Thursday 26th Nov 10-12.30

Di Gilpin Wool Hoose

This workshop is not only about mastering the Entrelac technique itself, but also about creating distinctive traditional patterns inspired by Latvian drellis – historic woven textile designs. Once you have learned the technique, you will be able to use it for a wide variety of projects, including shawls, blankets, throws, ponchos and other accessories.

 During the workshop, you will knit a small sampler that covers every step of the technique required to create larger projects. This sampler will become a valuable reference for future knitting.

All material are provided but please bring:

• 3.5 mm or 4 mm circular needles (whichever size you feel most comfortable using)

• a 2.5–3 mm crochet hook

• small scissors

• a pen or pencil for making notes on your printed instructions (optional)

Thursday 26th Nov 1-5

Di Gilpin Studio

In this workshop, participants learn a simple method of hand weaving using a peg loom, string, and prepared sheep's fleece to make a small rug, seat pad or pet mat. We will use washed sheep's fleece from native British breeds, including rare breeds such as Boreray. The fleeces have different textures (smooth, curly), are naturally variable in colour (undyed) and we will use some carded fleece also.  All course participants will have their own small loom, will learn to string the loom, weave with different fleece textures and learn how to finish the woven piece with a robust knotted edge.  

All materials (loom, scissors, string, fleece) are provided.  Participants can also bring their own selvage material (tweed thrums, rug yarn or any 'de-stash' yarn) if they wish to incorporate more into the weaving.

Thursday 26 Nov 2-5

Di Gilpin Wool Hoose

Join Di and Sheila for an in-depth workshop on gansey techniques suitable for intermediate and advanced knitters. Participants will make a Gansey wristlet on 4 DPNs, using a range of traditional designs which result in a wearable celebration of heritage knitting.

Yarn provided but participants should bring their own 2.75 or 3mm DPNs

Friday 27th Nov 10-1

Di Gilpin Wool Hoose

Join Tania of TJFrog to make a beautiful beaded Gansey knitted purse incorporating Fife Gansey patterns.  You will learn two different methods for adding beads; the slip stitch method by pre-threading the yarn, followed by the hooked in method using a crochet hook, beading needle, floss or similar. This sample showcases the difference effects these techniques create and how you might add beaded pattern design to your knitting.  A great way to add extra colour, texture and a bit of sparkle!

Prior knowledge / experience - How to knit and purl stitches, cast on and cast off.

Materials - Please bring 2.75mm, 3.25mm and 3.75mm knitting needles (straights or circular - personal preference).  All other tools, yarn and beads will be provided.

Friday 27th 2-4.30

Di Gilpin Wool Hoose

Join Sylvia Watts Cherry, Queen of Intarsia, to explore the technique using stocking stitch and other stitches, including garter, cable, and intarsia cast-on and bind-off.

You will need to be able to bind off, knit, purl and understand basic cable instructions. Some experience with using charts, basic intarsia and cable knitting will be helpful.

Participants will need to bring min. 4 colours of 4ply or DK yarn (20g each), gauge size needles, ruler, pencil, tapestry needle, cable needle and scissors.

Friday 27th Nov 10-12

Kellie Castle Undercroft

This class is aimed at anyone who has always fancied trying stranded knitting but has never taken the plunge. The only skill required before taking this is having mastered the knit stitch! We will be using the Pic N Mix Cowl pattern as a starting point and covering the basics of working with two colours in the round.

All materials will be provided, but if you want to take your project home to continue it you can buy the needles (we'll be using a 3.25mm 40cm circular if you want to bring your own, or you can take one home for £5.75). 

Thursday 26th Nov 2-5

Di Gilpin Studio

During this workshop you will be guided through the techniques used by Shetland knitters when knitting Fair Isle, you will be shown several examples of Shetland knitwear and swatches to illustrate each point. Topics covered will include knitting in the round,  holding the yarn and choosing colours as well as many others. During the class you will knit a small Fair Isle wrist warmer using Shetland Yarn.

Materials included  

Participants should bring needles in size 3, 3.25 or 3.5mm, either short or long DPNs or a circular needle long enough to do magic loop (suggested length 60 - 100cm).

Stitch markers and a tapestry needle might be useful but not essential.

Friday 27th Nov 2-5

Di Gilpin Studio

This workshop is aimed at those looking to learn more about their colour choices in their crafts. The premise is to present attendees with a selection of photographs taken from the natural world, and demonstrate that by looking at nature we can often combine colours in a way we may not have considered, or thought would work together. Participants will choose colours of yarn based on a photograph of their choice and learn to weave a small bookmark on a tiny loom. They will take away their work, handouts, photo’s for further inspiration, the small loom, and all necessary equipment, including needles and a pair of scissors as well as an additional small quantity of yarn.

All materials will be provided.

