A STITCH IN TIME FOR EILIS OG

Next time you spot Bill Clinton on walkabout in Washington, take a closer look at the labels on his clothes and you might just catch a glimpse of 'Made in West Belfast'.

For last week local handknitting expert Elizabeth Savage of EilisOg Knitwear was summoned to the Hilton Hotel in Belfast to display her work for the President the First Lady, Chelsea Clinton and the Secret Service!

Now the Stewartstown Avenue businesswoman and her employees are in the middle of a knitting storm as Elizabeth received a phonecall from an American woman asking her to bring her knitted garments to the Hilton. As she was busy preparing her display in the hotel, First Lady Hillary Clinton and an entourage of the Secret Servicemen walked in.

'I got the phone call on the Wednesday morning,' said an elated Elizabeth. 'I was asked to bring down a variety of designs in a variety of sizes'.

'I didn't really think anything of it and just made my way down to the Hilton with my designs. I thought it quite strange that all these hurly burly Americans were coming in and buying my jumpers. Then Hillary walked in and straight over to me and introduced herself'.

Hillary looked at Elizabeth's designs and picked out a beautiful blue Tweed Zipper Cardigan for herself and two natural Cream Aran Short jumpers for Chelsea.

'She tried on the blue Tweed and asked me how it looked. I told her that it was far too big for her and that I would measure her and have one made. She told me that it would be a great honour to have me knit a special design for her.

'Then the President's personal secretary placed an order for a male's Aran jumper. I think it may be for the man himself, but I'm not sure. I have put the orders to my outknitters and the Jumpers are on needles as we speak. I haven't actually told the lady knitting the special Aran jumper that it's for the President. I think that she would just be too nervous to knit.

'We are all really honoured to be knitting for the Clinton family and hopefully we will see them wearing them on St Patrick's Day. I will be so proud it they do.'

Elizabeth, who has been creating beautiful knitwear for 14 years is planning to open a showroom and shop on the Lisburn Road later in the New Year, but can be contacted via her website at or by telephone on 028 90623763.

Meanwhile Elizabeth's employees are knitting away furiously so the jumpers will be ready to wear by the famous occupants of the While House by March 17 ^th.

Presidential seal of approval: West Belfast woman Elizabeth Savage pictured with Senator Hillary Clinton at the Hilton Hotel

Hillary's shop blitz in Belfast

By Smyth Harper US FIRST Lady and Senator-elect Hillary Clinton's nearest and dearest will be getting some of Ulster's finest crafts as Christmas gifts on Monday.
That's because a special Northern Ireland cottage industry trade exhibition during the presidential visit last week went down a storm with Mrs Clinton.
Whilst Bill was pressing the flesh at Stormont, Hillary took the opportunity after her Opera House speech to peruse the wares at the Hilton Hotel.
She was particularly taken with some beautiful pieces of Belfast Crystal, handmade pottery and hand-knitted Aran wear.
One of the exhibitors, Elizabeth Savage, owner of Eilis Og knitwear, said: "She tried on a beautiful denim blue tweed zipped jacket and shouted to her ladies in waiting -- 'look, a zipper'.
"I think she had been looking for one. But I told her the one she tried on was a little big and I would have one m! ade for her and shipped over.
"She said it would be an honour for her if I did that, but the real honour was mine for getting the privilege of meeting her." Mrs Clinton bought two more jackets.