I fell in love with your hat in Martinborough last winter but was away for an extravagant escape so couldn’t justify it…it’s quietly waited in the wings of my desires since.
A good hat is a good friend, I’ll be sure to take it adventuring.
Many thanks for the lovely personal service, my hat feels warmer for it.
I saw your hats at Scout Dublin on my first day there (8 day trip around Ireland) and I so regretted not buying one! So I decided to buy online and am happy that I was able to design my own 🙂 Excited to wear the hat!
Thank you,
Hello Liadain,
I bought one of your lovely hats from the Irish design shop in Dublin this summer when we were over visiting my husband’s cousins. I gave that hat to my sister for Christmas and she has worn it a lot, and several other family members like it so much that they asked me if they could have one too – also one is for me!
So I hope the colour combinations I have chosen prove as popular!
My hats arrived safely and look great! Thanks very much. Another brother in law is already asking for one for his birthday , so I expect I’ll be in touch again soon!
Hello- just to let you know my beautiful jumper arrived today . I absolutely love it .
Thank you very much .
Hi Liadain.
First of all,thank you so much !
My girlfriend absolutely loves it (hat).
And Here is the thing.
Actually I and my girlfriend weren’t sure if we keep this relationship after we leave Ireland because she is from Spain and I’m from Japan and we knew it’s going to be tough in the long time distance relationship .
But right after I gave her the present she asked me to keep in relationship even though it’s going to be a long distance relationship. (It turned out we both wanted to keep this relationship but we both were just scared to ask) and I’m sure the present was like one of the triggers to ask.
So Thanks again for lovely hat and card !
‘What a lovely idea to be able to pick your colours for the Bobble Hat from your merino wool colour range!! Soft and comfy to wear, keeping cosy in the Tassie winter.
Wonderful customer service!!! ‘
I love your products and think it’s so great that your love of knitting with your mum and grandmother has given you much pleasure and success. It is a lovely story. You must be very proud.
Debbie
Project Tie Dye
LA Knitwear × Talú Collaboration
I`m delighted to begin launching this new project, a collaboration with Malú of @talu.earth.
I have been curious about dying wool with natural dyes ever since the residency and project I did with @layofthelandproject in 2019. During those projects in Donegal, we foraged plants to make dyes and inks. The process of dyeing is immense. It is a scientific craft that requires a lot of experience. As soon as I met master of natural dyes - Malú - we spoke about working together on projects.
Last year we ended up doing the same course - Circular by Design - held by @ncad_dublin @dccireland @creativefuturesacademy. Which was the perfect space to explore what we could do together. We did a few samples: a Tie-Dye hat and Dip-Dyed hat.
Then Rob @r.o.murdock happened to come to my studio to choose colours for a jumper. He spied the hats and asked if he could get a tie-dyed jumper. And here we are, that`s Rob in the last photo. Thanks to @wemovedtoireland for the introduction.
Malú and I decided to do a mini batch of a few garments, hats, and a couple of kerchiefs knit in @donegalyarns . These will be launched soon! So keep an eye out if you`re keen!
And we would love feedback. What tie-dye knitted piece would you like to wear?
Le grá & buíochas
Liadain
Thanks to @foxyrobber for modelling & camera direction.
#liadainaikenknitwear #liadainaikeninsta
#irishknitwear
#irishknitweardesigner
#talú.earth #naturaldye #malúcolorín #tiedyefashion #tiedye #tiedyeknitwear #madeinireland #madelocal #circularbydesign #cherishforlife
Hello, I will have a stall at the @ballymaloe_grainstore May Fair Market. Setting up beside Emily @nativecirclesart in the Grainstore.
I`m doing some stock clearance, so come for some great discounts on adult hats, kids` hats, and a few jumpers!
Friday 5pm - 9pm
Saturday 10am - late
Sunday 10am - 5pm
Look forward to seeing you soon
Liadain
#liadainaikenknitwear #liadainaikeninsta #irishknitwear #ballymaloecraftfair
Some fun and colour from the @ballydehobjazzfestival last weekend. I`m working on my new Boscoesque outfit with these green striped linen dungarees from a sweet Flea Market in Lisbon. Still figuring out how to pose for photos! 😂
Some photos from the lovely Jazz Market where we got to listen to amazing musicians and watch swing dancers.
Also the incredible Jazz Parade where I was a walking Willow Beastie made over a month of community craft evenings in @levis_corner_house_ballydehob directed by the amazing @millie.egan. Millie and Dink made a wonderful new puppet Modh, the smiley one with the yellow face. We are so gorgeous.
Thanks to @the.nature.wave for some photos.
