The workshop explores the exciting textural properties of felt, using basic knitting techniques and experimental materials.
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Playing with colour and pattern</li>
<li>Using simple knitting techniques to create embossed effects</li>
<li>Combining felting yarn with none felting yarn to produce unusual textures</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
There will be demonstrations of the knitting techniques, plus a discussion on the felting properties of different sheep breeds, and various wet felting methods.&nbsp; &nbsp;The workshop will focus on using pre-made yarns, and therefore will not be covering spinning with raw fibres.
All levels of ability are welcome.&nbsp; &nbsp;The class includes a worksheet, samples and a PowerPoint presentation, to inspire further ideas for after the session.
&nbsp;&nbsp;
Materials and equipment: -
<ul>
<li>Knitting needles or crochet hooks</li>
<li>Felting yarn, 100% wool is usually the best &ndash; check the label to see if it says suitable for felting. However avoid Superwash wool which is designed not to felt.</li>
<li>Yarn, conventional yarn, plus fine string, twine, thin ribbon or lace, embroidery threads</li>
<li>Scissors, for cutting yarns</li>
<li>Hand Needles, preferably large-eyed tapestry needles (optional)</li>
<li>Thread, for hand sewing, could be wool or any other fibre (optional)</li>
<li>Internet access, with a microphone and webcam. Please only book is you are able to attend in real time.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;

Rosina Godwin

Arts & Crafts

Fashion Crafts

Knitting

Exploring the unique texture of felted knitting to create art, sculpture and many other practical purposes!

Felted Knitting

General admission

Explore the creative potential of knitting to make artwork and sculpture, using simple techniques and unconventional materials.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Knitting with unconventional materials (wire, garden twine, string), fancy and neon yarns</li>
<li>Making yarns from strips of fabric, plastic and paper</li>
<li>Threading beads, buttons or fabric onto the yarn</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
There will be demonstrations of knitting and yarn making techniques, and discussions on applying experimental materials such as paper pulp and acrylic gel.&nbsp; The class includes a worksheet and PowerPoint presentation, plus samples and demonstrations to inspire further ideas for after the session.
&nbsp;
All levels of ability are welcome.&nbsp; The workshop is aimed at anyone with an interest in textiles or mixed media sculpture, wishing to explore the artistic potential of knitting.&nbsp; The emphasis is on creating experimental samples, rather than a finished piece.
&nbsp;
Materials and equipment: -
<ul>
<li>Knitting needles or crochet hooks, ideally larger sized needles or hooks 6mm or more</li>
<li>Yarn, any conventional knitting yarn, plus string, garden twine, braid, thin ribbon or lace, gift wrap tape, etc., could be used as an experimental yarn</li>
<li>Plastic bags, carrier bags and clean food wrappers such as bread bags or frozen food bags</li>
<li>Fabric, a closely woven cotton fabric, jersey T-shirt fabric, or an unwanted garment</li>
<li>Paper, newspaper, brown paper, tissue paper, old wrapping paper, etc</li>
<li>Beads, buttons, sequins, small scraps of fabric, anything which can be threaded onto a yarn</li>
<li>Scissors, for both fabric and paper</li>
<li>Hand Needles, preferably large-eyed tapestry needles</li>
<li>Thread, for hand sewing</li>
<li>Internet access, with a microphone and webcam. Please only book is you are able to attend in real time.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;

Material Adventures in Knitting is an experimental workshop exploring the potential of simple techniques and unconventional materials.

