Strangely enough what drew me to knitting as a child was the fact that my God Mother was a terrific knitter. She was always making beautiful Arans but she never knitted one for me! So, I asked my mother to teach me how to knit. I knitted the usual headbands and scarves and in college, I finally moved on to jumpers.
What really inspired me was the beautiful yarns and the fact that you could make something for yourself that was different to what was in the shops.
I started thinking of returning to work when my second son started secondary school. I was knitting quite a bit and people were telling me that they would love to learn how to knit, so I started teaching classes. Now, I have been teaching for 15 years.
The Knitting Class.. Where the focus is on technique, skill, style and enjoyment. I think that describes my vision.
What I enjoy most is the feeling that you are empowering your students and supporting their growth. I enjoy seeing how happy and proud students are of their achievements. I also love the social aspect of the classes – I’ve formed many friendships over the years.
This is a very interesting question. The knitting world is quite vast with many different styles of knitting and techniques. I am constantly learning, and have a great store of knowledge to draw on. This helps me choose the best method for communicating to students on an individual level.
For example, in the past, people who are left handed were often told that they would not be able to knit. Or, they were taught a mirrored version of knitting which I think can become limiting and confusing. I will always start by teaching everyone the same way i.e. English style (where the yarn is tensioned using the right hand). Depending on how dominant the left hand is, knitting English style may or may not work. The next step, if it does not work, is to teach Continental style (where the yarn is tensioned on the left hand). I find this is usually successful.
Or, perhaps someone doesn’t understand the instruction you are giving. It is then necessary to step into their shoes and reword the instructions in a new way.
I was teaching my classes at Winnie’s Craft Café and got involved when Winnie’s offered a ‘crafternoon tea’ experience to Knitting Tours. I think that might have been in 2016? I’ve had a very positive experience working with Knitting Tours – The clients are enthusiastic and friendly and the tour group leaders are also very welcoming. The team at Knitting Tours is also very enthusiastic and easy to work with.
The types of classes that I teach vary. It’s either group classes that run in 6-week terms in which clients work on a project of their choice and get individual instruction, or 1-to-1 classes that help knitters get unstuck in a project. I also teach technique workshops in which everyone is working on the same project. I also facilitate themed workshops through libraries for various festivals like Bealtaine, Christmas and Crinniu na n’Og.
Students especially love the Finishing Techniques workshops because they see what a difference careful finishing makes to their projects. In fact, many students have taken garments apart and refinished them following the workshop!
Our visit to the Museum of Country Life in Mayo stands out in my mind not only for the warm welcome we received, but also for getting to see the early Arans up close. We were admitted to their storage area where we viewed some knits and a great variety of spinning wheels .
When I create a new workshop, I try to tie it into some aspect of Irish culture.
For example, in my Knitting with Wire workshops, I include the knitted wire from the Tara Brooch and the Derrynaflan Paten. These were both created in Ireland during the early medieval period. The projects for these workshops are inspired by Irish summer rain dripping from leaves.
Fair Isle knitting has a very strong link with Ireland through Donegal. Fair Isle Sweaters were knitted commercially in Donegal during the 1920s and 30s when the demand was so high that they could not all be supplied by Scottish knitters. The projects for these workshops are all inspired by The Wild Atlantic Way.
Clients are always thrilled to be in Ireland, and to have the opportunity to work with real Donegal tweed yarn. Most plan to knit a special project while on the tour, so I think that they are inspired by the surroundings.
The most common challenges students face is doing a cast on, or another technique that they are not familiar with for the first time. I will usually have a ball of light coloured extra chunky yarn and thick needles to show the technique more clearly.
In the last year, I have noticed that the groups are of a more mixed ability than previously. For this reason, I now offer a choice of two projects with varying degrees of difficulty so that those who are just getting back to knitting will not be overwhelmed, while those who are more confident knitters will also be suitably challenged.
Early Aran sweaters exhibit a great variety of stitches and textures . I would be interested in exploring this as the basis for a texture workshop.
I usually arrive at the venue about an hour before the class to check the table set-up. Then, I lay out my samples and place workshop kits at each place. Finally, I make sure that there is water available, then go off to have a coffee before the guests arrive.
As soon as everyone is seated, I introduce myself and the workshop. Then it’s all go for the next couple of hours, making my way around the room, checking on progress and helping clients overcome difficulties. My ear is always open for questions as we work through the projects. Everyone begins to settle down to knitting and chatting after a while, and the more experienced knitters in the group are always happy to help their less experienced friends. The fun element of the Fair Isle workshop is cutting the steek! I always ask for a volunteer who wants to ‘cut her knitting.’ 🙂
By the end of the workshop, many people have made great progress on their project and some have even finished. They are all delighted with their work.
The majority of my designs are related to workshops, as I always design original patterns for them. I’m currently working on knitted jewellery designs, and on designs which highlight early Aran stitch patterns.
I will continue to be busy with classes, workshops and clinics in 2025. I am also (vaguely) considering publishing a book at some stage!
You can find me on Instagram @theknittingclassdublin
