2026-2027 Programme

September to December 2026 Guild Challenge   

 

Salt, Pepper & Spice

The challenge is to make anything you fancy, or a set of something, using only white, black and one other colour. Finished item/s should weigh no more than 200 grams in total.

Members can start from fleece, any prepared fibres or mill spun yarn. Natural white and black fleece count as white and black, even if natural creamy white or black fleece with sun bleached tips. If starting with fibre you may blend them any way you wish, or not.

It may be an opportunity to work on a new technique or to move out of your comfort zone and try something completely different.

It might also be an opportunity to document your project, from design inspiration to finished article both in notes and sketches or photos. Notes on materials and pattern used, your own or a published pattern, on what went well and what to do differently next time can be invaluable for future projects. It would be great to see at least a short explanation with your piece at the show and tell.

You are in charge, make whatever you want from just a skein of yarn to a wearable or useful item to something purely decorative.

If it’s finished, still a work in progress, or abandoned in December we'd still like to see it at the show and tell, so we all get to enjoy the diversity of our members challenge projects and maybe learn a little or be inspired by each other.

We will have a show and tell and fashion parade for all wearable items at our Christmas meeting.

There will be no judgement or prizes.

Finally,  enjoy the journey and hearing about other members' journeys and seeing the final pieces, or WIPs.

 

10 October      Spindle Experience

Members who have spindles of any sort are invited to bring them in, whether they use them or not. It would be great to see a range of the different spindles and spindling techniques from our European spinning history and from around the world.

Those who are comfortable to do so will be asked to demonstrate spindling for a while during the morning and answer questions from others.

For those who would like to learn spindle spinning techniques please could those who are comfortable doing so spend a small amount of time helping them get going or to experience a different spindling technique.

It would be great if members bring in spindles they no longer want to put on the sales table.

This is planned to be a skill sharing day with no payment or costs incurred unless buying a spindle from the sales table.

 

14 November  Rigid Heddle Weaving             led by Jacqui Wilson and Alison Doutch

November Workshop by Jacqui Wilson and Alison Doutch Start Weaving on a Rigid Heddle Loom (RHL) The aim of this workshop is to get participants to feel confident in dressing a RHL, weaving a simple scarf-type item and finishing with knotted fringe. Techniques covered will include direct warping of a RHL, plain weave, clasped weft and leno weave.

Please bring:

 • Rigid heddle loom without a warp (we would like everyone to start from ground zero)

• Clamps to hold the RHL to a table

• Warping peg and clamp that comes with RHL

• Threading hook • 7.5 or 8 dpi reed (usually the default reed on a new RHL)

• 4 ply yarns to weave with (DK if you don’t have any 4 ply)

• 2 or 3 stick shuttles 8-10 inches wide (bring what you have if not that size)

• Instruction booklet for your loom (if you have it)

• Scissors, measuring tape, warping sticks (cardboard or wooden) or brown craft paper • Pen/Pencil to take notes

 • Reading glasses (if you use them) Handouts will be provided and there will be samples on display to inspire you. It may surprise you what can be done on a RHL with one reed!

Cost £5 plus any costs for materials

 

12 December                                 Christmas dinner and challenge show and tell. 

 

9 January                          Further Spinning Myths and Legends Talk by Rachel Auckland

The talk will be in the back room, which will be warmed up to a comfortable temperature before the talk.

No charge.

 

13 February                                                     Spinning and Fibre prep skills share

An opportunity to ask for advice/demonstration of various spinning and fibre preparation techniques, and for others to share their knowledge of various spinning and fibre preparation techniques with other members.

This is planned to be a skill sharing day with no payment or costs incurred.

 

13th March                                      Make a small bag from your weaving  with  Glenbach Weaving

Jan Hallett from Glenback Weaving will take participants through the process of cutting and stitching your own weaving. The aim of the day is for participants to make a small lined zippered bag from their own piece of woven cloth. Full details will be provided nearer the time.

You will need to bring a sewing machine for the day or possibly arrange to share one.

Cost £15

There may be a small extra charge for materials, threads, haberdashery etc used on the day.

 

10 April                                               Solar Dyeing with Trisha Wignall and Kathy Vallin

Cost £5 plus any costs for materials.

 

8th May                                              Spinning fancy yarns with Bettina Becker

Bettina will take participants through spinning thick & thin singles, spiral plying, beehives and associated techniques. The day will include a section on blending for fancy yarns.

Cost £30

There may be a small charge for materials used on the day.

 

12 June                                       Knitting Skills Share

An opportunity to ask for advice/demonstration of various knitting techniques, and for others to share their knowledge of various knitting techniques with other members.

This is planned to be a skill sharing day with no payment or costs incurred .

 

10 July Fleece & Friendship Day

 

14 August                                         Tutor TBC                         

Peg Loom Weaving Workshop

Cost £5 plus any costs for materials

 

11 September AGM