Local Cloth upcoming events

Beginner Continental Knitting (24 October 2026)

Sat, 24 Oct 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Discover the speed, comfort, and fluid rhythm of Continental knitting in this comprehensive full-day beginner workshop. Whether you’re completely new to knitting or looking to switch from English (throwing) style, this class will guide you step-by-step through the fundamentals of efficient, ergonomic knitting.

What You’ll Learn

Over the course of six hands-on hours, you will learn:
How to comfortably tension yarn in your left hand
The Continental knit stitch (“picking” technique)
The Continental purl stitch
How to combine knit and purl stitches to create basic stitch patterns
Casting on and binding off
Reading simple knitting instructions and abbreviations
How to correct the most common beginner mistakes

Class Structure

This workshop is paced for absolute beginners—no prior knitting experience required. We’ll work in short guided segments with plenty of time for practice, troubleshooting, and individual help. By the end of the day, students will complete a small sampler project using both knit and purl stitches.

Who This Class Is For

Perfect for brand-new knitters, crocheters exploring knitting, or experienced English-style knitters interested in learning the Continental method.

Takeaway

Students leave with a completed sampler swatch, strong foundational skills, and the confidence to tackle beginner patterns using Continental techniques.

Level: Beginner

Instructor: Lisa Sandberg (Read Lisa's bio)

Members: $110

Non Members: $132

Materials fee: $10 cash, venmo, zelle, paypal, or cashapp (paid the day of workshop)

Materials provided by instructor:

25 grams of yarn per knitted sampler. (1 required, additional available for further home practice)

Students should bring: One set of size US 7-9 (4.5-5.5mm) circular knitting needle with a cord at least 12in. Scissors, tapestry needle and glasses if needed. Optional: stitch markers.

Learn about our cancellation & COVID policies here: Workshop Policies

Interested in a Local Cloth workshop scholarship? Apply here!

Needle Felt a Halloween Bat (26 October 2026)

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 13:00:00 GMT

In this workshop you should have some previous experience needle felting. I will have 2 variations of making the bats wings. One uses a wire armature and is not for beginners, the other we will cut the wings from prefelt. The little hand size bat will be perfect to hang in your doorway for Halloween.

Level: Intermediate

Instructor: Claudia Lemacks (Read Claudia's bio)

Members: $55

Non-Members: $66

Materials fee: $20 cash, venmo, or card (collected at time of workshop)

Materials provided by instructor: All wool and felting materials needed

Students should bring: You may bring a snack for yourself or to share with the group.

Learn about our cancellation & COVID policies here: Workshop Policies

Interested in a Local Cloth workshop scholarship? Apply here!

Fleece to Fiber (30 October 2026)

Fri, 30 Oct 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Start where it actually begins — with freshly shorn (dirty) wool.

In **Fleece to Fiber**, we begin with raw, unwashed fleece and walk step-by-step through the transformation into usable yarn. This is a hands-on, practical class designed to build real confidence working with wool in its natural state.

You won’t just hear about the process — you’ll do it.

We Begin With Cleaning

Each participant will receive**raw, unwashed wool** to practice

* Cleaning

* Washing/scouring techniques that clean without felting

* Proper temperature control and handling

* Drying methods

Spinning in the Grease

Before everything is perfectly washed and fluffy, we’ll briefly explore **spinning in the grease**: This gives you a real understanding of fiber behavior at different stages.

Carding Clean Wool

You will also receive **cleaned wool** to practice:

* Opening and fluffing fiber aka picking & flicking

* Combing & Hand carding

You’ll feel the difference between raw, washed, and fully prepared fiber — which is the key to discovering what kind of yarn you want to create.

From Fiber to Usable Product

We’ll finish by drafting and spinning prepared fiber into yarn using:

* Drop spindle (great for beginners)

* Spinning wheel (bring your own)

What You’ll Leave With

* Hands-on experience cleaning raw fleece

* Practice spinning both in the grease and from fiber you prepare

* Carded wool ready for spinning

* Confidence to process those fleeces you've been eyeing on your own

No prior experience required. All materials provided.

