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Spend three hours at Parkwood Estate’s Carriage House crafting a reusable macrame market bag. Beginner friendly and wheelchair-accessible, this workshop taught by Melissa of Hiraya Crystal and Chord pairs creative learning with a stroll through historic estate grounds.
Spend three hours at Parkwood Estate’s Carriage House crafting a reusable macrame market bag. Beginner friendly and wheelchair-accessible, this workshop taught by Melissa of Hiraya Crystal and Chord pairs creative learning with a stroll through historic estate grounds.
Book with Parkwood National Historic Site
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Operated by Parkwood National Historic Site · Oshawa, Ontario
Mornings at Parkwood Estate in Oshawa, Ontario offer an inviting rhythm for makers and visitors. Knot & Shop: Create Your Own Macrame Market Bag Workshop is a three-hour hands-on class held inside the Carriage House, where Melissa, founder of Hiraya Crystal and Chord, teaches simple macrame techniques to beginners and returners. The accessible venue opens onto lawns and garden beds, making it easy to pair craft time with a short outdoor walk.
This class covers material selection, cord preparation, Lark’s Head knot, Square knot, and alternating square knots that form the stretchable net body. Students also learn a wrapping technique for sturdy handles, and can expect to finish a usable grocery tote suitable for everyday shopping. The class size is capped at 18, which allows Melissa to offer individual guidance. The workshop is wheelchair-accessible, and attendees should check in at the Gift Shop ten minutes before start time.
Practical notes: supplies like cords and basic tools are provided, tickets are non-refundable but transferable, and parking on-site is limited. Organizers encourage carpooling or nearby paid lots when lot reaches capacity.
What makes this workshop special is how simple craft meets local place: learning an age-old knotting technique inside a historic estate connects makers to community. The market bag is practical, sustainable, and rooted in the slow movement. You’ll leave with portable skills and a finished object you can use immediately.
For visitors looking to extend the experience, bring comfortable shoes for a walk on the estate grounds, browse the Gift Shop, and explore nearby Oshawa eateries. This workshop suits craft-curious travelers, eco-minded locals, and anyone who wants a low-impact, social creative outing. Knot & Shop turns three hours into a practical skill lab, a sustainable habit, and a relaxed way to connect with place in Oshawa.
Workshop attendees often remark on the calm pace, and the satisfying rhythm of knotting. Melissa’s step-by-step instruction supports first-timers, and makers with previous experience can adapt patterns to personal style. The finished bag compresses flat for travel, expands to hold produce, and becomes a visible reminder of low-waste choices. Expect to use your hands, focus, and a little creativity.
Accessibility is thoughtful: the Carriage House entrance accommodates wheelchairs, and the workshop layout keeps stations spread for comfort. If you have mobility questions, contact the organizer.
This class functions as both a beginner lesson and a social craft session, perfect for a solo afternoon, a date, or a small group gathering. For travelers who want experiences that teach useful skills while supporting local creative makers, Knot & Shop is an efficient accessible craft stop at Parkwood Estate. Bring curiosity, a willingness to learn, and a reusable water bottle; you’ll leave with new skills, a bag.
easy.
3 Hours.
No special fitness level required; you should be comfortable sitting and using your hands for several hours.
No—this workshop is designed for complete beginners and those looking to refresh basic skills.
Cord and basic tools are provided; bring only curiosity and comfortable clothing.
Yes, the venue is wheelchair-accessible and the layout accommodates most mobility needs.
Tickets are non-refundable but may be transferred to another guest.
Group size is capped at 18 to ensure personalized instruction from Melissa.
Please check in inside the Gift Shop 10 minutes prior to your workshop start time and present your receipt.
Parkwood Estate is a historic property in Oshawa with preserved grounds and public programming that includes crafts and tours.
The workshop promotes sustainability by teaching a reusable alternative to single-use bags and supporting small-scale makers.
Parkwood National Historic Site in Oshawa, Ontario preserves a rich cultural setting and offers a broad calendar of public programming that blends historic interpretation with hands-on experiences. The site presents guided tours and interpreted performances such as Servants' Tours and themed walks, alongside practical workshops in crafts, food, and floral design. Programming includes seasonal markets like Retro Fest Vendor Market and Winter Fest Vendor Market, community-focused events such as Parkwood Christmas Tours and The Way Home Film Location Bus Tour, and creative workshops covering stained glass, candle making, holiday wreaths, pottery, perfume making, and culinary demonstrations. Several workshops are taught by named instructors or partners noted in event listings — for example, stained glass sessions led by Emilie Shipman-Wight and Meghan Murphy and perfume-making presented by Dakaari Fragrance House. Parkwood also stages horticultural programs in its greenhouses, including floral arrangement workshops and guided garden tours led by site staff. Parkwood’s event listings show a mix of ticketed and free events and seasonal sell-outs, reflecting active community engagement. The site's public programs combine interpretive tours with hands-on learning opportunities across craft, food, horticulture, and holiday-themed experiences. All descriptions and event listings are presented in third person and reflect the programming and partnerships publicly listed for Parkwood National Historic Site.
Book with Parkwood National Historic Site