2024 Shenandoah Valley Fiber Festival Tickets

This is the general admission price per person for everyone 12 years and older. Children under age 12 are admitted free of charge. This ticket is valid for one day only. If you plan to come both days, please buy two tickets. Show your ticket at the admission gate as you arrive. You will receive a free door-prize ticket with paid entry as well as the event program booklet. Additional raffle tickets available to purchase at the info tent. ***People taking classes at SVFF receive free entry for the day of their class.***

Learn the ancient and timeless art of spinning. Students will start on a drop spindle to learn basic skills, and then move onto a wheel if they wish. Easy to learn and so rewarding, this is a class you will enjoy and a skill you will learn to love. The class includes an introduction to fiber characteristics, basic spinning skills, and hands on assistance from a spinner with more than twenty years’ experience in teaching spinning. Materials fee covers: Fiber. Materials fees are included in the cost of registration. Students should bring a sense of humor and a bit of patience. If a student wishes to bring a wheel from home to use in class, they should plan to arrive at class at least ten minutes early to allow the instructor to approve the wheel. Students with wheels that are deemed non-functioning will not be able to spin with them in class.

Have you wanted to learn how to crochet? Brian can teach you the basics of how to get started and share his favorite resources to get you started and more confident. Materials fee includes worsted yarn and hook. Student minimum age: 12

Seams can bedevil even the best knitter and make a great project merely good. Tame the beast now! In this class students will seam stockinette stitch, garter stitch, and ribbing in pattern. We’ll practice grafting for sock toes, and end with two different versions of three-needle bind off. There is no materials fee. Student minimum age: 12 Bring: homework swatch still on the needles blunt tapestry needle for sewing seams contrasting waste yarn crochet hook (optional but possibly helpful) Homework directions here: https://jolieaelder.blogspot.com/p/now-how-do-i-finish.html Skills needed: know how to knit and purl, work in the round

In this three-hour workshop, you’ll learn the principles of wet felting while creating two unique fantasy flowers to make into a brooch, napkin ring or other decorative item. Using fine wool, silk, bamboo and other fibers you’ll learn how to layout and hand felt a stunning flower like a poinsettia, lily, daffodil or moonflower using soap and water, bubble wrap and a little bit of work. Students should come in comfortable clothes that will most likely get wet and be able to stand for short periods of time. Students should bring two towels each, a plastic bag and a pair of sharp scissors! Materials fees included in registration cost and include: bubble wrap, wool, silk, use of tools, and soap. Bring to class: two full sized towels and a plastic bag to take them home. No homework. Students will need to be able to stand for short periods of time. Students need to be prepared to get wet! Minimum student age: 8 (with parental/guardian supervision, please)

Corner-to-corner (C2C) crochet has increased in popularity. In this class you'll learn how to change colors while doing the C2C technique, including increasing, decreasing, and finishing. Materials fee includes worsted yarn, hook, and pattern. Student minimum age: 12

What is an art batt? How might you make one? What can you do with it, and why would you want to? How does a dog comb come into the fiber-prep picture? And what in the world is a rolag? Come card with Q and learn answers to those questions–and more. Yes, we ARE batty for batts–and we think you will be as well! Students will leave with the basic skills needed to create art batts, knowledge of some handy creative-carding tools, and fibery clouds of various kinds designed using ingredients from the unique Foldout Cat Batt Buffet and created using hand cards, blending boards, and drum carders. Materials cost covers: Use of instructor's hand cards, blending boards, and drum carders; access to and use of instructor's Batt Buffet to design and create various multi-textured fiber preparations. The Foldout Cat Batt Buffet offers a variety of fibers for carding, including Merino and other wools, silk and sari silk, bamboo, Angelina, firestar, and more. Students will also go home with a pet-comb hand card/burnishing brush to keep. Blending boards used in class will be available for purchase if desired (not required!) at its conclusion. Materials fees are included in the cost of registration. No participant-provided materials required: instructor will provide all tools and materials. Students just need to bring their willingness to experiment and explore! No homework prior to class. No prior knowledge of fiber prep in general or carding in particular needed to take this class, which is geared towards the beginner. Students must be tall enough to reach the drum carders and to treat them with the care both student and carder deserve, and must be able to focus for the duration of the class.

