Workshops on how to hitch horsehair, taught by Shoni and Ron Maulding, are available for up to two people at a time.

Three day workshops are $450.00 per student. These classes are tailored to your specific needs. We basically cover much of the first book in beginner workshops because the students advance so quickly with this individualized attention. How to use graph paper is always covered in each workshop.

The workshop price does not include books. We suggest that beginners purchase our first book, "Hitched Horsehair: The Complete Gudie for Self-Learning", before coming to the workshop so they can familiarize themselves with the terminology.

If you are advanced with your hitching, we start with where you are - whether you are "stuck" with something, or feel you want additional help with advancing.

The important thing is that these workshops are tailored to what you want to learn or need to learn to have fun with hitching and to take it to the next level.

The workshops start about 8:15 a.m. when you wander in with your cup of coffee. They go till at least 5:30 p.m. Lunch is provided because we don't want you to get away.... (Ron cooks better than Shoni).

We will exhaust you with hitched horsehair in these three days!!

Travel to Kettle Falls, Washington, for these classes on how to hitch. Motels, private campgrounds, and National Park Service campgrounds are in the area.

We may consider traveling to you. Please ask.

Here's a close-up photo of hitching on a dowel (check below for a view of Shoni's large hitching jig:



It is important to note that hitched horsehair is not the same as braided horsehair. Hitched horsehair is a series of knots with horse tail hair; braiding is, well, braided (think a girl's braided hair). Hitched horsehair will last for generations, while braiding does not have the same lasting stability.

Hitched horsehair gives you infinitely more possibilities to use your creativity.

The #9 nylon string used to hitch over is hard to find. There are suppliers in our books' Appendix, or check Hitching Tips on our website for more suppliers. Or substitute mini-blind cord or chalkline found in hardware stores. If you use a substitute string, some adjustments may be necessary with amount of pulls per row. Both mini-blind cord and chalkline are larger in diameter than #9 string, so try experimenting with hitching over just one string, as well as hitching over two strings.

KSPS TV interview: TV station KSPS PBS featured us on their Northwest Profiles program in October, 2006. This interview can be seen on their website, www.ksps.org. Click on Local Productions; then Northwest Profiles; then Archives; then on the alphabet letters "G-L"; then scroll down to "Knotted Up (Hitched Horsehair Hitching). The interview is also on YouTube - type in "hitched horsehair".

Shoni & Stetson (yep, the hat company...):

There's a new show in the western world. Women Who Design the West premieres in Cody, Wyoming, September 2010. It's an exclusive exhibition featuring women who design and create western craft. And Shoni has been invited to the show.

Stetson has endorsed Women Who Design the West and will be inducting each craftswoman into the Stetson Craftsman's Alliance. The mission of the alliance is to recognize and honor excellence across western craft disciplines.

Thea Marx has worked with Stetson for several years on this project. Thea also directs Style West, held at the same time. Both shows open, free to the public, at noon on Thursday and Friday, September 23-24, and at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 25. The event closes daily at 6 p.m.

Website: www.womenwhodesignthewest.wordpress.com.

Upcoming Classes: We are always open to one-on-one three day workshops, taking up to two students at a time in our studio at Kettle Falls, Washington. Check the "Instruction" page of this website for more information.

Montana Academy of Living History to present two sessions on hitched horsehair in Deer Lodge, Montana, September 16-17, 2010.

First session: Find out what hitched horsehair is, a general description of how it is done, and display of finished products. This is an overview discussion. A question and answer period will be at the end of the session. This is September 16, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.; fee of $10.00.

The second session is an accelerated how-to and hands-on for beginners. Students will make a hitched horsehair key fob, having hands on experience with making pulls, the two knots used in hitching, and understanding drop, add, and standing pulls. The six row diamond, the basis for all geometric patterns will be hitched, but not completed due to time constraints. Class is limited to ten students. Please bring small scissors and a ruler. We recommend that people taking the how-to, hands-on session also attend the two hour overview session on Thursday. This session is September 17, 8 a.m. to noon.

For more information and to register: www.academyoflivinghistory.com; or e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Or call the Powell County Museum and Arts Foundation, phone number 406-846-3111.

Our Home Page: You may want to check out our Home Page.

Shoni's large hitching jig