Category: Felt

The Book: Wrap up the Magic of Irish Wool this Christmas – ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

While Merino wool often takes centre stage in textile discussions, Feltmakers Ireland’s book, ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’, introduces readers to the rich diversity of Irish wool. Featuring 40 breeds of sheep raised in Ireland, the book dives deep into each breed’s fibre characteristics, highlighting how their wool can be used for wet and needle-felting techniques. It’s an eye-opening journey into the potential of locally sourced fibres that are often overlooked.

Practical and Inspirational

Packed with tips, tricks, and hands-on advice, this book is a go-to resource for anyone looking to prepare, dye, and work with wool using simple, natural ingredients.

What’s Inside

  • Felt
  • The Project
  • Sourcing, washing, and preparing fleece for felting
  • Dyeing wool
  • Getting started using plant dyes
  • Felting with raw wool
  • The breeds tested and a few words about the samples
  • Suppliers and washers/carders
  • Acknowledgements
  • Bibliography
  • Glossary
  • Index

Support Sustainability

Give a gift that champions eco-friendly practices. By exploring and using local wool, readers can preserve traditional skills, support local farmers, and reduce reliance on imported materials.

Order Today

This Christmas, give the gift of craft, connection, and creativity. ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking‘ is perfect for fibre artists, crafters, and anyone who loves learning about heritage and sustainable living.

Find your copy on our website and bring the beauty of Irish wool to someone special – https://feltmakersireland.com/exploring-irish-wool-for-feltmaking/


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 content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

Recap: Celebrating Felting at The Knitting and Stitching Show – Belfast

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Photo of the Titanic Exhibition Centre by Cindy Chang – Textile Art Design and Fashion / BSOA-Ulster University

From Thursday, the 7th of November, to Sunday, the 10th, 2024, feltmaking enthusiasts gathered at the Knitting & Stitching Show in Belfast. It was an exciting first for the city, as this beloved event had previously been held at the RDS in Dublin until 2019. This year, three passionate felting guilds—Feltmakers Ireland, Feltmakers North, and the International Feltmakers Association—came together to celebrate and share the magic of feltmaking with the public.

Appreciation to Jane

The event was organised by the wonderful Jane Fox, a dedicated member of all three guilds, who brought together a group of enthusiastic volunteers.

Jane Fox, who patiently organised the three groups of felters.

The Volunteers

Our team of helpers included Sandy, Hélène, Susan, Maighread, Ann, Fiona, Jayne, Beverley, Leah, Deirdre, Sharon, Eva, Sam, Elizabeth, Dympna, Juliane, Lorna, and Lissy. (Our apologies if we missed anyone!).

Some of our Work

Throughout the event, we demonstrated both wet felting and needle felting techniques, enchanting visitors with the transformative process of turning wool into vibrant, textured creations. The colours, textures, and creativity on display captivated the public.

Photos of felted creations taken by Cindy Chang – Textile Art Design and Fashion / BSOA-Ulster University

Members with Booths

Two members of our guilds displayed their work at the Knitting and Stitching Show.

Louisa Kelly, a member of Feltmakers North, exhibited her needle-felted and embroidered creations.

Louisa Kelly – on the far right of the image.

Member of Feltmakers Ireland, Sandra Coote, exhibited with her business Crafts of Ireland. She displayed her needle felting kits, Lumra pillow kits, and pick-and-mixes of her hand-dyed wool. All of Sandra’s fibre comes from her own Irish-raised sheep.

Sandra (on the right) and her two adult children in dark blue, who helped at the event,

Connecting with feltmakers from different organisations was a true joy as we shared tips, stories, and inspiration, while introducing our craft to new audiences.

The Future

Here’s to more gatherings, more creativity, and more opportunities to share the art of feltmaking!

Next year, The Knitting & Stitching Show will be held at the Eikon Exhibition Centre in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, from 13th–16th November 2025.

Registration to Early Access Tickets to the Show can be found here – https://www.theknittingandstitchingshow.com/belfast/2025-sign-up/

Editor’s Note: Except for the TEC building and the close-ups of our felted creations by visitor Cindy Chang, the photographs come from the volunteering guild members. Thank you to all!

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 content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

News: Feltmakers Ireland’s Wool Book Featured in ‘Going the Dodo Way’ Blog

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Feltmakers Ireland’s wool book, ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’, was recently featured in the blog of feltmaker and educator Vanda Sousa (Going the Dodo Way). It’s an excellently written article that covers our book! In addition, Vanda covers two other projects working with local wool on the Iberian peninsula.

To read the blog post about our Irish and other local wools, visit Vanda Sousa’s website – https://www.vandafsousa.com/blog/wet-felting-with-local-wool

Editor’s Note: Going the Dodo Way blog has several highly recommended articles that are both practical and thoughtful. Here are five (there are many more!)

If you are a wet-feltmaker, Vanda’s blog contains valuable and exciting information! There is a Felting Resources section on her website, and she teaches online courses. You can ensure that you will not miss any of her blog posts by subscribing to her email newsletter – https://www.vandafsousa.com/updates


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 content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

Sunday Session: Felting a Holiday Star with Annika Berglund

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland1 Comment

Felted Holiday Star

Examples of Wet Felted Holiday Stars, designed by Annika Berglund

On the 17th of November, our Sunday Session will be a mini-workshop with artist and guild member Annika Berglund.

