GANSEY KNITTING

Image courtesy of Di Gilpin

Joining us for our next online talk, Knit, Di Gilpin and Sheila Greenwell, long collaborators, will introduce the little known history and craft of Gansey knitting. 

Gansey knitting is thought to have begun in Guernsey, United Kingdom, developed by hand knitters around the coast. The garments have textured patterns unlike the plain Guernsey ones and were synonymous with fishermen, created for the wear and tear of physical work. The demise of the British fishing industry has since separated the craft of Gansey knitting from its roots but knitters such as Di Gilpin and Sheila Greenwell have helped preserve the techniques and knowledge of this form of knitting.


Image: portrait of Sheila Greenwell (left) and Di Gilpin (right). Image courtesy of Elena Heatherwick

Di Gilpin is the founder and creative director of Di Gilpin Ltd, the hand-knit design studio which has been based in Scotland for more than 38 years. Di Gilpin studied history and politics at university and started work as a teacher. In 1983, she took a year-off to travel, and arrived on the Isle of Skye with little more than a rucksack containing a tent, wool and knitting needles. Inspired by the nature, landscape, sea and people around her, she developed her knitting expertise, experimenting with different processes, styles and stitches. With her business growing, she moved to Fife and established Di Gilpin Ltd.

Di works with many fashion designers to push the tradition of Hand knit in new creative directions. She reconstructs and challenges convention in the tradition of knit and creates couture pieces with precision and care. At the core of her work is the love of Gansey knitting and its unique construction techniques which she recreates to enable a perfect fit! