The European Commission’s expert group on mental health and education has recently emphasised the vital role of wellbeing in schools for children’s academic success and lifelong outcomes. Their recommendations call for a whole-school, whole-system approach that supports emotional, social and cognitive development—through curriculum, school environment, staff wellbeing, and community collaboration.
In this context, creative, hands-on learning experiences are gaining renewed recognition for their impact on student wellbeing.
Lorna McCormack’s Wool in Schools brings the timeless craft of wool working into classrooms, helping children reconnect with creativity, nature, and wellbeing. Combining her background in fibre arts and education, she creates mindful, hands-on learning experiences that nurture mental health and heritage.
Wool in Schools, Reconnecting Children with Craft, Nature and Wellbeing
Lorna McCormack MSc is the founder and director of Wool in School, an educational initiative bringing wool into classrooms. With a background in social care, a MSc in Agricultural Innovation from the University of Galway, fluency in Irish Sign Language, and a career as a professional fibre artist, she blends creativity, education, and wellbeing in her work.
Lorna McCormack was raised in a deeply creative Irish family, in a home where “you had to know how to knit, how to sew – not as hobbies, but as necessary skills.” Her return to fibre arts about ten years ago wasn’t just creative; it was restorative. After years in the business side of agriculture and textiles, she returned to her foundation and the mindful practice of working with her hands.
That connection deepened during Covid, when she began felting pet portraits. “I started for mindfulness, but there were times I didn’t enjoy it. I had to ask why. The reason was overwork. If you’re not enjoying your art, it’s time to step back.”
After navigating challenges with her health, including skin cancer and postnatal recovery, fibre art became not just a passion but a lifeline. “It was a catalyst for where I am today.” Her children recognised the importance of that quiet creative space. “Whenever I’d take out my felting needles, they’d say, ‘Leave her alone, she’s going to make something.’ They’d peep in to see the result.” That time became sacred – moments of calm, focus, and self-expression.
‘Wellbeing through making’ turned into a wider mission, beyond her own wellbeing towards that of her children. As a mother of four, she was struck by how little her own children knew about the materials all around them. “What is wool?” That simple question sparked a journey – one that led her and her son down a “rabbit hole” of politics, laws, and the state of the wool industry.
“There’s been a real decline in interest in heritage and crafts. In the last few years, schools have focused on ticking boxes – but now is the time to talk about this.” For Lorna, nurturing creativity is directly linked to mental wellbeing. “Creativity shouldn’t be optional. We need to ensure it’s passed down. We’re transferring our knowledge – and giving children the tools to express themselves, think critically, and support their wellbeing.”
What emerged was a mindful and tactile approach to learning. After a year and a half of research, she launched pilot projects in local schools, wheeling in airline trolleys packed with wool. “Children had the opportunity to explore different Irish wools and textiles through posters, chalkboards, and hands-on materials.” The project provided a calm, sensory learning experience – something many children rarely get today. It also helped bridge a growing gap in awareness, as many are now unaware of where their food comes from or how their clothes are made.
Six years later, with renewed clarity following the pandemic, Lorna transformed her programme into Wool2Ewe – a tactile learning experience in a box. At its heart is the belief that making things with our hands not only passes on heritage but supports wellbeing, self-awareness, and connection in an increasingly digital world.
The wool2ewe box - Work in progress
Knitting for Climate and Calm
As an EU Climate Ambassador, Lorna sees wool and knitting as essential “climate-smart skills.” “It’s not just about heritage but about being a conscious creator. We use organic Irish wool, and that’s key to building a circular economy.”
She recalls one class discussion where a few students remarked, “A farmer has to sell five or six fleeces just to afford a pack of chewing gum.” “They’re beginning to understand the true value of wool,” Lorna says.
Over the last couple years, she has taught over 770 children to knit, ranging from 9-18 years of age. In a programme that spans over 5 weeks, each child receives one ball of Irish wool, needles, and a cut-out dinosaur. “They colour it, name it, and knit a scarf for it. It’s a tiny project—but they work at their own pace, support each other, and no one gets left behind.”
“We don’t teach them to cast on or off. Many kids today struggle with hand-eye coordination, so we start with tying a knot and how to hold the needles.” Step by step, they build confidence. “We never rip anything out. They see how much they’ve improved.”
Teachers have noticed children knitting during lessons to calm down. “If a child’s really stressed, they let them knit quietly in class, while they continue teaching.” Even during break time, “boys and girls sit in circles and knit – it’s knit and natter.”
Colour also plays a vital role. Children are naturally drawn to bright pinks, greens, and oranges, shades that reflect principles of colour therapy. The Wool2Ewe box includes all three, offering a vibrant, sensory experience that supports both wellbeing and creativity – an aspect carefully considered through ongoing research.
Beyond the Classroom
Parents and grandparents have embraced the project. “They found it helped balance out screen time. They have begun advocating for knitting and sharing it with other parents.”
In intergenerational sessions, children and older adults knit together. “The children get brighter colours, older people get softer ones like light pink and blue because darker shades are harder to see.” With over 150 schools and nursing homes involved, “they knit squares together, creating a symbolic thread of connection.”
“Even after the programme ends, many schools continue to visit the local nursing homes.” This is the basis of the session, to create a connection between the generations, a space of wellbeing for all.
Wool in Schools is more than knitting – it’s a way to build confidence, creativity, and connection across generations. Lorna’s work shows how simple crafts can support wellbeing, teach sustainability, and bring calm in a busy world.
Chiarra Gianina Fernandes
