Spinning, Weaving and Crafts

Wool is the main land-based export of the Falkland Islands. Grazing the natural pastures in the clear air of the South Atlantic all year round, over 530,000 sheep produce more than 1.8 million kilograms of greasy wool that is of outstanding whiteness, soft to handle and low in vegetable contamination. This wool provides the foundation for many local textile crafts, including spinning, dyeing, felting, knitting and weaving.

For those who wish to try their hand at woollen crafts, visitors are always welcome at The Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Handicrafts in Stanley where spinning wheels and looms are available for use. Additional workshops are held several times a year with a focus on a particular skill or technique. The Guild is open Mondays & Wednesdays (7.30pm to 9.30pm) & Thursdays (1.30pm to 4pm).

Craft workshops are also available at Darwin settlement. Contact Ken and Bonnie Greenland, e-mail valkyries@cwimail.fk, tel +500 32255 for more details. These can be combined with stop-overs at Darwin Lodge or Goose Green for a relaxing break. Click here to find out more about accommodation options.

Pyrography, wood working and turning are popular craft activities amongst Islanders. Many individually crafted articles are produced from driftwood, recovered fence posts, break-away pieces of shipwreck and imported wood. Diddle dee roots are turned into key-rings and the translucent, semi-precious pebbles found on some Falkland Island beaches become beautiful jewellery items.

Home-produced goods from simple felted items to intricately designed woollen garments, jewellery, wooden gifts and many other items can be purchased from the gift shops in Stanley and at selected locations around the Islands.

Contact the Falkland Islands Tourist Board for further information.