Natural Stitches, Where Pittsburgh knits together

Carol McFadden, spinner of wisdom

Carol has a Studio Arts degree from the University of Pittsburgh, has been spinning for over 30 years, and knitting for much longer. Her spinning guild has won several sheep-to-shawl competitions in the past, with Carol serving as spinner or weaver, and she has won blue ribbons for her spinning and knitting from Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival, Michigan Fiber Festival, Washington County Fair and others. Carol has passed the second of three levels for the TKGA Master Knitter certificate and is currently working on the HGA Master Spinner certificate. She is completely addicted to color and fiber. She also makes feeble attempts to keep a husband and two sons supplied with sweaters and socks, does limited handspinning and design work as Feistywoman Designs, and spends every spare moment in her fiber studio.

Contact Carol

Please make certain you are aware of our class policies before signing up for a class.

Beginning Spinning 1 - The Spindle - $30
In this class you will use a drop spindle to learn how to turn wool into yarn. We will talk about why it works and learn the basic techniques of drafting and allowing twist to enter the fiber. Because there will be a need for one-on-one teaching, class size is limited to 4 students. Wool for spinning, use of a drop spindle and handouts are included. Students may bring their own spindles and wool if they wish.

Beginning Spinning 2 - The Wheel - $30
Now that you’ve mastered the hand motions involved in drafting your fiber and inserting twist with a spindle, take your skills to the next step—the spinning wheel. You’ll learn the parts of a wheel and what they do, then we’ll work on putting it all together to spin yarn on the wheel. Students need to have mastered spindle spinning. Includes spinning fiber and use of one of our spinning wheels. If you have your own spinning wheel and wish to bring it, please contact the instructor beforehand. Limited to 3 students.

Beginning Spinning 3—Making Consistent Singles Yarn - $30
We’ll cover different carding and drafting methods, the amount of twist necessary for a particular yarn, and the types and uses of yarn that handspinners can produce. Bring your wheel or spindle, fiber, and any tools you use when spinning, one bag of Mauch Chunky Roving will be supplied to each student (there are also ample supplies of wool available for purchase at the store).

Limited to 4 students who have taken Beginning Spinning 1 & 2, or who know how to spin on either a wheel or spindle.

Plying a Balanced Yarn - $30
Learn how to ply your singles into a balanced yarn for knitting, crochet or weaving. We’ll work on plying from two bobbins or balls, and talk about designing your handspun yarns to suit their intended purpose. Bring your wheel or spindle, and several bobbins/cops/balls of spun singles yarn (Ask for a bag of Mauch Chunky to use for this homework when you sign up for the class), an empty bobbin/spindle or two for plying, a lazy kate or other method of holding the singles yarn for plying, and any tools you use when spinning (threading hook, oil, spare drive band, spare spindles, etc).

Limited to 4 students who have taken Beginning Spinning 1or 2, or who know how to spin on either a wheel or spindle.

Student's Choice - $30
For this class the student has control over what we do. This is where you can bring a stalled project to get help, get help with finishing, get started on a new project, basically anything want. Come in and pick Carol's brain.

Experience Level-Beginner through Highly Advanced

Spin Doctor - $25
So you have a spindle or spinning wheel and fiber and know how to use them, but aren’t quite satisfied with your results? Is your spinning wheel creaking, and you don’t know why? Clueless about how to ‘set the twist’? Come on in for a private session—learn how to gain control over the type of yarn you want to make, bring samples of your spinning to discuss, or any questions you have about your spinning or your equipment. $25/hour, by appointment only. We ask that you schedule at least 60 minutes with the instructor in order to cover your question thoroughly, but you can certainly book more than an hour if you feel it’s necessary. We also would like to know in advance what your problem is so the instructor can be well prepared.

Spinning Colored Yarns - $30
Learn how to put multiple colors in your spinning without buying handpainted roving. We'll explore different methods and discuss the results and their uses. Bring your wheel or spindle and any spinning tools you usually use. Includes spinning fiber (Mauch Chunky roving).