Are you curious about working with wool fleece, but not sure where to start? This class will begin with a discussion about wool types, how to choose a good fleece, how to wash your new fleece and how to prepare the fiber for spinning or felting, followed by some hands-on experience at the fleece jurying for the festival. Materials cost covers handouts and a fleece sampler. Materials costs are included in registration. Some standing will be needed at the fleece tables and sorting fleeces can be messy so wear old clothes and/or bring an apron. Bring note taking tools. There is no homework. This class requires some standing, if needed bring a folding chair

Learn how to create your own yarn using the timeless skill of drop spinning. In this introduction to drop spinning you will learn how to choose a fiber to spin, how to draft and apply appropriate twist, how to ply, and how to finish your yarn. Easy to learn and with practice can be a very meditative and peaceful pastime. Materials fee covers: Fiber. Materials fees are included in the cost of registration. Students should bring a sense of humor and a bit of patience.

You too can be a knitting surgeon! This class will teach you how to fix mistakes. We will explore and practice how to use a lifeline, when to frog (i.e. rip back), when to tink (unknit backward), and when to drop stitches and pick them up. You’ll even practice how to correct an incorrectly crossed cable. This class is always empowering! There is no materials fee. Student minimum age: 12 Homework: swatch still on the needles — larger yarn, lighter color, and looser stitches preferred crochet hook non-slippery double-pointed needle waste yarn or dental floss for a lifeline blunt tapestry needle Directions for homework swatch are here: https://jolieaelder.blogspot.com/p/oops-now-what-do-i-do-homework.html Skills needed: know how to knit and purl, can read a pattern, cable

If you’ve ever made a cabled scarf or blanket, you know how it is only partly satisfying. One side is an array of beautiful cables, and the other side is obviously the wrong side. What if there was a way to make both sides good without resorting to double-knitting? But there is! This class will cover simple reversible cables as well as ribbles and twists. Alas! These tricks don’t work for all types of cables; but we will look at when they can and can’t be applied. There is no materials fee. Student minimum age: 12 Bring: homework swatch in class yarn (smooth, non-splitting, light or bright or medium color) needles to work that yarn in ribbing cable needle a pin for marking the right side of your work Directions for homework swatch are here: https://jolieaelder.blogspot.com/p/easy-reversible-cables-homework.html Skills needed: know how to knit and purl, 1×1 and 2×2 ribbing and already know how to cable

Weave your heart! Learn to weave freestyle and free-spirited on a simple floor loom. Honor your own inner sense of beauty and truth as you play with color, texture, and technique, and come away with a unique piece of woven art that reflects your creative spirit (yes, you absolutely do have one!). Students will learn the basic skills of freestyle weaving on a highly approachable, easy-to-use two-harness floor loom. The class will emphasize play, experimentation, and individual exploration of color and texture in the service of personal expression; a few simple weaving techniques will be taught along the way. Students will take home what they weave. Students just need to bring their willingness to experiment and explore--and to practice imperfection! Materials cost covers: Use of warped SAORI loom; use of associated tools (shuttles, bobbins, etc.); access to and use of a wide variety of different weaving materials, including yarn in various fibers, colors, and textures, embroidery floss, fabric scraps, fiber, trim, beads, wire, Mylar, etc. Each student will also get a bag of fibery treasures to keep; they can be used in class, in a future weaving, or both. And of course, students will take home whatever they weave! Materials fees are included in the cost of registration. No participant-provided materials required: instructor will provide all tools and materials. Students just need to bring their willingness to experiment and explore--and to practice imperfection! That said, if students want to bring something personally meaningful to them to incorporate into their weaving if possible, they're welcome--indeed, encouraged--to do so. Some past examples: specialty paper, pieces of jewelry (this is a fun use for unmatched earrings), student's handspun yarn (handspun of all sorts weaves up wonderfully), dyed or undyed fiber, leftover quantities of treasured yarn too small to knit or crochet a finished item with. No homework prior to class. Indeed, no previous experience with weaving required (though experienced weavers are as welcome as complete novices). Class is truly intended to be open to anyone who wants to try freestyle weaving, from the experienced weaver to the person who’s never even touched a loom before.

