Our Weaving Retreats 

As January quietly gathers pace, we’re planning the year ahead, which is looking forward to hosting lots more exciting events for you!

This year, we’re running our next retreat from the 14th- 21st March 2025 at the Merchants House again as our stunning venue. Set against the Stromness waterfront, it makes the perfect location for our base. We cannot wait to meet new folk, share skills and watch dramatic skies unfold from the kitchen table, and be inspired by the colours of spring time.

You can book your spot here. Any questions, you can chat to us via email or arrange a call to discuss any queries you have.

Discover the joy of weaving in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, surrounded by like-minded individuals. Whether you’re a beginner (with no weaving knowledge!) or an experienced weaver, this retreat offers a unique opportunity to enhance your skills and indulge in your passion. Our expert weaver, India Whitwell, founder of Orkney Cloth, will guide you through sampling your ideas and creating your own project, ensuring you gain valuable knowledge, confidence and inspiration.

Throughout the retreat, you’ll have the chance to explore the captivating beauty of the Orkney Islands. From the rugged coastline to ancient archaeological sites, this location is a treasure trove of natural and historical wonders. Take breaks from your loom to breathe in the fresh sea air on the doorstep, soak up the breathtaking views, and let your creativity flow.

Indulge in delicious local food, connect with fellow weavers, and create memories that will last a lifetime. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to weave your way through the heart of the Orkney Islands! Register now to secure your spot at the Weaving Retreat in the Heart of the Orkney Islands.

What’s included in your weaving retreat?

• A visit to the Pier Arts Centre and a tour of the collection.
• An hour long video consultation prior to the weaving retreat to decide your project and set your intentions for your week in Orkney.
• A total of 28 hours of dedicated weaving tuition.
• Access to your own Ashford, 8 shaft loom for the week.
• Access to our weaving tools and equipment, including x4 warping mills, beaming and threading equipment.
• Access to our library of weaving materials, which are all 100% wool, including Supersoft wool, and Shetland yarn.
• 7 days accommodation at The Merchant’s House, in one of 4 double rooms. We have two twin rooms which are ideal for friends or partners.
• Travel around the island during our day visiting local crafters (please note this won’t include travel to and from the airport or ferry, although the ferry terminal is a 15 minute walk away).
• Visit to Jane Cooper, author of The Lost Flock, and her rare Orkney Boreray sheep. We will have a chance to sample and spin the fleece. In the afternoon, we will visit a selection of local craftspeople around the island.
• All meals including breakfast, lunch and dinner at the cottage. One night night we will have an optional visit to a local restaurant (price not included).

Our 2024 weaving retreat

Last year, we hosted our first weaving retreat in October, which sold out within the hour! You can read all about our feature on Orkney.com here. 

Although it was coming into winter, we had four lovely guests join us in The Merchants House, in Stromness. We spent the week being inspired by our surroundings, looking out over the Harbour from the guest house and creating beautiful woven products.

The Merchants House

The Merchants House made the perfect place to stay, with everything we needed for the week. There were beautiful books in the living room to cosy down by the fire, a warming kitchen for our daily meals and our favourite reading nook by the door windows, looking out over cottages own pier. 

Our guests were treated to lovely Orkney produce (my husband, Jack, is a great cook!) who served up delicious homemade granolas, warming stews and seasonal produce. I love to bake, so we also had our fair share of Swedish cardamom buns for breakfast and cakes for a welcome break from the concentration of weaving in the afternoon.

By the end of the week, our guests left with beautiful hand woven projects in tow, including a scarf, wall hanging and a fabric sampler and renewed sense of inspiration from their visit.

We’re thrilled to be hosting another retreat for 2025, we can’t wait to welcome you to our beautiful island and show you our craft. 

Itinary

A detailed weaving retreat itinary will be sent to you nearer the time (including our menu for the week!), but below is what you can expect from your weeks stay with us.

Day one- Friday

Arrival at The Merchant’s House from 5pm.

Day two- Saturday

AM

Enjoy a tour around the Pier Arts Centre exhibitions and permenant collection with the curator.

Spend the morning gathering research and inspiration for your project.

PM

Produce sketches and wool windings to explore our colour palette (no artistic experience necessary- you’ll be guided through the session the whole way).

Design your project- you will be guided through our step by step guide on how to design your project, using the inspiration you have gathered from our visit to the gallery.

You will learn our weaving design principles, to assist with choosing design.

We will calculate our yarn quantities, ready for winding your warp.

Day three- Sunday

AM

Studio visit to our micromill in Kirkwall. You’ll have a chance to weave on our industrial looms and see how we produce our cloth and scarves.

Visit to local makers around Orkney, including the Orkney Furniture Maker.

Stop at Sheila Fleet for lunch.

PM

Visit to Burnside farm, to see Jane Cooper, author of The Lost Flock, and her famous Orkney Boreray sheep.

We will sample the fleece, and have a go at spinning the fibre.

Day four- Monday

AM

Begin warping your project.

PM

Continue warping your project.

Day five- Tuesday

AM

Beam the warp

Dress the loom, including threading your heddles, sley the reed and tie on.

PM

Begin weaving your sample, hemstitch and begin your project

Day six- Wednesday

Weave your project

Day seven- Thursday

Weave your project

Finish and wash your project

Day eight- Friday

Check out by 10am

What our attendees have to say

“I was nervous about attending the retreat as I knew nothing about weaving. Despite us all being at different levels of experience, India took us step by step through the whole process, from choosing a design and colours, calculating our yarn requirements, setting up the loom and then on to the actual weaving.

She was constantly moving between us all, helping wherever and whenever she was needed. I enjoyed the experience so much that I’m now planning to find a teacher near where I live so that I can continue.

I found the accommodation at the Merchant’s House to be really excellent and our working area at the library was perfect.

Between them, India and her husband Jack provided us with really great meals. They took really good care of us and made sure we had everything we needed. 

I was a bit ambivalent about taking a day to meet other crafts people as I was concerned about losing a day of weaving. However, I really enjoyed the day, particularly meeting Jane Cooper and her Boreray sheep. It was fascinating hearing how Jane is helping bring this rare breed back from the edge of extinction. I would definitely recommend this retreat.

Thank you so much, India and Jack, for the wonderful experience.”

For more information, don’t hesitate to send us a message 

How to Book

There are a few ways you can book onto the course. Either send us a message and we can speak directly.

If booking directly, prices are £1500 per double room or £1100 based of two friends sharing a twin room (only one of these rooms are available). This includes meals, tuition for the week and a tour of the island and makers. During the week you’ll receive at least 28 hours tuition, with your own loom, equipment and yarn, as well as one day visiting local crafters in the island.

Please note this is an introductory price, as this is our second weaving retreat.



Alternatively you can book through the following links

Reserve a place through eventbrite:

Or you can purchase a place directly through Craft Courses: https://www.craftcourses.com/courses/orkney-weaving-retreat

Once you have booked onto the course we will arrange a time to meet online so we can meet you and discuss what you want to get out of the week.

We look forward to hosting you on our beautiful islands

India x