fair (SAFF, 
Wisconsin Sheep & Wool 
Michigan Sheep and Wool
Duluth Art Institute 
and many more!  

Her website is stonesockfibers.com. The Central Ohio Weavers and Fiberarts Guild is lucky to be able to Host Amy for this local workshop.

Have you ever been interested in taking your spinning skills to the next level?  Have you seen beautiful dyed locks and wondered, how do you spin with those?  Or do you have a fleece and want to shortcut processing and just use the locks directly?

Have you ever been interested in taking your spinning skills to the next level?  Have you seen beautiful dyed locks and wondered, how do you spin with those?  Or do you have a fleece and want to shortcut processing and just use the locks directly?

THIS WORKSHOP IS FOR YOU!

Learn how to use and manipulate various kinds of lock, mohair, long wools and shorter crimpy wools, to kick up your spinning to the next level.  Using them to both make a single and also to add to roving for more interesting textured yarns.  

If you like smooth worsted yarn, we will also learn how to flick locks and spin directly from the lock.  


Workshop details

Workshop title: Spinning with Locks

Skill level: advanced beginner/intermediate.  (Be able to spin relatively consistent singles on a wheel)

Class time:  6 hour class 

Instruction fee:  

Members: 120.00 to be paid to with registration

Non-Members: 145.00 to be paid with registrations

Material fee: 20.00 to be paid to instructor at time of workshop

Maximum number of participants : 18

Participant Requirements:  spinning wheel in good working order, 3 bobbins, lazy kate, flick carder, (or dog cat slicker brush or dog “rake”)

Instructor provides: samples for examination, notebook with handouts, fibers for spinning, sundry supplies.

Date: May 4, 2024

Location: Courtyard Marriott-Worthington 7411 Vantage Drive Columbus, Ohio 43235

Time: 9:00 to 4:00 pm with a 1 hour break for lunch (bring your own)

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Fall 2020 Workshops Postponed

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!

Expressive Freestyle Weaving workshop with Esther Rodgers

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!!

From @jazzturtle on Instagram ” Garment number 3- first “bias box”, which I turned into a long skirt. Definitely going to have to make a shorter version of this tomorrow! Another couple skirts tomorrow.. maybe a tunic? I have a taste for cutting into my cloth…”
See more photos!

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

Wild Plying, a spinning workshop with Esther Rodgers

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!!

From @jazzturtle on Instagram: ” Days 4 and 5
Teaching all the spinning and designs…
@johnccampbellfolkschool  “
See more photos!

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

Creative Exploration of Unspun Fiber in Weaving workshop with Esther Rodgers

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!!

From @jazzturtle on Instagram – ” Just a bit of dimensional #artyarnweaving

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

Wild Fiber, a spinning workshop with Esther Rodgers

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!!

From @jazzturtle on Instagram – ” Day 2 is all the fiber prep… @johnccampbellfolkschool
See all the photos!

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

May Presentation – Love Art Yarn? What to do with it!!

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.

Friday, May 15, 2020 – 7:00 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!!

From @jazzturtle on Instagram: ” There are always special places and special classes…
@johnccampbellfolkschool is always that. 
It was an extraordinary week of creativity and inspiration.”
See more photos!

Ever look longingly at that amazing skein of textured art yarn but you hesitate to purchase it because you just don’t know what to do with that single bulky skein?  In this hour lecture, Guest Esther Rodgers will talk about how to use these special yarns to their fullest potential. Patterns will be suggested and techniques will be demonstrated. Examples will be provided for examination.

Corespinning for Funk & Function workshop with Esther Rodgers

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.

Friday, May 15, 2020 – 1:00 pm – 4:30 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!!

From @jazzturtle on Instagram: “I spun some yarn myself at @johnccampbellfolkschool 
Getting ready for #saff and new workshops .
See more photos !

Ever wonder how to make that cloud of expensive cashmere go as far as possible, or how to spin those fun textured yarns?  In this corespinning class you’ll learn how to do both! Combining the fun with the function, corespinning is a wonderful way to make the most of your expensive fibers, as well as preserve texture and spin those funky art yarns – even the expensive tailspun yarns! As a bonus in this class we will talk about how these corespun 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 their wheel, bobbins, lazy kate, assorted carded fibers (batts, rolags, roving), any other loose fiber (farm wool/locks/fleece), scissors, a tapestry needle, a niddy noddy and any add in’s they’d like to corespin into yarn. (sequins, ribbon, pom poms, etc)

Included materials are: unusual fibers and add in’s.

The cost for this workshop is $85, 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