Alpaca Tracks Workshops
We offer scheduled and on-demand hands-on craft workshops at our shop in Merrickville (318 St. Lawrence St. Merrickville, ON).
"Kathy & Corinne are so welcoming & friendly - and they possess a wealth of knowledge and experience which they share in a fun & relaxed way, making for a most enjoyable learning and crafting experience!
As a trio of friends, we have travelled to attend a number of the workshops offered and have learned how to create unique items that are both useful and beautiful!
We are already planning our next felting project @
Alpaca Tracks!"
- Lori, Sandy & Joanne
Scheduled Workshops
The Irish Cottage - A Needle Felting Workshop for Beginners
April 5th or April 6th
April 12th or April 13th (New Dates)
Workshop Fee: $50.00
Time: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Instructor: Deb Alexander
Deb Alexander (AKA Muddleton Pond) is a self-taught artist and maker who resides on a small property outside of Merrickville.
“I enjoy many different mediums and crafts, but needle felting quickly became a passion when I realized how diverse it was; lending itself so nicely to toy making, sculpture, Christmas ornaments, jewelry, fashion and home décor. Come try it, maybe it will be your passion too!
The “Irish Cottage” needle felting workshop is intended for beginners. I will guide a small group of participants to “paint” with wool onto a wool pad, prepared in advance. People will learn how to use the felting needles to create and apply different wool textures. The finished product will include a small frame to complete each individual masterpiece. “
All materials needed for the project will be provided.
Felting brushes will be on loan to each person for a trial, and can be purchased in the store for future projects.
Click here to request this workshop
On-Demand Workshops
We are happy to offer the following workshops at any time for groups of four or more participants. Contact Kathy today to book your workshop!
Ukrainian Easter Eggs (Pysanky)
Learn to make beautiful Easter eggs the traditional Ukrainian way. In this three-hour workshop, you’ll decorate eggs with beeswax and dye in the design of your choice. We’ll supply all the materials you need. At the end of the workshop, you’ll have two stunning Easter eggs that you’ll be proud to keep forever.
Time commitment: ½ day (3 hours)
Cost: $45/participant
Level: Beginner / No experience needed
Click here to request this workshop
Fibrescape
In this one-day workshop, you’ll learn how to felt alpaca fibre and wool onto a piece of silk to create a piece of art that can be framed or made into a decorative cushion. We’ll supply all the materials you need, including a variety of colours and materials. Bring a photo for inspiration, if you’d like! At the end of the workshop, you’ll have made a one-of-a-kind piece of art.
Time commitment: 1 day (5 hours)
Cost: $75/participant
Level: Beginner / No experience needed
Click here to request this workshop
Nuno Felting Scarf
In this beginner class in Nuno felting, you’ll learn how to bond alpaca fibre into a sheer silk gauze to make a beautiful, lightweight scarf. We’ll supply all the materials you need. By the end of the workshop, you will walk away with a totally unique finished scarf.
Time commitment: 1 day (6 hours)
Cost: $65/participant
Level: Beginner/ No experience needed
Click here to request this workshop
Beginner Knitting
This workshop will teach you the basics of knitting and following a pattern. Over the course of six sessions, you will learn the knit stitch, the purl stitch, and how to start a project (cast on) and complete a project (cast off). We’ll supply everything you need to make your own hat!
Time commitment: 6 sessions, 2 hours/session
Cost: $65/participant
Level: Beginner/ No experience needed
Click here to request this workshop
Tri-Loom Workshop for Beginners
Make a cowl or small shawl in super soft alpaca wool using a triangular loom (tri-loom). By the end of the workshop, you’ll walk away with a gorgeous new garment in hand painted alpaca yarn—and your own 40-inch tri-loom and Tunisian crochet hook to keep for future projects!
Time commitment: 1 day (6 hours)
Cost: $200/participant
Level: Beginner/ No experience needed
Click here to request this workshop
Felting Soap and Dryer Balls
Learn techniques in wet felting and needle felting as you make two useful household items:
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Dryer balls are an eco-friendly alternative to disposable dryer sheets. They are hypoallergenic and help decrease drying time, which saves energy and money.
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Handcrafted soap lasts longer when it’s felted—and it provides light exfoliation!
We’ll provide all the supplies you need, and you’ll walk away with three dryer balls and a bar of felted soap.
Time commitment: 1 day (6 hours)
Cost: $55/participant
Level: Beginner/ No experience needed
Click here to request this workshop
Thrummed Mittens
During this class we will learn how to make thrummed mittens. This unique design originated in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, designed for fishermen who needed to keep their wet hands warm. It involves incorporating stubs of roving wool in the mitts to add an extra layer of warmth.
The workshop will run for three two hour sessions for a total of 6 hours. Price includes instruction, pattern and wool (alpaca) needed to complete one pair of mittens. Some knitting will be required at home to complete the project. There will be different colour options for the yarn.
Participants will receive a 10% discount on all regular priced crafting supplies the day of the the workshop.
Time commitment: 3 2hr sessions (6hr. total)
Cost: $75/participant
Level: Must be comfortable with casting on, knitting, purling, increasing, decreasing and knitting in the round on four needles.
Click here to request this workshop
Wet Felted Bird Pods
Learn to make a bird pod using the age old technique of wet felting. This eco-friendly wool habitat for birds has natural water repellant properties and will keep our little friends warm and dry. The vibrant colours will add a nice decorative feature to your yard.
Cost: $45/participant
Level: Beginner/ No experience needed