Weaving with Linen with Tom Knisely Online Workshop

Get ready to learn about and weave with linen! Linen is a strong and durable fiber, ideal as a warp for carpets and other items that get a lot of wear. It's also beautiful, with a lustrous sheen and beautiful drape, and works as both a warp and weft yarn for many kinds of projects. This tough fiber has a tough reputation though, as many weavers find it stiff, sticky, and unyielding. Get rid of those misconceptions and learn how to have a satisfying experience weaving with this ancient fiber. Full of fascinating history, advice, and tips, this workshop will have you wanting to weave with linen.

In this Online Workshop, Tom will cover:

• How linen is made, from growing and harvesting flax, to processing and spinning the fiber into thread;
• The difference between line flax and its coarser cousin tow;
• Winding bobbins and pirns;
• How to warp with linen, and advice for successful weaving;
• Finishing your linen piece and taking it off the loom;
• And much more!

Lesson Outline:

• Introduction
• Artist Profile: Tom Knisely
• Understanding Linen
  • Processing Flax
  • Spinning Flax into Linen
• Working with Linen
  • More About Linen Thread
  • Winding Bobbins & Pirns
  • Warping & Weaving with Linen
• Finishing Your Project & Final Thoughts

Watch a Preview Now:

Techniques Covered: Processing and handling flax fiber; winding bobbins; warping with linen; weaving with linen; using a temple.

Skill Level: Intermediate and up, though we think every weaver will be fascinated by the sections on processing flax into linen yarn.

Materials Needed: Nothing; Optional: loom, linen threads, temple.

This Online Workshop Includes:

• Discussion board: The discussion board is a great way to interact with other users in the Online Workshop. It's an open forum for you to ask questions, share your thoughts, and express your inspirations.
• Gallery: Share images of your work where you can give and receive feedback from fellow students.
• Notes: This is a place for you to keep personal notes to help you with your work and the Online Workshop content. Only you will be able to see your notes.
• Access your videos anytime, anywhere, with a computer, tablet or smartphone Unlimited access. Watch videos at your time and pace. Videos, downloads, and interactive content designed for a better learning experience

About the Instructor:

Tom Knisely has been teaching handweaving for more than forty years. In addition to teaching, Tom weaves professionally and is a frequent contributor to Handwoven magazine. Voted Handwoven Teacher of the Year, Tom is renowned among his weaving students for his kindness, good humor, and seemingly infinite knowledge on the subject of weaving. He teaches at the beautiful Red Stone Glen Fiber Arts Center in York Haven, Pennsylvania.