Hi Folks,

That`s another year done and dusted. It was strange one with lots of ups and downs. I`m kinda already checked out so struggling to find the words that can make any sense of all that is.

It was nice to finish up with this photoshoot with @katebeanphoto. And it felt fitting to share this photo of me wearing The Kitty Jumper Dress, named after @kitty_maguire_menstrual_mentor , who was my mentor this year as I stepped into leadership/facilitator role in holding womens circles with Catherine Scroop @woman_of_the_wombs. I am deeply passionate about this work - to work with women as we heal and connect to our powerful menstrual cycle, listening to women`s stories just cracks my heart open with such awe and grá. I really feel that our cycles and wombs are one of the key point in connecting to our inner wise woman. Excited to delve deeper into this next year.

My knit work finished on a high with wonderful markets and online sales. The soft launch of some new products - The Pat Round neck vest, The Danae V neck Vest & The Samuel - A cosy hoodie. I`m looking forward to changing up the structure of the knit production - doing more `Drops` and limited rubs of Made For You range. A good idea to sign up to my newsletter to get in early!

A big thank you to my knitters Michelle & Caroline♡
Thank you to everyone who bought a knit from me this year! Every sale is received with gratitude. A lán buíochas ♡

As we set up a Christmas tree and eat all the fine foods, living lives in peace and abundance. Yet my thoughts are never far from the horrific suffering in P ales tine and across the world but especially there. I do feel there are massive shifts happening in the world and while it might be a tough ride for a while, there is still so much to celebrate. The resilience and beauty of the Palestinian people, of all those around the world who are showing solidarity in whatever small or large way. This love is the power we want to keep harnessing. Celebrating love, culture and creativity in our shared humanity.

So I`ll put my lil inner elf to rest now for a few weeks and see ye in 2025.

Grá agus buíochas
Liadain
#liadainaikenknitwear #liadainaikeninsta ...

Hi Folks,

For those last minute gift buyers - all the kerchiefs we have left are now online. Also keep an eye on here later on today for the last few hats that I will share in stories.

Kerchief colours.
Photos 1-3 Lemon
Photos 4-5 Cobalt
Photo 6 Turmeric
Photo 7 Mustard

Getting the last bits finished now. My goodness, am I ready for a rest! Looking forward to sinking into the Dreamtime as we roll towards Winter Solstice.

Thanks to my pal @danaecircusartist for modelling.
@katebeancreative for these gorgeous photos and @levis_corner_house_ballydehob for their bright colourful walls ♡

Le grá & buíochas
Liadain ♡

Beautiful song In the half light by @quirkelaura & @joshuaburnside

#liadainaikenknitwear #liadainaikeninsta #irishknitweardesigner #irishknitwear #irishbusiness #irishdesign #irishcraft #madetoorder #madelocal #madetolast #madeinireland #merinowool #cherishforlife ...

Hey Folks,

Girls just wanna have fun in their sweet lil vests!
Introducing The Pat - a round neck vest with a ribbed armhole. The Pat will be versatile - cropped or long, with a ribbed or rolled hem.

Danae is wearing a cropped Pat in Aqua with a Mustard kerchief.

Liadain is wearing a random once off striped Pat with a rolled hem. The original style hat is Cornflower Blue rib, Lichen middle and Plum bobble.

Both women wearing trousers made by @lilyajsmith .

The studio is now closed for orders for this year. We are currently taking names for a waitlist for 2025. Please email with your interest with subject line - Waitlist 2025 - Vest or Hoodie (insert garment name).

We had such craic on this photoshoot. None of us had modelled before, all a bit camera shy, so we danced instead! Sure what else would you do when you`re all the colours of a Carnival parade!

