Fraoch Knits Ep. 12: Celebrating Bealtaine and Fairy Magic; Kevat Top, Bixbite Shawl and Ovis Socks
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- Опубліковано 15 вер 2024
- A very warm welcome to Episode 12 of the Fraoch Knits podcast. My name is Áine and I'm coming to you from the West of Ireland where I live, work and knit! The content here is mainly about knitting - finished objects, works in progress etc. I also look at some aspects of Irish folk traditions, culture and heritage especially relating to wild trees and plants. This episode I explore the feast of Bealtaine, the cross quarter day marking the start of summer and I look at the Hawthorn bush and its place as a fairy tree in Irish folklore. This is followed at the end by footage of some of the beautiful landscape that surrounds me where I live.
So sit back and relax with a cup of coffee or your favourite hot drink and enjoy the podcast! If you liked the content please like the video and subscribe to the channel. Many thanks, Áine.
Patterns mentioned:
The Kevat by Caitlin Hunter
www.ravelry.co...
The Bixbite Shawl by Veera Valimaaki
www.ravelry.co...
The Ovis Socks by The Petite Knitter
www.ravelry.co...
The Downtown Hoodie by Tori Yu
www.ravelry.co...
The Half and Half Triangles Wrap by Purl Soho
www.ravelry.co...
Sources of Information on Irish Cultural Heritage
Niall McCoitir, Ireland's Trees
Manchán Magan, Listen to the Land Speak
Diana Beresford Kroeger, To Speak for the Trees
Music from epidemicsound.com
Thank you, it's a joy to listen to you.
Thank you so very much for your beautiful podcast! I always look forward to it! My daughter, granddaughter and I celebrate the Celtic holidays from our small town in New England! It is a beautiful thing! Thank you for sharing your knitting and all of the cultural information! I love it ALL! ♥️🐑🌳🐑♥️
Another wonderful episode. Thank you. Your podcasts are always fun educational & interesting
I’m a first time viewer, thank you so much for a fascinating podcast. I came for the knitting but stayed for the knowledge ❤
Thank you for this episode! Its interesting to hear about Bealtaine and the Hawthorne!
Oh I loved this so much , I was raised to respect the faeries!! Love love love your podcast
Thanks for the lovely walk at the end 😊
love all colors of the shawl beautiful
What an absolute delight you are! I am so grateful to have found your podcast. Of course I enjoy the knitting portion which is why I tuned in, but oh my, I was fascinated to learn so much about Irish folklore and traditions. And topped off with the lovely nature walk! Thank you thank you so much! I’ll be “binging” your previous videos for sure!
So many customs! May altars, yes; washing your face in dew at dawn on May Day, yes. Everyone ate an egg at Easter and the eggshells were saved to decorate the May pole, then later buried in the garden to bring good luck. Along the same lines, You did not mention this, and I am not sure whether it was May eve, or Saint johns eve in June at the solstice time, but there was a bonfire anyway-people used to light or a rush from the fire and bring it home with them to bury in the garden, and that was to bring a good harvest.
It is good to remember the old ways. And also, your knitting is lovely! Thank you for a lovely podcast.
Christa, thanks so much for your amazing comment - it is so good to hear from people who remember these customs being commonplace. Bonfires are not so common anymore for Bealtaine (apart from the revivde festival at Uisneach) but they are very common around where I live for St. John's Eve or summer solstice and of course for Samhain. Thanks for watching the podcast!
Hi A'ine, Truly enjoy your podcasts! Thanks for sharing about all your beautiful knitting projects! You are so inspiring! Happy Knitting!
A May alter! Yes, I remember having those in school here in Illinois, where I grew up in a small town. Here we would collect lilies of the valley mostly and any other flowers we could find. I've only seen this particular podcast of yours but thoroughly enjoyed it!!!!! I'll definitely be going back and viewing the prior episodes. My great grandfather and his brother came to Illinois from Inagh, County Clare, during the famine. My family and I have been there twice but are looking forward to another trip. I was sad to hear you say there are not a lot of yarn shops. I also love the music at the end of the podcast!! Thank you so much, please keep making them!
