Imelda Quinlan

Imelda’s love of nature and yarn is deeply rooted in her childhood, growing up in Ireland. The soft undulating landscape and ever-changing skies along with the soft fluffy sheep that graze contently on patchwork landscapes have always been an inspiration.

Some of her earliest memories are of her Grandmother sitting by the fire, needles clicking as she made a special sweater for her family. Each sweater design was carefully chosen and lovingly knitted. The sweater was treasured and worn until too small and passed down to the next family member.  This connection with the yarn, the uniqueness of the garment, and the craft of the maker left a deep and positive impression.

She graduated from NCAD, Dublin, Ireland with a BDES in Fashion. However, it soon became apparent that she couldn’t reconcile herself to the waste and the hedonic treadmill that fast fashion brought with it. Disillusioned at the superficial nature of fashion she changed her career path and worked in another industry.

However, there remained a deeply rooted dream to make and work with textiles. In 2015 when life changed this lead her on a journey of discovery. During this period she moved with her family to Berlin and got the opportunity to research and learn about knit and sustainable fashion. In Berlin, she studied knit at the Electronic and Textile Institute Berlin.  She met with some very inspiring leaders in Sustainable fashion and her interest in knit and textile was rekindled.

Imelda’s work is primarily in knitted accessories which are either created using a vintage hand machine or with two knitting needles. She has recently created her first fine art piece which is currently being exhibited at the Pearse Museum In Marlay Park Dublin.