Workshops

Below is a list of workshops at Yarnfolk 2019.

Broomstick Lace workshops

Learn the beautiful art of Broomstick Lace Crochet with Nancy Said. Based on the basic double crochet stitch but with a unique twist, you'll find this vintage technique both easy and quick to learn. Lacy loops are created using a "Broomstick" then worked off in different ways to vary the stitches. On the day you'll receive an exclusive pattern to learn all you need to know to make a beautiful scarf, as well as how to add beads-as-you-go.

  • Tutor: Nancy Said
  • Time: 10am - 1pm
  • Duration: 3 Hours
  • Cost: £40
  • Location: The Gallery, Cable Road
  • Skill Level: Suitable for all levels of skill including beginners
  • All materials included

Ceramic Button Making

A fantastic opportunity to create a number of unique ceramic buttons to your own design which you can use on your own special projects (an item of clothing, a cushion, bag, etc) On the day you’ll learn the techniques for making ceramic buttons from scratch, this includes clay preparation, cutting, texture and colour. The price includes glazing and kiln firing by Margaret and then posted to your home (postage is an additional cost).

  • Tutor: Margaret Glackin from Clay and Wood Works
  • Time: 10am - 12pm and 2pm - 4pm
  • Duration: 2 Hours
  • Cost: £25
  • Skill Level: No previous experience is necessary
  • Price does not include postage and packaging from Leeds once the buttons have been fired. All materials included ​*** Students need to bring an overall/apron Optional - Special pastry/cookie cutters to make button shapes (some will be available) Optional – special cloth remnants with raised shape (eg lace) or embossed stamps

Decorative Knitted Cast On’s workshops

Learn some of the unique decorative cast on techniques traditionally used for Northern, Scandinavian and Baltic knitted mittens, socks and sweaters. You will use authentic Nordic knitting wool and there will be plenty of tips for incorporating these techniques into your own folk mittens and socks. This workshops would be suitable for the intermediate or more advanced knitter who has existing skills and is happy knitting in the round with 5 needles. Once you have completed this workshops you will be able to plan and use authentic folk cast on’s for any of your knitted projects.

  • Tutor: Lucinda Guy
  • Time: 10am - 1pm
  • Duration: 3 Hours
  • Cost: £40
  • All materials included

Frolic with Fibre

Learn the magic of spinning fibre into yarn. Diane Murphy will take you on a two and a half journey in the ancient art of handspinning on a drop spindle. We will go through the process of drafting out fibres, adding twits and producing piled yarn.

  • Tutor: Diane Murphy
  • Time: 1.15pm - 3.45pm
  • Duration: 2.5 hours
  • Cost: £35
  • Price includes all materials required including a drop spindle which you can take home

Improve your Health and Wellbeing with knitting and crochet?

Explore the health benefits and links to Mindfulness in this 2 hour introductory workshops with Joanne ​ Wouldn’t it be great if you could have fun with knitting and crochet and at the same time lower your blood pressure, reduce depression and anxiety, slow the impact of dementia, distract from chronic pain and make like-minded friends? ​ Come and find out how in this informal, interactive workshops. Try out some of the practical tips and ideas and learn how and why it can help you manage day-to-day stress and life’s inevitable challenges while improving your creativity.

  • Tutor: Joanne
  • Time: 10am - 12.30pm
  • Duration: 2.5 Hours
  • Cost: £20
  • Skill Level: No previous experience is necessary
  • All materials included

Lumra

An old craft traditionally done in Ireland with natural colours of pure wool roving, this technique using a special needle with a hook at one end and an eye at the other is used in the art of rug making or for smaller projects like wall hangings, tea cosies, chair pads or bags. This is a simple craft to perfect that requires no previous skills and creates a beautiful textured hardwearing finish suited to many projects. On the day you will learn the technique of Lumra Work and can choose from a selection of natural coloured wool roving to make your own piece.

  • Tutor: Sandra Coote, Crafts of Ireland
  • Time: 10am - 1pm
  • Duration: 3 Hours
  • Cost: £40
  • Price includes all materials required to complete a chair pad

Multicoloured Yarn Dyeing

Following on from last year's successful rainbow dyeing workshops, LoopyKate will be back to help us explore some more ways of adding colour to wool. We will be using 'acid dyes' (don't worry, we won't be using anything stronger than vinegar!) and participants will leave with around 100g of hand dyed, multicoloured yarn in mini skeins! Although this workshops follows on from last year's, it is not necessary to have any previous dyeing experience.

  • Tutor: Kay Johnson
  • Time: 11am - 12.30pm
  • Duration: 1 - 1.5 hours
  • Cost: £25
  • All materials included

Needle Felted Pincushion

Experience the therapeutic craft of needle felting and take home a piece you can treasure that depicts the stunning Glens of Antrim. Using Irish core wool you will learn the basic skills of 3d needle felting to make a pad for you pincushion and then delve into a selection of fine merino fibre to 2d needle felt the colours of the grass, heather and rocks of the area onto your pincushion. To finish off you can add a small sheep in 3d needle felting that happily grazes on the hillside.

  • Tutor: Sandra Coote, Crafts of Ireland
  • Time: 2pm - 4pm
  • Duration: 2 Hours
  • Cost: £30
  • All materials, needles and a hand turned Beech Wood pincushion base are provided.

Spinning Coloured Yarns

A workshops for spinners. Have fun spinning fractal and variegated dyed tops; ways to blend dyed fibres and different ways to ply these yarns. Dyed yarn plaits will be supplied.

  • Tutor: Rosemary McCartney
  • Time: 1.15pm - 4.15pm
  • Duration: 3 Hours
  • Cost: £40
  • Please bring your spinning wheel, carders and a small selection of dyed tops.

Spinning workshops - Suitable for beginners

SORRY SOLD OUT!

  • Tutor: Tina Enlander
  • Time: 10am - 1pm
  • Duration: 3 Hours
  • Cost: £40
  • All materials included - please bring an apron

Tapestry Weaving using a rigid heddle

A taste of Weaving: 3 hour workshops using an Ashford rigid heddle loom. Learn the basic mechanics of weaving. Create and take home, exciting samplers using interesting yarns, fabrics and trimmings.

  • Tutor: Tina Enlander
  • Time: 2pm - 5pm
  • Duration: 3 Hours
  • Cost: £40
  • Skill Level: Suitable for beginners and improvers
  • All materials included

Tunisian Crochet workshops - suitable for all skill levels

Learn the unique art of Tunisian Crochet with Nancy Said. Create beautiful woven crochet pieces, based on the basic double crochet stitch. With similarities to knitting, this beautiful stitch can produce both a close woven fabric as well as lace. Although the end results can look very complex, this vintage crochet technique is surprisingly quick to master and will add a wealth of skill to your crochet repertoire. On the day you'll be learning three essential Tunisian Stitches and will receive an exclusive pattern to make your own Tunisian Tote Bag.

  • Tutor: Nancy Said
  • Time: 2pm - 5pm
  • Duration: 3 Hours
  • Cost: £40
  • Location: The Gallery, Cable Road
  • Skill Level: Suitable for all levels of skill including beginners
  • All materials included