Yarn Theory; an exhibition in New York

Knitting, Crochet, Math and Science

“Yarn Theory highlights the vibrant and deep interrelationship between the sciences, mathematics, crocheting and knitting. From mathematicians looking for clear and visual ways to model their theorem to home-knitters and artists looking to create unique sculptural objects, the world of contemporary yarn work is rife with cross-pollination between the disciplines. The explosion in the popularity of knitting and crochet has yielded an interest in using the medium to go far beyond sweaters, socks, and wearables, moving into the worlds of geometry, biology, natural sciences, pushing the medium’s sculptural boundaries."

Take a look at this blog, and read about this great exhibition in the PS122 Gallery in New York,

April 25-May 17 2009
Curated by Martha Lewis, it includes artists: Ted Ashton, Emily Barletta, Sarah-Marie Belcastro, Nancy Cohen, Rita Cohen, and Anschel Schaffer-Cohen, Christine Domanic, Kate Fenker, Amanda Gale, Miyuki Kawamura, Martha Lewis, Margaret Oomen, Gail Rothschild, Daina Taimina, Daniel Yuhas.

PS122 Gallery
150 First Avenue
New York, NY 10009
T: 212.228.4249


Also, take a few minutes to listen to Margaret Wertheim: The beautiful math that links coral, crochet and hyperbolic geometry

http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/519

Cushendale Woollen Mills

is one of the oldest woollen mills still in operation in Ireland. A family run business, they produce 100% Irish made textile products currently available in brushed mohair, bouclé mohair, 100% Irish wool, lambswool and cotton chenille. These raw materials provide the basis for a broad product range; home furnishings, women's & men's fashions, yarns & fabrics.

All Cushendale Woollen Mills products are fully manufactured in the adjoining mill where the traditions of natural resources and production processes have been maintained over the centuries.

Cushendale Woollen Mills
Mill Road,
Graignamanagh,
Co.Kilkenny.
Ireland

Tel / Fax : +353 59 9724118;
E-mail: info@cushendale.ie
Website: www.cushendale.ie

As well as their yarn and woven fabric, they sell, they sell a range of blankets, throws, travel rugs, scarves, hats, ruanas (capes), pocket stoles, etc..

The mills of Graignamanagh have a wonderful textile history dating back to the 1200's, you can read about it here, on their website.


Opening Times:
Monday - Friday : 08.30 - 17.30 (closed 12.30-13.30)
Saturday : 10.30 - 12.30

The Crafters Basket

is situated in the small village of Cliffoney, in scenic North Sligo, Ireland. They stock a large range of textile supplies:

* Knitting and Crochet
* Patchwork Quilting
* Dressmaking and Haberdashery
* Embroidery
* Jewellery Making Supplies
* Paper Crafts
* Crafts and Rugmaking
* Sugarcraft
* Wedding Supplies

They offer classes + workshops in patchwork, applique, sugarcraft, card making, basic sewing, jewellery making, etc...and run demonstrations most Saturdays. Check out their website for more information.

The Crafters Basket
Cliffoney,
Co. Sligo,
IRELAND

T: +353 71 91 66515

Email: info@craftersbasket.com
Website: www.craftersbasket.com

Opening Hours
Monday to Saturday 10.00am to 6.00pm

Museum of Country Life, Co. Mayo

Situated just outside Castlebar is the award-winning branch of the National Museum of Ireland - The Museum of Folk-Life. It opened in September 2001 in the spectacular grounds of Turlough Park, Co. Mayo

The Country Life complex includes exhibition galleries, storage facilities for the reserve collection, education rooms, and a conservation laboratory. The exhibition galleries are housed in a purpose-built stone-clad building designed by the Architectural Services of the Office of Public Works.

Public facilities, including a restaurant, bookshop and library, and staff offices are located in the Victorian Turlough Park House – formerly the home of the Fitzgerald family. The original drawing room and library of the ‘Big House’ are open to the public and furnished as they may have looked in 1900.

