Hands on Traditional skills and where to learn them

Knitting and crochet

What are they?The simplest distinction to make is that when you knit you use two needles to turn wool or other yarn into fabric; when you crochet you use a single hooked needle, and the result can resemble lace. Knitting was introduced to Ireland in the 1600s. Knitting schools were established throughout the country, and knitting became an industry and a source of income for many households in the 18th century. Aran sweaters, with their detailed patterns, are a symbol of Irishness around the world and continue to inspire contemporary fabric designs.

How are they done?You can learn to knit and crochet by watching videos on YouTube, but nothing beats learning person to person. Knitting involves several skills: casting on (that is, making stitches), learning types of stitch, increasing the number of stitches, decreasing the number of stitches, keeping the stitches evenly spaced as you knit and casting off the stitches at the end of the piece. Crochet uses a smaller variety of stitches.

Children can learn to knit with large wooden needles and learn to crochet with a large crochet hook. You can use natural fibres (wool, silk, linen, cotton, cashmere or alpaca, for example), synthetic fibres (such as polyester, acrylic, viscose, rayon or nylon) or a mixture. Using simple stitches to make an uncomplicated garment, such as a scarf, is the best way to start.

How long does it take?A practised knitter might take 25 hours to make a jumper for an adult. A simple child's scarf might take an hour.

Where can I sign up?Knitting groups meet in cafes, community centres and yarn shops around the country. Beginners can join to learn stitches and benefit from the camaraderie. Venues include the Yarn Room, in Roundwood, Co Wicklow (085-1303762, theyarnroom.com); Craftsspun Yarns, in Johnstown, Co Kildare (045-876881, craftspun.ie); This Is Knit, in the Powerscourt Centre, Dublin 2 (01-6709981, thisisknit.ie); and Springwools, in Walkinstown, Dublin 12 (01-4509134, springwools.com).

The National Museum of Ireland – Country Life, at Turlough Park in Castlebar, Co Mayo, hosts a drop-in knitting circle for adults and children aged over seven. The next circles are on Friday, December 2nd, and Friday, December 16th, from 11am to 1pm (094-9031751, museum.ie).

You could also try the Knitting and Stitching Show, which runs at the RDS, in Ballsbridge, Dublin, from Thursday until next Sunday (twistedthread.com).

The Irish Countrywomen’s Association is knitting sets of hats, scarves and mittens that will be sold through Kilkenny stores to raise money for the Irish Heart Foundation; see ica.ie for details and patterns.

You can find craftspeople who knit and crochet by searching for “textile making” in the Find Craftspeople section of the Crafts Council of Ireland website (ccoi.ie).