Adult Crafting Workshops

Thu, 11 Feb 2027. 10:00–13:00 & 14:00–17:00. Have you ever wondered how the Vikings made their beautifully patterned bands and belts? Discover the craft of tablet weaving at our hands-on workshop and learn how to create your own woven piece to take home! Using special cards or tablets to weave the threads together, you'll discover how this traditional craft works and perhaps even find a new hobby along the way. These beginner-friendly sessions are designed for adults, so no previous experience is needed. Materials and refreshments are provided. Spaces are limited, and sessions can sell out, so we recommend booking in advance to secure your place.

Mon, 8 Feb 2027. 10:00–13:00 & 14:00–17:00. Discover how to leatherwork like a Viking! Join the skilled craftspeople from SylvanKin for our hands-on Leatherworking Workshop. Using traditional tools, you'll craft your very own leather bracer, fit for a Jarl! Perhaps you'll even discover you have a knack for it. These beginner-friendly sessions are designed for adults, so no previous leatherworking experience is needed. Spaces are limited, and sessions can sell out, so we recommend booking in advance to secure your place.

Wed, 10 Feb 2027. 10:00–13:00 & 14:00–17:00. Ever wanted to create a piece of pottery worthy of a Viking hoard? Join our hands-on Viking Pottery Workshops and make your own unique piece to take home! You'll use traditional hand-building techniques to shape your pottery by hand, rather than using a pottery wheel. It's a chance to try a traditional craft and discover more about everyday Viking life. These beginner-friendly sessions are designed for adults. Spaces are limited and sessions can sell out, so we recommend booking in advance to secure your place.

Sat, 13 Feb 2027. 10:30–13:30 & 13:30–16:30. Knives were essential tools in everyday Viking life, used for everything from preparing food to carrying out daily tasks. Now's your chance to try this traditional craft for yourself at our Knife Forging Workshops! Join the skilled craftspeople from SylvanKin at our encampment on Parliament Street and discover the art of knife forging. With just four places available per session, these small-group workshops offer a rare chance to get hands-on with a traditional craft. These sessions are for adults only, sorry, no little Vikings allowed! If your younger warriors are keen to get crafting, check out our Kids' Crafting events at Barley Hall. Will you be a cut above the rest? Activity information: Please be aware that participants must be able to stand for the duration. Practical footwear and appropriate clothing are required for this workshop, and long hair must be tied back.

Thu, 11 Feb 2027. 10:00–13:00 & 14:00–17:00. Wood carve like a Viking! Join the skilled craftsmen of SylvanKin for our hands-on Spoon Making Workshops and carve your very own wooden spoon. It's a chance to try a traditional craft and create something that's both useful and a lovely reminder of your Viking adventure. These beginner-friendly sessions are designed for adults, so no previous woodcarving experience is needed. Spaces are limited and sessions can sell out, so we recommend booking in advance to secure your place.

Tue 9 Feb & Wed 10 Feb. 10:00–13:00 & 4:00–17:00. Ready to sew like a Viking? Join us for our Embroidery Workshop and discover the art of embroidery! Whether you're picking up a needle for the first time or looking to try something new, there's a chance to learn a new skill along the way. Will you master the stem stitch, laid stitch & couching stitch?? What will you create? These beginner-friendly sessions are designed for adults, so no previous experience is needed. Spaces are limited, and sessions can sell out, so we recommend booking in advance to secure your place.

Mon, 8 Feb 2027. 10:00–13:00 & 14:00–17:00. Learn how to knit like a Viking at our hands-on Nalbinding sessions! Discover this endangered craft, which uses a single needle to create fabric, and get hands-on experience with a traditional Norse technique. Designed for adults, these beginner-friendly sessions offer a unique glimpse into Viking craftsmanship. You may even get the chance to create your own Viking hat or socks! Spaces are limited, and these sessions can sell out, so we recommend booking in advance to secure your place.

Mon, 8 Feb until Sat, 13 Feb. 10:30, 13:00 & 15:00. Back by popular demand, our Blacksmithing Workshops return to the JORVIK Viking Encampment!  Ever wondered how Vikings made their tools? Join the skilled craftsmen of SylvanKin and get hands-on at the forge as you create your very own Viking utensil. Last year's workshops sold out, so don't wait to book! Each session has just six places, making these exclusive workshops a chance to try a traditional craft for yourself. These sessions are designed for adults only, sorry, no little Vikings allowed! If your younger ones are keen to get crafting, check out our Kids' Crafting events at Barley Hall. Can you stand the heat of the forge? Activity information: Please be aware that participants must be able to stand for the duration. Practical footwear and appropriate clothing are required for this workshop, and long hair must be tied back.

Fri, 12 Feb 2027. 10:00–17:00. Ever dreamed of wielding a Viking bow? Now's your chance to make one! Become a bowyer for a day with our Flatbow Making workshop. Led by the skilled craftsmen of SylvanKin, you'll craft, tiller (measuring and balancing the bow) and string your very own traditional flatbow in the shadow of St Saviour's Church in the DIG garden. Designed for adults, these beginner-friendly sessions offer a hands-on glimpse into the craft of bow-making. No previous experience is needed, so you can give it a go even if you've never made a bow before. Spaces are limited and sessions can sell out, so we recommend booking in advance to secure your place.

Tue, 9 Feb 2027. 10:00–18:00. Nalbinding is the ancient craft of making flat or three-dimensional textiles from loops of yarn. It predates knitting and crochet and has its origins in prehistory, was popular in Early Medieval and Viking societies and remains a living tradition as well as a heritage craft. During the day participants will explore the history and archaeology, and learn at least five different loop manipulated stitches in this deep dive into an ancient technique that is found worldwide. We begin with a short overview to the different main stitch groups found globally and explore how the technique develops out of cordage, with experiments into cord-as-you-go methods, before moving on to woollen yarn as we explore simple looping, looping-around-a-core, Coptic stitch, York stitch and finally Oslo stitch. We will investigate round starts as well as chain based structures, discuss shaping techniques, and create a sampler piece with plenty of time to begin a second item as the day progresses. All materials supplied. 16+ Only. Sally Pointer is an archaeologist, heritage educator and the author. A copy of her book Nalbinding – It's Not Knitting: Heritage techniques for the contemporary textile crafter (2026, Herbert Press) is included with your ticket.