Join Wild Hand at the shop and warehouse of our favorite yarny neighbors, Kelbourne Woolens, for Weave & Wild Wander: A Two-Day Rigid Heddle Weaving Retreat. Led by Mt. Airy neighbor, weaver, and textile artist, Richie Wilde Lopez, this immersive two-day Rigid Heddle Weaving Retreat is designed to take participants on a comprehensive journey from weaving basics to achieving intermediate-level mastery!

Weave & Wild Wander: A Two-Day Rigid Heddle Weaving Retreat is perfect for beginners who have never touched a loom as well as more advanced weavers looking to refine their skills and expand their creative horizons all while emphasizing the sheer delight of creating with your own two hands. Over the course of the weekend there will be lots of hands-on support and plenty of time to learn, practice, play, connect, and grow in your skillset over these magical two days of weaving. Below is a snapshot of the weekend.

Day 1: Weaving Foundations and Flourishes

Warm Welcome & Embracing the Loom: Get to know your rigid heddle as we introduce its components, functions, and terminology, demystify the weaving process.

Warp Preparation: Learn how to select and prepare warp yarn, set up the loom, and create an even tension for weaving.

Color and Design: Learn to incorporate color theory and design principles to craft visually captivating woven projects.

Basic Weaving Techniques: Master essential weaving techniques such as plain weave, color changes, and creating simple patterns with clasp weft.

Hands-On Practice: Participants will engage in hands-on weaving exercises to solidify their understanding of the fundamental concepts.

Day 2: Elevating Your Weaving 

Weaving Stories and Stitches: Journey deeper into the craft, infusing your creations with narrative and character exploring texture and patterns. Learn how to use pick-up sticks for more intricate pattern work and try your hand at lace.

The Art of Completion: Learn the satisfying art of properly finishing woven pieces, fixing common weaving mistakes, and troubleshooting issues transforming your woven textiles into heirlooms to be cherished.

Sharing and Reflection: Celebrate your accomplishments with fellow weavers and reflect on your weaving journey. 

We'll feed ya! Wild Hand will keep you fed, hydrated, and caffeinated all weekend with delicious lunches, snacks, beverages, and afternoon treats from our favorite local spots. Your workshop fee includes everything!! When you register we will ask for any dietary considerations and anything else you need to feel safe and comfortable.

Weavers Yoga! One afternoon Holly from our neighborhood yoga studio, Move With Love, will join us for a gentle 30-minute chair yoga, stretching, and meditation focused on the areas of our bodies that are extra strained from sitting at a loom for hours, specifically upper and thoracic spine, hands, wrists, and chest. You'll be able to carry these stretches and breathing exercises with you in your weaving practice. Your workshop fee includes yoga time!

About the space! Wild Hand is a little small for a room full of looms so we're partnering on this retreat with our friends down the road (literally just blocks away from the shop) Kelbourne Woolens. Kate & Courtney have been so gracious to open up their space for the weekend for our group of weavers. We will weave in their light-filled retail space and warehouse among a whole lotta yarn and color inspiration. We're so grateful to have these folks in our corner.

If you have questions before registering please feel free to email Liz at liz@wild-hand.com and she can get you all the answers you need for a fun weekend of weaving! If you're planning to travel from out of town (this workshop falls on a 3-day weekend!) for this retreat we are happy to offer local reccomendations for where to stay, eat, wander, bike, shop, hike, meditate, stretch, and more!

Skills + Materials
This workshop is open to beginner and advanced weavers alike! Students will need to bring their own Rigid Heddle loom and tools to the workshop. If you don't have a loom, please reach out to the shop about renting one of our 16" looms/tools for an additional $25. Your workshop fee includes all of the yarn you'll need for the workshop! You'll be able to select your Gist Beam 3/2 100% Organic Cotton warp color during the registration process.

Community Commitment
We're looking forward to sharing space with you! If you haven't had a chance to read our Community Commitment, pop over to the website and read about how we agree to share space. Feel free to reach out to the shop if you have any questions along the way - we're excited to welcome you wherever you may be on the learning curve.

Cancellation + Make-up Policy
We absolutely understand that things come up and you may need to cancel your registration. You may always transfer your registration to another student (just let us know in advance!). If you need to cancel your registration within one week of the workshop we are happy to offer a 50% store credit refund; cancellations made less than one week in advance will not be refunded. We are unable to offer make-ups or exchanges for missed workshop session(s).

Student Discount
Students get a one-time 10% student discount that is active at the first workshop session and expires two weeks following the final workshop session. You will receive your discount code at the first first session.