Madison Knitters Guild upcoming events

Knit-A-Long ~ May 3, 2026 (05/03/2026)

Sun, 03 May 2026 18:30:00 GMT

2025 - 2026 Madison Knitter’s Guild Knit Along (KAL)

When: Sunday May 3, 2026 from 1:30 to 3:30 pm

Session Title: Knitting your sweater!

Location: Fitchburg Public Library

5530 Lacy Road
Fitchburg, WI

Instructor: Margy Blanchard

Description:

You CAN knit a sweater that fits you! We will be checking our gauge swatches and answering any questions you have as you start (or continue) to knit your sweater. Come and have a fun afternoon knitting with your MKG friends.

Experience level required: basic knitting skills

Send questions to Margy at kal@madisonknittersguild.com

Members Only Yarn Sale FYI & Volunteers Needed (05/11/2026)

Mon, 11 May 2026 20:30:00 GMT

Members-Only Yarn Sale
May 11, 2026

Get ready to stuff your stash! This year’s Yarn Sale is a Bag Sale—fill a medium gift bag with as much yarn as you can fit!

Sale Details:

️ $25 per bag (same great price as last year!)
⏰ 5:00–6:15 pm
Bonus Round: Less-than-Half Price Sale
- 8:00–8:30 pm
- $10 per bag

Payment Options:
Cash, check, or card accepted
Tip: Cash is always the quickest and easiest!

Helpful Tips:

Bring your own bag to carry your purchases (we’d love to reuse the sale bags next year ♻️)
Have your project ideas handy so you can match yarn perfectly
Don’t miss the knitting books—just tuck them right into your bag!

Volunteers Needed

Help make the sale a success!

Drivers (7) – 3:30 pm
Meet at the Community Projects Locker (401 W Beltline Hwy, Madison) to load yarn and deliver it to MATC
Unloaders & Set-Up Crew (7) – 4:00–5:00 pm
Unload vehicles and organize yarn by weight in the sale area
Table Attendants (7) – 4:45–6:15 pm & 8:00–8:30 pm
Answer questions and keep tables stocked
Entrance Table (2) - 4:45–6:15 pm & 8:00–8:30 pm
Hand out gift bags to shoppers
Payment Table (3) - 4:45–6:15 pm & 8:00–8:30 pm
Handle checkout
Return Drivers (3) End of meeting - 9:00pm
Pack up leftover yarn and return it to the Guild locker

You can volunteer for more than one volunteer position.
Please let me know if you think I should split the initial sale and break sale volunteer positions.
Volunteers will receive more detailed instructions via email.

If you have questions please contact Karen Thiel, Community Projects

thielsev@ameritech.net or (608)347-9526

May 2026 Guild Meeting (05/11/2026)

Mon, 11 May 2026 23:30:00 GMT

In Person: Location: 1701 Wright Street, Madison WI

Date: Monday, May 11th, 2026

Time: Doors open at 5:00, Meeting starts at 6:30

Virtual: Registration and Zoom link will be emailed and the meeting recorded and posted to the Guild website the following the event.

Year End Celebration

MKG Members only!

Planned Vendors:

None - Yarn Sale!

Interested in carpooling? Check the Madison Knitter's Guild thread on Ravelry or the Member's Discussions page on the MKG Website.

Effective May 05, 2025: The safety and security of our members, speakers, and vendor and/or vendor staff are our most important priorities. We ask that if you are feeling ill, have tested positive for COVID, or have come in contact with someone who has COVID, that you forgo attendance at MKG events until you are well.

MKG Open Knitting Session ~ Saturday, May 16, 2026 (05/16/2026)

Sat, 16 May 2026 18:30:00 GMT

MKG Open Knitting Session

When: Saturday, May 16 2026 from 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Location: Verona Public Library, 500 Silent St., Verona, WI

Hosts: Derrith Wieman

Description:

Join us for an afternoon of knitting on your current (or languishing) projects. This is a great opportunity for new guild members to meet other members and for existing members to get to know someone new.

Send questions to Derrith at openknittingsessions@madisonknittersguild.com

Yarn Grab and Donation Drop (06/09/2026)

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Yarn Grab & Donation Drop!

When: Tuesday, June 9 | 6–8 pm
Where: Sequoya Library, 4340 Tokay Blvd, Madison

Ready to refresh your stash and do some good? This is your night!

Stock up:
Grab cotton yarn to help us reach our 2026 goal of 2,000 dishcloths for River Food Pantry holiday boxes.
Pick up fingering weight for mittens or shawls.
Snag some worsted for cozy hats and scarves.
Clean out:
Got donation items taking over your yarn basket, counter, or project bag? Bring them along and clear the decks for a summer full of creative fun!

Grab and Go! Or stay for the good vibes.

Looking forward to seeing you,
Karen Thiel
Community Projects

WISW - Yarnitecture: Building Exactly the Yarn You Want with Jillian Moreno (09/11/2026)

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 14:00:00 GMT

WI Sheep and Wool Collaboration: Yarnitecture: Building Exactly the Yarn You Want with Jillian Moreno

Friday, September 11, 2026

9 AM - 4 PM

Registration will open April 15, 2026 at 12:01 am CST. This registration is to hold your spot only and you will be contacted directly by WISW to pay for your class (see important notes below). Early registration will close May 8th (after that you can register on the WISW site starting May 15th if space is left).

