Historic Wool Crafts Weekend

Do you enjoy history and working with wool? This weekend is designed for you! It offers:

• Two nålebinding workshops with Dr. Carey Fleiner
• A talk on Roman women, wool, and spinning (fascinating even if you're not a Roman history buff)
• A Q&A session with Carey where you can ask all your wool craft questions, plus demonstrations of various techniques.

Join a community of like-minded individuals and immerse yourself in the world of historic wool crafts!

What's Included:

• Two nålebinding workshops
• Nålbinding needles and materials
• Handouts
• Tea/coffee and light snacks
• A talk on Roman women, wool, and spinning
• Q&A with Dr. Carey Fleiner (including demonstrations)
• Admission to the museum

Light snacks will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own lunch and drinks. Mineral water, Coke, Fanta, and Lucozade can be purchased in the museum shop. Local shops and restaurants are also available in Collon village.

The Workshops:

• Workshop 1 (Saturday): History of nålebinding, various stitches: basic loop, coptic stitch, York stitch
• Workshop 2 (Sunday): More history, Oslo stitch, and working on your first project
• Work both workshops can also be booked separately:
  • Saturday Workshop
  • Sunday Workshop

The Talk:

On Saturday at 2:30 PM, Dr. Carey Fleiner will present a talk on Roman women, wool, and spinning. Learn about the Romans' influence on wool, from sheep breeding to dyeing, and how essential wool crafting was for women in ancient Rome.

The Q&A:

This is your chance to gain insights into historic wool crafts and get comprehensive answers to your questions. Dr. Carey Fleiner is knowledgeable about historic techniques and wool history, combining her role as a lecturer and an avid crafter. Time permitting, she may demonstrate techniques like spinning or sprang.

Visiting the Museum:

Admission to the museum is included (please note no refund if the museum is not visited). If your partner and kids are visiting the museum while you attend a workshop, let us know before they buy their ticket, as you may qualify for a family ticket discount.

Who is This Workshop For?

• Reenactors
• Crafters
• Anyone interested in learning an ancient wool crafting technique
• Individuals interested in wool crafting, knitting, historical techniques, or acquiring new skills
• All genders and identities are welcome!

Reasons to Learn Nålebinding:

Learning nålebinding is beneficial for reenactors and anyone keen on crafting. You can create socks, hats, and more with just pure wool and a needle. It’s perfect for traveling or relaxing in a café, and many find nålebinding easier on the hands than knitting.

About Dr. Carey Fleiner:

Dr. Carey Fleiner is a Senior Lecturer in Classical (Roman) History at the University of Winchester, with research focusing on Roman women and entertainment in the Classical world. She learned various textile techniques and has demonstrated them at heritage sites across the UK and Europe.

Questions?

Feel free to reach out if you have questions about this workshop! Email info@living-history.ie or message the Irish Military Museum on their Facebook or Instagram pages.

Staying Overnight:

The museum has its own camping site. To book, please email info@irishmilitarymuseum.com. There are also several charming B&Bs and hotels in the area, surrounded by beautiful landscapes and rich history.