ROWAN CONNECT
SUMMER SCHOOL 2026
Textures Intensive
With Georgia Farrell
This summer, join Georgia Farrell in this hands-on intensive course exploring the art of textured fabric design. Textured fabrics are one of her favourite things to create, and for her there is nothing more satisfying than developing beautifully faceted surfaces using just the fundamental building blocks of knitting: knit and purl stitches. When travelling cables are added, shifting across the fabric, and slip stitches are introduced in varied ways, the creative possibilities become endless.
Throughout the course, Georgia will guide students through the anatomy of stitches and how they behave, building a clear understanding of how texture is formed. She will demonstrate how to layer and combine different techniques to create rich, dynamic fabric surfaces, leading up to a final session in which students design their own textured fabrics.
This is a swatch-heavy course, designed to give participants plenty of opportunity to experiment, refine, and gain practical, hands-on experience of textured fabric construction as well as the underlying theory. The course uses Rowan Pure Wool Superwash Worsted, selected for its excellent stitch definition, which is essential when working with texture. Students are encouraged to choose shades that allow the structure of the fabric to stand out clearly so that the textures can be fully appreciated.
Textures Intensive - Class Summary
Week 1: Design inspiration
We begin by exploring a wide range of shawl shapes, alongside a discussion of yarn types and colourways. You will be encouraged to make a mini shape that inspires you and begin researching stitch patterns you might like to use in your design.
Week 2: Patterns and design features
In week two, we look at stitch patterns and explore how they can be incorporated into different shawl shapes. We will discuss the garter tab versus casting on and look at various increases. After this session, you will begin planning your design in more detail, experimenting with how to start and different increases and swatching your chosen shape and stitch patterns.
Week 3: Technical details
This week focuses on cast offs and attached edgings. We will also review your developing ideas, including stitch plans, swatches and experiments, to help refine your design.
Week 4: Finishing details
This session brings your shawl design together into a polished, professional final piece. We review progress, address questions and discuss finishing in more detail including blocking and sewing in ends. We also discuss writing up and publishing your pattern.
_________
Dates and Times
Classes: Tuesdays 4th, 11th, 18th & 25th August, 3.00-5.30pm BST
Q&A sessions: Fridays 7th, 14th, 21st & 28th August, 4.30-5.30pm
BST is the time zone we are currently using in the UK. Check your time zone here.
_________
Recordings
All classes and Q+A sessions are recorded and will be available to view on demand for 12 months.
_________
PRICE: £185
REGISTER NOW - LIMITED PLACES
