News
Brother Drum Carder
It is European Wool day today.
Here is a short video of the batt being carded on my electric Brother Drum Carder.
7 April 2025
Blog
News
European Wool Day
It is European Wool day today.
So to celebrate I will be spinning some more of this – some texel X fleece that I washed, dyed, picked and carded dyed.
7 April 2025
News
Estonian Braid
The Estonian Braid, also known as the Vikkel or Lateral Braid, is a traditional knitting technique from Eastern Europe. It creates a horizontal chain of “V” stitches across the fabric, often used as a decorative border on hats, gloves, mittens, sweaters, or other garments. This technique is valued for its ability to add both structure and visual interest to knitting projects.
6 April 2025
News
Braiding with a Lucet – New Workshop
Discover the art of lucet braiding, an ancient craft with Viking roots that found its way into Celtic culture. This three-hour workshop teaches you to create beautiful round braids for jewellery or decorative cordage using a simple tool rich in history. Explore your creativity with various yarns, beads, and charms. Kiri Cottage is set near Strangford Lough, enjoy views of Scrabo Tower and the Mournes while crafting. Savour homemade refreshments in a relaxed atmosphere.
28 March 2025
News
More Shepherd’s Knitting
I am using a 3D printed shepherd’s knitting hook to make a head band.
22 March 2025
News
Deadly Dye
While researching, I came across this article about green dye that was used in the Victorian age. It is most certainly not for the squeamish.
21 March 2025
News
History of Knitting
Knitting likely originated in the Middle East or Egypt between the 11th and 12th centuries. The earliest known knitted artifacts are Egyptian socks, which demonstrate complex techniques like colorwork and purl stitches, suggesting an older origin than archaeological evidence can confirm.
20 March 2025
News
The Lovely Zeus
History tells us that honeycomb stitch originates from the Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland, where it was developed in the early 1900s as part of traditional Aran knitting.
The stitch apparently symbolizes hard work and dedication, inspired by the industriousness of bees.
13 March 2025
News
Honeycomb Stitch
History tells us that honeycomb stitch originates from the Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland, where it was developed in the early 1900s as part of traditional Aran knitting.
The stitch apparently symbolizes hard work and dedication, inspired by the industriousness of bees.
13 March 2025
News
Busy Tuesday!
What a busy day! Full house for Craft Club in the morning, and enthusiastic peg loomers in Ards Arts Centre in the evening.
12 March 2025
News
Linen Material
Have you ever wondered how linen material is produced?
Here are the steps on the process – photo is of flax processed through to the hackling stage.
This has been grown and processed by Mallon Linen.
7 March 2025
News
Cosy Puppy
Cosy puppy keeping me company while I am on a zoom call, taking part in ‘Certificate in Sustainable Tourism Practice for Destinations’.
5 March 2025
News
The Blackberry (Trinity) Stitch
The Blackberry stitch, also known as the Trinity stitch, derives its name from its resemblance to clusters of blackberries.
Its textured, raised design is formed by knitting three stitches together and then creating three new stitches in the same spot, mimicking the appearance of small berry-like bumps.
5 March 2025
News
Shepherd’s Knitting
Shepherd’s knitting, also known as slip-stitch crochet, is a precursor to modern crochet. It originated in northern Europe and was practiced in regions like Scotland, Estonia, Sweden, and Romania. This craft involved looping yarn with a hooked tool called a shepherd’s hook, which was thicker than modern crochet hooks and resembled a shepherd’s staff.
3 March 2025
News
Origins of Crochet
The exact origins of crochet are somewhat unclear, but historians have pieced together a fascinating history of this craft. Crochet as we know it today is believed to have emerged in Europe during the early 19th century.
The first definitive evidence of crochet appeared in 1823 when the Dutch magazine Penélopé published a pattern for a crocheted bag. This pattern included instructions for three different styles of purses using various crochet stitches, marking the earliest known publication of crochet instructions.
2 March 2025
News
Thrumming in Knitting
Thrumming in knitting is a technique that involves adding small tufts of unspun wool or roving into your knitting to create a warm, insulated fabric. This technique is commonly used in mittens, slippers, and other cold-weather accessories. It can also be used with crochet.
28 February 2025
News
Nålebinding
Nålebinding is an ancient textile technique that predates knitting and crochet by thousands of years. It involves using a single needle and short lengths of yarn to create fabric through looping and knotting, making it distinct from knitting, which uses continuous yarn.
27 February 2025
News
Textile Metatronics Challenge
I had the opportunity to get involved with a textile event last Saturday as part of the NI Science Festival. The event was the ‘Textile Metatronics Challenge,’ and was essentially an information share and brainstorm exercise to consider how flax and other fibre processing could once again be carried out on a small scale, as e.g. a farm diversification scheme, or by individual or small group textile crafters.
25 February 2025
News
Kumihimo Braiding
Kumihimo is a traditional Japanese braiding technique used to create decorative cords. These cords are often used for jewelry, obis, and samurai armor.
25 February 2025
News
Sustainable Giants
It’s great to be part of this group, and part of our collaboration journey to pitch Ards and North Down as a key tourism destination locally and internationally.
24 February 2025
News
Chiengora
Here’s a little story about spinning dog hair or ‘chiengora’ as it is also known.
Once upon a time, in a small mountain village, there lived a woman named Lian. She was known for her remarkable skill in spinning and weaving, creating the warmest and softest garments anyone had ever worn. But her secret wasn’t wool from sheep or fur from rabbits—it was something far more unusual.
23 February 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