Knitting Groups in Cork City, Ireland

With several yarn shops, Cork City is a wool lovers paradise. At least, it is for me. For those new to Cork or just visiting, yarn can be a fun souvenir and going to a knit night can be a non-touristy way to enjoy your time here. But what about the experience of knitting with others? Fun for a tourist or student here for a short time but essential for any newcomer looking to be part of a community. This is how I came to be a knitter because when I moved here four years ago, I knew no one and friends are important. I’m unathletic so I set out to join a crafty or knitting group. Thankfully, my group taught me to knit and welcomed be with open arms and now I am one of the leaders.

In addition to these regular weekly knitting groups (check in case of summer breaks or such), there are special events such as Worldwide Knit In Public Day and Worldwide Social Media Day Cork, both of which take place in June this year.

City Centre:
Tuesday evenings from 6pm to 8pm.
Vibes & Scribes, Bridge Street.
The V&S group does not meet year-round, please ring the store directly to confirm it is taking place during on a specific day: 021-450-5370.

City Centre:
Wednesday mornings from 10:30am.
Vibes & Scribes, Bridge Street.
The V&S group does not meet year-round, please ring the store directly to confirm it is taking place during on a specific day: 021-450-5370.

City Centre:
Wednesday evenings from 7pm to 9pm.
Cork Stitch N Bitch
Comment on this post or visit our Ravelry group for current location.

Douglas:
Thursday evenings from 7.30pm.
Costa Coffee in Douglas Court Shopping Centre

City Centre:
Most Saturday mornings from 10:30am to 1:00pm.
KnitUp in the KnitPit
Comment on this post for current location.

FOR MORE THINGS KNITTING AND CRAFT-RELATED, VISIT MY OTHER BLOG: Spring Stitches.

Educational Yet Fun Events Going On Around Town This Week

I keep collecting little circulars and notes about events going on around town then forget to blog about them. In a rare instance, I didn’t forget so here’s a list with some photos to break up the text.

BOOKS

The Central Library on Grand Parade presents the launch of James Harpur’s Angels and Harvesters (Anvil Press, available from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk) and Mary O’ Malley’s Valparaiso (Carcanet, available from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk or if you’re in Galway pick up your copy at Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop) on Tuesday, 22 May. O’Malley’s and Harpur’s writings were featured on Sunday Miscellany on 25 March, 2012

Now this one has me tempted! Morning coffee with Alice Taylor on Thursday, 24 of May. This is a bus trip to Innishannon House Hotel to enjoy coffee and a scone while listening to a reading by author Alice Taylor. Alice Taylor wrote To School Through The Fields (available from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk), An Irish Country Christmas (available from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk) and

Expat Luggage Treasure Trove

Each year, when I visit my family in the States, I inevitably return with my luggage carefully stuffed from wheels to zipper with American treasures. Every visit home yields a different haul and each year two or three friends benefit from a little luggage space with my bringing them back something they’ve ordered online or requested from a local shop. My Dad has even been part of this. Our luggage has carried over knitting yarns, yarn winder gadgets, winter coats, fabric, baby clothes, diapers, baby gifts, cornbread mix, ranch salad dressing mix, Old Bay seasoning, parenting books, baby toys, underwear, and much more. This spring, my luggage was mostly filled with baby clothes, books, and toys with a few other favorites added to treat myself. Who benefitted from a little luggage space this year? Blogger and voiceover artist Arlene and boutique cookery school owner Margaret. Here are a few photos of the non-baby items that came back to Cork with me. There will be a separate post about the yarn and children’s toys/books!

Pie Contest in a Box: Everything You Need to Host a Pie Contest

Aunt Dimity and the Family Tree

Aunt Dimity Down Under (Paranormal Detective)

iPad magnetic cover from Apple Store

The Muppets Band-Aids

Q-Tips Cotton Swabs, 500 Count (The real ones with cotton/paper only NO plastic elements)

Aussie Catch The Wave Mousse+ Leave-In Conditioner 201 ml (I love how this acts as a de-tangler and style assist)

Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment 415 ml (This stuff does wonders for baby’s cheeks and chin when drool irritates the skin, keeping them soft and reducing redness and discomfort. One tub lasts FOREVER!)