Topic:

Is the yarn in your head the yarn in your hand? Do you always spin the same yarn? Do you have a dream yarn you can’t make happen? Are you unhappy with how the colors shift when you spin a variegated top or roving? Do you love your handspun yarn, but don’t like how it looks knitted? In this class, we’ll focus on making yarn that inspires you from commercially dyed roving and top – yarn you’ll love to knit with. Together, we’ll build your yarn from fiber braid up to a knitted swatch. We’ll start by talking about the blueprint for a yarn, the yarn vision. We’ll break yarn down into all of its parts. We’ll build your yarn’s foundations by exploring fiber breeds and preparations. The walls – they’re the different drafting and plying methods we’ll work with. Finally, the roof goes on as we manipulate variegated top and roving to get the colors you’ve chosen just the way you want them. All along the way, you’ll get tips to keep your yarn’s end use or yarn vision in mind and your yarn consistent. This class will give you confidence to build the yarns you want to knit with!

Skills Needed: Beginner- If you are familiar with your wheel, can spin a continuous thread, and have plied a yarn (even once), this class is for you.

Cost: $130 (to be paid directly to WISW after registration, see important notes below)

What to Bring:

A wheel in good working order (e-wheels are fine; bring extension cord or battery)

3 bobbins

a lazy kate

a niddy noddy

tags to mark samples

pen and paper to take notes

baggies for sample fiber

an idea for a yarn to spin that isn't your everyday spin

Material Fee and What this Covers: $35- a variety of fibers, breeds, and preperations, including fibers dyed by independent dyers. Students revieve enough fiber for class and to practice skills at home after the class.

Location: Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Grounds in PLY Together, Building 7

WISW Site Link: https://wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival.com/education/classes (for information only, not registration)

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival is offering MKG members a chance to register for classes before they open to the general public. This is a huge member benefit since classes sell out quickly at the festival site.
There is not a discount for the classes, it is early registration only!
You can only register early via the MKG website, and you must be a MKG member to do so.
You will NOT pay for your class via MKG. Once you register, you will receive an invoice from Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival, and you will pay them directly.
Payment must be made to the Festival no later than May 10 or you will be dropped from the class.

WISW - Magical Creativity: Using your Fiber Tools as Magic Wands with Lauren McElroy (09/11/2026)

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 14:00:00 GMT

WI Sheep and Wool Collaboration: Magical Creativity: Using your Fiber Tools as Magic Wands with Lauren McElroy

Friday, September 11, 2026

9 AM - 12 PM

Topic:

When we create, we are pulling something from the realm of the unmanifest into the manifest. We all have had this experience, whether we think it’s magical or not. We see something in our heads, twirl a few sticks around, and Presto Chango, we have some item that is useful. That’s not to say it is at all easy: we put a lot of work in, using our skills, our thoughts, our emotions, and through the alchemical act of creation, not only do we change something into something else that didn’t exist before, we are changed in the process. We make ourselves new. We take the raw elements, twist them, untangle them, weave them together, rip them back, and learn lessons along the way. Learning to see your craft in this way, and imbuing intention into your work, opening up to the world of magic that is all around you, is what shifts “making something” into making magic. In this session, we will open our senses to experience the world as magical, we will use meditative and creative practices to learn to be guided by our intuition, and become a channel for creativity to flow. Every day, we are surrounded by beauty and magic. The purpose of this class is to help you open your eyes to see it. To experiment, to play, and to see the world from a magical perspective. Bring your projects, or some raw materials that inspire you, and let’s make magic together! All of my course offerings will include an element of meditation, of wool working songs, of journaling, and a hands-on creative fiber practice.

Skills Needed: Beginner - Students can work at any level on chosen craft

Cost: $65 (to be paid directly to WISW after registration, see important notes below)

What to Bring: Bring a project or some raw materials that inspire you

Location: Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Grounds in PLY Together, Building 7

WISW Site Link: https://wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival.com/education/classes (for information only, not registration)

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival is offering MKG members a chance to register for classes before they open to the general public. This is a huge member benefit since classes sell out quickly at the festival site.
There is not a discount for the classes, it is early registration only!
You can only register early via the MKG website, and you must be a MKG member to do so.
You will NOT pay for your class via MKG. Once you register, you will receive an invoice from Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival, and you will pay them directly.
Payment must be made to the Festival no later than May 10 or you will be dropped from the class.

WISW - Winning with Worsted with Jacey Boggs (09/11/2026)

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 14:00:00 GMT

WI Sheep and Wool Collaboration: Winning with Worsted with Jacey Boggs

Friday, September 11, 2026

9 AM - 12 PM

Topic:

Whether worsted is your default or your nemesis, this class will help you gain full control over this smooth, drapey, dense, and lustrous style of spinning. We'll delve into short forward and short backward and why they're both absolutely worsted, along with how to determine, change, and maintain your diameter so that you can spin any weight of worsted yarn and keep it consistent throughout your spin. You'll learn several worsted joins along with how to work back and forth across the width of your fiber (instead of stripping it out or spinning down the side). At the end of this class, you'll be winning at worsted.

