Spinning Cotton Off The Point & On The Wheel with Joane Ruane

Dates: September 21, 2021 - September 22, 2021

Cost per ticket: $345.00

About class

Workshop goal: To give students good basic techniques in spinning cotton so they feel comfortable with cotton and see how easy it is to spin. This will be a 2 day course is all about cotton. We will examine spinning off the point and then transition into wheels on the second day.

Day One- The Point:

Spinning off the point allows more control over the yarn you are spinning as there is no “draw-in” pull on the fiber like you have using a spinning wheel. It is also a good lead-up to the long draw on the wheel.

The class will be learning to spin off the point of a takli support spindle. This will give them the long draw technique of spinning. Learning to control the thickness and strength is important in getting the yarn you want to have for a project. With the takli under their belt we will move to a variety of charkha wheels, learning the differences and their limitations. Students will have a chance to open and CLOSE an Indian book charkha. Several spinning wheel quills will be available to work on as well as a great wheel. Students are encouraged to bring in their charkhas and quills to class.

Day Two- The Wheel:

This class is a basic introduction to cotton spinning and is designed to give the spinner an understanding of both cotton and how and why to adjust their wheel for this fine, short staple fiber. Students will learn how to card and make punis from solar dyed ginned cotton. They will not only learn to spin from a puni but also proper techniques for spinning all kinds of cotton fiber. Spinning off the cottonseed to all forms of prepared cotton sliver will be covered the first day.

• Setting out cotton to solar dye
• Carding cotton and making punis
• Blending dyed colored lint for designing heathered yarns
• Adjusting and understanding your wheel
• Techniques of spinning cotton from a puni, off the seed, sliver and lint
• Discuss how to dye/paint on cotton fiber

Class Cancellations & Refunds

Class Times

All classes run 9am - 5pm unless otherwise indicated in the description above.

Wait List

For class dates that are full, please feel free to call us here at the studio and have your name place on the wait list.

Class Cancellations & Refunds