There is something deeply satisfying about working from fleece to finished fiber. Once you understand the whole process, you’ll never look at yarn the same way again.

Level: Beginner

Instructor: Kirsten Bonanza (Read Kirsten's bio)

Members: $110

Non Members: $132

Materials fee: $40 cash or venmo (to be paid day of the workshop)

Materials provided by instructor: Unwashed fleece, Washed fleece, soap, a mesh bag, a variety of carders and combs (to borrow)

Students should bring: Please bring drop spindles, and/or cards/ combs if you have them

Learn about our cancellation & COVID policies here: Workshop Policies

Interested in a Local Cloth workshop scholarship? Apply here!

Working with Gouache for Design and Painting (31 October 2026)

Sat, 31 Oct 2026 13:30:00 GMT

Discover the beauty and versatility of gouache as you create 3 finished works of art from concept to completion. In this hands-on class, you'll learn how to work with gouache in 3 different ways. Use it for design projects, use it like watercolor or use it straight from the tube to create an acrylic like painting. You will learn how to design a balanced composition, mix vibrant colors, and apply gouache using both transparent washes and rich, opaque layers. Through step-by-step instruction, you'll explore techniques for creating texture, depth, highlights, and fine details while developing your own artistic style. Whether you're new to gouache or looking to refine your skills, you'll gain the confidence to express your creativity and complete works you'll be proud to display or create your own portfolio. It’s easy to work with as well as very versatile. No experience necessary. Have some fun and challenge your creativity.

This class will be hosted off-site at the home of the instructor. Directions to the home will be provided after registration.

Skill Level: Beginner

Instructor: Camille Daunno (Read Camille's bio)

Members: $110

Non-members: $132

Materials Fee: $20 cash or venmo (collected at time of workshop)

Materials Provided by instructor: Set of Gouache paints, brushes, practice paper, watercolor pad, mixing palette, water container, pencil, eraser resource to work from

Student should bring: Lunch. Instructor will provide coffee, tea, water, cookies, snacks

Learn about our cancellation & COVID policies here: Workshop Policies

Interested in a Local Cloth workshop scholarship? Apply here!

Sashiko With Beads: Embellishing Traditional Designs (31 October 2026)

Sat, 31 Oct 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Take your sashiko stitching in a decorative, contemporary direction in this beyond-the-basics workshop. Beaded sashiko is a modern craft trend that replaces or accents traditional running stitches with Toho bugle beads, crafted for beauty and resilience in the historic city of Hiroshima. The 6 hour class (including 30 minute lunch break) begins with a brief sashiko refresher before moving into the techniques used to incorporate beads into geometric stitching patterns. Participants are expected to be comfortable following a grid-based Sashiko pattern (Hitomezashi). We will explore bead placement, thread and needle selection, secure stitching methods, and ways to adapt traditional Hitomezashi structures for contemporary textile work. Participants will craft three beaded sashiko items: a quilt square or embellished patch, a beaded brooch, and an amulet. These projects will provide experience working with different formats, finishing techniques, and possible applications for beaded sashiko on garments, accessories, quilts, and textile art.

Level: Intermediate

Members: $110

Non members: $132

Instructor: Gail Clement (Read Gail's bio)

Materials fee: $45 cash or venmo (to be collected day of workshop)

Materials supplied by teacher: Fabrics for practice and exercises; thin sashiko thread; bugle beads in 3 sizes; Sashiko beading needles; plain and metallic beading threads; 3 patterns; instructional handout

Materials students should bring: Needle minder, pin cushion, thread snips, magnifier if needed

Learn about our cancellation & COVID policies here: Workshop Policies

Interested in a Local Cloth workshop scholarship? Apply here!