Skills Needed: Beginner- participant should know how to spin a continuous yarn

Cost: $65 (to be paid directly to WISW after registration, see important notes below)

What to Bring: Wheel and all its parts + one bobbin

Material Fee and What this Covers: $30 - all needed fiber

Location: Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Grounds in PLY Together, Building 7

WISW Site Link: https://wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival.com/education/classes (for information only, not registration)

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival is offering MKG members a chance to register for classes before they open to the general public. This is a huge member benefit since classes sell out quickly at the festival site.
There is not a discount for the classes, it is early registration only!
You can only register early via the MKG website, and you must be a MKG member to do so.
You will NOT pay for your class via MKG. Once you register, you will receive an invoice from Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival, and you will pay them directly.
Payment must be made to the Festival no later than May 10 or you will be dropped from the class.

WISW - Pocket Palooza with Lisa Toppin (09/11/2026)

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 14:00:00 GMT

WI Sheep and Wool Collaboration: Pocket Palooza with Lisa Toppin

Friday, September 11, 2026

9 AM - 4 PM

Topic:

Welcome to Pocket Palooza! Where we're bringing pockets to the party! Say goodbye to sweaters with nowhere to put your phone and hello to knitwear with flair! In this workshop you'll learn how to add pockets that are as stylish as they are handy. From vertical and horizontal patch pockets to inset pockets, we will cover it all, giving you the skills to pop a pocket into anything- new projects or old faces! By the end, you'll be a pocket pro, ready to add function, flair, and a dash of fun to every knitted piece.

Skills Needed: Intermediate

Cost: $130 (to be paid directly to WISW after registration, see important notes below)

What to Bring:

Yarn:

Main Yarn: 100 grams of smooth, light colored worsted weight yarn (wool or wool blend recommended. Avoid dark colors, boucle, cotton, or fuzzy yarn)

Contrast Yarn: 100 yards in a similar weight (for inset practice)

Needles:

24" circular needle in size appropriate for worsted weight yarn (typically YS6-8 / 4-5mm)

One sized smaller needle (for reinforced edges)

DPN's or second circular needle (for pocket bag work)

Notions:

Locking Stitch Markers (minimum 6)

Tapestry Needle

Small Scissors

Measuring Tape

Removable Waste Yarn (at least 20")

Crochet Hook (1 size smaller than knitting needles)

Straight Pins (optional but helpful for placement testing)

Sewing Needle

1 Spool Sewing Thread

Optional but Recommended:

Row Counter

Small Notebook

Highlighter

Weighted object for load testing (keys, phone, or small wallet)

Homework:

To ensure minimum hands-on installation time, students must arrive with:

1) Base Panel (large): 8"x10" stockinette rectangle (Approx. 40 stitches by 50 rows at 5 stitches to the inch), Blocked. Live stitches bound off. Leave at least a 2" garter rib boarder at the bottom (optional but helpful)

2) Secondary Panel (small): 6"x6" stockinette square (Approx. 30 stitches by 35 rows), Blocked. Bound off.

Both panels should be knit in main yarn.

Material Fee and What this Covers: $7 for reinforcement kit

Location: Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Grounds in PLY Together, Building 7

WISW Site Link: https://wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival.com/education/classes (for information only, not registration)

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival is offering MKG members a chance to register for classes before they open to the general public. This is a huge member benefit since classes sell out quickly at the festival site.
There is not a discount for the classes, it is early registration only!
You can only register early via the MKG website, and you must be a MKG member to do so.
You will NOT pay for your class via MKG. Once you register, you will receive an invoice from Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival, and you will pay them directly.
Payment must be made to the Festival no later than May 10 or you will be dropped from the class.

WISW - Sweater Fit 101: Tips and Tricks for the Knitter with Aimee Sher (09/11/2026)

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 18:00:00 GMT

WI Sheep and Wool Collaboration: Sweater Fit 101: Tips and Tricks for the Knitter with Aimee Sher

Friday, September 11, 2026

1 PM - 4 PM

Topic:

Learn the basics of sweater fit with designer Aimee Sher. Learn about how size charts work, selecting a size, identifying fit features on patterns, understanding ease, and how to approach assessing good fit and plan modifications. Learn how to evaluate whether a pattern is suited to a knitter’s needs and their desired fit. We’ll also be briefly covering the major measurements to take so that you can understand your measurements better. Due to the time limitations, we will not be going over specific math on how to work modifications, but you’ll come away with a framework on how to assess fit better and begin to plan for different body shapes.

Skills Needed: Intermediate to Expert- Students should have experience with the craft and be ready to move into a place where they may be challenged. Knitters should be comfortable with sweater construction and general knitting math, such as changing basic increase or decrease rates in a tapered sleeve or for A-line shaping. Additionally, knitters should be comfortable with working and visualizing short row shaping.

Cost: $65 (to be paid directly to WISW after registration, see important notes below)

What to Bring: A pencil and scrap paper for jotting notes

Material Fee and What this Covers: $20- measurement tools, hand outs, and a printed version of the slides

Location: Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Grounds in PLY Together, Building 7

WISW Site Link: https://wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival.com/education/classes (for information only, not registration)

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival is offering MKG members a chance to register for classes before they open to the general public. This is a huge member benefit since classes sell out quickly at the festival site.
There is not a discount for the classes, it is early registration only!
You can only register early via the MKG website, and you must be a MKG member to do so.
You will NOT pay for your class via MKG. Once you register, you will receive an invoice from Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival, and you will pay them directly.
Payment must be made to the Festival no later than May 10 or you will be dropped from the class.

