News
Peg Looms at Glenside Farm
Great morning at Glenside Farm – we were peg loom weaving as part of the Farm’s year long project looking at how fleece turns to fabric.
7 June 2025
Blog
News
Sustainable Tourism
This was a really interesting course – lots to think about in terms of sustainable tourism.
6 June 2025
News
Kiri Cottage Hosts Neal’s Yard
Lisa Swann from Neal’s Yard will be visiting Kiri Cottage craft club to run a free ‘create your own’ bath salts workshop. And there will be an opportunity to make purchases at the end.
2 June 2025
News
Kiri Cottage Pony Bead Bracelets
Last Kircubbin Henshed session this afternoon – we made ‘laced pony bead bracelets’. These are easy and fun to do, especially if there are plenty of beads to choose from.
29 May 2025
News
Kiri Cottage Lucet Workshop
On Saturday I hosted a workshop about how to make braids with a lucet – a Scandinavian weaving tool. This workshop was sponsored by Ards & North Down Council as part of its tourism experience development programme.
22 May 2025
News
Crocheted Tea Towel Holder
We saw an Instagram reel showing a crocheted tea towel holder to hang in front of the oven.
There was no pattern on the reel, but we decided to have a go at making one anyway.
20 May 2025
News
17 May 2025
News
Fairy Bells at Kircubbin Henshed
Fairy bells are hung by windows and doors, and their music invites in the good energy and keeps away the rest.
Look at these – the Kircubbin Henshed will be full of good energy!
17 May 2025
News
Kiri Cottage at Kircubbin Henshed
More woven paper plates flowers from the Kircubbin Henshed.
16 May 2025
News
Kiri Cottage – My Workshop
Here is my workshop today, mess and all – and my wee friends.
13 May 2025
News
Kiri Cottage Spins Alpaca
Some lovely, brown alpaca next in line to be spun. It has been skirted, washed, through the swing picker and e-carder and now sitting beside the wheel.
8 May 2025
News
Kiri Cottage Visits Kircubbin Henshed
Great afternoon with the Kircubbin Henshed – we wove paper plates flowers, using ribbons and wool. Lots of great, creative ideas.
7 May 2025
News
Easily Join Yarn
Here is a way to easily join yarn. This works really well when you want to join 2 pieces of yarn, with no ends to sew in.
3 May 2025
News
Japanese Knitting at Kiri Cottage
A while ago I bought myself the ‘Japanese Knitting Stitch Bible ‘. It is a beautiful book, with patterns for many intricate stitches. Think Aran knitting but much finer and more complex. I came across it the other day and wondered how many people are aware of this knitting style?
16 April 2025
News
Worsted and Woollen at Kiri Cottage
When spinning wool, we often talk about 2 different techniques – worsted and woollen. The difference between worsted and woollen spinning techniques lies mainly in fiber preparation, yarn structure, and final fabric properties.
13 April 2025
News
Kiri Cottage Back in the Saddle
Back on the horse again after hip replacement surgery mid December. Out for a hack last Thursday evening with my sister, and not an ache or pain!
11 April 2025
News
Green Sustainability in Tourism
As a member of a group undertaking the University of Ulster green sustainability in tourism qualification, we had an away day to the Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark in Enniskillen.
9 April 2025
News
Felting at Kiri Cottage Crafts Club
Thanks to Karen for her expert felting tuition on our last Craft Club meeting. Photos below, plus a selection of what other club members were working on.
9 April 2025
News
Celtic Braids
Some photos from my last two Ards and North Down craft classed in the Ards Arts centre.
We made Celtic Braids, using lucets to make the braids, which were then attached to linen squares to make wall hangings.
On the second evening we made pretty, beaded flowers from wool.
8 April 2025
Media Mentions
Kiri Cottage Business Video
Ards and North Down Tourism made a video about Kiri Cottage Crafts. I love how it has turned out.
23 October 2022
Kircubbin – The Ards Peninsula: An Ulster-Scots Heartland
We meet Christine Casey, owner of Kiri Cottage Crafts and a traditional hand spinner and weaver who is keeping the skills alive which have flourished here for generations. Produced with the support of Northern Ireland Screen’s Ulster-Scots Broadcast Fund, over this series the Virtual Visit team are going to be tracing the legacy of Ulster-Scots settlers in this area and giving you a guided “in-person” virtual tour of the local heritage, history, stories and culture, accompanied by a local tour guide. The series has been shot using a 360° camera.
5 August 2022
Lucy Weaves with Nature
Christine was extremely welcoming and provided delicious homemade scones and cake, as well as tea and coffee. We started off with weaving outside, using all natural materials, this was very interesting and fun.
29 June 2022
Spinning with Dog Hair
Here is a blast from the past! This is one of my all-time favourite commissions – creating a one-of-a-kind jersey for the lovely Martin – owner of the Southern Ireland Dulux dog.
1 March 2022