JC07 Yarn and Fiber Characteristics

with Robin Russo

This “hands-on” class will help participants understand how the properties of fiber become the properties of yarn and how those properties affect the products we make. We will first explore the world of fibers; where they come from and how they grow and then handle the fibers and examine their characteristics under magnification. Finally, we will dissect yarns to see how fiber, twist and ply affect the look, feel and durability of the products we ultimately knit or weave. We will explore animal, vegetable and man-made fibers. This class is not a spinning class; it focuses on fiber. This is a good class for beginner spinners who may not have explored any fiber beyond wool as well as knitters, crocheters and weavers who wish to have a deeper understanding of fiber and yarn.

Participants bring: Note taking materials.

About the instructor: Robin Russo lives in Bradford, Vermont where she teaches spinning, dyeing, felting and working with exotic fibers. Since the 1980’s she has taught at numerous gatherings of spinners, weavers, felters, knitters and historical societies. She has been a fiber enthusiast for more than 40 years and takes every opportunity to explore its potential.