Fibershed Ireland, in partnership with Ánam Arann, has launched an exciting joint initiative called the Wear The Land Collective — a project dedicated to reviving the tradition of Aran sweaters and celebrating Irish wool heritage in the Northeastern United States.
Together, they’re working to make Irish wool more visible, accessible, and appreciated across the globe.
As part of this effort, they’re inviting sheep farmers to share details about their flocks and add their farms to a growing Irish Wool Directory. This directory will help connect farmers, makers, and consumers who value local, sustainable wool. The directory will be accessible via the Wear The Land Collective website, and you can also choose to also be featured on Fibershed Ireland’s website’s interactive map – https://fibreshedireland.ie/map/
Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.
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On Sunday, the 12th of October, 2025, Feltmakers Ireland Guild hosted a fully booked workshop for 25 members, led by Sandra Coote of Crafts of Ireland, based in Cavan.
Sandra, an accomplished feltmaker, raises Roscommon sheep on her farm, processing their wool for her felting projects. She offers workshops and sells felting kits, sharing her expertise with enthusiasts.
The Supplies
Clockwise from the top left: Roscommon needle felted wool for core of birds, grey-coloured felting pads, sharps container for broken needles, sample wrens, scissors, templates, bark with wires, and extra felting needles.Roscommon wool dyed in Wren colours by Sandra
For our Sunday Session, participants crafted needle-felted wrens mounted on tree bark, using wool from Sandra’s sheep and materials she provided. Her clear instructions, detailed templates, and inspiring samples guided attendees in shaping the birds’ bodies, wings, and tails. Sandra’s hands-on teaching style, coupled with her warm, humorous demeanour, created a welcoming environment for all skill levels. She offered personalised support, visiting each table to assist.
Students Concentrating
Sandra recommended that students look at their phones to find photos of what a wren’s feathers looked like. As students layered on Sandra’s hand-dyed wool for the colouring of the birds’ feathers, Guild member Jane Fox shared about an app to identify birds’ songs: We downloaded the Merlin App so we could hear both the song and call of the Wren.
The guild expresses gratitude for Sandra’s generosity and expertise; we are thrilled to have a renowned artist lead the session. The workshop’s success highlights her skill in teaching and the charm of her 3D felted sculptures, which left members inspired and eager for more.
To see more of Sandra’s work, purchase her kits or book a workshop, visit her business, Crafts of Ireland – https://craftsofireland.ie/ You can also find her at the Knit + Stitch The Eikon Exhibition Centre, in Lisburn, UK, stand D53.
This month, committee member Lorna Cady brought ‘Biscuits without History’, the latest instalment in her ongoing series of baked goods, which she kindly brings each month.
We are once again grateful to Sandra Coote for travelling from Cavan to teach us, for the fully enrolled workshop, and for the students who generously brought baked treats to share. We also appreciate the committee’s help in organising this Sunday’s Session.
Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog
Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.
Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.
Questions: For questions about the content, please follow the link to the organisation hosting the event.
This month’s Sunday Session with Sandra Coote of Crafts of Ireland is now fully booked! We’re delighted to welcome 25 students to the 3D Needle Felted Wren Workshop.
A friendly reminder will be sent by email to all participants — we know how busy life can get.
If you registered for the class but are now unable to attend, please email feltmakersIE@gmail.com
Members who didn’t manage to secure a spot this time are welcome to come along and observe the session.
When: Sunday, the 12th of October.
The Sunday Session’s hours are as follows: 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM.
There is still time to apply to the annual international Loewe FoundationCraft Prize.
Even if you are not interested in applying, please take a look at the online exhibition of the previous winners and shortlisters of this fine craft award; their work is truly inspiring! Each listing includes a video tour of the artist’s studio. And while there doesn’t YET appear to be any works using the technique of feltmaking, there are makers who utilise other textile methods.
The Loewe Foundation Craft Prize celebrates “excellence, artistic merit and newness in modern craftsmanship. A panel of experts will select the winning entry, which will receive a €50,000 prize, from a shortlist of 30 artists. All finalist works will be presented in an exhibition in Singapore, opening in spring 2026.”
Submissions are open until the 30th of October, 2025.
Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.
Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.
Questions: For questions about the content, please follow the link to the organisation hosting the event.
Join the Knit + Stitch Show in Northern Ireland from the 13th to the 16th of November at the Eikon Exhibition Centre.
Stock up on quality craft supplies from over 100 exhibitors, explore Textile Galleries featuring world-renowned textile artists, a vast array of workshops, talks & lectures,and more to be announced! Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or just getting started, there’s something for everyone. Guild member Sandra Coote of Crafts of Ireland will have a booth there!
When: Thursday, the 13th, through Sunday, the 16th of November.
How to Enter the Giveaway
★ If you read this on our Instagram or Facebook, LIKE this post and COMMENT – ‘Yes, Knit + Stitch’. If you share the post, your tagged friends must also LIKE and COMMENT to be entered into the Giveaway.
★ For readers NOT using social media, please EMAIL- feltmakersIE@gmail.com and write ‘Yes, Knit + Stitch’ in the Subject Line.
Giveaway Tickets
This Giveaway is the FINAL one, and runs through midnight, Sunday, the 12th of October. We will then collect the names and then randomly draw ONE winner.
(Please do not enter more than once – ie via entering through multiple platforms. However, you can enter the Giveaway if you have not won previously.)
On Monday afternoon, the Giveaway winner will receive a unique COUPON CODE from Feltmakers Ireland, which she can use to book her pair of free tickets via the Knit + Stitch Show website.
T&Cs: This code is for a pair of Standard Single Day Adult tickets, valid on any day. It is not valid on VIP, Two-Day, or group tickets. Tickets are for entry only; transport to and from the venue is not included.
