Edel MacBride Designer

17/04/2026

This is a beautiful post one of our collective shop members, showing you where we are. A walk from the reincarnated Ebrington Square on the Waterside, across the wonderful past … up Shipquay Street once known as because of all the jewellers … into our magical and
Thanks so much Jane Christie 💚💜

11/04/2026

Just as the daffodils lift the heavy sky, the first knitting friends arrive to carry my imagination and projects forward!
For as invested in the ancestors as my work is and feeling I’m one of them myself some days~ it’s in the new seeds planted and shared the future lives.
AND share we did…

My travelling stitches stretched over pages of a NEW pattern and in new scrummy yarn choices.
Stories of travels abounded and my eyes feasted on the beautiful knitwear worn and created by everyone. 💗🤍💗🤍💗

“Bring me more people like these, please”
It was Spring 2014 when a very fancy bus of 34 ladies from Norway left my yard!
Even the horses were feeling the connection..

And here we are,
Knitters, crocheters quilters and other ‘ers’ sit in all corners of the planet 🪐 quietly making, and we still do.
But how much fun is it to bring the tribe together and discover ‘ourselves’ as we create.
There are mindful moments too and some good laughs.
Besides this as I told the first visitors in 2014, and still do “Thank You, for coming here and saving our tradition for us” ….

Soapbox moment coming ⚠️

The beauty and intelligence of Aran Knitting having been diluted and disrespected for years. The humble knitter whose skill was learned by some mix of osmosis, trial, persistence, need, talent and comfort with a side portion of mathematics ~ was dismissed from the process of creating Aran. Misunderstood as a true craft.

Culture & travel & friendship are a new trinity knot.

We were so wonderfully cared for by the team Lough Eske Castle where staff have a skill in naming visitors by their first name. Fabulous food at Cedars each evening. A light filled ballroom to make any cabling easier!
It was fun to visit some woolly friends in Northern Ireland too and relax as we stabbed our cares way with Linda Lewis and wove in circles with Lorna Shannon ~ Weaver.
Like all good times it ended too soon, and some stories must stay in the castle walls, even those of the hatchet lady! Thanks Elaine McInaw & can you bring me more knitters like these? 💞

Adieu Adieu to all
Go raibh a míle maith agaibh
You are
🇺🇸🇮🇪

18/03/2026

Knitting & travelling in 2026 & 2027?

Options in 2026 with myself may be &
I’m looking forward to spending long April days knitting with the ‘Art of Aran’ retreat in Fermanagh soon. Then the Wild Atlantic Knitters will knit Aran while watching the surf in May.

You can join the mailing list for 2027 dates now, which go on open sale March 31st. Only 25 places on each option.

It doesn’t seem long since folk laughed or raised an eyebrow at the idea of folks coming to Ireland on knitting holidays, how little they knew!
Many stitches and stories under the bridge later … knitting and too is in a better place.

While as an Irish designer foot stamping for Irish grown wool was pushed back on with moans of hill sheep V lowland sheep and impossibilities- the visitor to Ireland didn’t accept this 😊☘️
I’m delighted to say my aran class uses Irish grown fleece.
Besides yarn, locally sourced, I’ve had the perfect excuse to delve deeper into my own technique - where from and how my knitting speed comes about and why I never get sore or tired - knitting (otherwise I’m sore and tired most of the time!) But not when knitting! AND I’m still learning so much..

Thanks to the patience and farming ways of the ancestors, where necessity inspired ingenuity.
Thanks to everyone who visits with an open heart, curious mind and a respect for upholding traditions.

Thanks to the travel experts - team at who have enabled so many wonderful classes since 2015. And to all the lovely travelling shop groups and global knit trotters who made a planned stop!
Go raibh maith agaibh go léir.

Any questions I’m here!

15/03/2026

BUN GLAS
Now you can knit it

The beautiful Bun Glas (English Bunglass) in the parish of Gleann Cholm Cille and the townland of An SeanBhaile was the inspiration for my latest tweed wool exclusive.

Based on the very successful Aran tweed weight by Donegal yarns, it’s traditional homespun character is achieved through age old ‘woollen spun’ methods, here in Donegal.

Creating a yarn colour is a job of two parts.
Firstly, the base must combine %%% of tones that sing together, some notes more dominant, others almost secret. Then comes the fun part.
Adding nepps of colour that jingle and combine uniquely. A bit like thinking “hasn’t every song been written?” Well no! Add creativity ..

BUN GLAS is a twilight forest with fairy lights!
I Love it 🩵💜💚 it also reminds me of the very first cone of dark green I ordered in 1984 while at Limerick School of Art. I remember the moment I opened the package, the coat I had dreamed… the coat to blame for all!

Some BUN GLAS is available at Number 19 Craft & Design in Derry (we are open on the 17th), and it’ll be on the website too. OR DM me & I ship most places.

