Tag: Knitting and Stitching Show

Recap: Knit + Stitch 2025

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Editor’s Note: Earlier in the autumn, the Knit + Stitch organisers donated three pairs of Giveaway tickets to our followers. The recipients did not need to write a blog post, but we genuinely appreciate that longtime member Breda Fay has written one for us!

By Breda Fay

Thank you, Feltmakers Ireland, for the prize of two tickets to Knit & Stitch. I combined the visit with a two-night stay in Moira, County Down.

I was barely in the door of the Eikon Exhibition Centre when I met two of our guild members, Helene and Annika – it was lovely to share a coffee and a chat to catch up on our busy lives. Coincidentally, we had chosen the same workshop.

Breda’s Samples from her Workshops

Textured Embroidery Workshop
Singleton Buttons Workshop
Stumpwork Leaf Embroidery Workshop

I attended three very interesting workshops:

  • Introduction to Textured Embroidery with Ruth Hughes – https://wildfloss.co.uk/
  • The craft of making Singleton Buttons with Kat Moleswort (and hearing their interesting history)
  • Stumpwork Leaf Embroidery with Alice Cummins – https://www.bealice.ie/

It was surprising that there was so little about feltmaking. Sandra Coote from Crafts of Ireland seemed to be the only one flying the flag for felt with her lovely display of needlefelting. Feltmakers Ireland always had a stand when Knit + Stitch was at the RDS in Dublin*.

However, it was still very easy to spend money, and I came away with ribbons, threads, fabric, and some books on quilts and the gallery artists.

Quilt Displays

Craftivism for Palestine Quilt
SEFF Memorial Quilts

I found the two quilt displays very emotive- The Craftivism for Palestine Quilt project, a 32-country project to raise awareness of the death of children in Gaza, and the SEFF Memorial Quilts display commemorating death in Northern Ireland during the Troubles.

Textile Galleries

There were only three textile art galleries this year:

Each one was inspiring, and each artist was available to discuss her works and inspiration.

The Live Stage provided demos and talks throughout the days. I just needed a sit-down and was lucky enough to hear Anouk O’Connell of Ollanmor speak about Landscape Weaving.

I enjoyed my two days away, spent more money than I intended, but had the opportunity to try some new crafts.

From the editor: Thank you, Breda, for sharing your experiences at the Knit + Stitch Show in Lisburn, United Kingdom. It is wonderful to experience a taste of the show!

* Editor’s Note: Last year, when the event took place in Belfast, Feltmakers Ireland, Feltmakers North, and the International Feltmakers Association staffed a booth generously provided by Knit + Stitch. Because coordinating the staffing was a significant undertaking for our organiser, Jane Fox—who is a member of all three guilds—we decided not to take on a similar commitment for the 2025 show. But we can certainly think about participating next year.

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: Knitting and Stitching Show 2023 – Part 3

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Last November, several members from Feltmakers Ireland attended The Knitting and Stitching Show in Harrogate, UK. This is our third and final installation by long-time guild member Breda Fay. For information about this year’s event, visit the Show’s website – https://www.theknittingandstitchingshow.com/harrogate/

By Breda Fay

Visiting Harrowgate – Knitting and Stitching Show

My November outing to Knitting and Stitching Show 2023 in Harrogate (second year) was really enjoyable. I stayed at The Crown Hotel, very close to the exhibition centre.

A drawing of the Crown Hotel in Harrogate.

Lots of highlights – the company was great. Just like last year, it was lovely to sample life in an English town for a day or two – the retail therapy was great, especially in the Vintage shops! And well done to those who chose our restaurants – the fare was delicious and so different. I even got to Betty’s for my breakie on the last day – always a treat in Harrogate.

WW1 Memorial with poppies in Harrogate.


Exhibitions Seen

I thought the standard of the exhibitions this year was far superior to last year – or maybe they just appealed to me more – the one on Domestic Violence was particularly evocative: touching and emotive messages embroidered on everyday cleaning cloths/dusters. The ‘Women & Domesticity – What’s your Perspective?’ is a collaborative arts project, started by artist and academic Vanessa Marr in 2014. The collection is growing and is currently over 700 dusters.

More info on the Duster Project here – https://domesticdusters.wordpress.com/about-this-project/

The Embroidery Guild, as usual, had a wonderful display of both skill and creativity within their craft. The Quilt exhibition again was a display of their members’ interpretations of many current issues.

