Tea Ceremony and Weaving Workshops
Explorations in Wool: fleece processing, spinning, weaving and knitting
January 31 - February 1 | 10am-4pm Come get your hands on soft locally grown island wools and learn to process fleece, spin and dye yarn, weave and knit textile goods. This two-day workshop includes a track for hand weaving and knitting. All experience levels welcome.
Time & Location
Jan 31, 2026, 10:00 AM – Feb 01, 2026, 4:00 PM
Warm Valley Orchard, 124 Warm Valley Ln, Orcas, WA 98280, USA
About the event
Learn how to take a sustainable product like wool and transform it into a finished product. This two-day workshop will provide an overview of processing fleece, spinning and dying yarn, with a track for weaving and knitting. There will be demonstrations and explorations of different fleece processing, spinning and weaving and knitting techniques and tools used.
We'll start with an overview of processing fleece, then use a drop spindle to turn that fleece into yarn. Demonstrations and opportunities to try spinning on a spinning wheel are also included. Next you'll create a range of colorful yarn using acid reactive dyes. Have a spinning wheel you want to learn on? bring it!
Weaving track:
Day 2 you'll create a small cloth or tapestry incorporating your hand spun yarn from day 1. Explore color, textures, and a variety of stitches using a small frame loom (also called a tapestry loom).
If you've taken this class before or have some weaving experience, you are welcome to come and learn more advanced techniques and create in community. If you have your own loom, select the basic ticket for materials only.
Knitting track:
Day 2 Beginner: If you have no experience but are curious about knitting, you will learn the fundamental knitting techniques to create a flat cloth start to finish. Please bring size 8 circular or straight needles.
Day 2 Intermediate: If you have some basic knowledge of knitting, you'll learn to knit a customized hat using a pattern created by Cathy. Please come with 16” circular and a set of 4 double point needles, both in size 8.
The workshop is hosted by Maria Nutt, Mackenzie Sims, and Cathy Vierthaler at Maria's homestead: Warm Valley Orchard on Orcas Island.
Coming from off island? Ferry Schedule
Tickets
Explorations in Wool
Sale ends
Jan 30, 2026, 8:00 PM
Weaving: Workshop only ticket includes all materials you will need for the workshop. Weaving: Workshop + equipment includes everything you will need for the workshop plus a drop spindle and frame loom to take home. Knitting: Beginner/Intro Includes yarn for an introductory project, you'll learn fundamentals. Bring size 8 circular or straight needles. Knitting: Intermediate/Hat includes yarn, and hat pattern. Bring 16" circular and set of 4 double point needles, size 8
From $175.00 to $260.00
$175.00
+$4.38 ticket service fee
$260.00
+$6.50 ticket service fee
$205.00
+$5.13 ticket service fee
Total
$0.00