Soil Your Scarf project at DublinMaker – Join Fibreshed Ireland’s co-director, ecologist Jess Leonard, on Saturday, the 30th of August, at Dublin Maker.
“Come knit a tiny scarf made from native Irish-grown wool from The Galway Wool Coop, while learning about soil ecology and how to protect and care for your own garden soil. See magnified mesofauna living in previously buried scarves. When you’re done, you can take your tiny scarf away with you to bury it within the topsoil and find out who’s living there!”
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Craftwork 4.0 All has announced an opportunity for craft residencies in twelve countries across Europe, which will take place from November 2026 to Aug 2027. Detailed information on themes, places and conditions will be presented by Residency Hosts during the first online session.
Open to craftspeople from any EU country, the residencies can be held in the following countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.
Residencies can be for one week, two weeks, or three weeks. The financial support for craft practitioners covers travel, accommodation, daily subsistence, and materials.
Deadline: Register by the 1st of September for the first online Zoom session, which is scheduled for the 19th of September, 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.
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Pam de Groot demonstrating fibre weight layout during the workshop.
This past weekend, a dozen passionate felters gathered for an unforgettable three-day workshop led by internationally renowned artist Pam de Groot, who travelled from Australia to share her expertise. Hosted by Feltmakers Ireland, the workshop welcomed participants primarily from Ireland, with one dedicated felter joining us from Germany. The event, held at the Bayside Community Centre, was a vibrant exploration of felting techniques, creativity, and community, leaving everyone inspired and equipped with new skills to craft unique, wearable art.
Necklaces, earrings, and brooches created by Pam to show the various techniques the students would learn.
Pam de Groot is an Australian textile artist celebrated for her innovative approach to three-dimensional felting. With a deep passion for transforming raw fibres into intricate, wearable sculptures, Pam’s work blends traditional techniques with contemporary flair. Her creations often feature bold textures, vibrant colours, and unexpected materials, pushing the boundaries of what felt can achieve. During the workshop, her warm and engaging teaching style shone through, making complex techniques accessible and exciting for all skill levels.
Pam demonstrating. In the foreground are sample pieces of felted jewellery that she has created.
Over the three days, Pam guided participants through a variety of felting techniques, each opening new possibilities for artistic expression.
Techniques included –
Shaping with Resists: Creating diverse forms, from small round resists to complex structures, using simple tools.
Crafting Pea Pods: Using plastic moulds to shape delicate, nature-inspired, pea pod designs.
Dyeing Flower Stamens: In an imaginative twist, special fishing line became a medium for vibrant, lifelike stamens to enhance floral designs.
Designing Closures: Participants explored decorative and functional options, experimenting with various ways to finish their pieces with intention and flair.
Pam’s teaching approach was a perfect balance of demonstration and individualised support. She began with group instruction, clearly explaining each technique, then devoted one-on-one time to help participants bring their unique visions to life. Her patience and encouragement fostered a collaborative, creative atmosphere where everyone felt empowered to experiment.
From Technique to Creation: Wearable Art Emerges
After mastering the techniques, participants delved into designing their own wearable pieces, incorporating a rich array of materials, including soft Merino wool, shimmering silk fibres, textured silk cloth, hearty Irish wool, delicate silk pods, stones, and other textiles. The diversity of materials sparked endless creativity, resulting in an inspiring collection of necklaces, brooches, and other adornments, each piece as unique as its creator.
Samples of some of the pieces created by the students during the workshop.
The workshop was a testament to the versatility of felting as an art form. From bold, sculptural designs to delicate, intricate pieces, every participant left with a creation that reflected their personal style and newfound skills.
More Samples of Students’ Work
Here are some photos of some of the students’ pieces from the workshop. If we missed your work, please email feltmakersIE@gmail.com so we can add it to the display.
The workshop wasn’t just about learning techniques—it was about connection. The group of felters, including members of Feltmakers Ireland and our international guest from Germany, bonded over their shared passion for textiles. The collaborative spirit, combined with Pam’s inspiring guidance, made the experience truly transformative.
A huge thank you to Pam de Groot for sharing her expertise and inspiring us to push the boundaries of felting. Her ability to connect with each participant and guide them through their creative journey was truly remarkable. We’re also deeply grateful to Sam Fagan for coordinating the workshop and to helpers Juliane Gorman, Hélène Dooley, and Annika Berglund for each volunteering their invaluable assistance for a day.
