Carson Demers Ergonomic Workshop July 22-23, 2023
Please join us for a special weekend with Carson Demers! He is an avid knitter, spinner, fiber enthusiast and teacher, as well as the author of the book Knitting Comfortably, The Ergonomics of Handknitting. Carson is a physical therapist who brings 20+ years of ergonomic practice into his teaching. He regularly teaches at all the major fiber events and retreats. You can see more at his website ergoiknit.com.
Our workshop will include three different class sessions with three different topics. Session 1 is on Saturday after our guild meeting. Session 2 is Sunday morning. Session 3 is Sunday afternoon. See details and pricing below.
Class size is limited, with preference given to current guild members in order of email receipt, so sign up ASAP! To sign up, please email Mary Tiffany at workshops@glasg.org with the subject line GLASG July 2023 Workshop. In your email please include which sessions you’d like to attend. Once confirmed for attendance, you will be invoiced via PayPal by our Guild Treasurer. More details for attendees will follow in subsequent emails.
Day 1 – Saturday, July 22
Location: St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 11555 National Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064
Session 1 — 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Topic: Ergonomics at Your Spinning Wheel
Time seems suspended when you’re at your spinning wheel. Hours melt away but stress and strain can be accumulating in your body. Spinning shouldn’t hurt! In this class you’ll learn what ergonomic wish factors are and where they exist in spinning at a wheel. Most importantly you’ll learn what to do to minimize them and early warning signs that could prevent injury. Safer strategies for seating, balancing your spinning work, and of course, stretches will all be taught.
The second half of the class will be tailored for our guild. You can’t find this class anywhere else! We will bring out our equipment, including spindles, niddy noddies, lazy kates, carders, combs and blending boards. Carson will work with us individually to understand the best ergonomic approaches for these items.
Lunch will be provided for attendees.
Learner’s materials: Spinning wheel, bobbins mandatory. Bring lazy kates and/or plying tools if you have them. Spindles, carders, combs, blending boards or other spinning/fiber equipment are optional. Bring fiber to spin and play with. Students are also asked to bring a bath sized towel.
Please note: there may be a $TBD materials fee. The fee price (if any) will be provided in June.
Day 2 – Sunday, July 23
Location: REMAINDERS creative reuse of Pasadena, 787 E Washington Blvd, Suite 101, Pasadena, CA 91104 (Check them out at https://remainderspas.org/)
Session 2 — 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Topic: Swatchbuckling (a.k.a., Applying Ergonomics to Knitting)
Avast ye maties! Let’s bring improved ergonomics to life in your knitting technique. We’ll swatch to improve your posture, comfort and efficiency. We’ll examine yarn tensioning techniques, and all phases of stitch creation first with simple then more challenging swatches and stitches. We’ll also look at ways to add movement to knitting to avoid stiffness and injuries caused by disuse. Class is appropriate for students who are comfortable with basic knit and purl stitches. Swatches of basic cable and lace patterns are also made in class. Stitch patterns are provided in both charted and written formats. Class is suitable for all levels of knitting experience.
Learner’s materials: Students are asked to bring light colored worsted weight yarn (4 ounces is sufficient) and needles appropriate for that yarn, a bath sized towel, and materials to take notes if they wish to do so.
Lunch — 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm — Lunch will be provided for those attendees signed up for both Sunday sessions only.
Session 3 — 1:00 to 4:00 pm
Ergonomics for Fiber Enthusiasts
Do you do more than knit or spin? This class takes inventory of the ergonomic pros and cons for a variety of fiber arts including weaving and finer needle needle work. You’ll learn how injuries occur and the contributions your craft makes both to their occurrence and prevention. You’ll learn to identify ergonomic risk in your craft and techniques to prevent injuries including improved posture, stretching and exercise.
Learner’s materials required: Students are asked to bring a bath sized towel and note-taking materials, if desired.
Pricing for Guild Members:
Sessions 1, 2 & 3 together – $250 (Save $50!)
Session 1 – $150
Session 2 – $75
Session 3 – $75
Note: If you sign up for both sessions on Sunday, lunch is included.
Pricing for Non-Guild Members:
Sessions 1,2 &3 – $270
Session 1 – $170
Session 2 – $95
Session 3 – $95
Note: If you sign up for both sessions on Sunday, lunch is included.
If you are not a current member and would like to renew, please contact membership@glasg.org to sign up.
We hope you can attend this unique opportunity to learn from Carson! Questions? Please contact Mary Tiffany at workshops@glasg.org.
Save the date – Jan 2024 – Clemes and Clemes workshop!