Open to students of all skill levels, these sessions provide individualized support for your current projects. Local students may choose this option in place of a mini workshop, meeting more frequently in one-hour sessions for steady, hands-on learning. Bring questions, challenges, or techniques you’d like help with, and receive focused guidance tailored to your needs.

• 1 hour
• Year-round at our workspace
• Rate: $25 per hour
• Please bring: Your project, materials, and equipment
  

Zoom Shopping Sessions offer a personalized shopping experience that combines the convenience of online shopping with the connection of an in-person visit.
During your scheduled session, we meet via Zoom and guide you through our shop in real time, answering questions and helping you select the items that best meet your needs.

Once your selections are complete, we will send an invoice for your purchase and arrange shipment directly to you.  

An introduction to knitting for students with no prior experience. Learn to cast on, knit, purl, bind off, and read a basic pattern, along with guidance on beginner-friendly materials and next steps.

• Up to 4 hours
• Year-round at our workspace
• $125 first participant, $50 each additional (max 5)
• All materials included

This workshop is designed for knitters who are comfortable working in the round and are ready to explore color with confidence. Students will learn the fundamentals of stranded (Fair Isle) knitting, techniques for incorporating unexpected or challenging colors, and thoughtful ways to add color to garments. We will also cover color selection and how to choose combinations that work well together.

• Up to 4 hours
• Year-round at our workspace
• $125 first participant, $50 each additional (max 5)
• All materials included

Designed for students who are comfortable knitting and purling in the round, this workshop guides participants through knitting a complete sock from cuff to toe. Students will learn practical tips and techniques to make sock knitting more approachable, along with guidance on yarn and needle selection.

We will also explore how to adapt a basic sock pattern to incorporate color and simple patterning.

• Up to 4 hours
• Year-round at our workspace
• $125 first participant, $50 each additional (max 5)
• All materials included

This workshop is designed for students with no prior spinning experience or those looking to strengthen foundational skills. Participants will learn to spin using a drop spindle and/or a spinning wheel, with guidance tailored to individual goals and equipment.

We will cover appropriate beginner fibers, where to source materials, and troubleshooting common wheel issues. If time allows, students will also be introduced to plying and setting yarn.

• Up to 4 hours
• Year-round at our workspace
• $125 first participant, $50 each additional (max 5)
• All materials included

Please note: Students interested in learning to spin linen as their first fiber are welcome. Please email patty@akerllc.com in advance so we can prepare the appropriate materials for your session.

Designed for students who are already comfortable spinning on a wheel, this workshop focuses on understanding and creating different yarn structures. Participants will learn when and how to spin worsted, semi-worsted, semi-woolen, and woolen yarns, with hands-on practice across a variety of fibers.

• Up to 4 hours
• Year-round at our workspace
• $125 first participant, $65 each additional (max 5)
• All fiber materials included, please bring a working spinning wheel

Designed for students who are already comfortable spinning on a wheel, this workshop explores color as an intentional design element in handspun yarn. Participants will learn techniques for spinning striped yarns, blending color using hand cards, spinning directly from cards, and creating blended color without cards. We will also cover strategies for working with challenging or unexpected colors and for selecting color combinations that work well together.

• Up to 4 hours
• Year-round at our workspace
• $125 first participant, $65 each additional (max 5)
• All fiber materials included, please bring a working spinning wheel

This workshop is designed for students who already have spinning experience. Those new to spinning are encouraged to complete the Beginner Spinning Mini Workshop prior to enrolling.

Participants will learn techniques for spinning linen singles from both line flax and short fibers, including how to dress and work with a distaff. We will also cover essential equipment for linen spinning, sourcing flax, scouring yarn, plying, and considerations for using linen yarn in finished projects.

• Up to 4 hours
• Year-round at our workspace
• $125 first participant, $65 each additional (max 5)
• All fiber materials included, please bring a working spinning wheel or drop spindle

This immersive, one-day workshop offers a comprehensive introduction to the full flax-to-yarn process, from soil preparation and planting through fiber preparation and spinning. Designed for students interested in understanding linen at every stage, the class emphasizes both hands-on work and informed discussion.

Participants will have the opportunity to break, scutch, hackle, and spin flax, as well as learn how to dress and use a distaff. We will explore different distaff styles, their advantages and limitations, and discuss the production of Linsey Woolsey, including why it is considered controversial and when blending flax with wool may be appropriate. Students may choose to blend flax with wool during the workshop.

• Up to 8 hours
• Held outdoors at the farm, spring through fall
• $250 first participant, $100 each additional (max 5)
• All materials included

Please bring:

• Spinning wheel and/or drop spindle (if you have them)
• Any flax equipment or fiber you would like to discuss

This immersive, one-day workshop guides students through the complete process of transforming raw fleece into yarn. Participants will learn how to select, evaluate, and skirt a fleece, followed by hands-on instruction in washing, carding, combing, and spinning—all within a single day.

Throughout the workshop, we will discuss the advantages and limitations of various techniques, explore differences of sheep breeds, and provide opportunities to work with a range of fiber preparation and spinning equipment.

• Up to 8 hours
• Held outdoors at the farm, spring through fall
• $250 first participant, $100 each additional (max 5)
• All materials included

Please bring:

• Spinning wheel and/or drop spindle (if you have them)
• Any flax equipment or fiber you would like to discuss

This one-day workshop introduces students to weak-acid dyeing techniques for protein fibers, with a focus on wool. Participants will learn pot dyeing, hand painting, and steaming methods, with an emphasis on achieving consistent results using accessible, low-investment equipment.

Students will explore how to create solid colors, stripes, and gradients, as well as practical strategies for correcting dyeing mistakes and overdyeing previously dyed or challenging fibers.

• Up to 8 hours
• Held outdoors at the farm, spring through fall
• $250 first participant, $100 each additional (max 5)
• All materials included

This hands-on workshop is designed for young learners (ages 4 and up) and the adults in their lives. The session begins with a reading of Charlie Needs a New Cloak by Tomie dePaola, followed by an interactive exploration of the wool process.

Participants will learn about sheep and work together to wash, card, spin, and weave a simple project, gaining an age-appropriate understanding of how wool is transformed from fleece to fabric.

• Held outdoors at the farm, spring through fall
• $100 for first young learner, $25 for each additional young learner (max 5)
• All materials included
• Duration: Flexible based on the needs of your group; engaged or older children typically participate for 2–4 hours