Guild Classes 2025
The Guild runs weaving, spinning, tapestry weaving, felting, crochet and knitting classes at the Guild rooms in Mt Eden throughout the year. These classes are all suitable for beginners and are taught in small groups by lovely, kind, experienced teachers, so come along and learn new skills and techniques that will spark your creativity.
Schedule
Learn to Spin with Justine
Evening class
Maximum 6 participants
Dates: Thursday 26 June and Thursday 3 July
Time: 7-9pm
Filling fast!
Spinning with Annette
Opposite ends of the spectrum 2:
Worsted spinning
Maximum 8 participants
Date: Saturday 21 June
Time: 10am-1pm
Weaving a Scarf on the Rigid Heddle Loom
with Anne
Maximum 4 participants
Dates: Sunday 13 and Sunday 20 July
Times: 9am-1pm
Learn Tapestry Weaving with Carla
Maximum 6 participants
Date: Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 August
Time: 10am-4pm
Learn to Knit Socks with Justine
Maximum 8 participants
Dates: Thursday 11 September 7-8pm
and Saturday 20 September 2-5pm
Weaving a Scarf on a Rigid Heddle Loom with Anne
Maximum 4 participants
Dates: Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 October
Time: 9am-1pm
June
Tutor: Annette Montgomery
Dates: Saturday 21 June
Time: 10am-1pm
Cost: $95 for non-Guild members or $85 for Guild members.
Venue: Guild rooms, Nicholson Park, Mt Eden (behind Nicholson Park tennis courts).
In the class we will:
discuss the range of fibre preparation from woolen to worsted and what creates semi-worsted and semi-woolen
learn about the properties of a worsted yarn
use hackle/mini combs to prepare fibre
learn how to spin with a mini comb
learn about different drafting methods
learn techniques to ensure you can repeat a type of yarn: WPI; measuring; using a spinners control card.
learn how to spin to the crimp
discuss twist and design
Equipment/materials included in your course fee:
A kit will be supplied with all the fibre you will need, but you are welcome to bring your own fibre.
What you need to bring:
Your own working spinning wheel, if you have one. If you do not have one, the Guild has wheels you can use. Please advise us in your enrolment form or by email (handweavers@xtra.co.nz) if you wish to use a Guild spinning wheel for this class.
3 or 4 bobbins to fit your wheel.
A lazy-Kate if you have one
A niddy-noddy if you have one
Snacks. Tea and coffee will be provided.
Spinning
Spinning with Annette: Opposite ends of the spectrum 2: Fibre preparation and Worsted spinning
Maximum 8 participants
This class is designed as a follow-up to the Opposite Ends of the Spectrum 1 Woollen spinning class, but they are independent of each other so you don’t have to do both, however, the class is for spinners with some experience.
June/July
Learn to spin with Justine
Evening class
Maximum 6 participants
Tutor: Justine Stewart
Dates: Thursday 26 June and Thursday 3 July
Time: 7-9pm
Cost: $95 for non-Guild members or $85 for Guild members.
Venue: Guild rooms, Nicholson Park, Mt Eden (behind Nicholson Park tennis courts). More details will be sent to you when you register.
Information:
Justine will guide you through the fundamental techniques of hand spinning. You'll learn how to prepare and draft fiber, begin the lifelong practice of mastering the art of spinning it into yarn, and finally how to ply your singles to create a balanced, finished yarn. This comprehensive introduction will give you the confidence and foundation to continue your spinning journey.
Included in your course fee is a kit with all the fibre you will need for the class.
What you need to bring:
Your own working spinning wheel, if you have one.
If you do not have one, the Guild has wheels you can use. Please advise us in your enrolment form or by email (handweavers@xtra.co.nz) if you wish to use a Guild spinning wheel for this class.
Three bobbins to fit your wheel.
A lazy Kate, if you have one.
A niddy-noddy, if you have one. There will be a limited number available in the class.
