February

Dyeing Self-Striping Yarn

This workshop is for anyone who wants to learn how to dye self-striping sock yarn. It is suitable for beginners, and for those taking their dyeing to the next stage. Over four weeks we will explore how to calculate the amount of yarn to use to create a set number of stripes when knitting socks. We will expand that information for larger items. We will look at the whole process from designing our stripes to skeining and dyeing.
Over four weeks we will explore how to calculate the amount of yarn to use to create set number of stripes when knitting socks. We will expand that information for larger items. We will look at the whole process from designing our stripes to skeining and dyeing.

March

Weaving Software (and Some Other Weaving Aids)

This workshop will provide an overview of many of the different weaving software programmes available, with detail and explanations provided by the software providers where possible. The main focus will be weaving draft software, plus some exploration of colour and design software/websites, reference to past Online Guild workshops using computers in colour or design, and even a few physical weaving aids.
The workshop will hopefully provide a framework for active discussion among our many members using - or considering - various software for their weaving. The colour and design area should also be of interest to non-weaving members who are encouraged to follow along.

April

Sami and Baltic Inkle Band Weaving

This workshop is an opportunity for participants to explore the wonderful heritage of traditional Sami band weaving and the amazing variety of patterned bands from the Baltic region. I will give background information about the weaving and its uses. There are a variety of weave structures in use within this region, however this workshop will concentrate on one: the Baltic pick-up technique.
The workshop will start with the simplest pick up patterns using 5 and 7 pattern threads on an inkle loom and provide instructions for using the standard rigid heddle with a back strap which is the traditional method of pattern band weaving. The first week will also show how the patterns can be woven using a pattern slot heddle, and on a multi-shaft loom for those who wish to explore, or prefer to use, other methods.
For the workshop you will need access to an inkle loom and band weaving shuttle. If using a backstrap you will also require a waist cord or belt and a band lock or clip-it.
I will be using wool which is approximately a 4 ply yarn with a thicker yarn for the pattern threads. I have also used 4 ply sock yarn (which comes in a variety of colours) for the warp and used two strands of the yarn for the pattern threads. Other yarns can be used and I will give details during the workshop.
In summary, the workshop will cover the following topics.
Week one — 5 and 7 pattern threads bands with a variety of weaving equipment.
Week two — 9 & 11 pattern threads.
Week three — 13 pattern threads and beyond!
Week four — Finishing woven bands. I will cover a variety of techniques to finish a woven band or belt.

May

Entrelac and Beyond

This amazing stitch is built from interlocking blocks that join as they go and create a bias fabric, knitted on the diagonal. The blocks can be any size, worked back and forth. It is easier to knit than to describe in words!
Basics:
We will begin by knitting a sample piece (photo top left): following the instructions carefully will guide you through making not only the blocks, but including triangles on all edges so you have a rectangle. Being able to make straight edges is useful for projects, for example front edges, neck shaping, cushions etc, and once you have done this, you have done the most difficult bit! Once you start knitting the blocks, especially if working in the round, it becomes easier than creating a small sample, and it's possible to make complete garments with no seams. Having learnt the basics (and you may already have used this stitch and be ready to progress), the fun begins: there will be instructions provided for exploring working at different scales, trying different stitches that cause completely different results both visually and in shaping the fabric, and we will look at ways of dyeing yarn for patterning. For spinners, there is the opportunity to investigate working with an energised singles yarn.
Even if you are familiar with entrelac stitch, there is so much to explore!

June

Yarn Design Techniques for Spinning

During this workshop, we will explore several yarn design techniques. Some will be repeats from previous workshops and a few will be making their appearances for the first time.
Emphasis for this core information will be on spinning yarns suitable for weaving, knitting, etc. Members experienced with the design methods will be invited to play with scale and/or fibres. In addition, there will be opportunities to create textures and/or work with colours inspired by images offered by the instructor.

July

Collecting Plant Materials for Soft Fibre Basketry

A whistle stop tour of my fibre garden, introducing members to several plants that are easily found in their own gardens or communal green spaces. Enabling members to identify everyday garden plants (and weeds!) found throughout the course of the year that can be used in soft fibre basketry. I will demonstrate how, when and what to harvest from those plants. I will also advise on how to extract plant fibres and /or prepare harvested plant material. Advice with how to store prepared plant material for later use in the soft fibre basketry workshop later in the year.
Hopefully members will be amazed at what plants can be found in our gardens and communal green spaces that can be used to make baskets.

July

Annual Guild Discussion Week

A time of evaluation for the Online Guild. This week features an open discussion in which all members are encouraged to participate.

September, October

Tapestry Workshop - A Tour through the Archive

This workshop covers several subjects within tapestry weaving - the history, an introduction for beginners, a description of outlining techniques, weaving complex shapes, weaving with unconventional materials.
You are creating your own workshop by deciding which subjects are of interest to you and what you would like to study during the 6 weeks. The tutors will be available to answer questions and discuss the different subjects.
All the workshops can be found in the archive of previous workshops held within the OLG. You will be guided to the various workshops within the archive. And you can learn how to access the archive and how to find the amazing fond of knowledge on the subjects of weaving, spinning and dyeing and other textile related crafts.