It brings to life the traditions of rural life throughout Ireland from 1850 until close to our time. It is home to the Irish Folklife division and houses the national collection of objects representing traditional Irish life. It also explores feeding and clothing the family and the various activities associated with these processes including trades, craftsmen and craftswomen.

Contact:
Tel: +353 94 903 1755
Fax: +353 94 903 1628
Email: tpark@museum.ie
http://www.museum.ie/en/intro/country-life.aspx

Opening Hours:
Tuesday - Saturday: 10:00 - 17:00
Sunday: 14:00 - 17:00
Closed Mondays (Including Bank Holidays), Christmas Day and Good Friday


Events:
They run a variety of events, eg workshops and talks, throughout the year. Check out their Calender of Events for specific workshops.

It is the meeting place of the Connaught Textile Crafters, you can check out their 2009 schedule here in the groups/workshops section. There is a Knitting Circle, who meet on a monthly basis, the 3rd Friday of each month from 11am-1pm, and they also run the annual Feile na Tuaithe, a two day family festival: free entry, games, children’s activities, storytelling, music, face painting, demonstrations and workshops.

Derryaun Crafts

Derryaun Crafts, suppliers of all kinds of textile supplies and books, will be attending two different events this summer in Co. Mayo. If you are in the area, go and see Suzie, and catch some great woolly demo's!

May 23rd-24th 2009
Feile na Tuaithe, a 2 Day family festival at the Museum of Country Life, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co. Mayo.

July 11th, 2009
The Craft Fair, in the The Linen Hall Arts Centre. Castlebar, Co. Mayo

Ethical Fashion Week - FASHION EVOLUTION

26th April – 2nd May

The fashion industry as it stands today is not sustainable, and Re-Dress, a Dublin based company is at the forefront in developing awarness in Ireland and abroad about the need for change in the clothing industry. Re-dress is a one-stop shop for information on sustainable fashion and clothing. They are the organisers of the annual Ethical Fashion Week

‘FASHION EVOLUTION’, will take place in Dublin from 26th April – 2nd May. This year for it’s second outing, ‘FASHION EVOLUTION’ will re -dress current consumption patterns and habits and will call for Irish consumers and industry leaders to get active through swapping, knitting, skilling-up, talking and learning.

For details and bookings, visit their website www.fashionevolution.com

Re-Dress Head Office
13 Windsor Place
Pembroke Street
Dublin 2

Email: icontact@fashionevolution.com
Email: info@fashionbreakthrough.com



EVENTS:

SATURDAY 25TH April - FASHION BREAKTHROUGH
FILM BASE, TEMPLE BAR
ALL WEEK
Pop-up Boutique of Irish-made Fashion

TUESDAY 28TH - CAFE CONFERENCE
ODESSA CLUB, DAME COURT
10AM - 3PM
Industry Conference with Guest Speakers PETER INGWERSEN AND IZZY LANE

TUESDAY 28TH - FASHION SHOW
D-LIGHT STUDIOS, SUMMERHILL
7PM - LATE
Showcase of Contemporary Irish Design

WEDNESDAY 29TH - FILM NIGHT
SHEBEEN CHIC
7PM
Premier showing of Award-winning documentary China Blue

THURDAY 30TH - AN EVENING WITH ICONIC KNITWEAR DESIGNER PATRICIA ROBERTS
SMOCK ALLEY CAFE,
TEMPLE BAR
6.30PM - 9

SATURDAY 2ND MAY - CRAFTERNOON TEA
SMOCK ALLEY CAFE, TEMPLE BAR
10.30AM - 6PM
A variety of Fashion and Craft Workshops

SATURDAY 2ND MAY - SWAP PARTY!!
SOUTH WILLIAM BAR
8-LATE!!
Wrap Up Swap Party



‘FASHION EVOLUTION’ is an awareness campaign that will focus on ethical and environmental issues within the Irish and international fashion industry. In this time of economic hardship, Fashion Evolution looks to lighten the load by offering entertaining and engaging alternatives to consumers of fashion, through a series of events, from a national clothes swap to a public exhibition of Irish design and interactive seminars.


