Rosslare Pullover is a simple, cosy piece with a seamless construction and easy but striking lace details. The unusual construction contrasts with the plain stockinette body: The lace panels of the bottom-up sleeves continue across the front and back shoulders before being grafted together in the centre of the yoke. Stitches are picked up from ...

Knitwear traditions aside, I have always been struck by how little Ireland has by way of regionally distinctive traditional forms of dress, especially when compared to continental Europe. One notable exception are the red flannel petticoats traditionally worn by the women of Connemara, in the west of Ireland, until the early 20th century. They ...

After spending most of my adult life in Ireland, I became an Irish citizen this summer. In normal times, the last step in obtaining citizenship is a swearing-in ceremony held in the town of Killarney, Co. Kerry. The ceremonies have been suspended because of the pandemic, so instead I decided to celebrate by creating a piece of knitting that wou...

Whenever I see the white tufts of bog cotton (Eriophorum angustifolium) growing on Irish peatlands, I feel an urge to pick them and spin them into yarn. Alas, the fibres are too delicate for spinning, but this cowl attempts to recreate their softness and subtle beauty using a more conventional yarn blend. The cowl is named after Roscommon, a co...

This hat was inspired by a beautiful, but freezing cold winter walk on Saints’ Island in Lough Ree, one of the lakes formed by the River Shannon as it traverses the centre of Ireland. The island was the site of a medieval monastery, but today little remains except for the ruins of a Gothic church. The simple chevron pattern of the hat is inspir...

This large square baby blanket with its variety of floral lace patterns is inspired by Powerscourt Estate, one of the most beautiful gardens in Ireland. The three tiers of the blanket try to capture the diversity of the grounds, from the elegance of formal parklands to the exuberant blooms of a Victorian walled garden. Knitted in a wonderfully ...