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Workshops 

Here are the new workshops for 2023!

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Penobscot Tote Basket (FULL) – Instructor: Ida Atkinson

Penobscot Tote: To the beach!  To the Famers’ Market! To Knitting Circle! To the grocery store! This tote is just right to take along for every errand. Students will have  a choice of 1/4" f/o or 3/8” f/f  weavers to create this very practical basket as well as one or two color combinations.  Come prepared to weave and shape your new favorite basket. Beginners may find that the project needs to be finished at home.  

Skill Level:  Basic under/over (weaving) experience desirable

Enrollment: min. 3 - max. 8

Workshop fee: $60

Materials fee: $30-$36 payable to instructor at time of class

Materials to bring to class: Bring a bucket to soak your reed, scissors, tape measure, pencil, old towel, clothespins, travel mug, jack or utility knife, and any basket tools that you may have.

Time: Saturday – All day class 

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Napkin Basket – Instructor: Ida Atkinson

Got a party and need a hostess gift?  This is your project! Need a basket  for napkins at the cocktail table or dessert table?  Come give the project a whirl.

Skill Level:  Basic 'under- over' experience desirable.  I will you teach triple twine with step-up

Enrollment: min. 3 - max. 8

Workshop fee: $35

Materials fee: $4-7 payable to instructor on the day of class.  This includes paper napkins.

Materials to bring to class: Bring a bucket to soak your reed, scissors, tape measure, pencil, old towel, clothespins, travel mug, jack or utility knife, and any basket tools that you may have. 

Time: Friday AM – Half Day Class 

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Ceramic Buttons - Instructor: Kathleen Banks

Design and create your own durable stoneware buttons for your latest handmade garment or basket! Fun, exciting and relaxing - the possibilities are endless when creating hand-built buttons.

We will be using 2 types of stoneware: a smooth, white clay and a groggy (flecked), dark red-brown clay. On Friday morning, we will roll and shape our buttons using cutters, knives and molds. We’ll experiment with texture using ferns and other plant material, lace, embossed paper and stamps (dragonflies! sea turtles!) We can leave some smooth and blank for decorative underglaze work.

 I will fire the buttons Friday evening and we will glaze our work Saturday afternoon using glazes and underglazes in a lovely palette of colors. Back to the kiln Saturday evening and your pieces will be ready on Sunday.

I will mail them to you if you are unable to pick them up. Each participant will take home between 1 and 3 dozen buttons depending on size and complexity.

Skill level: all skill levels are welcome

Enrollment: 10

Workshop fee: $85, includes all materials, tools and 2 firings

Materials students need to bring: an apron if desired, any textures or stamps you’d like to try, size measurements and/or color swatch for a specific project

Time: 6 hour class divided into 2 half days: Fri am and Sat pm

Note: Registration fee is $10 for the 2 day class

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Braided Star & Wreath - Instructor: Kim Durkee

Spend a 1/2 day making some easy and fun Christmas ornaments: a wreath and a star. Lots of color choices and you will get to make at least 2 of each design. No braiding experience necessary.  If a braided rug sounds like it is too much for you, then some ornaments might be just the ticket. Come join the fun and learn how to braid.  It is a great Christmas idea, fun to make, and a wonderful gift

Skill Level: All skill levels welcome

Enrollment: 10

Workshop fee: $45 materials included 

 Time: Friday PM - Half day class

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 Small Braided Oval Rug  - Instructor: Kim Durkee

Have you ever wished you could make a braided rug like you had seen in your grandmother’s home? Now is your chance! Come learn the REAL traditional way of braiding an all butted rug! There are other techniques out there but this is the type where each row is butted so that your colors stay within one row, uniform with no jagged designs. No seams and reversible. Experience the old way and your rug surely will be a treasure for years to come.  It will be a wonderful learning experience.    This will be a two day rug braiding class, the traditional method of braiding as taught by Barbara Fisher.  Even if you have never done rug braiding, you can make a rug.  You will have a choice of a 2'X3' oval or a 2 foot round rug. Color choices available will be shades of green, shades of blue, or earth tones. 

Skill Level: No experience required, all materials will be supplied.  Once you sign up, we will discuss your color choices and then I can gather the wool for your project. Then on the first day of class you will pay the balance: $120.00.

