Workshops & Talks
at Edinburgh Academy 2026
Workshop, talk and general tickets now on sale!
(Please note: a day ticket to the marketplace is required to attend all workshops and talks)
Workshops and talks will all be held at Edinburgh Academy
Got a ticket for a 9.30, 10.00 or 11am workshop / talk? Make sure to join the Workshop / Talk queue signposted at the left of the Academy gates….
All talks are £5
Workshops are priced at a flat rate starting at £45, with materials costs added where relevant.
All our workshop providers and speakers are paid fairly, using sessional rates recommended by The Scottish Artists Union.
Stick spinning - from fleece to a sample skein of plied hand spun in a morning! with Debbie Zawinski
During the course of the workshop you will learn how to spin on a stick or 'pirn', create a centre pull ball from your yarn, ply your handspun and wind it into a mini skein. Everyone will go home with a small skein of their own plied handspun yarn.
Introduction to Fair Isle Knitting with Helen Houston
This workshop is an introduction to Fair Isle knitting using the Shetland making method on three double pointed needles. ou will knit a small Fair Isle square from a pattern which can be turned into a lavender bag.
Learn Tunisian Crochet with Samira Hill
Samira will teach you what Tunisian Crochet is and how it works, all the techniques and standard stitches, basic shaping techniques, how to read and follow a Tunisian Crochet pattern, and give you an overview of the range of fabric possibilities using Tunisian Crochet.
Intarsia Knitting from the Basics with Sylvia Watts-Cherry
Explore intarsia knitting and learn tips for keeping your yarns organised, maintaining your tension, calculating yarn needs and more.
Introduction to Spindle Spinning with Isabella Rossi
This workshop will demystify the world of spinning, and teach beginners the fundamentals of how to spin yarn on a drop spindle.
Abstract Landscape Embroidery with Lorna Reid
Join Lorna from Threid Stitches and learn and master basic hand embroidery techniques with wonderfully tactile fibres in a contemporary and relaxed style. Create your own seasonal embroidered piece of your favourite location with an array of exciting wools and fibres.
How To Write Patterns Like A Pro with Kate Heppell
Calling all designers! Do you wish your pattern-writing process would run a little more smoothly? This workshop is designed to help you write better patterns, whilst making the process speedier and less stressful.
Imprinting Plant Alchemy on wool fabric, plant print with Liz Gaffney
Botanical printing is a simple process of Alchemy - “a seemingly magical process of transformation, creation, to combination”. Using natural mordants such as Alum to pretreat woven or felted wool fabrics to imprint the designs of natural leaves and flowers, you will produce a colour and lightfast wool creation.
3D Knitting – Shaping Techniques with Helen Houston
In this workshop you will knit in the round on double pointed needles to create a ladybird lavender bag. Using increase and decrease technics along with grafting (Kitchener stitch) to create a 3D shape. A fun project looking at skills required for shaping garments. We will also have time to look at other 3D textile shapes.
Learn Brioche Knitting with Samira Hill
Two-colour Brioche knitting is a fabulous technique that creates strikingly beautiful, colourful and reversible cosy garments and accessories. n this workshop, Samira will teach you the fundamental techniques of Brioche knitting.
Learn to Make Your Own Beaded Stitch Markers with Songbead
Learn how to create your own beautiful, snag-free beaded stitch markers, learning from experienced jeweller Rebecca Anderson, using foundational jewellery wirework techniques. You will have the option to turn these into wearable, simple yet beautiful jewellery!
Intarsia Knitting in the Round with Sylvia Watts-Cherry
Go beyond basic intarsia to explore knitting intarsia patterns in the round. Plus, pick up tips for keeping your yarns organised, maintaining tension, calculating yarn needs and more.
Nüshu Story Weaving: Writing Through Thread and Memory with Jiayi Chen
This workshop introduces participants to Nüshu, the endangered women’s script from rural China, through weaving, simple stitching and shared storytelling. In this session, participants will learn a few Nüshu symbols and create a unique personalized bookmark that holds a personal message or wish with their handmade paper and threads.
Introduction to Knitwear Design: Design a hat with The CreaBea
Do you want to dip your toe into the world of knitwear design? This workshop will cover all of the main pillars of design from swatching and gauge to fit and pattern writing. You'll leave with a pattern ready to work up your very first hat sample.
Introduction to Boom Loom Weaving with Balgarvie Weaving
Join Janet Hughes, a trained textile designer, natural dye grower, and experienced educator, for a hands-on and beginner-friendly weave workshop.
Craft Illustration and Lino Printing with Salina Jane Art
Come and explore creative drawing with artist Salina Jane, and expand your skills with Lino printing. You will learn how to draw your craft in interesting ways through relief printing. You’ll leave with prints and cards on a variety of papers!
WORKSHOP: Craft for Wellbeing - needle felted landscapes with Amy Davidson
Learn the art of needle felting and create your own stunning felted painting inspired by Scotland's rugged landscapes.
At the end of the workshop you will walk away with a stunning felt landscape of your favourite place to hang up somewhere special! We will learn some more techniques like how to add a fluffy highland coo or sheep to your felted landscapes. It’s one not to missed!
Our workshops have an emphasis on craft for wellbeing so we will talk about how to slow down and move into a flow state.