WISW - Beginner Inkle Weaving with Lisa Graves (09/11/2026)

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 18:00:00 GMT

WI Sheep and Wool Collaboration: Beginner Inkle Weaving with Lisa Graves

Friday, September 11, 2026

1 PM - 4 PM

Topic:

Weaving bands on an inkle loom is a fun and simple portable weaving art; bands can be used for bracelets, key chain fobs, zipper pulls, shoelaces, straps for bags, and more! This class will give you all the knowledge you need to comfortably weave on an inkle loom, and you will learn how to make heddles, warp your loom, and weave the band. The class will also cover designing your own bands, different thread options, and resources for more information.

Skills Needed: Beginner - no experience necessary

Cost: $65 (to be paid directly to WISW after registration, see important notes below)

What to Bring:

Inkle loom in good working order (full sized inkle suggested if you are a beginner)

Inkle loom manual if you have one

Belt shuttle

Warp and weft yarns (6 colours, at least 40 yards each, mercerized or unmercerized cotton in size 8/4, 5/2, or 3/2)

Strong yarn to make heddles or appropriate texsolv heddles (10/2 mercerized cotton is a good choice)

Thread snips/scissors

Painter tape

Ruler

Pencil and paper for note-taking

Post It note pad

Material Fee and What this Covers: $5- handouts

Location: Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Grounds in PLY Together, Building 7

WISW Site Link: https://wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival.com/education/classes (for information only, not registration)

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival is offering MKG members a chance to register for classes before they open to the general public. This is a huge member benefit since classes sell out quickly at the festival site.
There is not a discount for the classes, it is early registration only!
You can only register early via the MKG website, and you must be a MKG member to do so.
You will NOT pay for your class via MKG. Once you register, you will receive an invoice from Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival, and you will pay them directly.
Payment must be made to the Festival no later than May 10 or you will be dropped from the class.

WISW - Raglan Fit with Aimee Sher (09/12/2026)

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 14:00:00 GMT

WI Sheep and Wool Collaboration: Raglan Fit with Aimee Sher

Saturday, September 12, 2026

9 AM - 12 PM

Topic:

Get into the nitty-gritty of how raglan shaping works with designer Aimee Sher. Learn about how different parts of a raglan construction work together to create the desired fit around the upper torso, including the armhole and neck shaping. We’ll be talking about how simple changes and knitter math can be used to achieve a better fit for different body types and adjustments. Due to the time limitations, we will not be going over specific math on how to work modifications, but you’ll come away with a framework on how to design your customized fit based on your unique needs, using any pattern.

Skills Needed: Intermediate to Expert - Students should have experience with the craft and be ready to move into a place where they may be challenged. This class is designed for knitters who are comfortable with sweater construction and have knit at least one raglan construction sweater.

Cost: $65 (to be paid directly to WISW after registration, see important notes below)

What to Bring: Pencil and paper

Material Fee and What this Covers: $10- handouts, and printed version of the slides

Location: Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Grounds in PLY Together, Building 7

WISW Site Link: https://wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival.com/education/classes (for information only, not registration)

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival is offering MKG members a chance to register for classes before they open to the general public. This is a huge member benefit since classes sell out quickly at the festival site.
There is not a discount for the classes, it is early registration only!
You can only register early via the MKG website, and you must be a MKG member to do so.
You will NOT pay for your class via MKG. Once you register, you will receive an invoice from Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival, and you will pay them directly.
Payment must be made to the Festival no later than May 10 or you will be dropped from the class.

WISW - Parallel Drafting: Blending Color at the Wheel with Jillian Moreno (09/12/2026)

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 14:00:00 GMT

WI Sheep and Wool Collaboration: Parallel Drafting: Blending Color at the Wheel with Jillian Moreno

Saturday, September 12, 2026

9 AM - 12 PM

Topic:

Skills Needed: Beginner - If you are familiar with your wheel, can spin a continuous thread, and have plied a yarn (even once), this class is for you.

Cost: $65 (to be paid directly to WISW after registration, see important notes below)

What to Bring:

A wheel in good working order (an e-wheel is fine; bring extension cord or bring a battery)

3 bobbins

a niddy noddy

tags to mark samples

baggies for fiber

and pen and paper to take notes.

Please bring any other spinning tools you like to use.

Material Fee and What this Covers: $25 - a variety of fibers, breeds, and preparations, including fibers dyed by independent dyers. Students receive enough fiber for class and to practice skills at home after the class

Location: Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Grounds in PLY Together, Building 7

WISW Site Link: https://wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival.com/education/classes (for information only, not registration)

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival is offering MKG members a chance to register for classes before they open to the general public. This is a huge member benefit since classes sell out quickly at the festival site.
There is not a discount for the classes, it is early registration only!
You can only register early via the MKG website, and you must be a MKG member to do so.
You will NOT pay for your class via MKG. Once you register, you will receive an invoice from Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival, and you will pay them directly.
Payment must be made to the Festival no later than May 10 or you will be dropped from the class.