Work from the Embroidery Guild

This year I intended to be very disciplined about my spending! – I had a list of items I definitely wanted to buy – attachments for my sewing machine, some Wensleydale curly locks and fabric scraps. I certainly bought more than that but was pleased with my ability to say NO.

I was not as happy this year with the range of the workshops and certainly planned to limit the number – last year I ran from one to the next with little time to catch my breath. So I chose 2 workshops.

Classes Attended

Machine embroidery – with Tyvek: It was the machine embroidery aspect that attracted me to this workshop. Unfortunately the emphasis was on tyvek – an iron on fabric which reacts to heat. It was interesting, but the limited availability of irons meant long times queueing. I’m not sure I’ll ever use it. I did get to try out machine embroidery; but actually learned more from a fellow student than from the facilitator.

Someone else’s Tyvek leaf as Breda’s got crushed in her luggage on the return journey.


Embroidery Techniques: A recently graduated embroidery student delivered this workshop – embroidering a Luna Moth using four basic stitches. The tutor was very well prepared this time, but I don’t think she factored in the different skill sets of the group. About halfway through the workshop she admitted that we would not complete the project, but she would show us the stitches – stem stitch and backstitch which I already knew. But it was great to see how finely she worked; goldwork and Turkish Rug Knot, which I’d never heard of. Luckily, we were given a wonderful little manual with which I was able to complete my Moth at home.

Butterfly from Breda’s embroidery class.


I think we in Feltmakers Ireland do very well in choosing well-prepared tutors with teaching skills.

Thank you, Breda for sharing your experiences at The Knitting and Stitching Show 2023 in Harrogate.

If you are a Feltmakers Ireland Guild member and have recently attended an interesting textile-related event or exhibition that may be of interest to our readers, please contact the blog – 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.

Recap: Knitting and Stitching Show 2023 – Part 1

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

This year’s Knitting and Stitching Show in Harrogate opens on Thursday, the 21st and runs through the 24th of November.

Back in November 2023, several guild members attended The Knitting and Stitching Show in Harrogate.

Member Annika Berglund brings you today’s post from her visit last year. In the following days, we will have two additional posts from members. Naturally, the exhibitions and vendors may be different this year! For more information about the event, visit the Show’s website – https://www.theknittingandstitchingshow.com/harrogate/

By Annika Berglund

Knit and Stitch in Harrogate

Harrogate is a lovely little town with friendly people and an astonishing array of second-hand and vintage shops to browse in when you are not at the Knit and Stitch show.

At the Knit and Stitch, there are lovely exhibitions of textile work, endless shopping opportunities and a range of workshops.

A vintage shop in Harrogate, UK.

Fun with Favourite Feet

I did one sewing workshop. It was about different presser feet for the sewing machine and how they can help improve your sewing.

Samples of sewing machine presser feet.

These feet have little inbuilt guides that help you sew at a precise distance from an edge or support the edge of the fabric to make zigzagging the edge of the fabric neater. During the workshop, we got to play around with the different presser feet and see how useful they can be. After returning from the show, I have used a wider selection of feet in my sewing, and I can see the difference.

Barking Mad

This mixed media and embroidery workshop, Barking Mad, was taught by Alysn Midgelow Marsden and inspired by the tree bark. 

Mixed media textile sample made during the workshop.

We cut bits of fabric and dyed paper, adding them to a fabric background. We also used scraps of light metal from Nespresso coffee pods and cat food packets, where we scored patterns into the metal and dyed it with alcohol inks. Then, we made beads from the metal scraps or sewed the scraps directly onto the piece we were working on. I found this workshop very interesting, giving me ideas to incorporate more mixed media into my work going forward.

Thank you, Annika, for sharing your experiences at The Knitting and Stitching Show 2023 in Harrogate.

If you are a Feltmakers Ireland Guild member and have recently participated in or attended an interesting textile-related event or exhibition that may be of interest to our readers, please contact the blog – 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.

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.

Event: Knitting and Stitching Show Opens Next Week – Belfast – Members and Friends Will be There

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland


Members and friends of Feltmakers Ireland will be exhibiting at The Knitting and Stitching Show in Belfast. This includes Tamzen Lundy, Sandra Coote, and a raft of volunteers from Feltmakers Ireland, Feltmakers North, and the International Feltmakers Association.

  • When: The 7th through the 10th of November.
  • Where: The Titanic Exhibition Centre, Belfast.

Say ‘Hello’

Tamzen Lundy Designs

Guild member Tamzen Lundy‘s felted Brussel sprouts and other Christmas ornaments will be available at the CraftNI Gallery Showcase – Booth E86.

