Wooly Weaving Challenge

Shave 'Em to Save 'Em Initiative

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In this course, Melissa Weaver Dunning, will guide you through weaving a scarf on a Heddle Loom with one or more breeds of endangered sheep listed on The Livestock Conservancy's Conservation Priority List.

Course overview:

  • Determine how to select the best rare breed wool(s) for weaving on a Heddle loom.
  • 3 recorded Zoom sessions with Melissa Weaver Dunning covering getting started, detailing, and finishing your scarf.
  • Videos include tips, recommendations, hacks and other advice from Melissa.
  • Downloadable PDFs include a resource guide, project worksheet, tips for warping and weaving, and more!
  • Finish your scarf on your timeline by working at your own pace

Melissa Weaver Dunning is a hand-weaver, spinner, knitter and fiber arts educator with more than 40 years of experience working on antique equipment to recreate 18th and 19th century home produced textiles. She began her textile study with Scottish master weaver Norman Kennedy in 1980 and carries on this rich tradition in her own teaching. Melissa is an avid tartan and linen weaver, a compulsive knitter and a lover of wool who enjoys sharing her passion for weaving and spinning with students.

Thank you for supporting the Shave 'Em to Save 'Em Initiative and the shepherds who raise rare breed sheep. Your support helps save heritage breed sheep from extinction!

Learn more about the Shave 'Em to Save 'Em Initiative at RareWool.org

Photo of woven scarf and loom courtesy of Melissa Weaver Dunning.


Get Excited About the Weaving Challenge and Shave 'Em to Save 'Em!

Your Instructor


Melissa Weaver Dunning
Melissa Weaver Dunning

Melissa Weaver Dunning is a hand-weaver, spinner, knitter, and fiber arts educator with more than 40 years of experience working on antique equipment to recreate 18th and 19th century home produced textiles. She began her textile study with Scottish master weaver Norman Kennedy in 1980, and carries on this rich tradition in her own teaching.

Melissa is an avid tartan and linen weaver, a compulsive knitter and a lover of wool who enjoys sharing her passion for weaving and spinning with students. She is also a ballad singer, specializing in the ballads and songs of Ireland, Scotland and England from before Napoleon’s time.


Course Curriculum


  Shave 'Em to Save 'em Wooly Weaving Challenge
Available in days
days after you enroll

Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
How long do I have access to the course?
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 30 days and we will give you a full refund.

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