About this Event
Join CHARTS at Campbeltown Museum for a hands-on Keeping it Creel workshop with textile artist Kate Davies, exploring the town’s maritime knitting heritage while creating your own mini-gansey, using contemporary patterns designed by Kate with the option to work traditional stitches. Suitable for beginners and experienced knitters alike.
Fishing and knitting are closely intertwined in Kintyre, and generations of people in Campbeltown have created beautiful, original pullovers worn at sea. The Campbeltown gansey is an original form of maritime workwear and an important expression of local culture and identity. These workshops place gansey knitting within the wider context of the West Coast of Scotland’s maritime culture, celebrating history through practical making.
The workshop will begin with a short introduction to the gansey and its connection to Campbeltown’s maritime heritage, followed by a demonstration of materials and traditional techniques. The main body of the workshop will offer supported knitting time with guidance and advice throughout.
Who is this for
- All levels welcome - suitable for beginners and more advanced knitters.
- A family-friendly workshop is available on Saturday, 21 February, 1.30pm to 3pm. Recommended for age 8+.
Materials and preparation
- Materials will be provided.
- A PDF pattern, including all instructions and linked tutorials (for unfamiliar techniques), will be emailed to participants in advance.
- Instructions can be printed by participants or viewed digitally on your own device.
Key information
- Attendees are to enter through the Museum’s Linda McCartney Memorial Garden door.
- No food or open drink containers allowed in the marriage room. Closed drink bottles are welcome.
- Photography will be present at the events.
Dates and times
Saturday 7th February 2026
Adults workshop 10.30am to 12.30pm
Adults workshop 1.30pm to 3.30pm
Saturday 21st February 2026
Adults workshop 10.30am to 12.30pm
Family workshop 1.30pm to 3pm
Keeping it Creel is a Culture Heritage and Arts Assembly, Argyll and Isles (CHARTS) project, made possible by the Stafford Trust with further support from liveArgyll, Argyll and Bute Council, Creative Scotland, and Bòrd na Gàidhlig.
Image: Mini-ganseys. Kate Davies.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Burnett Building at Campbeltown Museum, Saint John Street, Campbeltown, United Kingdom
GBP 0.00
