John Pitblado

The Urban Craft Center- I'm teaching two classes

The Los Angeles has a wonderful new place for fiber interaction… The Urban Craft Center (www.theurbancraftcenter.com) and I am really looking forward to be teaching there in November and December.

The Urban Craft Center is in the artist loft area Santa Monica. CA. The space is a large, airy studio space filled with natural light from skylights. You will think you are in the studio of an Impressionist painter in Paris. It is stocked with tools, tables and a library of craft books, everything you need to get your creative juices flowing.

This is just what the LA craft world needed… a place to work and share.

My classes:

Saturday November 17^th 10 – 4pm

SPINNING A-Z

Everything you need to know spin. 

- Fiber primer- The spectrum of fibers we spin and where to find them.

- All the basics- All about spinning wheels, spindles and which tools do you really need?

- How to spin with a spindle.

- Carding and fiber preparation.

- Plying, skeining and finishing.

- Basic yarn design with color and texture.

Sunday December 16th 10- 4pm

HAND PAINTING YARNS AND BASIC DYEING WITH ACID DYES

Acid Dyes are essential to fiber artists. They are used to dye wool, silk and other protein fibers. We value them for their ease of use, vibrant color and safety. Learn the basics

We will start by learning near foolproof methods for creating great color combinations. Then into the dyepots to dye skeins in three different ways for three very different results.

Spin a Bulky Yarn at GLASG

Spin a Bulky Yarn at GLASG

On Saturday, April 28 I taught "Spin a Bulky Yarn" at the Greater Los Angeles Spinning Guild (GLASG).

Chamelon Colorworks supplied the fiber and Janel Laidman, the dye mistress and owner, sent fantastic colors!

First to the drumcarder to fluff up the roving and do simple color blendings. Then gather together as a group to talk about strategies to bulk up yarns... and start spinning!

The group was incredibly talented and their work was awesome! Thanks to all for attending. Check out the photo gallery for more pics.   

Wool Festival at Taos

I am so excited, I will be teaching three great classes at the Wool Festival at Taos! "Lumps, Bumps and Squiggles", a two day class, and "Bulky Singles" and "Garbage Yarns", both half day classes. The Event is October 6 and 7. Check out the link for all the great things to do and my class schedule. http://www.taoswoolfestival.org/

Hey Mom! Im on TV

Check it Out! A great evening at A Mano, and Your LA was there to film it.... catch me on TV!

http://www.canal22.tv/KNBC/YOURLATV/video/amanoyarn.html

Demo at Stitch Cafe

Hey y'all! I will be doing a spinning demo at Stitch Cafe , Thursday March 8,  6:30-9pm. Hope to see you there!!

This is what it's all about!

The Fabulous Fiber Fest was awesome!! Great Students, Great venue, Great shopping. For a spinner, this was the life!!

I left this weekend with a tremendous sense of fulfillment, having watched my students jump in and boldly learn new techniques, experiment with new colors and materials and be rewarded with beautiful, exciting yarns.

To my students:

You gave so much, it was an incredible experience for me. I look forward to seeing your work and seeing you again. I hope that my classes left you brave, energized and ready to do the brilliant work that is inside you.

Fiber Fest

Furiously dyeing and prepping for the Fabulous Fiber Fest at the Santa Monica Civic Center August 18-20.  I'll be teaching three days, it will be a great event and I hope you can all make it. Say hello if you see me!!