Warping for Color and Weave in Tweeds & Twills with Beth Ross Johnson (OCT 6-10)
*OPTIONAL BOARDING HOUSE ROOM RESERVATION (THIS HOLDS YOUR SPOT, ROOM FEES + TAX DUE AT THE END OF YOUR STAY)
October 6 - 10 (TUE-SAT, 9 AM–4 PM)
Spend 5 days learning two fascinating ways to wind warps with multiple threads: the Scottish way of “picking the cross” and a Japanese way which is, well, Japanese. The two ways arrange the threads in different orders on the warping frame and can be used together for varying effects. Once you’ve threaded looms with heathered Harrisville Designs yarns for a gamp or scarf project, you’ll have the opportunity to continue your exploration of producing color and weave effects with the shuttle and treadling. Finally, you’ll celebrate with a mini-waulking at the end to finish the cloth in the Scottish tradition. This workshop will include a slide show about warping techniques from around the world to inspire fearlessness in all aspects of warping! A Harrisville Designs Model A4 loom is provided, along with all necessary equipment and our 100% woolen yarns in 64 colors.
Skill Level: Advanced beginner. Students must be able to dress a loom, actively warp and weave on a floor loom, and read drafts independently.
Materials List: Notebook, slippers or socks, pens, pencils, scissors.
*If you reserve a room in the Boarding House, your room fee is due at the end of your stay. Please scroll down to read more important information about the Cheshire Mills Boarding House.
Cancellation Deadline: 8/11/2026
MEET YOUR TEACHER
BETH ROSS JOHNSON is a weaver, teacher and workshop leader living in Black Mountain, NC. A lifelong fascination with Asian art led to an interest in Japanese textiles and she has had two extensive stays in Japan to study kasuri (ikat weaving and dyeing) and sakiori (rag weaving) with master weavers there. Other avenues of exploration have been sashiko stitching and nyoho-e (Zen stitching). Recent studies have been in the ikat traditions of Europe, influenced by the 18th century wave of Orientalism on the continent, and woven structures like sashiko-ori and kasuri-ori that mimic hand stitching and ikat processes. She is now weaving and teaching full-time and is co-author of a book on Sashiko-ori.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
Please note our 2026 cancellation and refund policy includes a non-refundable $100.00 registration fee per workshop. In the case you must withdraw, you have 8 weeks prior to class for a full tuition refund, less the registration fee. After this date all payments are non-refundable, no exceptions. Thank you for your understanding!
Have a question about a HD workshop or class order? Email hdretail@harrisville.com.
Single Rooms, $70 Per Night
Alternative Dining & Housing
Students may bring groceries from home when staying at the boarding house. In addition, Harrisville General Store is conveniently located in the heart of our small village. A quick walk from both the boarding house and Harrisville Designs Retail Store & Studio, it offers a variety groceries, pre-made local food options and a short order menu available 8am-2 pm for breakfast and lunch sandwiches, burgers, BLTs, etc.
Harrisville is a short drive from Peterborough (15 minutes away) and Keene (20-25 minutes away); both offer a nice variety of grocery stores, hotels, shops, and restaurants.
Additional accommodations in Harrisville are available at Aldworth Manor and the Harrisville Inn and at local Airbnb’s including the Harrisville Guest Suite. Peterborough accommodations are available at Cranberry Meadow Farm, the Riverhouse Hotel, and the Little River Bed and Breakfast. Options in Keene include the Carriage Barn Inn, the Best Western Plus, the Fairfield Inn & Suites, the Holiday Inn Express, the Courtyard by Marriott, and Days Inn. We also suggest searching Airbnb and Vrbo.
Location
About Our Workshops
Nestled in the heart of a historic textile village, workshops at Harrisville Designs take place in the Bethuel Harris Mill. Built in the 1830s as a spinning mill for locally raised wool and located at the end of the canal, it originally operated on water power. Today, it’s home to our first-floor retail store and spacious second-floor workshop studio. Year after year students are greeted by sunlit windows, fresh air, and tranquil views of the mill pond and preserved industrial brick buildings.
Workshops vary in skill levels and lengths. Enrollment is limited to ensure each student is immersed in the atmosphere of a working studio rather than a classroom. Most scheduled classes meet from 9 am to 4 pm; however, the studio is open to students 24 hours a day while their class is in session. Looms are provided in the weaving classes, and woolen yarn and other materials are included unless otherwise noted in the materials lists online. While taking a class, students receive a 10% discount on HD items in our store, including looms! (Excludes sale and consignment items)
Have a question about a HD workshop or class order? Email hdretail@harrisville.com.