Artist Nao Fukumoto welcomed 145 participants to a Mizuhiki knotting workshop at the Farnham Christmas Market on December 14.

Held as part of the New Ashgate Gallery’s Craft Your Year series of 14 free workshops at major events across Farnham, it attracted people of all ages.

Mizuhiki knotting is a traditional Japanese craft that uses decorative cords made from washi paper. Participants learned how to shape and tie the cords into symbolic knots and small decorative forms. It was hands-on, quick to pick up, and easy for children and adults to do side-by-side.

One participant said: “It is so important to have access to teachers of traditional crafts so they are not lost forever.” Another described the activity as a “fantastic and original new skill”.