Workshops at Whistlebare Fold
We’re delighted to introduce our new knitting and crochet workshops at Whistlebare Fold. With something for beginners and experienced makers alike we will be holding a morning and an afternoon session on two Sundays each month. We are very fortunate to have been able to engage lovely Samira of Eildon Hills Designs as our tutor. Samira is a very experienced and imaginative knitting and crochet tutor who even teaches at Shetland Wool Week! Every session will include coffee (or any other drink) and cake from our coffee shop and all the materials required. Parking is free all day right outside the shop.
Whether you’re picking up needles for the first time or looking to refine your technique, you’ll find a warm welcome and plenty of inspiration. Please scroll down to see the timetable for February.
from £80.00
Learn to Knit: 2 Part Course
Skill Level: Beginner
Dates: 13/9/26 & 27/9/26
Time: 10am
Notions: 5.5mm needles (available to purchase on the day)
Included: 1 Skein of Yeavering Bell Aran in your choice of colour, hot drink & a cake.
In this wonderful two part course, you will learn or revisit all knitting basics while making a beautiful and very handy pair of fingerless mittens, ready for the colder days!
Over two Sunday morning sessions you will learn to cast on, knit, purl, how to combine different stitches to produces different textures, how to cast off, how to count rows and stitches, how to follow a knitting pattern and how to seam your knitting neatly, on top of going through troubleshooting, how to identify, fix and correct common mistakes and more.
Please note; by booking this course you are signing up to attend and pay for both sessions. Courses are non-transferable to alternative dates and it is essential to attend Part 1 in order to then attend Part 2.
Learn to Crochet: 2 Part Course
Skill Level: Beginner
Dates: 13/9/26 & 27/9/26
Time: 2pm
Notions: 4mm crochet hook (available to purchase on the day)
Included: 4 Mini Skeins of Cheviot Marsh DK in contrasting colours of your choice, hot drink & a cake.
In this fabulous two part course, you will learn or revisit all crochet basics while making colourful, beautiful crochet motifs from the centre out.
Over two afternoons you will learn hand positions, yarn tension, how to make all standard crochet stitches, how to read a pattern, how to join new colours, finish motifs in a tidy manner, how to join motifs, how to identify, fix and correct common mistakes and more.
Please note; by booking this course you are signing up to attend and pay for both sessions. Courses are non-transferable to alternative dates and it is essential to attend Part 1 in order to then attend Part 2.
Toe up Socks
Dates: 4/10/26
Time: 10am
Notions: 3mm circular needle (100cm long) or 3mm set of double pointed needles (available to purchase on the day)
Included: 1 Skein of Cuthbert’s Sock in the colour of your choice, hot drink & a cake.
In this morning course you will learn to knit beautiful socks from the toe up! In this workshop, as well as showing the advantages of using the toe–up method, Samira will teach you all the techniques required to knit a beautiful pair of socks, including how to cast on for a beautiful seamless toe, how to shape the toe using symmetrical shaping, how to work a heel flap, the heel stitch, turn the heel, shape the gusset, and how to work a stretchy cast off at the cuff, all whilst working on a mini-sock, using either double pointed needles or the Magic Loop technique.
All the skills required to knit the full-size socks pattern provided will be covered in the workshop.
This workshop is suitable for knitters who already know how to cast on, knit, purl and cast off. No prior experience of sock knitting or circular knitting is required, but if choosing to use double pointed pointed needles the knitters will need to be already familiar with / experienced at knitting with double pointed needles.
Daisy Scarf
Dates: 4/10/26
Time: 2pm
Notions: 6.5 mm, 40cm circular needles (available to purchase on the day)
Included: 1 Skein of Yeavering Bell 4ply in the colour of your choice, hot drink & a cake.
In this workshop Samira will teach you how to make Whistlebare’s very own gorgeous ‘Daisy Scarf’.
It is one of our best selling patterns, an intricate daisy stitch is encased in a garter stitch border to create a delicate scarf or snood that floats at your neck like a cloud.This workshop is suitable for knitters who already know how to cast on, knit, purl and cast off.
Brioche Knitting
Dates: 29/11/26
Time: 10am
Notions: 4mm short circular needle (40cm) (available to purchase on the day)
Included: 2 contrasting 50g skeins of Yeavering Bell Aran, hot drink & a cake.
