Kiri Cottage Crafts

About

Kiri Cottage is located close to Kircubbin on the Ards Peninsula. This area of outstanding natural beauty has always been a home to women who crafted an income and independence from their sitting rooms. With this area’s strong history of flax spinning, embroidery and bonnet making, learning to craft at Kiri Cottage weaves the past into the present.

Spinner, dyeing and knitting expert Christine Casey will help you find pleasure in the possibilities of wool. She empowers people with the knowledge, and hands on skills to go home and make. People with all level of skill can benefit from a trip to Kiri Cottage. From complete beginners, to experienced crafters, Christine can adapt her guidance to make each course fit you perfectly. And of course, everyone leaves with a homemade item to be proud of.

Peg Loom Weaving Workshop - This simple form of weaving teaches everyone, kids included, the basics of traditional weaving. Some think this style of weaving goes back to Viking times, and it’s easy to imagine this highly practical method of creating thick cloth being used in simpler times. Using a collection of rovings, or thick unspun bits of wool, even absolute beginners can create something impressive quite quickly.

Spinning Workshop - This surprisingly meditative process requires focus and patience. Like learning to pat your head and rub your stomach, spinning can be surprisingly tricky but extremely satisfying to get right. Every participant will get to use a modern spinning wheel that’s designed to make the process as easy as possible.

Aran Knitting Workshop - ‘Blackberries and Honeycomb.’ What a lovely way to learn to knit these traditional Aran stitches in the relaxed atmosphere at Kiri Cottage. Come for some knitting natter, good coffee, and delicious scones. 

Finger loop Braiding - Learn how to ‘Finger Loop Braid.’ Fingerloop braiding is a very old technique, with examples that date back to the Bronze Age. It reached a high point in Medieval Europe and England between 1100 and 1600 CE. There will be a maximum of 6 in the class – why not treat yourself and a friend?

Return home with beautiful knitted samplers to remind you of your day at Kiri Cottage. With patterns and some confidence you could be knitting Aran jumpers in no time!