The Social Sofa Project - Crochet and Knitting Workshop

The Social Sofa Project is running a series of crochet and knitting workshops at No.76 Coffee and Confectionary on London Road, with sessions on Monday 9 November, Monday 23 November and Monday 14 December, all from 11:00 to 13:00. It's a drop-in setup, so you don't have to commit to all three — you can just pop in for one and see how you get on.

The project is a new piece of public art by local artist LJ Ellam, and the whole thing is built around celebrating the people and the community of Gloucester. The idea is to take illustrations, embroidered patches and knitted or crocheted pieces and turn them into furniture, which will then be exhibited in specific locations across the city and on loan to the places that helped create it. So whatever you make ends up as part of a larger, city-wide work.

Each session is a relaxed drop-in for ages five and up, and you don't need any experience to take part — all the materials are provided on the day. You'll start by printing onto fabric to make a fabric collage patch, built around your own experiences of Gloucester and how you feel about your community. From there, it's about adding your own touch to it, whether you're a seasoned knitter or have never picked up a needle in your life.

It's free admission, and because it's a drop-in, you can just turn up. The sessions run from 11:00 to 13:00 at No.76 Coffee and Confectionary, 76 London Road, Gloucester, GL1 3PB, on Monday 9 November, Monday 23 November and Monday 14 December.