Beginner WHEEL SPINNING

Saturday, 3/14: 9 AM - 5 PM (includes 1 hour for lunch)

Before industrialization, spinning yarn was an essential part of everyday life. If you’ve ever wondered what about options beyond the world of machine-made yarn.

Explore the roots of handspinning as we transform wool into yarn on spinning wheels. Along the way, we’ll explore the nuts and bolts of how yarn works and how the ancient craft of spinning by hand continues to evolve. creating finished yarn ready to use in your next project.

  • Tuition: $140 per participant

  • Materials Fee: $15 to be paid to instructor.

  • Optional Tools to Bring: Participants may bring their own materials as follows: personal spinning wheel or spindle, soft sole shoes, basket/bowl to hold fiber, notebook and writing tool.

  • Age / Ability Level: This class is open to beginner through intermediate. Minimum age 16; 12 with an adult.

  • Students will learn the basics of hand spinning wool into yarn. Spinning wheels will be provided for use in class. If you have a wheel at home that you would like to use in class, you’re welcome to bring it with you.

    Bring lunch. Microwave and toaster oven are available.

  • Handspinning typically requires simultaneous use of both hands and feet. Please reach out to Riley at Riley.kleve@gmail.com with any questions about physical accessibility.

    CENTER FOR PEOPLE AND CRAFT is committed to building a diverse, inclusive learning community where people of all backgrounds feel welcome and able to participate. As we launch our first workshop series, we are dedicating space in each class for reduced-tuition scholarships to support anyone facing financial barriers. As we build a more robust scholarship program, we hope this initial launch will remove barriers and expand access to hands-on learning for all.

    Anyone with financial need is encouraged to apply for a half-tuition scholarship. To be considered, please submit a brief online application. Please note that CENTER FOR PEOPLE AND CRAFT is operating with limited financial resources and an entirely volunteer staff. Therefore, we cannot guarantee a spot for every applicant. Each class has one scholarship slot available. Applicants who are not selected in this current round are welcome to reapply.  Apply here

  • Description text goes herPC is able to provide refunds up to two weeks before the start date of the class for which the registration was submitted, though we do retain a $20 fee for return payment processing. If you need to cancel your class within the two week window, a refund is not guaranteed, but will be considered based on several factors.

    If CPC needs to cancel a class due to low enrollment, teacher illness, or other factors, you will receive a full refund. Read our full set of policies.

meet your instructor

Riley Kleve is a nonbinary textile artist and educator creating collaborative work in community-led settings. Their work in weaving, handspinning, and embroidery draws from history to create a queerer vision for the future of textiles. Some recent highlights include weaving felted pins and inviting viewers to name them based on gender feelings they evoke, creating a co-woven tapestry with over 110 attendees at a dusk-till-dawn arts festival, and facilitating drop-in LGBT craft nights. Riley has a self-directed BA in craft from Hampshire College and is a 2024-26 Resident Artisan at North House Folk School.