Decorative textiles through the ages

A series of demonstrations and workshops highlighting techniques and materials used to create essential and decorative textiles through the ages, is to take place later this year.

The series of events are to be held at the Dales Countryside Museum in Hawes, throughout the summer and early autumn.

The Museum is owned by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.

Museum Manager Fiona Rosher said: “Knitting and textiles form a significant aspect of the cultural heritage of the Yorkshire Dales. The hand knitting industry was once an important part of the Dales’ economy, second only to lead mining”.

Events are based upon the traditional knitting and textile skills once used in everyday life.

Visitors will have the opportunity to visit the museum, explore the displayed collections, learn traditional skills and use them to create their own contemporary pieces.

The textiles events at the Museum are:

• Spinning demonstrations in the Museum reception on 3 May, 7 June, 5 July, 2 August, 6 September and 4 October between 2pm and 4pm.
• Weaving demonstrations by Dilys McCaffrey in the Museum reception on 17 April and 14 August from 1pm to 4pm.
• A creative knitting workshop led by textile artist Elizabeth Smith, who is inspired by seaweed and moss, on 8 May between 10am and 4pm. The session costs £35, which includes all materials and refreshments.
• Felt artist Wendy Chan will be creating beautiful jewellery from 10am to 3.30pm on 12 June as part of the Open Studios programme of events. The cost of the day is £15 plus materials.
• Two weekend workshops on 21/22 May and 16/17 July on the theme ‘Sheep to Scarf’. Frances Coates will be demonstrating a variety of processes from raw fleece to finished creations including dyeing, carding, spinning, knitting and felting between10am – 4pm. She will give talks at 11am and 2pm.
• The history of knitting in the Dales will be explained and demonstrated by Kate Trusson between 1pm and 4pm on 5 June and 2 October.

For more information and to book a place please phone 01969 666210