This course begins with explanation
of the practical and important function of the Aran
Island knitting tradition: fishermen's sweaters
had to be hardy, warm and substantial. The world-famous
cable and knot patterns symbolised various events
in life--and were different from family to family.
Rosemary Faherty, on Inis Mor, is one of only a
few individuals left in the world who can still
knit in these traditional patterns entirely from
memory. Siobhain McGuinness intoduces wool--from
fleece to yarn--by demonstrating spinning techniques
for individuals to try.
Participants will use various yarns to learn to
knit, and work in some of the most traditional Aran
patterns. Rosemary will also encourage some experimentation
and variations on the traditional.
This course focuses on the value of an ancient craft--the
Egyptians were among the first to knit--and upon
the relevance of this craft to the historic and
economic development of the Aran Islands.
Dr. Mick O'Connell will lead a coastal field-trip
to explain the continued economic importance of
the island's varieties of seaweed, and Rosemary
will illustrate the detailed representations of
this natural resource in Aran knitting.
Artist: Rosemary Faherty
Born on Inis Mor, the largest
of the Aran Islands, Rosemary Faherty was taught
how to knit by her grandmother, her mother, and
at school. The traditional Aran patterns were passed
down to her from them, and she completed her first
work of art at the age of 12!
After a brief spell in the clothing and textile
industry in Galway, she moved to New York, where
she increased her output of traditional sweaters
for friends and family. Despite the glamour and
excitement of New York, Rosemary always wanted to
move back to Inis Mor to start her own business,
which she did in 1988.
At the foot of the world-famous
Dun Aengus, pre-historic fort, she and her husband
opened a craft shop, An Tuirne. Since then, her
knitwear has been favoured by an international clientele.
Rosemary teaches at the New Orleans Celtic annual
festival.
.gif){kind=spacer}
