Beathe (23) from Eindhoven, learned to knit from her grandmother—again and again—until the stitches finally stuck. What began with these quiet lessons grew into a deeper fascination with wool as both material and philosophy. For Beathe, working with wool is a way of honouring time, care, and origin. In her Regional Wool Project, she set herself a bold challenge: to craft an entire garment using only wool and no stitches. The result is a fully felted jacket—constructed by wet-felting raw wool with warm water and olive soap, then joining the pieces through needle felting. The process took many hours of repeated motion, a meditative rhythm that reflects the patience and respect the material demands. The final piece is warm, resilient, and a testament to wool’s raw integrity and potential.

Simone (55) from Geldrop, developed her love for textiles during her childhood, knitting clothes for her dolls and discovering the joy of working with her hands. Now based in Geldrop, she studied at the Design Academy Eindhoven, where she deepened her connection to materials and color. Four years ago, she picked up knitting again—this time using continental style with circular needles, which made the process smoother and more enjoyable. For her regional wool project, Simone created a pair of warm, naturally dyed socks using local wool and plants from her own garden. With woad leaves and seeds, she experimented to extract blues, yellows, greens, and pinks—learning through hands-on trial and error. For Simone, knitting is a meditative act that builds a deeper connection to the land, the material, and the act of making itself.

Diana (47) from Eindhoven, picked up her knitting needles in 2006—right after she quit smoking—and never looked back. What began as a way to keep her hands busy became a lifelong passion and a personal feminist statement: reclaiming crafts like knitting as powerful, creative acts. Since developing long COVID in 2022, knitting has also become her way of staying grounded and connected while largely housebound. For her Regional Wool Project piece, Diana combined two of her original designs—the Out of Office sweater and the Knit Epic Shit bag—into a bold, meaningful garment that celebrates rest, resistance, and joy. It was her first time dyeing yarn, which she learned with fellow maker Tineke, using locally sourced wool. For Diana, working with natural fibres isn’t just a material choice—it’s a way to knit slow, knit local, and knit with purpose.

Wieneke (44) from Enschede, first discovered crochet about eight years ago, but it wasn’t until the very end of 2023 that she fully embraced knitting—falling in love with the craft after overcoming her own doubts. What started as an Instagram post with a pair of budget needles quickly turned into a deep creative commitment. Encouraged by her community and fueled by curiosity, knitting became a daily practice and a source of mindfulness, joy, and connection. For her Regional Wool Project, Wieneke chose a lace-patterned design by her favourite designer, Lene Holme Samsøe, to explore how delicate stitches would work with robust, local wool. The result? A sweater full of character and natural beauty, with every stitch reflecting her love for texture, technique, and the peaceful rhythm of making. Trying out new methods like knitting sleeves on short circulars and sewing a folded collar, she discovered not only the warmth of local wool—but also the richness of constantly learning through craft.

Daantje, a 22-year-old maker from Eindhoven, began knitting during the Covid lockdowns and hasn’t looked back since. With a lifelong love of creativity and a rebellious start in yarncraft, she now inspires even her mother to pick up the needles again. For her regional wool project, Daantje explored natural dyeing using red cabbage and carrot tops to create a colorful cardigan with floral sleeves. Her work blends vibrant plant-based colors with intricate knitting techniques like intarsia and stranded colorwork.

Audrey Meijs (59) from Veghel has been expanding her creative hobbies for over 20 years, from scrapbooking and journaling to rediscovering her passion for knitting. Although she first learned to knit at 16, she only recently mastered circular knitting — just four months ago. For the regional wool project, she created a refined lace-patterned Peacock sweater using top-down construction and German short rows. Knitting with regional wool for the first time, Audrey enjoyed the calm and focus the process brought her.

Emily Cocu (33) from Eindhoven dove into the world of woolcraft three years ago, but her passion took off when she started working at the Prehistorisch Dorp museum in 2023. Driven by a mix of curiosity and ADHD-fueled determination, she quickly taught herself the ancient technique of cardweaving. For her regional wool project, Emily went from raw fleece to finished band, creating a handwoven belt featuring the “Vibes” logo of Eindhoven. Along the way, she discovered both the beauty and the challenges of processing local wool by hand—and the deep satisfaction of reviving historical crafts.

Karin Waag (62) from Sterksel has a background in textile arts and has been working with fabric and wool her whole life. In recent years, she rediscovered her passion for plant-based dyeing, along with crochet and knitting. For her regional wool project, Karin combined joyful hours of dyeing with flowers and experimenting with knitting and crochet stitches to create playful woolen pieces. Her work celebrates the beauty of natural color and the simple joy of making.

Rolijn van Vught (35) from Eindhoven discovered her love for crochet during her maternity leave just a few years ago. With a lifelong passion for creativity — from origami and jewelry making to drawing and embroidery — she finds crafting to be a grounding escape from daily routines. For the regional wool project, she crocheted her first shawl using locally sourced wool, embracing its natural feel and imperfections. To Rolijn, working with her hands offers a peaceful counterbalance to her office life and a deeper connection to her materials.

