Some ancient crafts and skills are in grave danger of disappearing!
Heritage organizations warn of rapid technological changes threatening traditional vocational trades. We’ve all noticed the creep of AI generated images, with patterns that bear no resemblance.
To combat this a Red List of Endangered Crafts managed by the national charity Heritage Crafts, tracks traditional skills at risk of disappearing within a generation.
But help is at hand with a surge in grassroots interest from younger generations into things like cottage core. Social Media Exposure on platforms like TikTok have unexpectedly saved fading techniques like bobbin lace making. Communities like the London Lace Club are thriving with young hobbyists seeking digital detoxes and hands-on making.
And it’s not just online. Aunty Social Arts Centre, near to me in Blackpool, are running monthly workshops in Red List crafts. On the first Saturday of each month, a different craft is highlighted and needless to say yours truly is booked on!
The first one I’m attending is on Spinning and Nalbinding. I can already use a drop spindle but it is the Nalbinding I’m really keen to learn. Nålbinding is an ancient textile technique that involves creating fabric by looping short lengths of yarn using a single, large, blunt needle. It predates both knitting and crochet and was used by the Egyptians and Vikings.
In fact the oldest surviving piece of yarn craft are the Coptic Socks, found in Egypt and believed to be over 2000 years old.
I’ve tried to teach myself from videos and never got the hang of it, so I’m really looking forward to it. Other workshops in the series include wet felting, lace making, weaving and natural dyeing.
If you are interested, go to their website, Aunty Social, to book. Oh, and if you book for two, one of you goes free!
What Kate Made Today 