Do I need previous experience?

No—this workshop is designed for beginners and those with some fiber experience; the instructor demonstrates every step.

What materials are provided?

All felting materials are included—merino wool, silk, prefelts—plus tea, coffee, juice and farm fruit.

Bring two or three old towels, a sharp pair of scissors, and a packed lunch; wear comfortable layered clothing.

Ages 14–18 are welcome when accompanied by an adult; please register minors with an accompanying guardian.

How do I register or ask questions?

Contact Debbie at debbieannkatz@icloud.com or text 250-538-8902. Note the registration deadline is July 20 for the July 22 class.

How large are the groups?

Groups are intentionally small—maximum 12 people—to ensure hands-on instruction and a relaxed pace.

Felting in the Garden: Hands-On Wool Workshop at Raven Rock Farm, Pender Island | Workshop | Wellness

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.

Difficulty

easy.

Duration

4 hrs.

Fitness level

Light: able to sit or stand for periods, use hands for rolling and cutting; suitable for beginners and teens.

Wildlife

Great blue heron
Harbour seal

History

Pender Island sits within the Southern Gulf Islands and has a long agricultural tradition of small-scale farms and craft producers that shape local culture.

Conservation

Raven Rock Farm practices small-scale, low-impact farming and minimizes waste; guests are encouraged to bring reusable cups and respect garden beds to reduce impact.

Raven Rock Farm is a small working farm on Pender Island, British Columbia, offering hands-on botanical and floral workshops. The farm hosts instructor-led experiences that focus on practical skills and creative crafts using plants grown on the property and locally sourced materials. Programs include an herb-focused workshop led by herbalist Geneva Jacobs and farmer Matilda te Hennepe, a botanical printing workshop taught by Darcy Smith using fresh flowers and organic silk scarves, and a dried-flowers workshop guided by farmers Nadia Engelstoft and Matilda te Hennepe. Each workshop emphasizes outdoor, experiential learning on the farm, combining demonstrations with participant harvesting, processing, and hands-on creation. Group sizes vary by session and certain workshops note limited space, so participants are encouraged to check availability and book in advance. Sessions are conducted on site at Raven Rock Farm on Pender Island, providing a rural, salt‑air setting for learning flower crafts, natural dyeing, and herbal preparation. Raven Rock Farm is featured on The Adventure Collective and presents clear course descriptions and named instructors for each offering. The business provides tangible takeaways: a wearable botanical print, a dried floral arrangement, or newly acquired skills in herb harvesting and root-based herbal practices. Visitors can expect a practical, farm-based workshop experience led by the instructors named in the event descriptions. Takeaways include skills in harvesting and processing herbal roots, a finished organic silk scarf printed with fresh blooms, and a handcrafted dried bouquet or wreath made during the session. Each class combines demonstration with participant-led creation outdoors. Participants.

Base locationPender Island, British Columbia

Tours offered3+

Specialtyothers

StewardshipLeave No Trace