Beyond Technique students step into the spotlight with a live exhibition at Knit + Stitch UK

Take Two is very excited to present work by students of Beyond Technique with Claire Benn at the UK's largest textile craft show Knit + Stitch, in London from 8 to 11 October 2026 and Harrogate from 19 to 22 November 2026.

Beyond Technique students step into the spotlight with a live exhibition at Knit + Stitch UK

Students of Beyond Technique with Claire Benn will exhibit their work at Knit + Stitch in the UK. The live exhibition is presented by Take Two.

Beyond Technique is built on a simple idea: technical skill is only the start. Claire guides artists to refine their mindset, self-critique skills, and voice, so they can make art that feels authentically their own. Some students come to push their boundaries, some to understand their art more deeply, and others to build a fulfilling, professional-level practice.

The result is a show of 29 artists from 7 countries, many of whom have never met in person until now. Visitors will see how a shared starting point leads to very different places, with work spanning earth pigments on linen to sculpture, quilts, and ink on paper.

 

Nicky_Isley_Angel_of_Darkness1 - Beyond Technique exhibit at Knit+Stitch UK

 

“Art isn’t just something you do; it is a reflection of who you are,” says Claire Benn. “To truly create work that speaks authentically and with purpose, you need more than technical skill. You need clarity, confidence, and commitment.”

“I applaud the participants and offer heartfelt thanks for their bravery, determination, hard work, and faith,” she says of her students. “Many, many established artists only find their true path once well-embedded in their practice, as it’s the doing and the making, the failures and the setbacks that often provide the biggest insights and learning.”

Every artist on show has completed all three tiers of the course:

  • Tier one offers lifetime access to the Yourself, Your Art video lessons, covering composition and audience, with richly illustrated written materials. Students also receive nine weeks of support from Claire in a dedicated Facebook group, alongside a wider community of artists developing their practice.

  • Tier two is a live, small-group mentorship. Artists share work in progress and finished pieces, and give and receive feedback in real time.

  • Tier three is a live exhibition – Take Two's first in-person show.

Tier two mentorship students were invited to submit work, with Claire as lead curator shaping a cohesive, flowing gallery experience. The exhibition appears at Knit + Stitch London (8–11 October 2026) and Knit + Stitch Harrogate (19–22 November 2026).

Take Two tutor textile artist Alice Fox, known for her work with natural processes and materials gathered from the landscape, will also be at the show.

“This exhibition belongs to the students," says Angela Truscott, Take Two Founder. "They took it by the reins and coordinated it themselves, which is exactly what Beyond Technique is about – stepping into a professional practice and sharing your work with the world. None of it would be possible without Claire's mentorship and her eye as curator. Our team connected the dots, and Knit + Stitch is the perfect stage. We couldn't be prouder.”

Jane Bodnaruk -Residue - 110x40cm - Photography Janet Tavener

 

Beyond Technique with Claire Benn will be open for enrolment to new students in early December. Join the list here for exclusive content, and to be notified when enrolment opens...

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