WORKSHOP: Fair Isle Knitting with Helen Chatterton
Learn Fair Isle knitting with expert knitter, Helen Chatterton. You will learn the techniques of Fair Isle knitting on four double pointed needles and how to read charts. You will start to knit a lavender bag and go away with the materials to finish it at home, including yarn and a small lavender pouch.
WORKSHOP: Tapestry Crochet with Merrian Holland of MezzaCraft
Always wanted to learn tapestry crochet, or struggled to get the hang of it in the past? Come and learn the basics with experienced teacher and designer Merrian.
WORKSHOP: Introduction to Assigned Pooling with Helen Reed of The Wool Kitchen (Saturday)
Assigned pooling turns knitting upside down by letting your yarn lead the way with your stitches. Using The Wool Kitchen's unique zip yarns, Helen will show participants how they can create special stitches with each zip of colour as it appears in the yarn.
WORKSHOP: Introduction to Hand-Dyeing with Lisa Harland (Saturday)
Come along and learn how to dye your own yarn, join Lisa, a master dyer, to create a rainbow of your own making.
WORKSHOP: Drawing with Intarsia with Rebecca Clow of The CreaBea
Learn basic intarsia skills and design your own shawl using your newly learned skills to create fun, custom motifs in a neckerchief.
We’ll start by learning about intarsia and practising swatches. Then we’ll use a pre-made chart to map out motifs from hearts, flowers, geometric; whatever you’d like. We can get started in the class and you can take your pattern home to complete. Your shawl can be in garter or stockinette stitch and we’ll treat it like a canvas to “draw” your intarsia design!
WORKSHOP: Lace Knitting with Samira Hill (Eildon Hill Designs)
Do you fancy knitting delicate and beautiful lace, but it looks complicated and daunting? In this workshop, Samira will show you how lace knitting works, how to knit lace, how to lace pattern instructions and charts, and trouble shooting skills so that you can tackle any lace project with confidence. This workshop is suitable for knitters who already know how to cast on, knit and purl.
WORKSHOP: Shetland Knitting Belt Class with Janette Budge
Practice using a Shetland style stuffed leather knitting belt and long double pointed needles. Later in the class you can try adding a raepin string at the bottom of your knitting to discover if this changes your tension, speed and knitting position. In the workshop you will start using 2 long double pointed needles (30 - 40cm long) and a knitting belt. We will also look at different techniques for holding your yarns during fair isle knitting and knitting in the round with the belt and 2 colours is an option.
WORKSHOP: A colour walk with Helen Houston
Join Helen on a walk through the surrounding area taking photos of landscapes or small close-up shots. Returning inside we will look at how our surroundings inspire colour within textiles, and how to incorporate these colour proportions into knitting and quilting projects. You will create yarn colour stripes based on the photos you have taken.
The walk will be approx. 3km with a mixture of the built environment and green spaces. This workshop combines Helen’s 30 years career in the textile industry and experience as a hill walking guide.
WORKSHOP: Make Your Own Stitch Markers with Rebecca Anderson of Songbead
Make your own stitch markers! Join jeweller and knitter Rebecca Anderson, AKA Songbead, as she teaches you how to make your own stitch markers from scratch learning basic wirework skills. You will learn how to work with jewellery pliers, make turned- and wrapped- loops, how to securely work with jump rings, and get advice on the best supplies to use and how to ensure your stitch markers and progress keepers are snag-free! You will leave with your own unique set of stitch markers, and the skills to make more.
WORKSHOP: Swedish Crochet Nålebinding with Merrian Holland of MezzaCraft
Learn the ancient style of Swedish Crochet Nålebinding and help keep an historical, almost lost technique alive. Students will be making a small mitten using Scottish wool.
WORKSHOP: Introduction to Hand-Dyeing with Lisa Harland (Friday)
Come along and learn how to dye your own yarn, join Lisa - a master dyer - to create a rainbow of your own making.
You will be supplied with all the materials you need to create a stunning skein of yarn (100g) plus 5 mini skeins which you will be able to take home and turn into a true one of a kind masterpiece!
WORKSHOP: Introduction to Assigned Pooling with Helen Reed of The Wool Kitchen (Friday)
Assigned pooling turns knitting upside down by letting your yarn lead the way with your stitches. Using The Wool Kitchen's unique zip yarns, Helen will show participants how they can create special stitches with each zip of colour as it appears in the yarn.
WORKSHOP: Tunisian Crochet with Samira Hill (Eildon Hill Designs)
Tunisian Crochet is a great technique that combines some elements of both knitting and crochet yet can end up looking completely different! In this workshop, Samira will teach you what Tunisian Crochet is and how it works, all the techniques and standard stitches, basic shaping techniques, how to read and follow a Tunisian Crochet pattern, and give you an overview of the range of fabric possibilities using Tunisian Crochet.
WORKSHOP: Go green, dye fibre green with plants
This all-day workshop is perfect for yarn lovers and your first steps in natural dyes! You will learn to dye your fibre from start to finish: preparation to the finishing stage.
Using Scottish yarn and plants, you will learn to create a green colour using foraged or grown plants as well as an Indigo process.
You will leave with sample yarn in yellow, green and blue, and with new knowledge to repeat the process.
WORKSHOP: Beaded Dorset Buttons with TJFrog
Join Tania of TJFrog to learn how to make contemporary beaded Dorset Buttons to embellish, personalise and jazz up your beautiful handmade projects making them unique to you! This workshop will cover two different ways to add beads to Dorset Buttons to bring extra colour, texture and a bit of sparkle! All materials are included.