Felting in the Garden

Felting in the Garden at Raven Rock Farm is a four-hour, hands-on workshop set inside the greenhouse and among the flower beds of Raven Rock Farm on Pender Island, British Columbia. The session turns raw merino wool, silk and prefelts into cozy, finished tea cozies while the greenhouse hums with warmth and the gardens outside are heavy with late-summer blooms. This is not a factory class; it’s a small, tactile gathering limited to 12 people where process and place are equally part of the lesson.

You’ll start by pulling color and texture from a palette of farm-harvested inspiration: petals, stems and the soft palette of the island’s flora inform choices as Debbie leads demonstrations of wet-felting techniques, layering, and finishing. All materials are provided, and the instructors supply tea, coffee, juice and fruit from the farm so you can snack between rolling and stitching. Ages 14–18 are welcome when accompanied by an adult, and no previous experience is required.

The farm setting is the difference-maker. The Raven Rock Farm Greenhouse offers bright, steady light and sheltered benches where hands can work without wind or rain, while the adjacent garden beds give a direct link to the natural dyes and color stories that inspire each project. Pender Island’s mild climate and agricultural heritage make the farm part of a long-standing local tradition of small-scale growing and craft production; that context gives the class a distinct sense of place.

Practical details are simple: bring a lunch, two or three old towels and a pair of sharp scissors; the class runs about four hours and fills quickly—registration closes July 20 for the July 22 workshop. Questions or accessibility concerns can be directed to Debbie at [email protected] or by text at 250-538-8902. What makes this workshop special for visitors is the fusion of a creative craft with on-site agriculture: you’re learning a hands-on fiber skill while immersed in a working greenhouse and enjoying farm fruit and the quiet rhythms of island life.

Whether you’re passing through the Southern Gulf Islands or basing a slow weekend on Pender Island, Felting in the Garden offers a calm, immediate making experience that leaves you with both a finished object and a fresh connection to local place and practice. Participants often leave with practical skills they can repeat at home, along with knowledge about sourcing fibers and a renewed appreciation for slow-making practices. The instructor emphasizes safe, efficient motions to protect wrists and shoulders during felting—useful for anyone who gardens or works with hand tools.

If you’re visiting from nearby islands or the mainland, plan extra time to stroll the farm paths, visit local beaches, and support other family-run producers on Pender Island after the workshop and enjoy.