Snacks. Tea and coffee will be provided.
Weaving
Weaving a Scarf on the Rigid Heddle Loom with Anne
An introduction to weaving, suitable for beginners
Maximum 4 participants
Tutor: Anne Stubbings
Anne has over twenty years’ experience crafting and teaching. She is a keen weaver, spinner, dyer, knitter and embroiderer.
Dates: This course runs over two Sundays, 13 and 20 July
Times: 9am-1pm
Cost: $250 for non-Guild members or $210 for Guild members
Venue: Guild rooms, Nicholson Park, Mt Eden (behind Nicholson Park tennis courts).
In the class:
Anne will help you to set up a rigid heddle loom and take you through the steps involved in weaving a two-coloured scarf. You will also learn finishing techniques to enhance your fabric and create a scarf that is unique to you.
Equipment / materials included in your course fee:
A kit will be supplied with pure New Zealand wool yarn for your warp and your weft. Before the class, Anne will contact you to ask about your colour preferences.
A loom and weaving accessories will be provided for each participant.
What you need to bring:
Snacks. Tea and coffee will be provided.
Pen, notepad or digital device to make notes or video
August
Tapestry Weaving
Learn Tapestry Weaving with Carla
An introduction to tapestry weaving, suitable for beginners
Maximum 6 participants
Tapestry weaving involves weaving coloured threads over and under a warp to create a decorative textile.
Try your hand at tapestry weaving in this fun class where you will learn basic techniques to complete your own small woven tapestry from start to finish. The class will include some hints on colour theory and design as well as showing you inspiring work from around the world.
Tutor: Carla Millard
Carla has been involved in art and fibre crafts since childhood, and has a degree in Visual Art. Carla has been weaving Tapestry for 10 years and teaching beginners since 2018. She has exhibited work in NZ and UK.
Dates: Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 August
Time:10am-4pm
Cost: $325 for non-Guild members or $275 for Guild members
Venue: Guild rooms, Nicholson Park, Mt Eden (behind Nicholson Park tennis courts).
In the class:
You will learn how to tapestry weave using various beginner level tapestry weaving techniques.
· You will create your own tapestry from start to finish.
You will learn about tapestry world-wide.
You will be given information about where you can get materials for future projects.
You will learn how to warp up the frame for your next project.
Equipment and materials provided and included in the course fee:*
A pre-warped tapestry frame you can keep.
A design.
A choice of yarns for the weft. *Students are welcome to bring their own weft yarns as the selection of colours provided for the class may be limited. 8-12 ply smooth textured wool is best for this project. Please choose a strong, firm yarn rather than a soft one and the different yarns should be the same weight.
Card used to support cartoons.
If you need glasses for reading, please bring them.
What you need to bring:
Pen, notepad or digital device to make notes or video.
Scissors.
Ruler (for use as shed stick).
Table fork (to use as beater).
Your lunch. Tea and coffee will be provided.
September
Knitting
Learn to Knit Socks with Justine
Maximum 8 participants
Suitable for people who already have basic knitting skills, the class will run over 2 sessions. One hour in the evening on Thursday 11 September to set you up and then three hours on Saturday 20 September.
Tutor: Justine Stewart
Justine is mad about all things fibre and craft. She taught herself to knit when about 8 years old and from there went on to learn about cross stitch, tapestry, tatting, spinning, dyeing and crochet. Her current passions are knitting, crochet and spinning, and she can be found doing something crafty most days of the week helped by her black cat Pepe.
Dates: Thursday 11 September for one hour from 7-8pm then Saturday 20 September 2-5pm
Cost: $100 for non-Guild members and $90 for Guild members.
Venue: Guild rooms, Nicholson Park, Mt Eden (behind Nicholson Park tennis courts).
In the class:
Justine will teach you how to knit a pair of socks, working both socks at the same time, from the toe up to the cuff, using the Magic Loop technique, with a heel turn in German short rows.
