Weavers & Spinners Society of Austin (WSSA) upcoming events

Spin-In (Saturday, May 23, 2026)

Sat, 23 May 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Spinning Group's "Spin-In"

The Spinning Group will meet via Zoom for casual chat and spinning together.

The Spinning Study Group casually meets the 4th Saturday of every month on Zoom to chat, share tips, techniques, show projects, spin together and generally socialize.

Meet Up Night (Thursday, May 28, 2026)

Fri, 29 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The fourth Thursday of every month is the guild's Meet Up Night at at the Austin Recreation Center from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Originally developed as a time and place for the guild's spinners together wheels in a circle and spin, it has now transformed into a general "come as you are" night to chat, weave, spin, and craft. There is no special program, so bring a friend and come hang-out. You can work on a personal project or not. Knitting and crochet are welcome!

As a bonus, our guild's Library is housed in this room at the ARC. The guild's Librarian will be there to meet with you, and the Library is always open to members.

Don’t think you’ll have time to look through articles of books during meetings? Not to worry! Browse our online catalog which allows you to search for specific things, such as a technique (perhaps doubleweave), or an author (try Mary Meigs Atwater).

NOTE: You do NOT need a card number or to login. There is a login box, but we're not using it. Just go ahead and search. If there's a book you've been looking for, talk to, or email, our Librarian (librarian@wssaustin.org)!

Austin Recreation Center (ARC)
1301 Shoal Creek Blvd
Austin, TX 78701-1790
Phone: (512) 476-5662

First Saturday (Saturday, June 06, 2026)

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 17:00:00 GMT

We have a fantastic 2026 program lined up for you at the Northwest Recreation Center which will include Show & Tell, a "fiber share", spinning and weaving challenges, and songs. Yes, songs! Be sure to check out the newsletter and emails for details on 2026 gatherings.

Beginning in 2025, the first Saturday of every month is an in-person gathering from noon to 2 p.m. at the Northwest Recreation Center (NWRC). Meant as a daytime, weekend, in-person general meeting, these Saturdays are a time for WSSA members to share and shine. Read more about First Saturday here.

These Saturdays will be in-person only to allow members to do short presentations, demonstrations, or casually meet up without having to stress about setting up the audio and video technology required for hybrid Zoom meetings.

Northwest Recreation Center (NWRC)
2913 Northland Drive
Austin, TX 78757
Phone: (512) 974-6972

Spinning Study Group (Saturday, June 13, 2026)

Sat, 13 Jun 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Big Topic: Blending Fibers

The Spinning Study Group meets the 2nd Saturday of every month on Zoom. After starting with the first "Big Topic" covering the basics of spinning (spinning singles, worsted or woolen preparation and spinning, plying, and texture) the study group tackled dyeing and is now on their third Big Topic: Blending Fibers.

Color Play Study Group (Thursday, June 18, 2026)

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Color Play Study Group

This weaving study group will meet the third Thursday of every month, in person and on Zoom. Members will share their explorations of any aspect of color in their weaving.

The third Thursday of every month has long been dedicated to a weaving study group. For many years this was "The Explorer's Club", where members explored unique weaving topics, techniques, challenges and history of interest to them. In 2023, this group transitioned into a swatch sample study group, focused on several sample collections from the 1950s that were discovered in the guild's storage unit, with the ultimate goal being the publication of a book. Now the group is focusing on the play of color in weaving.

Natural Dye Study Group (Saturday, June 20, 2026)

Sat, 20 Jun 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Natural Dye Study Group

The study group's focus is natural dyes that can grow in Texas. That includes native species, non-natives that can be found or cultivated in Texas. It includes barks, nuts, lichen, invasive plants, etc. I.e. It's anything that can grow, or just happens to grow in Texas.

Note that members of the study group do not need to actually grow anything. Source the dye material however you need to but, when sharing your information, do explain how it can be grown in Texas.

Study group does not meet in July, August, or December. Our November meetings may be reserved for the guild's annual studio tour participation and natural dye demonstrations.

Meet Up Night (Thursday, June 25, 2026)

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The fourth Thursday of every month is the guild's Meet Up Night at at the Austin Recreation Center from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Austin Recreation Center (ARC)
1301 Shoal Creek Blvd
Austin, TX 78701-1790
Phone: (512) 476-5662

Spin-In (Saturday, June 27, 2026)

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Spinning Group's "Spin-In"

The Spinning Group will meet via Zoom for casual chat and spinning together.

The Spinning Study Group casually meets the 4th Saturday of every month on Zoom to chat, share tips, techniques, show projects, spin together and generally socialize.

July Program Night - Margaret Radcliffe (Thursday, July 09, 2026)

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT

“My Journey Through the U.S. Heritage Sheep Breeds”
Margaret Radcliffe

Since early 2019, Margaret Radcliffe, knitting designer, writer, and teacher, has been exploring the most endangered of the heritage U.S. sheep breeds. Along the way, she documented the challenges and successes of her work with each breed. This lecture will follow her more than four-year journey of exploration, her discoveries about each breed’s potential and their distinct characteristics and provide information about The Livestock Conservancy’s Shave ’Em to Save ’Em (SE2SE) program.