WISW - Stitching Your Stillness: A Mindful Making Workshop with Lauren McElroy (09/12/2026)

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 14:00:00 GMT

WI Sheep and Wool Collaboration: Stitching Your Stillness: A Mindful Making Workshop with Lauren McElroy

Saturday, September 12, 2026

9 AM - 12 PM

Topic:

Fiber festivals are a whirlwind of fun and excitement, but what would happen if, in the middle of it all, you returned to presence, connected with what your body is asking for, and returned to the festival fully engaged and ready to interact holistically and creatively? Through guided meditation, stitching, and journaling, we will connect back into what made us fall in love with our craft. Mindfulness is an essential practice in being present to life, and as fiber artists, we are so fortunate to have a creative activity that brings us back to center, and that we can use as a practice ground for being mindful in the rest of our lives. We will follow the foundations of mindfulness to connect with our bodies, breath, emotions, thoughts, and bring presence back into our work. Come as you are and leave ready to experience all of the inspiration that the sheep and wool festival has to offer in a grounded way that has you feeling clear about what you want to make next. Bring a simple project to work on, preferably one that you can do for some time with your eyes closed. (Don’t worry! It doesn’t have to be perfect!) All of my course offerings will include an element of meditation, of wool working songs, of journaling, and a hands-on creative fiber practice.

Skills Needed: Beginner - Students can work at any level on their chosen craft

Cost: $65 (to be paid directly to WISW after registration, see important notes below)

What to Bring: A simple project to work on, preferably one that you can do for some time with your eyes closed.

Material Fee and What this Covers: None but drop spindles and wool will be available to purchase

Location: Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Grounds in PLY Together, Building 7

WISW Site Link: https://wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival.com/education/classes (for information only, not registration)

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival is offering MKG members a chance to register for classes before they open to the general public. This is a huge member benefit since classes sell out quickly at the festival site.
There is not a discount for the classes, it is early registration only!
You can only register early via the MKG website, and you must be a MKG member to do so.
You will NOT pay for your class via MKG. Once you register, you will receive an invoice from Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival, and you will pay them directly.
Payment must be made to the Festival no later than May 10 or you will be dropped from the class.

WISW - Intro to 4 Shaft Double Weave with Lisa Graves - 2-day Class (09/12/2026)

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 14:00:00 GMT

WI Sheep and Wool Collaboration: Intro to 4 Shaft Double Weave with Lisa Graves

Saturday, September 12, 2026|9 AM - 4 PM

Sunday, September 13, 2026|8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Topic:

Students will learn the basics of creating a 4-shaft double weave cloth. Each student will weave their own sampler to keep. Techniques covered will include two separate layers, folded cloth, tubular weave, color & weave, and double weave pick-up. We will also discuss double weave. Students will leave the class with a thorough understanding of how double weave works and how to design and create their own future double weave projects.

Skills Needed: Enthusiastic beginner. Students will need to know how to set up a loom and weave plain weave.

Cost: $260 (to be paid directly to WISW after registration, see important notes below)

What to Bring:

Students need to arrive with looms warped and ready to weave. Warp plan and supply list will be provided beforehand.

4-shaft table or floor loom (minimum 9” in width) in good working order, completely dressed and ready to weave (table looms or jack looms work best, but counterbalance looms are also welcome)

weft yarns - same as warp yarn plus contrasting colour for header and to divide samples

Two shuttles, bobbins (stick shuttles are also acceptable in the place of boat shuttles)

note-taking paper

pencil and eraser

ruler

thread snips/scissors

warp weights

Material Fee and What this Covers: $5- handouts

Location: Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Grounds in PLY Together, Building 7

WISW Site Link: https://wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival.com/education/classes (for information only, not registration)

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival is offering MKG members a chance to register for classes before they open to the general public. This is a huge member benefit since classes sell out quickly at the festival site.
There is not a discount for the classes, it is early registration only!
You can only register early via the MKG website, and you must be a MKG member to do so.
You will NOT pay for your class via MKG. Once you register, you will receive an invoice from Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival, and you will pay them directly.
Payment must be made to the Festival no later than May 10 or you will be dropped from the class.

WISW - Sweater Fit 101: Tip and Tricks for the Knitter with Aimee Sher (09/12/2026)

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 18:00:00 GMT

WI Sheep and Wool Collaboration: Sweater Fit 101: Tip and Tricks for the Knitter with Aimee Sher

Saturday September 12, 2026

1 PM - 4 PM

Topic:

Skills Needed: Intermediate to Expert - students should have experience with the craft and be ready to move into a place where they may be challenged. Knitters should be comfortable with sweater construction and general knitting math, such as changing basic increase or decrease rates in a tapered sleeve or for A-line shaping. Additionally, knitters should be comfortable with working and visualizing short row shaping.

Cost: $65 (to be paid directly to WISW after registration, see important notes below)

What to Bring: Pencil and scrap paper for jotting notes

Material Fee and What this Covers: $20 – Measurement tools, hand outs, and a printed version of the slides

Location: Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Grounds in PLY Together, Building 7

WISW Site Link: https://wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival.com/education/classes (for information only, not registration)

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival is offering MKG members a chance to register for classes before they open to the general public. This is a huge member benefit since classes sell out quickly at the festival site.
There is not a discount for the classes, it is early registration only!
You can only register early via the MKG website, and you must be a MKG member to do so.
You will NOT pay for your class via MKG. Once you register, you will receive an invoice from Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival, and you will pay them directly.
Payment must be made to the Festival no later than May 10 or you will be dropped from the class.

