Tag: Ards Peninsula

Creative Peninsula Craic

As part of the Ards and North Down Council run Creative Peninsula, I ran a spinning and a peg loom weaving workshop.

Rag Rug Workshop

This Rag Rug workshop take two, with Portavogie seniors a couple of weeks, ago saw us making rag rugs on Hessian sacking with crochet hooks and rug latch tools.

There was lots of chat, and hard work helped with the creativity. A cup of tea and a biscuit was very welcome!

Crafts from the Lower Ards

This workshop offered an insight into traditional craft industries that provided an income for women on the Ards Peninsula in the 1800s.

Portavogie and Ballywalter Senior Clubs

I have been commissioned to provide a number of craft sessions for both Portavogie and Ballywalter senior clubs. The first of these workshops ran this week with a lovely group of ladies in Portavogie.

Make Along Week 1

I decided to make something for myself for a change, and came across a ‘Make Along’ from the Danish wool sales company Hobbii:

https://hobbii.co.uk/noshadesofgrey-make-along-for-knitters

Interestingly, they don’t let you see the final garment, but release parts of the pattern every week over a six week period.  There is both a knitted and a crochet option, and you can buy a kit from them, or buy your own wool and access the pattern for free.

Speciality Hand Spun Wool

I have recently completed a 3kg batch of my specialty hand-spun, hand-dyed, thick singles, destined for a customer who is a weaver. This yarn (approximately bulky/ super chunky weight) will make a lovely, thick, warm and colourful material. It it also suitable for knitting and crochet.

Working with Alpaca Wool

I have been working with alpaca wool for many years now, but, a number of clients asked me to spin their own alpaca’s fleeces for them over the last few months.

Spinning and Dyeing

I have been spinning and dyeing wool for many years for my weaver friend, Marion. This weekend I completed another 10kgs for her.

Knit for Nowt!

‘Worry Monsters’ are used by therapists to help children deal with their worries and concerns. They have a big pouch in their tummies where children can put their worries, written on paper, and the monster eats them. 

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.