Knitting and crocheting are cosy pastimes that also bring a sense of accomplishment, friendship and community to those who practise the crafts
Aoife Rooney (centre) with members of a knitting group in Walkinstown Library, Co Dublin. Photo: Mark Condren
Shaun the Sheep is celebrating a milestone birthday this year. The lovable stop-motion character from Wallace and Gromit has donned a chevron patterned woollen jumper to mark the occasion as part of the ‘Can Ewe Knit It?’ campaign. They are encouraging crafters to weave, knit or crochet a blanket square inspired by the sheep of the moment, and each square will be joined together to create blankets for unhoused people.
Ireland has had a long and rich history with the craft of knitting, dating back as far as medieval Ireland, with the famous Aran jumper with cable knit being developed on the islands of the same name in the early 1900s. Knitting has seen a recent popularisation in culture of late.