Enrollment: 10

Workshop fee: $70

Materials fee: $120 payable to instructor on the day of class. And includes 6 yards of braiding wool.

Time: 2 Day Class - Saturday & Sunday - All day classes

Note: Registration fee is $10 for the 2 day class

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Woven Fabric Baskets    - Instructor: Teresa Hall

Turn 2 ½” strips of fabric into a lovely woven basket with this no-sew project. You can use a jelly roll or cut your own strips of fabric. You can choose to build one of three sizes, small & tall (3 ½ x 3 ½ x 5), medium (5x5x4 ½) or large & short (7x7x3). Or you can build them all, a 20-strip jelly roll will make 2 medium baskets or a small and a large. These baskets are more than pretty, they have many uses. Put a jar in the small basket and use it as a vase, use the medium basket to corral all your remotes or as a napkin holder. The large basket can be used as a bread basket or a “Catch-All” on your dresser. Plus they make great gifts. This class REQUIRES approximately 3 hours of homework, Instructions will be sent to you when you register.

Skill Level: All skill levels welcome

Enrollment: 2 - 8

Workshop Fee: $30.

  Time: Sunday PM - Half day class

Dorset Buttons (FULL) – A Traditional English Craft - Instructor Teresa Hall

Dorset buttons are a traditional craft made by working threads around a ring using simple stitches. In this class, you will learn all the steps to create a basic Dorset button. After that, you will learn how to embellish your button using different stitches, beads, and metallic thread.

You can turn your button into a shawl pin, brooch, magnet, or Christmas ornament. The material fee includes everything you need to make any type of button. The instructor will have a variety of #5 Pearl Cotton threads, beads, and metallic threads for you to choose from.

Skill Level: All Levels
Enrollment: 2-5

Workshop Fee: $25
Material Fee: $5 for each button. Payable to instructor on the day of class.

Time: Saturday AM - Half day class

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 Carding a Wild & Wooly Art Batt
Instructor - Kathleen Hawthorne

Have you been wanting to try a drum carder?  Take this opportunity to blend colored fiber and novelty accents to create a one of a kind fabulous art batt for spinning or felting. You will be making a 4 oz. art batt using a base layer with additions of bold color and novelty fibers.
Students may bring some their own very clean fiber, locks, or roving, NO RAW WOOL or VEGETABLE MATTER will be allowed.

Skill level:  No experience necessary
Enrollment:  3-6
Workshop fee:  $65  includes:  A 4 oz kit of Wool fibers, Sari silk, sparkle strands and assorted other novelty fibers.
Drum carders will be provided

Materials to bring: sharp scissors and small mist spray water bottle for static control

Time: Saturday AM - Half day class

 Carding a Tweedy, Speckled Art Batt
 Instructor:  Kathleen Hawthorne

This workshop is all about blending color and fiber to create different effects. Learn how to really utilize your drum carder to create unique batts and color effects, how to blend fibers for a smooth or tweedy batt. Each student will be making a 4 oz TWEEDY SPECKLED effect batt using a base fibers with small bits of color.

Student may bring some their own very clean fiber, locks or roving, NO RAW WOOL or VEGETABLE MATTER will be allowed.

Skill level: no experience necessary

Enrollment: 3-6
Workshop fee: $65 includes a 4 oz kit of wool fibers, tweedy bits.
Drum carders will be provided

Materials to bring: sharp scissors and asmall mist spray water bottle for static control.

Time: Sunday AM - Half day Class

Eco Dying/Herbal Printing Workshop - Instructor: Sue Hoople

This workshop will focus on the basics of eco-dying beginning with printing on paper with leaves and flowers resulting in printed papers suitable for framing or making into greeting cards. The next session will explore plants that have known medicinal benefits and their application in the eco dying process on socks and underwear.  If time allows, we will explore eco dying on leather.

Each student will go home with printed papers and bamboo socks.

Skill Level: Suitable for beginners

Enrollment: 4 Minimum - 6-8 Max

Workshop fee: $75

Materials fee: $50 Payable to instructor at beginning of workshop

Additional items to dye will be availble for purchase

Time: Saturday - All day class

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All About Silk - Instructor: - Sue Hoople

This workshop will explore the wonderful silk fiber-and its historical significance in Bridgton, Maine.  there will be all aspects of the fiber available to explore and play with from the raw cocoon through all stages of processing the fiber into fabric.  We will explore silk the process of making silk paper aka silk fusion and make sheets suitable for covering unlimited surfaces including a small lamp shade.

