Workshop: Botanical Art and the Beauty of Swiss Darning
Wednesday 28th January 2026 9.30am- 4.30pm
Taking place in the atmospheric surroundings of Kelmscott House – the home of William Morris from 1878 – this unique one-day workshop and masterclass is a wonderful opportunity to follow in the footsteps of William Morris. Working where William Morris created some of his best-known designs, you will be able to immerse yourself in a world of creativity and making inspired by the traditions of the Arts and Crafts movement.
Discover the joy of adding painterly botanical elements to your knitting. Sharing the techniques she uses as an experienced artist, designer and knitter, Dee Hardwicke will guide you through the process of observing and interpreting flowers and foliage through pastel drawing and Swiss darning (duplicate stitch), a versatile embroidery technique that enables you to ‘paint’ with yarn.
Arriving at Kelmscott House, by the riverside in London’s Hammersmith, the day will begin with a brief welcome talk by a member of the William Morris Society team. This will introduce you to the house and some of the instantly recognisable work that William Morris created there, really setting the scene for the workshop.
Your own day of creativity will take place at tables dressed with gorgeous still lifes of flowers and foliage, knitted swatches, beautiful yarns, and art materials. Based on detailed observation of these still lifes, Dee will begin by leading you through the process of creating your own botanical artwork in pastels. No drawing skills are required since the workshop is suitable for participants of all artistic abilities, including complete beginners.
Dee will explain how to chart your botanical motifs, also showing you how these versatile charts can be used for everything from Swiss darning and intarsia to cross stitch. You will then discover how to select yarn palettes and how to place motifs to maximum effect, really bringing them to life and finding your creative signature.
Throughout the afternoon, Dee will take you through the process of embroidering your motifs – using Swiss darning – onto a knitted sampler-style square that you will have prepared for the workshop. As you will see, Swiss darning is a wonderful technique that creates a beautiful, painterly layered effect over the knitted stitches below.
This very special workshop will introduce you to a world where yarn meets nature. With a focus on observation, colour, and texture – which were all at the heart of William Morris’s practice – this masterclass offers a window into new ways of seeing and making. You will leave with practical skills, inspiration, and your own botanical artwork ready to bloom across your knitting.
This creative workshop is designed especially for confident knitters who are curious to explore the world of artistic embellishment. No drawing skills are required since the workshop is suitable for participants of all artistic abilities, including complete beginners. No knitting skills are required for the class itself but experience with basic stocking stitch is essential. You also need to bring along a knitted square to embroider on as outlined below.
Homework
Please bring a knitted square in stocking stitch, measuring at least 20 x 20 cm since you’ll be Swiss darning your botanical motifs onto it (you could bring a rectangle if you prefer but it must be at least 20 cm wide and 20 cm long). Please work with a 4ply or DK weight yarn. The tension isn’t crucial but tension consistency, neatness, and a densely knitted fabric will benefit your completed work. Suggested tension, 26 sts x 36 rows / 10cm in stocking stitch, after blocking.
Please bring:
- Your knitted square or rectangle (as outlined above)
- A tapestry needle for embroidery if you have a favourite, although these will be provided on the day
- A selection of yarns from your stash if you would like to use some of your favourites for your embroidery but Dee will be bringing a selection of yarns to work with
- Embroidery scissors if you would like to bring your own, although scissors will be available
- An apron or old shirt to protect your clothes as pastels can get slightly messy!
Lunch
There will be a break of 45 minutes for lunch. You're welcome to bring your own lunch to eat in the Library of Kelmscott House, or to head out. (nearby cafés include The Elder Press).
This workshop is limited to 12 participants, so early booking is essential
Ticket options
Wednesday 28th January 2026 9.30am- 4.30pm
Taking place in the atmospheric surroundings of Kelmscott House – the home of William Morris from 1878 – this unique one-day workshop and masterclass is a wonderful opportunity to follow in the footsteps of William Morris. Working where William Morris created some of his best-known designs, you will be able to immerse yourself in a world of creativity and making inspired by the traditions of the Arts and Crafts movement.
Discover the joy of adding painterly botanical elements to your knitting. Sharing the techniques she uses as an experienced artist, designer and knitter, Dee Hardwicke will guide you through the process of observing and interpreting flowers and foliage through pastel drawing and Swiss darning (duplicate stitch), a versatile embroidery technique that enables you to ‘paint’ with yarn.
Arriving at Kelmscott House, by the riverside in London’s Hammersmith, the day will begin with a brief welcome talk by a member of the William Morris Society team. This will introduce you to the house and some of the instantly recognisable work that William Morris created there, really setting the scene for the workshop.
Your own day of creativity will take place at tables dressed with gorgeous still lifes of flowers and foliage, knitted swatches, beautiful yarns, and art materials. Based on detailed observation of these still lifes, Dee will begin by leading you through the process of creating your own botanical artwork in pastels. No drawing skills are required since the workshop is suitable for participants of all artistic abilities, including complete beginners.
Dee will explain how to chart your botanical motifs, also showing you how these versatile charts can be used for everything from Swiss darning and intarsia to cross stitch. You will then discover how to select yarn palettes and how to place motifs to maximum effect, really bringing them to life and finding your creative signature.
Throughout the afternoon, Dee will take you through the process of embroidering your motifs – using Swiss darning – onto a knitted sampler-style square that you will have prepared for the workshop. As you will see, Swiss darning is a wonderful technique that creates a beautiful, painterly layered effect over the knitted stitches below.
This very special workshop will introduce you to a world where yarn meets nature. With a focus on observation, colour, and texture – which were all at the heart of William Morris’s practice – this masterclass offers a window into new ways of seeing and making. You will leave with practical skills, inspiration, and your own botanical artwork ready to bloom across your knitting.
This creative workshop is designed especially for confident knitters who are curious to explore the world of artistic embellishment. No drawing skills are required since the workshop is suitable for participants of all artistic abilities, including complete beginners. No knitting skills are required for the class itself but experience with basic stocking stitch is essential. You also need to bring along a knitted square to embroider on as outlined below.
Homework
Please bring a knitted square in stocking stitch, measuring at least 20 x 20 cm since you’ll be Swiss darning your botanical motifs onto it (you could bring a rectangle if you prefer but it must be at least 20 cm wide and 20 cm long). Please work with a 4ply or DK weight yarn. The tension isn’t crucial but tension consistency, neatness, and a densely knitted fabric will benefit your completed work. Suggested tension, 26 sts x 36 rows / 10cm in stocking stitch, after blocking.
Please bring:
- Your knitted square or rectangle (as outlined above)
- A tapestry needle for embroidery if you have a favourite, although these will be provided on the day
- A selection of yarns from your stash if you would like to use some of your favourites for your embroidery but Dee will be bringing a selection of yarns to work with
- Embroidery scissors if you would like to bring your own, although scissors will be available
- An apron or old shirt to protect your clothes as pastels can get slightly messy!
Lunch
There will be a break of 45 minutes for lunch. You're welcome to bring your own lunch to eat in the Library of Kelmscott House, or to head out. (nearby cafés include The Elder Press).
This workshop is limited to 12 participants, so early booking is essential
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