Please note that the winning ticket must be pre-booked in advance.
Discounted Entry
If you don’t win the Giveaway, you can still use the code FELTMAKERSIR to save £2 at checkout.
T&Cs: £2 off standard adult/concession tickets only. Offer not valid on VIP, Child or group tickets. Offer expires Sunday, the 2nd of November 2025. Booking fee applies.
For more information about the exciting events, textile galleries, workshops, and vendors at the Knit + Stitch Show Northern Ireland, or to book tickets with the above discount code, visit the website using this unique link – https://www.knitandstitchshow.co.uk/northernireland/feltmakers-ireland/
This promotional giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed, administered, or associated with Instagram or Facebook.
This Giveaway is now closed. Thank you to all who have participated. Hope to see you at the Knit + Stitch!
Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog
Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.
Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.
Questions: For questions about the content, please follow the link to the organisation hosting the event.
Culture Moves Europe offers grants to artists and cultural professionals who wish to develop a mobility project between their country of residence and another Creative Europe country. No specific level of experience is required.
Requirements: One artistic or cultural project to be carried out in another Creative Europe country, with the support of an international partner. This project must align with at least two of the following objectives: learning, creating, exploring, or connecting.
The call is open from the 1st of October 2025 to the 30th of April 2026.
It is a rolling call, which means that projects will be selected and grants distributed on a monthly basis. There are monies for daily expenses, travel allowances, and more.
There will be two online information sessions in October about the Culture Moves Europe opportunity.
Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.
Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.
Questions: For questions about the content, please follow the link to the organisation hosting the event.
This is the last week to catch Sculpture in Context at the National Botanic Gardens of Ireland. The exhibition runs through this Friday, the 10th of October and includes the work of over 90 artists.
Note: The RTE program will only be available for viewing within Ireland and will only be up for 21 days from the original transmission date.
Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog
Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.
Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.
Questions: For questions about the content, please follow the link to the organisation hosting the event.
On Sunday, the 12th of October, guild member Sandra Coote of Crafts of Ireland will teach members how to create a three-dimensional, needle-felted wren.
Sandra will provide materials, which include her own Irish-raised wool and the wires for the legs/ feet.
Members, please bring your felting needles and pads. The guild will have a few extra sets for those who do not have these tools.
This session is limited to 25 participants and costs 15 euros.
We will email an online payment link to members on the afternoon of Friday, October 3rd – at 2 PM, Irish Time. If you are not already a member, you can join us via our website – https://feltmakersireland.com/membership-application/
Sandra will also bring her popular needle felting kits, which will be available for purchase.
The Details
When: Sunday, the 12th of October.
The Sunday Session’s Hours are the following: 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM.
The World Wool Forum will bring together international leaders from the design, fashion, interior, and textile fields, as well as farmers, thinkers, and innovators who are doing inspiring work. This live online session will forecast the future of wool fibres, while preserving sheep husbandry, animal welfare and craft heritage.
When: Sunday, the 19th of October, 14:00 – 19:00 Rome CET (13:00 – 18:00 Irish Time).
The first part of the forum will focus on ‘Identity and Place,’ and the second will explore ‘Farm and Future.’ Friend of Feltmakers Ireland, Blátnaid Gallagher, founder of the Galway Wool Co-op, is scheduled to speak about wool during the latter section.
Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.
Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.
Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.
Join the Knit + Stitch Show in Northern Ireland from the 13th to the 16th of November at the Eikon Exhibition Centre.
Stock up on quality craft supplies from over 100 exhibitors, explore Textile Galleries featuring world-renowned textile artists, a vast array of workshops, talks & lectures,and more to be announced! Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or just getting started, there’s something for everyone. Guild member Sandra Coote of Crafts of Ireland will have a booth there!
When: Thursday, the 13th, through Sunday, the 16th of November.
How to Enter the Giveaway
★ If you read this on our Instagram or Facebook, LIKE this post and COMMENT – ‘Yes, Knit + Stitch’. If you share the post, your tagged friends must also LIKE and COMMENT to be entered into the Giveaway.
★ For readers NOT using social media, please EMAIL- feltmakersIE@gmail.com and write ‘Yes, Knit + Stitch’ in the Subject Line.
Giveaway Tickets
This Giveaway is the FOURTH of FIVE, as we have 5 pairs of tickets, and runs through midnight, Sunday, the 5th of October. We will then collect the names and then randomly draw ONE winner.
(Please do not enter more than once – ie via entering through multiple platforms. However, you can enter each week’s Giveaway if you have not won previously.)
On Monday afternoon, the Giveaway winner will receive a unique COUPON CODE from Feltmakers Ireland, which she can use to book her pair of free tickets via the Knit + Stitch Show website.
T&Cs: This code is for a pair of Standard Single Day Adult tickets, valid on any day. It is not valid on VIP, Two-Day, or group tickets. Tickets are for entry only; transport to and from the venue is not included.
Please note that the winning ticket must be pre-booked in advance.
Discounted Entry
If you don’t win the Giveaway, you can still use the code FELTMAKERSIR to save £2 at checkout.
T&Cs: £2 off standard adult/concession tickets only. Offer not valid on VIP, Child or group tickets. Offer expires Sunday, the 2nd of November 2025. Booking fee applies.
For more information about the exciting events, textile galleries, workshops, and vendors at the Knit + Stitch Show Northern Ireland, or to book tickets with the above discount code, visit the website using this unique link – https://www.knitandstitchshow.co.uk/northernireland/feltmakers-ireland/
This promotional giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed, administered, or associated with Instagram or Facebook.
This Giveaway is now closed.
Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog
Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.
Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.
Questions: For questions about the content, please follow the link to the organisation hosting the event.
Feltmakers Ireland 