Workshops

Introduction to Spinning on a Wheel (12 hours) with Stacey Robb

Saturday January 31, 2026 - 9:00 am - 3:00 pm  and

Saturday February 7, 2026 - 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Jan. 31 + Feb.7 are fully registered. 

Stacey has agreed to offer another session March 28 + April 4, 2026. If you can commit to  both dates, please email your registration to kinghws@gmail.com

Description: Students will learn how to use a spinning wheel to produce a singles yarn on the first day. They will have time to practice this technique before the second day, when they will learn to ply the yarn to produce 2 ply yarn. Students will also be introduced to the use of colour in designing yarn.  Students can bring their own wheels* or inform the instructor if they need to borrow one from the guild. * Your own wheel needs to be in good working order; there is no time in this workshop to make significant adjustments to a wheel. Members may also use a Guild wheel for an additional 2 weeks after the end of the workshop. We require a deposit ( $400) in order for you to take a studio wheel home between week 1 an week 2 as well as for the 2 weeks after the workshop.  The deposit is returned when the wheel is returned.

Minimum 4 participants - Maximum - 6 participants.

Workshop Fee: Members - $ 203.40 (incl HST) Non members: $237.30 (incl HST)

Material fee: $30 payable to the instructor

Introduction to Weaving on a Floor Loom - with Barbara Heins

Barbara has been working with fibre since childhood.  This includes weaving, basket making and knitting. Weaving later became her main interest and she completed the OHS Master Weaver Certificate. She teaches a range of weaving and basket making classes.

Friday February 13, 2026 - 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Saturday February 14, 2026 - 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Saturday February 21, 2026 - 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

(all 3 days included/required in this workshop)

Description: Students will learn basic weaving theory and loom parts before winding a warp, dressing a floor loom and weaving a small sampler using various treadlings including plain weave / tabby, twill weaves, inlay and a simple lace weave. They will learn how to plan a project

Minimum 4 - Maximum 6 participants

Workshop Fee: Members:  $270 + $35.10 HST  = $305.10;  Non members: $285 + $37.05 HST = $322.05

 Material fee:  $10 payable to instructor

Introduction and Exploration of a Rigid Heddle Loom - with Brandy Hyndman

Brandy is a cancer researcher at Queen’s University by day. In the summers she can be found outside riding her bicycle and in the winters out playing in the snow. Brandy got hooked on weaving after taking the Rigid Heddle Weaving workshop at KHWS 2018. Since then, she has been excited to share the power of these little looms with others, tackling everything from plain weave to 4 shaft twill patterns. 

February 22, 2026 - 9:30 am - 1:30 pm

Description: A rigid heddle loom is a small portable tool that allows us to learn the terminology and basic techniques for weaving. For those who have some experience with weaving, you will be able to explore additional techniques and ways that this loom may help you sample for larger weaving projects. With much less loom waste than a floor loom, rigid heddle looms are perfect for using your special skeins of art yarn, hand spun or hand dyed yarn. At the end of the session, you will have a sampler or small project to take with you and some suggestions for next steps in weaving with a rigid heddle loom. Note: Looms will be warped, this workshop involves weaving only. No Experience needed.

Requirements: Beginner friendly

Minimum 4 - Maximum 6 participants

Workshop Fee: Members:  $ 60 + $7.80 HST = $67.80;  Non members: $ 75 + $9.75 = #84.75

Material fee - $10 payable to instructor

Spinning Lustrous Purposeful Blends - with Beth Showalter

Beth Showalter completed the Ontario Handweavers and Spinners Spinning Certificate Program in 2014 with distinction and is now an instructor in the program.  She is a spinner who enjoys experimenting, sharing ideas, learning new techniques and following spinning tangents...

Saturday March 7, 2026 - 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

*  Alternate weather date March 14, 2026

Description: Our fibre stashes can be like a jewellery box.  Some precious fibres have been carefully put away for later, other fibres might have been shared or passed on to us by other spinners and another area of fibres could remind us of previous spinning adventures.  This workshop will show spinners how combining various fibres can create beautifully blended gems.  Through a series of blended batts created by the instructor, spinners will see how small changes in blending, percentages and fibres can create luxurious yarns worthy of a jewellery box.  Discoveries will continue as spinners design blends of their own and explore their ‘what will happen if I add and/or change this fibre’ in my blend and see what does happen.  Come spin lustrous blends that shimmer and gleam! 

Spinners should be comfortable spinning 2 ply yarns.

Equipment List: 

• Wheel in good, working order with repair kit

• 3 empty bobbins + Lazy Kate 

• Hand Carders
• Apron or cloth for lap
• Baggies, labels, markers, etc
• Optional: A variety of different fibres from your stash for blending

Minimum 7 - Maximum 10 participants

Workshop Fee: Members:  $90 + $11.70 HST= $101.70; Non members: $ 105 + $13.65 HST = $118.65

Fibre Kit + Workshop Notes: $50.00/person payable to instructor at workshop (The fibre kit will include a series of handcarded batts for each person as well as provide fibres)

Introduction to Weaving on a Table Loom - with Norma Rosier

Norma has been weaving for over 40 years, and was a professional rug and tapestry weaver for many years. She now weaves for fun on several looms and enjoys teaching classes for beginner weavers.

Monday Evenings 6-8pm;  March 16  - May 11, 2026  (excluding Easter Monday  April 6 )

Description: For new and interested weavers, also suitable as a refresher class. In this 8 week night class (2 hours per week) you will learn the basics of weaving using a table loom or a rigid heddle loom. Table looms are slightly simpler to use than floor looms, but the techniques learnt will apply to both types of looms. Rigid heddle looms are much simpler to set up, but more limited in the types of weaving possible. You will learn how to prepare the loom and weave a small item such as a sampler or scarf. We will also discuss planning a weaving project and understanding patterns. Teaching is geared to the needs and pace of each student.