Each student will go home with samples of silk, silk paper and a small lampshade.

Skill Level: Suitable for beginners

Enrollment: 4 Minimum - 6-8 Max

Workshop fee: $75

Materials fee: $50 Payable to instructor at beginning of workshop

Time: Sunday - All day class

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Twined (or Two End) Knitting  - Instructor: Donna Kay

This unique Scandinavian knitting technique (tvaandsstickning in Sweden and tvebandsstickning in Norway) is created by “twining” 2 strands of the same yarn as you work producing a dense, warm, flexible double fabric. The patterns created are unlike any other in knitting. Learn the techniques such as 2 color cast on, “hook stitches”, as you knit a pair of wristwarmers. Chart symbols and 2 color braid will be covered.

Skill Level: Open to all with basic knitting skills.

Enrollment: 10

Workshop Fee: $40

 Material Fee: $10 payable to instructor on the day of class.

Materials students need to bring to class: Please bring a set of double-point needles US size 3 (3.23mm), stitch marker, scissors. (Yarn will be provided.)

Time: Sunday AM - Half day class

Norwegian Mittens  - Instructor: Donna Kay

Learn the history and techniques of this timeless style of patterned mittens. During the workshop you  will knit a child size mitten using traditional stitch patterns and Norwegian wools in your choice of color on a cream background. Topics covered include tangle-free 2 color stranded knitting, chart reading, gussets, shaping and blocking. Participants will leave with a pattern for an adult size mitten.

Skill Level: Basic knitting skills with some experience with double-point needles.

Enrollment: 10

Workshop Fee: $40

Materials Fee: $12 for sample mitten kit and patterns. Payable to instructor on the day of class.

Materials student must bring to class: : Please bring double-point needles in size US # 4, scissors and tapestry needle.

Time: Friday AM - Half day class

Beginning Handspindle  Instructor: Donna Kay

Come learn the basics of spinning on a drop spindle. We will cover drafting, spinning, plying and finishing your yarns. If you do not have a spindle, one will be provided. No experience necessary! Spinning fibers will be provided.

Skill Level: Open to all

Enrollment: 10

Workshop Fee: $40.00

Materials Fee: $7 payable to instructor on the day of class.

Time: Saturday AM - Half day class

Introduction to Two Color Knitting - Instructor: Donna Kay  

Skill Level: Open to all with basic knitting skills but experience with circular needles is helpful.

Enrollment: 10

Workshop Fee: $40

Introduction to Double Knitting - Instructor: Donna Kay  

Skill Level: open to all who can knit and purl.

Enrollment: 10

Workshop Fee: $40

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 Needle Felted Sheep w/lamb - Instructor Betsey Leslie

Let’s have some fun and learn a new technique creating a free standing sheep sculpture using a wire framework. The curls are needle-felted onto a woolen and wire core to create a boucle affect. It doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or an experienced felter You will enjoy the challenge of creating this sweet sheep!

Skill Level: All Skill Levels Welcome
Enrollment:  10
Workshop fee: $40.
Material Fee: $35 payable to instructor on the day of class. Kit (includes all supplies needed). White and brown roving , Masham curls , pipe cleaners ,3 felting needles and foam pad.

Time: Saturday PM - 1/2 Day Class

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Wacky Wool Birdhouse - Instructor Betsey Leslie

This wet felted birdhouse is a combination of balloons, soap, water and wool. A series of balloons are used to create the shape of this wet felted pod layering ultra thin layers of colored wool. It is finished with twine and curls tied to the house to entice the birds to make a nest. You will be able to choose your own color palette.

Skill level: All
Enrollment: 10
Workshop fee: $40

Material Fee: $35 payable to instructor on the day of class. Kit includes all materials needed.

Material to bring: towel and medium sized mixing bowl to hold your form in place as you work. 

Time: Saturday AM - Half Day Class

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Nuno Felted Scarf - Instructor: Betsey Leslie

Nuno is the Japanese word for cloth and this particular technique was developed by an Australian fiber Artist. You will be creating a wool fiber sandwich with silk chiffon fabric in the middle. Loose wool fibers are saturated with soapy water and coaxed through the silk to felt with the wool fibers on the other side . The lightweight fabric created drapes beautifully and it is so thin that it can be seen through when held to the light.

