Knitting has got cool, really cool. So it’s no surprise that the sound of countless pairs of busy knitting needles can be heard emanating from a great new venue in London. The Papered Parlour has opened in Clapham, south west London, and describes itself as ‘an independent craft venue’. I think it’s underselling itself. It’s a quirky and unique venue offering a wide range of really interesting craft courses. Even their website looks cool. I’m definitely signing up.

I talked to Claire Heafford, one of the founders of The Papered Parlour, to find out more about the ethos behind the place. ‘We’re passionate about all forms of contemporary art and design, whilst deliberately making a nod to the ‘make do and mend’ approach of the 1940s. The venue offers modern facilities but with an old-fashioned, retro décor. Tea is drunk out of 1950s cups and saucers, and we’ve furnished the Paper Parlour with handprinted wallpaper and vintage furniture.’

Courses range from knitting, felting (make a pair of slippers), quilting, screen printing (t-shirts and bag projects galore) and even making sock monkeys (see the photo below of one of the sock monkey masterpieces). Gather round the tables, listen to instruction from highly experienced teachers, chat, drink tea and switch off from the outside world while you focus on your craft project in hand, literally. The Papered Parlour will also happily organise themed children’s parties and fun activities courses – think Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory does drawing. 

As we said, crafts just got cool.

For more information about The Papered Parlour and the courses you can take part in, visit their website.

And thanks to Alexia for putting us on to this place.