In association with Comhar - the forum for national consultation and dialogue on all issues relating to sustainable development

Cassandra Hand Summer School of Clones Lace

Started as a famine relief scheme, during the 1847, Clones lace is based on Venetian Point Lace. The women of Clones made it their own by adapting it to include many local flowers. Clones Lace, as it became know, was world renowned for its delicate beauty.


Course Schedule 2009:
There is a great choice available, you can attend the full workshops with evening activities, you can attend daily workshops, or just a single session.

Dates:
July 2th-5th 2009
August 15th-17th 2009

Morning Workshops: 10.30am - 12.30pm
Afternoon workshops: 2pm - 5pm

Tutors:
Maire Treanor, author of Clones Lace
Eileen Crudden and Alice Carey, local traditional crocheters.

For more information and bookings contact:
Maire Treanor
Email: maireslace@eircom.net

or

The Ulster Canal Stores
Cara Street
Clones
Co Monaghan
Ireland

Tel. +353 47 52125
Email: info@cloneslace.com

Website: www.cloneslace.com

Kingdom County Fair, Co. Kerry

Celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, the Kingdom County Fair, takes place on Sunday, the 10th May, at Ballybeggan Racecourse, Tralee, Co. Kerry.

As well as having a show of animals, eg, horses, cattle, sheep, poultry, they will have a food hall, craft fair and a crafts competition.

"The RDS and Country Markets are joining with the Kerry County Agricultural and Industrial Show Committee and Tralee Guild ICA in organising the craftsmanship scheme for the encouragement of craftsmanship in handwork and the development of Irish Country Crafts. It consists of competition classes as outlined hereunder. Open to any resident in Ireland."

There are lots of different categories, but here are the textile ones:

Adult

• Hand Knit Adult Garment - stitch & wool of choice.

• Hand Knit Child Garment - stitch & wool of choice.

• Hand Knit Baby Garment - stitch & wool of choice..

• Any article in Wool/Fine Cotton Crochet.

• Any article in Patchwork.

• Any article in Embroidery.

• Soft Toy - any material

• Tapestry Picture or Fire Screen.

Special Needs:

• Any Knitted Article/Garment - stitch & wool of choice.

Children:

• Hand Knit Scarf.

More detailed info and application forms are all available on their website and blog.

Kenmare Lace and Design Centre, Co. Kerry

Whether you make lace or not, anyone passing through Kenmare is advised to stop off and visit the Kenmare Lace and Design Centre. It is situated in the old Courthouse above the Tourist Office.

Although small, it is packed full of antique lace, samples, photographs, demonstration models, and the best of all chat! Give yourself plenty of time to admire the lace, view the demo's and talk to Nora and other customers on the beauty, and history of this type of Irish textiles.

Kenmare Lace is a type of needlepoint lace. It is made with a needle and thread, you lay down couching thread over the whole design, then fill in the design using detached buttonhole stitch. These stitches are worked row upon row in from the couching thread. The size and tension of the stitches determines the pattern.

The Design Centre is a Community Development Project, spearheaded by Nora Finnegan with a few other local women, and its aims is to save the history and heritage of Kenmare lace in Kenmare. On display is a unique collection of antique Kenmare Lace and other laces, carefully preserved by the sisters at St. Clares Convent, Kenmare. It is so wonderful to see this work, not in a museum setting, but in a homely space, overlooking the women who are lovingly trying to save a very local tradition.

As well as the beautiful Kenmare Lace on display, there is also Limerick, Irish Crochet, Bobbin, and Carrickmacross Lace. There is some lace for sale, as well as haberdashery, tools, craft kits, and much to my delight, a range of different sized cotton thread.

