Saturday and Sunday, November 5-6, 2022
at Byrdcall Studio in Woodbine, Maryland.
Saturday 9 AM – 4 PM and Sunday 10 AM – 1 PM
Join with Melinda for a comprehensive two-day class of learning all about rya rug making. The rya book will be in your hands in advance of the class, though I will cover most of the chapters as we progress.
The studio will have many types of virgin wool rya rug yarn in hundreds of colors including much vintage yarn from Sweden. You will have free access to designing supplies, yarn snips for color blending, threading cards, graph paper if you choose to graph, and markers if you choose to mark your backing with the design. I will accommodate your choice of backing type and size. Supplies will be invoiced according to what you select during the class. The smallest and least expensive backing would be about 16″ x 16″ requiring about 4-5 skein for a total of approx. $90. I have 2′ wide Swedish backing I can hem to any length you request, and Finnish surface knotting backing in five widths. See listing in my Etsy shop for details and various prices.
Students can select the type of backing they wish to use in any size available. A list of possibilities and prices will be shared with registrants. I will have all your backings prepared for you before you arrive. During the two days, student will learn more than the basics of rya rug making and will design their own rya, calculate or “guesstimate” the amount of yarn they need, and become proficient with the knotting techniques. No ryas will be completed of course,but student will leave comfortable in knowing they have everything they need to succeed. Class size will be limited to 6.
I will make some seasonal muffins to share Saturday morning, and a hearty grain salad so you will have sustenance. Please bring any food you need to get through the day otherwise.
The studio has air conditioning and heat, so most likely the heat will be on in November. We have a small bathroom, too.
Bring:
- Design ideas as photos, sketches, doodles
- Sharp Scissors (if you are flying with carry-on luggage only, you can borrow my scissors.)
- A small calculator
- Tote bag or basket for carrying supplies
- Any watercolor paint, colored pencils or markers if you have them (I will have mine available to use)
- Snacks/Food as needed, energy bar, water bottle
- Notebook, but you won’t need to take many notes since everything is in the book.
- Wear comfortable clothes
Tuition:
Class is for adults age 16 and older. Artistic ability, while helpful, is not a requirement–the yarn provides the beauty. General hand dexterity is helpful.
$150 for students who have my Rya book; $195 for students who do not have my book–I will send one to you upon paid registration. I’ll send paperback unless you request hardback for $10 more.
To register, email me at Byrdcallstudio@gmail.com. I will send an online invoice.
If you are researching local hotels, Westminster, MD has several and is about 25 minute drive. Turf Valley Resort is about 16 minute drive.
Byrdcall Studio is a nice little building in my backyard in a neighborhood in rural Maryland. The studio serves many artistic outlets for me, so it does have a real working studio feel to it.