WISW - A Welcome Change: The Secrets of Yarn Substitution with Jillian Moreno (09/12/2026)

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 18:00:00 GMT

WI Sheep and Wool Collaboration: A Welcome Change: The Secrets of Yarn Substitution with Jillian Moreno

Saturday September 12, 2026

1 PM - 4 PM

Topic:

Curious or concerned about making yarn substitutions that work? Finding a good yarn to substitute for a knitting project is more than just finding a yarn with the right gauge. In this class, we will walk through the process you need to make successful substitutions. Together we’ll investigate sheep breeds, woolen and worsted yarns, ply, grist, and color, and see how each yarn component affects your knitted fabric. Learn why swatching is a knitter’s secret weapon for choosing the perfect yarn for a project. Digging into the details of yarn construction, we’ll make sure that any yarn you choose will have the right hand, stitch definition, and look for the pattern you’re making. After taking this class, substituting yarns will be a snap!

Skills Needed: Beginner - student should have a very basic knowledge of the craft or similar crafts to be successful in this class

Cost: $65 (to be paid directly to WISW after registration, see important notes below)

What to Bring: Needles for DK and worsted weight yarns and a pattern that you’d like to knit and haven’t chosen a yarn for

Material Fee and What this Covers: $20- a small sampling kit

Location: Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Grounds in PLY Together, Building 7

WISW Site Link: https://wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival.com/education/classes (for information only, not registration)

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival is offering MKG members a chance to register for classes before they open to the general public. This is a huge member benefit since classes sell out quickly at the festival site.
There is not a discount for the classes, it is early registration only!
You can only register early via the MKG website, and you must be a MKG member to do so.
You will NOT pay for your class via MKG. Once you register, you will receive an invoice from Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival, and you will pay them directly.
Payment must be made to the Festival no later than May 10 or you will be dropped from the class.

WISW - Fix It or Frog It with Lisa Toppin (09/12/2026)

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 18:00:00 GMT

WI Sheep and Wool Collaboration: Fix It or Frog It with Lisa Toppin

Saturday September 12, 2026

1 PM - 4 PM

Topic:

In this interactive and supportive workshop, participants will bring their unfinished objects (UFO's) and share their knitting dilemmas. Whether a project is stalled by mistakes, a design that doesn't quite work, or a piece you’ve lost inspiration for, we’ll help you decide: should you “fix it” or “frog it”? Together, we'll assess your projects, weigh the pros and cons of finishing versus starting fresh, and explore options for moving forward with confidence.

Skills Needed: Beginner

Cost: $65 (to be paid directly to WISW after registration, see important notes below)

What to Bring:

1-3 unfinished projects

Pattern (if available)

Yarn Labels (if possible)

Smooth Yarn (for lifelines)

Location: Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Grounds in PLY Together, Building 7

WISW Site Link: https://wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival.com/education/classes (for information only, not registration)

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival is offering MKG members a chance to register for classes before they open to the general public. This is a huge member benefit since classes sell out quickly at the festival site.
There is not a discount for the classes, it is early registration only!
You can only register early via the MKG website, and you must be a MKG member to do so.
You will NOT pay for your class via MKG. Once you register, you will receive an invoice from Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival, and you will pay them directly.
Payment must be made to the Festival no later than May 10 or you will be dropped from the class.

WISW - All About Yarn: Ply, Twist, and Fiber with Karen Robinson (09/13/2026)

Sun, 13 Sep 2026 13:30:00 GMT

WI Sheep and Wool Collaboration: All About Yarn: Ply, Twist, and Fiber with Karen Robinson

Sunday, September 13, 2026

8:30 AM to 11:30 AM

Topic:

Have you ever been really excited about a project only to be completely unhappy with it once it was finished? That might have happened because you picked the wrong yarn for the project. The yarn–project mismatch is one of the most common reasons knitters aren’t in love with a finished object. In this class, you’ll learn about the various characteristics of yarn, such as ply structure and twist, as well as different types of fiber and how those characteristics translate to various stitch patterns and project types. You’ll also get to swatch some yarns to experience these characteristics for yourself.

Skills Needed: Beginner - Students should have a very basic knowledge of the craft or similar crafts to be successful in this class

Cost: $65 (to be paid directly to WISW after registration, see important notes below)

What to Bring: Knitting needles appropriate for fingering weight and DK weight yarn (e.g., US 4 and US 6)

Material Fee and What this Covers: $10 - yarn samples for swatching

Location: Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Grounds in PLY Together, Building 7

WISW Site Link: https://wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival.com/education/classes (for information only, not registration)

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival is offering MKG members a chance to register for classes before they open to the general public. This is a huge member benefit since classes sell out quickly at the festival site.
There is not a discount for the classes, it is early registration only!
You can only register early via the MKG website, and you must be a MKG member to do so.
You will NOT pay for your class via MKG. Once you register, you will receive an invoice from Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival, and you will pay them directly.
Payment must be made to the Festival no later than May 10 or you will be dropped from the class.

