.Sue has taught twice at Majacraft Retreats both in Australia and in New Zealand and we would gladly have her back. Her teaching is calm, clear and careful and we notice how many students go from her classes with great enthusiasm and a new understanding of their craft. Her spinning methods are quickly adopted because they are superior.

Thank you, Sue, for helping many "Downunder" spinners improve their spinning

Glynis Poad

Majacraft

Reviews

'I have worked alongside Sue on several occasions, both in the UK and overseas. She is an excellent tutor, a highly skilled spinner and an excellent colleague. I have no hesitation in recommending her as a tutor and envy those who are going to take advantage of her knowledge'

Jane Deane

Plying to achieve a balanced yarn is no longer a problem for me after attending your workshop for York Guild. You taught us to use a strong magnifying glass or even a jewelers loupe to check that the fibres were running parallel. Also, the theory that a balanced yarn should hang with no twist whilst plying is also a myth, instead we should be allowing a small amount of slack but whilst still seeing some energy in the yarn before allowing it into the wheel. Hard to explain but in practice those two things have resulted in balanced hand spun yarn every time for me.

Bev Scott

What you do is definitely of worth! I can remember an exhibit, I think in the 2000 travelling exhibition, of a winning entry to the International Longest Thread competition, and that is what sparked my interest in trying super fine spinning, and subsequent entries to the competition myself. I still have the slip of paper on how to wash fine fleece, that you put in with the fleece I ordered for my first few attempts, and that is how I always wash when I want just a few locks in pristine condition.

Amanda Hannaford

For years I was trying to learn longdraw. It took Sue just

moments to see what I was

lacking to get me spinning

longdraw with confidence. Total eye opener!

Highly recommended.

Yoff Kau

Workshops and Courses

available here in Twynholm or at your own venue.

Mix and match as many of these subjects as you wish. If you plan to stay for a prolonged period then your workshops can be tailored to allow time for exploring the local area.

For individual one to one workshops whilst on holiday the tuition can be taken by the hour. Individual courses are arranged as and when it suits both parties. The cost is £35.00 per hour. Any of the subjects below can be included to take into account your ability. If you would prefer to take part in a group workshop please email me with your preference of subject and date and I will advertise it.

Complete Beginners

We will explore:

fibres in depth
what can be spun and what to look for when purchasing your fibre
finally how to wash your yarn and fleeces.
how to prepare the chosen fibres for spinning on the wheel.
the wheel itself, the parts of the wheel, what their function is and how to control it
how to ply your threads to give beautiful finished yarns

(2 to 4 days).

Exotic fibres.

We will look at cashmere, silk, camel down, angora, alpaca, mohair. We will blend fibres, spin from rovings, loose fibre, and carded rolags. We will spin mutiple plied yarns and textured yarns. (1-2 day).

Traditional English long draw.

Selecting the most appropriate fleece, washing, carding the perfect rolag, long draw spinning for light, warm, lofty yarns. (1 or 2 days).

Super fine laceweight yarns.

Selecting the finest fibre for the finest yarns
Merino, cross breeds, shetlands etc.
Washing techniques
combing and spinning for fine, even, well twisted yarns.

(1 or 2 days.)

Woolcombing and worsted spinning

suitable fleeces
preparation and combing
blending colours and spinning worsted style to give smooth hardwearing yarns from fine plied yarn to thicker singles for rugs

(1 or 2 days.)

Tips, hints and problem solving.

A very popular 1 day workshop for the not quite beginner spinner who would like to:

improve the scope and quality of their spinning
plying techniques for small quantities of fibre
roll back spinning
point of draw spinning
tweed spinning
getting to grips with tension and plying problems
try new fibres.

Whatever the problem, together we will solve it.

Hand knitting for beginners.

Casting on, knit and purl, multi colour knitting and simple patterns, sewing up and finishing off. How to make your own simple patterns . Freeform knitting using lace, fairisle and intarsia techniques.(2 days)

What I offer

Workshops here at my studio

£40.00 per hour

4 Hours £110.00

To attend a guild or group for a workshop

£350.00 per day plus any travel costs.

Reviews

What I offer

Prices