For feltmakers looking to work with more Irish-raised wool, there’s a special opportunity this week. Texel-cross wool, sourced from Margaret of Kilmullen Farm in Wicklow and carefully cleaned by Feltmakers Ireland guild member Katarina of WoolStoreIE, is on sale.
According to our book ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’, Texel-cross is particularly well-suited for needlefelting, so this is a great chance to try something new with local fibre.
This Friday, bundles will be available at €7 each (regularly €9) or 3 for €20.
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On a bright sunny day in Dublin, Feltmakers Ireland members held an ‘Introduction to Wet Felting Workshop’ at the CIE Sports and Social Hall in Inchicore on Sunday, the 17th of August. Our event was part of August Craft Month, and also part of National Heritage Week, which runs from August 16th to 24th.
The aim of our event was to introduce participants to the art of wet felting and provide hands-on experience in creating a felted vessel. The skills gained included an understanding of the felting process, tactile engagement, creative confidence, and the joy of having fun.
Selecting fibreLaying out the woolStudent felting
Two sessions were held, with 12 participants attending the first session from 11 AM to 1 PM and 8 participants attending the second session from 1 PM to 3 PM. All participants were provided with wool and the equipment needed to felt a vessel using a choice of colours. Guild member Annika Berglund gave a demonstration on starting the process before the participants went to their positions, where they were assisted in completing the process by members of Feltmakers Ireland.
Annika demonstratingAnnika wetting the fibreAnnika rolling the felt
Photos of the students felting away.
In addition to the hands-on wet felting workshop, guild member Margaret Ryan Collins shared about Irish wool. She demonstrated how to card wool from Irish sheep’s fleece, showing that the wool could be used for felting or knitting. A few years ago, Feltmakers Ireland successfully self-published a book on felting with Irish wool, titled ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking.’ This book is available for purchase on our website – https://feltmakersireland.com/exploring-irish-wool-for-feltmaking/
As part of our Open Day, we showcased the sample board from our research on Irish Wool. It shows how specific breeds of sheep’s wool can be needle-felted and wet-felted.
Samples wet felted and needle felted from the sheep breeds tested for our book, ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’.
Guild member Eva Salamon demonstrated how to needle-felt her fantasy figures. Hilary shared some of her works-in-progress.
Hillary and EvaEva
Several members displayed their felted creations.
Annika, Irina, Marie, and Elizabeth demonstrated and helped participants to create wet-felted vessels. The verbal feedback from the participants was very positive, and each person left with a completed vessel.
Annika and some of the students share their felted vessels.
Isha from the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland and photographer Sasko arrived to view the workshop. They were very interested in the various pieces on display and the processes demonstrated by the members.
In conclusion, Feltmakers Ireland’s Open Day successfully engaged participants in the creative process of wet felting, enabling them to express their artistic side. It was a great day and a great success.
Adrienne and Deirdre welcoming students
Thanks to the members of Feltmakers Ireland who helped on the day. Thank you to Sam Fagan and Margaret for the photographs. Additional appreciation to Sam, Annika, and Lorna, who organised a very successful event. Feltmakers Ireland is grateful for the support received from the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland.
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Explore the wonders of the world of wool. Creating sustainable clothing from wool is an ancient art. At this event, Fibreshed Ireland will share about how farmers can prepare their fleece to achieve better yields from their clip. There will be drop spindle lessons and spinning wheel demonstrations, as well as workshops in weaving, crochet, and knitting for both children and adults. There will also be demonstrations of wool carding and preparation, as well as a talk on natural dyes. Additionally, there will be a talk on Galway wool and Irish native breeds.
There will also be an exhibition of local photographs and a display of farm gates.
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This Inside The Gate Open Farm Day is organised by Farming For Nature and is an opportunity to visit a farm and see the vital work that farmers do for nature in your local community.
On Sunday, August 31st, Blátnaid and Niall Gallagher’s farm, featuring native Galway Sheep and Connemara Ponies, will be open for visitors.
This is a free event open to families and will be held on various farms across the country on the 31st. Please register to attend, as space is limited.
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Feltmakers Ireland guild member Sandra Coote has a solo exhibition at the Cavan County Museum. Titled ‘Spoken In Fibre – Wool art inspired by the poetry of Charles J. Coote’, this new exhibition features felted paintings by Sandra Coote.
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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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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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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.
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Blátnaid Gallagher of the Galway Wool Co-op is one of eight female Irish farmers featured in an article in The Gloss. The article, ‘Irish Female Farmers Making Strides In Sustainability And On Social Media’, highlights a dynamic shift: female farmers in Ireland are stepping into the spotlight—leveraging social media, driving sustainability, and challenging traditions to shape a more inclusive, innovative agricultural future.
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