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.

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.