Knits of Ireland

I got to check off a major bucket list item last month.

My mom and I booked a Knitting Tour with Irish Tourism to learn the fiber techniques of our ancestors (Mom’s Dad came from an Irish Catholic family). I first read about these trips in a spinning magazine over a decade ago, so I had a lot of time to imagine all we would do and learn. Even with all that time, I couldn’t come close.

We had an amazing tour guide and driver, took fantastic workshops, stayed in stunning places and ate so much delicious food. Be prepared, this blog is going to be an Ireland blog for the foreseeable future!

To kick that off, I wanted to share the knits I prepared for the trip (read: show off to fellow knitters). I got most of my wish list finished, which I’m very proud of!

Mom’s hat

Let me preface with this was my first trip to the Emerald Isle, but my mom had been once before, pre-pandemic. For that trip, I leant her a big, alpaca shawl that she apparently wore quite a bit to ward off the Irish wind and chill. She decided, for this trip, she wanted to make a big, beautiful shawl for the same purpose.

At the same time she decided this, I got a grab bag from Barrett Wool Co. that included a skein of yarn that perfectly coordinated with Mom’s shawl yarn. I cast on a stoplight knitting hat for her, and it was my first Ireland finish! (Also, she looks like a super model in these photos!!)

Mohair Bolero

My next finish (which was a surprisingly fun, quick knit) was this mohair bolero. Mom got me the yarn on her previous trip from one of the three historic wool mills Ireland, Cushendale. This was essentially sleeves, but boy did it come in clutch on those slightly cooler days. I also had just enough yarn left over to make a hair bow!

POtluck Hedgehog Cowl

I was inspired by my good friend Marci of Th’red Head Designs to make this cowl. She sold these super versatile cowls at the Renaissance Festival, and I always loved modeling for (and selling them to) customers. I modeled this cowl off her design with a luscious Hedgehog Fibres Aran (that Mom also got on her last trip!).

Shamrock Socks

I was worried I was going to have to work on these on the plane!! But I got them done with a day and half to spare. Mom and I have been sitting on this pattern (and gorgeous Treasure Goddess yarn) for years, but well worth it to wear them in Shamrock Country.

Hedgehog Hat

This one is special!! My godmom Linda came to visit a bit before we left. I took her to my local yarn shop, and she picked out a skein of (Hedgehog Fibres) yarn. “I want you to make yourself something while you’re in Ireland,” she said, and I did! I cast it on at KCI and finished before we arrived at Hedgehog Fibres (where the picture was taken). That was a joy.

And here are some of the future knits of Ireland!! Stay tuned!