Instructor Name: Michelle Boyd
Workshop Title: A Long Look at Long Draw
Format: In Person
Workshop Description:
The long-draw drafting method is useful so much more than just making airy woollen yarns. This workshop will explore every aspect of long-draw, including choosing the best fibre preparations, using different styles of long draws to alter yarn characteristics, and long draw spinning for cotton and luxury fibres. Techniques for consistent grist and adding durability to woollen yarns will be explored, along with a variety of finishing techniques to expand the spinner’s understanding of the versatility of this style of spinning.
Kit Fee: There will be a material fee to be paid on the day of the workshop of $15 for fleece and prepared fibres used in the workshop.
Students should bring:
- -A spinning wheel in good working order. E-spinners and spindles are also welcome.
- -three or more bobbins
- -lazy Kate
- -Hand cards, if they have them. (Instructor will provide a few sets if needed.)
- -sample niddy noddy or niddy noddy (if they have one)
- -scissors, spinning wheel oil, orifice hook, and any other supporting material they need to spin with
- -baggies for samples
- -materials for labelling samples: tags or masking tape, marker or pen
- -note taking materials, if they like
Date: Thursday March 19, 2026
Time: 10:00 am to 4:30 pm
Bring a lunch (lunch break will be 30 minutes).
Maximum Capacity: 20
Minimum Capacity: 15
Please contact Kathy Sosnowski, SCW Spinners Lead for information or questions at mksos@telusplanet.net or (403)512-1722.
A LONG LOOK AT LONG DRAW March 19, 2026
SCW workshops are non-refundable.
Michelle is an internationally recognized fibre arts writer and educator who has been intriguedby yarn from the moment she first picked up a crochet hook and a ball of acrylic when she was12 years old. While that project didn’t quite turn out, her skills have improved since then. She isa prolific spinner, knitter, weaver, and, yes, occasional crocheter. She received her MasterSpinner certifications from Olds College in 2007 and taught for that program as well as teaching spinning at guilds and conferences across North America. Her writing has been published in PLY Magazine, Spin-Off, and on Digits and Threads. Her first book, Twist, was published in late 2024 and her next book, A User’s Guide to Yarn, is due out in the fall of 2026.