1 August 2026 – 2 September 2026

London Pattern Club

2026 Summer School

A month of hands-on workshops exploring algorithmic creative practices.

About our events

London Pattern Club organise workshops and activities around algorithmic creative practices - things that involve making, manipulating and combining patterns. Inspired by Sheffield Pattern Club, we see patterns as a common language across craft, technology, music and the performing arts.

This series of hands-on workshops explores patterns in weaving, lacemaking, and live-coding music and visuals. These workshops have been chosen to highlight both foundational skills and new developments in these arts, and are aimed towards both newcomers and more experienced practitioners.

Schedule

Date	Time	Location	Event	Facilitators
Sat 1 Aug	11:00–16:00	The Hub	(Un)weaving Explore how woven structures and thread colours interact to create patterns - in reverse!	Alex McLean
Sat 8 Aug	11:00–16:00	The Hub	Intro to Bobbin Lace Learn to create bobbin lace - a 500-year-old craft which served as an inspiration for modern computing.	Amelia White & Lauren Watson
Sat 15 Aug	11:00–16:00	The Hub	Tools for Live-coding Music Discover tools to create music in real-time using code.	London? Live? Coding?
Sat 22 Aug	11:00–16:00	The Hub	Tools for Live-coding Visuals Discover tools to create visuals in real-time using code.	London? Live? Coding?
Wed 2 Sept	18:30–23:00	The Carpet Shop	AlgoRhythms Closing party with live-coded music, visuals and craft activities.	London? Live? Coding?

Sat 1 Aug · 11:00–16:00
(Un)weaving
Explore how woven structures and thread colours interact to create patterns - in reverse!

The Hub · Alex McLean
Sat 8 Aug · 11:00–16:00
Intro to Bobbin Lace
Learn to create bobbin lace - a 500-year-old craft which served as an inspiration for modern computing.

The Hub · Amelia White & Lauren Watson
Sat 15 Aug · 11:00–16:00
Tools for Live-coding Music
Discover tools to create music in real-time using code.

The Hub · London? Live? Coding?
Sat 22 Aug · 11:00–16:00
Tools for Live-coding Visuals
Discover tools to create visuals in real-time using code.

The Hub · London? Live? Coding?
Wed 2 Sept · 18:30–23:00
AlgoRhythms
Closing party with live-coded music, visuals and craft activities.

The Carpet Shop · London? Live? Coding?

Event details

Saturday, 1 August 2026 11:00–16:00 (Europe/London)

(Un)weaving

We’ll unravel woven fabric swatches, closely observe what’s happening, and use notation to record what we discover. We’ll then use AdaCAD to simulate our samples, helping to connect the physical fabrics to their underlying structures.

Facilitator: Alex McLean
Researcher exploring algorithmic patterns in the creative arts. Creator of TidalCycles, co-creator of Strudel and co-founder of Sheffield Pattern Club.
Who should attend: Anyone interested in weaving and how woven patterns work.
Prerequisites: None.
What to bring: Please bring a laptop (if you have one) so you that you can use AdaCAD (no installation required).
Capacity: 20 places
Price: From £20

Saturday, 8 August 2026 11:00–16:00 (Europe/London)

Intro to Bobbin Lace

This workshop will explore the foundational tools and techniques of bobbin lace, along with lacemaking’s relationship with computing. We’ll cover the tools and techniques you’ll need to get started, with plenty of time to practise alongside experienced makers.

Facilitator: Amelia White & Lauren Watson
Organisers and founders of London Lace Club.
Who should attend: Newcomers and beginners to lacemaking.
Prerequisites: None.
What to bring: All materials and equipment will be provided - please bring your own bobbins, pillow and thread if you have them.
Capacity: 20 places
Price: From £20

Saturday, 15 August 2026 11:00–16:00 (Europe/London)

Tools for Live-coding Music

This workshop will explore tools for live-coding music, with a primary focus on Strudel and an introduction to alternative tools.

Facilitator: London? Live? Coding?
Members of the London? Live? Coding? community (including you!)
Who should attend: Newcomers to live-coding music, as well as more experienced live-coders seeking to learn new things.
Prerequisites: None.
What to bring: Laptop (if you have one), headphones.
Capacity: 20 places
Price: From £20

Saturday, 22 August 2026 11:00–16:00 (Europe/London)

Tools for Live-coding Visuals

This workshop will explore tools for live-coding visuals, with a primary focus on Hydra and an introduction to alternative tools.

Facilitator: London? Live? Coding?
Members of the London? Live? Coding? community (including you!)
Who should attend: Newcomers to live-coding visuals, as well as more experienced live-coders seeking to learn new things.
Prerequisites: None.
What to bring: Laptop (if you have one).
Capacity: 20 places
Price: From £20

Wednesday, 2 September 2026 18:30–23:00 (Europe/London)

AlgoRhythms

AlgoRhythms is a chance for people interested in live-coding to meet, share, learn, perform, and dance! From 18:30 - 19:30, attendees can join a round-table meetup - a chance to introduce yourself, learn about live-coding, or share something you’re working on. Attendees may then sign up to an optional 15-minute performance slot, in which anyone - including you - is welcome to perform!

Facilitator: London? Live? Coding?
Members of the London? Live? Coding? community (including you!)
Who should attend: You!
Prerequisites: None.
What to bring: Feel free to bring a laptop, or any device for making sound or visuals if you’d like to perform.
Price: Pay-what-you-can