Big thanks to
Model - @danaecircusartist
Model eile - Mise Liadain
Photography - @katebeancreative
Location - @levis_corner_house_ballydehob
Music - Marching Round The Ladies - @joshuaburnside

Le míle buíochas agus grá
Liadain ♡

#liadainaikenknitwear
#liadainaikeninsta
#irishknitweardesigner #irishknitwear #irishdesign #irishcraft ##madetoorder #madeforyou #madelocal #madeinireland #handcrafted #knittingstudio #knitvest #knitsweatervest #sweatervest #stripedknit #madetolast #cherishforlife #leviscornerhouse #katebeanphotography ...

Hey Folks,

Check out this hottie ... our new hoodie - The Samuel.
Made in Merino wool, there is alot to making this piece. Fully fashioned knit pocket, large hood with knit drawstrings, colourful cuffs.

This one is Twilight base with Celeste Blue hood, Celeste Grey pocket and Carnival Yellow cuffs and drawstrings.

These will be available next year. Email me to be added to our waitlist for first dibs when they are available.

They are so so cosy. I can`t wait to get one myself.

Model - the handsome @foxyrobber ♡
Photos - @katebeancreative
Location - @levis_corner_house_ballydehob
Music - @samyelyel

Le grá
Liadain ♡

#liadainaikenknitwear #liadainaikeninsta #irishknitweardesigner #irishknitwear #irishdesign #madetoorder #madeforyou #madeinireland #handcrafted #knithoodie #woolhoodie #madelocal #dccoi #madetolast #slowfashion #sustainablefashion #slowfashionmovement #circularity #colourblock ...

Hi Folks,

Sunday sewing in full force today. Got alot of kerchiefs to iron and label. Hats to sew pompom on. Lots if vests and jumpers to iron and label.

I was delighted to get a mention in the @independent.ie by @meadhbhmcgrath with the lovely @cianamarch putting our Kerchiefs forward to a list of wonderful Irish knitwear designers!

And to @galway_now for a shout out of our Kerchiefs.

Much appreciated. Pop online to choose from over 20 colours!

See ye at the @thefumbally Christmas Market this Friday to Sunday!

Grá mór
Liadain ♡

Song - Dopamine @lemoncello___
Photos - @katebeancreative

#liadainaikenknitwear #liadainaikeninsta #irishknitweardesigner #irishknitwear #irishmade #irishdesign #irishcraft #galwaynow #galwaynowmagazine #cianamarch ...

Hi Folks,

Sure ye know yourself! We all love a sale and a deal.
But re posting this one from Nov 23rd 2018.

Tis all about the balance, so shop local and Irish where you can.

See you at the Fumbally Market!
Remember Cash is King!
If we lose cash we might be sorry!
I`m really trying to use cash as much as possible again! It`s great that West Cork is very much cash based.

Le grá agus buíochas
Liadain

#liadainaikenknitwear #liadainaikeninsta #buyirish #shoplocal #madeforyou #madetolast #madeinireland ...

Hi Folks,

YES!!! It`s that time of year for the best market in Dublin. The @thefumbally Christmas Market!

MARKET OPENING HOURS:
Friday 6th 12 - 7pm
Saturday 7th 10 - 6pm
Sunday 8th 10 - 6pm

The Fumbally Café will be open alongside the market all three days. We`ll have fresh bread coming from the bakery each day, mulled wine, mince pies and the annual RAFFLE ✨ with prizes from stallholders and proceeds going to a local charity

🔥 STALLHOLDERS FOR 2024 🔥
(more info on each trader on our website - link in bio)

@faomilliner
@kybalion_jewellery
@Sundesignglass
@9yardceramic
@oxmantown_skincare
@solasproject
@thedirtbird
@kiki_na_art
@liadainaikenknitwear
@kirkmodern
@dublinhoneyproject
@morningstarvintage.ie
@braw.ie
@manganstudio
@nativecirclesart
@bodhiblends
@lolospicklery
@badlymadebooks
@openhivehoney
@pshirts.ie
@seaneadai
@bia_cultures
@molloyandsons
@lizwalshtextiles
@baressential
@twigin_kenmare
@jessie_wilkinson_
@hollywoodfarmhousecheese
@kildarewildliferescue
@d8makers
@katharinatreml.ceramics
@kitlishdesigns
@anna_rave_design
@allaroundthesun
@naturecollective
@olivierifood

poster by the one and only @kiki_na_art

We will be there all three days! Come early to get your pick of the bunch.

