Spinning 201: Spin Better!

Class Description: Learn to spin better! Students will learn to spin the yarn they want, not the yarn their wheel wants to give them. Participants will learn when and how to adjust their wheels, and how those adjustments affect the final yarn: four drafting methods and when to use each; how choosing your fiber and fiber preparation affects the yarn, and valuable principles of spinning. Individual questions are encouraged!

Instructor Biography: Mary Berry has been involved in the fiber arts for over 45 years and has been teaching fiber arts classes locally and nationally since 2009. Beginning with knitting, over the next 40 years she added weaving, spinning, dyeing, rug hooking, and punch needle. She also became an Oxford Certified Punch Needle Instructor. But that's not all! Mary owned a Fiber Arts shop from 2012 through 2022 where she also taught classes. Wanting to experience every aspect of fiber arts, she also owned and operated a fiber farm where she raised Shetland sheep, Angora goats, and Suri alpacas from 2009 through 2021. Her hands-on experience in every stage of dealing with wool informs her classes and allows her to teach from first-hand experience. Now retired from storekeeping and fiber farming, Mary creates fiber-based art for her own home and for sale. She continues to teach both private lessons and classes in weaving, spinning dyeing, rug hooking, and Oxford rug punch. Visitors are welcome at her studio space located at the Millhouse in McKinney Texas, by appointment.

Prerequisites: Students must be able to spin a yarn single that holds together.

Class Fee: $45

Materials Fee: $10 (fiber for spinning and handout)

Maximum Class Size: 12 Students

Target Age: Ages 16 and above

What do I need to bring? A fully functional spinning wheel, spinning tools (e.g. threading hook), at least 3 empty bobbins.