Crochet queen

Revamp old-fashioned ideas about crochet. A newcomer to Creative Island at Showcase this weekend at the RDS is Yvonne Beale, who returned to a love of handwork after being made redundant two years ago. A talent for knitting and crochet inherited from both her mother and grandmother led her to design and knit for family and friends as a student, to earn some cash.

During a career as a professional public-relations consultant in London, Northern Ireland and Dublin, she studied at the Grafton Academy and started a knitwear business part time, counting actor Colin Farrell as one of her early customers. In 2009 she set up her By Yvonne collection of hand-crafted crochet jewellery and bags, including unusual neckpieces, such as this one made with pearls. Beale was one of 75 craftspeople specially chosen for the Creative Island space for their creativity, innovation and craftsmanship. For further information, contact yvonnebeale@eircom.net.