Wool & Dye Works

Create Your Own Classes:

Choose the day and time that works for you (and your friends or cousins, sisters or …)
An hour or two before noon, when the shop opens, or after 5:00 p.m. when we close, are the best times, but we're open to anything that works.
Private classes are $30/hour. Two people, $15 each per hour.
Three to five (max) people, $10 each per hour.
If you would like, we'll post the class and invite others to join.

STUDIO TIME: Individuals or groups who would like to continue together with the instructor after a class ends can arrange "studio time"; during shop hours (12-5 Tues-Sat) $5 each per hour; outside shop hours $10 each per hour.

Contact us for more information or to enroll.

See some of our past and present students' work here.

woolgatherings

Enjoy a lazy Sunday afternoon. Stitch a little, sip a little, chat with fiber friends. Bring your hooking, stitching, knitting, braiding, punching, or whatever you're working on.

No charge - just for fun. Coffee, cocoa and tea served.

•2nd Sunday afternoons 1-4pm
•Call the shop ahead to confirm

Dyeing Woolen Cloth or Yarn with Acid Dyes

with Diane Welter

DYEING WOOL I - Basics for Beginners •Two hours recommended
•Materials fee $5

Hand dyed wool has a whole different look. It's easy and safe and really fun.

DYEING WOOL II - Exotic Techniques
•Two hours recommended
•Materials fee $5

Create interesting effects by using casserole, tie, spot, and other techniques. Your wool will be unique and beautiful.

DYEING WOOL III - Tonal Techniques
•Two hours recommended
•Materials fee $5

Create delicately gradated colored wool that can be used to shade hooked fruits, flowers, scrolls, etc.

Rug Hooking
with Joann Gochinski

Recommended:
•Two hours to get a good start
•Two-four hours to follow-up and tweak your technique, learn tricks of the trade, etc.
•Finishing class recommended when your project is done

Enjoy a fun, relaxed class designed to introduce you to rug hooking. Learn to hold a hook, pull a loop, choose colors and create a future heirloom. Rug hooking uses one simple "stitch" to make unlimited designs and patterns including pictorials, portraits, geometrics, florals, repeat patterns, etc. Start with a simple design of your choice (or make your own) and use rich colors and textures (plaids, tweeds, herringbones) of wool fabric strips. Everything is available at the shop or bring your own. Start with simple inexpensive tools and materials. Come join us for an informal, friendly class. Once you start you'll be hooked.

Braiding
with Janet Hale & Diane Welter

•Four hours to get started
•Two hours for simple finish
•Two hours for butting finish

Learn to make traditional or contemporary braided rugs from new or recycled wool. Learn to braid and lace oval, round, square or rectangular shapes and stripes. Start with a chair pad. These mats will serve you and your family beautifully for decades.

Tapestry/Needlepoint
with Diane Welter

3 two-hour classes or 2 three-hour classes
Cost: $55, materials not included.

• Tuesdays, 6-8pm, Sept 15, 22 & 29 or
• Fridays, 1-3pm, Oct. 9, 16, & 23 or
• Sundays, 1-4pm, Oct 18 & Nov. 1 or
• Tuesdays, 6-8pm, Oct 20, 27, & Nov. 3

Use rug wool on a large grid foundation to create a needlepoint chair seat, mat, rug, pillow, bag or whatever you need. No frame or magnifier needed. Very portable, easy to do and definitely addictive. Your design or ours.

Miniature Punchneedle
with Linda Repasky

•One three hour class
•Cost $30, three student minimum
•Materials fee $15

Create tiny “hooked rugs” in only a few hours! Miniature punchneedle creates a lush, rich texture that is irresistible. In this class, you’ll learn all the basics of punching and create a small piece that can be framed or worn as a pin. You’ll need to bring small, sharp embroidery scissors; all other supplies are provided.

Beaded Wool Mat
with Linda Repasky

•One three-hour class.
•Cost $30
•Materials fee $7

Use small pieces of wool fabric to create lusciously dense mats. In this class, you’ll learn how to create “beads” from wool that are easily stitched together to make a hot pad or candle mat. This historic technique is easy to learn and allows you to use wool that might otherwise be thrown away. You’ll need to provide wool strips pre-cut to 3/8” widths – if you don’t have these on hand, the Wool & Dye Works staff can help you select wools and show you how to use their cutter.

Fine Pile Carpet
with Nancy Kalin

•Five two hour classes.
•Cost $115, materials not included.

American Heritage (Vestamayd) method. This simple technique is used to create a dense lush wool pile that is evenly sheared or sculpted. All you need is one tool, the foundation fabric and the wool yarn. Start, continue and/or finish a project.

Penny Rug - Wool Applique
with Judy Jewett

• One 4-hour or two 2-hour classes.
• Cost $40, materials not included.

Choose a pattern from the shop's collection or bring one you've purchased. Beginners should start with a relatively simple pattern. If in doubt check with the instructor beforehand. Bring your own wool or purchase from the shop. You will learn how to work with wool using the buttonhole stitch.

Bandbox Making
with Linda Repasky

•One three hour class.
•Cost $30
•Materials fee $10

Learn to make an old-fashioned bandbox – not just beautiful to look at, but also very practical for storage. We’ll make a small bandbox from scratch, and then cover and line it with beautiful papers. Once you learn the basic technique, you can create bandboxes in a variety of shapes and sizes. You’ll need to bring a few supplies of your own, too; you’ll get the list once you register for class.

Quatrepoint
with Diane Welter

•Two four hours to get started, depending on experience
•Finishing class recommended when your project is done

Use 100% rug wool yarn and a yarn needle on a large grid canvas. No frame or other tools needed. We have a wide range of glorious colors to choose from. Start with a small mat or pillow; graduate to an area rug. Use your design or ours. Easy on the eyes and relaxing to work on. Very portable. Materials not included.

Finishing Class
with Diane Welter and Joann Gochinski

•Two-four hours recommended

Discover a variety of decorative techniques for finishing and protecting the edges of your rug, pillow or mat. You will learn binding/whipping, braiding or whip stitching with wool or yarn.

Knit Socks
with Diane Welter

•Two-six two hour classes recommended

Knit socks from the toe up using five double-pointed needles. Technique features heels and toes that you can take out and replace if they become worn or get holes. You will need sock yarn and five double-pointed needles to suit your yarn. Pattern provided. At the shop we have natural (un-dyed) wool yarn, from Northampton sheep, with a bit of nylon spun in for strength. You can dye it to suit before or after it's knitted.

Knit a Catnip Mouse
with Diane Welter

•Three hours recommended
•Materials (pattern, yarn, eyes & catnip) $8

Knit a very cute mouse that will thrill your cat and/or your cat-loving friends. Stuff it with wool and catnip.

Knit & Dye a Hat or Mittens
with Diane Welter

•Two two hour classes needed

Knit a simple hat or pair of mittens from your wool or ours. Dye the finished product. Patterns and dye included.