UPCOMING WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
BY W.J. JOHNSON OF SAGA HILL
– 2026 –
AMERICAN SWEDISH INSTITUTE (ASI)
American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55407; 612-871-4907. asimn.org
NORDIC HANDCRAFT WORKSHOPS AT ASI…
Begin to Knit Like a Swede – a beginning or refresher knitting workshop
Saturday, April 25, 2026, 12:30–4 PM
This workshop is for beginning knitters or those who wish to refresh their dormant knitting skills. Students will learn to cast on, work basic knit and purl stitches using a left-handed wrapping technique, and learn how to finish their work. The project is a small cuff that may be used as a pulse warmer or a cup cozy. The instructor will share the extensive history of Swedish knitting traditions while students work on their project.
Experience level: None needed. Suitable for ages 16+.
Materials: All materials (yarn, knitting needles, ornamental buttons, and a pattern) will be provided by the instructor with a $35 materials fee payable to the instructor.
Registration: Go to the ASI website (above) to see the workshop cost and to register or click here.
Beginning Swedish Huck Weaving
Sunday, July 12, 2026, 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 for a pattern, handouts, one prepared Huck hand towel (approximately 16x24 inches), 3 hanks of #5 perle cotton in coordinating hues, and huck embroidery needle is included in the workshop fee. If needed, plan to bring magnifiers or readers. Students are also invited to bring their own huck woven objects for class viewing.
Registration will open at ASI in the late spring of 2026.
Intro to Swedish Linen: Hands-on Flax Processing
Saturday, August 16, 2026, 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+.
Registration will open at ASI in the late spring of 2026.
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
Go to the WGM website link above to get on a waiting list to learn when the next Flax to Linen Spinning workshops will be scheduled for 2026!
In these one-day workshops, I discuss how flax and other bast fibers are grown and demonstrate the complex processing of the flax plant for hand spinning. Students try 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 materials fee. This workshop is for spinners who can spin a reliable singles yarn. Wheel spinning is the emphasis, although spindle spinners may also sign up. NOTE: This is NOT a workshop for someone who has never spun yarn on a wheel or spindle!
CITY OF PLYMOUTH, PARKS AND RECREATION
Plymouth Creek Activity Center, Education Wing, 14800 34th Avenue N., Plymouth, MN 55447.
Learn Tvåändstickning (Swedish Two-Ended Knitting)
Saturday, April 11, 2026, 12:30–4 PM
Learn the basics of tvåändsticking (Swedish two-ended/twined knitting) and begin to knit a pair of wristlets. 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 wristlets that are not only warm but extremely durable. (Note: The current photo shows a version of the final project, although the class project will be knit in one neutral color.)
Experience level: Ability to knit and purl, and preferably some experience using double-pointed needles. Suitable for ages 16+.
Materials: The yarn and a pattern will be provided with a materials fee which is included in the class cost. Students should bring a set of U.S. size 4 double-pointed needles and any basic knitting tools they may have. It would be wise to bring a range of double-pointed needle sizes to confirm your gauge.
Cost: $70 Plymouth resident/$75 nonresidents (includes the materials fee)
Registration: Go to the Plymouth Creek Activity Center registration page and sign-up with Activity number 15146-01.
Beginning Swedish Huck Weaving
Sunday, April 12, 2026, 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 for a pattern, handouts, one prepared Huck hand towel (approximately 16x24 inches), 3 hanks of #5 perle cotton in coordinating hues, and huck embroidery needle is included in the workshop fee. If needed, plan to bring magnifiers or readers. Students are also invited to bring their own huck woven objects for class viewing.
Cost: $75 Plymouth resident/$80 nonresidents (includes the materials fee)
Registration: Go to the Plymouth Creek Activity Center registration page and sign-up with Activity number 15147-01.
Learn How to Spin Yarn on a Drop Spindle
Saturday, June 6, 2026, 1–4 PM
Learn how to prepare wool fibers and spin your own yarn with a traditional drop spindle. At the end of the workshop, you will take home a small skein of newly spun yarn that you've created and a drop spindle of your own to continue your spinning practice at home.
Experience level: No experience necessary. Suitable for ages 16+.
Materials: Fiber and a drop spindle will be provided with a materials fee included in the class cost.
Cost: $80 Plymouth resident/$85 nonresidents (includes the materials fee)
Registration: Go to the Plymouth Creek Activity Center registration page and sign-up with Activity number 25146-01.
Learn How to Knit or Refresh Your Knitting Skills
Saturday, August 8, 2026, 1–4 PM
Learn or brush up on the basics of knitting, including casting on stitches, knitting, purling, and binding off stitches, while making a small cuff with wool yarn. (The image currently shown is not the final project, although it is similar.)
Experience level: No experience necessary. Suitable for ages 16+.
Materials: Yarn and a pattern will be provided with a materials fee included in the class cost.
Cost: $80 Plymouth resident/$85 nonresidents (includes the materials fee)
Registration: Go to the Plymouth Creek Activity Center registration page and sign-up with Activity number 25182-01.
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.