Burt’s Bees Honey Lip Balm Tube

Girl Scout cookies

Matzo Meal

Pepperidge Farm cookies

Swedish Fish (Pack of 24)

Milk Duds 52 g (Pack of 6)

American Old Bay Seasoning: 170g Tub (I’m a Marylander, this is a must!)

Betty Crocker Super Moist Rainbow Chip Cake Mix

Assorted sprinkles and cupcake liners

Blogs I Read…

I recently went to dinner at a friends’ (L & G) house. Now, these are friends I’ve known all my life and their wives, so seeing them is like seeing family. There is a comfort and excitement in spending time with them, which makes me want to see them when I do occasionally make it back to the U.S. for a visit. Well, I had not yet been to L & G’s new house. I’ve seen the Facebook updates on its renovation and sprucing up, but nothing prepared me for the charming domicile they have created. They retained the original architecture while addressing modern lifestyle needs. Just lovely. Of course, when seeing the space, I asked G if she reads Young House Love, to which she enthusiastically responded ‘Yes!’ Then a conversation started about what other blogs we each read. It is delightful that reading has once again taken a focus in conversation, even if it is blogs, it is still informative and entertaining. Of course, science, books, current affairs, and all sorts of other topics were discussed that evening, but her asking me what other blogs I read really got me thinking so I wanted to share this list with you.

The list of blogs is divided by topic. Most, I only read once a month or a couple times a year when I am curled up in bed with a cold and can’t focus on a knitting project or actual book. Those in bold are ones I read on a daily or weekly basis. Oh, and the ones in italics are my blogs or blogs by friends or people I respect and know in the ‘real world’. Occasionally, blogs are listed in multiple categories because I couldn’t decide which is the dominant topic. I only wanted to spend a few minutes compiling this list so it is probably missing a few, so if you know I read your blog or if you have a fabulous blog, please tell me so I can add it here.

Cork City’s Knit In Public Day Event is 11 June

Cork City’s World Wide Knit [or Crochet] In Public event on 11 June! Event Details on Facebook!!!

On Saturday, 11 June, from 1:00  to 4:00 p.m., local knitters and crocheters will gather at Bishop Lucey Park for some public displays of craftiness. Tell your friends.

This event is open to all, especially knit, crochet, and fiber craft enthusiasts. There is no cost to attend as this is just a casual but coordinated meeting of local knitters and crocheters to celebrate a world wide event.

Consider your needs when attending and bring your own bottle of water, picnic blanket, or folding chair. But also keep in mind this is a public park and we must leave it as we found it so any empty water bottles must be responsibly discarded when you leave and you should keep your valuables with you.

Where will Cork City’s World Wide Knit In Public Day be held?

As the 2011 World Wide Knit In Public Day approaches, we are trying to put together a casual gathering for Cork City’s knitters (and crocheters).

We are seeking a place to meet for a few hours on Saturday, 11 June. The Cork event for this day will be happening in Cork City and planned by the local knitting group Cork SnB with enthusiastic support by the Douglas group.

This event welcomes all to participate, observe, or even just stop in to snap a pic.
As this is a free community event, we do not have a budget for renting event space and require something publicly accessible. Based on past events, there will be 20-30 knitters and crocheters throughout the day at the event with passerby enjoying the reminder of the age-old craft. If the venue is adjacent to or within a café, that means an influx of crafty customers.

Two years ago, it was held in Fitzgerald Park, but with Irish weather what it is (fickle), having someplace with a roof seems wiser. Of course, if no such venue is found for our €0.00 budget, the event will again take place as a casual picnic-style meet-up in Fitzgerald Park.

If you may know of a location in Cork City, please comment or give me a shout on Twitter @FreckledPast to start the conversation. Thank you!

Going Home Again: A Washingtonian’s Wish List

I try to visit home once a year to see my family, friends, and satiate my need for my favorite foods. It’s true, though Ireland is a wonderful home and Cork has some of the finest dining in the Republic, I miss the restaurants, ingredients, and home cooking I grew up on. I also long to visit the museums in the Smithsonian! This is my list of things to do and places to go while I am visiting Washington, D.C. this time around.

My parents are already stocking the kitchen so my first morning there I can have a nice bowl of Kellogg’s Cracklin’ Oat Bran Cereal. They’re so sweet. But then there will be many many meals after that, but before I return to Cork so why not make the most of them with these cravings…

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.