This year I have decided to take a different approach and offer a menu of workshops that can be run for individuals or small groups, on mutually convenient dates.

Previously I have devised a programme of workshops on set dates and often had feedback that people couldn’t manage the specific date for a workshop they wanted to take.

So now, you choose the workshop you would like me to run for you, and we find a date that we both can manage.

If there is something that you would like to learn that I have not listed below, ask me about it.

 

With 1-1 workshops you do miss out on the opportunity to spend time with a group of like-minded people, so if you would like to share your workshop with others, let me know and I can promote that possibility. Also, if you can put together a small group (3+) for a workshop I am happy to accommodate that and will discount the individual cost by 15%.

 

In some circumstances I may be able to bring the workshop to your group and venue – get in touch if that is something you would like to discuss. Suitable workshops are indicated with * . Otherwise workshops will take place at Artspace Oban, 26 Alexandra Place, Oban.

 

TO BOOK: Drop me an email artspaceoban@gmail.com with the workshop you would like to take, and some suggested dates.

 

Half day Workshops (3 hours)

 

Drop Spindle Spinning (beginners) Using a drop spindle is the best way to learn to spin your own unique yarn. My method allows you to slow the process right down to learn each step. The skills are readily transferrable to a spinning wheel at a later date. Materials included. £45 per person. Maximum 6 people.

 

Spinning with a spinning wheel (improvers) if you have learned to spin with a drop spindle and want to move on to a wheel, or if you already spin with a wheel but want to improve or learn a new technique, this is for you. Bring your own wheel or use one of mine – I have three different models for you to try. £45 per person, maximum 4 people.

 

Plan your own dye garden This session will cover choosing which dyeplants to grow to get a range of colours and growing tips for each type, planning your dye garden and a visit to the EcoCreative Cluster Dye Garden (a 10 minute walk away). Dye plant seeds may be available for sale (proceeds to the EcoCreative Cluster). £45 per person. Maximum 6 people.*

 

Solar dyeing Learn a method of dyeing with plants that is easy to do at home, eco-friendly and doesn’t require a lot of special equipment. You will create and take away two solar dye jars to watch the colours develop at home. Materials included. £55 per person. Maximum 6 people.*

 

Making plant pigments for ink or paint We will make lake pigments from plants used in natural dyeing. You can take them home to make your own natural inks or paints (recipes provided). Materials included. £45 per person, maximum 6 people.

 

Plant Cordage Making cordage is an older craft than spinning or weaving. Learn to make useful and beautiful cordage from a range of garden and foraged plants. Materials included. £45 per person, maximum 6 people. * .

 

Knitting for beginners Choosing yarn, basic stitches, tension/gauge, understanding patterns and charts – whatever you want to know about knitting, I can probably help. Best as a 1-1 session. £30 per hour.

 

Data visualisation - Knit a Temperature/Weather Blanket or Scarf We will look at different ways to represent temperature/weather or other data in knitting and help you design your own blanket or scarf to visually represent your data. Materials provided for knitting a swatch. £45 per person. Maximum 6 people.* .

 

Illusion Knitting Your knitting will hide a secret message or image that can only be seen from a certain angle. Knit a sample in the workshop and plan how to use this fun technique in a project. Materials included. £55 per person. Maximum 6 people.* .

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Knitting Socks Two-at-a-time and Toe-up Beat second-sock syndrome and knit perfectly matching socks that fit. Bring 100g of your choice of sock yarn wound into two equal balls, and a 2.75mm or 3mm circular needle 100cm long. £45 per person, maximum 6 people.*.

 

Knit a Moebius Cowl The impossible shape, without end or beginning, without top or bottom, becomes possible with a very special cast on which I will teach you. And it makes a super-comfortable neck warmer, quick to knit and a lovely gift. Bring 100g of your choice of next-to-skin soft yarn, any thickness but not too textured, and a 60cm circular needle a size bigger than usual for your yarn. £45 per person, maximum 6 people. * .

 

Sashiko – style stitching Learn this traditional Japanese decorative stitching, often used to mend or strengthen fabric. Straight stitches form beautiful patterns. Materials included or bring your own item to repair. £45 per person. Maximum 6 people.* .

 

Weaving without a loom Learn to weave simple patterns with wool on and around found objects – flat stones, driftwood etc. Materials included. £45 per person. Maximum 6 people.

 

Nettle Fibre Processing Stinging nettles have been used for millennia as a source of fibre for textiles. Learn how to process nettle stems to create spinnable fibre. Nettles can be harvested from July onwards after they have flowered. When you book this workshop I will give instructions on how to harvest, strip and rett your nettles, which you can store dry until you bring them to the workshop. £45 per person. Maximum 6 people.* N.B. Bookings by 1st July for workshops from September onwards, so you can gather and rett your nettles.

 

Fabric Collage with simple stitching create a unique picture from mixed fabrics, found materials and stitching. Materials included. £50 per person, maximum 6 people.* .

*Workshops with * are suitable for larger groups in your own venue

 

Full Day Workshops usually 10- 4.30 with a break for lunch (not included).

 

Botanical Printing on paper and fabric. A very special technique captures the form and colours from leaves directly, without inks or artificial colours. Materials included. £90 per person. Maximum 4 people.

 

Natural Dyeing – wool yarn Learn to scour and mordant wool yarn and dye a range of natural colours with plants. Materials included. £90 per person. Maximum 5 people.

 

Natural dyeing on cotton and linen – 2-part workshop:Day 1: 3 hours preparing and mordanting cotton and linen for dyeingDay 2 Full day extracting natural dyes, dyeing and finishing fabrics. Days 1 & 2 do not have to be consecutive days. Materials included. £125 per person for both sessions. Maximum 5 people.