Helen Crawford

About Me

 I am a maker, textile artist and teacher based in Dublin, Ireland. Although I’m primarily a knitter, my work also involves sewn, embroidered and needle-felted elements. Since 2013, I’ve been using these skills to produce “Beasties” – one-of-a-kind handmade monsters knitted using my own pattern, with accessories and clothing items which are also entirely designed and made by me. I regularly sell these and other handmade creations at markets and online, as well as taking custom orders.

 In addition to this, I’ve been teaching knitting since 2018, and nothing makes me happier than watching my students go from taking their first tentative stitches to proudly holding up a successfully completed project. More recently, I have also started to knit contemporary Aran sweaters for Conor O’Brien, a Dublin-based designer.

Education

October 2000 – June 2004: Trinity College, Dublin

Business and French B.B.S. (Hons.) degree, final grade II-1, with a distinction in spoken French. The course included a year of study in the Université d’Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France, during which I undertook a three month work placement in a local bookshop.

Teaching Experience, Community and Advocacy

January 2018 – May 2021: Knitting Teacher, The Constant Knitter, Dublin 8

I taught weekly mixed-ability group knitting classes, covering a range of techniques including knitting in the round, cables and Aran patterns, lace knitting and garment construction.

February – March 2018: Connecting Cathedral Communities Project, St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin 8

I facilitated weekly social knitting sessions, in which participants created small knitted gifts for visitors to the Cathedral during the St Patrick’s Festival.

February 2019 – Present: Freelance Knitting Teacher

I continue to teach weekly group classes for beginner- and intermediate-level knitters from my studio space in Dublin 8. In the past, I have also taught regular groups on-site at Google and Facebook.

April 2019: “Knit Yourself Green” Workshop, Google, Dublin 2

I taught a one-off knitting workshop for Google employees as part of their Green April initiative, in which participants could choose to make one of three simple projects with a sustainability theme.

November – December 2019: Christmas Craft Fair, Ranelagh Multi-Denominational School, Dublin 6

I was the primary organiser of this weekend-long craft fair, which featured work from a curated group of local artisans.

February 2020: Sewing Workshop, RehabCare Bray, Co. Wicklow

I prepared and facilitated a one-off craft workshop for members of the RehabCare centre in Southern Cross, in which participants made small felt animals to be used as decorations on keyrings, brooches or fridge magnets.

May 2022: Knitting for Sustainability Workshop, Richmond Barracks, Dublin 8

I delivered an all-ages knitting workshop with a sustainability theme as part of Richmond Barracks’ May Fair.

September 2022 – Present: Adult Education Tutor, Malahide Community School, Malahide, Co. Dublin

I teach a weekly night class, Knitting for Beginners, as part of the school’s Adult Education programme. In the 10-week course, we cover essential basic skills and complete two simple projects.

Media Coverage

March 2021 – From the Maker to the Made

I was interviewed for an episode of this podcast in which we discussed my creative process, how I got started as a maker, and the ups and downs of running a craft business.

May 2021 – Ireland AM

I did a short live interview segment on the topic of the “knitting revival” that happened during the Covid-19 lockdowns, plus a knitting demonstration.

December 2021 – Irish Country Magazine

My handmade Aran Beasties were featured in the magazine’s Green Christmas selection of sustainable Irish-made gift ideas.