UPCOMING WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
BY W.J. JOHNSON OF SAGA HILL
– 2024 & 2025 –
AMERICAN SWEDISH INSTITUTE (ASI)
American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55407; 612-871-4907. asimn.org
NORDIC HANDCRAFT WORKSHOPS AT ASI…I will have more workshops at ASI in 2025! My focus will be on linen and flax with two workshops in the late spring/early summer:
Knitting with Linen (Sunday, June 1, 2025—will be found in the ASI Winter/Spring workshops)
Hands-on Flax Processing (Saturday, June 7, 2025—will be found in the ASI Summer workshops).
Return here later for more details on these ASI workshops!
THREE RIVERS PARK DISTRICT – GALE WOODS FARM…
Gale Woods, 7210 County Road 110W, Minnetrista, MN, 55364, is a working educational farm and part of the Three Rivers Park District. For more information, call the farm at 763-694-2001 or visit the Gale Woods Farm website. Click here to go to the Gale Woods Farm website.
Advanced Spinning Workshop
Saturday, November 23rd
1-4 PM
Spend the afternoon spinning and learning more about spinning at Gale Woods Farm! I will kick things off with a presentation on spinning Minnesota grown fibers, particularly flax and wool, followed by time spinning together while answering questions and sharing tips.
Experience level: Prior spinning experience is required, and participants must bring their own wheel. For ages 18+.
Cost: $50/person. Registrations are required by November 9, 2024. To register, see the link above for the farm website, or call the farm at 763-694-2001.
INGEBRETSEN'S NEEDLEWORK SHOP…
Ingebretsen's is a Nordic wares shop located at 1601 East Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN 55407. Click here to visit the Ingebretsen's website and register for classes.
Learn Tvåändstickning (Swedish Two-Ended Knitting)
March 29, 2025, Noon–3:30 PM
Learn the basics of tvåändsticking (Swedish two-ended/twined knitting) and begin a pair of fingerless mitts. Two-ended knitting is a traditional Swedish knitting technique dating back to, at least, the 1600s. It uses two ends of yarn, creating a dense fabric. Students will learn how to knit and purl with the two-ended technique and start a pair of fingerless mitts or cuffs that are not only warm but extremely durable. (Note: The current photo does not show the final project.)
Experience level: Ability to knit and purl, and preferably some experience using double-pointed needles. Suitable for ages 16+.
Materials: The yarn may be purchased at the shop prior to the start of class. Students should bring a set of U.S. size 4 double-pointed needles (needles may also be purchased at the shop before class) and any basic knitting tools they may have. If you have them, it would be wise to bring a range of double-pointed needle sizes to confirm your gauge.
Cost: Registration is opening in November of 2024. Contact Ingebretsen's website above for the cost and how to register.
Beginning Swedish Huck Weaving
Saturday, April 26, 2025, 1–4 PM
Embellish your own beautiful and useful hand towel using Swedish Huck Weaving! Huck Weaving blends surface embroidery with weaving, creating the appearance of complex geometric and linear designs from simple techniques. Suitable for ages 16+.
Experience level: None needed. Suitable for ages 16+.
Materials: A materials fee due in class covers the pattern, handouts, one prepared Huck hand towel (approximately 16x24 inches), and huck embroidery needles. Students may purchase the embroidery thread (3 hanks of #5 perle cotton in coordinating hues) in the shop prior to the class. If needed, plan to bring magnifiers or readers. Students are also invited to bring their own huck woven objects for class viewing.
Cost: Registration is opening in November of 2024. Contact Ingebretsen's website above for the cost and how to register.
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 (to come soon) 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.
Beginning Swedish Huck Weaving
Saturday, April 12, 2025, 1–4 PM
Embellish your own beautiful and useful hand towel using Swedish Huck Weaving! Huck Weaving blends surface embroidery with weaving, creating the appearance of complex geometric and linear designs from simple techniques. Suitable for ages 16+.
Experience level: None needed. Suitable for ages 16+.
Materials: A materials fee due in class covers the pattern, handouts, one prepared Huck hand towel (approximately 16x24 inches), huck embroidery needles, and three hanks of embroidery thread. If needed, plan to bring magnifiers or readers. Students are also invited to bring their own huck woven objects for class viewing.
Workshop cost and registration will be through the City of Plymouth. More information to come in early 2025.
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.
Currently, I have no workshops scheduled at WGM, although there may be something scheduled in the future.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.