OHS Spinning Certificate Program - Level IV

• Fifty-hour project and report to hand in for marking on the first day, and to present during the week
• Hand carders for fine fibres (if you have them)
• Aprons or lap cloths (dark for spinning light-coloured fibres; light for working with dark fibres)
• Spinning wheel - flyer wheel in good working order, hook, maintenance supplies and lubricant
• Drop spindle
• Niddy noddy - small is best if available
• Ruler/measuring tape, scissors, yarn gauge or small ruler, twist angle gauge or protractor
• Small plastic baggies (lots), with labels or masking tape to label samples
• Sample cards - approximately 2"× 3" for winding and recording yarn samples
• Three-ring binder, paper, and writing materials
• Cotton yarn for tying skeins
• SPECIAL for Silk classes: highest ratio flyer available for your wheel, unscented hand cream
• SPECIAL for Exotics classes: identified samples of fairly clean dog and cat hair to share! Also mask, antihistamines, cotton gloves, etc. if you have allergies
• SPECIAL for Indigo dyeing:
• 4 handspun undyed wool skeins (10 g each)
• 7 additional handspun skeins (10 g each; all protein, all cellulose, or a collection of protein and cellulose)
• 2 used damask linen napkins (e.g., from a yard sale!)
• Additional yarns or fabric (up to 100 g) to exhaust the vats.
• All 11 skeins must be appropriately tied & identified with your name/initials and fibre content. This info may be in code form but should be legible to class participants.
• Dyeing Kit (Note: These items must NEVER subsequently be used for food preparation.)
• Appropriate clothing and an apron or lab coat
• Waterproof (non-latex) gloves and oven mitts
• Shoes with enclosed toes (no sandals)
• Mask with respirator with replaceable particulate and chemical filters (to be checked by college tech.)
• Large pot with lid
• Stir sticks (e.g., plastic chopsticks), thermometer, measuring spoons, measuring cups (500 mL)
• Jars with lids (to take home leftover dyebaths)
• Buttons or plastic labels (e.g., cut from yogurt tub lids) for labelling skeins
• Scissors, baggies, and labels (as above)
• Old towels, mesh bags, plastic or steel pail

Optional:

Ball winder or nostepinne; Camera/phone/tablet; Books or articles on related topics to share

Mandatory Studio Safety Practices

Your health and safety are our priorities. Our studio environments can have a number of objects, tools and chemicals that require personal protective equipment (PPE) or other considerations for your well-being. All persons (including faculty, staff and students) are asked to observe the following while in the shops and studios:

• Wear sturdy and appropriate shoes such as sneakers, closed leather shoes or work boots. Open-toed shoes, flip-flops or high heels are not allowed
• No long, dangling clothing or accessories (scarves, flowing sleeves, chains, long necklaces, etc).
• Long hair must be tied back
• No bare skin if exposure to chemicals or tools/machinery is likely
• Appropriate PPE is mandatory when operating tools and equipment within the studios.
• Please consult with the faculty or studio technician to determine the appropriate PPE required for specific machines and studio processes.

Fit tests are required for courses requiring a respirator, as noted on your material list. Arrangements will be made on-site. As these are mandatory safety practices, we will follow up directly with students who may have oversighted the above. Individuals may be asked to address any concerns before continuing to work in the studio. Be sure to buy appropriate, good-quality safety articles and equipment, i.e. safety boots, protective eyewear, hearing protection, work gloves, x-acto knives, etc. - ask your supplier for advice.

Important Notes

There will be two fees payable on the first day of the course:

• a material fee of approximately $120 to the class treasurer (Note that this is higher than the usual fee because exotic fibres are costly.)
• a $50 marking fee to the course coordinator

The Exotics unit of this course involves spinning dog and rabbit hair. If you have allergies, please come prepared with a mask, antihistamines, and/or cotton gloves.

Silk spinning is easier if your hands are smooth. Apply hand cream several times a day before the course.

Reminder: Please have your OHS membership paid for 2025