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I first encountered Studio Donegal yarns at a small yarn shop in Vancouver, British Columbia, and I was instantly smitten. That shop only carried Darnie and Soft Donegal, so my exposure to the brand was limited. In 2019 I moved to Ireland and discovered the rest of the Studio Donegal yarns. Working at Winnie’s, I now have access to the entire range of Studio Donegal yarns and it is a very dangerous thing indeed.

Studio Donegal offers six yarns in a variety of gauges and textures, from 4 ply Darnie to the tradition Aran jumper yarn, Donegal Aran Tweed, the Irish Heather yarn, Donegal Wool Spinning Company, Soft Donegal, and their latest offering, Soft Chunky. Each yarn is available in a variety of gorgeous and tempting colours.

If you are interested in the technical aspects and performance of yarns, Clara Parkes has written a terrific review of the Soft Donegal yarn, including information about the hand, bloom, wearability, durability and the cosy softness of the fine Merino fibre. which you can read here.

All of us in the shop are in love with the Studio Donegal brand, some of us more so than others. The temptation to make every project with Studio Donegal has been great. I had a brief flirtation with a skein of Soft Donegal when I made my very first crochet project pictured below. The inspiration has been plentiful too, Jackie and Clare have both worn their creations to work, and even former staff members, Mary and Pamela have contributed pictures of their creations to demonstrate the versatility of the Studio Donegal yarns.

 

Jackie is an avid fan of Studio Donegal. She has made many beautiful items with Darnie, including the lovely sweaters pictured here. L-R: Rhapsody in Cables (back and front) by Joji Locatelli (Heath); Bello, also by Joji Locatelli (Foggy Dew) and Buttonside Sweater, by Jenifer Dassau (Orange).	Clare has these fantastic two pieces in Soft Donegal. The pullover is Lillet, by Thea Coleman (Grey); and the cardigan is Hayfield pattern #527 (Wine)
Pamela is keeping warm in the Snowdrift Infinity Cowl, Kalurah Hudson, knit with Soft Donegal (Red). Look at that beautiful stitch pattern.	Back in Canada, my friend Sheila knit the Cobblestone sweater, by Jared Flood with the Soft Donegal
Mary made the gorgeous and evocative Wool & Honey, by Andrea Mowry with Darnie (Gold).	And finally, this is my first crochet project. He’s a quirky creature from Edward’s Imaginarium, by Kerry Lord (Green). I call him Angus.