February 21, 2026

Program: The Value of Color

presented by Michele Belson.

2 Day Spinning Workshop

Color In Spinning

by Anita Deen, spinner extraordinaire

Feb 19 and 20, 2026

Participant fee $125 total

Max 13 participants

Materials fee $15

Regi

Click the button to go directly to Wild Apricot Log in and then the workshop.

Any questions: judy@rmwg.org

Anita is an avid spinner and teacher for over 35 years. She weaves, knits, braids, crochets and does most any other fiber art that comes her way. Learning to weave while living in British Columbia led to her true love, spinning; and a passion to keep these functional and beautiful crafts alive by passing the skills on to others. Her desire is to arouse curiosity and help smooth the path to success and freedom of expression. She has a unique ability to make the complex simple and is very attuned to a student’s individual needs. She has taught at local shops and guilds, Convergence, the Estes Park Wool Market, and was published in Handwoven Magazine. Anita mentors individuals and small groups, spins for custom orders, and gives private lessons. She is happily retired from a career as a writer-editor and accountant; and lives with her husband and dog in a house where you can see fiber, yarn and tools just about anywhere you look.

Overview:

·       Workshop to take place over two days, with Day Two building upon skills learned on Day One.

·       It is meant for an Advanced Beginner skill level, the spinner must be able to spin a long, continuous thread.

·       Students will supply their own space dyed braids with various repeating colors, ideally 4 to 6 braids, in a combed braid (not carded); and a tonal braid (optional). See Definitions below.If you are not sure about the difference between combed or carded preps, give Anita a call.

·       A spinning wheel with a lazy kate is most appropriate for this class.

·       A materials fee of $15 will help cover fiber for use in practicing new techniques, add-ins such as color, sparkle, locks etc., and handouts.

·       I will provide a drum carder, blending board, several sets of hand cards and other needed small equipment for participants to share in class.

·       All techniques will be covered in class.

DAY 1 - Color in Spinning a Hand Dyed Braid

Have you ever purchased a braid of space-dyed hand dyed fiber and been so excited to spin it up and see what it becomes? But then at home the fears kick in, and you’re afraid to “ruin” the beautiful braid or turn it into the “mud” of legends. Well, we’re putting those fears to rest in this class! There are so many ways to spin a hand dyed braid of fiber. In our daylong class you’ll learn about color, learn new spinning methods and fiber preparation methods. And, one of the most important skills, how to trust your own “eye”. Come and grow your skills and confidence with color, spinning techniques and prep so you will spin those braids with joy and confidence. You will use a minimum of three braids, however, more braids will allow for more color exploration. All techniques covered in class.

Some Definitions may be helpful: (viewing this section is best on a laptop as the

pictures could be out of order on a phone)

WHAT FIBER WILL I NEED TO BRING TO CLASS?

  At the top of this photo is an example of a space dyed braid with various repeating colors, this is a great choice for this class. At the bottom is a braid with colors aligned throughout the braid in a lengthwise fashion. This is not a good choice for the class.

 This is a space dyed braid – you see color repeats along the length.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY “TONAL”?

A tonal braid may be interesting to bring, but it is optional. A tonal braid is one color, having variations in the depth of color, as in both of the above photographs.

More braids mean that more color play and experimentation is possible, but you can do this class with 2 or 3 braids. Combed fiber is best in this class. If you aren’t sure what that means, contact Anita.

There are many ways to play with the color in a braid! 

DAY 2 – Color in Action: One Braid Spun Three Ways, Woollen, Worsted, and More

Building on skills and inspiration from Day 1: for the first half of the morning you’ll take one half of a special braid, choose any method from yesterday’s class and spin it Worsted. The second half of the morning, you’ll take the other half of the same braid, drum card it (Woollen prep), hand card it, or make fauxlags (semi woollen preps) and spin it Woollen. In the afternoon, with the butterfly fully out of the cocoon, you will take another of your braids, choose any technique learned in the last day and a half, and begin spinning your braid. All techniques covered in class.