Conclusion
This workshop was a celebration of creativity, community, and the endless possibilities of felt. We can’t wait to see how the skills and inspiration from this experience continue to shape the work of these talented felters!
All of the students and Pam de Groot assembled on the final day. Photo by Annika Berglund.
Lastly, here’s a video of the images –
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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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Perhaps a bit far away from Dublin, but still may be of interest: Eden Wool Gathering inaugural launch is this weekend.
The Eden Wool Gathering will showcase wool and wool-related crafts. They will cover the entire process of wool production, from the sheep to the finished products. There will be exhibits of hand shearing, skirting and preparation, various types of spinning, weaving, felting and dyeing. Additionally, there will be exhibits featuring various types of knitting and crochet.
Friends of Feltmakers Ireland, Shelley Steele, and Lena Archbold will be demonstrating and teaching there.
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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Join The Wise Wool Project for a fun and educational Family Day exploring one of Ireland’s most precious natural resources — wool — and the current dilemma it finds itself in.
Where: The Nature Hub Ireland at the Gap of Dunloe, Co Kerry.
When: Wednesday, the 13th of August| 11 AM – 1 PM
Get hands-on with the wool process
Try your skills at various stages, from fleece to fabric
Learn about sustainability and the wool waste issue
The Wise Wool Project is a Creative Ireland-funded project.
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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Via RTE News: A huge wool map of Ireland, which took four years of knitting and crocheting to complete, is in search of a new home to go on public display.
A group of up to 18 women in Co. Wicklow, comprising skilled knitters, sewers, and crocheters, met every Wednesday at the Carnew Community Care Centre, where they developed ideas for landmarks and historical sites across the island of Ireland that they could create together through sewing and knitting.
The woollen map features prominent landmarks and sites across the island, including Glendalough, Croagh Patrick, Phoenix Park, Giant’s Causeway and Fungie the Dolphin.
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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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.
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Fibreshed Ireland is partnering with Mallon Linen, Play Think Brink!, Artpark Hoerberg, and Linen Biennale NI for a weekend of presentations, panel discussions, craft demonstrations, exhibitions, a farm visit, music and poetry. Join to learn about the history of linen production on this island, explore current solutions and challenges, and help shape a regenerative, equitable, and joyful flaxen future.
When: Saturday, the 30th to Sunday 31st of August (subsidised bus leaves on Friday, the 29th in the evening).
Where: At An Creagán and Mallon Linen Farm, Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland, UK.
Subsidised transport to and from Dublin (with stops in Drogheda, Dundalk, Newry, Armagh, Dungannon) and subsidised on-site accommodation are available.
Lunch (Saturday & Sunday) and dinner (Saturday) are included.
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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Rathlin Island welcomes visitors for a unique overnight experience that blends local heritage with contemporary creativity. The event includes a stay at the Manor House and a local wool workshop led by Alison Gault and Anna Duffy, textile researchers from the Belfast School of Art.
The programme also features a photography workshop, guided tours of the West Lighthouse and Boathouse Museum, and a visit to the Breakwater Studio and shop. Participants will have the opportunity to enjoy a boat tour along the island’s cliffs.
Arts and crafts have long been integral to Rathlin’s traditional island culture. Rooted in a legacy of self-sufficiency, the creative practices are deeply connected to the native flora and fauna that thrive across the island’s rugged landscape.
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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The latest episode of the International Feltmakers Association’s (IFA) FeltMatters podcast is now available.
In this episode of Felt Matters, hosts Vivienne Morpeth and Heather Potten explore Heather’s deep-rooted connection to Orkney. Heather shares her fascination with her Orcadian heritage and jewellery from her childhood, specifically pieces by the innovative designer Ola Gorie. As they discuss their shared love of Celtic and Norse art, the conversation evolves into a felting project primarily inspired by these cultural symbols. The episode unfolds with tales of Heather’s formative years in Orkney, weaving in elements of mythology, family, and creativity, resulting in unique felted pieces representing these rich influences. – from the episode’s listing.
To see examples of what Heather and Vivienne created, visit the FeltMatters’ Instagram page – @feltmatters.thepodcast
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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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Questions: For questions about the content, please follow the link to the organisation hosting the event.
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