An in-person workshop at the TATTER Blue Library in Brooklyn, NYC

You’ve heard of the Iron Age, but have you heard of the String Age? Those who study the history of ancient textiles know that the discovery of spinning thread was as crucial a technology to our ancestors as metallurgy. Spun thread dates back at least 40,000 years and provided a basis for making garments, shelter, nets, ropes, and so much more. All across the world, the most common form of spinning tool was the basic structure many still use today: a stick  or “spindle” and a weight or “spindle whorl.” 

In workshop, textile historian and artist Elliot Rockart will teach the basics of spinning yarn from fiber. Students will get hands on assistance with spinning wool and will also have the opportunity to try out other fibers like cotton, linen, hemp, soybean, silk, alpaca, goat, and even rabbit! The will also discuss the history of global spinning and the current challenges to the preservation of heritage breeds and culturally transmitted spinning practices. 

Students will leave with a spindle of your own, a hank of fiber, and a foundational skill for endless future projects.