Linda Shelhamer, an attorney, mother, and on-call for elderly parents, epitomizes the ‘sandwich generation.’ A chemical and natural dyer, spinner and weaver for 20+ years, Linda focuses on colorful projects easy to complete when distracted. Classes include dyeing and/or spinning self-striping yarns, punch needle embroidery, kumihimo, and faux-hard knitting.
Workshops & Classes
One or more day Workshops
DYEING
Variations on Variegation--Learn to dye various type of multi color yarns using acid dyes. We’ll dye 4 different yarns (1)a space dyed yarn (or warp); (2)a yarn Monet style guaranteed not to stripe; (3) a self-striping yarn with that faux fair isle/faux ikat look (4) a coordinating solid yarn.
Dyeing Self-Striping yarns—Not for Socks only
Dye several different self-striping yarns plus one solid. Design colorful yarns using common approaches including: split complimentary, triad, and analogous and pleasing proportions
Natural Dyeing for vibrant results-- We will use both gathered dye and purchased natural dyes to get intense color. Linda brings premordanted yarn or fiber as well as fabric.
PUNCH NEEDLE EMBROIDERY
Punch needle embroidery—Using yarns dyed by Linda learn the “new” technique of punch needle embroidery. Pick one of four weaving, spinning or other fiber art related designs and complete the design in class.
SPINNING
Spin Your Own Stripes. Learn to spin self-striping yarns so popular now. This is not a dyeing class, we start with 60+ colors of dyed roving.
Spinning for lace and embroidery—Learn to spin strong fine yarns for lace knitting, weaving or embroidery.
Spindle Spinning 101—Conquer Fear of Spindling
KNITTING
Faux-hard Knitting-- Students preview the various stitches in Linda’s Faux-hard knitting pattern series.
Half day seminars
Unspun fleece knitting or crocheting—make a small bag for a cell phone or other small use using unspun roving.
Faux Hard Knitting—
Mosaic or slip stitch knitting
Dye Silk ribbons along with various silk threads to use in embroidery, quilt embellishment, pinweaving, punch needle embroidery and other uses.
Core spinning and other easy novelty yarns
Approachable Color—No more theory lets get started. Bring yarn from home (or use teacher’s), and pick 6 other colors using the color wheel and common strategies.
Learn Kumihimo a traditional Japanese braiding technique—
Stretch the boundaries with Kumihimo--Today’s great variety of yarns, ribbons, and fabrics provide a vast new ground for Kumihimo. From lycra yarn, steel yarns, faux suede, fabric strips and more , we will explore ways to create unusual braids and bands with today’s materials.
Punch needle embroidery—Using yarns dyed by Linda, complete an item in this 3 hour class.
Color and Fiber Blending for Wonderful yarns. Start with 60+ color fibers explore carding to its fullest and have fun spinning.