Gelli Plate Printing on Fabric (01 November 2026)

Sun, 01 Nov 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Learn this fun technique and your imagination will do the rest. The possibilities , design and application will create gorgeous patterns, from just a few colors and single design to overlays and multiple patterns. Print note carts, make an Art print ready to hang, or print your own quilt squares or pieces of fabric to sew. You can print journal covers or just have fun experimenting.

This class will be hosted off-site at the home of the instructor. Directions to the home will be provided after registration.

Skill Level: Beginner

Instructor: Camille Daunno (Read Camille's bio)

Members: $55

Non-members: $66

Materials Fee: $10 cash or venmo (collected at time of workshop)

Materials Provided by instructor: Acrylic paint, silcone mats to work on, paper for test prints, Brayers, stencils, fabric squares 3 Gelli plates to share

Student should bring: Gelli plate, extra fabric squares, stencil of choice, apron, lunch for a break

Learn about our cancellation & COVID policies here: Workshop Policies

Interested in a Local Cloth workshop scholarship? Apply here!

Crochet Beyond Basics (04 November 2026)

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Crochet Beyond Basics will focus on crochet in the round, increasing, creating handles along with discussion on reading a pattern.

Level: Intermediate

Members: $110

Non members: $132

Instructor: Kate Hammond (Read Kate's bio)

Materials fee: No materials fee for this workshop.

Materials supplied by teacher: N/A

Materials students should bring: Any scrap yarn you have could be used in this project. The hook size will be determined by the yarn you choose. Typically, a worsted weight yarn will need a size 5.5 to 6mm hook. If you want to hold a couple of yarns together consider an 8mm hook. The goal is to have a good firm fabric so the basket will stand up. If you don’t have a stash, mention it to friends, aunties, neighbors and you will be amazed at what people will give you simply to reduce their stash. If not, buy some inexpensive yarn of various colors.

Learn about our cancellation & COVID policies here: Workshop Policies

Interested in a Local Cloth workshop scholarship? Apply here!

Tapestry 2.0 (06 November 2026)

Fri, 06 Nov 2026 15:00:00 GMT

This class is designed for students who know how to warp a loom and understand some basic techniques of weaving tapestry, meet and separate, hatching, as well as weaving geometric and curved shapes. If you have taken Betty's Beginning Tapestry weaving class you should have these skills. In this 3 day class we will review the above techniques as well as adding some new ones as you weave a small cartoon of your own design. Day 1 will be spent refining your image into a weaveable cartoon. Please bring any photos, sketches, or paintings you have and want to weave. This is not a design class, please have your design ideas worked out prior to class. You will warp your loom and start weaving once the cartoon is finalized. Day 2 and 3 you will weave your image. We will discuss finishing and ways to present your piece after cutting your piece off the loom on day 3.

Level: Intermediate

Instructor: Betty Hilton-Nash (Read Betty's bio)

Members: $330

Non members: $396

Materials fee: $20 cash, card, or venmo (to be collected day of class)

Materials provided by instructor: Warp, weft, printed instructional handout, looms are available at Local Cloth. If you have your own loom please get in touch with Betty first.

Materials students should bring: Scissors, a tapestry beater (heavy kitchen fork will do), ruler, a small hand mirror. Instructor has a few.

Learn about our cancellation & COVID policies here: Workshop Policies

Interested in a Local Cloth workshop scholarship? Apply here!

Tapestry 2.0 (07 November 2026)

Sat, 07 Nov 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Level: Intermediate

Instructor: Betty Hilton-Nash (Read Betty's bio)

Members: $330

Non members: $396

Materials fee: $20 cash, card, or venmo (to be collected day of class)

Materials provided by instructor: Warp, weft, printed instructional handout, looms are available at Local Cloth. If you have your own loom please get in touch with Betty first.

Materials students should bring: Scissors, a tapestry beater (heavy kitchen fork will do), ruler, a small hand mirror. Instructor has a few.