Two-colour Brioche knitting is a fabulous technique that creates strikingly beautiful, colourful and reversible cosy garments and accessories. In this workshop, Samira will teach you the fundamental techniques of Brioche knitting, including what is Brioche knitting, how Brioche knitting works, how to knit Simple Brioche using two colours, how to follow a Brioche knitting pattern, how to cast on and cast off in two colours for Brioche in order to create straight reversible Brioche lines.
This workshop is suitable for knitters who already know how to cast on, knit, purl and cast off.
Stranded Colourwork
Dates: 29/11/26
Time: 2pm
Notions: 3.25mm circular needle, 80-100cm long, stitch markers
(available to purchase on the day)
(available to purchase on the day)
Included: 2 contrasting 50g skeins of Cheviot Marsh DK, hot drink & a cake.
In this afternoon workshop you will learn how to knit using more than one colour at a time, while making a very cosy hot water bottle cover!
You will learn the traditional techniques of working with several colours in the round using the Magic Loop technique, managing floats, tension, repeats, how to read colour charts and more. This workshop is suitable for knitters who can confidently cast on, knit, purl, increase, decrease. Prior knowledge of working in the round (any technique) will be useful, but not essential.
Further Knitting: 2 Part Course
Dates: 10/1/27 & 24/1/27
Time: 10am
Notions: 5 & 5.5mm needles (available to purchase on the day)
Included: 100g Aran Yarn, Hot Drink & a Cake
This 2-part course is perfect for anyone who has either recently learnt to knit, or has knitted in the past and would like to go over and consolidate their knitting skills, while making a beautiful hat!
In this course you will practice the basics while following a knitting pattern from start to finish, including casting on, knit, purl, rib, stocking stitch, increasing, decreasing and seaming.
Please note; by booking this course you are signing up to attend and pay for both sessions. Courses are non-transferable to alternative dates and it is essential to attend Part 1 in order to then attend Part 2.
Intermediate Crochet: 2 Part Course
Dates: 10/1/27 & 24/1/27
Time: 2pm
Notions: 5 & 5.5mm needles (available to purchase on the day)
Included: Hot Drink & a Cake
This 2-part course is perfect for anyone who knows how to crochet basic stitches and who would like to learn how to read a crochet pattern, crochet back and forth in rows while keeping the edges straight, how to keep track of rows and stitches, how to change yarns / colours, how to work lace stitches, clusters, shells and more!
You will learn a variety of techniques while making a beautiful colourful cowl.
Finishing Masterclass: Full Day Course
Date: 7/2/27
Time: 10am – 4pm
Notions: 2 x swatches of stocking stitch (20 sts x 30 rows) in light colour DK
2 x swatches of garter stitch (10 sts x 30 rows) in light colour DK
Tapestry / seaming needle
Small scissors
Yarn used for knitting the swatches
Spare yarn of same weight in contrasting colour
Included: Hot Drink & a Cake
Do you love to knit, but hate sewing up? Do you feel that your sewing let your beautiful knitting down? In this workshop, Samira will teach you how seaming can be easy, quick and pain free, as well as being neat, enhance your knitting skills and improve the look of your knitting. Samira will teach you how to work neat horizontal, vertical, and combination seams on the right side of the work on a variety of common stitches (Stocking st, Garter st, ribbing, stripes…), garment construction techniques, and how inserting a “set-in sleeve” is much easier and quicker than you ever thought!
Samira will also teach you techniques for neat finishing, including picking up stitches for gussets, neckbands and buttonbands, clever custom-sized buttonholes to fit any size and any number of buttons, blocking techniques, as well as techniques to enhance the overall look of your knitting in general (how to mix and use cast on / cast off techniques, symmetrical shaping techniques, placement of shaping stitches…).
Knit a Newman: Full Day Course
Date: 21/2/27
Time: 10am – 4pm
Notions: 3.5 mm & 4.5mm dpn’s (we recommend Addi Crasy Trios) Plus a cable needle or an extra dpn.
Included: 3 x Skeins Cheviot Marsh Aran, 1 x Skein Cheviot Marsh DK, Hot Drink & a Cake
This is a very special workshop. Join us for a full day of learning how to make your very own Whistlebare Newman the Hare.
Our workshop includes the yarn to make a Cheviot Marsh Newman. However, if you’d like to upgrade your Newman to have high lustre Yeavering Bell ears or a marled body in a blend of our two yarns, then you certainly can!
Diane White (verified owner) –
I had a fantastic day. It was a bit of a gamble bringing my mum but she thoroughly enjoyed herself too. I managed to get some lovely photos and knitting good too.
I will be recommending your retreats to all my knitting friends.