Minimum 4 - Maximum 5 Participants

Workshop Fee: Members - $271.20 (incl. hst) Non members - $ 288.25 (incl. hst)

No material fee

Weave a Small Project with a Rigid Heddle Loom - with Brandy Hyndman

Brandy is a cancer researcher at Queen’s University by day. In the summers she can be found outside riding her bicycle and in the winters out playing in the snow. Brandy got hooked on weaving after taking the Rigid Heddle Weaving workshop at KHWS 2018. Since then, she has been excited to share the power of these little looms with others, tackling everything from plain weave to 4 shaft twill patterns. 

Saturday March 21, 2026 - 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Description: In this workshop, you will learn to warp a rigid heddle loom for a small project (choose a scarf, coasters, or table runner). Once the items are woven, we will learn about taking them off the loom and finishing them. No experience needed.

 Minimum 4 - Maximum 6 Participants

Workshop Fee: Members - $ 118.65 (incl HST); Non-members - $135.60 (incl. HST) 

Make a Felted Vessel (Wet Felting)  - with Shannon Brown

Shannon Brown is a Canadian fibre artist who transforms natural wool into sculptural and pictorial felted works that highlight the beauty and versatility of sustainable materials. Her practice centers on wet-felting techniques to explore texture, form, and the quiet movement found in natural landscapes.

Sunday March 22, 2026 - 9:30 am - 3:30 pm

Description: Shannon will offer a hands-on felted vessel workshop, guiding participants through the process of creating a seamless three-dimensional form using natural wool and wet-felting techniques. Attendees will learn how to build structure, shape, and surface textures while gaining an understanding of fibre behaviour and the sculptural possibilities of felt. 

Required  6 Participants

Workshop Fee: Members - $ 101.70 (includes HST); Non-members - $118.65 (includes HST)

Material Fee - $25 payable to instructor on workshop day

Lace Weaves Structures - with Susi Reinink

NOTE: Loom will need to be warped prior to the Start on Saturday.

Saturday April 11, 2026 - 9:00 am - 4:00pm  and

Sunday April 12, 2026 - 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Description:  Threaded in a simple point twill the sampler is started with hand-manipulated lace weaves: Antique Leno, Mexican Leno, Brooks Bouquet, Danish Medallion, Spanish Lace, Cavandoli Knots etc. Then loom-controlled lace weaves will be explored: Mock Leno and other threadlings and treadlings. Re-threading to Huck gives added insight to the many possibilities of lace weaving. The differences of Swedish lace, Bronson lace, Spot Bronson and Huck will be discussed. If time allows students can choose one of the other threadings or Bead Leno for the remainder of the warp.

Requirements: Intermediate. Students should be comfortable with basic weaving techniques on a floor or table loom. Students provide their own warp and weft materials. Participants dress their looms ahead of the first class. 

Equipment: Particpants may bring their own table loom; or reserve a studio floor loom

Minimum 4 participants - Maximum   8 Participants

Workshop Fee: Members - $ 186.45 (includes HST); Non-Members $203.40 (includes HST)

Handout  Fee - $6 payable to instructor on workshop day

Spin a Muti-Coloured Roving (Braid) in 5 Ways - with Elaine Horemans

Elaine  taught herself to spin in 1985 and continued after joining the Kingston Handloom Weavers and Spinners Guild in 2008. I learned to weave there in 2012. I have raised Romney/ Bluefaced Leicester cross sheep from 2010 to 2022 and sold raw fleece, roving, yarns and knitted and woven gift items from my farm Fortune Hill. I graduated with honours from the nationally acclaimed 6-year OHS Spinning Certificate program in 2020. I currently enjoy teaching for the KHWS and spinning, knitting and weaving among other crafts. 

Saturday  April 18, 2026 - 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Description: Do you have trouble spinning a multicoloured roving to get clear colours rather than mud?  Do you always spin them the same way and are not always pleased with the results?  You will learn 5 different ways to prepare and spin a space-dyed roving to achieve different effects. Knitting samples will reveal your results.

Prerequisite: Participants need to be comfortable spinning, plying, and knitting samples.

Equipment: You will need to bring your spinning wheel* or spindle, extra bobbins and lazy kate (or whatever method you use to ply onto a spindle) and knitting needles sized to knit your 'default' yarn.  Roving will be provided. There will be a materials fee to cover the cost of the roving.

* You may reserve a studio wheel to use for this workshop - contact kinghws@gmail.com and indicate your preferred wheel.

Minimum 4  - participants - Maximum -   6 Participants

Workshop Fee: Members - $ 186.45 (includes HST); Non-members - $ 203.40 (includes HST)

Handout and Material Fee - to be confirmed by instructor

Rib Basket Weaving - with Barbara Heins

Barbara has been working with fibre since childhood.  This includes weaving, basket making and knitting. Weaving later became her main interest and she completed the OHS Master Weaver Certificate. She teaches a range of weaving and basket making classes.

Saturday June 13, 2026 - 9:30 am - 3:30 pm

Description: Participants will make a rib basket using either commercial reed, or a mixture of natural and commercial materials. These baskets are constructed around a series of hoops and ribs. This means their final shape is determined from the beginning structure. They are often named after their shape or function. The photos show a melon and a potato basket.

Maximum Number of participants: 8

Workshop Fee: Members: $101.70 (includes HST); Non members - $118.65 (includes HST)

Materials fee of $10.00 to $20.00 (depending on materials used) will be payable to the instructor on the day of the workshop.