Take a look at the website for a more detailed history on Kenmare Lace, and how it was recognised for its delicate beauty all over the world.

Opening times:

winter Mon-Sat 10.30am - 1.30pm,

summer Mon-Sat 10am-1pm, 2,15pm-5.30pm

Kenmare Lace and Design Centre
The Heritage Centre
Kenmare
Co. Kerry

Tel: 00353 (0)64 42636
Fax: 00 353 (0)64 42636

Email: info@kenmarelace.ie
Website: www.kenmarelace.ie

Spin a Yarn, Kenmare, Co. Kerry

Just off one of the main streets, Henry Street, in Kenmare is a lovely shop called Spin a Yarn. You know its a friendly place when the first thing you see on entering is a couch, and people chatting. My kind of shop!

They carry a large selection of yarns, including Debbie Bliss, Colinette, Noro, Rowan, Donegal Tweed, and many more. They also carry a good range of knitting books, needles, buttons, craft kits, etc. They also offer classes on how to knit and crochet.

Open in winter :Mon-Sat 10am - 6pm

Open in summer: Mon-Sat 10am-late, Sun 11am-4pm

Spin a Yarn,
Henry Lane,
Henry Street,
Kenmare,
Co. Kerry

Phone: 064 79993
Email: info@spinayarn.ie
Website: www.spinayarn.ie

Mail-order available.

Mucros Weavers, Killarney, Co. Kerry

Mucros Weaving Workshop is situated in the beautiful grounds of Muckross House, just outside Killarney. John Cahill, the Master Weaver, and his small team of weavers produce a range of hand-woven wraps, scarves, capes, hats and gloves as well as a range of accessories made from lambswool, cotton, linen, mohair and even alpaca.

They do have a small basket with yarn end cones for sale, and although, not on display they do sell their hand-woven fabric. Just contact them for more details.

Mucros Weavers Workshop
Muckross House
Killarney,
Co. Kerry, Ireland

Tel: 00 353 64 34526
Fax: 00 64034605
Email: weaving@mucros-house.ie
Website: www.muckross-house.ie

Kerry Woollen Mills

Kerry Woollen Mills is a lovely spot to visit if you are in Co. Kerry. Over 300 years old, it is one of Ireland's last remaining working mills. Bought by the Eadie family in 1904, it is still manufacturing woollen goods today.

When you arrive first, and park in the car park, you can hear the sound of the looms, and a quick peek in the window, you can see them at work. Then into the little shop where they sell their woollen goods. They sell a range of woollen clothing, accessories, blankets, throws, etc, all made from their own fabric, or knitted using their own wool.

Towards the back of the shop, you will find a lovely range of 100% wool hanks. As well as the dyed yarn, you can also get the traditional undyed, bainin, Aran. They also sell carded wool, for spinning, and their woven fabric. These are not on display, just ask the shop assistant.

They do mail-order and all their info is on the website www.kerrywoollenmills.com

Kerry Woollen Mills
Beaufort
Killarney
County Kerry
Ireland

Tel: +353 64 44122
Fax: +353 64 44556

They are open Mon-Sat 9:00AM-6:00PM
Sun CLOSED
Open all Irish Holidays Except Good Friday & Christmas Day.

Boyle Arts Festival - Handicrafts Exhibition and Workshops

Have you one of those beautiful hand embroidered emerald green Irish dancing costumes from the late 1970s stashed away in your attic? Or have you kept a hand made wedding dress from the 1950s or 1960s? Perhaps it was cut down to make a communion dress – but the detailed handiwork is still there to be admired?

If so, the Boyle Arts Festival would like to hear from you. Deirdre O’Reilly is one of the BAF committee members, who has been tasked with organising a day of activities connected with the handicrafts of yesteryear. Deidre is trying to find old items of hand made lace, crochet, embroidery, patchwork, knitting and such like for a display during Arts Festival week, which this year is from July 23rd to 31st.