Learn the ancient and timeless art of spinning. Students will start on a drop spindle to learn basic skills, and then move onto a wheel if they wish. Easy to learn and so rewarding, this is a class you will enjoy and a skill you will learn to love. The class includes an introduction to fiber characteristics, basic spinning skills, and hands on assistance from a spinner with more than twenty years’ experience in teaching spinning. Materials fee covers: Fiber. Materials fees are included in the cost of registration. Students should bring a sense of humor and a bit of patience. If a student wishes to bring a wheel from home to use in class, they should plan to arrive at class at least ten minutes early to allow the instructor to approve the wheel. Students with wheels that are deemed non-functioning will not be able to spin with them in class.

We will start at the sheep with sorting and grading fleece, moving on to washing, picking & carding with hand cards. Wool combing and preparation for worsted spinning and a unique approach to using the drum carder to produce small rolags will also be covered. Materials cost covers handouts and a fleece sampler. Instructor will have hand cards and a drum carder for use in class; students may bring hand cards if they have them. Materials costs are included in registration.

In this three-hour workshop, you’ll learn the principles of wet felting while creating two unique fantasy flowers to make into a brooch, napkin ring or other decorative item. Using fine wool, silk, bamboo and other fibers you’ll learn how to layout and hand felt a stunning flower like a poinsettia, lily, daffodil or moonflower using soap and water, bubble wrap and a little bit of work. Students should come in comfortable clothes that will most likely get wet and be able to stand for short periods of time. Students should bring two towels each, a plastic bag and a pair of sharp scissors! Materials fees included in registration cost and include: bubble wrap, wool, silk, use of tools, and soap. Bring to class: two full sized towels and a plastic bag to take them home. No homework. Students will need to be able to stand for short periods of time. Students need to be prepared to get wet! Minimum student age: 8 (with parental/guardian supervision, please)

Weave your joy! Maybe you’ve done a little weaving in the freestyle world, and you find it speaks to your heart. Now you’re ready to learn some new techniques to add to your freespirited toolbox as you continue down your weaving path. Invite this class into your life! Students will learn various ways to add creativity and personal expression to warp and weft as they weave the fabric of their heart on a highly approachable and easy-to-use two-harness floor loom. Supplemental warps, interlaid and interlocked shapes, rya knots, loops and worms, and more creative choices await! Materials cost covers: Use of warped SAORI loom; use of associated tools (shuttles, bobbins, etc.); access to and use of a wide variety of different weaving materials, including yarn in various fibers, colors, and textures, embroidery floss, fabric scraps, fiber, trim, beads, wire, Mylar, etc. Each student will also get a bag of fibery treasures to keep; they can be used in class, in a future weaving, or both. And of course, students will take home whatever they weave! Materials fees are included in the cost of registration. No participant-provided materials required: instructor will provide all tools and materials. Students just need to bring their willingness to experiment and explore--and to practice imperfection! That said, if students want to bring something personally meaningful to them to incorporate into their weaving if possible, they're welcome--indeed, encouraged--to do so. Some past examples: specialty paper, pieces of jewelry (this is a fun use for unmatched earrings), student's handspun yarn (handspun of all sorts weaves up wonderfully), dyed or undyed fiber, leftover quantities of treasured yarn too small to knit or crochet a finished item with. No homework prior to class. Indeed, no previous experience with weaving required (though experienced weavers are as welcome as complete novices). Class is truly intended to be open to anyone who wants to try freestyle weaving, from the experienced weaver to the person who’s never even touched a loom before. Students must be tall enough to reach the floor pedals on the looms and able to focus for the duration of the class. Students must be able to sit on a slightly padded keyboard bench for the duration of the class (don’t worry, the instructor will require regular stand-up breaks!).

