Experience Level: Intermediate to Advanced (need to know how to knit and purl)

Learn a unique knitting technique at Advanced Knitting Skills: Entrelac on Monday, April 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. in The Studio.

Instructor Charlie Rainbow Wolf will walk students through a basket-weave entrelac stitch, which will enable them to create a knitted, 3D geometric pattern. Students must be comfortable with knitting and purling.

$65/person*. Registration will close March 16 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

*Students should bring:

— 2 balls of Lion Brand Wool-Ease worsted weight (#4) yearn or its equivalent are required. This is an 80% acrylic and 20% wool yar which is machine washable and available from Lion Brand and Michael’s, as well as many yarn shops. Avoid yarns that are too soft like Caron Simply Soft, Snuggly Wuggly or Facets, as they will not hold the pattern as well.

— 1 pair of US size 6 (4mm) single point, 14” straight knitting needles.

— 1 pair of US size 8 (5mm) single point, 14” straight knitting needles.

— 1 blunt end needle for sewing the back seam.

— Notebook and pencil to take notes.

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia at owarren@illinois.edu.

By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

About the instructor

Charlie Rainbow Wolf describes herself as an “old hippie” who has studied the “weird ways of the world for nearly 50 years.” She is happiest with her hands in the mud, either making pottery in an ‘artbox’ or tending things in her ‘yarden’ (yard + garden).

Astrology, tarot and herbs are Charlie’s greatest interests, but she has also dabbled in metaphysical topics in the last five decades — because life always has something new to offer.

She is a contributing author for Llewellyn Worldwide, is a ghostwriter for renowned psychic celebrities, and makes a wicked batch of fudge! Charlie lives in central Illinois with her very patient husband and special needs Great Danes.

About The Farms

The Farms: An Allerton Folk School, offers classes, workshops, and gatherings focusing on art, outdoor education, science, storytelling, and wellness. All experiences value hands-on, experiential teaching and learning, and are facilitated by and for the members of the community.

Experience Level: Beginner-Intermediate (have taken BW1 and 2 previously) 

Brush up on your weaving skills and go back to basics at Warping Bootcamp on Saturday, May 9 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Greenhouse Auditorium. 

This one-day class led by Sharon Bowles will emphasize the basics of weaving including winding a warp to plain weave a dishcloth in the morning. The afternoon will consist of measuring a second warp to weave a twill dishcloth. If time and supplies permit, students will measure out an additional warp to take home for more practice. 

Students are encouraged to bring a sack lunch or plan to grab lunch at the Greenhouse Cafe. 

$150/person*. Register here. Registration will close May 2 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final. 

*Students should bring a 4-shaft loom if they have one. All other supplies will be provided, including a loom if needed. 

Learn more about the space where your course will take place here. If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia at owarren@illinois.edu. 

By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken. 

About the instructor 

Sharon Bowles began weaving in 1990 and started teaching shortly after. She was taught to weave in a one-on-one class and wove two table runners in 12 (approximately) 2-hour lessons, and she teaches the same method when she teaches. Sharon has experience in weaving with silk, lace weaving, 8-shaft pattern weaving, parallel weaving, block weaves, and Shaker reproduction towels. 

She has taught many workshops and classes to weavers’ guilds in Florida, Ohio, and Champaign-Urbana. She earned her Journeyman certification from the Weavers Guild of Boston in 2021 and a master’s certification in April of 2022. Most recently, Sharon taught Beginning Weaving I at The Farms, and a 2-day workshop in four shaft patterns for the Champaign-Urbana Spinners and Weavers Guild. 

Learn how to make paper from local fibers at Intro to Western Papermaking on Sunday, May 10 from 12 to 4 p.m. in the Evergreen Lodge. 

Instructor E. Ainsley will help students form sheets made from miscanthus and corn fiber using a mould and deckle tool. Students can also bring their own dried flowers to add and will leave with several 8.5 by 11-inch damp pressed sheets. Once dried at home, the sheets can be incorporated into their own arts and crafts projects! 

