Venue:  
  Art Loft Oklahoma
108 1/2 E. Oklahoma Ave
Guthrie OK 73044
 
Due to popularity we've just added a second date!
Choose Friday 25 August (full day workshop)
OR
Saturday 26 August (full day workshop)
     
  9:00am - 12:00pm How To Train Your Fiber (part 1)
  12:00pm - 2:00pm Lunch
  2:00pm - 5:00pm How To Train Your Fiber (part 2)
     
  Cost  
  per hands on participant

$125

  per observer (no hands on)

$50

   
** REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! **
   
   
Select date & option
   
     

 


 
raw unwashed alpaca fleece
 

It's easy to feel intimidated by raw (unwashed, straight off the animal) fleeces. However, with some basic knowledge under your belt and realising that YOU have the upper hand, a whole new relationship with fiber begins. There is no need to fear those filled bags any longer, at the end of this class you'll be able to open them up and get to work, letting your imagination and creativity guide you. This class is designed for ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS, building a solid foundation from which to expand into whichever direction you choose. What you learn in this class are the exact same techniques that I use in my own studio, presented in an easy to understand format. By the time you go home you'll feel confident and inspired. However, be prepared for a lot of hands on work, as you learn best by doing. This is definately not a boring sit-down class!


Part I:
FLEECE SELECTION & DYEING (3 hours)
We begin this class with a round table introduction to alpaca fleeces from a processing stand point - which are suitable to do by hand and which should be sent to the mill? The rest of the morning is then spent doing several activities:

skirting an alpaca fleece as a group
washing a piece of fleece using Unicorn Power Scour
dyeing the washed fleece with professional acid dyes
laying the dyed fiber out to dry




Part II: CARDING (3 hours)
The next step in hand processing is preparing the washed and/or dyed alpaca fiber for spinning and felting by opening up the lock structure and aligning the fibers in a process called 'carding'. The carders we'll be using are Strauch Petites and I'll give you an overview of carder terminology, how it works, and why the Strauch line of drum carders are so perfect for alpaca. During this class you will learn:

carding 100% alpaca
carding an embellished batt
creating your own roving using a diz
how to make rolags on the carder

During the course of the class we will talk about different blending fibers and blending methods, sparkle, packaging, and pricing.


Materials:
All class materials including class notes, fiber and gloves are provided.


Tips:
- Wear comfortable shoes, and clothing you don't mind getting dirty
- A camera is always handy, and besides, you may want to share your creations with your Facebook friends during class
- Bring business cards to share - after all, we need to create a support network!

At the conclusion of the class you'll be able to purchase materials to take home including power scour; dyed blending fibers; sparkle and embellishings; and drum carders. Cash, checks and credit cards are accepted.

Drum carders are shipped via UPS ground directly from the Strauch warehouse and usually arrive within 2-3 days. All carder purchases include tools, clamps, shipping, and a credit for product of your choice that you can take home right away so that you're ready to start when your carder arrives.

 

Select date & option



 
   
Roo Kline

About Roo Kline

A graphic artist by trade, Roo Kline became involved with alpacas in 2006 and shortly after purchasing her own herd in early 2007, the 'Moonwood Farm' fiber studio was launched, gathering a following of spinners and fiber artists who fell in love with her luxuriously handcrafted spinning fibers and supplies.

Since 2010 Roo has been teaching her personal techniques and style to others, especially those who love and/or raise alpacas. 

   

She was the creator of Alpaca Fiber Solutions and judges the occassional Fiber Arts & Skein competition and spin-off. She has instructed at Magical Farms, fiber festivals and alpaca shows, local yarn shops, has been featured on several videocasts, has provided her spinning fibers for classes of renowned spinning teachers and has written fiber related articles for American Livestock Magazine.

She lives with her 12 year old son in Huntsville AL where she has recently opened a brick-and-mortar studio space called SPARKLE with colleague and friend Amy Shelton from Crochetville
.

Email Roo
Roo on Facebook
Moonwood Farm on Facebook

SPARKLE Studio on Facebook

 
 

 

 
Alpaca owners and fiber artists...
Did you know that all workshops and classes are TAX DEDUCTIBLE?
They fall under 'education'!
 






images on this page (c) 2007-2017 Roo Kline, Vicki Ramsey, and Art Loft Oklahoma