Le grá agus dáthanna deas
Liadain
#liadainaikenknitwear #liadainaikeninsta #irishknitweardesigner #irishknitwear #irishdesign #ballydehobjazzfestival
☆ ONLINE WORKSHOP ☆
This Thursday 20th April I will be hosting a zoom workshop for @fibreshed_ireland as a part of Fashion Revolution week @fashrevireland. In this hour long workshop I will go show you the steps to do a Weave Stitch mend in a knit fabric.
Workshop is at 7 - 8pm and is free. If you are a member of @fibreshed_ireland then you will get access to the recording. If you are interested in what we are doing with Fibreshed then sign up for 10% discounts off future workshops.
Link in my bio and in my stories to register for the online workshop.
These photos are from the Weave stitch workshop I held in @arranstreeteast in Schull. It`s a beautiful space. And thanks to @foxyrobber for the photos.
I am also running a Boro Mending workshop in Arran Street East Schull on Monday 1st May! Bookings through their website.
Also next week there will be some Lunchtime Live classes with @fibreshed_ireland as part of @fashrevireland Week. Stay tuned for more details next week.
#liadainaikenknitwear #liadainaikeninsta #fibreshedireland #fashrevolution #fashrevireland #mendyourclothes #mendingworkshop #arranstreeteast #darning #darningworkshop
I have lovely news for a Sunday evening . . .
I am now part of the Education & Advocacy Team for @fibreshed_ireland with a bunch of other amazing fibre artists and skilled wool lovers. I`m so delighted to be helping to spread the knowledge and love of natural fibres to more people.
We’re very excited to announce our first workshop series, hosted by @aoifemcnamarax in her cottage in Adare! Starting next month, you can learn:
🔸 Foraging and Eco Printing with Alison Nea from @modh_textiles • 21 May
🔸 Natural Dyeing and Paint Making with Malú Colorín from @talu.earth • 10 & 11 June
🔸 Darning and Visible Mending with @liadainaikenknitwear • 1 & 2 July
Check them out via the link in our bio! Fibreshed Ireland members get a 10% discount on workshop ticket prices ✨
For Malú’s and Liadain’s two-day workshops, tickets are available for each individual day, or as a weekend bundle for a reduced price.
What other workshops would you like us to organise?
Contact me directly or Fibreshed Ireland with your ideas! We are so keen to spread our knowledge far and wide!
Reposted from @fibreshed_ireland
#liadainaikenknitwear #liadainaikeninsta #fibreshedireland #mendyourclothes
Gosh I just posted this without the caption.... anyway I wanted to share some photos of this beautiful backless mini dress that @lilyajsmith made for me. I loved wearing it in Lisbon a few weeks ago. Here`s hoping for more warm weather this summer so I can wear it. It also works well with a wee shirt tied over it.
Lily is an amazing and self taught pattern drafter. I`m so glad that we are pretty much the same shape and size which fuels our ongoing barter with ease. The mustard dress is also her creation which I love to wear.
Im really embracing the old selfie buzz here with a few of good background colours and cheeky grins! Oh yea and the gluten free dairy free icecream glee matching that tongue n cheeky girl`s smile!
Oh and a cute pic that pal @nicolacolton1 caught of @foxyrobber and I. Loads of people commented on our bursts of colourf when we were in Lisbon.
I love colour! Whoop!
#liadainaikenknitwear #liadainaikeninsta
My friends Jen @the.nature.wave and Emily @nativecirclesart suggested that i share more of my colourful outfits. So here we go.
Most of the time what I wear is purely for comfort, then I have dash out and I more layers not really paying attention to the colours. So some are a hit and some are wild!
Wearing Coat by @lilyajsmith
Leggings @finisterre
Socks @danish.endurance
Wool top In Rosehip and scarf in Lavender by moi!
Now to go do the post and go for a quick swim!
Are you keen for more colour stories/posts?
Le grá
Liadain ♡
#liadainaikenknitwear #liadainaikeninsta
Post 3/3 Love All Wool Project
The last post in this trilogy. Another part of the @fibrequest festival was the market. Full of beautiful stalls with gorgeous craft and fibre. Here are a few to inspire you ...
1. @southwestenglandfibreshed had a series of large info graphics about the Fibershed ethos and affiliates with in the UK. Good inspiration for @fibreshed_ireland .
2+3. @gorgeousyarns Caroline Bawn gave a talk on natural dyes and her solar dye kits, check out her beautiful book.
4-6. @jane.gray.nettle.weaver is a nettle enthusiast and weaver. Her nettle fibre scarves are so beautiful & her ball gown made from used tea bags is absolutely stunning.
