Spinnin'Guru

Patsy Sue Zawistoski, master handspinner and teacher, enjoys achieving full design potential in her handspun work by creating yarns for use in knitting, weaving, and crochet.

A widely-traveled international lecturer and teacher, Patsy has taught classes and presented programs for various guilds, shops, community arts programs, and conferences, with many inviting her back multiple years.

“I’m a Textile Teacher/Artist – Not a Scientist, nor Rumplestiltskin
I’m a Master hand spinner and an international spinning teacher for nearly thirty years (like Rumplestiltskin, the old man in the fairy tale, except I don’t hold babies for ransom). I teach the old skills, spinning fleece into wool yarns and straw into gold. Actually, flax into linen!”

-Patsy Sue Zawistoski

The Spinnin’Guru • Ask Ms Spinster

Patsy receives accolades for her teaching techniques in the states and abroad. She is known for her understanding of the art of spinning and all aspects of spinning wheels and creating yarns.

She delights in seeing her students reach that “aha” moment in their spinning skill set. Relaxed and thorough – you’ll enjoy working with Patsy in class. She is totally committed to teaching spinners efficient ways to create their own source books of yarns.

Sampling and record keeping create invaluable yarn collections for choosing and repeating yarns when needed.

Patsy says, “Having taught spinning and weaving over 30 years, I continue my own fiber explorations, weave with my handspun, write, and teach across the USA and internationally.” Patsy’s three videos continue to be favorites.

“Textiles include fibers, yarns, fabrics, and finished goods. I enjoy all the processes, all the decisions. I also enjoy teaching others to do the same. I take pride in providing accurate, clear, and understandable information.”

Patsy Sue Zawistowski

Find Patsy on Social Media

Patsy creates and teaches spinning classes on all natural and manufactured fibers, including comparative information. At the core are clear techniques for spinning simple, even yarns or more complex multiple-ply yarns. Patsy enjoys tailoring workshops to fit the interests of specific conferences, groups, and guilds. Worksheets completed in class supplemented by her informative booklets are some of the special benefits of her workshops. Worksheets include short samples and written notations about the various fibers and yarns from class, helping organization and memory. As a result, the worksheets can be combined in notebooks, and are useful references for planning particular yarns for that next project.

Wool Workshops

Workshops about Yarn Structure

Workshops for Plant Fibers

Workshops for New Manufactured Fibers

Fibers from Other Animals

See Also Programs and Presentations

Programs and Presentations each last about 1.5 – 2 hours