Introduction to Weaving on a Table Loom - 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
Weaving Series - Beyond Beginning - 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.
This workshop series is a follow-up to the Introduction to Weaving on a Floor Loom. There are five sessions in this series which can be taken individually or as the entire series. These sessions will be held on Thursday evenings from 6:00 - 9:00 pm. Each session covers a separate topic:
- April 16, 2026 - Dressing a Loom
- April 23, 2026 - Beginning Weaving a Project
- May 21, 2026 - Finishing a Project
Pre-Requisite: Introduction to Floor Loom Weaving or Introduction to Weaving on a Table Loom
Minimum 4 - Maximum 6 Participants
Workshop Fee: Members - $ 50.85 per session (incl HST); Non-members - $60.00 per session (incl. HST)
NOTE: $50 Discount if enrolled in all 5 sessions
Spin a Multi-coloured Roving (Braid) in 5 ways - 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 - $ 118.65 (includes HST); Non-members - $ 135.60 (includes HST)
Handout and Material Fee - $50.00
Weave a Small Project on a Rigid Heddle Loom - 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 April 25, 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 - participants - Maximum - 6 Participants
Workshop Fee: Members - $118.65 (includes HST); Non-members - $135.60 (includes HST)
Handout and Material Fee - to be confirmed by instructor
Make a Wet Felted Vessel - 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 May 31, 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
Introduction to Weaving on a Table Loom - 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.
Sundays 10:00 am - 4:00 pm; June 7, 14 & 21, 2026
Description: For new and interested weavers, also suitable as a refresher class. In this 3 weekend workshop (6 hours each Sunday for 3 weeks) 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
Rib Basket Weaving - 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.
Spinning Retreat - Open Studio Style
Kick off your summer with a spinning retreat with fellow fibre enthusiasts...
Instructors: Beth Showalter and Beth Abbot
| Beth Showalter completed the Ontario Handweavers and Spinners Spinning Certificate Program in 2014 with distinction and is an instructor in the program. She is a curious spinner who enjoys experimenting, sharing ideas, learning new techniques and following spinning tangents... | Beth Abbott earned her Master Spinner Certificate from Georgian College in 1990. Her in-depth study was a look at Icelandic sheep and resulted in a book entitled Icelandic Fleece - a Fibre for All Reasons. Beth has taught workshops in Ontario, Alberta and in the US. She has been spinning and taking workshops herself since 1975. Beth continues to learn new ideas and explore colour and design of yarns and projects. |
Spinning Retreat: July 2-5, 2026 10am - 4 pm daily
Do you have a spinning project you want to start? Do you have fibres and/or a spinning idea you have been saving? Or a spinning project that got set aside? Or are you interested in learning a new yarn structure? Or do you just want dedicated time to spin? If this sounds familiar, come to Kingston for a four day spinning retreat this summer!
Description: This four day spinning retreat will provide spinners with the time and space to explore and develop their individual spinning goals. This could mean planning and spinning a small project from start to finish or getting started on a larger spinning project(s) or spinners can come and explore a spinning concept and create a variety of samples. Each person will be given on-going, individual guidance, support and feedback throughout the four days. Short group discussions, small topical presentations, and feedback will take place on a daily basis. Spinners will bring their ideas, fibre(s), fibre preparation tools, resources, patterns, etc to design, sample and produce their own unique yarns for their specific end use(s). Please note that this is not a beginning spinning class.
Due June 1, 2026: A form will be sent to each participant after payment is confirmed/received. This form "Spinning Retreat Goals/Project Form" needs to be filled out by June 1, 2026. This is how the instructors will reach out to the participants to gather/update their general spinning goals so they can bring resources and/or information to support each spinners’ individual interests.
During the Retreat: The Open Studio Spinning Retreat will take place at the Tett Centre for Creativity & Learning building in Kingston Ontario presented by the Kingston Handloom Weavers and Spinners. The Tett is a beautifully renovated, accessible and climate controlled building. Spinners will have access to a large room for spinning and the guild room.
- Each spinner will be able to set up their own space that they will be able to leave from day-to-day. Expect access to at least half of a six foot table to set up your space in a large, well lit room.
- Each spinner will bring a spinning goal/idea, their own fibre(s), fibre preparation tools, resources, pattern(s), etc to spin their own unique yarn(s) for their specific end use. Each spinner will focus on their specific spinning plan independently.
- There will be a fibre prep area set up for participant use that will include guild tools/equipment including access to a few drum carders, a blending board, umbrella swifts, ball winders, etc. Participants are welcome to add their equipment/tools to this area for group use (please label them) during the retreat.
- The instructors will circulate throughout the day to answer questions, give feedback and support while each person moves their spinning goal(s) forward.
- Small topical presentations that reflect spinner interests will take place in the guild room.
After the Retreat: Hopefully now that each spinner has started their spinning goal(s) and/or project(s), they will continue and complete it on their own 🙂
Equipment List: Each participant will bring the equipment, fibre, fibre preparation tools, spinning wheel, etc that they need to complete their independent spinning goals. Suggestions of what they might like to bring are as below:
- Spinning Wheel in good working order with repair kit as needed
- Basket/Bag with basic tools
- 3 to 5 bobbins with 1 or 2 Lazy Kates
- A good variety and quantity of stash fibres to design yarns
- Yarn measuring tools, if available (WPI tool, Twist Angle tool, etc)
- Fibre Preparation tools (hand carders, flick carder, combs - if available)
- Textile construction tools (knitting needles, crochet hooks, mini weaving loom, rug hooking supplies/tools, etc) for chosen methods to sample spun yarns.
- Patterns and/or ideas for creating end use items during personal yarn design time.
- Please note: dyeing facilities will not be available for this retreat
Skill Level: Please note that this is not a beginning spinning class. Spinners must be able to comfortably spin 2 ply yarns.
Number of Participants: 20 to 25 spinners
Cost: $250 + HST
Fibre Kit + Retreat Notes: $15.00/person payable to instructors at the retreat
For this workshop, e-transfer/payment details are included in the registration form linked below.
Spinning Retreat Registration Link - click here