Thank you Australia for this amazing visit in time to our knitting industry.
Relatively recent - 1988 (well depending on one's age !) The Midday show with Ray Martin captured this wee piece of Irish knitting history.
The introduction is wonderful if a little questionable .....apparently we weren't interested in silly things like fashion in Donegal ?
Well Ray hadn't been to the hills of Donegal around this time, where Spandau ballet haircuts abounded and desperately seeking Susans were chewing up every multi coloured light enhanced disco dance floor !
They grow great fleece down under, so we'll let that one go. Besides 'jazzing up our knitwear' as Ray called it, became a mission accomplished on this island from then forward.
Ireland is buzzing now with new fashion talent (and some not so new hanging in well too).
There's a resurgence of focus on knitwear design among the talent leaving college or moving into the industry. (check out the new Fashion Knitwear & Textile degree at LIT- Art & Design)
A debt of gratitude and respect is owed to the ladies and those like them featured in this video. They fanned the flame. A knit in Ireland phoenix has arisen!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ntnciRnv4Qs
Our favourite part of this whole video is where Ellen (81) says "I would like to pass it on before I pass on myself ". Having knit at this stage for 71 years what a wonderful thing to say, demonstrating such a love of her craft. How much it must have fed her spirit !
During this International Knit in public week, these folks were ahead of their time sitting out doors knitting in the yard. Beautiful.
We'd love to hear from anyone connected with this video and does anyone know the talented young lady on the loom, weaving near the beginning ?
Rosaleen Hegarty from Inishowen, who features and speaks so eloquently in this news feature, recently spent the afternoon with us at our Harvey's Point knit and network Sunday. Bringing visitors from the USA with expert knitting skills, it was a Knitfield delight and honour indeed.
For info on our classes, events, yarns, patterns, kits go to www.edelmacbride.com
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For more info on the new degree go to www.lit.ie/courses/LC114
Thank you to Mary Early Doherty for first bringing this footage to our attention. Mary yes, Edel just loved it as you thought, thanks so much indeed.
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