The Fair Alternative

Last weekend, I stopped in to The Fair Alternative in the Unitarian church on Princes Street to check out the lovely handmade items I could buy for someone this year. Locally made with skill and a bit of love, the stalls might even be some of your favorite Etsy shops! I spoke briefly to fashion designer and artist Laura Eliason and Beata Jezekova of Hedgehog Fibres about their choices of colors, textures, and elements in their work.

Laura is selling hand-crocheted slippers and fingerless gloves (perfect for the stylish smart phone user). She carefully chose the buttons adorning the wrist of the gloves from the local favorite, Cork Button Factory. I especially loved the glamourous one with the black and sparkly button, but honestly the gloves with bicycle buttons are so much more my style. Either way, there is bound to be something you’ll love so hop on over!

For one day only, Beata was there with her luxurious hand-dyed wool, ideal for knitting or crochet. Carefully chosen colors and meticulous quality standards make Hedgehog Fibres yarn a sought after item by knitters and crocheters in the know. I myself am hooked on the lace weight silk/merino and her shockingly sock and strong sock yarn, which I just bought myself as a birthday treat. Swoon!

Kooky Cute Crochet has her darling squishy soft creatures that are favorites among Pink Auction goers.

Talented Annie Basteed is there with her hip Deco Dolls.

Gina and her Devilish Designs bring a modern twist to useful and everyday objects, such as aprons, toss pillows, and much more.

Mmm, New Yarn

I have become the proud owner of two new hanks from Cork City yarn dyer Hedgehog Fibres. I can’t stop touching the stunningly soft Silk Worsted in Swamp and can’t wait to knit up the Silk/Merino Singles in Opalite.

TO READ THE COMPLETE POST, PLEASE VISIT MY KNITTING BLOG, SPRING STITCHES.

Swamp Silk & Opalite Silk/Merino from Hedgehog Fibres

Where to Buy Yarn in Cork City

Here are a few of the places that sell yarn in Cork City…

If you are also a knitter or crafty person looking to read more about knitting, yarn shops, and flexing creative muscles when traveling the world (or just staying at home in Ireland), visit my other blog, Spring Stitches. It is focused on my knitting, sewing, crafty, and upcycling adventures. So if that’s also your cup of tea, hop on over!

Vibes & Scribes Craft and Wool Shop
3 Bridge Street
Cork, Co. Cork
Ireland
+353 (0)21 450 5370
http://www.vibesandscribes.ie/
FourSquare (location on map): https://foursquare.com/v/vibes–scribes/4b8288d5f964a5202…

Cork Button Company
4 Popes Quay
Cork, Co. Cork
Ireland
+353 (0)21 450 2730
http://www.corkbuttoncompany.ie/
FourSquare (location on map): https://foursquare.com/v/cork-button-factory/4f9fde56e4b0…

Hedgehog Fibres Studio
Unit 612, Harbour Point Business Park
Little Island, Co. Cork
Ireland
+353 (0)86 213 3085
http://www.hedgehogfibres.com
FourSquare (location on map which I marked myself): https://foursquare.com/v/hedgehog-fibres/4f92da04e4b0532d…

Youghal Knits
23 Princes Street, Tel# 021-4251251
Lovely yarn, welcoming shop, and very helpful staff. If you like cozy little independent shops, this place is waiting for you. Here, there’s no shame in asking for help finding a budget yarn for a project and will receive help if the shop is quiet. If you do not knit (or are a slow knitter like myself) but want a hand-knit gift, ready-made sweaters/jumpers/cardigans available for purchase. They sell yarn and a variety of knitting needles (including circulars) and basic selection of buttons.

Cork Wools
10/11 Market Parade (between English Market and Patrick Street), Tel# 021-4274816
Tucked in the arcade corridor this cozy place has a good selection of basic and luxurious yarns. As with Hedgehog Fibres and Vibes & Scribes, you may swoon over some of the offerings. They sell yarn and a selection of knitting and crochet needles (including circulars).

Vibes & Scribes Arts & Crafts
http://www.vibesandscribes.ie/4.html
Bridge Street (different than their new books and used books stores on Lavitt’s Quay), Tel# 021-4279535
Best price I’ve seen in County Cork for Kilcarra Aran Wool (€3/50g or €10/250g select dyes). Broad selection of delicious colors and soft textures – recently expanded considerably. Some yarn comes with a free pattern! As of April 2009, they host a weekly knit night on Thursdays from 19:00 to 21:00. As of March 2012, they host a weekly knit morning on Wednesdays. Nice chance to drop in and knit with others. They sell luxury wools, alpaca, etc… as well as a selection of needles (mostly straight).

Hedgehog Fibres
http://www.hedgehogfibres.com
Little Island-based dyer specialising in rich-hued hand-dyed merino, bamboo, silk, and cashmere. If you have a special project and want it to be handmade from start to finish, this is the place to look for your yarn. For those of you in the States, you can order online and have it shipped ($5) directly to your home. Best part is that you know no one else will have that exact color combination and textured yarn – makes perfect gifts for a discerning knitter. For tourists wanting to bring yarn home but not having time to browse extensively, this is an easy way to get what you want without subjecting your traveling companion to browsing yarn shops.

Hickey’s Fabrics
The Savoy Centre, St. Patrick’s Street, Tel# 021-4277005
Corner devoted to knitting supplies. Good selection of mostly acrylic yarns. Lovely place and well-lighted. Like many retail chains, the staff are prompt about their closing time. So, don’t expect to rush in ten minutes before closing and leave with what you need unless you know exactly what it is, where it is, and how much you need. Not as willing as the smaller yarn shops (particularly Youghal Knits and Cork Wools) to put down everything to help you look for the right supplies for your project. They sell yarn and a selection of knitting needles.

Cork Crafts
Paul Street Shopping Centre (same building as Tesco)
Yarn selection for knitting as well as yarn, thread, and supplies for other needle crafts, such as needlepoint and such.

Cork Button Company
4 Pope’s Quay
Hours: 10:00 to 17:00, Monday through Friday
http://corkbuttoncompany.com
Limited selection of yarn that seems to be suited for those looking to knit or crochet a baby blanket. Mind-boggling selection of buttons. Rumored to supply buttons and thread to the local tailors, so if you need a particular thread or are searching for a special button design, this is treasure for you to behold. They sell yarn and a basic selection of straight knitting needles. Helpful staff.

©2009 Evin O’Keeffe

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