 Enrollment: 8

Workshop fee: $80.

Materials fee: $45 payable to instructor on the day of class, includes bubble wrap,  netting, a felting stone, a foam block w/ 2 felting needles. You choose your palette with hand dyed merino, natural Border Leicester, cashmere, Masham long wool curls and silk chiffon fabric

 Time: Sunday - All day Class

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Beginning Rug Hooking - Instructor Elizabeth Miller

Learn the heritage art of North American rug hooking in an easy going, relaxed environment! This workshop is an introduction to traditional rug hooking including some history of the craft, an overview of styles, how to choose appropriate hooking wools and other materials, tools, rules (and there aren’t many), tips, and tricks, and getting started on our projects. Particular attention will be paid to good and ergonomically healthy technique, troubleshooting typical beginner issues, and creating high quality, durable pieces.

Although you will not complete the entire piece in class, the instructor will also demonstrate steaming, serging, and finishing techniques which include twill tape binding, pillow making, and whipstitch binding. (When you are ready to finish your piece after the workshop Elizabeth will be available online or in person at her studio by appointment to assist).

Skill level: No experience necessary
Enrollment: 10
Workshop fee: $30

Materials fee:  $85 payable to instructor on the day of class, includes hook, 12” x1” rug hooking hoop,12”x12” hand drawn pattern on linen, all wool materials needed to complete the pattern, a folder of printed material and resources, rug binding materials (twill tape, corded wool or yarn), unlimited access to the instructor for questions and assistance ongoing after the workshop as you complete your piece at home.

Time: Friday - All day class

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A Baker's Dozen: Thirteen Alternative Rug Hooking Techniques/Alternative Materials  Instructor: Elizabeth Miller

*THIS IS A BRING-YOUR-OWN-PATTERN CLASS* 
The instructor will provide a full buffet of materials and embellishments, but you may also bring some of your own if they are special/sentimental to you.  Materials provided for you:
wool fabric, sari silk, roving, tee shirt material, yarns, beads, buttons, perl cotton, embroidery floss, applique materials, needle felting tools, acrylic paints and brushes.

In this class we will explore a variety of alternative materials and techniques to embellish your hooked rugs where the only limit is your imagination. Techniques to be covered are (but not limited to):

simple wool applique, stuffed wool applique, needle felting within the rug, simply proddy, surface chain stitching,adding beads, gems, buttons, clipping loops for a shag effect,
"checkerboard" effect with alternating loops,
pulling loops with more than one material at a time,
French knots - real and faux, acrylic paint techniques on foundation.

You will also receive a folder-bound resource packet of all techniques as a reference for after the workshop.


What students need to bring: hook, hoop or frame, pattern,
any materials that are special to you that you’d like to incorporate in addition to those provided by the instructor. 
This is a great opportunity to make an out-of-the-box hooked project and have some fun! 

Should you need guidance on a pattern to choose, just get in touch with Elizabeth prior to class at parrishousewoolworks@gmail.com, but almost any pattern will work. Look especially for designs that might benefit from these alternative techniques. 

Workshop fee: $30
Materials fee: $35 payable to instructor on the day of class.

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Twig Globe Twinkle Light  - Instructor: Susan Perrine

Create a stunning accent light with a rustic yet sparkling presence. Flexible fresh cut twigs will be wired into circular shape. Add lights to complete a wonderful accent piece to brighten a dark corner or add mood lighting to a special event. Expect to make about 20” diameter globe.

Skill Level: All skill levels are welcome.

Enrollment: 10

Workshop fee: $25 Includes Waxed cord, Florist wire and Twigs

Material Fee: $10 payable to instructor on the day of class.

Materials students need to bring to class: Wire cutters and a string of twinkle lights

Time: 2 Half Day Clases Sunday AM & PM - Half day classes

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Rigid Heddle Weaving - Instructor: Karen Smith

This is a great introduction to simple weaving techniques. Using a rigid heddle loom, warp the loom using the direct method, and weave a scarf. Bring your own rigid heddle loom, use one of the instructor's looms or purchase a loom.  Yarn for the warp will be provided but bring your own soft, chunky yarn (200 yards) for the weft.

