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Sunday 14 August 2016

Autumn / Winter Workshops

 This autumn's workshops will be in Oban, Shetland, Birnam and Pavia, Italy - dates and details below.
I'm starting the autumn with three Open Studios days in Oban, then off to Shetland to teach six classes during Shetland Wool Week. In October there will be a workshop on drop spindle spinning, in Oban, ideal for beginners. Next up, also in Oban, knitting Scandi-style Christmas baubles, a good introduction to Fair Isle and knitting on double pointed needles. That is a popular workshop so I'm running it in plenty of time for you to have the baubles finished to decorate your tree - or give as hand made presents.
Also in November I've been invited to run a weekend workshop on natural dyeing at Birnam Arts. Over two busy days you will learn the important differences between dyeing protein fibres ( wool and silk) and cellulose (cotton and linen). We will use natural and mineral mordants and a range of  dye plants to create a library of samples for you to take home. You will also take away the skills and knowledge to continue experimenting with natural dyeing.
Then towards the end of the month I'll be teaching a weekend of spinning workshops in Pavia, Italy - one day for beginners and one day more advanced.
The second Christmas Baubles workshop is in Oban in December, you should still have time to get them finished!
In February there will be a workshop in Oban on spinning with a spinning wheel, suitable for beginners and improvers, and one on Book Origami, when you can learn to. Up cycle an unwanted hardback book into an unusual decorative item.
In March the Oban workshop is Fair Isle knitting techniques and tips, and later in the month a workshop called First Stitches for absolute beginner knitters. I've also been invited to run a workshop for the Edinburgh Guild of Spinners..

2nd, 3rd and 4th September - Open Studio Days - 10am - 5pm at 22A Alexandra Place, Corran Esplanade, Oban. Demonstrations and Displays. Free, no need to book, just drop in and see what's going on
26th September (am) Introduction to Magic Loop Knitting, Lerwick - SOLD OUT
26th September (evening) Woolly Words Book Origami, Lerwick - 2 PLACES LEFT
27th September Drop spindle spinning, Lerwick - SOLD OUT
28th September (am) Blending the colours of Shetland (fibre blending), Lerwick 4 PLACES LEFT
28th September (pm) drop spindle spinning, Lerwick - 4 PLACES LEFT
30th September Knitting Socks 2-at-a-time and Toe-up, Lerwick, SOLD OUT
(To book Shetland Wool Week classes go to www.thelittleboxoffice.com)
15th October Drop Spindle Spinning - 10am - 1pm at 22A Alexandra Place, Corran Esplanade, Oban £40
3rd November Knitting Christmas Baubles 10am - 1pm at 22A Alexandra Place, Corran Esplanade, Oban £35 including materials for 4 baubles
12& 13 November Natural Dyeing at Birnam Arts, Birnam, Perthshire ONLY 6 PLACES ( bookings via Birnam Arts)
19& 20th November Spinning workshops, Fattoria del Gelso, Pavia, Italy
4th December Knitting Christmas Baubles 10am - 1pm at 22A Alexandra Place, Corran Esplanade, Oban £35 including materials for 4 baubles
5th February Spinning with a spinning wheel 10am - 5pm £75 at 22A Alexandra Place, Corran Esplanade, Oban
18th February Book Origami 10am - 1pm £30 at 22A Alexandra Place, Corran Esplanade, Oban
4th March Fair Isle Knitting 10am - 1pm £30 at 22A Alexandra Place, Corran Esplanade, Oban includes materials for a phone cover - or bring your own project
18th March. Edinburgh Guild workshop - contact Guild secretary
25th March First Stitches - knitting for absolute beginners 10am - 1pm £30 at 22A Alexandra Place, Corran Esplanade, Oban includes materials

Except where stated otherwise, email me on Deborah.gray7@btinternet.com to book or to arrange individual tuition on other dates/topics