Aran Workshop & Designer Trunk Show with Loom Dancer Odysseys

Knitfield took knitwear designer Edel MacBride on tour to lead an Aran Workshop & Designer Trunk Show for the 2014 Loom Dancer Odysseys Irish Textile Tour at Solis Lough Eske Castle, Co Donegal, Ireland.
'The Road Less Travelled' tour organised by Cari Mavler brought together a talented textile group from the USA and Canada.
'I took the road less travelled by and that has made all the difference' is a quote used on Knitfield literature, making this tour an instant connect.
(quotation from Robert Frost 'the road not taken' 1916)

Cari Malver MacGreagor of Loom Dancer Odysseys with Edel MacBride & Rufus Malcolm McGreagor III

Trail to the Presidential Suite

Follow the hand knit boots, all roads in the Castle led to the textile tour workshop in the Presidential suite

Edel MacBride Bowtie Booties

Aran Workshop

The group met with Edel and there was an air of suspense as they gathered around the oval table in the Presidential Dining Room. Gift bags were handed out which included original patterns by Edel MacBride, Donegal Aran wool and Knitfield's exlusive Sliabh Liag Yarn. While most people on the textile tour were interested in knitting, a few went elsewhere for the excellent horse riding and golfing nearby.

Aran Workshop with Edel MacBride

It was a relaxing afternoon knitting and yet for some it was more intense as they felt really inspired with the new yarn and aran skills they were learning. Edel enjoyed hearing the stories from each of the ladies and with such a diversity of home locations being mentioned, Edel was already planning a field trip..... Texas, Colorado, Canada....let's KNIT

Beverly with Edel discussing stitches

Edel demonstrated and worked her favourite Aran stitches in Irish moss, cabling and honeycomb as each of the group tried various stitches and some enjoyed a new skill. Everyone was interested in the folklore and meaning of the stitches. Edel talked about the tradition of Aran knitting that she grew up with, here in Donegal.

Edel MacBride Aran sampler Throw with all our favourite stitches, hand knit in Donegal by Eileen .

Designer Trunk Show

With skill and talent in the room from various disciplines including spinning, knitting, weaving and tapestry work the group and friends who joined them were ready to relax and enjoy our Trunk Show.  Our first model was a familiar face, Rufus Malcolm McGreagor III and he took a fancy to our handknit wool Donegal baby boots. Thanks to our friends who modelled too, Diane, Margo, Phyl and Heather.

Rufus Malcolm McGreagor III

Backstage in the Presidential bedroom our friends are preparing for the trunk show following the Aran Workshop

Phyl wears an Edel MacBride merino wool yoga cape with silk velvet buttons
available on www.edelmacbride.com

Cari does a little modeling on the grounds of the Castle in an Edel Frontier Donegal wool Cardi. 

Cari models Edel MacBride Fronter Cardigan in Donegal Wool

Rufus & Cari were very fond of the Edel MacBride aubergine velvet snood, which has now gone to a great new home

Rufus in Edel MacBride Aubergine Velvet Snood

Phyl in a Gatsby knit Dress & Crocheted Jacket by Edel MacBride at Solis, Lough Eske Castle

Phyl models Edel MacBride Gatsby Knit Dress & Crocheted Jacket

Thanks to our friends Heather, Diane, Phyl & Margo who had fun swirling & twirling at the Trunk Show.

Diane Marshall is a Plus Size Fashion Blogger - click here dianemarshall.com

Between Knitfield and the Solis are some worth stopping off at points!

A woolly Irish view on our drive to the workshop.

Thank you

It was a pleasure to meet you all and we hope that you return to our shores again soon. Thanks to Cari for bringing the tour to Ireland and of course to Donegal. We want to go on all The Loom dancer tours especially weaving in Canyon de Chelly. For more information check the website www.loomdancerodysseys.com

Thanks to everyone at Solis, Lough Eske Castle for their hospitality

More information on workshops with Knitfield and Edel MacBride on www.edelmacbride.com

Irish yarns & Knitfield Kits may be purchased online www.edelmacbride.com

If you enjoyed this post or would like information on tours please message us here: info@edelmacbride.com

Photography by Elaine McInaw, Edel MacBride and Cari Mavler