Workshops
I love sharing my passion for working with fibers and natural dyes with everyone!
Check out my upcoming classes, and the ones that have already happened...
Upcoming Classes:
Yarn Cake Dye Workshop
Saturday, April 27th, 2024
3 Sessions: 10:30-Noon, 1:00-2:30, or 3:00-4:30
The Endless Skein
126 Main Street, Cold Spring, NY 10516
In this hands-on workshop, we will be working with acid dyes. You will dye two skeins of DK-weight superwash merino yarn using a fun technique: You will inject your dye into a cake of yarn to create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece that is yours alone!
It will be a wonderful surprise as you wind your newly-dyed yarn onto a niddy noddy.
Choose your session and work with the amazing Gail O'Donnell of Hudson Highlands Co. as you learn a bit about acid dyes.
Sessions are all on LYS Day, Saturday, April 27. Choose either 10:30-noon, 1:00-2:30 or 3:00-4:30.
Dyeing is very messy. Please wear old clothes and bring rubber or latex gloves.
Fee is $60 per person, per session
Natural Dye Workshop I
Saturday, May 11th, 2024 from 1:00-4:00 pm
The Endless Skein
126 Main Street, Cold Spring, NY 10516
Gail Cunningham O'Donnell of Hudson Highlands Co. will guide you through the process of dyeing yarn using natural materials in this exciting hands-on workshop. You will be dyeing DK-weight yarn using marigold, cochineal, and indigo, combining for a botanically-dyed palette of 5 colors!
All supplies are provided.
Class will be Saturday, May 11 from 1:00-4:00.
Dyeing can be messy. Be sure to dress accordingly!
Fee $150 / participant
Tapestry Weaving
Garrison Art Center
Wednesday Evenings:
4 weeks from 5:30 - 8 pm
Session 1: April 17th - May 8th
Session 2: May 15th - June 9th
Thursday Mornings:
4 weeks from 10:30 am - 1 pm
Session 1: April 18th - May 9th
Session 2: May 16th - June 6th
Come discover the art of tapestry weaving! In this 4 week class, students will learn the basics of tapestry. Find out what the different tools are and how they are used, how to warp on, various weaving techniques, and how to finish a piece. We will also explore making alternative looms and using unexpected materials in the weavings. This class is for adults and mature teens of all skill levels, and all materials are included. Students will leave with a small loom and their own set of weaving tools.
Fee $205 for a 4 week session
Past Workshops:
Natural Dye Workshop II
Bundle Dyeing
Saturday, August 19th 1:00-3:30
The Endless Skein
126 Main Street, Cold Spring, NY 10516
Learn the art of bundle dyeing! Use natural dye stuffs -- marigold, cochineal, and coreopsis flowers among others-- to create a unique design on a scarf that you have knitted or crocheted.
BEFORE CLASS, students will need to purchase two skeins of undyed DK weight yarn and knit or crochet a scarf. A pattern will be provided upon registration.
Dye materials will be provided.
Fee: $100 / participant
Rhinebeck Sweater KAL 2023 Dye Workshop
SOLD OUT
Saturday, June 17th from 10-noon and 1-3
(Raindate: June 24)
The Endless Skein
126 Main Street, Cold Spring, NY 10516
This year I'm teaming up with The Endless Skein for their Rhinebeck KAL!
This year we will do everything except spin the yarn for our Rhinebeck Sweater, starting with the dye pot. Join us this year as we dye our own unique colorways and then knit a stunning Rhinebeck sweater -- from dye pot to festival!
This year you have a choice of sweaters for our Rhinebeck Sweater KAL:
1. The Arboreal Pullover by Jennifer Steingass
2. The Forestland Pullover also by Jennifer Steingass
3. For our crocheters: the Devana Sweater by Courtney A. Clark
Students will also need to purchase undyed DK weight yarn in the quantity that they will need for the sweater of their choice. The undyed yarn will soon be available online and in store.
Fee: $150 / participant + undyed yarn
Weaving with Nature
Saturday May 20th 1-5 pm
Supplies for Creative Living
145 Main Street, Cold Spring, NY 10516
Come learn the basics of weaving, using naturally dyed wool (made by Gail herself) and elements from nature, such as dried flowers and leaves, to create a one-of-kind tapestry for hanging in your favorite nook. Participants will learn how to warp a loom and employ various weaving techniques to make their own tapestry weaving.
No experience is necessary. All materials will be provided, including a selection of naturally dyed yarn made with madder, indigo, weld, logwood and more.
Fee: $55 / participant + $15 materials fee
Natural Dye Workshop
SOLD OUT
Sunday, April 23rd from 1:00-4:00pm
The Endless Skein
126 Main Street, Cold Spring, NY 10516
Gail Cunningham O'Donnell of Hudson Highlands Co. will guide you through the process of dyeing yarn using natural materials in this exciting hands-on workshop. You will dye three colors of yarn using avocado, onion skin, and pomegranate rind, then you will magically transform those colors with a dip in the indigo vat, doubling your botanically-dyed palette!
All supplies are provided. You will go home with six different colored 50 gram skeins of DK weight yarn.
Fee: $150 / participant
Natural Dye Workshop
October 1, 2022
The Endless Skein
126 Main Street, Cold Spring, NY 10516
Each student will be dyeing 3 skeins of superwash worsted weight wool using indigo, marigolds and cochineal.
Indigo Dyeing + Clay Resist
March 13, 2022 1-5 pm
Supplies for Creative Living
145 Main Street, Cold Spring, NY 10516
Fee: $85 / participant + $15 Materials fee
“You ain’t never been blue; no, no, no, You ain’t never been blue, Till you’ve had that mood indigo.”
- Mood Indigo by Nina Simone
Come join us as we explore the exciting world of indigo!
People have used and been fascinated by indigo for thousands of years. It has influenced art and artists throughout the ages and has been used to color everything from crayons, paint and cosmetics to fabrics.
Indigo is in a class of its own in the natural dye world and in this 4 hour session, you will be learning the basics of how to make and use an organic indigo sugar vat to dye fabric, and different ways to apply a specially formulated clay paste on fabric to compose your own designs. Participants will leave with 3-4 completed designs on fabric.
Adult artists of all levels are welcome - no drawing or painting experience is required, just a curiosity and love of fibers!
All materials are provided, but we strongly suggest participants wear clothes they don't mind getting stained. (Dyeing is messy business!)