October 21-22, 2022

Join us for a gathering of fiber artists and those who want to be, in a relaxed atmosphere. There’s time for learning through mini-sessions and hands-on activities plus time for spinning, knitting, or other fiber arts passions.

This year’s conference includes not just one but TWO Big Projects and we know you will enjoy them both! The registration fee includes all materials, instruction, and 3 meals. Come to learn, to find a network of like-minded artists, or to finally have some dedicated time for your fiber art. Everyone is welcome.

115 5th St. S., Oakes, ND 58474

Registration

Conference Registration 2022

Register today using a debit or credit card.

$95.00

What To Bring

Where to Stay

Things to Do at the Conference

Visit the dyeing station to bring vibrant or subtle colors to wool roving or yarn.

Learn about wool from the source – the raw fleece – and right through to yarn and finished objects.

Hands on sessions have included wet felting, nature tapestry, peg loom weaving and more.

Bring your spinning wheel, drop spindle, loom or needles and enjoy new and old friendships around the spinning circle.

This year’s schedule 2022

Friday October 21, beginning at 3 pm

  • Beginning Spinning Class 3 pm– If you are new to a spinning wheel, or want to learn, this is your opportunity. We will have a limited number of wheels that you can learn on, or you can bring your own. If it’s been a while since you have been spinning, feel free to join and freshen up your skills.
  • Dyeing Station opens- your registration includes 4 oz. of fiber that you can dye. You can also bring your own fiber to dye as well. Dyeing Station will be open until 8:30 pm Friday.
  • Spinning Circle opens- bring your drop spindle or spinning wheel and enjoy the zen of making yarn. Knitters, crocheters, weavers and other fiber artists are always welcome to join in!
  • Evening Meal – buffet style in the lunchroom at 5:30 pm
  • Natural Exotic Fibers (2 sessions) – 7 pm – try your hand at spinning some fiber blends that can are outside the straight breed selection. There will be two different blends at each session, so make sure you have multiple bobbins. 2nd session on Saturday
  • Fleece Skirting– hands-on opportunity to learn that all wool is usable, but for handspinning, you want the best sections. Several different breeds of sheep will be skirted so you can see the differences in crimp, length and micron diameter. Skirting will be at 6:00 pm
  • Tool Station – Fiber art tools will be available to use both days, including blending boards, drum carders, and rigid heddle looms

Saturday, October 22 beginning at 7:30 am

  • Breakfast – starts at 7:30 am, buffet style in the lunchroom; coffee and tea provided
  • Spinning Circle opens at 7:30 am- bring your drop spindle or spinning wheel and enjoy the zen of making yarn. Knitters, crocheters, weavers and other fiber artists are always welcome to join in!
  • Big Project #1– this is a group activity that requires no previous experience, all supplies and tools are provided. The instructor for this class can only accommodate 10 per session, so participants will have multiple opportunities to join a class throughout the day. Classes at 8:30, 10:00, 12:45, and 2:15
  • Tool Station – several fiber art tools will be available both days, including blending boards, drum carders, and rigid heddle looms
  • Natural Exotic Fibers (part 2) – 9:00 am – try your hand at spinning some fiber blends that can are outside the straight breed selection. There will be two different blends at each session, so make sure you have multiple bobbins.
  • Advanced Plying Techniques – 9:30 am – learn some interesting ways to ply beyond the standard 2-ply. These are fun and unusual, and give you a unique art yarn. This will be geared to those who are intermediate spinners or above.
  • Lunch / Show & Tell – lunch will be served at 11:30 am buffet style in the lunchroom. After everyone has eaten, we take some time to share what we have worked on in the last year, or at the conference so far. Bring your best items to share! If you attended last year’s conference, be sure to bring your Challenge Fiber and share what you made with it.
  • Big Project #2– 1:45 pm – this is a group activity that requires no previous experience, all supplies and tools are provided.
  • Wrap up 4pm

Other Things We Do

We also teach classes and are involved in other fiber related events including:

Meet The Organizers

Julie Mangnall has spent the greatest part of her lifetime enjoying the rhythmic joy of spinning wool into yarn. She is the driving force behind the conference every year, coming up with new projects and ideas to share. She began spinning the first year she and her husband Terry were married, after he managed to get a spinning wheel ordered from Ashford in time for Christmas. Julie and Terry have raised purebred Columbia, Cotswold, Romney and Oxford. Even after dispersing their herd a few years ago, they have remained active with the North Dakota Lamb and Wool Producers Association, and are strong advocates for wool.

Jeanne Roster has been a hand spinner for about 17 years, and has been part of the Handspinners Conference since its inception. She has been involved in fiber demonstrations at NDSU, North Dakota State Fair and Fort Ransom Sodbusters. Jeanne and Julie tag-team on classes at Fiber Arts Festival, Nome Schoolhouse, and other locations.

Terry Mangnall is the force behind the scenes. As a sounding board, a craftsman and a cook, Terry helps in ways that few people see but everyone appreciates. Terry is our caterer for the Handspinners Conference, preparing the meals for Friday night, Saturday morning and Saturday noon. He has also been the tool maker for things like our drying racks, peg looms and more. He also brings a wealth of knowledge on sheep breeds, animal health, and weaving.