Learn about our cancellation & COVID policies here: Workshop Policies

Interested in a Local Cloth workshop scholarship? Apply here!

Tapestry 2.0 (08 November 2026)

Sun, 08 Nov 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Level: Intermediate

Instructor: Betty Hilton-Nash (Read Betty's bio)

Members: $330

Non members: $396

Materials fee: $20 cash, card, or venmo (to be collected day of class)

Materials provided by instructor: Warp, weft, printed instructional handout, looms are available at Local Cloth. If you have your own loom please get in touch with Betty first.

Materials students should bring: Scissors, a tapestry beater (heavy kitchen fork will do), ruler, a small hand mirror. Instructor has a few.

Learn about our cancellation & COVID policies here: Workshop Policies

Interested in a Local Cloth workshop scholarship? Apply here!

Let's Wet Felt a Vase or Field of Flowers (09 November 2026)

Mon, 09 Nov 2026 14:00:00 GMT

In this workshop you will learn how to turn wool into fabric by wet felting. You will learn the classic layout and technique for wet felting. We will all make a colorful vase of flowers or a field of flowers if you wish. When it is completed, it will be ready to hang or frame or embellish a jacket or a bag. Approx. finished size will be 6 x 9". Some of you may want to enhance your finished piece by adding needle felted details or embroidery to your design.

Level: Intermediate

Instructor: Claudia Lemacks (Read Claudia's bio)

Members: $55

Non-Members: $66

Materials fee: $20 cash, venmo, or card (collected at time of workshop)

Materials provided by instructor: All the wet felting tools, silk hankies, bamboo fibers, and lots of wool to play with.

Students should bring: Each student must bring an old bath size towel for under your work plus a hand towel and 2-4 cup size bowl for water. You should bring a snack for yourself or to share.

Learn about our cancellation & COVID policies here: Workshop Policies

Interested in a Local Cloth workshop scholarship? Apply here!

Mindful Bookmaking: Slow Making as a Form of Resistance (10 November 2026)

Tue, 10 Nov 2026 14:30:00 GMT

Join us for a special day of bookmaking and reflection on the making process. We will be making an easy but versatile book structure called an accordion or leporello. This is a very simple book to make that does not require sewing but it is very easy to adapt and the fun is putting together the contents of the book. Unlike a traditional book, the accordion pages can be opened out which allows the viewer to see the contents in a continuous way, creating a visual story. It can also be “read” like a traditional book, turning the pages one by one.

We will learn the basic structure of the book and the contents will be up to each person. You can fill your book with anything that is two dimensional: photographs, collage, drawing, painting, doodles, writing, fabric, embroidery…the possibilities are endless.

Along with learning how to make this book, there will be a portion of the class dedicated to sharing about the making experience. As part of her Masters thesis about the experiences of book binding students as we learn and create in community. Rachel will be leading us in a reflection at the end of the workshop. This optional reflection process will be geared toward identifying how the slow process of creating books by hand might be a way to resist the pressure of a world that is increasingly fast-paced, digital, and often more focused on quantity and profit than quality and meaning. Rachel will lead the group in a discussion which explores the meanings that develop through the objects created in group making processes to support her research.

Please note that no photographs will be taken, and you can opt out of the reflection or any portion of the workshop at any time.

Level: Beginner

Instructor: Joyce Tromba and Rachel Watkins (Read Joyce and Rachel's bios)

Members: $55

Non Members: $66

Materials fee: $10 cash, check, or venmo (to be paid day of the workshop)

Materials provided by instructor: All materials for making the book are provided.

Students should bring: Optional: bring whatever you want to put on your pages: prints, drawings, poetry or other writing, photographs.

Learn about our cancellation & COVID policy here: Workshop Policies

Interested in a Local Cloth workshop scholarship? Apply here!

