Alpaca Tracks Workshops
We offer scheduled and on-demand hands-on craft workshops at our shop in Merrickville (318 St. Lawrence St. Merrickville, ON). Please note classes are non-refundable and cannot be re-scheduled or transferred to another class. Our facilitators customize, purchase and prepare the materials for each participant in advance. If you would like to send someone else in your place, we will need you to provide their name and email address 24 hours before the class scheduled time.
"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
Wise Owl Felting Workshop
April 17th
Workshop Fee: $65.00
Time: 11:00am - 3:00pm with a short break for lunch. Bring your own or pop out to one of our local spots.
Instructor: Catherine Johnson of Blue Barn Stitchery
Skill Level: Beginner to Experienced Felters
Catherine is pleased to offer this original design called "Wise Owl" Catherine will guide participants (beginners welcome!) as they "paint" with wool onto a 4 x 6" felt background. First time felters will learn how to use felting needles to apply different wool textures to their piece. Optional embroidery finishing technique instruction will also be offered. Each finished painting will be completed and framed in class. (Frames provided)
Click here to book your spot
Cotton Rope Bowl Workshop
April 19
Workshop Fee: $85.00
Time: 1:00pm - 4:00pm with 1 hr. lunch break. Bring your own or pop out to one of our local spots.
Instructor: Cheryl McCrory
Where: Alpaca Tracks T(h)read Lightly 318 St. Lawrence Street in Merrickville
Have you been admiring these rope bowls and wishing to learn how to do this yourself?
Are you looking for a workshop to share with your friends for some social time? Then, this is for you. This 3 hour workshop will teach you to create your very own 6" x 6" 100% cotton rope bowl.
Workshop fee includes 100% Canadian made cotton rope and some fabric strips of various colours and patterns.
Click here to book your spot
Mindful Art Journalling 2 Day Workshop
April 27th & May 4
Workshop Fee: $125.00
Time: 1:00pm - 4:00pm with lunch break.
Where: Alpaca Tracks T(h)read Lightly, 318 St. Lawrence Street in Merrickville
In these uncertain times, it can be hard to stay focused on what really matters. In thisw orkshop, we’ll create a safe and supportive space for you to explore your inner wisdom and creativity. We’ll start each day with a short meditation. You’ll get your own journal to fill with your thoughts, ideas, and dreams, using words, colours, and textures that bring you joy.
We’ll explore fun and relaxing art techniques, like mark-making and ways to use everyday items to create beautiful textures on your pages.
Click here to book your spot
Spring Flowers Felting Workshop
May 15th
Workshop Fee: $60.00
Time: 11:00am - 3:00pm with lunch break. Bring your own or pop out to one of our local spots.
Where: Alpaca Tracks T(h)read Lightly, 318 St. Lawrence Street in Merrickville
Instructor: Catherine Johnson of Blue Barn Stitchery
Catherine is pleased to offer this original design called "Spring Flowers"
Catherine will guide participants (beginners welcome!) as they "paint" with wool onto a 4" x 6" felt background. In this course you will have lots of opportunity to be creative. First time felters will learn how to use felting needles to apply different wool textures to their piece. You will be taught different flower techniques and you get to choose which ones you want to incorporate into your picture. Optional embroidery finishing technique instruction will also be offered.
Click here to book your spot
Elbows Up Needle Felting Workshop
May 17th or 18th
Workshop Fee: $55.00
Time: 1:00pm - 4:00pm with lunch break. Bring your own or pop out to one of our local spots.
ABCWhere: Alpaca Tracks T(h)read Lightly 318 St. Lawrence Street in Merrickville
Instructor: Deb Alexander of Muddleton Pond
Maximum number of participants per workshop: 6
Deb Alexander is so pleased to be offering "Elbows Up" at Alpaca Tracks. She is going to instruct participants to make their very own patriotic little beaver, complete with a red and white bow and an encouraging flag. The solid wool figure stands at approx. 3.5 inches high and is free-standing.
This is a three hour workshop with a 15 minute coffee break at half-time. All materials will be supplied, with felting brushes, needles, and foam on loan.
Participants need only bring their enthusiasm!
Click here to book your spot
Embellish a Pair of Wool Slippers Workshop
May 24th or 25th
Time: 11:00am - 3:00pm
Instructor: Lori Dalton
Experience Level: Beginner to Experienced Felters
Where: Alpaca Tracks T(h)read Lightly 318 St. Lawrence Street in Merrickville
In this workshop, you will learn how to needle felt a design onto a pair of woolen slippers. Children's sizes are also available. With the technique that we are going to use, you can decorate so many different things. In addition to the sample, there will be several pictures of felted slippers for inspiration. If you want to try something different, we will also have a felt pencil case available as an alternate to the slippers.
Feel free to bring your own slippers. Otherwise, you can purchase a pair of wool slippers in person for $50.
Click here to book your spot
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!
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