15/03/2026

‘Oh Oh Glorio
Hand Me Down
My bible’ 🎼🧶☘️🧣

Cold it may be and Saoirse here is totally owning her Edel hand-me-down trellis stitch Aran made for her big brother fádo fádo. 100% wool and trimmed in green crochet blanket stitch, perfect for St Patrick’s week ☘️

Last time I saw this cardigan was on Saoirse’s older sister too. Real handknit is never made for landfill but for handing down the love and warmth. In my archive for workshops there are perfect pieces knit over 50 years old and still objects of desire 🩵

Thanks so much for sharing this capture of my wilful wee-grand-niece with me today.

Thanks 🙏 to the hands of all the mamas who knit, stitched and patched our lives together in every way 🪡 🩵

30/01/2026

Is it now three years or four?
The Brigid’s are gathering in mystic, modern and creative ways and places.

Continuing the path of the early monastic settlements, rich in the skills of needle craft, it’s great to bring the wool grail to Bundoran again and this Festival of the women.
From making crosses to art, poetry, drama, swims, saunas, a speaker line up, craft marketplace, film & fiddles .. it would lift your heart to read the programme alone..
My knitting class is Sunday 12-1.30ish.

Almost here! www.feilenamban.ie

05/12/2025

A unique in all the world Friday at the sea

When I grow up I’m gonna be like my mum 🙌
🎶 🎧 🌱 🐓 🌊 🚜

Beautiful evening

Never be alone when you find or found a community with well being and family at its heart, they go together after all

Year Two Festivities 🍷🫖🧁🎄
Regular customers and stall holders
were treated to an evening of festive spirit in the beautiful Rossnowlagh

Greeted with beautiful singing 🎶 in the entrance room, this very classy ensemble in function room and mulled wine a plenty.
While chatter soon filled the rooms, as little ones darted around like a family wedding. Chunky home made pies, iced cake and sandwiches were served around together with shining pots of tea and coffee.

The market founders had ditched the denims and wellies and were in full floor length girl dresses, stunning!

Rossnowlagh market happens every Friday rain or shine 10am-1pm, Instagram and Facebook have regular updates. Stall holders are always welcome to apply, just message the page 👩‍🌾🥕

22/11/2025

I can hear him say “It’s Paul” at the pearly gates.
Deeply saddened by the passing of designer and gentleman Paul Costelloe 💔

I have always said “I blame him for everything!”

From eating Paul’s double ham sandwich in that old Dublin factory (he offered? I didn’t know it was his lunch, diary entry November 18th 1985),
to just before 2020 on a long surprise call from him, there are stories, great stories. Truly an officer of life, fashion, the art of living graciously and using your talent. He saw everyone.
Go paint heaven Paul.
My thoughts and sympathy are with your heart broken family 💔

I am grateful for all you taught me and that we knew each other well enough to impress, respect and occasionally disappoint each other professionally. You surely kept Donegal & Derry Knitting for some mighty addresses at a time and I’m reminded by my cousin Annette tonight (still on team!) that you called me ‘the road runner’.
Reading people was your ace.
A couple of images from the glory days.
But it’s always on the factory floor of Strelitz Moygashel Dungannon I’ll remember you most present and ‘on fire’ in the white shirt, tie, jeans and sneaker uniform, ahead of your time.

16/11/2025

LEAP
A new book 📖 was launched last Saturday Letterkenny.

Delighted to have been invited to share something of my thoughts with those who may be considering a brave leap!

You’ll find within ‘50 encouraging stories about living creatively in Donegal’

Why this book now? 📕 📖

Both authors are on self-propelled creative paths here in Donegal, and accomplished in their creative worlds of design, printing and writing.
Like myself, they love living and working here in the North West of Ireland.
It can look challenging to be ‘stuck up here’, often working remotely too!
Yet, we find it a wildly inspiring place to be, close to nature, mountains, and even close to our lovely 🤗
This is reflected in the numerous creative groups, writers, artists, craft makers, singers, farm markets and communities working together towards an authentic life experience for themselves and their families.

LEAP brings together 50 stories from just that!
We can be rambling talkers when given a platform, so well done Isla on the story management and complications at 250 words. It’s beautifully edited. Complimented by Laura’s strong and unique art style we’ve come to love, each entry getting a unique art page to compliment the story.

A jammed Grianan theatre
gave the book a lovely launch! There were matching fortune cookies with messages from the book inside and the cutest home made Leap cup cakes. A Q & A with some creatives left us all grabbing copies to hear more!

LEAP may be purchased Derry Craft Village or from & at all good Independent book shops I’m sure!
My LEAP advice is on pages 24 & 25.

06/11/2025

Josh Silverman
CEO
Talks the way forward for creative makers online

Portugal 🇵🇹
“race to the bottom” e-commerce platforms!
“Let them have it!!!”

Stay unique as you are folks 🫶