Tineke Uit den Boogaard (66) is an experienced textile artist from Eindhoven with over 60 years of experience in knitting, crocheting, and spinning. She combines traditional techniques with creative experimentation, often exploring the properties of regional wool. For the regional wool project, Tineke created a wool sculpture that balances form and texture while highlighting the unique qualities of local sheep’s wool. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge and inspiring others through her work and storytelling.

Adrianna Brozynska (30) from Weert discovered knitting just a year ago, after being inspired by beautiful handmade pieces online. With a background in sewing and a love for creating from scratch, she embraced knitting with patience and quickly fell in love with the process. Her regional wool project—a simple yet elegant design using only knits and purls—highlights the natural beauty and texture of the yarn. For Adrianna, knitting is both calming and fulfilling, offering the joy of handmade garments she’s proud to wear and care for.

Maura Lodewijk (19) from Nuenen is a true collector of techniques, who has been creatively engaged with drawing, painting, and textiles since childhood. She started crocheting in primary school and later learned to knit, spin, and do lacework. For her Regional Wool Project, she carded and hand-spun local wool using a drop spindle—even while on vacation, at the Efteling, and at university—which her sister Gitte then used to crochet a vest. For Maura, working with wool is not only a source of calm and joy, but also a way to keep ancient techniques alive and bring her creative ideas to life.

Maartje (40) from Bakel has been knitting since 2011, building on a lifelong passion for making clothes that began at the sewing machine. Wanting to expand her handmade wardrobe, she taught herself to knit and now enjoys exploring creative stitch patterns and textures. Her regional wool project—a cardigan in progress—focuses on showcasing the natural stitch definition of the wool through basketweave-inspired techniques. For Maartje, working with wool is a journey of experimentation and patience, where even trial and error is part of the joy of making.

Margo van Gent from Helmond learned to knit and crochet as a child from her grandmother, and has been seriously engaged with both crafts for over a decade. She enjoys exploring traditional techniques and recently taught herself how to knit cables. For the regional wool project, Margo is creating a bottom-up sweater inspired by historic fishermen’s sweaters, using symbolic motifs like hearts, coffee beans, and nets. For her, knitting is a calming, almost meditative practice that brings both creativity and peace.

Hanne Clemens (31) from Veldhoven is a passionate fiber artist who discovered the depth of wool craft after developing Long Covid. Originally taught to knit and crochet as a child, she deepened her skills in recent years, learning to spin her own yarn and dye it with plants. For the regional wool project, she created a handspun, naturally dyed, and embroidered sleeveless vest — a fully handmade piece from fleece to finish. Hanne finds deep satisfaction in the slow, meditative process of working with wool and loves being part of the broader handcraft community.

Nivedita (29) from Eindhoven began knitting and crocheting four years ago, drawn to the joy of learning and creating by hand. While she’s explored many crafts, this one stuck—and recently led her to design and knit her very first wearable piece. Her regional wool project, a whimsical cropped vest made with her own pattern, reflects both her creative spirit and her eye for detail. For Nivedita, crafting is a grounding practice that brings calm and focus, offering both mindfulness in the moment and satisfaction in the finished piece.

Hanneke Kreuwels (59) from Geldrop has rekindled her passion for fibre arts over the past decade, with a special love for spinning regional wool. Drawing on skills learned from her grandmother, she transforms raw fleece into hand-spun yarn, incorporating natural dyeing techniques like madder root. For the regional wool project, Hanneke crafted a unique shawl inspired by the Brabant flag using the Tunisian entrelac stitch. She enjoys the hands-on creativity of working with wool and encourages others to start small and embrace the rewarding process.

Nicole des Bouvrie (39), based in Nuenen, is an art teacher and visual therapist who enjoys exploring new creative techniques. She has been knitting for five years and recently experimented with dyeing wool using coffee and creating pleats with smocking techniques. For the regional wool project, Nicole crafted a long knitted piece that she transformed into a floral textured fabric. She values knitting as a mindful, hands-on practice that brings both creativity and calm into her life.

Jana (35) from Eindhoven has been knitting and crocheting for ten years, a passion sparked by a friend's workshop and inspired by her mother’s beautiful hand-knit sweaters. She combines her love of historical fashion with hands-on craftsmanship, creating garments based on patterns from the 1890s and 1930s. For her regional wool project, she made a structured crochet bag and belt, along with a dramatic Victorian-inspired cycling sweater—using swatching, blocking, and historical techniques to bring the designs to life. Jana values the meditative rhythm of knitting and enjoys exploring how different yarns shape both the form and feel of a garment.

Yolande Hezemans (63) from Eindhoven has been knitting since childhood, a passion passed down from her mother that has grown into a cherished creative outlet. With a background in the arts and a career at a design school, she finds deep joy in working with her hands. For her regional wool project, Yolande created two slip-overs—one for a child, one for an adult—embellished with embroidered children’s drawings. Combining knitting, natural dyeing, and embroidery, her work reflects both personal connection and playful creativity.