You made me wish I were Irish. ❣️
Loved every second…beautiful scenery…wish I could take a walk with you! Until next time…❤
I love hearing about Irish culture, myths, and all of it. My husbands family head to Enniscrone every 3 years for a clan rally. Now I have more information for visiting around. Your knitting is fabulous as well. Happy spring.
I love your projects. I like the fact that the yarn used in the sweater was also used on the shawl.
Love the scattering flowers! I’ll be doing this. 🌸
Really enjoyed seeing your lovely knits. I would love to try The Caitlin Hunter sweater. So interesting hearing all about Beltane & the Hawthorn. Thank you from Scotland 🏴
Beautiful content ❣️🙏❣️
I just found your channel and loved this episode. Beautiful knitting and such amazing traditions, and history. Some day I hope to come to Ireland, and Scotland too, to continue my family search.
Thankyou so much for this interesting talk about Bealtaine, Aine. It was so good to hear it talked about, and so good to hear you talk the Gaelic at the end. It is different from the Scottish. Nice to see the knitting as well. Much the same as the Norns from Scandinavia who are spinning the fates .... we knit the garments that keep us clothed and so our well being is kept up. I feel very much in tune with you Mo Caraid. I look forward to the next episode. Cheori.
Thanks Caitriona, really glad you enjoyed the podcast and the spoken Irish. I have been hearing a little bit of Scots Gaelic from the albanach knitter and have found a few similarities but also a lot of differences. Grá mór!
Really enjoyed this Bealtaine episode. As you move towards summer, we are moving towards winter. Cooler nights and the beginning of our gardens slumber, though my lavender is holding on strong. Thank you so much for the hawthorn bushes links to fairies and the rings of power. I teach myths and legends as part of a History option in middle school and this was very interesting as part of Druid cults and traditions. Wonderful to experience your very different coast from the eastern coast of Australia. Loving these episodes.
Thanks Rebeca - The older I get the more fascinated I become by folklore and how much meaning it can hold for us, and wisdom from the past. Really glad you enjoyed this episode. Thanks for watching!
I smiled when I heard you mention the May Alters, we had them too and I also remember wearing a badge with Our Lady on it, which was swapped out for one of the Sacred Heart in June. With a colour change from blue to red also. Even though I do not think I am superstitious, I did have a slight pause when you held up the Whitethorn...lol. Your knitting, as always, is lovely and hello to Ruben, great to see him pop in.
I am 65 in the US. We had a May Alter, May Queen and procession. It was always an 8th grader. We moved when I was in 5th grade and i did not finish out in Catholic School.
Aine i LOVE the projects you make! I feel that we have similar tastes regarding yarn/wool preferences and colour choices too! Once again beautiful podcast and more projects going into my dream knitting list.
Hi Leanne - thank you! I'm thrilled that you are able to get some inspiration from what I knit. There are just too many beautiful patterns out there to knit in one lifetime...at the moment I want to knit everything all at once and then there are the ends to weave in - I now have 3 projects that need to have this last bit of finishing done and I can't tear myself away from knitting to do it!! What lovely problems to have:)
Reconnecting is so empowering as we return to more truth and unit through the process. I have been on this journey for many years and learning from all cultures. At the moment illness is taking me even deeper into wisdom. India is saving me from pain and suffering as I become more acquainted with Mudras (hand yoga). Wow wow wow, what we can overcome or receive relief from with moving our fingers into different positions is so amazing. Mantras (chants) as well.
Lovely to reacquaint with the Irish knowledge again and hawthorn has been a long-time favourite for my heart health.
I am knitting yoga socks at the moment with a cable down the front and this option works well for around the home. I have woollen ballet slippers and only need warmth for the top of my foot and my lower leg as a full sock would be too much. Constant opportunities with knitting. Another powerful podcast. ❤ ❤ ❤ 🌳 🇮🇪 🇦🇺
@dreamcreate thank you for your kind words......And it's so good to hear you are getting relief from illness by practicing mudras. I trained as a yoga teacher 12 years ago now and we touched on mudras in the training - I have a book about them. I will be incorporating them into my practice now having heard your good experience with them. As always thanks for tuning into the podcast and I'm delighted you enjoy it. All the best, Áine.
