This class is being held at the Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival:

Embark on an historical journey through wool as we spin and explore how two sheep breeds with origins in Spain, the luxurious Merino and the resilient Navajo Churro, fundamentally shaped vastly different yet equally rich textile traditions around the world. In this class, we will explore distinct spinning techniques for each wool type while analyzing how their unique histories and fiber characteristics resulted in textiles ranging from fine knitted garments to durable, iconic woven tapestries.

Students will have the opportunity to spin and process fiber from the two breeds, study the wool in its raw form, and view both knitted and woven sample swatches while learning about the spinning techniques best suited to each breed. This class is a wonderful blend of historical, visual, and tactile learning.