Honoring Aidai Asangulova

5.09.1978 - 25.01.2026

TATTER is honored to present this special workshop, as part of a larger celebration and ceremony organized by Craftspring to honor the life and work of Aidai Asangulova—her spirit, artistry, and deep commitment to preserving Kyrgyz traditional culture. Aidai was an extraordinary artist and designer and a national leader in the celebration and preservation of traditional Kyrgyz culture.  She passed away too soon, with still so much left for her to share and steward. 

Activity

Join two felt designers from Kyrgyzstan, Nurzhamal and Klara Asangulova to discover the art of melding felt and silk fibers to create your own airy, wearable felted scarf.  Drawing on generations of Kyrgyz felt-making tradition, they will guide you through the process of transforming raw materials into a soft, wearable textile.

Rooted in the nomadic craft of Ala-Kiyiz (wet felting, pressing wool patterns together to make thick felt coverings and rugs), this workshop explores how wool can be layered, shaped, and fused without stitching. You’ll work with hand-loomed Uzbek silk and merino wool roving from Kyrgyzstan, using water, soap, and friction to interlock the fibers into a single textile.

Participants will learn how to lay out and “shingle” fine wool rovings, build pattern and texture with colored fibers, and control the felting process through rolling and agitation. As the materials compress and bond, the silk and wool transform into a delicate yet durable fabric.

Centered around the reverence for wool as a material, it is an exploration of the versatility of wool, its endurance and its flexibility to be shaped and combined with other fibers. 

This is a fun, easy and very forgiving process – open to all levels. One that honors the craftsmanship & legacy of the Kyrgyz nomadic traditions, while also inviting the creativity of fusing wool with new fibers. No previous felting experience is required.

Dates & Times
Friday, April 24th, 5 - 8 pm ET

OR

Saturday, April 25th, 10 - 1 pm ET

Location
TATTER Textile Library 

505 Carroll Street, 2B

Brooklyn, NY 11215

Materials

All materials will be provided.

Cost

$160