@@fraochknits great well on your way with true wisdom. Another gem, the healing powers of mantras for further connection. Best book I have found "Healing Mantras" by Thomas Ashley-Farrand. ❤
Just noticed I did mention the best mudras book I have found so far. Healing Mudras by Yogi Nataraj. ❤
It is so interesting for me to hear about the Irish traditions and folklore as my ancestors are from Westport. My great great grandfather relocated to Carlisle in Cumbria, which interestingly is also a celtic county, historically known as Rheged. There seems to be a lot of similarities between Irish and historical Cumbrian traditions and language, which would explain why I feel so connected
to both. Must be where I get my love of the land, traditional skills and rustic wools. 😊
Thanks for the lovely comment Ada, it's lovely to hear that you have connections to Westport. Cumbria sounds lovely......
I do have quite a bit of yarn purchased over the last 2 years. Something about a virus that had us all locked up! 🎉Glad to see your work. Wasn’t familiar with the Downtown hoodie. It’s now in my queue. Thank you.
Hahaha:) very true about the tendency to go online shopping when we couldn't get out and about!! It'll take me a long time to get through the wool I have......The downtown hoodie is gorgeous isn't it?! I'm really enjoying the process of knitting it and the shape is looking lovely. Happy knitting!
I love love love your Podcast. I love not only all of your knitting, which is so beautiful but also everything that you share with us about your culture; your language, your traditions, your folkrales, the landscape... everything. Another thing I enjoy so much is that your son pops in. I hope you let him pop in even more; he's such a handsome dude. His popping in is part of what makes your Podcast interesting.
I always love to hear the stories, folklore and history of Ireland, and to see your gorgeous knitting projects! When I was over we sought out the portal stones we could find…and stood in silent wonder at their presence. Thank you so much for the time and thought you put into your podcasts!
First time viewer, now subscriber! Thank you for the beautiful views and all the knowledge. In Dutch (I'm from the Netherlands) the hawthorn is called the "may-thorn". Not hard to guess why! As luck would have it, I was actually knitting with yarn dyed in Donegal while watching you! It's not Irish wool (actually it's linen-bamboo) so I will definitely need to check out the Galway. Using native fibres creates a connection like nothing else, I think. (I've knit with Dutch fibres as well, which was... an experience. And gave me a lot of sympathy for people who were expected to wear it next to skin!)
Hi Anna, and thanks for watching:) Definitely worth checking out Galway wool. You can get it from Cushendale Woollen Mills, from Life in the Long Grass or from Irish Fibre Crafters I think also. Happy knitting!
So happy that I happened upon your podcast. I am from America. However, I do have family in Cork and Dingle that I’ve never met. My grandmother met our family over there, and now that she is gone and unable to share stories, I love hearing the Irish folklore stories. Thank you so much for sharing. 🤗🍀
HI!!! A'ine !!!! My heart was absolutly delighted with this episode. I think your shawl turned out so pretty and the colors look so nice on you. All your works are beautiful and I would love them in my wardrobe. I think we have the same color palette. I am amazed at your explanation of Bealtaine and it feeds my soul. The connections to earth and respecting it! Thank you for being brave and sharing the Hawthorne bush and its beautiful blossoms. I think it knows your purist of intentions and is glad you are enlightening others to it's "energy gifts". Also the forts.... ! I look forward to listening to you and hearing all about your part of the world (earthiness). I still have some snow drifts melting here in South Dakota and it's been unseasonably cold. The beach landscape was a treat! As May 1st comes... know that I will be putting flower petals around my porch and house entrance with my fondest thoughts of you my Irish friend. Sending love from Claremont, SD!!! Diane
Áine! It troubled me that I couldn't get the accent on your name. So, my eleven year old grandson taught me how. These kids nowadays are nothing but amazing.
Thank you! The kids are amazing nowadays!!