Alice –
Hi Diane, it was lovely to see you both here at the farm and we all thought your mum was great :). Very glad that you enjoyed yourselves and hope to welcome you to Whistlebare again soon. x
Laura Stevenson –
Yesterday’s retreat at Whistlebare was an absolute delight. I’ve never been on a retreat so was a bit unsure what to expect, but my expectations were exceeded. We arrived to a warm welcome, with a little briefing of how the day would look. I chatted with existing friends, but also made new friends too. I liked that we had a seating plan to encourage us to mingle. We were treated to tea, coffee and scrumptious cake. I can highly recommend the Victoria sponge ?
I had already selected the pattern I wanted to knit in advance, so just needed to select my yarn. So much choice, and so many gorgeous colours, but I eventually narrowed it down with the help of the group.
Whilst our yarn was being wound we received a tour of the farm. I was wearing boots, but I would highly recommend bringing wellies so you can carry on with the more carefree attitude they bring. The animals were charming, hilarious, sweet, and mostly willing to pose for photos (the little bits of fruit and veg we were provided to feed the animals with helped).
We returned to a freshly wound cake of yarn and our pattern choice waiting for us. Time to sit and knit. There was support on hand where needed, great when there were the odd little stumbling blocks.
Lunch was a delicious spread of veg, fruit, nuts, cheeses, breads, crackers and dips. We also received a warming bowl of soup. The meal with finished off with a yummy lemon dessert served in an espresso cup. There was plenty of food for all, and I was stuffed for the remainder of the day.
Back to knitting and chatting for the rest of the afternoon. What is not to love.
If you are looking for a day to get away from life I cannot recommend Whistlebare enough. Even if you go on your own you will soon make new friends. I had such an enjoyable and relaxing day, and I’m looking forward to returning with friends in the future.
Alice –
Hi Laura, thank you so much for leaving such a lovely review. We are all delighted that you enjoyed yourself and are now enjoying the wonderful local coffee you left us. Hope to see you again soon. x
Fiona –
Brilliant day. Has a bit of everything. The history of Whistlebare, feeding and petting the animals, yarn (lots of yarn), home nade cakes. Will definitely vusit again.
Alice –
Hi Fiona, thank you for coming on our retreat yesterday, it was lovely to see you and so glad that you enjoyed yourself. x
Mica, Edinburgh –
Wonderful day-out for knitters! Delightful encounters with friendly goats and delicious home-baking and cooking set in a beautiful location. Tea and Coffee on tap and friendly expert help at hand for all your knitting projects. The day-retreats are hosted in a beautiful studio with stunning views. What’s more, the entire range of Whistlebare yarns is on display to buy and beautiful samples and custom-designed patterns invite to cast on all the things immediately! I will be back!
Susan Anderson (verified owner) –
I attended a retreat on the 14th March 2020 and will be booking another one when I can!
The day started with coffee and cake and choosing yarn for a project from the walls of Whistlebare’s own wool. It was exactly like being a kid in a sweet shop!! While we had a farm tour our chosen wool was wound into a ball for us to start the project over a lot more cake, a lovely lunch and relaxed chat around the table. It was a perfect day for me and one I’d highly recommend.
Alice –
Hi Susan, so glad you enjoyed yourself, seems almost like a different World now! We look forward to welcoming you back soon. Best wishes, Alice
Carol Richardson (verified owner) –
I attended the March retreat and I’m still benefitting from the experience! I’m in Edinburgh and even the journey down (there and back on the same day) was a pleasure. It was such a great way to reset life, shifting focus onto good company, good knitting, amazing food, and all in the most wonderful setting. I reckon we were there to entertain the goats, however. Boy, do they stare back! Though it was just a few hours, it felt like a lot longer (in the best possible way). I plan to return, hopefully getting a place on the best retreat (as soon as we know if we can leave our homes!). And just need to post the result of the retreat on Ravelry… a Canny Lass in Yeavering Bell.
Alice –
Hi Carol, thank you for your lovely review. I know what you mean about our goats, they are all little princesses each and every one ?
Janice Bastow (verified owner) –
Very early start travelling from Yorkshire, but well worth the effort. An amazing day with like minded ladies. Alice and her ladies were perfect hosts, nothing was too much trouble. Lots of help choosing yarns and help with knitting queries. Lovely tour of the farm meeting the animals and learning lots about them. Food was absolutely delicious, tea, coffee and cake flowed all day. Hope I’ll be able to visit again.
Alice –
Ah Janice, thank you so much for the lovely review we’re delighted the you enjoyed yourself.
