MAKE with the Knit Shop embedded craft approaches in schools across Dundee through a two-year teacher development programme.
About
MAKE with the Knit Shop explored the value and potential of teaching craft across the curriculum and equipped teachers with the skills, knowledge, confidence and experience to provide quality education and impactful learning through the arts.
Between August 2023 and June 2025, the project worked with six primary schools in Dundee (Ancrum Road, Claypotts Castle, Fintry, Rosebank, St Mary’s and Downfield) to support numeracy skills development in the classroom through a series of craft activities developed by Knit Shop with textile makers Kim Norrie, Jolene Guthrie and Kate Scarlet Harvey.
Documentary film by Martin Clark, 23 minutes, 2025
Joline Guthrie, Donna Wilson, Kim Norrie and Kate Scarlett Harvey at the MAKE with the Knit Shop celebration. Image Neil Hanna.
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MSP Michael Marra speaking at the MAKE with the Knit Shop celebration. Image Neil Hanna.
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MAKE with the Knit Shop Introductory Meeting for teachers. Image: Julie Howden
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MAKE with the Knit Shop Residency for teachers. Image: Neil Hanna
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MAKE with the Knit Shop Introductory Meeting for teachers. Image: Julie Howden
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MAKE with the Knit Shop Introductory Meeting for teachers. Image: Julie Howden
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MAKE with the Knit Shop Introductory Meeting for teachers. Image: Julie Howden
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MAKE with the Knit Shop introduction workshop at St Mary’s Primary School, Dundee. Image: Susan Bedford
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MAKE with the Knit Shop introduction workshop at St Mary’s Primary School, Dundee. Image: Susan Bedford
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Knit Shop
The project is a partnership with Knit Shop, an independent micro-factory based in Dundee and established in 2020 by award-winning textile designer Donna Wilson. Bridging the gap between design, industry and education, their mission is to share and nurture knitting and sewing skills and create opportunities for people interested in textile production and making.
Makers
Kate Scarlet Harvey
Kate Scarlet Harvey is a Scottish textile designer. She trained in printed textiles at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, Dundee, graduating in 2017 with the Tailor’s Trade of Dundee award for Innovation in Style, Cut and Structure. Her label ‘Kate Scarlet’ produces one-off printed t-shirts, sweatshirts, and upcycled garments, as well as digitally printed accessories. Day-to-day, Kate works for Knit Shop as a seamstress and studio assistant.
Jolene Guthrieis a Scottish knitwear designer. In 2019, she set up her own brand, Jo-AMI to create garments and accessories that are cool, comfy and considered. Jolene has an undergraduate BDes degree in Textile Design from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, Dundee, and a Master’s degree with distinction from Heriot-Watt University, Galashiels.
Kim Norrie is Scottish textile designer and maker with a focus on tapestry and embroidery for homeware designs. Kim completed an undergraduate degree at Gray’s School of Art and a Masters in Design specialising in constructed textiles at The Royal College of Art. She interned at Johnston’s of Elgin focusing on knitwear design, fabric archiving and embroidery. From 2016-17 she was Design Assistant for Donna Wilson.
MAKE with the Knit Shop is a partnership between MAKE, Knit Shop and Dundee Creative Learning Network, led by Craft Scotland and Panel. It is funded by Paul Hamlyn Foundation’s Teacher Development Fund, with additional support from Creative Scotland as part of their targeted funding to strengthen the craft sector in Scotland.