Learn the gentle art of spinning on a supported spindle. During this class, we will discuss different supported spindle types, fiber types and preparation, starting the spinning, spinning and drafting strategies, and plying. Following a brief lecture & show-and-tell, there will be hands-on practice, so students should bring their own supported spindles and bowls; instructor will bring additional tools to sample as time permits. Students should have at least basic experience drafting and spinning. Materials fee covers: Fiber & leader to use during the class Materials fees are included in the cost of registration. The student should bring their own supported spindle and bowl. The student should have the ability to draft fiber and have prior spinning experience on other tools. Student minimum age: 16

Are you ready for some stunning stunt knitting? Would you like to knit an entire sweater in only 10 or 20 rows? This class will walk you through how to knit labyrinth fabric based on the work of Debbie New. This fabric can show off multicolored yarns to wonderful effect and create kaleidoscopic effects from Fair Isle patterns. Additionally, we will consider under-explored implications including hexagonal labyrinths, lace labyrinths, and side-to-side labyrinths. Impress your knitting friends and yourself! Skill level is advanced. Prerequisite: Must have experience with mitered squares. Must know how to work a double decrease (three stitches become one) and a double increase (one stitch becomes three). If you have never made mitered squares, please make the two optional homework swatches (directions here), which are a decreasing mitered square and an increasing mitered square. Know how you like to use markers so you can reliably work a double decrease or a double increase without the line "drifting." What you will learn: how to plan a labyrinth project how to knit a right-turning labyrinth how to knit a left-turning labyrinth how to join it all together tips and tricks for keeping track as you work Students receive a handout in booklet form and the patterns for Twist & Turn Cube and Zig-Zag Cube. There is no materials fee. Student minimum age: 12 Bring: class yarn (smooth, non-splitting, light or bright or medium color); multiple colors of yarn or long-print yarns are especially fun in this technique. a long (40- or 60-inch) circular or interchangeable needle you like with this yarn stitch markers in at least two colors crochet hook Homework: Know your favorite double-increase (turn one stitch into three) and double-decrease (turn three stitches into one) and how you like to use stitch markers at those points. Please take a few minutes to practice both of those before class if it has been awhile since you have used either technique. If you have never made mitered squares, please work one increasing mitered square and one decreasing mitered square. Directions for homework practice are here: https://jolieaelder.blogspot.com/p/liberating-labyrinth.html

You have a wheel, and you can spin a basic single ply yarn, but it takes longer than it should, and you aren’t sure what to do next. Don’t worry! There is more out there – if you are excited to learn take that next step NOW! Learn back draw and forward draw, and the famous long draw! We will practice some different plying techniques, venture a tiny bit down the art yarn path, and work on finishing techniques as well. -Up your wheel spinning game in a safe environment with a teacher who has been spinning for decades. Materials cost covers: Fiber and color options. Materials fees are included in the cost of registration. Please bring a functioning wheel that you are comfortable using and at least three bobbins of different color singles. No specific length of singles (half bobbin or a less is fine) just a gracious plenty to be able to practice different plies. Bring at least two ounces of two different colors of roving to use when practicing some art yarn techniques. Suggested for class: if you have multiple roving colors bring some and you can trade with others to create fun yarns. The instructor will be bringing some for you to use, but more is always better. If you have a lazy kate, bring it, if not bring a shoe box, and if you don’t have that, don’t worry we will fix you up! Students must be able to spin a continuous yarn.