We will make a wet-felted Holiday Star for window decoration – perfect for Christmas or year-round!

There will be a choice of three finished models using wool yarn, Merino wool, and, for one version, Wensleydale locks.

What to bring:

  • One large and one small towel.
  • Sewing pins
  • Small sharp scissors
  • Bubble wrap – approximately sized at 25 by 50cm
  • Soap and water bowl
  • Ball brause or sprinkler
  • A plastic bag

Bio of Annika Berglund

Portrait of Annika Berglund

Annika Berglund, a graduate of NCAD, has shown work in solo and group exhibitions nationally and abroad and has won several awards, including the Crafts Council’s price for Best Craft in the Garden 2008 and the NUI Art and Design Prize 2010.

Moving from ceramics, glass, and bronze to felt in 2020, one of her earliest felt pieces depicting the COVID-19 virus was acquired by the National Museum of Ireland. Having had one solo show and many group shows featuring Felt, Annika was a primary contributor to Feltmakers Ireland’s research project around Irish wool and the resulting book, Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking. She is currently Treasurer of Feltmakers Ireland.

Annika’s upcoming solo exhibition, Tapestry, opens on the 17th of November at 15:00 in the Olivier Cornet Gallery (after the Sunday session). She would like to welcome you all to attend if you have the opportunity.

For more information about her exhibition, visit the gallery’s website –https://www.oliviercornetgallery.com/tapestry-annika-berglund


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 content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

Of Interest: Felt United Celebration This Saturday

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

The online felting event, Felt United, is happening this Saturday, October 5th, 2024. All over the world, those who work in the media of felt are encouraged to share one piece related to this year’s theme.

This year’s Felt United theme is ‘Opposites Attract,’ an inspiration familiar to our guild. Some of our group were initially challenged by the theme, but it can be as simple as contrasting colours or the combination of sea and shore.

{Members of Feltmakers Ireland explored this theme for our annual exhibition at the Phoenix Park Visitors’ Centre this past May. There are a series of seven posts about our members’ inspiration here – https://feltmakersireland.com/2024/05/09/exhibition-opposites-attract-the-inspiration/ }

From Felt United’s Facebook page –

Felters from around the globe show their felt to the world, work on collaborations, travel the world to meet each other, party, celebrate, exhibit, teach, talk and share. Everybody in their own way, all united by working on the same theme, same day, same joy but different ideas.

Share your new theme-related creations online with Felt United.

Visit their Facebook page for more information about the event – https://www.facebook.com/groups/wefeltunited/

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 content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

Education: Hanging Felted Spiral – Online Class – Hélène Dooley

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Registration opens today for the Felting and Fiber Studio‘s ‘Felted Hanging Spiral Course‘, taught by Feltmakers Ireland member Hélène Dooley. Adding movement to an art piece takes it to a new dimension. The shape becomes fluid, even mesmerising.

This is a four-week course, and it is delivered through the following media:

  • A series of short videos which take students step-by-step through the process. Each video forms a single unit in the process. The result is that students can easily pick up where they left off and do not need to devote huge chunks of time to making their spirals in one or two sessions.
  • A set of PDF files which tie into the videos.
  • Daily access to the classroom chatroom for the duration of the course.

The course starts on Friday, the 11th of October and runs through the 8th of November.

For more information, visit the Felting and Fiber Studio’s website – https://feltingandfiberstudio.com/classes/hanging-felted-spiral/

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 content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

Of Interest: Breda Fay Learns with Members of Feltmakers North

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Recently, former Feltmakers Ireland chairperson Breda Fay got together with some people in the felting community of Feltmakers North, a feltmaking organisation based in Hillsborough with around 40 members from Northern Ireland. Note: This meeting wasn’t an official Feltmakers North session.

By Breda Fay

Great day felting in Donaghadee, in Co Down, with a few members of of the Northern Ireland felting community and Mandy Nash (former chair of the International Feltmakers Association), Dympna Curran from Feltmakers North, Jane McCann, who gave us her kitchen and dining room, and three new but enthusiastic felters from Ards Peninsula.

It was my first time doing “inside out” nuno felting…. so it was a new skill and wonderful company. The weather was very changeable, but still clear enough to look over at Scotland!

Apologies: An earlier edition of this article incorrectly included Jane Fox instead of Jane McCann.

Editor’s Note: If you are a member and have taken a felting class or have other news of interest, please email feltmakersie@gmail.com

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 content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

Event: Celebrating Handmade – Craft Market and Demonstrations – Enniskerry – Co Wicklow

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

The Wicklow Craft Foundation is holding a craft market this weekend featuring ceramics, glass, textiles, leather, wire sculptures, and bookmarking. Miriam Brady will be there with her felted artwork, and she and some of the other makers will demonstrate their craft.