Crafts of Ireland – Sandra Coote

Guild member Sandra Coote’s business, Crafts of Ireland, will display her Irish wool Needlefelting kits, Lumra kits, and other creations at Booth D53.

Three Felting Guilds

Volunteers from Feltmakers North, The International Feltmakers Association, and Feltmakers Ireland will collaborate to demonstrate wet and needlefelting at Booth G30. Editor’s Correction: We will be at G34.

Discount Code

Lastly, the Knitting and Stitching Show has arranged a discount code for us: Use code FELTMAKERSIR  to save £2* at checkout! 

T&Cs: Save £2.00 on adult and concession tickets. This is for Standard Single-Day Adult tickets. It is not valid on VIP, Two-Day, or group tickets. Codes expire at 11:59 PM, November 3rd, 2024. £3.50 transaction fee applies per e-ticket order.

For more information and to book tickets, visit the Show’s website – https://knittingandstitchingshowbelfast.seetickets.com/content/ticket-options?

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: Final Ticket Giveaway Winner – Knitting and Stitching Show

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Giveaway Results

Over this past weekend, Feltmakers Ireland teamed up with the Knitting and Stitching Show organisers to run a Giveaway for two complimentary tickets to the Belfast event.

The Random Name Picker selected Ursula Heiting.

Many thanks to everyone for participating via email and social media.

This was our final giveaway for the 2024 Knitting and Stitching Show. However, we will email our members a discount code for two pounds off entry. Stay tuned!

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: Knitting and Stitching Show – Belfast – Ticket Giveaway

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland1 Comment

The Belfast Knitting and Stitching Show: A Must-Attend Event for Craft Lovers

If you’re a fan of knitting, stitching, or anything in the world of textiles, mark your calendar for the Belfast Knitting and Stitching Show! This highly anticipated event is a haven for crafters of all skill levels, offering a unique blend of quality exhibitors, hands-on workshops, and awe-inspiring textile art galleries. It’s a great event to shop, learn and connect with fellow makers!

The Giveaway

Feltmakers Ireland is excited to partner with the Knitting and Stitching Show for a Giveaway. Win a pair of tickets to the Knitting and Stitching Show in Belfast, which runs from the 7th to the 10th of November.

How to Enter the Giveaway:

★ If you read this on Instagram or Facebook, LIKE the post and COMMENT – ‘Yes, Knitting and Stitching Show’. 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, Knitting and Stitching Show’ in the Subject Line.

This Giveaway runs through Sunday, the 20th of October, at midnight. We will collect the names and randomly draw ONE winner. (Please do not enter more than once – ie via Facebook AND Instagram.)

The winner will receive a coupon code to book two free tickets on the Knitting and Stitching 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 tickets need to be pre-booked. The Code expires at 11:59 PM Belfast on the 3rd of November, 2024.

For more information about the exciting events, textile galleries, workshops, and vendors at the Knitting and Stitching Show, Belfast, visit the website – https://www.theknittingandstitchingshow.com/belfast/

Find and follow The Knitting and Stitching Shows on Instagram – @theknittingandstitchingshows

This promotional giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed, administered, or associated with Instagram or Facebook.

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 - Sunday Session

News: October Recap and Giveaway Winner

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Playtime Sunday Session

At this past Sunday’s Session, Feltmakers Ireland members gathered to work on wet and needlefelting projects, share felting tips, and share their finished projects. It was our Play Time!

Here are some photographs from our session.

Adrienne Dempsey sharing her project. She learned the technique via Lindsey Tyson’s ‘Transfer Printing on to Felt and Other Fabrics’ online course.
Elizabeth Redding shared her ‘Temperature Record Knitted Blanket,’ which shows the daily temperatures taken at 9:30 AM in 2020.
Helena McGuinness worked on a needle-felted toadstool and shared a beautiful display of felted pieces (not photographed).
Lorna Cady with a display of felted work in the foreground as she needle felts red holly berries.
Siobhan Ryan’s completed Eyeglass Case and WIP felted beret made of Icelandic and Merino wool.
Annika Berglund focused on needlefelting beads for jewellery pieces she will display at her upcoming solo exhibition at Olivier Cornet Gallery.
Here is Sam Fagan’s Felted Eyeglass Case created last Sunday with Judit Pocs via our hybrid/online workshop. It is awaiting further fulling.
Hilary Osman and Marie Hopkins working on their felting projects.
Deirdre Crofts announces the theme of our annual exhibition – ‘Symbols of Ireland’. The show will be in March 2025 at the Phoenix Park Visitors’ Centre.