Tempted by spinning but not sure a regular wheel’s for you? Intrigued by the idea of making just the yarn you want but not sure where you’d put a wheel if you had one? Feet/knees not doing what you want as painlessly as they used to, making the whole treadling part of wheel spinning look less than fun? Take an e-spinner for, well, a spin! Try several out in this experiential, process-oriented class for folks just starting their spinning journey. E-spinners are small, tabletop-friendly, juiced up and ready to go–you might discover one that’s just right for you! Materials cost covers: Shared use of instructor’s herd of e-spinners, including models by Daedalus, Dreaming Robots/EEW, Hansen, and more; access to 100% wool roving from various breeds (Bluefaced Leicester, Cheviot, Corriedale, Falkland, Merino) for use in experimenting with provided e-spinners. Materials fees are included in the cost of registration. No participant-provided materials required: instructor will provide all tools and materials. Students just need to bring their curiosity and willingness to learn–and their patience with the process and with themselves. No homework prior to class. No previous experience required; class is specifically designed for new spinners who want to explore e-spinning. Class is process-oriented, rather than product-oriented. Students must have enough manual dexterity to hold and draft wool roving and must be able to to focus for the duration of the class. Students must have enough manual dexterity to hold and draft wool roving and must be able to to focus for the duration of the class.

Handpainted rovings are plentiful and popular these days, but many spinners are not sure how to work with these beautiful fibers. Come and learn different methods of predrafting, fractal spinning and chain plying to help you make the best use of these exciting rovings. Materials cost covers handouts and handpainted roving sampler. Materials costs are included in registration. Students should be able to spin a continuous yarn. Students should bring hand spindles and/or a spinning wheel as well as any handpainted rovings they wish to experiment with or have questions about.

Shadow or illusion knitting is a garter ridge stitch fabric that has an observable pattern when viewed from a specific oblique direction. When viewed directly, it mimics two-row stripes. It is an easy, fun, and mysterious way to add patterns to otherwise plain projects, especially garter stitch. Included bonus material is my solution for working this fabric reversibly. There is no materials fee. Student minimum age: 12 Bring: class yarn (smooth, non-splitting) in 2 contrasting colors — colors similar in hue and/or value will make the illusion less pronounced appropriate-sized needles for working stockinette and garter firmly (not loosely) in this yarn possibly stitch markers possibly highlighter tape or magnetic board, as we will be working from a chart No homework. Skills needed: know how to knit and purl, can read a pattern

You have a wheel, and you can spin a basic single ply yarn, but it takes longer than it should, and you aren’t sure what to do next. Don’t worry! There is more out there – if you are excited to learn take that next step NOW! Learn back draw and forward draw, and the famous long draw! We will practice some different plying techniques, venture a tiny bit down the art yarn path, and work on finishing techniques as well. -Up your wheel spinning game in a safe environment with a teacher who has been spinning for decades. Materials cost covers: Fiber and color options. Materials fees are included in the cost of registration. Please bring a functioning wheel that you are comfortable using and at least three bobbins of different color singles. No specific length of singles (half bobbin or a less is fine) just a gracious plenty to be able to practice different plies. Bring at least two ounces of two different colors of roving to use when practicing some art yarn techniques. Suggested for class: if you have multiple roving colors bring some and you can trade with others to create fun yarns. The instructor will be bringing some for you to use, but more is always better. If you have a lazy kate, bring it, if not bring a shoe box, and if you don’t have that, don’t worry we will fix you up! Students must be able to spin a continuous yarn.

