About
Martha Owen is an artisan/shepherd and resident artist at the John C Campbell Folkschool (www.folkschool.org) in Brasstown, NC. She oversees classes in spinning/knitting,crochet/feltmaking /surface design and dyeing. Her adventure in spinning began here in 1978. By 1980 her extended family included sheep (mostly Corriedale, Shetland, Romney, Blue Faced Leicester), Great Pyrenees Guardians, Border Collies and Angora rabbits (French). A banjo player known to tell a story or two, Martha's interest in sheep and wool, music and dance has carried her quite literally and joyfully around the world. She reads historical fiction for knitting references and "steals" ideas and runs movies back to see the shape of a hat or to draw a color repeat. She is a member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild (www.southernhighlandguild.org ), and and some of her work can be seen here. Martha was also a co owner of Yarn Circle, a small shop catering to fiber enthusiasts which featured weekly workshops. (Closed July 2016.)
I have been teaching-in person in many situations for many years. My first craft class being in 1984, but storytelling and banjo performance for several years before that. Generally I was at my home school, the John C Campbell Folkschool where all the facilities and equipment are set up for student use. I have also traveled widely to share the idea of creating yarn and knitwear from scratch at conferences, yarn stores and fiber festivals, (many times including storytelling sessions).
Hand Spun, Hand Knit: Fair Isle
Online group class with Martha Owen
Starts March 20 - Learn more and sign up
Reviews from Group Classes
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hand Spun, Hand Knit: Fair Isle
Ann P. on March 4, 2021
Excellent
⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Hand Spun, Hand Knit: Fair Isle"
Cindy S. on March 2, 2021
Very fun!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Hand Spun, Hand Knit: Fair Isle"
Barbara Z. on March 3, 2021
Wonderful.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Hand Spun, Hand Knit: Fair Isle"
Jean M. on March 2, 2021
Awesome. Martha was extremely well prepared and knowledgeable about the subject. She took any software issues in stride and used them as another teaching tool. Her class was both fun and informative. Somehow she made the participants feel they had individual instruction even in the online venue. The only thing I missed was interaction with the other participants but that is the nature of the beast. Great class! Keep them coming!
Teacher: John C Campbell Folkschool (www.folkschool.org) South East Animal Fiber Fair (SAFFsite) Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival, Mid Atlantic Fiber Conference (MAFA) and many more. Juried member: Southern Highland Craft Guild ( southernhiglandguild.org)
Through demonstration and discussion focus on a special topics each day. We will start with our prep/spinning practice practice and focus on knitting later in the week. Return with show and tell questions at the end of each day.
Recommended texts: Alice Starmore's Book of Fair Isle Knitting, The Knitter's Directory 150 Scandinavian Motifs by Mary Jane Mucklestone, The Practical Spinner's Guide: Wool by Kate Larson