Any Guild or Associate Member belonging to the MidAtlantic Fibre Association is eligible to register for this virtual workshop being offered in the Spring of 2026. Membership info may be found here https://mafafiber.org/about-us/join-us/guild-membership-application-renewal/ or here https://mafafiber.org/about-us/join-us/associate-members/
One Handpainted Braid – Six Different Color Effects
Handpainted braids are wonderful sources of inspiration. Although much of the color work has been done by the dyer, it is up to you, the spinner, to effectively manage the color. In this workshop Kim will explain and demonstrate six color management techniques, which lend your handspun a greater sense of balance, proportion and unity. Using non-traditional methods, Kim will explain and demonstrate how she prepares rovings and rolags on blending boards and handcards. Her methods help to reduce waste, produce the smoothest fiber preparation possible, save time, manage color placement, and create repeatable color effects in handspun yarns.
Unlike an in-person workshop you will not be preparing fibre and spinning during each session. However, if you would like to put what you learn into practice Kim will be presenting two colour management techniques per week. which you can spin between sessions. The Lessonface platform enables you to ask questions you may have between classes. Through Lessonface, you are able to download notes as well as receive 30-day access to the video recordings of the classes.
See materials and equipment lists if you plan to practice what you have learned between classes.
An Orientation Session will be held two weeks prior to the first class, on April 16, 7:00 – 8:00 pm Eastern, to answer any questions or concerns you may have regarding your equipment. The Orientation will also be recorded and available until 30 days after the last class.
Registration fee is $135 US.
The capacity for this class is 25 students.
Virtual workshop dates:
- Orientation & equipment review, April 16, Thursday, 5-6pm CST
2. Part 1: Gradient and Fractal Yarns, April 30, Thursday, 5-7pm CST
3. Part 2: Rill and Raindrop Yarns, May 7, Thursday, 5-7pm CST
4. Part 3: Marled Play, 2 effects that use the same construction strategy but different value keys, May 14: Thursday 5-7 PM CST
Additional learning outcomes:
- Understand how to navigate a colour wheel and value scale
- Learn the differences between worsted and woollen yarns
- Learn fibre preparation techniques using handcards or blending boards
- Understand the characteristics imparted to yarns whose fibre has been doffed from carding cloth using a diz versus a dowel
- Learn Kim’s Wett Finishing methods for handspun yarn
- Learn Kim’s Plying Through Rings method