Skill Level: Weaving experience helpful but not necessary

Enrollment: 4

Workshop fee: $80

Material Fee: $10 paid to the instructor

Materials to bring to class: 200 yards of chunky yarn

Time: Saturday- All day class 

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Sashiko Workshop (FULL) - Instructor: Linda Whiting  

Sash-i-ko means “little stabs” and this relates to how the stitching is done, a uniform running stitch which holds layers of cloth and filler together for warmth and strengthening clothing, traditionally white stitches on indigo dyed fabric in overall patterns. You will make coasters and a hot pad as you learn about the ins and outs of proper stitching, materials and marking patterns so you get comfortable with the techniques used in traditional Sashiko. Then you can use then to create other household goods, clothing and for quilts on a larger scale.

Skill Level: Quilting or sewing skills helpful.

Enrollment: 10

Workshop fee: $75

Material Fee: $15 payable to instructor on the day of class. Sashiko materials include dark blue project cloth, Sashiko thread and needles, white carbon paper, padding, patterns, and information folder.

Materials to bring to class: Ballpoint pen ( okay if does not write - we just need the point), white marking pencil (available where quilting supplies are sold)

Time: Friday- All day class 

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A Good Day to Dye - Instructor: Linda Whiting

We cannot always find the colors we envision for our projects in commercial yarns. Solution? Dye our own! Whether you are a knitter, a weaver, or a maker of hooked, punched, or braided rugs this class is for you. Come learn a variety of methods to create the colors you really want in your projects. We will talk about dyes, mixing custom colors, tools, and techniques and you will discover ways to create the colors of your imagination.

Skill level: dyeing experience helpful but not essential

Enrollment: 10

Workshop fee: $90 includes dyes, assists, tools, and a reference booklet for each student

Materials to bring to class: notebook and pen, wool yarn or roving to dye, zip bags to take home wet fiber and bucket for soaking fiber.

Time: Saturday - All day class

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Kumihimo: Japanese Braiding  – Instructor: Linda Whiting

This is an ancient art with many variations. In this introduction to Kumihimo you will learn to make a round braid, a flat braid and several types of square braid. Many kinds of yarn or cord can be used to create different looks and finishes. You can add beads on a single strand or string them on all eight strands for a fully beaded necklace. Learn how braids are made on a Marudai with weighted bobbins. We will be using a foam disk which is portable. No experience is necessary to create one of a kind braids. These may be turned into unique jewelry or used for more utilitarian purposes. All materials will be provided for the class. Look through a collection of books to see what others have created with their braids.  

Skill Level:  All skill levels welcome.

Enrollment: 10

Workshop fee: $40

Materials fee: $18 - payable to instructor on the day of class, kit includes foam Kumihimo disk, bobbins, instructions for braiding, practice yarn, a bit of history, web and book references.

 Time: Sunday AM - Half day class 

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Oxford Punch Needle Rug  Instructor: Marcy Young

  The Oxford punch needle rug class will be a fish chair pad (12x12). Students will learn basics for Punch needle rug hooking, including backing materials, how to use the Oxford punch needle, how to make stitches, stitch sizes, turn corners, filling spaces and demonstration for other stitches that can be done for punching.

Skill level: All skill levels are welcome.

Enrollment: 4 - 10

Workshop fee: $65

Material Fee: $45 payable to instructor on the day of class, for rug wool yarn and chairpad pattern on backing material.

Materials student must bring to class: Students should bring their own small pointed scissors, regular sewing needle with large eye for strong thread and sewing pins or clips.

Students will have opportunity to purchase frames, Oxford punch needles and kits after class.

Time: Friday - All day class 

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Locker Hooking Instructor: Marcy Young

The Locker hooking class will be the Hit or Miss design in wool. Locker hooking is different from the old child latch hook kit we did when we were young.  Students will learn the backing prep, material prep, technique and how to finish the project after they leave class.

Skill level: All skill levels are welcome.

Enrollment: 4 - 10

Workshop fee: $30 per student. lncludes kit (locker-hook, cotton locker hook string and prepared backing material).

Material Fee: $30 for wool paid directly to instructor

Materials student must bring to class: Sharp pointed scissors, needle, ruler.

Time: Saturday AM - Half day class 

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