7+8. @ossianknitwearstudio work was incredible. Justine researched all heritage breeds of sheep in the UK and has a sample swatch of all. Her padded patterned waistcoast is an incredible technique.
9+10. Before I left I helped Jen @fernhillfibre do some micron testing on their fibre. They have an amazing machine. Some very fine wools from their ShetlandRomney and some Lustre sheep flock at 22μm.
A micron is a unit of measure for the diameter of a wool fibre. The micron sign looks like this: μm. A micron is one millionth of a meter. Fine is lower than 23μm with super fine merino being 16-19μm.
I could only fit in 10 photos so i will add more to stories to share more beautiful work.
This festival was such an inspiration. Here`s to doing events like this in Ireland to give space to celebrate our rich history and make more connections. My own life is much richer for delving into the world of Irish heritage fibre! So much gratitude to all the folk I met for their knowledge and skills. Such rich inspiration.
Buíochas/Gratitude
Liadain
#liadainaikenknitwear #liadainaikeninsta #irishknitweardesigner #irishknitwear #irishdesign #irishwool #circularfashion #circulardesign #fernhillfibre #fibreshedireland #fibreshed #southwestfibreshed
Post 2/3 Love All Wool Project
The two days on @fernhillfibre were jam packed. Between talks and demonstrations there was 4 days worth to see. Given that I was on a research trip to gather as much knowledge as I could and make connections with all these wonderful folk, I attended lots of the talks.
Heres a run through the photos:
1+2. Chris & Sheila 3LM Savory Hub gave a talk and ran two workshops to give an introduction to holistic land management & Worldview Carousel.
3. Panel discussion Regenerative Fashion Value Chain with the British Wool Board & others tagged in photo.
4+5. @southwestenglandfibreshed Info Boards and panel discussion with @bellacouche & @riaburnsknit .
6. Panel Discussion Why is wool only 1% of global textiles?
7,8+9. Talk with Anna Heaton of @textileexchange - Carbon Tunnel Vision & why Soil Health, Biodiversity & Water are as important.
10. Talk @rampishamhillflock sheep farmer & mill owner David Wilkins.
All these people are experts in their field, and I am so grateful for their knowledge. What stood out was that even though the UKs Wool Industry, are way ahead of where Ireland is right now, they still feel they need more small scale scouring plants and mills. They are constantly working with the British Wool Board to improve the value of the fleece, to finesse the grading system and improve the fully traceable farm to fleece system.
Wool is such an amazing fibre and sheep managed holistically will regenerate the land. I really hope that we can learn from our neighbours and get Irish wool back to where it was in the 1980s before the Irish Wool Board was closed.
There is good news for Irish wool - the government has started up a new discussion and board around the wool industry. Our last scouring plant was saved after nearly being sold overseas and will be up and running again soon. And @fibreshed_ireland was started up last year to reconnect all natural textile industries on the whole island. This gives me great hope that we can host our own fibre festival soon!
I would love to hear any of your thoughts on this? As I am learning I`m keen to hear stories and share information.
Le buíochas
Liadain
#liadainaikeninsta
JAPANESE BORO & SHASHIKO STITCH WORKSHOP
This 2.5 hour workshop is an introduction to darning on woven fabrics by using the Japanese Boro and Shashiko stitch techniques. In modern society we seem to have lost the beautiful art of mending our clothes. Knitwear designer Liadain Aiken is a keen darner and feels that mending adds new life and appreciation to a preloved garment. This will be a relaxed and friendly workshop with the aim to empower you to start mending your clothes in a creative and colourful way.
Boro or boro boro means ‘rags or tatters’, a tattered piece of cloth, tattered repaired.
Shashiko means ‘little stabs’ and is a form of decorative reinforcement stitching or functional embroidery. Traditionally in Japan these techniques were used to reinforce points of wear with patches and stitching.
Where: Arran Street East, Main Street, Schull, West Cork
Time: 2-4.30pm
What you need to bring:
Bring at least one well loved item of clothing in need of repair to the workshop for discussion. We will examine the wear & tear, and work out the best approach for that specific garment, taking into consideration its function, where the hole is and the type of fabric. This type of mending works well on denim, jeans, heavy cotton, linen fabrics and patchwork blankets.
The class will cover:
On the day we will use patches of woven fabric to cover holes or weak areas of a garment.
Fabric, needles, pins, scissors and thread will be provided. You are welcome to bring along your own fabric and tools. Each participant will go home with a basic mending kit of a needle and a bunch of threads.
