Experience Creativity with Pocket House Studio

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 We are and remain ethical rug weavers. We live in a beautiful place between the moor and the sea on the Isle of Lewis, part of the Outer Hebrides, and our wish is to just embrace the living world and to be kind. 

We came here from Wales over 12 years ago on one of those ‘if not now then when’ moments. Brought our home and croft on the internet having never visited the Island and slowly the place has worked its magic on us. Standing at the kitchen door watching the sea, the only sound the Buzzards that nest outside our bedroom window and smelling the tide change and in the winter late at night as we leave the weaving workshop watching in awe the Northern lights dance overhead. 

Our wish is to capture the land and seascape that are such a part of our life here, to conjure with our looms the feel and magic of this place at the edge of the world, it’s a wild and magical land where the history is so near the surface, that’s what we are trying to weave with the magic of sheep’s wool, and if at the same time we can champion some of the rare breeds of sheep we keep and promote this vastly undervalued resource all the better. 

What we do. 

We start with the fleeces we use, from our no-kill flock of rare and rescue sheep. We want always to bring out the best in the fiber, as we say, “to allow it a space to sing”. 

Weaving takes place on one of four floor looms, big old machines that are hand and foot operated. Once the rug is woven, trimmed and finished (again all trimmings are kept for pillow stuffing) we send in boxes we collect from the florist that bring flowers to the island, perfect recycling. 

As we have often said you can take one of our rugs and lay it on the moor that surrounds our home and slowly over years it would gently become one again with the earth leaving no dyes, chemicals or waste. 

Sharing our life here at the edge of the world are the sheep, a pack of beloved rescue dogs, cats, hens, ducks and a pig called very originally Piggy! 

We take what we do seriously, and our first rugs were woven in 1979 (must have been child labour), but the rest of life can be fun! Often late at night as the stars dance over the croft the workshop is busy with Bruce Springsteen giving rhythm to the looms beating, the hot tea is flowing and on a good night we may have cake. 

We are still: 

Ethical weavers 

Zero waste business 

Aiming towards becoming carbon neutral 

All packaging is recyclable 

Totally plastic free 

Use only organic cotton warp that’s ethically sourced. 

Organic and home-grown soaps for the washing and natural drying of the spun yarn. 

And always our ethos is, TOUCH THE EARTH LIGHTLY. 

We welcome individuals or groups and experiences can last from 1 ½ or 2 ½ hours. 

We are in the small village of  Back approx. 7 miles from Stornoway airport between the moor and the sea

 ‘From fleece to rug via a welcoming croft’. 

You will be given a hands-on experience in a traditional weaving workshop, opportunities to watch and/or try spinning and weaving, to see plant dyeing in the old crofting tradition, a guided tour of a working croft with dye plants, livestock including native poultry and very friendly sheep who enjoy being fed a biscuit (or two). A highland tea can be provided with crowdie and drop scones. 

Welcome Groups: Min 2 / Max 6

Opening/Closing: April to October

Fee: for the 1 ½ hour experience £45 per person.

 2 ½ hour experience that includes highland tea £75 per person. 

You will experience a guided tour of a working croft, demonstration (opportunity to take video and photos) of traditional spinning and weaving as well as a chance to have a try. Watch and take part in gathering dye plants and use them to dye fibres. Watch the selection of fleeces and meet the sheep, they enjoy a biscuit, including the 3 indigenous and rare breeds from the island. 

Enjoy a highland tea with drop scones, local jam, and crowdie (vegan and gluten free options available), with the 2 ½ hour experience. 

This does not include transport to and from the croft.

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