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<\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\nWe have two Camps in 2026, one in Australia (1 May – 3 May) <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
and then another in New Zealand (8 May – 10 May) <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
We have some fabulous tutors and classes, and in this post we have an overview for you of all the fun fibre learning we have lined up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tutors for Camp Australia are: Debbie Held (USA), Sue Macniven (UK), Pat Old (NZ) and Janet Day (Australia).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In New Zealand also have Debbie, Sue, Pat, and for this Camp we have Suzy Brown (NZ).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Debbie Held<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nDebbie Held is a freelance writer and international fibre arts educator who almost always has a spindle in hand. She\u2019s a recurring contributor to Spin Off magazine, PLY, Schacht Spindle Company, and more, and she\u2019s the writer behind the Interweave column, Her Handspun Habit. A truly contented spinster, Debbie lives on an urban farm in Atlanta, Georgia where she enjoys watching the spinner\u2019s flock of Shetland sheep living in the yard below the windows. You can find Debbie online at www.debbieheld.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Debbie joins us at Camp to share her great depth of knowledge gained over her years of hands-on fibre arts, expanded even further during the development of her book ; The Spinner\u2019s Blending Board Bible: ‘From Woollen to (Nearly!) Worsted and Everything in Between.\u2019 This is an excellent book that covers everything about blending boards, from their construction, the materials used in them and the differences between them, and all the ways you can use a blending board to prepare fibre for spinning. Her approach is inspirational, and includes step by step tutorials, blending board best practices, and troubleshooting. This is a book for spinners from beginner to advanced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Debbie\u2019s classes for Camp in both Australia and New Zealand will explore unexpected ways to utilise your blending board to its fullest potential. This class is based on Debbie\u2019s book, and will show you some of the innovative ways you can use your blending boards and inspire you to make this one of your most favourite fibre prep tools!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Sue Macniven<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nSue has been spinning since first learning in 1985 at an evening class. In 1990 Sue completed the Open College Of Art \u201cA Creative Approach to Textiles\u201d Course, and in 1999 she broke the World Record \u201clongest Thread\u201d in Tasmania – then again in 2001.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sue taught hand spinning and dyeing at Berkshire college of Agriculture for 5 years, has also provided workshops and given talks and demonstrations to many guilds in England, Scotland, Ireland and Majacraft Camp in New Zealand and Australia. Sue has also have exhibited in local and National exhibitions run by the Association of Guilds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sue lives in Scotland and has set up a workshop in at her home in Twynholm where she offers 1,2, and 4 day workshops in all aspects of hand spinning, as well continuing to run classes for many guilds around the UK . Specialising in exotic fibres and fine spinning, Sues design inspiration also comes from colour, with the characteristics of a fibre dictating how it should be spun and what the finished product could be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sue has developed her own way of spinning and teaching which allows students to spin quality yarns from the start, avoiding lumps and uneven twist and thickness. She loves the technical aspects of fibre preparation for long draw and worsted yarns. Her classes at Camp Australia and New Zealand 2026 will bring you simple but effective spinning techniques to even out your singles and create beautifully balanced, plied yarns. You will love your results from this class!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can find Sue on Ravelry and Youtube under the name \u2018chicksinrubber\u2019 and her website is www.handspun-exotics.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Pat Old<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nPat is well known throughout New Zealand as one of our most knowledgable and experienced spinners and teachers \u2013 a self-confessed, slightly obsessive \u201cyarn nerd\u201d! She tutored the Creative Fibre NZ Hand spinners Certificate, and has authored the book \u2018In A Spin\u2019, a very comprehensive must-have book for spinners, that takes from fleece to finished with an in depth explanation of each step. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
At camp Australia and New Zealand Pat will pass on her thoughts on yarn design and construction, from analysing your own hand spun skein (grist, wraps, twist and more!) to deconstructing a commercial yarn in such a way that you can reconstruct it using your own unique interpretation ideas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is so much to be learned from this kind of detailed investigation into yarn construction!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We are sure you will thoroughly enjoy this class and be excited about applying what you learn to your spinning. There is nothing more satisfying than creating exactly the yarn you need!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Janet Day<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nAlways one of our favourite Camp teachers, Janet brings joy and innovation to all her classes. She is a well known on both sides of the Tasman, and has taught internationally and locally for many years. Janet has a fantastic eye for colour and a very wide range of spinning skills to share. This year Janet will be teaching her \u2019Stupendous Singles\u2019 class, at Australia Camp. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Commercial yarn producers are embracing single-spun yarns in new and unexpected ways, from airy low-twist strands to intriguing tubular constructions that mimic miniature knitted cords. This class is an opportunity to explore what makes these yarns feel soft, drape beautifully, or hold up to wear\u2014and why some commercial singles lack the energy and resilience of handspun. During the class you will investigate twist, balance, loft, and durability, and learn how to spin singles that have these qualities: softness, strength, and long-lasting performance. Whether you\u2019re a devoted singles spinner or simply curious, this session will expand the creative possibilities of your hand spun yarn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Suzy Brown<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nSuzy is the Publisher of tinyStudio magazine, an international publication that showcases fibre artists around the world. She also has many years of teaching experience both online and offline, in NZ and internationally, and also tutors the Creative Fibre NZ \u2018Designer Yarns\u2019 Certificate. Her passion is for colour and texture, and the use of fibre preparation tools and techniques to make the most of them! Following this passion she has co-authored the Big Book of Fibery Colour\u2019 which contains everything you need to know for working with multi-coloured fibres, and also wrote \u2018Fun With Spikes: How to Use a Hackle to Design Unique Yarns\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For Camp this year Suzy\u2019s class has both prep and spinning as she will be bringing a class set of her mini carding tool, the \u2018Baby Dragon Board\u2019 which we will use to create a whole \u2018Chocolate Box\u2019 of mini fibre preps, playing with colours and effect fibres. The \u2018candies\u2019 are so much fun to make and collect, but rather than create a dragon hoard, we will add them in to a big lofty bulky yarn for a fast and fun spin, learning techniques along the way to make your super-sized yarn airy light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\nREGISTRATION<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
To register for Camp Australia <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Go to:<\/strong> www.virginiafarmwoolworks.com.au<\/a><\/strong>
Or<\/strong> for further enquiries, email or call:<\/strong>
Wendy Campbell +61 0448 866 789<\/strong>
camp@virginiafarmwoolworks.com.au<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nTo register for Camp New Zealand<\/h3>\n\n\n\n