The Sockists Project
Half-term workshop with Fi Smart
Friday 21 February 2025, 2pm - 5pm
FREE
Venue: MAKE Southwest, Workshop Space (first floor)
Suitable for: Everyone (but young makers might need help from an adult)
Level: All Abilities
a Green Maker Initiative workshop
Warning: making Sockists can be addictive.
The Sockists Project is here to help you have some fun transforming old socks into your own little eco-activist!
Dig out your old socks and prevent them going to landfill. No previous making experience is needed – just some time, a little patience and some simple hand stitching. Make them for friends and family for the ultimate environmentally friendly present, or keep them for yourself to help keep the climate crisis at the forefront of your mind.
All materials provided (sourced from Plymouth Scrapstore) and socks will be available if you haven’t got your own.
It’s a calm and unhurried session so if you don’t quite finish your Sockist in the session, the instruction sheet will help you to do so at home.
If you want to send messages urging those in power to do more about climate change and the loss of nature, there will be lots of Sockists waiting to record your message on the Sockists’ Soapbox.
Don’t forget to post pictures of your completed Sockist on social media with #thesockistsproject
This workshop is free and doesn’t require any booking.
Under 16s should be accompanied by an adult.
About The Sockists
The Sockists Project is rooted in the Craftivist approach and aims to provide everyone with a simple and fun way to make visible their concerns about the climate and nature crises and to give them a gentle but effective way to protest and send messages to those in power in order to bring about the change that is needed.
The idea is to make a sock creature from two old socks and then find ways to use the Sockist to help those in power to act with urgency, imagination and courage. The Sockists once made could be used as a basis for many projects including animation, dance, graphic novels, puppetry, film-making, social media and illustration.
The Sockists believe that all of us can and need to become eco-activists – we just don’t know how to make our views known. Carrying around a Sockist to meetings, school, cafes, on public transport etc will, as the number of Sockists multiplies, help people to realise that they are not alone in their anxiety about the future and that working collectively and positively we have power. The Sockists can also be used in endlessly inventive ways as the stars of short phone films to urge those in power in companies, countries and organisations to be courageous. Imagine flash mobs of Sockists carrying out fun, gentle but effective mini protests in an unthreatening way and giving a voice to the worried majority.
On the Day
All tools and materials will be provided, but you are encouraged to bring along some of your own old socks if you have some.
Tea, coffee and biscuits are included and will be available on the day. Our Café is also open should you wish to purchase other refreshments during the session.
On arrival, please make your way to the side gate of the Riverside Mill, through the courtyard and up the stone stairs on the side of the building. Please let us know if you require the lift.
Please be aware that you cannot use the Co-op car park for all day parking. The Methodist Church car park and Station Road car park usually have plenty of spaces. Click here for more information on our location and car parking for the day.