Aine, this was truly nourishing for the soul, the knitting is so enjoyable and I’m now looking at the gorgeous hawthorn bushes on my daily walks with even more awe than before, thank you yet again 🙏🧶
Thank you for your knowledge, positive energi and inspiration ❤
Lovely podcast. Thank you for sharing the story of the fairy hawthorne that was saved. How lovely to live in a country with respect for ancient stories like this one. Dianne
Wonderful video I love finding out about how we are all connected to Mother Earth and how we need to respect our planet I’m a tree person, although I have a small garden over the years I’ve planted 5 trees most are dwarfs as I need to think of my neighbours. I do have a beautiful Rowan tree I planted about 15 years ago I love watching the birds feeding off the berries. being Scottish we have a strong connection with our folk lore. Thank you for sharing your stories
❤I really enjoyed this episode and especially learning about the Hawthorn Tree . Thank you for all this wealth of information
Hello, I have just recently found your podcast and enjoy everything about it! Thank you for sharing your beautiful knitting projects and for the Irish folklore enlightenment! As a child I would get up at dawn on May 1st and go outside and wash my face with the morning dew to try and make my freckles go away. I learned that from Dad.
Aine, I Love how your thoughtful intention of knitting extends into another ancient craft of living in harmony with the earth lore of nature which resonates, with me at least, a desire, a need to embrace and preserve and respect culture often forgotten, and how it still informs inherent connections in our lives from a past not that long ago...My favorite celebration as a young girl was at Catholic school as we gathered outside at the statue of Mother Mary with white flowers and circular dancing on May Day! Beautifully presented and so appreciated...Thank you ❣
Oh my goodness, I just found your podcast and I love it - I LOVE hearing about the Irish traditions!!! We have been celebrating Beltane every year for 25 years with a gathering, a fire, and a maypole and to hear you talk about it and learn some new (to me) ideas and ways to celebrate is just so timely and magical. Thank you! Beautiful knitting too!
Love how you weave in Irish stories. So important to share the traditions as it’s rooted in history and how people came to be. You used the word “re-remember” which I think is so appropriate. Where I live we love our trees too and on our journey of reconciliation with the Indigenous peoples. It’s now embedded in our school system. Thank you for sharing ❤
Well, you've done it again, Aine. I have been utterly entertained by your knitting, your story telling, your culture (and historically some of mine!), and your beautiful speaking of the Irish Language. Your meander through the countryside was so lovely. It's lovely here in Canada, too. The spring ephemerals are blooming in the forest and it's finally warm enough to woods walk in a wool sweater. We will be celebrating the coming of summer by setting off across the country all the way to the west coast of BC in our camper van. Of course I will bring knitting and hit many new yarn shops. With any luck at all, you'll do another podcast whilst we're travelling. PS I mastered the shadow wrap heel, too!
Ann, I hope you have a wonderful time in your camper van - your trip sounds absolutely fabulous, I'm envious!! Hope you find lots of lovely new yarn in the shops and get plenty of time for knitting:)
Another informative episode. I enjoyed it
I learned to not hard trees from the man who asked the tree for syrup and the man who demanded it.
I was so disappointed with superwash yarn I knit Kim Hargreaves’s hat Nova loads of kinda of blackberries, and pattern was lovely, berries pronounced, but when I washed it very carefully, the berries disappeared by half. I was so sad. The yarn I used was Fyberspates Scrumptious which was expensive. So I will be thinking twice about Superwash in the future.
Hi Orlagh - I think you really need a toothy rustic wool for good definition with cables and texture. It's a shame that you were disappointed with it. It can be really good for other types of projects though - where you want drape and are less aiming for textures or cables. Best of luck with your knitting:)
Love your content! Always happy to see a new episode coming up 🙂 Casting on with Ullcentrum sportweight soon for the first time. Very curious to see whether I’ll have a similar experience to you with this wool xx
Hi Stamatia, and thanks for watching as always! I hope you enjoy the Ullcentrum. I love the way the anthracite is knitting up- beautiful depth to the colour and really nice texture. I've nearly finished the body of the hoodie now - onto the sleeves next and then the hood. Let me know how you get on with your project.
I am curious which videos you used to learn brioche? Will be giving it a whirl myself on the bixbite (thanks to you and your gorgeous shawl.) But i am finding it difficult to find clear instruction in continental.
Hi Anne, I'm not sure where I learned the brioche stitch but as far as I can remember I used Andrea Mowry's tutorials. I'm not sure whether she also teaches continental style but she probably does. Thanks for your lovely comments about the shawl:) I must start another brioche project soon, I really enjoyed that Veera Valimaaki design.