UPCOMING WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
BY W.J. JOHNSON OF SAGA HILL
– 2023 –
NEW!
AMERICAN SWEDISH INSTITUTE (ASI)
American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55407; 612-871-4907. asimn.org
I will be offering two flax production and spinning workshops as part of being awarded the 2022–2023 ASI Teaching Tools Grant (for flax processing equipment) (click here for more information).
NORDIC HANDCRAFT WORKSHOP
Intro to Swedish Linen with Wendy Johnson (a half-day workshop)
Saturday, April 22, 1–4 PM
SOLD OUT! A waiting list is being collected at ASI.
Click here for a link to the workshop details and how to get on the waiting list at ASI.
Learn about the rich, storied history of Swedish flax growing and linen processing from ancient times to today, and discover the steps involved in growing, harvesting, and processing flax fiber for making linen. Students will have a hands-on experience in the processing of flax stalks to spinnable fibers using traditional hand tools. Suitable for ages 16+.
Experience level: No experience is necessary. This workshop is for everyone interested in the history and growing of flax, not just for those interested in spinning it!
Materials: All supplies will be provided by the instructor. See the workshop description at asimn.org for more information on fees.
NORDIC HANDCRAFT WORKSHOP
Swedish Flax to Linen Spinning with Wendy Johnson (a half-day workshop)
Saturday, May 6, 1–4 PM
Click here for a link to the workshop details and how to register at ASI.
When spun, flax magically becomes the linen strands we revere for exquisite weaving and knitting. In this afternoon-long workshop, students will learn how to spin line (long) flax and tow (short) fibers with a wet-spinning technique, as well as practice dressing a distaff and spinning from it. The basic history and processing of flax will also be covered throughout the afternoon. Suitable for ages 16+.
Experience level: Students must have enough previous spinning experience to spin a single and ply yarn and provide their own spinning wheel (preferred) or drop spindle for use in the workshop.
Materials: Students must bring their own spinning wheels or drop spindles. All other supplies will be provided by the instructor. See the workshop description at asimn.org for more information on fees.
CITY OF PLYMOUTH, PARKS AND RECREATION
Plymouth Creek Activity Center, Education Wing, 14800 34th Avenue N., Plymouth, MN 55447.
Click here to visit the City of Plymouth Parks & Recreation website and register for these upcoming classes. To select the class, enter the activity number for the class (see below) on their online registration form. You will need to set up an online account with the City of Plymouth to be able to complete your registration.
Beyond Beginning Knitting
Saturday, April 1, 1–4 PM
Enter activity number 15113 at the City of Plymouth link above.
This is the next stage of knitting for advancing beginners who want to have more expertise in their knitting. The course will be guided by the student’s past knitting experience and their interest in next-step techniques, such as how to increase and decrease, different cast-on and bind-off methods, and work with different types of needles.
Experience level: Students need to have basic knitting skills (know how to cast on and knit).
Materials: Supply cost is included in the class fee, includes a skein of naturally colored worsted wool yarn for use in the class and to take home. Students need to bring their current favored knitting supplies and a set of needles for worsted wool (around a size 5). The instructor will have other styles of needles to borrow if the student wishes to try other types of needles. If the student has a special technique interest, please contact the instructor in advance of the class at wendy@sagahill.com. Specific interests will help guide the direction of the class.
Cost: $60 for Plymouth residents; $69 for non-residents
Silk Fusion – creating silk fabric/paper from silk fibers
Saturday, August 5, 1–4 PM
Enter activity number 25146 at the City of Plymouth link above.
Silk Fusion is a process that turns silk fibers into a strong silk fabric, also called “silk paper.” The finished fabric may be used in art quilts, embroidery, garments, lampshades (as seen in photo above), or other creative projects. Students will learn how to work with the silk, create their own cloth, and add embellishments, learn how to finish the cloth, and discuss ideas on how to use their approximately 12’’ x 12’’ piece of created silk fabric.
Experience level: None needed.
Materials: Supply cost is included in the class fee, includes a silk fusion kit with a screen, enough silk to produce the fabric sample, a small bottle of textile medium, and a paint brush—all of which the student may take home. The instructor will also provide additional items that the student may use to embellish the silk fabric.
Cost: $80 for Plymouth residents; $88 for non-residents
GAMMELGÅRDEN MUSEUM OF SCANDIA
20880 Olinda Trail North, Scandia, MN 55073
gammelgardenmuseum.org, 651-433-5053
Knit a Traditional Mitten from Lovikka, Sweden
Saturday, September 16, 9 AM–1 PM
Click here for cost information and to sign up for this workshop at Gammelgården.
Learn how to knit and embroider a mitten in the Swedish Lovikka style. Lovikka is a town located near the Arctic Circle with a renowned tradition of Sami-inspired embroidered embellishments, including a braided tassel. This mitten is knit in the round on double-pointed needles using a single-ply yarn. The students will learn about the interesting history of the Lovikka spinning and knitting tradition, and will knit, embroider, and learn how to “full” (lightly felt) a mini version of the Lovikka mitten.
Experience level: Students should know how to knit in the round on double-pointed needles.
Materials: One skein of Swedish Lovikka yarn and embroidery yarn for the mini-mitten is included in the workshop fee. Students need to bring size 9 double-pointed needles (preferably in a set of 5), a small stitch holder (optional), and a tapestry needle.
Cost & to register: Call Gammelgården at 651-433-5053.
Swedish Huck Weaving
Saturday, September 16, 1:30–4:30 PM
Click here for cost information and to sign up for this workshop at Gammelgården.
Swedish Huck Weaving is a fairly simple fabric embellishment that blends surface embroidery with weaving and produces seemingly complex geometric and linear designs on a particular type of fabric called huck fabric. To learn the techniques, students will embroider a hand towel from a pattern provided by the instructor.
Experience level: No experience needed.
Materials: Supply cost is included in the workshop fee, includes the prepared huck towel fabric, enough embroidery thread to weave a towel border, and huck needles.
Cost & to register: Call Gammelgården at 651-433-5053.
Classes & workshops are added as opportunities come up.
Keep in touch!
If you're interested in any class or workshop shown but can't attend on the scheduled date, please contact me.
If you don't see a class or workshop that interests you, some of my previously taught subjects include: Swedish Heritage Knitting, such as Lovikka Mitten Knitting; Tvåändstickning (Two-Ended/Twined Knitting); and Halland/Binge Knitting. Other knitting workshops & classes I offer are: Beginning Fair Isle Knitting (two-color knitting; Beginning Lace Knitting; Beginning Knitting; Modular Knitting; Beginning Mitten Knitting; among others.
Among my spinning workshops & classes are: Beginning Spinning with Spindle & Wheel; Spinning Short Fibers; Silk Spinning; Flax Processing & Spinning; Spinning Camelid Fibers; Wool Fiber Processing; and Fiber Dyeing.
If any of these subjects spark your interest (or another subject), please let me know. Advance interest helps establish future offerings.
Private workshops & classes & Speaking Engagements
I am able to schedule in-person private workshops & classes for individuals fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and groups following COVID-safe protocols. I also speak before groups on the subject of Swedish textiles and their history. Please contact me for more information.