Make and Mend

Wool and Root Workings

Seven or eight ladies gathered at Loweswater hall for an afternoon of crafting. We all brought extra clothing as a precaution but the heating was on and fuelled with tea and cake everybody’s needles were clicking. It is always fascinating to see what others are making. Jumpers with difficult stiches, a crotchet throw in pastel octagons, a turquoise Kingfisher embroidery, a cross-stitch Valentine’s Day card, red welly socks for darning in bright yellow. All that creativity, concentration and gentle conversation built a sort of room within the room, a citadel of strength and positivity, apart and yet connected to the world outside. I took my peg-loom and started a wall hanging/rug for a friend’s 70th Birthday in Herdwick fleece. I’m not sure I’ve left enough time to finish it but at least it got off to a good start.

Afterwards, to stretch and breathe again, I took a path around the lake. Surely, this tree had been doing its own bit of handicraft, weaving its roots so beautifully and so productively.

BarabaraThompson – February 2025

Make and Mend Workshops

We’ve had several Make and Mend workshops designed to make use of things that would otherwise end up in landfill. Creating anything with one’s own hand generates a profound and deep sense of satisfaction. It doesn’t matter what level of expertise one has it is just the act of actually doing something different that requires concentration. It sort of slows life down and gives the brain a rest. Life can be a bit too busy and a little too noisy. Believe it or not there are spells during the workshop where not a word is spoken and no one actually notices. Everyone is busy and thinking only of the project in front of them. An added benefit to the workshops is companionship gained by joining with like-minded people; something that cannot be bought.

Glenis Postlethwaite – July 2024