$150/person (Ages 14+). Registration will close May 3 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final. 

Learn more about the space where your course will take place here. If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia at owarren@illinois.edu. 

By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken. 

About the instructor 

E. Ainsley uses handmade paper to speak to internal dream states and (attempts at) meditation. They combine eight years of working in the western yoga wellness industry with sincere study of Zen Buddhism and express their relation to the rhythm of the world through collage and cast paper. Ainsley creates vibrant mandalas, spirals, spirits, still lives, grids and forms infused with a sense of humor about the way things appear to be. 

Their practice is an inquiry into the space between self and environment, the transition between conscious and subconscious landscape and the grey area that evokes curiosity and wonder. 

About The Farms 

The Farms: An Allerton Folk School, offers classes, workshops, and gatherings focusing on art, outdoor education, science, storytelling, and wellness. All experiences value hands-on, experiential teaching and learning, and are facilitated by and for the members of the community.  

Experience Level: Beginner

Learn an ancient form of textile art at Beginning Bobbin Lace on Tuesdays, May 12 through May 26 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in The Studio.

With all of the resources that connect lacemakers across the world, there’s never been a better time to learn how to bobbin lace! Instructor Robin Bagwell will lead this hands-on class, teaching how to cross and twist as well as how to follow pattern.

Students will get the feel of moving bobbins and seeing various patterns develop as they learn the half stitch, cloth stitch and whole stitch. Written instructions will allow participants to continue their bobbin lace at home.

$195/person. Registration will close May 5 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

If you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate, please email Olivia at owarren@illinois.edu.

By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

About the instructor

Robin Bagwell learned bobbin lace at a park in 1994 after running across a lady she just happened to meet! That led to Sunday afternoon sessions during the summer to learn the textile art form. She has been enjoying and teaching bobbin lace since.

About The Farms

The Farms: An Allerton Folk School, offers classes, workshops, and gatherings focusing on art, health & wellness, history, nature & outdoor education, or science. All experiences value hands-on, experiential teaching and learning, and are facilitated by and for the members of the community.

Experience Level: Beginner (16+)

Learn about various stitching methods at Intro to Hand Sewing on Sunday, May 17 from 9 to 12 p.m. in The Studio.

Instructor Jennie Ingram will help students learn the basics of practical hand sewing including the basting stitch, running stitch, back stitch, whip stitch, hem stitch, slip/ladder stitch, and how to attach a button and hook & eye.

Closed-toe shoes are recommended.

$55/person. Registration will close May 15 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

Learn more about the space where your course will take place here. If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia Bunting at owarren@illinois.edu.

By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

About the instructor

Jennie Ingram is a lifelong crafter who has been sewing, costuming, quilting, crocheting, and making jewelry since childhood. She received her MFA in Costume Design from UIUC in 2007 and has worked in costume shops across the country including Idaho Shakespeare Festival and Williamstown Theatre Festival.

She spent six years as the Costume Shop Manager at Western Kentucky University, where she enjoyed expanding her student’s skill sets by offering workshops in quilting, corsetry and jewelry making. Since leaving academia she has run an Etsy shop selling handmade charm bracelets, and other gifts.

Jennie is also a moderator and active member of LettuceCraft.com, a forum where members share their handmade creations. Her Halloween sampler quilt, titled Stitch ‘n Witch, was shown at the 20th Annual Festival of Quilts in Urbana.

Experience Level: All Levels

Learn the basics of weaving and take home a basket at Basket Weaving: Bagel Basket on Friday, May 22 from 10 a.m to 4 p.m. in The Studio.

 Instructor Bonnie Rideout will lead students as they start by creating a woven, filled base for the basket. Students will then learn about twining, triple twining using an arrow weave, and adding leather handles with an overlay. Finally, students will add beads and copper wire to finish off their baskets choosing from a variety of beads available during the class.

$100/person. Registration will close May 15 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia at owarren@illinois.edu.

