Deep in South Central Oklahoma is the small town of Davis. Surrounded by the hills and thick woods that are better known in my part of Oklahoma as “Booger Woods”, but locally known as the Arbuckle Mountains. October 2005, the First US Master Spinners Course with twelve Level I students, found Ellen Munro (Master Spinner and Instructor from Olds College in Alberta Canada) explaining competencies required for the Level 1 Master Spinners Certificate.

The students covered a geographic area that included Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and Kansas. When questioned about choosing the Oklahoma Master Spinners Program, Mary Lessman from Tennessee responded “I had lived in Nova Scotia in the 80's where I taught myself to spin with a meat sheep fleece that had been in a barn loft for 5 years. I learned about the Master Spinner Program then. The only place it was held at that time was in Ontario and with the distance, 2 children and one income it was not possible for me to go. I've dreamed of going since. 

When I read on the Spindlers list that the program was coming to Oklahoma there was no hesitation. I had to go. My children have moved out, it is affordable and I now live within driving distance (about 675 miles away). I believe that I would have signed up even if I had to fly to get there. Actually, I would have gone no matter what state it was held in. The opportunity to learn first hand from experts and have them seriously evaluate my work on the spot is what I have been wanting since I first was able to make usable yarn. It is an opportunity of a lifetime for me.” (Mary Lessman attended the 1^st US Master Spinners in October of 2005 and has received her Certificate for Level 1 and is returning this fall for Level 2 and is bringing two friends for Level 2 also.)

Emmelita Hoskins has responded with “I probably would have considered the Master Spinners Course if it had been in a surrounding state or somewhere fairly close, but any further away, probably not. The Level 1 Master Spinners Course made me realize how much I didn’t know about spinning and how much I have to learn. The course was very well prepared, the class fee very reasonable. I had a wonderful time and would do it all over again.”   ( Emmelita Hoskins is returning this fall for the Level 2.)

Since 1984, Olds, Alberta, Canada has been home to the Master Spinner program, an intensive program of study designed to teach students the skills, knowledge and ability in the craft of hand spinning. The end result is a Masters Certificate in Hand Spinning.

Olds College is an agricultural and horticultural college in Olds, Alberta, Canada. The Master Spinners program is offered as part of Fiber Week, a week long event with other fashion and fiber courses and activities.

There are 6 levels to the Master Spinners program with classroom instruction from 5 to 7 days. Those who want to receive their Masters must also finish a workbook for each level, but this is not necessary to attend. Some students choose to attend in order to experience the class and learn new skills, but have no interest in the formal “Master Spinner Program “ workbook requirements.

For each level the instructor provides enough fiber to complete required samples. Students must supply their own spinning wheels, carders and basic equipment. A list is available from Olds or Sherry Healey. Specialty equipment is usually supplied by the instructor.

Students expands their knowledge and spinning skills. Students have the opportunity to work with a variety of fibers and use a variety of spinning techniques. In addition to spinning, the program exposes a student to knitting, weaving, needlework and braiding.

Prerequisites: None

Corequisites: None

This course provides the student with an introduction to the basic principles of spinning wool, the nature and characteristics of wool, its selection and processing, and natural dyeing of wool.

Competencies:

1. Identify the quality and characteristics of a fleece.

2. Identify the various breeds of sheep.

3. Identify and explain the various pieces of equipment used in fiber preparation and spinning.

4. Demonstrate introductory spinning techniques for wool and wool/silk blended fibers.

5. Demonstrate introductory fiber preparation techniques.

6. Demonstrate dyeing techniques using natural dyes.

Prerequisites: Spinning Level I

Corequisites: None

This course is a further development of the skills and knowledge acquired in Level I Spinning. It includes more advanced spinning techniques such as plying, blending fibres, spinning to specifics and more advanced wheel operations. Students will learn to spin the following fibres: silk, llama, alpaca, mohair, camel, and camel down.

1. Identify a sound, good quality fleece for a specific end use.

2. Identify and operate at least three different spinning wheels and hand spindles.

3. Explain the difference between different grades of wool.

4. Demonstrate: plying yarn

spinning “S” and “Z” yarns

spinning varied thickness of yarns

spinning exotic fibers

spinning with Tops

blending fiber for different purposes

5. Demonstrate ability to spin silk, llama, alpaca, mohair, camel, and camel down.

Prerequisites: Spinning Level II

Corequisites: None

This course furthers the student’s knowledge of spinning, dyeing, and types of spinning equipment. Emphasis will be on spinning cotton and ramie fibers.

1. Students will be able to apply knowledge of count, relative to specific breeds to produce yarn of specific count or hand.

2. Students will be able to use spinning wheel ratios to produce yarn consistent in twist and grist

3. Students will be able to reproduce dyed samples of yarn.

4. Students will be able to explain whorl ratios, count systems, and fiber properties of cellulose fibers relative to spinning.

5. Demonstrate ability to spin ramie and cotton.

Prerequisites: Spinning Level III

Corequisites: None

This course provides the student with further development in practical spinning skills, with emphasis on protein fibers. Chemical dyeing and burn tests will also be studied.

1. Demonstrate the ability to blend fibres to produce yarn with specific characteristics relative to strength, warmth, wearability, drapeability, etc.

2. Demonstrate the ability to compare flax, mohair, camel and cashmere on the basis of spinning, care and end use characteristics.

3. Demonstrate dyeing techniques using chemical dyes.

Sherry Healey of Davis, Oklahoma, attended her Level 1 course in Olds, Alberta, Canada in 2005. She convinced the administration that there was a need for a pilot program in the US. The US Master Spinners program was developed and took off like wildfire. After a few well placed notices on many of the fiber lists, Sherry had 12 students enrolled for the October 2005 program. A spring program covered the remaining students on the waiting list. As we are nearing the end of summer Sherry is gearing up to bring the third program on track. At the editor’s deadline One Level 1 class has 4 openings left and Two Level 2 classes are filled.

The future of the US Master Spinners Program is very exciting as Sherry and her band of volunteer helpers work toward organizing additional fiber events to complement the US Master Spinners Program.

As for me, my focus has always been on raising Natural Colored Sheep for Hand Spinning, so my spinning skills are limited. I fought with a traditional wheel for eight years, finally convincing myself that this was one craft that was beyond my ability. Two years ago my Mother surprised me with a used Louet Wheel.  I can spin and I love it and it is relaxing. I will be one of the Level 1 students in this fall's program and am anxious to get started; my list of supplies is nearly complete and vacation notice has been turned in.

Dyeing with Ellen Munro Sunday before Class, October 2005, Level 1

It's Cooking

The Results

Gwen, always smiling

More Results

Learning braid with 5 plys

For more information contact:

Sherry Healey

sherry.healey@gmail.com

580-369-0222

or

Otto Pahl

Program Coordinator, Extension Services

Olds College, Olds AB

1-800-661-6537, ext 7986 or

403-507-7986

Email: opahl@oldscollege.ca

Special thanks to Sherry Healey and Rena Wilson for their input for this article.