Deirdre is also interested in hearing from people with the skills to demonstrate these crafts and has already enlisted a local wool spinner to give a display. Plans are underway for a day, the final one of the festival on Friday, July 31st, of taster workshops where visitors can see these skills on show and perhaps have a go themselves. They will also be able to see on display some of the fabulously skilled needlework from the past – and modern examples too.

If you are an expert crafter, or if you have an example of some of the exquisite hand made dresses from times gone by, Deirdre would be pleased to hear from you.

Contact: Deirdre on 087 9811193
Email: oreillydeirdre@eircom.net

Any family heirlooms or special craft samplers chosen for the public exhibition will be treated with great care and returned to their owners after the festival.

Boyle Arts Festival
Roscommon

July 23rd to 31st

www.boylearts.com

Updated Map

The map is very slowly being updated!

As we now get regular emails asking about places to visit, it would be great if you, yes you!, could help us with putting the map together. If there is some museum/venue/studio/shop, etc, you think should be on the map, please email us and let us know about it.

woollywayATgmailDOTcom


View Woolly Way of Ireland in a larger map

Knitting
There is already a great map for knitting shops, here, created by Raveler Lucy78Green.

Fibre Friendly
We are also going to include a list of places that are considered Fibre Friendly! If you know a cafe where you can work away without raised eyebrows, a bookshop with a particularly good textile section, etc, let us know and we will gladly add it to the map..

The Crafty Market - Dublin

A new and exciting art and crafts market, The Crafty Market, has opened up in the Dublin Food Co-Op building, in Newmarket Square, Dublin.

On the first Sunday of each month this market will feature 35 vendors, selling a great range of original art's and crafts. "There is a wide selection of handicrafts and artwork at the market, ranging from paintings to home wares, jewellery to baby clothes, hats to handbags. There is something for everyone, young or old, and it is the ideal place to pick up an original handmade gift for a special occasion. Face-painting for kids, live music and a tarot card reader all add to the fun and ensure it will be a great day out for the whole family".

For more info on the market, and directions, visit their website: The Crafty Market

12 Newmarket Square
Dublin 8
Email:artandcraftsmarket@gmail.com


Definitely a fun day out, but what we love about The Crafty Market, is that the vendors will change on a regular basis, to ensure a different shopping experience each time you visit. This is great idea, not only will it encourage people to return each month to browse, but it gives different artists and designers the opportunity to exhibit their work. Something that can be quite daunting, not only is it hard to find a stall, you usually have to buy into it on a long term basis.

And there is extras: free parking outside the door, wheelchair access, vegetarian cafe, food stalls,organic and Fair trade, courtesy of the Dublin Food Co-Op


Well done to the organisers, for brightening up our Sunday's!

The next market is on Sunday 3 May from 11am to 5 pm

Pick Up Your Needles - Co. Wicklow

Due to the huge success of both previous 'Pick up your Needles' this event will take place again in Tinahely on the 9th of May 2009

Tinahely Courthouse Arts Center,
Tinahely,
Co Wicklow

The price for tuition and materials is €55.
For more info and booking check out Workshops at www.theyarnroom.com


Tuition will be given in:

Knitting:
Tutor: Stephanie Kennedy

Crochet:
Tutor: Irene Lundgaard

Wet Felting:
Tutor: Nicola Brown

Spin Your Own Yarn:
Tutor: Catherine Cronin

Ros Tapestry in Co. Wexford

It's happening all the time, you think its a small country, that you know what's going on, generally, in the textile world. And then, bam, something comes out of the blue, totally shocks you, and all you can think about is "How on earth didn't I hear about this before?". This is the reason for this blog, to try and finally bring together the different textile skills in Ireland, so the weavers know what the embroiderers are doing, and the knitters with the felter's. For too long we have all been pigeoned-holed into our various textile crafts, and its time to join forces, and let each other know what is really going on around us. How could an ambitious textile project like this slip under my nose? And if you haven't heard about this extraordinary textile feat before, I am very proud to tell you now...

