Knit and Crochet Designers in Ireland

Did you know there are dozens of hand dyers in Ireland? I researched and created a fairly thorough list which I update regularly. There are also countless knit and crochet designers in Ireland. From someone who may have documented a family Aran jumper pattern to someone who makes their living from creating new designs on a monthly basis, they’re out there creating and sharing designs you can make yourself! I’ll attempt to share a list of some with links in this post. I was inspired to create such a list in 2021 when I originally compiled a list of patterns for St Patrick’s Day knitting plus a separate list of yarn hand-dyers in Ireland.

#IrishKAL2023

The final push to create this post was learning about #IrishKAL2023. I’m participating in the #IrishKAL2023 event running from March 17 to June 3. The event is the brainchild of Sophie from Sionnach Yarns and meant to inspire us to knit a pattern from a designer in Ireland with yarn dyed in Ireland. Simple. No race, nothing has to be perfect, it is just for enjoyment and awareness. There is a cast-on party tomorrow night co-hosted with Dublin Knitwork.

20% Off

But first, I’ll share that from now until June 3rd, I’m offering 20% in my Ravelry shop. Yes, that’s too generous considering the cost involved in creating, testing, and editing knitting patterns. Yes, Ravelry has accessibility issues. I am still working on figuring out a way to add a promotion to my LoveCrafts shop and will update this post if/when I’m successful.

Designers in Ireland

I link to their website whenever possible, but otherwise the link is to their Ravelry shop.

Evin Bail O’Keeffe (me) – From books to individual knitting patterns, I focus on accessories and baby knits. Here is a separate blog post describing and showing photos of each of my knitting patterns.

Karla McGuire – Crochet blankets with detailed colorwork designs. You have to see her Cosy Cottage Blanket design!

Ryan Daniel Koenig – Classic unisex knit hats and Irish cable knit scarves. He also hosts classes and travel experiences for knitters AND, for non-knitters, he sells his hand knit designs on his Etsy shop.

Carol Feller (their website) – Known for her colorwork and cable knits designs, books, online workshops, and kit/subscription sets. She has a brick-and-mortar local yarn store in Cork city, Ireland.

Aoibhe Ni (their website) – Crochet and Tunisian crochet in intricate designs you wouldn’t expect

Kieran Foley (their website) – Complex & inventive colorwork that delights and challenges. A multiple pattern discount is available in Kieran Foley’s Ravelry shop.

Ailbíona McLochlainn (their website) of LB Handknits – Colorwork and cables with traditional inspiration

Barbara Nalewko – Popular YouTuber with a wide selection of hat and sock patterns, as well as other accessories.

Mairin Ni Dhonncha – Based on the Aran Islands with a modern take on traditional cable work and colorwork, the patterns range from accessories to tea cosies, with many hats.

Carmen Heffernan (their website) – Colorful and cheerful crochet accessories and decorative elements.

Karen O’Hanlon Cohrt (their website) – Cables and colorwork with classic aesthetic.

Tania Barley – Colorwork and texture with a modern traditional flair shown in earthy hues.

Julia Marquardt – A selection of knit and crochet patterns, from shawls to home accessories.

Irene Lundgaard – Irene was a pillar in the Irish knitting community who is sorely missed. Her husband maintains her Ravelry shop with her vibrant yet practical crochet and knitting patterns.

Camelia Shanahan – Award-winning designer of crochet flowers.

Anne-Michelle Phelan of Thread Softly Designs – Wide variety of knit and crochet patterns embracing color and texture.

Lisa Sisk – Accessories from Lisa of This Is Knit in Dublin.

Laimute Vaiciuliene (their Etsy shop) – Cosy and often voluminous garments and layers for knitting.

Leonela Cevallos – Candy-hued crochet designs.

Crochet with Carrie (their website) – Extensive crochet pattern catalogue.

Sarah Ruane of Ned & Mimi (their website) – Crochet accessories, ponchos, ornaments, and garments.

Knitting Harpy – Patterns to knit accessories.

Ina Wendrock – Complex cable work knitting patterns, including a dragon!

Stephanie Boomsma – Classic accessories.

Agnieszka Rupnik – Accessories.

Neisha Abdulla – Cables and colorwork in a range of designs.

Ciara Ní Reachtnín – Selection of patterns to knit shawls and socks

Meike Beumers – Baby blanket designs.

Aileen Cahill – Variety of patterns, from accessories to sweaters

Cathy Mc Fadden – A darling hat and fun cowl

Rose Anne – Hats and accessories in both crochet and knit.

Plays With Fibre – Wide variety of accessories in creative and fun designs.

Richella Duggan – Beautiful colorwork pullover and a crochet coin purse.

Will you be participating in #IrishKAL2023?

Do you have your yarn and design chosen? I’d love to hear about it.

Yarn Dyers in Ireland

I have a complete list of hand dyers in Ireland in a separate blog post, plus a Google map which likely needs some updating.

Note: It took me a great deal of time and research to create that blog post and the related Google map. I updated it recently, so instead of copying the list for your own blog or publication, please simply link to that post and credit my efforts. If you’d like to research and create your own list, I searched on Etsy by country, plus I looked on Instagram and Google search terms, as well as seeing what yarns Irish designers were using. I am certain I mistakenly missed a few hand-dyers, and not all active dyers wanted to be included in the list.