“Professionally I am primarily a knitter and have tried to keep spinning and fiber prep in the realm of “hobby” so I don’t have to monetize those activities. Having worked my way through almost all of the 24 (now 23) Shave ‘Em to Save ‘Em heritage breeds, scouring, preparing, spinning the fibers, and designing with them, I have become fervently attuned to the importance of matching fiber from specific sheep breeds to the final textile product and have incorporated this knowledge into my teaching practice.”

Margaret Radcliffe is a bestselling author of several knitting books, including The Essential Guide to Color Knitting Techniques, and The Knowledgeable Knitter. Margaret has been teaching for three decades now at numerous retreats, festivals, fairs, guild workshops, and via the John C. Campbell Folk School. She publishes her own knitting patterns.

Like many knitters and spinners, Margaret has had a long and varied career. She has degrees in Medieval Studies and English Literature, has been an internal auditor, computer programmer, business executive, research administrator, dancer, and editor. Her current fiber arts interests include preparing, spinning, and designing handknits using heritage breeds and participation in The Livestock Conservancy’s Shave ’Em to Save ’Em program. She can be found at maggiesrags.com

Spinning Study Group (Saturday, July 11, 2026)

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Big Topic: Blending Fibers

Color Play Study Group (Thursday, July 16, 2026)

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Color Play Study Group

This weaving study group will meet the third Thursday of every month, in person and on Zoom. Members will share their explorations of any aspect of color in their weaving.

Meet Up Night (Thursday, July 23, 2026)

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The fourth Thursday of every month is the guild's Meet Up Night at at the Austin Recreation Center from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Austin Recreation Center (ARC)
1301 Shoal Creek Blvd
Austin, TX 78701-1790
Phone: (512) 476-5662

Spinning Study Group (Saturday, August 08, 2026)

Sat, 08 Aug 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Big Topic: Blending Fibers

Color Play Study Group (Thursday, August 20, 2026)

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Color Play Study Group

This weaving study group will meet the third Thursday of every month, in person and on Zoom. Members will share their explorations of any aspect of color in their weaving.

First Saturday (Saturday, September 05, 2026)

Sat, 05 Sep 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Northwest Recreation Center (NWRC)
2913 Northland Drive
Austin, TX 78757
Phone: (512) 974-6972

Spinning Study Group (Saturday, September 12, 2026)

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Big Topic: Blending Fibers

Color Play Study Group (Thursday, September 17, 2026)

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Color Play Study Group

This weaving study group will meet the third Thursday of every month, in person and on Zoom. Members will share their explorations of any aspect of color in their weaving.

Natural Dye Study Group (Saturday, September 19, 2026)

Sat, 19 Sep 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Natural Dye Study Group

Note that members of the study group do not need to actually grow anything. Source the dye material however you need to but, when sharing your information, do explain how it can be grown in Texas.

Study group does not meet in July, August, or December. Our November meetings may be reserved for the guild's annual studio tour participation and natural dye demonstrations.

First Saturday (Saturday, October 03, 2026)

Sat, 03 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Northwest Recreation Center (NWRC)
2913 Northland Drive
Austin, TX 78757
Phone: (512) 974-6972

Spinning Study Group (Saturday, October 10, 2026)

Sat, 10 Oct 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Big Topic: Blending Fibers

Color Play Study Group (Thursday, October 15, 2026)

Thu, 15 Oct 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Color Play Study Group

This weaving study group will meet the third Thursday of every month, in person and on Zoom. Members will share their explorations of any aspect of color in their weaving.

Natural Dye Study Group (Saturday, October 17, 2026)

Sat, 17 Oct 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Natural Dye Study Group

Note that members of the study group do not need to actually grow anything. Source the dye material however you need to but, when sharing your information, do explain how it can be grown in Texas.

Study group does not meet in July, August, or December. Our November meetings may be reserved for the guild's annual studio tour participation and natural dye demonstrations.

Spinning Study Group (Saturday, November 14, 2026)

Sat, 14 Nov 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Big Topic: Blending Fibers

Color Play Study Group (Thursday, November 19, 2026)

Thu, 19 Nov 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Color Play Study Group

This weaving study group will meet the third Thursday of every month, in person and on Zoom. Members will share their explorations of any aspect of color in their weaving.

Natural Dye Study Group (Saturday, November 21, 2026)

Sat, 21 Nov 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Natural Dye Study Group

Note that members of the study group do not need to actually grow anything. Source the dye material however you need to but, when sharing your information, do explain how it can be grown in Texas.

Study group does not meet in July, August, or December. Our November meetings may be reserved for the guild's annual studio tour participation and natural dye demonstrations.

First Saturday (Saturday, December 05, 2026)

Sat, 05 Dec 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Northwest Recreation Center (NWRC)
2913 Northland Drive
Austin, TX 78757
Phone: (512) 974-6972

Spinning Study Group (Saturday, December 12, 2026)

Sat, 12 Dec 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Big Topic: Blending Fibers

Color Play Study Group (Thursday, December 17, 2026)

Thu, 17 Dec 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Color Play Study Group

This weaving study group will meet the third Thursday of every month, in person and on Zoom. Members will share their explorations of any aspect of color in their weaving.