Last week, in the Irish Times, (Apr 4th), was a large photo of Countess Ann Griffin Bernsorff and her daughter, Anne. Artist and Project Co-ordinator for one of the most ambitious textile projects to happen in Ireland. They were photographed at the launch of The Ros Tapestry, a massive community initiative, which has just taken up permanent residence in the town of New Ross.

The Ros Tapestry is made up of fifteen hand-embroidered panels , each 6 x 4 foot . This ambitious project was started in 1998, when local clergyman, the Venerable Paul Mooney, was looking for a cultural and community focus for his church, St Mary's and for the town of New Ross. A committee was organised, and the project was mentored by Alexis Bernstorff, a textile restorer, and her artist mother, Ann Bernstorff (The Countess Bernstorff).

The painstaking and time-consuming needlework was entirely carried out by volunteers who came together from several counties, in different venues each week.

The Ros Tapestries depicts events around the Anglo-Norman arrival in 1169 to the South East of Ireland, specifically the founding of the town of New Ross, Co. Wexford by William Marshall and Isabel de Clare. The content for these tapestry panels was exhaustively researched and designed by Anne Bernstorff, and is now, one of the largest tapestries of its kind in Europe.

According to the Irish Times article, it has already attracted world interest, the US Ambassador to Ireland, Jean Kennedy-Smith, has asked for some of the tapestries to be shipped to Washington in 2011 for the 50th anniversary of Joh F Kennedy's inauguration. (His great-great-great-grandfather was from New Ross).

Not wanting to breach copyright, I can't post photos of the tapestries without permission, but please, take a look at the website, and see this amazing textile work. It is now, definitely, on my list of places to visit this summer. What a breath of fresh air in these recessionary times. That a community would band together, taking over 10 years, to create something that will be treasured and admired, it is inspiring.

The town of New Ross, and the people of Wexford must be very proud of their womenfolk (and the one man)!

www.rostapestry.com

Ros Expo
Priory Court
The Quay
New Ross
Co.Wexford

Phone & Fax: 353 51 445396
info@rosexpo.ie

www.rosexpo.ie

Batik Workshop in Midleton, Co. Cork

On Saturday 11th April, Carmel Smyth is running a workshop in Batik at The Courtyard Gallery in Midleton, Co. Cork

From 2 to 5 p.m.
Cost 40euro, including materials

The Courtyard Gallery
8 Main Street,
Midleton
Co. Cork

Tel: 021 4634644

Open Monday to Saturday
Open 10am to 5.30, closed for lunch from 1.30pm-2pm

An Exhibition of Textiles and Mixed Media by Leslie Stothers

This exhibition is open from April 25th until May 7th at the Courtyard Gallery, 8 Main Street, Midleton, Co. Cork

Leslie is a member of the Cork Textiles Network, and you can find more info about her and her work here.

Opening times:
Mon - Sat 10.00am - 1.30/2.30 - 5.30

www.thecourtyardmidleton.ie

The Stitch and Creative Craft Show - Belfast

From the 16 - 18 April 2009, The Stitch and Creative Craft Show will be on at the Kings Hall, Belfast

This show covers all aspects of quality stitch craft including cross stitch, sewing, card making, embroidery, knitting, patchwork, quilting, scrap booking, ribbon craft, paper craft, stamping, beading, painting, dressmaking, tapestry, decoupage, crochet and many more popular stitch and creative crafts.

Adults £7.50 Standard Ticket Price
£5.50 Advanced Discount Ticket

Concession* £6.50 Standard Ticket Price
£4.50 Advanced Discount Ticket

Opening times Thurs 10.00am - 8.00pm
Fri 10.00am - 5.00pm
Sat 10.00am - 5.00pm

Check out their website for more info on exhibitors and workshops