SAGA HILL – Workshops & Classes

Image of Saga Hill class items

I love teaching both the techniques and historical aspects of each subject. When you take one of my workshops or classes, you will have a good time playing with yarn or fiber—and in the process, you will learn something more in-depth about the subject than you may experience in the typical learning experience.

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
BY W.J. JOHNSON OF SAGA HILL
– 2025 –

AMERICAN SWEDISH INSTITUTE (ASI)

American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55407; 612-871-4907. asimn.org

NORDIC HANDCRAFT WORKSHOPS AT ASI…    
Image of Viking Braids
Finger-Woven Viking Braids
Sunday, July 20, 2025, 1–3:30 PM
Linen enthusiast Wendy will discuss the use of flax and linen during the Viking era. Then, students will spend the afternoon learning a finger-weaving technique to make linen braids, a technique that dates to the Viking era. Turn your finished braids into necklaces, lanyards, and bracelets.
Experience level: No experience is necessary. Suitable for ages 16+.
Cost: $65 ($55 ASI members) + $10 materials fee.
Click here for more details and to register at the ASI website.


Image of sleeve cuffs
Swedish Knit Sleeve Cuffs in the Halland Binge Tradition
Saturday, September 20, 2025, 1–4 PM
Design and start knitting Swedish sleeve cuffs in the Binge (pronounced “Bing-eh”) style from Halland, Southwest Sweden, in this afternoon workshop. This style, dating back to the 1600s, is characterized by colorwork patterns similar to Fair Isle.
Experience level: Students need to have basic knitting skills (know how to cast on, knit, purl, bind off). Ages 18+.
Cost: $70 ($60 ASI members) + $30 materials fee.
Click here for more details and to register at the ASI website.

A festive beaded and reversible winter cuff class “Västergötland Winter’s Night Cuff” will be offered at ASI on November 8, 2025. More details to come here and at ASI in the late summer.

CITY OF PLYMOUTH, PARKS AND RECREATION

Plymouth Creek Activity Center, Education Wing, 14800 34th Avenue N., Plymouth, MN 55447.

My workshops at the Plymouth Creek Activity Center have concluded for 2025. More workshops will be coming in the 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
Saturday, September 6, 2025, 1–4 PM;
Repeated on October 18, 2025, 1–4 PM. Note date change (was previously announced as Sept. 27)
I will discuss how flax and other bast fibers are grown and demonstrate the complex processing of the flax plant for hand spinning. You will try your hand at wheel spinning 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 $30 materials fee.
Experience level: Intermediate spinner, preferably with experience on a wheel—please, no beginning wheel spinners!
Additional cost and registration details to come, or contact WGM (see above).


INGEBRETSEN'S NEEDLEWORK SHOP…

Ingebretsen's is a Nordic wares shop located at 1601 East Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN 55407. More workshops will be coming in 2026.


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.