Friday 27th Nov 2-4

Kellie Castle Underecroft

Join Sophie of Forest and Dot to create. contemporary, stunning wreath using Shetland wool roving.

Participants will be guided to make their wreath in this beginner workshop, then supported in choosing from an array of decorations. There will be twinkling fairy lights, fresh pinecones, sweet orange slices and cinnamon sticks available! All materials are included in the workshop, but feel free to bring along specific decorations too.

Saturday 28th Nov 10-12.30

Di Gilpin Wool Hoose

Add a splash of colour to your knitting and develop your skills with intarsia knitting in the round.

In this hands-on workshop, you’ll be guided step by step through the techniques needed to create vibrant, multi-coloured fabric without floats on the back. Using a fun and practical wrist warmer project, you’ll learn how to work with multiple yarns, manage colour changes, and achieve clean, professional-looking joins and knit intarsia patterns in the round. By the end of the session, you’ll have vibrant wrist warmers underway (or completed!) and the confidence to apply intarsia techniques to future projects.

Level of Experience: intermediate or adventurous beginner: Able to cast on, bind off, knit, purl, knit in the round. Some experience with working from charts will be helpful but not essential.

Participants need to bring:

At least 4 different colours of DK yarn (approx. 20g of each colour)

4 mm circular knitting needles or your preferred choice for knitting small circumferences in the round; a ruler; pencil/pen ; tapestry needle cable needle; scissors

Saturday 28th Nov 10-1

Di Gilpin Studio

Join Tania of TJFrog to make a beautiful statement beaded Dorset Button to add extra colour, texture and some sparkle to your handmade projects.  With a craft ring, yarn and beads, you will use the four traditional techniques of crafting, slicking, laying and rounding to create your beaded Dorset Button.  During the workshop Tania will chat about the history of Dorset Buttons, show original examples and showcase how to use them in your yarn projects

Saturday 28th Nov 2-5

Di Gilpin Wool Hoose

The Peedie Thistle is an easy crewelwork workshop, suitable for complete beginners to embroidery and also to anyone new to crewelwork. It is worked in Appleton’s crewel wool on traditional linen twill.

With all materials and full instructions provided, the only thing participants need to bring is their specs and a good sense of humour! 

Saturday 28th Nov 2-5

Di Gilpin Studio

Fancy adding a new, wonderful craft to your repertoire? No experience of knitting or crochet is needed for this fun workshop that will get you to crochet beautiful and colourful accessories in no time.

In this workshop, Samira will teach you the basics of crochet as you create traditional Granny Squares and learn about hook and yarn hold, tension, how to make standard stitches, change colours and how to read a crochet pattern.

VENUE TBC

Follow designer and author, Susan Crawford, on a magical trip to Shetland, as we watch the first public screening of her short film, “Perfectly Flawed” which shares with us a very personal record of Susan’s travels to Shetland for the making of “The Vintage Shetland Project”.

Susan will then share with us more of the fascinating stories she uncovered during her eight years of research, with her warm and rich storytelling. We will finish with a Q&A and a chance to take a closer look at the knitted recreations themselves.

Saturday 28th Nov 11-12

St Monans Auld Kirk

Join Rebecca Clow as she discusses the inspirations behind her new book

There will be lots of opportunities to celebrate CreaBea designs and explore Rebecca’s inclusive, popular body of work.

TBC

Riikka Palonen is a Finnish-born storyteller—who herself has raised sheep and has woven  traditional "ryijy" tapestries—will be sharing woolly tales from northern meadows.

In the atmospheric setting of St Monans Auld Kirk, Rikka will tell stories about spinning and wool and shepherds and celestial ladies weaving the lives of common folks.

The coexistence of sheep and humans dates back as far as 10,000 years. Because handling wool, spinning, knitting, and weaving have been vital skills, a rich storytelling tradition has grown up around them. Even the moon and the sun have spun yarn, and the bear was born from a tuft of wool dropped by a spinner.

Bring your woolly project to work on as you listen to these tales.

TBC

Scottish Fisheries Museum Assistant Curator Jen Gordon and our own Sheila Greenwell as they weave together a presentation about the history of Ganseys.

Jen provides in-depth historic context and the place of Ganseys in the museum collections, whilst Sheila explores the complexities of this knitting tradition.

With items from the archives (from the museum and Di Gilpin Ltd), this will be an expanded presentation, with some object handling and the opportunity to ask plenty of questions.

Saturday 28th Nov 2-3

St Monans Auld Kirk

Join designers and makers Sylvia Watts Cherry (With Cherries on Top) , Jackie Cassidy (Soft Accents) and Lydia Amartey-Williams (Weku Yarn) as they conduct a panel discussion about the ways they explore identity through their work.

The speakers will expand on how fabric, colour, surface and pattern design celebrate their respective Nigerian, Shona and Ghanaian heritage in today’s creative yarn sector.