Learn the gentle art of spinning on a supported spindle. During this class, we will discuss different supported spindle types, fiber types and preparation, starting the spinning, spinning and drafting strategies, and plying. Following a brief lecture & show-and-tell, there will be hands-on practice, so students should bring their own supported spindles and bowls; instructor will bring additional tools to sample as time permits. Students should have at least basic experience drafting and spinning. Materials fee covers: Fiber & leader to use during the class Materials fees are included in the cost of registration. The student should bring their own supported spindle and bowl. The student should have the ability to draft fiber and have prior spinning experience on other tools. Student minimum age: 16

Do you dread 1×1 ribbing? Are your ssk decreases less tidy than your k2tog? Are you a continental knitter who hates purling? Do you have trouble working make1-left and make1-right? Do you know all four needle positions? Do you know the difference between left-facing and right-facing stitches? Combination knitting exploits stitch facings and needle positions. Learn how to combination knit and when to use it to make your knitting both more pleasant to do and more beautiful as a finished product. There is no materials fee. Student minimum age: 12 Bring: 2 homework swatches in class yarn (smooth, non-splitting, light or bright or medium color) needles to work both flat and in the round possibly extra sizes of needles Directions for homework here: https://jolieaelder.blogspot.com/p/knit-faster-homework.html Skills needed: know how to knit and purl, can read a pattern, work in the round, decrease, not fear a basic chart

This class introduces the art of wire wrapping both sea glass and gemstones. Each piece you make will have different twists and turns that when combined will be beautiful pendants to wear, gift or sell. We will be twisting copper wire and using buttons to create a tree of life. Materials supplied include: wire, wire cutter, pliers, sea glass, gemstone and/or smooth rock. Materials fees are included in the cost of registration.

Learn the ancient and timeless art of spinning. Students will start on a drop spindle to learn basic skills, and then move onto a wheel if they wish. Easy to learn and so rewarding, this is a class you will enjoy and a skill you will learn to love. The class includes an introduction to fiber characteristics, basic spinning skills, and hands on assistance from a spinner with more than twenty years’ experience in teaching spinning. Materials fee covers: Fiber. Materials fees are included in the cost of registration. Students should bring a sense of humor and a bit of patience. If a student wishes to bring a wheel from home to use in class, they should plan to arrive at class at least ten minutes early to allow the instructor to approve the wheel. Students with wheels that are deemed non-functioning will not be able to spin with them in class.

This class introduces the art of wire wrapping both sea glass and gemstones. Each piece you make will have different twists and turns that when combined will be beautiful pendants to wear, gift or sell. We will be twisting copper wire and using buttons to create a tree of life. Materials supplied include: wire, wire cutter, pliers, sea glass, gemstone and/or smooth rock. Materials fees are included in the cost of registration.

Jewelry: Let’s create a beautiful pieces of jewelry using Viking wire weaving method using cooper metals, slightly freestyle! Kim Garver, educator knitting techniques/restorer of vintage sock & knit machines.Constant in her creative endeavor to create beautiful works of art. Materials supplied include: wire, drawling rool, mandrel, beads Materials fees are included in the cost of registration. Bring to class: wire cutters and needle nosed pliers. While beads will be provided, please feel free to bring a focal bead of your choice!

Jewelry: Let’s create a beautiful pieces of jewelry using Viking wire weaving method using cooper metals, slightly freestyle! Kim Garver, educator knitting techniques/restorer of vintage sock & knit machines.Constant in her creative endeavor to create beautiful works of art. Materials supplied include: wire, drawling rool, mandrel, beads Materials fees are included in the cost of registration. Bring to class: wire cutters and needle nosed pliers. While beads will be provided, please feel free to bring a focal bead of your choice!

[This is a tentative write-up, but the class will be awesome!] In this three-hour workshop, you’ll learn the principles of wet felting while creating a vessel. Using fine wool, silk, bamboo and other fibers you’ll learn how to layout and hand felt a stunning vessel using soap and water, bubble wrap and a little bit of work. Students should come in comfortable clothes that will most likely get wet and be able to stand for short periods of time. Students should bring two towels each, a plastic bag and a pair of sharp scissors! Materials fees included in registration cost and include: bubble wrap, wool, silk, use of tools, and soap. Bring to class: two full sized towels and a plastic bag to take them home. No homework. Students will need to be able to stand for short periods of time. Students need to be prepared to get wet! Minimum student age: 8 (with parental/guardian supervision, please)