Can`t wait to see you all there!
Grá mór
Liadain

Song: Golden Thing by @mollyomahonymusic

#liadainaikenknitwear
#liadainaikeninsta
#fumballystables #fumballychristmasmarket ...

Hi Folks,

We have been working on some new vests patterns. Adding a v-neck aswell as a round neck. These ones are all Small and cropped with ribs. I`m now starting to add XS, M & L to the mix.

It was great to share these to Stories yesterday and get some feedback from you all. Suggestions of colours there was lots of Orange, Rust, Green and Yellow! Many of you loved the cropped length and some wanted longer. It seemed fairly even between team V and Team Round. Lots of you were keen for the colour block ribs.

Thank you all that have your thoughts. It helps me focus on what else to try out. I realise that my love with the knitting is working on new patterns and trying multiple things out. This will be my aim next year. To do DROPS of Ready Made pieces where I get to try out new things. Then to open up for a few batches of Made to Order where you can ask for custom colours and sizes.

Now until the end of the year I will focus on making random bits and trying out new things. It`s giving me a good bit of energy and I`m glad to have a bit more vision for next year.

Oh and what do you think of striped vests? There could be lots of fun to be had here! I`m envisioning limited edition runs of unique stripes! Sure why not like!

That`s it for now.
Le grá & buíochas
Liadain

Oh and my beautiful womb necklace is `Not a Taboo` made by @sletate.ps in collaboration with @anat.ireland to raise funds for the @teacollective.ie - who help families in need to fundraise and help fund education. Profits from the beautiful jewellery go direct to helping displaced families in P a | @ s t | n *.
Contact @theruthsmith to order. I love mine 🩸

#liadainaikenknitwear #liadainaikeninsta #irishknitweardesigner #irishknitwear #irishbusiness #irishmade #madetoorder #madeforyou #madelocal #madeinireland #handcrafted #handmadeinireland #woolvest #merinowool #cherishforlife #knitweardesign #knittingstudio #knitstagram ...

Hey Folks,

Ten new kerchief colours have landed on the website. Plus some old favourites are re-stocked.

A few of each in this first batch. I`m away tomorrow for a few days so won`t be posting til mid next week.

New colours are:
Each photo from top clockwise
☆ Foxglove
☆ Violet
☆ Plum
☆ Winter Holly
☆ Lemon
☆ Cobalt
☆ Moss
☆ Teal
☆ Rust
☆ Mustard

Knit in fine soft Merino Lambswool. Finished by hand.

Le grá agus buíochas
Liadain

#liadainaikenknitwear
#liadainaikeninsta
#irishknitweardesigner #irishknitwear #irishbusiness #irishdesign #irishcraft #merinowool #lambswool #kerchief #woolkerchief #woolscarf #madetoorder #madeforyou #madelocal #madetolast ...

Stunning Northern Lights last night.

#liadainaikenknitwear #liadainaikeninsta ...

Hey Folks,

I`ve been working on these vests for a while now. With a smaller team development is slow, but getting there slowly.
This cropped one in Dusty Pink fast became my fav thing to wear as we cross the threshold from Summer to Autumn. It`s neat and easy to layer underneath. Perfect for those that love high waisted pants or to wear over a dress.

The ongoing barter with @lilyajsmith has resulted in these beautiful Pomegranate coloured pants. It started with a pair of pants I had that fit so nice. I knew that once they were beyond repair that I would take them apart and see if I could make a pair. The butt wore through and I mended them, and then the other side went. I knew with being me and my very long finger, I also knew that I wouldn`t get to this for ages.

