How To Find A Craft Course

So you fancy taking up knitting, or sewing - or maybe you want something a little more exotic like glassblowing? Discover how to find a course that will teach you all you need to know.

By Sarah Warwick

how-to-decoupage. How To Find A Craft Course

Get Advice

The Crafts Council, which is the national development agency for contemporary crafts in the UK, has a research library, which you can call on 020 7806 2501 or email to help you find course information. Find details in the 'Learning & Support' section of the site.

Also on this site you can look in the Craft Directory section under both 'Organisations', which includes some course providers under the 'Learning and skills' heading, and 'Opportunities', which has listings of both courses and workshops.

Use Crafts Sites

Before you look elsewhere, scan our Craft Courses Directory - we've listed everything from knitting to blacksmithing, so you're sure to find something suitable in your area.

For a list of courses including soap-making, knitting and crochet, quilting, soft furnishings and weaving, take a look at www.craft-fair.co.uk. The learning zone here has links through to course providers by craft including distance learning providers, plus suppliers of materials.

At www.craftanddesign.net you'll find courses by subject - from basketry through glass to woodworking - and you can click through to find a provider, and a link to its website.

It's also worth checking out www.artcourses.co.uk. Here you can choose a craft you'd like to learn - pottery and ceramics, textiles etc - then click through from the listings to the provider's website, or use the phone number.

The information and education section of www.craft-search.co.uk has links to course providers across the UK, although you'll have to click through on many of the entries to find out where a course takes place.

Hobbycraft is an arts and craft store where you can shop for materials for your projects at your nearest branch or online at www.hobbycraft.co.uk. The site also has lists of craft class providers in the vicinity of your local Hobbycraft store under categories such as needlecraft - quilting, crochet, knitting and so on - and crafts - scrapbooking, card-making and more.

Get Local Help

Whether you're looking for help making your own curtains or wallpapering, but don't have the time for evening classes to learn how, you could look into hiring specialists locally to help you out. Silver Skills advisors provide guidance on a one-to-one basis so that you get all the help you need with your projects in your own home. The focus is on helping you learn and develop your own skills.