Karina Wiles

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Karina is a textile and mixed media artist based in Yorkshire. Her tactile art works are both inspired by and reflective of nature’s textures, shapes and colours. Although a multi-disciplined artist, her love of textures led her to the heritage craft of rag rug making. Inspired by the storytelling work of Heather Richie and the Reeth, Swaledale exhibition, her love of this craft opened her path to more contemporary creations. After dislocating her wrist in 2018, she began introducing more upcycled and locally sourced naturally dyed yarns and lightweight fabrics for hooking. This not only enabled her to place more detail within her wildlife artworks but meant less stress on her wrist than using heavier weight and tougher fabrics.
“I stem from a long ancestral lineage of makers and creators and was fortunate enough to be taught many crafts when I was young. Being part of the ‘make do and mend’ generation, rag rugging sits perfectly with the ethos of upcycling and recycling. I’m also passionate about pushing the boundaries to show others that this often misrepresented craft of ‘what granny used to do’ can be a magical exploration into the realms of the contemporary in so many different ways”
Karina creates artworks for sale, runs workshops for beginners and intermediates as well as being involved with community projects. She is a member of ‘The Art Crowd’ based in Northallerton and is the current Chair of Ebor Ruggers in York.

Karina’s Courses

NEW

Rag Rug Christmas Wreath or Table Decoration

Rag Rug Christmas Wreath or Table Decoration

Thu, 4 Dec 2025

10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Make it a December to remember! Join talented tutor Karina Wiles to learn the heritage craft of rag rug 'hooky' and 'proddy' techniques to make your own fabric wreath or table decoration without...

£95

Info & Book

All Levels

7 spaces available

Make a Rag Rug Table Mat

Make a Rag Rug Table Mat

Wed, 30 Apr 2025

10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Join Karina for a fun, relaxed workshop to create your own small table mat. Learn techniques and tips of the traditional heritage craft of rag rug making. There will be plenty of time...

£95

Info & Book

All Levels

8 spaces available

NEW

Rag Rug Garden Seat Cushion

Rag Rug Garden Seat Cushion

Wed, 4 Jun 2025 - Thu, 5 Jun 2025

10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Bring the outdoors in and the indoors out! A new approach from the traditional heritage craft of rag rugging. Create your own comfy durable garden seat cushion using fabric remnants, t-shirts and old...

£190

Info & Book

All Levels

7 spaces available

NEW

Make a Gorgeous Rag Rug Bag

Make a Gorgeous Rag Rug Bag

Thu, 9 Oct 2025 - Fri, 10 Oct 2025

10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Fancy a spot of time traveling? Well this two day course brings the past firmly into the present by helping revive the traditional heritage skills of rag rug making and gives it a...

£190

Info & Book

All Levels

8 spaces available

NEW

Make a Rag Rug Table Mat

Make a Rag Rug Table Mat

Thu, 14 Nov 2024

10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Join Karina for a fun, relaxed workshop to create your own small table mat. Learn techniques and tips of the traditional heritage craft of rag rug making. There will be plenty of time...

£95

Info & Book

All Levels

1 spaces available

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