#liadainaikenknitwear #liadainaikeninsta #arranstreeteast #mendyourclothes
#repairyourclothes #repairrevolution #mendingworkshop
THE WEAVE STITCH WORKSHOP
This 2.5 hour workshop is an introduction to darning on knit fabrics mainly using the weave stitch technique. In modern society we seem to have lost the beautiful art of mending our clothes. Knitwear designer Liadain Aiken is a keen darner and feels that mending adds new life and appreciation to a preloved garment.
This will be a relaxed and friendly workshop with the aim to empower you to start mending your knitwear in a creative and colourful way.
Where: Arran Street East, Main Street, Schull, West Cork
Time: 3-5.30pm
What you need to bring:
Bring at least one well loved woollen in need of repair to the workshop for discussion. We will examine the wear & tear, and work out the best approach for that specific garment, taking into consideration its function, where the hole is, the type of yarn and stitch.
The class will cover:
On the day we will focus on learning the weave stitch. This is the easiest approach, works for most garments, is quick to perform and has lots of room for a creative mend. Liadain will provide a knitted square to practise on.
All yarn and darning needles will be provided. Each participant will go home with a basic darning kit of a needle and a bunch of threads.
#liadainaikenknitwear #liadainaikeninsta #arranstreeteast #westcork #mending #mendingworkshop #darning #darningworkshop #circularnotions #circulardesign #circulareconomy #mendyourclothes #wearrepairrepurpose
🐍 For the day that`s in it a celebration of our land rather than auld Paddy chasing our beloved `snakes` out of Ireland. Here`s some knitted landscape Intarsia framed art works that I did in the past few years. Our beautiful land Éire.
🐍
The first piece is now a very well known view! Achill Island`s stunning Keem Bay. Now made famous by the @banshees_movie. This piece was made for @fuchsiamacaree and is my biggest, most complicated intarsia to date.
🐍
The second piece is also an Achill Island Keem Bay commission from a photo the family sent.
🐍
The last is a curiously coloured Ben Bulben. I love this mountain and had made a few intarsia pieces of him, so wanted to play with the colours and adding on some texture through embroidery.
🐍
Keen to hear what you think of these. I love creating them and might just have to do a few more soon. What landscapes would you like to see?
🐍
Also how are you celebrating today? What does the snake represent to you?
For me its our feminine creative energy that wants to be celebrated unleased so we feel a fire in our bellies.
🐍
I`m travelling today to the UK for @fibrequest a weekend festival about all things sheep, farming, shearing & wool. My creative fire is ready to geek out and learn loads so that we on the island of Ireland may put the knowledge to use.
💚
Le grá Liadain
Pieces knit with @donegalyarns
Framed by @hangtough.studio
#liadainaikenknitwear #liadainaikeninsta #irishknitweardesigner #irishknitwear #irishdesign #intarsia #intarsiaknitting #bansheesofinisherin #bansheesmovie #achillisland #keembay #keembeach #benbulben #madeforyou #madelocal #madetolast #madeinireland #donegalyarns
Watch out for tonight`s Nationwide at 7:00pm on @rteone or the @rteplayer, because mé féin anseo will be featured, alongside Malú of @talu.earth ! 🧶
It`ll be a sneak peak of our collaboration, which also includes gorgeous wool from @moyhillfarm. This is in preparation for next week`s Innovation Festival, as part of the @dccireland`s #designweekireland.
#liadainaikenknitwear
#liadainaikeninsta #irishknitweardesigner
#irishknitwear #irishyarn #madelocal #circularbydesign
#circulardesign #circularfashion
#creativefutures
#naturaldyes #naturaldye #naturaldyeing #plantdye #plantdyed #plantdyes #plantmagic #botanicaldye #botanicaldyes #slowfashion #consciousfashion #ecofriendlyfashion #ecofriendlylifestyle #shoplocalireland #smallbusinessireland #irishcrafts #nationwiderte
I am super excited to be part of two amazing events happening in Dublin next week. The @creativefuturesacademy Cirular Design Innovation Festival in Smock Alley on Thursday. The 2nd @fibreshed_ireland Symposium on Irish Regenerative Textiles. More details below in comments. Message me with your interest and for links to tickets for either or both.
Grá Mór
Liadain
#liadainaikenknitwear #liadainaikeninsta
•••••
Irish wool will also be one of the topics we`ll be talking about in our ✨Designing a Local & Regenerative Framework for Irish Textiles✨ symposium. As most of you already know, Irish wool is mostly deemed worthless, while we import the wool for our knitwear from abroad. But there are people and organisations working hard to change the tide!
Questions to be addressed include the main challenges and opportunities to re-valorising Irish wool, both at a craft level, as well as at a national or industrial scale. We`ll also explore the potential for reversing the design process: designing forwards, based on the raw materials available locally, rather than backwards from the finished item. How can revindicating Irish wool help us transition towards a circular, sustainable textile culture?