I showed Lily the pants and she was looking to design something similar. YAY!
Lily`s pants are quite different from my originals. I love how their high waist, to keep my back warm while wearing cropped tops, the legs are neat &wide & I can move. She is an incredible self taught pattern drafter and it`s handy that we are a similar shape. To get pants that fit big booties and small waists is great!

I feel incredibly lucky to have this barter with Lily and friendship as we navigate running small clothes businesses. We are dozers and love creating clothes that fit well and last time. I`m a lucky gal, esp to get to wear clothes that are made from good fabric, made by small independent skilled makers, that have a light footprint on this earth.

Thanks for baring with me as I continue to navigate this change in how I`m offering the knitwear. Myself and my small team are still making the Made For You pieces. And I`m thinking about how to offer knits in future . . .
Sure it will come to me eventually!

Le buíochas agus grá
Liadain

#liadainaikenknitwear #liadainaikeninsta #irishknitweardesigner #irishknitwear #irishbusiness #irishdesign #irishcraft #madetoorder #madeforyou #madelocal #madetolast #madeinireland #lilyajsmith #merrickmaria #croppedvest #croppedknit #knitstagram #knitspiration #knittersofinstagram #machineknittersofinstagram ...

AUGUST CRAFT MONTH
Fibreshed Ireland Day - Local West Cork Hub

Delighted to be teaming up with @fibreshed_ireland & @kilcoe_studios again this year for a West Cork Fibershed day.

There will also be a Galway Hub day in Gort, hosted by Sandra King of @irishfibrecrafters

In collaboration with Kilcoe Studios, Ballydehob
Saturday 31st August
12pm – 6pm

Please email events@kilcoestudios.com to confirm that you would like to attend, so we have an idea of numbers and to get further details for the event. Event is Free and sponsored by @augustcraftmonth24 & @dccoi

Schedule
12pm Arrival & Greeting – A quick introduction and outline for the day. Tea, Coffee and snacks provided for all diets

12.30 – 2pm Wool Discussion – Talks from local wool growers, spinners, researchers and knitters with a focus on Irish Grown wool, breeds of sheep, processing and knitting in Ireland.

2pm – 3pm Lunch – BYOB or local cafes.

3 – 3.30pm West Cork Flax Talk and Discussion with Kathy Kirwin

3.30 – 4pm Update on Mallon Linen project to reintroduce flax processing by Anna Crudge

4 – 4.30pm Animal Hide processing and tanning - learnings from a local group – Sonia Caldwell

4.30 – 6pm Show & Tell – An open floor for members to talk about their work, show any past or current projects. An opportunity to connect and learn with one another.

Evening time Opportunity for anyone available to stay around the village to go for food/drinks and continue our networking and chats.

#augustcraftmonth @augustcraftmonth24 #kilcoestudios #fibreshedireland #liadainaikenknitwear #liadainaikeninsta ...

Hi Folks,

Thank you for all the kind words since my last post. They warmed my heart.

Thank you also for all the orders. Many were posted already and last ones will be in the coming days.

I wanted to give you all a heads up on a Newsletter that is coming your way tomorrow morning at 7am. It will have a discount code for 20% off the Ready For You Range. Which includes a few jumpers and the Dathú Collection. The sale will run until this Sunday 28th July.

I`m not giving up the knitting just yet. I am working on a few new designs at the minute and am thinking through how to offer these. I might go down the route of doing *DROPS* and or limited edition runs. Time to get the creative spark back and make some fun knitwear for ye!

The Made For You range will close at the end of August. So please get your orders in asa!

Le grá agus buíochas
Liadain

Photos @aoisetuttyjackson
Swimsuit @lilyajsmith

#liadainaikenknitwear
#liadainaikeninsta #irishknitweardesigner #irishknitwear #sustainablefashion #ethicalfashion #circularity #circularfashion #irishdesign #madetoorder #madelocal #madetolast #madeinireland #irishmade #handmadeinireland #slowfashionmovement #slowfashion #ethicallymade #whomademyclothes #consciousfashion ...

