– Exploring Textiles –
Fibre Art Workshops at Kirstenbosch
Welcome to the return of ‘Exploring Textiles’ – a celebration of slow fibre arts taught by seasoned crafters -promising to keep the hands creating and the mind inspired.
Richard Crowie Hall, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Cape Town
Friday, 24th April – Sunday. 3rd May 2026
R300 – R1500
+R60 Kirstenbosch student entry
Beginner to Intermediate, Half day, Full Day & 2 Day Workshops
SHOP
Browse our Pop-Up Shop in the Richard Crowie Hall — a beautifully curated store stocked with locally dyed yarns, fibre-filled soaps, workshop kits, craft supplies and more. Every item is designed or handmade to a world-class standard by guild members, so you can take a little piece of the craft home with you.
LEARN
Put down the devices and pick up an artisanal craft. Our guild of seasoned makers offers hands-on workshops for all skill levels — from inkle band weaving and natural dyeing to wet felting and intricate knitting. Whether you’re a total novice or a practised crafter, there’s always something new to discover.
CONNECT
Textile crafts have a way of threading people together. Join a community of makers across all ages and experience levels, share ideas around a loom, and find your people. Watch our members bring their crafts to life though live demonstrations in the gardens — proof that the most captivating things are still made by hand.
Fibre Arts Workshop Line-up
FRIDAY 24 APRIL WORKSHOPS
SATURDAY 25 APRIL WORKSHOPS
-
Grasped Spindle Spinning
R300.00 -
Learn to Knit & Make A Waldorf Bunny
R300.00 -
Paper Chain Weaving aka Candy Wrapper Weaving
R300.00 -
Wool Craft Workshop: Decorate Your Sweater With Wool
R680.00 -
Learn to Make Felted Slippers
R1,200.00 -
Weave a Scarf With Colour Changing Yarn – 25th & 26th April
R1,400.00 -
Double Weave on an Inkle Loom – 25th & 26th April
R1,500.00
MONDAY 27 APRIL WORKSHOPS
WEDNESDAY 29 APRIL WORKSHOPS
SATURDAY 2 MAY WORKSHOPS
Still have questions?
ALL YOUR FAQs ANSWERED
What is ExTex all about?
Welcome to the much-anticipated return of ‘Exploring Textile Workshops’ hosted by the Cape Guild of Weavers at Kirstenbosch this Autumn 2026.
We believe in the power of transforming raw materials into beautiful, functional pieces of art and invite you to join us to learn something new. Come discover how to make personalised items for your home, trendy clothing, and unique jewellery.
In addition to workshops, our members will be giving live demonstrations of their various crafts every day. Everyone is welcome! Beginners and experienced crafters will all find a special workshop to discover and explore their inherent creativity.
Suppose you’re seeking a slower pace of life or looking to take up a non-digital (and electricity-independent) activity. Then this is your chance to join the fibre and textile crafts movement and be part of bringing back this popular trend!
How must I pay for the workshop?
You can click on any of the workshops on this page to go to their dedicated product page. From there you can add that workshop to your cart. If you are buying for yourself and a friend, simply make sure the quantity says ‘2’. Then check out and follow the steps to pay.
As an ExTex workshop participant, your Kirstenbosch entry fee is the student rate of R60, payable on presentation of your ExTex Workshop booking confirmation.
Can I book but pay on arrival?
No, bookings are secured upon payment online. Spaces are limited and only confirmed and paid for bookings via our website can help our workshop facilitators plan their materials needed.
I'm a pensioner and the workshop I want to attend is on a Tuesday. Do I get my entrance discounted?
Yes, if the course you are booking falls on a Tuesday, and you are 60 years or older and have your South African ID on you, entry for that day for you will be free.
Do full-day workshops that run over lunch include time for a meal break?
Yes, there will be a 1 hour break for a meal during the full day workshops.
Can you tell me a bit more about the workshops?
You can click on each workshop which will take you to a dedicated page that gives a full explanation of what each workshop entails and also what to bring along, if anything. Navigate to the workshop you are interested in and read more.
Do I need to bring anything?
The description accompanying each workshop will give the information regarding workshop requirements.
A notebook and pen or pencil is always handy. Please bring a jersey, an umbrella (Cape Town weather 
) , a water bottle, and wear comfortable shoes, so you can go for a walk in the Gardens before or after your workshop if you would like to.
If your workshop runs for the whole day or if you intend to spend the whole day, bring a picnic lunch or alternatively, the Fynkos Kirstenbosch Tea Room is right next to the Richard Crowie Hall, so you can treat yourself to a meal there.
Will there be refreshments during the workshops?
There will be an urn, ceylon tea, rooibos tea, coffee, sugar and box milk (please bring your own if you have alternative milk requirements)
Disposable eco-friendly cups will be supplied.
How do I book for attending multiple different workshops?
We’re so glad you want to attend multiple workshops! You can simply add all the workshops you’d like to attend to your cart on the website and pay simultaneously with Yoco during check out.
How do I gain entry to Kirstenbosch?
All ExTex workshops are held at the Richard Crowie Hall near Gate 2. There is plenty of parking available.
As an ExTex workshop participant, you only pay R60 entry when you show your workshop receipt/ purchase print out on arrival.
More about ExTex
The Cape Guild of Weavers is a community organisation built entirely for its members — women and men, young and old, who understand the value of slow crafts and the things made by hand. In an ever-quickening world, they are committed to keeping these skills alive. Not only for the creativity they ignite and the patience they teach, but for something older and harder to name.
It is, perhaps, simply this: that to sit — silently or in good company — toiling a thread between forefinger and thumb, has a way of settling the mind and lightening the load.
These are the gifts the guild has always passed between its members, and ExTex is how we hope to share them with you.
We hope to see you there and that you have lots of fun!
Guild Shop Hours
Contact for more information:
capeguildofweavers@gmail.com
For shop queries or purchases contact
capeguildofweaversshop@gmail.com
Contact Us
For general inquiries
capeguildofweavers@gmail.com
Become a Member
To join the guild, sign up here.
FIND US HERE
Website by Andrea Fedder