October

Talk - Undertaking Association Spinning Certificates

Chris is going to introduce the Association spinning certificates and discusses how to approach them. This talk is based on Chris's own journey through the certificates.

November

Soft Fibre Basketry

Following on from the 2-week introduction to plants for soft fibre basketry earlier in the year, I will guide members in how to use their prepared and stored fibres and plant materials. Which were collected earlier in the year form their own gardens or communal green spaces.
I will cover several techniques commonly employed in soft fibre basketry, notably cordage, coiling, pairing looping and strip weave. The aim would be to allow members to produce woven items such as coasters, bowls, baskets and pouches from the plant material they harvested.
However, if no material is harvested some of these techniques can also be used to make baskets from high twist and plied hand spun yarn or commercial string or garden twine.

December

Festive Greetings

An opportunity for members to upload Festive Greetings, created by any means, to a dedicated photo album.

February

February — Exploring Ideas for Projects

This 4 week workshop is an opportunity to think and plan projects: to play, explore and make choices about colours, textures, yarns, techniques, in fact all aspects of making textiles. It can form the basis for other OLG projects later in the year.

Topics include:
Design inspiration — what to choose?
Mood boards — what is a mood board? And why does it matter?
Design sheets — getting ideas together
Sampling - swatching — planning - choosing
Selecting designs
The brief: what will be made? Who for? Deadline?
… with a few days on each stage

Activities: collecting pictures, things, scraps of fabric, and yarns, to gluing and sticking, making yarn wraps and swatches … to written notes or jottings to sketch book pages and scribbles.
Materials: you probably have them all. If wanted, coloured pencils and paper can be bought in the supermarket or borrowed. Glue sticks, staplers both handy. DO NOT GO TO ANY EXPENSE.

March

Free for discussions and sharing projects

April

Textile Conservation — Talk

This talk provides a brief overview of the objectives and aims of textile conservation and the factors that lead to the deterioration of textiles.
Following this overview, I would like to discuss if the conservation of textiles should influence the creative process of textile design and its techniques used during dyeing, spinning and weaving. How will the knowledge of what causes deterioration of textiles influence your creative processes? And should these factors be taken into account at all?

Mid May/June

Spinning — one fleece three yarns

If you are interested in getting away from spinning a standard 2 ply knitting yarn to design yarns with different characteristics, then this workshop is for you.  Often when we want to spin a different yarn, we change the fibre we are spinning. In this workshop, we will explore the design possibilities and limitations of one type of wool.
You choose one fleece, or one type of pre-prepared wool to be the basis of your investigations. Firstly, we examine the characteristics of your chosen fleece, then consider what happens when we change an element of the process

Process 1 By varying fibre preparation and the way we hold the fibre;

Process 2 Changing the singles
By changing the thickness and regularity of singles,
By playing by increasing or decreasing the amount of twist
By changing the direction in which we spin

Process 3 Changing the plying method
By exploring the possibilities of differential tension in plying
By plying multiple singles together

Process 4 Examining what happens if we ply plyed yarns together 2, 3 or more times to get cable variations.

In other words, there will be opportunities to investigate the fibre characteristics in relation to the structure of handspun, twist direction and amount, tensioned plying and multiple plying.
The workshop intention is that each spinner will make samples of at least three different yarns and maybe more … I try to use local British wool whenever possible so many of my samples will be from Yorkshire Texel-cross sheep…so far I have spun 37 different yarns. Most I like but some I don't.
What is needed: Participants should be able to produce a fairly consistent and continuous thread so this is a course for improvers not complete beginners. Each participant will need a spinning wheel, a Lazy Kate or two, at least three bobbins and a sense of adventure.
Where appropriate, earlier workshops will be referenced for more detailed discussions for example, of particular breeds or technique.

July

Annual Guild Discussion Week

Our equivalent to an annual general meeting

September-October

Tiny Dye Studio

Six week workshop
In this workshop we will be exploring a variety of methods for dyeing fibre and yarn, all suitable for use in your home kitchen. The focus is on no-fuss and no-mess, using easy to find equipment. We will use techniques to: create solid colour dyed yarns and fibre, techniques for creating 'hand-painted' multi coloured fibre and yarn, blending colours, over-dyeing for rich and dynamic colour, and my unique 'tie-dye'; technique for yarn.

I will be providing both written materials and recorded video content.

November

Off Loom Weaving with found objects

At this workshop we will explore the creative possibilities of incorporating found objects from our surroundings into our artwork.
Creating with our hands seems to be an intrinsic part of who we are as human beings, manipulating fibres, gathering materials from our natural surroundings, and using these materials to craft bags, baskets, or just art pieces is a universal activity that has been documented in many different societies.
We will learn to make cordage with natural fibres sourced from common plants, and for those with more limited access to natural settings, creative alternatives will be suggested.
Using different knots and simple weaving techniques, we will work on different practical and decorative projects, incorporating rocks, branches, shells, and any other natural material that inspires our creativity.
Hopefully, through this workshop, we will explore a different way of looking at the natural world in the places we live.

December

Festive Greetings

An opportunity for members to upload Festive Greetings, created by any means, to a dedicated photo album.