The workshops are aimed at beginner spinners, will take place over three consecutive Thursdays and are held at the Presbyterian Church hall in Tuross Head. 

The tutor is Mischi West who has been spinning for over 30 years and calls the craft a passion that has been a constant in her life for all of those years.  She said spinning is a good coordination exercise and an excellent way to relax and unwind.  She calls it her yoga. Over the years Mischi says it has saved her sanity many times in a busy world full of pressures and deadlines. 

A spinner can make beautiful yarns at a very reasonable cost.  Mischi will teach how to clean and wash a fleece, how to card it and spin it. The workshop will explore some exotic fibres like silk and bamboo.  She will also show how to make ‘novelty’ yarn and what can be achieved by dying your own wool with either commercial or natural dyes.

She will have a list of suppliers of fleece or ready to spin wool and silk tops.

Mischi feels that it is important to pass on these old skills. It is surprising and sad that these crafts aren’t practised anymore and that there are so many people missing out on a rewarding and fun hobby. 

She said the craft of knitting and crocheting is coming back and she will be running some ‘learn to knit’ workshops later in the year.  In the meantime you can learn how to make your own high quality yarn.

If you are interested in learning how to spin ring Mischi on 4473 8982. Or you can visit her market stall at the Moruya Riverside Markets on a Saturday where she is demonstrating spinning and selling her handmade items.