Crochet Beyond Basics (11 November 2026)

Wed, 11 Nov 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Crochet Beyond Basics will focus on crochet in the round, increasing, creating handles along with discussion on reading a pattern.

Level: Intermediate

Members: $110

Non members: $132

Instructor: Kate Hammond (Read Kate's bio)

Materials fee: No materials fee for this workshop.

Materials supplied by teacher: N/A

Learn about our cancellation & COVID policies here: Workshop Policies

Interested in a Local Cloth workshop scholarship? Apply here!

Needle Felt an "Ugly" Christmas Sweater (12 November 2026)

Thu, 12 Nov 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Make your own ugly Christmas sweater with felting! Using wool roving and barbed needles, you’ll be creating your own festive masterpiece on a knit sweater to wear to your next holiday party. This technique can also be used to repair holes or cover stains, and bring life to an old sweater! If you bring your own sweater, make sure it’s knit and preferably not too thin. Very thin sweaters (think closer to t-shirt material) may develop holes or felted on. If you don't have a sweater, you can felt on a scarf, pants, anything you'd like a Christmas tree on!

Level: Beginner

Instructor: Emma DuBois (Read Emma's bio)

Members: $55

Non-Members: $66

Materials fee: $15 cash, venmo, or card (collected at time of workshop)

Materials provided by instructor: Green and brown wool for trees, colourful wool for ornaments, felting needles, felting pads, wet felting supplies, fabric to practice on.

Students should bring: A knit or woven garment to be felting on. It should be thicker than a t-shirt. Please refer to my article "how to choose a garment to felt on" for extra advice: https://emmadelalaine.com/blog/how-to-choose-a-garment-to-felt-on

Learn about our cancellation & COVID policies here: Workshop Policies

Interested in a Local Cloth workshop scholarship? Apply here!

Dabbling in Acid Dyes: Two Skeins, Two Techniques (13 November 2026)

Fri, 13 Nov 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Curious about dyeing your own yarn? Dabbling in Acid Dyes is a playful, hands-on introduction to using acid dyes on wool yarn.

Students will explore the basic principles of acid dyeing, including safe dye handling, preparing yarn, working with color, applying heat and acid, and properly finishing hand-dyed yarn.

Working with two full 100-gram skeins, students will create two distinctly different colorways: one multicolor skein and one dimensional solid. Along the way, we’ll explore intentional color placement, how colors interact, and techniques for creating depth and variation rather than perfectly uniform color.

Students will leave with 200 grams of their own hand-dyed yarn, two approachable dyeing techniques, and the foundational knowledge to continue experimenting with acid dyes at home.

No previous dyeing experience is necessary. Come ready to experiment, get a little colorful, and see what happens when yarn meets dye!

Level: Beginner

Instructor: Lisa Sandberg (Read Lisa's bio)

Members: $110

Non Members: $132

Materials fee: $35 cash or venmo (paid the day of workshop)

Materials provided by instructor: Two 100-gram skeins of wool yarn per student; professional acid dyes; citric acid; dyeing pans and utensils; measuring and application tools; gloves and other necessary dyeing supplies; heat-setting equipment; and materials needed for rinsing and finishing the dyed yarn.

Students should bring: Apron or old shirt/smock to protect clothing; wear clothing that can safely be stained and closed-toe shoes. Bring a notebook and pen/pencil for taking notes. All yarn, dyes, gloves, dyeing equipment, and other supplies will be provided by the instructor.

Learn about our cancellation & COVID policies here: Workshop Policies

Interested in a Local Cloth workshop scholarship? Apply here!

Knit Design 102: Winter Solstice Warmth (14 November 2026)

Sat, 14 Nov 2026 15:00:00 GMT

This is another "knitters' choice class" in the Knit Design series wherein students explore the infinity of knitted-stitch patterns that the basic knit and purl stitches can yield and their design value.

The series concept is to help knitters think like designers while also further developing creative and analytical knitting skills.