Kate holdridge (verified owner) –
2nd July 2022 day retreat. Fabulous day, Alice showed us round the farm and explained everything about the goats sheep and horses beautifully. The colours and wools are to die for making choosing extremely difficult but fun. The food outstanding nobody left hungry. So good I’ve booked next July’s retreat within two weeks of returning home. Thank you Alice for a wonderful relaxing very enjoyable day.
Alice –
Thank you Kate, so pleased you enjoyed your day and looking forward to seeing you again next year! 😊
Karen Thomson (verified owner) –
What a wonderful day we had yesterday visiting Whistlebare for their Knitting Retreat Day. Taking along a friend for the first time she commented at the end of the day, ‘today was everything you said and more’.
It’s a real treat being looked after by Alice and her attentive team, the attention to detail throughout the day is commendable from the beautiful studio to the most wonderful lunch. It was delightful taking a tour of the farm and meeting the animals, and this is THE most beautiful yarn from very happy goats.
It’s also very helpful that all the designs are knitted up and can be seen in the studio.
An inspirational day of wellbeing!
See you again next year!
Alice –
Thank you Karen, we are so pleased that you both enjoyed your day!
Wendy (verified owner) –
Such a joyful day! Happy goats, knitting ,lovely home made food and good company. Thank you so much!
Alice –
Thank you Wendy 😊
Natasha (verified owner) –
Had an absolutely fantastic day at Whistlebare. Really enjoyed the tour of the farm (the angora goats are gorgeous and so friendly), and I was in absolute heaven browsing all the knitted samples and getting the chance to squish so much fabulous yarn. I started a daisy scarf on the day but also bought yarn to make a night and day shrug (it would have been rude not to bring home enough yarn for another project!). Alice and the team took very good care of us…plenty of tea, coffee and cake and a scrummy lunch too. Thank you for a wonderful, relaxing and inspiring day…I will definitely be back!
Natasha (verified owner) –
Had a fantastic time at the Whistlebare knitting retreat (May 2023). Loved having the opportunity to meet all the animals, and getting to bottle feed the baby angora goats – a very special experience.
All the yarns and samples on display were gorgeous which made it very difficult to choose a pattern! I settled on the Daisy Scarf (in Edwin’s Cloak) to cast-on on the day, and bought yarn to make a Night & Day shrug at home.
After our walk around the farm (in glorious Spring sunshine) we settled down to knitting. It was lovely to have the chance to spend the day with other knitters and we were very well looked after by Alice and the team. Plenty tea, coffee and cake was provided throughout the day and we had the most delicious farmhouse lunch (a special shout out for the divine lemon posset!).
I will definitely be back another time.
Mardette (verified owner) –
I can only echo Natasha’s review above. A grand day out surrounded by like minded fibre enthusiasts many of whom were, like me, returning retreaters.
8th July 23
Only one thing would make this experience even better…being able to take home a wee bit of the ambience – a little posy of the wonderful flowers table decorations…so beautiful. 🌼 🌸
Alice –
Thank you for your very lovely review Mardette, we’re so pleased that you had a such a lovely day x
Karen Thomson (verified owner) –
What a wonderful day of well being yesterday was. This is my third consecutive year of visiting for the knitting retreat day and feel I enjoyed it even more if that’s possible. From the stillness and peace of experiencing the farm to the colour therapy of these wonderful yarns, meeting like minded folk and feeling looked after for the day, just amazing.
Alice –
Thank you so much for your kind words Karen, it was so lovely to see you again, and we’re so pleased that you had such a lovely day! x
Janet Clayton (verified owner) –
July 23 Retreat
What a wonderful way to spend a day! Great hosts, gorgeous animals, delicious food, good company and of course the most amazing yarns. I adore the feel and colours of Yeavering Bell and have now crocheted 4 different coloured and patterned scarves with it. I would love to do it all again next year!
Alice –
Hi Janet,
Thank you for leaving such a lovely review and so glad that you enjoyed yourself.
Hope too see you next year!
Michelle Renwick (verified owner) –
Spent a lovely Sunday afternoon learning how to make a Daisy Scarf. Samira is a wonderful tutor, who gave lots of really good tips when knitting in the round.
We were well looked after with tea, coffee and yummy cakes.
My daisy scarf is now complete and ready for blocking, the yeavering 4ply yarn is nice to work with.
Looking forward to more workshops in the future.
Alice –
Hi Michelle, I’m so pleased that you enjoyed yourself and that ou have finished your scarf 👏👏👏. Thank you for taking the time to leave us a lovely review too.