Where: The Schoolhouse for Art, Enniskerry Village, Co Wicklow.
Date: Saturday and Sunday, 17th and 18th of August 2024
Time: 10 AM- 4:30 PM

This event is part of August Craft Month, a celebration of craft organised by the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland and Craft NI. August Craft Month is an all-Ireland event with over 400 activities.

For more information about the Wicklow Craft Foundation, visit their website – https://wicklowcraftfoundation.ie/about

To search for more events, visit the August Craft Month website – https://augustcraftmonth.org/events/

Correction: Miriam Brady will be unable to attend the event due to a death in the family. Our thoughts are with her. Other makers will be holding demonstrations.

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 content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

Events: Lacemakers at the Decorative Arts and History Museum – August Craft Month

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

As part of August Craft Month, discover the delicate art of Irish Lace! Join Guild of Irish Lacemakers members for a morning filled with tradition and craftsmanship that the whole family can enjoy.

When: Saturday, the 3rd of August from 11 AM to 1 PM.

Where: The Museum of Decorative Arts and History in Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dublin 7.


Live Demonstrations:

Watch in awe as our skilled lacemakers weave intricate designs right before your eyes, demonstrating the precision and artistry passed down through generations.

Interactive Displays:

Get up close to beautiful, historic laces and contemporary designs in our displays. See the supermini to the super-sized!

Try It Yourself! Roll up your sleeves at our hands-on stations, where you can learn to stitch your own stitches and use children’s crafting needles and embroidery hoops. Guided by expert lacemakers, you’ll work with a pillow, bobbins, and hexagon netting —perfect for beginners and children alike.

Explore the Collection:

Visit ‘The Way We Wore’ exhibition to discover how lace has been interwoven with Irish culture and identity over the centuries.

This drop-in family event will occur from 11 AM to 1 PM in the Palatine Room off Clarke Square in Collins Barracks in the Decorative Arts and History Museum.

No booking is required. For more information, call 01 648 6453 or contact bookings@museum.ie

For more information, visit the Museum’s website – https://www.museum.ie/en-IE/Museums/Decorative-Arts-History/Events/2024/082024/Craft-Month-Family-Drop-in-Activity-Interactive-De

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 content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

Events: Feltmakers Ireland – Two Open Days for August Craft Month

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland2 Comments

This year, Feltmakers Ireland hosts two Open Days for August Craft Month / Heritage Week.

On the 18th of August from 11 AM to 3 PM at the CIE Hall/Inchicore Sports and Social Club
Library Square, Inchicore, Co. Dublin, D08 PA07

On the 25th of August from 11 AM to 3 PM at St James Hall, Dublin Road, Kilbeggan, Co Westmeath, N91 XA32

Time: Both events run from 11 AM to 3 PM.

This year, we will be teaching how to felt a small round vessel out of wool roving using soapy water and your hands!

Curious about sheep and Irish wool varieties? Explore the unique reactions of different Irish wool types that have been needle and wet felted. There will be an opportunity to browse and purchase our book, ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’, a rich resource on forty breeds of Irish-raised sheep.

There will be a display of felted artworks and wearables crafted by our talented members, showcasing the beauty and versatility of feltmaking.

Come to our two free events, part of our parent organisation, the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland‘s August Craft Month.

More Events to Experience Felt

Several of our members are hosting individual events for August Craft Month:

Karena Ryan has an open studio in Co Galway on the 5th of August – https://augustcraftmonth.org/acm-event/open-studio-and-sale-2/

Tamzen Lundy is offering a workshop in Co Kildare on how to ‘Felt a Funky Feline’– https://augustcraftmonth.org/acm-event/wet-felting-a-funky-feline-full-day-felting/

She also has a children’s felting workshop on the 17th of August, Saturday afternoon, in Kildare Town’s – market square. https://www.tamzenlundydesigns.ie/service-page/kids-feltmaking-taster-workshop

Juliane Gorman has an open studio in Co Dublin on the 25th of August – https://augustcraftmonth.org/acm-event/visit-the-felting-forge-open-studio-of-juliane-gorman-felthappiness-hats/

Joanne Turner will teach a workshop on August 17th at Le Chéile Arts in Dunmanway, Co Cork. More information at this Instagram post – https://www.instagram.com/p/C9kHcndtPwZ/?igsh=bHJiZ3I3NHYxMGc2

Emily Thompson will teach several needlefelting workshops within Co Cork as part of August Craft Month. More information at this Instagram post – https://www.instagram.com/p/C9kMVpfMnt5/?img_index=1

As part of Meath Made Creates, Caoimhe Tuthill of Boann Irish Felt Designs is teaching how to make wet felted flowers on Saturday, the 17th of August, at 2:30 PM – https://swiftculturalcentre.ie/event/meath-made-wet-felt-workshop-with-boann-irish-felt-designs

As part of Meath Made Creates, Lucia Errity will teach how to make a needle-felted landscape on Sunday, the 18th of August, at 10:00 AM. – https://swiftculturalcentre.ie/event/meath-made-felting-the-landscape-with-lucia-errity

If you are a member of Feltmakers Ireland and you are having a felt-related event as part of August Craft Month, please contact us so we can include you in our August Craft Month posts – feltmakersIE@gmail.com

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 content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.