Learn the distinct and special value, texture, and project possibilities of working with wool from local ranches and special wool breeds!

Date

September 14, 2025

10am – 4pm PST

Location

Fibershed Learning Center

14000 Point Reyes Petaluma Road

Point Reyes Station, CA

About the Event

Join us at the beautiful Fibershed Learning Center with expert knitter, Gayle Ravenscroft of Pacific Knitting Retreats, for a class on working with ‘farm yarns.’

‘Farm yarns’ are yarns that are produced locally by our Fibershed shepherds on their ranches. These yarns offer unique characteristics that are tied to their origins and cannot be replicated in mass production.

Some of the topics Gayle will discuss are:

• Why knitters should consider ‘farm yarns,’ and in particular, yarns from their local Fibershed
• How to find farm yarns
• Projects that are particularly suitable for farm yarns and why
• Wool breed specificity (including heritage breeds) and how using different ones can add a special dimension to your craft.

Students will have ‘hands-on-needles’ knitting time with a variety of these yarns in person. The workshop will last two hours from 10am-12pm, followed by a guided walk of the dye garden and a catered picnic lunch supplied by the instructor.

Note! – There will be a separate afternoon field trip from 1-4pm that is connected to this workshop. To get a sneak peek into the local wool ranch, Alpacas of Marin, sign up at the link here : Sign up for the afternoon Ranch Visit ***
***This portion of the event is hosted by the instructor, and is NOT hosted through Fibershed. For all inquiries about the wool ranch visit, please contact the instructor via the ‘ranch visit’ link above.

Participants must bring:

• Knitting needles (We will be working with yarns ranging in weight from Sport to Worsted in various styles, so select sizes accordingly. Gauge is irrelevant so whatever you would facilitate freedom to experiment with is appropriate.)
• Other knitting tools, if you have them
• The instructor will be supplying a catered lunch, details to confirmed after registration for lunch choice options. Coffee and tea will be provided on site.
• Please bring any of your own additional personal snacks, lunch, and beverages.
• A notebook and pen for note taking is encouraged.

Maximum 15 students.

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