The Play Time was an excellent way to come together and share our love of feltmaking. Thank you to everyone who attended, and also to the members who shared their delicious homebakes!

Giveaway Winner

Giveaway Results

Over this past weekend, Feltmakers Ireland teamed up with the Knitting and Stitching Show organisers to run a Giveaway for two complimentary tickets to the Belfast event.

The Random Name Picker chose guild member and blog reader Helen Gilligan!

Many thanks to everyone for participating via email and social media.

We will offer ONE more Giveaway this coming weekend. If you missed out on the previous ones, you may have better luck with the next one.


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: Giveaway – Pair of Free Tickets – Knitting and Stitching Show – Belfast

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland1 Comment

The Belfast Knitting and Stitching Show: A Must-Attend Event for Craft Lovers

If you’re a fan of knitting, stitching, or anything in the world of textiles, mark your calendar for the Belfast Knitting and Stitching Show! This highly anticipated event is a haven for crafters of all skill levels, offering a unique blend of quality exhibitors, hands-on workshops, and awe-inspiring textile art galleries. It’s a great event to shop, learn and connect with fellow makers!

The Giveaway

Feltmakers Ireland is excited to partner with the Knitting and Stitching Show for a Giveaway. Win a pair of tickets to the Knitting and Stitching Show in Belfast, which runs from the 7th to the 10th of November.

How to Enter the Giveaway:

★ If you read this on Instagram or Facebook, LIKE the post and COMMENT – ‘Yes, Knitting and Stitching Show’. 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, Knitting and Stitching Show’ in the Subject Line.

This Giveaway runs through Sunday, the 13th of October, at midnight. We will collect the names and randomly draw ONE winner. (Please do not enter more than once.) The winner will receive a coupon code to book two free tickets on the Knitting and Stitching 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 tickets need to be pre-booked. The Code expires at 11:59 PM Belfast on the 3rd of November, 2024.

For more information about the exciting events, textile galleries, workshops, and vendors at the Knitting and Stitching Show, Belfast, visit the website – https://www.theknittingandstitchingshow.com/belfast/

Find and follow The Knitting and Stitching Shows on Instagram – @theknittingandstitchingshows

This promotional giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed, administered, or associated with Instagram or Facebook.

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: Giveaway Winner and Next Sunday Session

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Giveaway Results

Over this past weekend, Feltmakers Ireland teamed up with the Knitting and Stitching Show organisers to run a Giveaway for two complimentary tickets to the Belfast event. The Random Name Picker chose blog reader Kathleen Dunne!

Many thanks to everyone for participating via email and social media. We will offer two more Giveaways over the coming weekends. So, if you missed out on this one, you may have better luck with the next ones.

Next Sunday Session: Play Time

Do you have any unfinished felting (or other textile) projects? Or do you want to share a recent piece that you created?

All guild members are invited to attend next Sunday’s session on the 13th of October. You are welcome to bring any wet or needlefelting projects you are working on and the supplies needed to create them.

Students who were part of Judit Poc’s Felted Eyeglasses Case Workshop on the 6th of October are encouraged to bring their WIP and completed cases to show off! (Note: If you missed this Workshop, Judit is offering it via her website – https://pocsjuditstudio.hu/workshop/glasses-case-with-special-closure-online-workshop/

Members are also welcome to bring completed felted creations and have the option of selling them to other members! We have so many talented members! (Payment arrangements will need to be taken care of by the sellers).

We will play and share together this Sunday Session!

  • When: Sunday, the 13th of October, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM.
  • Where: CIE Hall/Inchicore Sports and Social Club, Library Square, C.I.E. Works, Inchicore, D08 PA07  https://maps.app.goo.gl/bajpGLbhpnbvQnY87
  • There is ample parking outside the Hall, and the G1, G2, and number 60 buses have a stop on nearby Sarsfield Road.

Additional Information

A Sunday Session like this will require lots of tea/ coffee/cake and chat, so there’ll be an abundance of that. Of course, homebakes are always welcome! Please bring a ‘keep cup’ or mug from home if you can. That will lessen the amount of paper cups thrown away.

There is the usual 5 euro fee.

Note: Since this is the season of colds and coughs, let’s not share them. However, we welcome you to join via Zoom Link, which will be emailed to the members.


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.