UPCOMING WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
BY W.J. JOHNSON OF SAGA HILL
– 2025 –
AMERICAN SWEDISH INSTITUTE (ASI)
American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55407; 612-871-4907. asimn.org
NORDIC HANDCRAFT WORKSHOPS AT ASI…More workshops at ASI in 2025! This spring and summer, my focus is on linen and flax. For now, two workshops are listed below, with more to follow soon.
Start Knitting with Linen
Sunday, June 1, 2025, 1–4 PM
Linen is a wonderful fiber for summer knitting but has a reputation for being challenging to knit. Taking inspiration from the patterned knits of Sweden’s Halland province, instructor and knitting designer Wendy will share tips and tricks for knitting with linen while students cast on a small cloth, perfect for use as a washcloth. Students will cast on a small (approx. 6” x 5”) cloth, which will feature a subtle star surface design from a very old Halland pattern-knit style.
Experience level: Ability to cast on, knit, purl, and bind off. Suitable for ages 16+.
Workshop Cost: $70 ($60 ASI member) + $20 materials fee
Materials: A $20 materials fee covers the pattern and the project’s linen yarn and is payable to the instructor in class. Students need to bring their own 24 inch wooden or bamboo (not metal!) circular needles in US 2, 3, or 4. Loose knitters should bring a size 2 or 3, and tight knitters should bring a size 3 or 4. Please also bring a tapestry needle and any other favorite knitting tools.
Click here for more details and to register at the ASI website.
Intro to Swedish Linen: Hands-on Flax Processing
This is a repeat session of the flax processing workshops that were sold out in 2023 and 2024.
Saturday, June 7, 2025, 1–4 PM
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 hands-on experience processing flax stalks to spinnable fibers using traditional hand tools.
Experience level: No experience is necessary. This workshop is for everyone interested in the history and cultivating of flax, not just for those interested in spinning it! Ages 18+.
Cost: $70 ($60 ASI members) + $30 materials fee.
Click here for more details and to register at the ASI website.
Finger-Woven Viking Braids
Sunday, July 20, 2025, 1–3:30 PM
Linen enthusiast Wendy will discuss the use of flax and linen during the Viking era. Then, students will spend the afternoon learning a finger-weaving technique to make linen braids, a technique that dates to the Viking era. Turn your finished braids into necklaces, lanyards, and bracelets.
Experience level: No experience is necessary. Suitable for ages 16+.
Cost: $65 ($55 ASI members) + $10 materials fee.
Click here for more details and to register at the ASI website.
Swedish Knit Sleeve Cuffs in the Halland Binge Tradition
Saturday, September 20, 2025, 1–4 PM
Design and start knitting Swedish sleeve cuffs in the Binge (pronounced “Bing-eh”) style from Halland, Southwest Sweden, in this afternoon workshop. This style, dating back to the 1600s, is characterized by colorwork patterns similar to Fair Isle.
Experience level: Students need to have basic knitting skills (know how to cast on, knit, purl, bind off). Ages 18+.
Cost: $70 ($60 ASI members) + $30 materials fee.
Click here for more details and to register at the ASI website.
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 or look for the class link below. To select the class, look for the activity number for the class on their online registration form. The June and July classes will open up in mid-March, 2025. You will need to set up an online account with the City of Plymouth to be able to complete your registration.
Learn to Knit or Refresh Your Knitting Skills
Saturday, June 28, 2025, 1–4 PM
Learn or brush up on the basics of knitting, including casting on, purling, and binding off.
Experience level: None needed. Suitable for ages 16+.
Materials: Needles and yarn are provided by the insructor.
Workshop cost: $70 Plymouth residents/$80 nonresidents
Register here through the City of Plymouth. Use Activity #25182-01.
Make a Modular Knitted and Felted Bag
July 19, 2025, 12:30–4:30 PM
Modular knitting begins with a single square and easily builds into an object or garment with few seams. In this workshop, modular knitting techniques will be taught while making a small bag that may be felted at home.
Experience level: Students need to know how to knit and purl.
Materials: Size 10, 16-inch or 24-inch circular needles or a set of size 10 straight and size 10 double-pointed needles, a tapestry needle, and any general knitting supplies. The yarn and pattern (created by the instructor) will be provided by the instructor.
Workshop cost: $70 Plymouth residents/$80 nonresidents
Register here through the City of Plymouth. Use Activity #25146-01.
WEAVER'S GUILD OF MINNESOTA (WGM)…
The WGM is a nationally-recognized organization for the arts of weaving, spinning, and dyeing. It is located in the Open Book Building, 1011 Washington Avenue South, Suite 350, Minneapolis, MN, 55415. Click here to go to the WGM website.
Flax to Linen Spinning
Saturday, September 6, 2025, 1–4 PM;
Repeated on September 27, 2025, 1–4 PM
I will discuss how flax and other bast fibers are grown and demonstrate the complex processing of the flax plant for hand spinning. You will try your hand at wheel spinning both line (long) flax and tow (short) fibers using a wet-spinning technique. I will also talk about my experience of growing, harvesting, and processing flax. Fiber is provided with a $30 materials fee.
Experience level: Intermediate spinner, preferably with experience on a wheel—please, no beginning wheel spinners!
Additional cost and registration details to come, or contact WGM (see above).
INGEBRETSEN'S NEEDLEWORK SHOP…
Ingebretsen's is a Nordic wares shop located at 1601 East Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN 55407. More workshops will be coming in 2026.
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 and groups. I also speak before groups on the subject of Swedish textiles and their history. Please contact me for more information.