WISW - Mix It Up: The Basics of Combining Color with Braids with Jillian Moreno (09/13/2026)

Sun, 13 Sep 2026 13:30:00 GMT

WI Sheep and Wool Collaboration: Mix It Up: The Basics of Combining Color with Braids with Jillian Moreno

Sunday, September 13, 2026

8:30 AM to 11:30 AM

Topic:

Are you new to spinning braids and unsure of what to do? This class focuses on the fun of mixing and blending painted braids with other colors and other braids. We’ll explore how to choose colors that go together, what affects color in spinning, and how to avoid mud in your yarn. You’ll learn how to mix and blend colors in the ply and draft, and how to choose the easiest fibers that work well together. We’ll look at a lot of swatches so we can examine more closely how the colors in each method look from fiber, to yarn, to cloth. While you practice your mixing and blending, I’ll show you how to choose colors to turn up or turn down the brightness of a braid, and the best way to stretch braids for projects. Finally, I show you how to sample to learn the most about spinning braids for color, and how to use those samples as shortcuts for your future braid spinning.

Skills Needed: Beginner - If you are familiar with your wheel, can spin a continuous thread, and have plied a yarn (even once), this class is for you.

Cost: $65 (to be paid directly to WISW after registration, see important notes below)

What to Bring: A wheel in good working order (an e-wheel is fine; bring an extension cord or bring a battery), 3 bobbins, a niddy noddy, tags to mark samples, baggies for fiber, and pen and paper to take notes. Please bring any other spinning tools you like to use.

Material Fee and What this Covers: $30 - a variety of fibers, breeds, and preparations, including fibers dyed by independent dyers. Students receive enough fiber for class and to practice skills at home after the class

Location: Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Grounds in PLY Together, Building 7

WISW Site Link: https://wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival.com/education/classes (for information only, not registration)

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival is offering MKG members a chance to register for classes before they open to the general public. This is a huge member benefit since classes sell out quickly at the festival site.
There is not a discount for the classes, it is early registration only!
You can only register early via the MKG website, and you must be a MKG member to do so.
You will NOT pay for your class via MKG. Once you register, you will receive an invoice from Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival, and you will pay them directly.
Payment must be made to the Festival no later than May 10 or you will be dropped from the class.

WISW - Intro to 4 Shaft Double Weave with Lisa Graves - 2-day Class (09/13/2026)

Sun, 13 Sep 2026 13:30:00 GMT

WI Sheep and Wool Collaboration: Intro to 4 Shaft Double Weave with Lisa Graves

Saturday, September 12, 2026|9 AM - 4 PM

Sunday, September 13, 2026|8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Topic:

Skills Needed: Enthusiastic beginner. Students will need to know how to set up a loom and weave plain weave.

Cost: $260 (to be paid directly to WISW after registration, see important notes below)

What to Bring:

Students need to arrive with looms warped and ready to weave. Warp plan and supply list will be provided beforehand.

4-shaft table or floor loom (minimum 9” in width) in good working order, completely dressed and ready to weave (table looms or jack looms work best, but counterbalance looms are also welcome)

weft yarns - same as warp yarn plus contrasting colour for header and to divide samples

Two shuttles, bobbins (stick shuttles are also acceptable in the place of boat shuttles)

note-taking paper

pencil and eraser

ruler

thread snips/scissors

warp weights

Material Fee and What this Covers: $5- handouts

Location: Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Grounds in PLY Together, Building 7

WISW Site Link: https://wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival.com/education/classes (for information only, not registration)

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival is offering MKG members a chance to register for classes before they open to the general public. This is a huge member benefit since classes sell out quickly at the festival site.
There is not a discount for the classes, it is early registration only!
You can only register early via the MKG website, and you must be a MKG member to do so.
You will NOT pay for your class via MKG. Once you register, you will receive an invoice from Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival, and you will pay them directly.
Payment must be made to the Festival no later than May 10 or you will be dropped from the class.

WISW - Bind off Loosely Like a Pro with Lisa Toppin (09/13/2026)

Sun, 13 Sep 2026 13:30:00 GMT

WI Sheep and Wool Collaboration: Bind off Loosely Like a Pro with Lisa Toppin

Sunday, September 13, 2026

8:30 AM to 11:30 AM

Topic:

Whether you are making a scarf, shawl, or sweater the final instruction the pattern might offer is "bind off loosely". In this class, students will learn various techniques and stitches to create three different loose bind offs.

Skills Needed: Beginner/Intermediate- Students should have a very basic knowledge of the craft or similar crafts to be successful in this class

Cost: $65 (to be paid directly to WISW after registration, see important notes below)

Location: Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Grounds in PLY Together, Building 7

WISW Site Link: https://wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival.com/education/classes (for information only, not registration)

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival is offering MKG members a chance to register for classes before they open to the general public. This is a huge member benefit since classes sell out quickly at the festival site.
There is not a discount for the classes, it is early registration only!
You can only register early via the MKG website, and you must be a MKG member to do so.
You will NOT pay for your class via MKG. Once you register, you will receive an invoice from Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival, and you will pay them directly.
Payment must be made to the Festival no later than May 10 or you will be dropped from the class.

