Situated on Murray Place, the Radical Weavers charity weaves and teaches to connect and uplift people.
Their Vision
The aim of this charity is to teach those at risk of social isolation the skill of weaving. The people at the centre of this goal are those who have survived trauma, loss and others who are looking for community. Through their workshops and guidance, Radical Weavers gives people a feeling of purpose, community and creativity.
Warm lighting from LED lightbulbs, looms and rolls of yarn covering the room. With an array of scarves, cushions and other works, all made from the staff working there. On the windowsills, sat assorted make-your-own felt Christmas decorations. A calm and warm atmosphere filled the air.
Workshops
Sam, one of the warm and welcoming staff members, explained the empowering Nip and Tuck workshop. This class teaches participants how to alter clothes so they fit the wearer better. The charity aims Nip and Tuck at neurodivergent youth, transgender youth and young carers. When learning how to make their clothes fit better, participants become more confident and connect with others.
This workshop can particularly benefit transgender youth as feeling confident in their own clothes could alleviate gender dysphoria.
Other workshops run at Radical Weavers include, Woolly Scarf In A Day, and a Textile Interior Design Workshop. The latter of which entails someone bringing in an image for what they want a fabric to look like. Colours from the image are selected and made into yarn wraps for the final piece. Crafts from this workshop are usually bed runners or cushion covers.
Inside Radical Weavers
Despite this being my first visit inside the shop, I felt at home instantly. The lighting and calmness of it was deeply comforting. To have a place in Stirling dedicated to this intricate, and delicate craft is special and precious.
Weaving has been important to all kinds of cultures for centuries. Tartan has been woven as a form of identity to clans and families across Scotland; and is an important part of Scottish heritage.
Across Yoruba cultures in Nigeria, woven fabric from the Oyo state was prestigious and vibrant for its colours and designs.
Even in literature, weaving has made its appearance. In Homer’s The Odyssey, Penelope, the queen of Ithaca, stalled 108 suitors by weaving and unthreading a shroud for her father-in-law as she waited for Odysseus to return home.
The essence of Radical Weavers is giving back to the community. From weaving blankets for homeless people, donating works to other charities and making toys and clothes for Ukrainian refugees. Their goal is crafting for good.
Formerly selling yarn in the Thistles Shopping Centre, Radical Weavers has continued to bring weaving and crafting to the community in the form of their charitable vision.
Feature image credit: Radical Weavers
Third year journalism student. 2025/2026 Lifestyle and Comment Editor at Brig. Published in The Yucatán Times, Mi Campeche and The Mourning Paper. Host of From the 40s with Air3Radio.
