Co. Donegal, Ireland

Ailbíona is an exceptionally talented knitwear designer based in County Donegal. She learnt to knit at a young age - possibly as young as four years old - she is not entirely sure but remembers learning to read at roughly the same time! Her mother and paternal grandmother were both enthusiastic knitters and it is from them that she learnt a blend of Russian and German methods that she feels is best described as 'hybrid-continental'. Ailbíona learnt to knit in an improvisational manner with no written patterns or instructions. She continued to knit in this manner until very recently when, in 2016, she was asked to teach a knitting workshop.

Her speciality is seamless knitting in the round where an article of clothing is created and shaped in one piece. This method is suited to making adjustments in fit and style at various stages of the knitting process. This ensures that the finished piece is more comfortable to wear, having no seams.