The two-fold objective of this workshop course is to (1) introduce students to several categories of knit stitches and provide written instructions for at least one example of each category including, for example, cable, decorative ribbing and "double yarnover" lace-effect stitches to incorporate in their project(s).

The (2) co-objective is for students to then decide on, and knit, leg-, arm- or wrist-warmers using whichever combination and order of stitch motifs they select, in chosen porportionate amounts, for an integrated project.

[The instructor's personal third objective is to provide a fun learning experience that also provides students with patterns for simple hand-knitted projects that do not require a lot of yarn, or time, to make and in time for holiday gift-giving.]

The instructor will provide written pattern stitch and pattern template instructions for the resulting project(s).

All written instructions are written for both (1) knitting "back and forth" on straight needles (aka knitting in rows) and (2) knitting "in the round" on double-pointed or circular needes, including the magic loop method, so students can work with either.

Level: Intermediate/Advanced Beginner

All knitters who can comfortably knit, purl, and work combinations thereof, as in a ribbing stitch, are welcome - as are students with different knitting "technique" preferences, whether American, British or Continental.

Instructor: Catherine Wingate (Read Catherine's bio)

Members: $220

Non members: $264

Materials fee: $5 paid via cash (to be collected day of workshop)

Materials Provided: The instructor will provide handouts to support learning of the different stitches.

Materials students should bring: Students should bring an adequate amount of sportweight yarn for instruction simplicity but DK and worsted weight yarns can be used if preferred.

For informational purposes, or for those wanting a similar result, the light blue armwarmer shown in the attached photograph uses Knit Picks' Wool of the Andes sport yarn in Wonderland Heather.

The manufacturer lists the gauge for this yarn as 6 sts = 1" on #3 - 5 needles (3.25mm-3.75mm). A 50 gram skein yields 137 yards and the armwarmer in the photograph used approximately 3.3 skeins.

It was knitted on size #4 needles and knitted in-the-round to yield a denser and warmer stitch than might be otherwise be used for a different garment.

[The yarn was used because it has been a favorite with students as affordable and readily available in a variety of colors. The instructor has no affiliation with Knit Picks beyond frequent buyer.]

Note: Students will have differing yardage needs depending upon the project(s) they choose to make. However if, for instance, one wants to knit a pair of legwarmers, of a known length and circumference, online resources and some yarn store personnel can advise on adequate yardage needs if the knitter provides the gauge achieved with that yarn. As always, having more than enough yarn is always advisable.

And, again as always, having more than enough yarn is always advisable.

Registered and prospective students are welcome to contact the instructor for further information at clkngo@aol.com.

Learn about our cancellation & COVID policies here: Workshop Policies

Interested in a Local Cloth workshop scholarship? Apply here!

Beginners Felting Workshop Make a Gnome, Penguin or Snowman (20 November 2026)

Fri, 20 Nov 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Learn to Needle felt with Claudia!

This is a Beginner workshop where you will learn the skills to sculpt a 3-D "critter" out of wool. It will be made by sculpting the shape entirely out of wool, I will provide all the supplies for this project. Which will include a foam felting pad, needles, core wool and outer wool and curly locks.

Level: Beginner

Instructor: Claudia Lemacks (Read Claudia's bio)

Members: $55

Non-Members: $66

Materials fee: $15 cash, venmo, or card (collected at time of workshop)

Materials provided by instructor: Instructor will provide all the supplies for this project, which will include a foam felting pad, needles, core wool, outer wool and curly locks, and several photos to use for reference.

Students should bring: You may want to bring a snack for yourself or to share, Local Cloth kitchen has coffee or tea, but please bring a cup.

Learn about our cancellation & COVID policies here: Workshop Policies

Interested in a Local Cloth workshop scholarship? Apply here!

Knit Design 102: Winter Solstice Warmth (21 November 2026)

Sat, 21 Nov 2026 15:00:00 GMT