Material Adventures in Knitting

AMERICAN SMOCKING WITH NICKY SIMPSONONLINE ON-DEMANDFEES:&nbsp; FULL COURSE &pound;35<hr fr-original-style="" style="border-color: var(--border-muted); border-style: solid; clear: both; break-after: page; user-select: none; box-sizing: border-box;">WHAT THE COURSE IS ALL ABOUT:A great new short course, led by textile artist&nbsp;NICKY SIMPSON. This course introduces you to 11 smocking designs and teaches you how to create American Smocking, an exciting and original textile skill that is formed with just a needle and thread!<hr fr-original-style="" style="border-color: var(--border-muted); border-style: solid; clear: both; break-after: page; user-select: none; box-sizing: border-box;">WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR:This short course is suitable for anyone, and especially for those new to textiles. You may be a teacher wanting to up-skill, a student who wants to further your current knowledge, or anyone who would like to be more creative with very limited equipment!<hr fr-original-style="" style="border-color: var(--border-muted); border-style: solid; clear: both; break-after: page; user-select: none; box-sizing: border-box;">WHAT TO EXPECT:This is a comprehensive course which offers a series of 6 short video tutorials, where you can practice alongside Nicky, working at your own pace. Each video can be paused and rewound. There are also step-by-step guides, 11 downloadable smocking templates and tips.Video Tutorial 1: &nbsp;Introduction &amp; Equipment Video Tutorial 2: Materials Video Tutorial 3:&nbsp;Practice Stitches
 Video Tutorial 4: Practice Sample Video Tutorial 5: Templates Video Tutorial 6: Get Creative!<hr fr-original-style="" style="border-color: var(--border-muted); border-style: solid; clear: both; break-after: page; user-select: none; box-sizing: border-box;">WHAT YOU WILL NEED:<ul style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; box-sizing: border-box;" type="disc" id="isPasted" fr-original-style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-top:0cm;"><li style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; line-height: 107%; font-size: 15px; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(89, 89, 89); box-sizing: border-box;" fr-original-style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:8.0pt;margin-left:0cm;line-height:107%;font-size:15px;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#595959;'>Fabric: A cotton-based fabric to do trails</li><li style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; line-height: 107%; font-size: 15px; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(89, 89, 89); box-sizing: border-box;" fr-original-style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:8.0pt;margin-left:0cm;line-height:107%;font-size:15px;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#595959;'>Fabric: for creating your smocking</li><li style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; line-height: 107%; font-size: 15px; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(89, 89, 89); box-sizing: border-box;" fr-original-style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:8.0pt;margin-left:0cm;line-height:107%;font-size:15px;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#595959;'>Hand sewing needle&nbsp;</li><li style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; line-height: 107%; font-size: 15px; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(89, 89, 89); box-sizing: border-box;" fr-original-style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:8.0pt;margin-left:0cm;line-height:107%;font-size:15px;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#595959;'>Thread to match the colour of your fabric</li><li style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; line-height: 107%; font-size: 15px; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(89, 89, 89); box-sizing: border-box;" fr-original-style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:8.0pt;margin-left:0cm;line-height:107%;font-size:15px;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#595959;'>Fabric scissors</li><li style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; line-height: 107%; font-size: 15px; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(89, 89, 89); box-sizing: border-box;" fr-original-style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:8.0pt;margin-left:0cm;line-height:107%;font-size:15px;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#595959;'>Ruler</li><li style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; line-height: 107%; font-size: 15px; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(89, 89, 89); box-sizing: border-box;" fr-original-style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:8.0pt;margin-left:0cm;line-height:107%;font-size:15px;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#595959;'>Pencil or tailors chalk or dressmakers&rsquo; pencil for dark fabrics</li><li style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; line-height: 107%; font-size: 15px; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(89, 89, 89); box-sizing: border-box;" fr-original-style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:8.0pt;margin-left:0cm;line-height:107%;font-size:15px;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#595959;'>Plain paper to draw up templates</li><li style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; line-height: 107%; font-size: 15px; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(89, 89, 89); box-sizing: border-box;" fr-original-style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:8.0pt;margin-left:0cm;line-height:107%;font-size:15px;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#595959;'>Templates for each design are available to download</li></ul><hr fr-original-style="" style="border-color: var(--border-muted); border-style: solid; clear: both; break-after: page; user-select: none; box-sizing: border-box;">LEARNING OUTCOMES:<ul type="disc" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><li style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box;" fr-original-style="font-size: 16px;">Learn and practice a new and exciting skill.</li><li style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box;" fr-original-style="font-size: 16px;">Develop confidence and enhance your skills with just a needle and thread!</li><li style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box;" fr-original-style="font-size: 16px;">Create exciting smocking designs that can be used for fashion, interiors or accessories</li><li style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box;" fr-original-style="font-size: 16px;">A creative activity that will aid your wellbeing by improving your concentration, memory and problem solving.</li></ul>

Courses in Manchester

Online Options

Felted Knitting

By Rosina Godwin

Material Adventures in Knitting

By Rosina Godwin

American Smocking (Online On-Demand Course)

By Textiles Skills Centre

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