WISW - Drop Into Presence: Spinning as a Metaphor for Life with Lauren McElroy (09/13/2026)

Sun, 13 Sep 2026 17:30:00 GMT

WI Sheep and Wool Collaboration: Drop Into Presence: Spinning as a Metaphor for Life with Lauren McElroy

Sunday, September 13, 2026

12:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Topic:

Here, spinning becomes a conversation between the heart and the hands. Paying attention to the fiber, where it came from, how many hands it had to pass through before your own, giving homage to the lineage of craft that brought you here today. None of us creates anything alone; we are always connected to a web of support, and feeling the strength and flexibility of that web opens us up to a deeper understanding and experience of our craft. In our time together, participants will be guided in beginner-friendly, intuitive, spinning techniques and be invited into a meditation on our craft. Transforming the raw fiber into “in-tentioned” yarn, we see many metaphors for how we can transform our own lives through intentional action. When we listen and go with the flow instead of trying to control or force, when we trust the slow pace of change, and work with the material we have, this fiber practice becomes a mirror for our own life experience. Participants will experience a shift into recognizing interconnectedness and compassion, leaving with both a deeper foundational spinning skill set and a sense of purpose and presence within this craft. All of my course offerings will include an element of meditation, of wool working songs, of journaling, and a hands-on creative fiber practice.

Skills Needed: No Experience Necessary

Cost: $65 (to be paid directly to WISW after registration, see important notes below)

What to Bring: Drop spindle and wool to spin (available to purchase); wool cards or combs (optional)

Location: Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Grounds in PLY Together, Building 7

WISW Site Link: https://wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival.com/education/classes (for information only, not registration)

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival is offering MKG members a chance to register for classes before they open to the general public. This is a huge member benefit since classes sell out quickly at the festival site.
There is not a discount for the classes, it is early registration only!
You can only register early via the MKG website, and you must be a MKG member to do so.
You will NOT pay for your class via MKG. Once you register, you will receive an invoice from Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival, and you will pay them directly.
Payment must be made to the Festival no later than May 10 or you will be dropped from the class.

WISW - Winning with Woolen with Jacey Boggs (09/13/2026)

Sun, 13 Sep 2026 17:30:00 GMT

WI Sheep and Wool Collaboration: Winning with Woolen with Jacey Boggs

Sunday, September 13, 2026

12:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Topic:

Whether woolen is your default or your nemesis, this class will help you gain full control over this warm, lofty, airy style of spinning. We'll delve into several styles of woolen spinning (short forward with twist, short backward with twist, supported/point of contact/American, and double draft/English) and where each falls on the woolen scale. You'll learn how to determine, change, and maintain your diameter so that you can spin any weight of woolen yarn and keep it consistent throughout your spin. You'll learn several woolen joins, along with which woolen drafts are best suited to which fiber preps. At the end of this class, you'll be winning at woolen, even if you've never spun woolen before!

Skills Needed: Beginner - Participants should know how to spin a continuous yarn

Cost: $65 (to be paid directly to WISW after registration, see important notes below)

What to Bring: A wheel and all its parts, 1+ bobbin

Material Fee and What this Covers: $30 - all needed fiber

Location: Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Grounds in PLY Together, Building 7

WISW Site Link: https://wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival.com/education/classes (for information only, not registration)

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival is offering MKG members a chance to register for classes before they open to the general public. This is a huge member benefit since classes sell out quickly at the festival site.
There is not a discount for the classes, it is early registration only!
You can only register early via the MKG website, and you must be a MKG member to do so.
You will NOT pay for your class via MKG. Once you register, you will receive an invoice from Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival, and you will pay them directly.
Payment must be made to the Festival no later than May 10 or you will be dropped from the class.

WISW - Full Bust Adjustments for Knitters with Aimee Sher (09/13/2026)

Sun, 13 Sep 2026 17:30:00 GMT

WI Sheep and Wool Collaboration: Full Bust Adjustments for Knitters with Aimee Sher

Sunday, September 13, 2026

12:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Topic:

Learn the basics of how to work and calculate for short row bust dart shaping, as well as tips on how to use other techniques to incorporate more space for full busts.

Skills Needed: Intermediate to Expert - students should have experience with the craft and be ready to move into a place where they may be challenged. Knitters should be comfortable with sweater construction and general knitting math. Additionally, knitters should be comfortable with working and visualizing short row shaping; in this case, German Short Rows will be worked

Cost: $65 (to be paid directly to WISW after registration, see important notes below)

What to Bring: Pencil, paper, worsted weight yarn in two colors, and needles to achieve gauge

Homework: Make a swatch using worsted weight yarn to achieve 5 sts per inch, knit in stockinette stitch flat (recommended needle size is US7 but use size that matches gauge)

Material Fee and What this Covers: $20 – Measurement tools, handouts, and a printed version of the slides

Location: Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Grounds in PLY Together, Building 7

WISW Site Link: https://wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival.com/education/classes (for information only, not registration)

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival is offering MKG members a chance to register for classes before they open to the general public. This is a huge member benefit since classes sell out quickly at the festival site.
There is not a discount for the classes, it is early registration only!
You can only register early via the MKG website, and you must be a MKG member to do so.
You will NOT pay for your class via MKG. Once you register, you will receive an invoice from Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival, and you will pay them directly.
Payment must be made to the Festival no later than May 10 or you will be dropped from the class.