Hello Folks,⁠
⁠
I’ve been fairly absent and sporadic on here of late. You see I am trying to figure out where I am at with my knit work. While I love designing knitwear for both creative and technical satisfaction. The mental load of running a small business is insane. The last few years have been tricky, I know many of you are feeling this too. Sales are slower, my team is smaller. To be honest, I`m a little tired out and have notions of changing paths altogether. To what, I do not know yet. Will I? Maybe!⁠
⁠
Until I get greater clarity on the next steps, I figured a good place to start is doing a big studio tidy and clear out. It has been great to go through every box, shelf and hidden corner. There is so much yarn; my usual merino wool and merino lambswool, but also lots of other bits. Random yarns and a whole pile of the Irish Grown wool. I have decided to not buy any more yarn and use up what I have. I am remembering so many design ideas. I do feel there are still many things to explore. ⁠
⁠
This means the Made For You range will close soon, as I won’t be keeping the full 40 shades in stock. Once the current stock runs out then that’s it for now. If you have a Gift Card and want a MFY piece, then I encourage you to place your order asap. ⁠
⁠
Next step - A Sale! There is a small selection of accessories on the website at 20-30% off. In my next newsletter there will be a discount code for 15-20% off the Ready For You accessories. Keep an eye out for this in the coming week. ⁠
⁠
It feels good to write this and start the process of changing things up, wherever it leads. I already feel a little lighter. The world can feel a bit heavy these days, our hearts too. I know many of us are feeling this. I guess when you are not feeling inspired it is a difficult place to navigate. Here’s to changing that up for myself and bringing back the spark again, coz my goodness we need the sparks to be bright and true!⁠
⁠
That’s it for now. ⁠
Le grá agus buíochas⁠
Liadain⁠
⁠
Photos @aoisetuttyjackson⁠
⁠
#liadainaikenknitwear #liadainaikeninsta #irishknitwear #irishdesign #irishknitweardesigner ...

Hi Folks, This is a very very late post. ⁠
⁠
This beautiful jumper was made for Fergal of @moyhillfarm last year in 2022. ⁠
⁠
We started this project in 2021 when Fergal and Sally contacted me to see if I could do something with the fleeces they had from their small herd of Jacob sheep. As the volume was too small to be processed in Ireland and I had never processed any wool before. So called on Diarmuid of S-Twist Wool. We sent off the wool to Diarmuid who cleaned the wool and sent it to a mill in Portugal to be spun. ⁠
⁠
Jacob are naturally brown and cream, which resulted in a beautiful soft grey brown colour yarn. Some of the yarn was then naturally dyed by Malú of @taluearth using Indigo, Madder and Weld. The dark brown yarn is the 2022 clip when the Jacob were bred with a Zwartbles Ram, creating a much darker yarn. This was spun in Ireland by Olann Mill in Cavan, creating a 100% Irish yarn. ⁠
⁠
The yarn needs to be knit on a chunky knitting machine. I bought a ribber for mine and it knits up the ribs beautifully. I hand knitted on the neck rib. I have been so slow on the this project and have a waiting list of folk that are keen for a jumper made from this wool. I am hoping to get going on the chunky machine again soon and to get more of these into the world for this AW season. ⁠
⁠
I have a video of me talking about this jumper, so I will share that in a reel or stories. It was so nice to see Fergal post a wee video of him talking about the project over on the Moyhill page so do check that out. ⁠
⁠
Big thanks to Fergal & Sally for this sweet opportunity. ⁠
⁠
Grá mór⁠
Liadain⁠
⁠
Photos - me, Sally and @aoisetuttyjackson⁠
⁠
#liadainaikenknitwear #liadainaikeninsta #irishknitweardesigner #irishdesign #irishwool #irishyarn #irishmade #madeinireland #madelocal #madetolast #jacobsheepyarn #fibreshedireland #cherishforlife #fashion #circularfashion #circulardesign ⁠
#knitting #knittersofinstagram #yarnlove #knittinglove #knitstagram #handdyedyarn⁠
#slowfashionmovement #whomademyclothes #sustainablefashion #ethicallymade #ecofashion #consciousfashion #slowfashion #sustainabledesign ...

