Maine Fiber Frolic Workshops
2026 Fiber Frolic Workshop Schedule
Add some color to your life! Get hooked on a new skill! Weave a special fiber story for yourself! Whichever workshop(s) you choose, you’ll have fun learning with wonderfully talented fiber artists at this year’s Maine Fiber Frolic!
Important Notes:
All workshop participants must register online.
Online registration payment includes workshop cost only. Any materials fee will be paid by cash or check directly to the instructor at the workshop.
Please contact the Frolic workshop team if an emergency causes you to miss your workshop and require a refund.
Rug Hooking
Instructor: Janet Connor
Day and Time: Saturday morning 9:15-12:15, or
Sunday afternoon 1-4 (Choose only one session.)
Location: Exhibition Hall
Like all old-fashioned crafts, rug hooking is low-tech, simple and lots of fun! You can easily incorporate rovings, hand spun and commercial yarns, felting techniques and embellishments, once you have mastered the basics. Learn the sequence and procedure of rug hooking, from start to finish. Every step will be demonstrated. We will discuss the history and tradition of primitive rug hooking, learn about finding and preparing materials, and research sources for design inspiration. You will choose from a variety of simple folk art designed rug hooking KITS, for a small mat or chair pad, purchased directly from the instructor.
How students should prepare & what they should bring: Please bring a pair of sharp fabric scissors to class. Students will choose from a variety of teacher-prepared kits packed with beautiful heirloom and hand-dyed wools, a hoop, burlap, binding, and a hook. These range from $33.50 to $58.50, depending upon size chosen by students. Please have checkbook or cash to pay for your chosen kit.
Minimum Enrollment: 5
Maximum Enrollment: 15
Workshop Fee: $72.00
Materials Fee (To be paid to Instructor at the workshop): $33.50-$58.50
Identifying and Caring for Your Antique Spinning Wheel
Instructor: Susanne Grosjean
Day and Time: Saturday afternoon 1-4
Location: Building Exhibition Hall
The goal of this class is to get your antique wheel up and running. We will identify the parts and how antique wheels work. What are easy fixes, and how to find a professional repair person. How best to maintain your wheel. We will also talk about how to identify your wheel’s origins and how to document it. Finally, what to look for when buying an antique spinning wheel will be discussed.
How students should prepare & what they should bring: Please bring either your spinning wheel or photos of your wheel.
Minimum Enrollment: 5
Maximum Enrollment: 10
Workshop Fee: $12.00
Materials Fee: none
Knitting for Health and Wellness
Instructor: Michelle McCann
Day and Time: Saturday afternoon 1-2, or
Sunday morning 10-11 (Choose only one session.)
Location: Start from Exhibition Hall
In this workshop, we’ll knit an easy, sporty hat designed for knitting on-the-go. As we knit, we’ll explore gentle stretches, discuss mindful techniques, and reflect on how our craft supports relaxation and balance. We’ll take our knitting on a walk around the Frolic grounds — because creativity and movement go hand in hand. Open to beginner to advanced knitters with knowledge of casting on, knit stitch, and knitting in the round on circular needles.
How students should prepare & what they should bring: Please wear comfortable shoes and bring your enthusiasm and a sense of adventure. Also, please have checkbook or cash to pay for your kit, which includes yarn (3 miniskeins), circular needles, and hat pattern.
Minimum Enrollment: 5
Maximum Enrollment: 15
Workshop Fee: $30.00
Materials Fee (To be paid to Instructor at the workshop): $20.00
Natural Dyeing: Getting Started, Continuing On
Instructor: Jude Hsiang
Day and Time: Sunday morning 9:30-12:30 or Sunday afternoon 1-4pm (Choose only one session.)
Location: Kitchen in the Administration Building
Using Maine-grown plant material from Jude’s dye garden, participants can choose to dye or tie dye cotton bandanas or silk scarves. There will be dyed items and related material from her many years as a natural dyer. Novices as well as experienced dyers are invited to learn and share their knowledge. Note-taking encouraged! PLEASE NOTE: Participants should sign up for either the morning or afternoon session, not both.
How students should prepare & what they should bring: All materials provided by
the instructor.
Minimum Enrollment: 10
Maximum Enrollment: 15
Workshop Fee: $72.00
Materials Fee: none
For Flax Sake: growing, harvesting, and processing workshop for linen yarn making
Instructor: Tracy Jonsson-Laboy
Day and time: Sunday morning 9:15-12:15 or Sunday afternoon 1:00-4:00 (Choose only one session.)
Location: Exhibition Hall
Have you been curious about how linen is made? Did you know that flax, the fiber at the start of the luxurious linen textile grows easily and abundantly in New England on just a little bit of land? Learn how to identify the right soil, tell when your flax is done growing, and how to process the bast-fiber into a golden thread. Walk home with a small bundle of flax strick, cordage, or spun mini-skein of linen yarn ready to be knit, felted or woven. A new found inspiration to grow flax on your own is nearly guaranteed! This class is taught by textile-, craft- and multi-media artist Tracy Jonsson-Laboy of Wood Spoon Farm, joined by research farmer Kidder Gowen from Hawk and Handsaw Farm in Portsmouth Rhode Island.
How students should prepare & what they should bring: Flax can get a bit messy! Wear clothes you feel comfortable getting dusty and a mouth covering if you prefer your own over provided masks.
Minimum Enrollment: 6
Maximum Enrollment: 14
Workshop Fee: $96.00
Materials Fee: none
Wild Fibers Weaving
Instructor: Jessi Sader
Day and time: Sunday morning, 9:30-12:30
Location: Exhibition Hall
Come weave a fiber art textile on an upright wooden loom. Choose your fibers from an assortment of colors and textures. All natural fibers to be used include: fleeces of curly sheep, mohair, cashmere, camel, raw flax, raw silk, silk cocoons, feathers, birchbark, paper, and tons of handspun yarn. Enjoy making this whimsical weaving with no rules!
How students should prepare & what they should bring: Just bring your creative self. All materials are included.
Minimum Enrollment: 8
Maximum Enrollment: 15
Workshop Fee: $90.00
Materials Fee: none