Speakers for the panel 🐑Revindicating Irish Wool🐑 will be Fergal Smith from @moyhillfarm, Liadain Aiken from @liadainaikenknitwear and Sandra King from @irishfibrecrafters, moderated by fibre artist and @fibreshed_ireland co-founder @kitchristinak.
Join us on the 18th of November from 12:00pm to 6:00pm in the Fumbally Stables for an afternoon of inspiring and challenging conversations and presentations about the possibilities of co-creating a local and regenerative textile system in Ireland.
🎟 Tickets are almost sold out, so if you still haven`t booked yours, head over to our link in bio and snag your ticket today! Tickets include entrance to all panels in the symposium, finger food, tea & coffee. The price also covers your 1-year membership to Fibreshed Ireland, which will grant you special benefits.
🌱 See you there! 🌱
—
This event is part of #designweekireland and has received funding and support from the @dccireland.
Reposted from @fibreshed_ireland
Oh my goodness, the rain the past while has been crazy!
So this is what you got to do as soon as the sun comes out... hop in the car and go for it.
These swims are what restore me.
It`s my busy time of year and my head is full of lists and jumping from making pompoms, to writing bios, to doing a slideshow presentation, to emails, packing orders, doing patterns. Tis a lot like.
I have zero complaints to be honest just so grateful for the swims and where I live. I`m very feicin lucky!
And for once this reel didnt take an age to make either! A lil slice of my day for you! And the water was lovely.
#liadainaikenknitwear #liadainaikeninsta #keeptheflamesburning #seaswimming
#cherishforlife #circularfashion #madeinireland #madetoorder #madelocal
#madeforyou
Music @claresandsceol
💫 G I F T C A R D S 💫
We will be offering Gift Cards again this year! Our Made For You range is the perfect gift for your loved one. They can choose their favourite colours for a hat, mittens, jumper or cardigan.
You can choose to have it emailed or an actual card and colourful envelope posted to you. Each voucher will be valid for a year!
Please note that the amount on the Gift Card does not cover postage. Postage costs will be extra when the person uses their code against a purchase.
Stay cosy
Liadain ♡
Models
@lucyebowen
@salvatoreoflucan
#liadainaikenknitwear #liadainaikeninsta #irishknitweardesigner #irishknitwear #irishdesign #giftcards #madeinireland #madetoorder #cherishforlife #madelocal #madetolast #madeforyou
Here I am a few weeks ago adding ribs to this sweater vest. The wool is from @moyhillfarm and has been dyed by Malú @talu.earth.
This is the first sample where I knit the main front and back on the chunky knitting machine and am now hand knitting on the ribs to add the pops of colour that LA knitwear is known for.
Would you like to see more videos like this or are they a bit slow! Haa I`ve always tended to be somewhat long winded!!!
#liadainaikenknitwear #liadainaikeninsta #irishknitweardesigner #irishknitwear #irishdesign #madeinireland #madetoorder #cherishforlife #madeforyou #madelocal
🌈 Rainbow Brite 🌈
These lil striped rainbow hats are a real joy. I love that when folded they alter their look.
They take a lil longer to knit with changing colour and only being able to put 4 cones through the tension mast. The other 3 colours are then hand fed into the knitting machine. This is a beautiful movement between the knitter and the machine as you become the tension and allow the yarn to pass through one hand while the other moves the carriage.
I must set up the camera to show you the beautiful dances that are involved in knitting. One of my favourite things about knitting is getting into the flow of the movement.
These hats are available online in Kids size 1 and size 2. They will be made to order. Dm me if you are interested in another size or adult size!
Le grá agus buíochas
Liadain
#liadainaikenknitwear #liadainaikeninsta #irishknitweardesigner #irishknitwear #irishdesign #rainbow #rainbowhat #madeinireland #madetoorder #cherishforlife #madelocal #madetolast
☆ New Hats now online ☆
Yay fresh colours for Autumn! I love these new colours. Especially the lil baby striped hats. Sure why not add in another colour to make things more fun!
• 9 new colours in our adult merino wool hats and in 3 sizes.
• 7 new striped hats in Size One 0-2years
• 2 Rainbow Kids striped hats which will be made to order.
Are there any adults out there would would like a Rainbow Striped Hat? I`m curious. I`m thinking I might want one myself!
Hope you like them, always keen to hear feedback.
Le grá & buíochas
Liadain & the Knit Team
#liadainaikenknitwear #liadainaikeninsta #irishknitweardesigner #irishknitwear #irishdesign #madelocal #madetolast #madeinireland #madetoorder #cherishforlife