Once you’ve mastered working two socks at a time you’ll never be left with one sock without a mate, and you’ll never wonder whether you’ve worked the same number of rows (and stitches!) in both.
Week 1 - cast on at the toe, work the toe increases and start working up the foot to the heel turn. Homework will be to finish working the foot up to the point of turning the heel.
Week 2 - turn the heel and finish the ankle/cuff.
What you need to bring:
Yarn:
*100g sock yarn (4 ply) wound into two balls. You can either use a swift and yarn winder, or here’s how to do it by hand.
If you really don’t want to work 4-ply socks, we can rework the pattern for 8-ply using a bit of maths.
2.25mm or 2.5mm circular needles, 80-100cm length (NOTE: this method of working socks two at a time cannot be done on DPNs and it’s more difficult on shorter circulars).
Pen, notepad or digital device to make notes or video.
Darning needle.
Craft scissors.
Fine stitch markers, at least 4.
*Yarn called ‘sock yarn’ has a small percentage of nylon in it for durability. Alternatively, you can use a plastic free yarn, but bear in mind that it will need to be a strong yarn, with a high twist, otherwise your socks will wear thin and develop holes pretty quickly.
October
Weaving
Weaving a Scarf on the Rigid Heddle Loom with Anne (weekend)
An introduction to weaving on the rigid heddle loom. This class will run over two days and is suitable for beginners.
Maximum 4 participants
Tutor: Anne Stubbings
Anne is passionate about crafting; she is a keen weaver, spinner, dyer and knitter. She is an experienced teacher, and loves introducing people to the exciting world of weaving.
Dates: Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 October
Time: 9am-1pm
Cost: $250 for non-Guild members or $210 for Guild members
Venue: Guild rooms, Nicholson Park, Mt Eden (behind Nicholson Park tennis courts).
In the class:
Anne will help you to set up a rigid heddle loom and take you through the steps involved in weaving a two-coloured scarf. You will also learn finishing techniques to enhance your fabric and create a scarf that is unique to you.
Equipment / materials included in your course fee:
A kit will be supplied with pure New Zealand wool yarn for your warp and your weft. Before the class, Anne will contact you to ask about your colour preferences.
A loom and weaving accessories will be provided for each participant.
What you need to bring:
Pen, notepad or digital device to make notes or video.
Snacks / lunch. Tea and coffee will be provided.
Scarf by Richard Naylor
Equipment
We have some equipment you are welcome to use for classes, if you don’t have your own. For spinning and four-shaft weaving classes, please let us know if you need to borrow a wheel or loom.
If you are bringing your own equipment, please make sure it is in good working order.
Cancellation
If a class is cancelled, your fee will be refunded in full.
If you cancel within 14 days of the course start date, your fee will be refunded in full.
If you cancel within 7 days of the course start date, 50% of your course fee will be refunded.
Venue and parking
All classes are held at the Guild rooms in the Textile Arts Centre, Nicholson Park, Mt Eden. The rooms are located behind the Nicholson Park tennis courts and can be accessed via 25 Poronui St or the Disraeli St entrance to Auckland Normal Intermediate School (Gate 2). Parking is only available during weekends and evenings in the Auckland Normal Intermediate School carpark off Disraeli St or on the street during school hours. Parking is also available in Poronui St., but time limits apply.
Health and Safety
We encourage people attending events at the Guild rooms to take responsibility for the safety of themselves and others while at the Guild rooms and to stay home if you feel unwell.
How to register for our classes
Please use the online enrolment form below to register.
If you need to borrow equipment for the class, please let us know.
Payment will secure your place in the class, so please pay online as soon as possible.
How to pay
Please pay by direct debit to the Handweavers & Spinners Guild
Account number: 12-3011-0808690-000
Quote your surname and course title in the reference fields.
We collect your personal information to organise our classes. This data is stored securely and we never share it.