Hey Folks,

We are working on some new vests! Thought I`d show ye a sneak peek of them. These are the first two samples.

The first in Bog Green is lovely, the neck is definitely a little small and armhole is neat but works well with a neat fitting top underneath.

The second in Stone Grey is knit a little looser. The neck is more roomy and armhole dropped lower so could we worn with a wider sleeve or teeshirt.

I made both of these kinda short/cropped also looking into longer lengths.

We have another few samples in the mix which we will share soon. I`m figuring out what way to offer these ... maybe add them to the Pick and Knit and offer a longer length.

What do ye think? I love a vest, perfect for our Irish weather when it`s those hot/cold days, for hikes to keep core warm yet airy and for doubling up in winter under a cardie or over a dress.

Hope ye are all doing ok these days. It`s still so absolutely shocking what`s going on in *G@za. Our hearts breaking every day while we witness the horrors yet also trying to find love and joy in this precious life and celebrate this.

Le grá
Liadain

#liadainaikenknitwear #liadainaikeninsta #irishknitweardesigner #irishknitwear #irishbusiness #irishdesign #circularfashion #circulardesign #circularity #madetoorder #madelocal #madetolast #madeinireland #cherishforlife #chooseyourcolor ...

Old notebooks. It`s funny looking back through old notebooks and seeing the designs you did or didn`t try. I`m catching up on some old ones or ones that I started to sample yet the time wasnt there to finalise.

My sketches are always quite plain. These mostly are about colour. Thought it would be interesting to share a few. Inspire myself to delve back to design.

That first pink & red stripey top is still one of my favorites to wear. Might be nice to make a few more of them.

Any designs you particularly like?

#liadainaikenknitwear
#liadainaikeninsta
#irishknitweardesigner #irishknitwear #knitwear #knitweardesigner #knitweardesign ...

I am delighted to be holding this circle with Catherine @woman_of_the_wombs in @saraswati.heartways.yoga studio just outside Ballydhob. All proceeds from the tickets go to @revolution_period_ a charity started by @kitty_maguire_menstrual_mentor.

Please DM with any questions.
Le grá
Liadain & Catherine ♡

REVOLUTION PERIOD 2024 | Womb Love - Menstrual Cycle Circle

An inter-generational workshop laying the foundations for deep menstrual cycle awareness beginning with body literacy we deserve to be taught but never were. We will lead you through guided practices to explore & cultivate your connection to your womb & menstrual cycle. Space to create your own womb art.
An opportunity to share in circle and connect with other cyclical beings.

This workshop is suitable for 9 years+ to 99 and beyond

What to expect:
A safe cosy space
Opening Ritual & Meditation
Circle Sharing
Naming of our female reproductive system & learning how to find the location of our wombs
Create your own womb art to take home
Journal Prompts
Red Thread Closing Ritual

What to bring:

Journal & Pen
Comfortable clothing
Cushion or Sheepskin

Revolution Period is a volunteer-based festival with a mission to weave a red thread all around Ireland, highlighting Menstrual Cycle Awareness (MCA) and raising funds to support MCA Education, Period Poverty and more.

Revolution Period raises funds for biodegradable and plastic free menstrual products for those who don’t have access or funds to purchase in Ireland. 

Over the years we’ve contributed to: 
@menstruationmatters
@positiveperiodsireland
Refugee centres throughout ireland 
Women’s refuges for domestic violence
Direct provision centres 
Womens addiction centres 

#liadainaikenknitwear
#liadainaikeninsta
#menstruality #menstrualcycleawareness #redtent #redtentcircle #periodpoverty #periodpovertyawareness ...