Classes in Davis

Small, hands-on classes for ages 6 to 11. Each one pairs a story with real materials and a little real science, and every child brings home something they made.

Dates, location and prices coming soon

Felted Gifts

Felted Gifts

A felted soap to give away.

Ages
6 to 11
Length
About 2 hours
They’ll make
A felted soap wrapped in wool they wash and color by hand, plus a felt ball to keep.
The science
Why wool turns into felt: tiny scales on each fiber lock together with warm, soapy water and friction. Kids compare wool with cotton under a magnifier to see the difference.
The story
A sheep’s wool travels all the way from the meadow to a warm coat.
Where and when
Coming soon

Color from Plants

Color from Plants

Wool dyed with onion skins and turmeric.

Ages
6 to 11
Length
About 2 hours
They’ll make
Skeins of wool yarn dyed with onion skins, turmeric and other kitchen plants.
The science
How plants hold color, what a mordant does, and how heat and acidity change a color. A red-cabbage test shows color shifting before their eyes.
The story
A garden that paints the seasons, and the dyers who learned its secrets.
Where and when
Coming soon

Star Lanterns

Star Lanterns

A folded paper star that glows.

Ages
6 to 11
Length
About 2 hours
They’ll make
A folded paper star lantern that glows when a light is placed behind it.
The science
Why some materials let light through and others don’t: kids sort papers into see-through, glowing and blocking, then use what they learn to build the lantern.
The story
A child carries a small light through the darkest night of the year.
Where and when
Coming soon

Sheep to Yarn

Sheep to Yarn

Their own yarn, spun by hand.

Ages
6 to 11
Length
About 2 hours
They’ll make
Their own yarn, spun on a drop spindle. Younger children twist a strong cord by hand.
The science
Why twisting fibers makes them strong. Kids test loose fiber against their own yarn by hanging paper clips until it breaks, and graph the results.
The story
A spinner’s day, from washing the fleece to the first long thread.
Where and when
Coming soon

Weaving a Pouch

Weaving a Pouch

A small woven pouch from a cardboard loom.

Ages
6 to 11
Length
About 2 hours
They’ll make
A small woven pouch from a cardboard loom, in a pattern they plan first.
The science
Over-under patterns, arrays and counting: weavers plan a design on graph paper, find how many squares it covers, then weave it.
The story
Weavers who told their stories in the patterns of their cloth.
Where and when
Coming soon

Winter Wool and Wonder

Winter Wool and Wonder

Three mornings over winter break.

Ages
6 to 11
Length
Three mornings, about 2½ hours each
They’ll make
A felted gift, plant-dyed wool and a star lantern, over three mornings.
The science
Felting, plant color and light, one each morning, so the three big ideas build on each other.
The story
A winter story told in three parts, one each morning.
Where and when
Coming soon

Questions parents ask

What should my child wear?

Clothes that can get wet or stained. Felting uses warm soapy water and plant dyes can splash. We provide aprons.

Can siblings of different ages come together?

Yes. Classes are made for ages 6 to 11 together. Younger children get simpler steps, and older children get an extra challenge with the same project.

What about allergies?

Some projects use wool and plant materials. Tell us about any allergies or sensitivities when you sign up, and we’ll have gloves or an alternative fiber ready.

Do you take photos?

Only of hands and finished work, never faces, and only with your permission on the sign-up form.

When will dates be announced?

Soon. Join the class updates list below and you’ll hear the moment sign-ups open.

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We’ll email you when dates, the location and prices are set.

Class updates

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