By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

About the instructor

Bonnie Rideout wove her first basket in 1994 and quickly caught the “basket bug.” She created a business — Bonnie’s Baskets in Decatur — in 2006 to teach others to weave. She is also a traveling instructor and has taught weaving in 18 states.

Find out more about Bonnie on her website, Facebook, Instagram and Etsy pages.

Experience Level: Intermediate (have taken BW1 and 2 or similar experience) 

Expand your weaving skills to learn a new weaving technique at Weaving Twill on Saturdays, May 23 & 30 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Greenhouse Auditorium. 

This two-day class led by Sharon Bowles will lead students in a discussion of various 4 shaft Twill types and design rules. Students will then write their draft pattern, wind and thread a warp to weave a twill gamp. Students using their own looms will wind a longer warp to continue to explore different treadling for the twills on their own. 

Students are encouraged to bring a sack lunch or plan to grab lunch at the Greenhouse Cafe. 

$200/person*. Registration will close May 16 or when capacity is reached.  All sales are final. 

*Students should bring a 4-shaft loom if they have one. All other supplies will be provided, including a loom if needed. 

Learn more about the space where your course will take place here. If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia at owarren@illinois.edu. 

By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken. 

About the instructor 

Sharon Bowles began weaving in 1990 and started teaching shortly after. She was taught to weave in a one-on-one class and wove two table runners in 12 (approximately) 2-hour lessons, and she teaches the same method when she teaches. Sharon has experience in weaving with silk, lace weaving, 8-shaft pattern weaving, parallel weaving, block weaves, and Shaker reproduction towels. 

She has taught many workshops and classes to weavers’ guilds in Florida, Ohio, and Champaign-Urbana. She earned her Journeyman certification from the Weavers Guild of Boston in 2021 and a master’s certification in April of 2022. Most recently, Sharon taught Beginning Weaving I at The Farms, and a 2-day workshop in four shaft patterns for the Champaign-Urbana Spinners and Weavers Guild.

Experience Level: Beginner (Ages 13+)

Learn about crocheting at Granny Squares 101: Crochet for Beginners on Sunday, May 31 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in The Studio.

Led by fiber artist Billie Theide, students will learn the basics of crochet, how to chain, create basic stitches, change colors, read work, fix mistakes and bind off.

Each student will leave with at least one uniquely designed crocheted “granny square” that can serve as a start for a bigger blanket, scarf, bag, and more!

$95/person* (Ages 13+; 13-15-year-olds must be accompanied by an adult, who does not need to register.) Registration will close May 28 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

*Students should bring:

OPTION 1
— 2 skeins Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton yarn. 1 each of two contrasting colors. (This yarn is 100% mercerized cotton, results in a beautiful aesthetic, and holds its sheen and structure through repeated washings.) 
— 1 4mm U.S. G/6 crochet hook
— Embroidery scissors

OPTION 2
— 2 skeins Loops & Threads Impeccable Solid Yarn. 1 each of two different contrasting solid colors. (This yarn is 100% acrylic, is super soft and easily worked. Ideal for afghans, sweaters, hats, and scarves.) 
— 5 mm US H/8 crochet hook 
— Embroidery scissors

Learn more about the space where your course will take place here. If you will need disability-related accommodations participate, please email Olivia at owarren@illinois.edu.

By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

About the instructor

Billie Theide is a former chair of the Crafts Program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she is Professor Emerita. Theide is a metalsmith, jeweler and ceramicist. Her work is in public art collections around the world including the Smithsonian, Museum of Arts & Design in New York City, Nelson Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City and the Racine Art Museum, among others.

She is the recipient of a Visual Arts Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts and five Artists Fellowship Grants from the Illinois Arts Council. Theide has been recognized for her excellence in teaching and is a Distinguished Member and Past-President of the Society of North American Goldsmiths.

About The Farms

The Farms: An Allerton Folk School, offers classes, workshops, and gatherings focusing on art, health & wellness, history, nature & outdoor education, or science. All experiences value hands-on, experiential teaching and learning, and are facilitated by and for the members of the community.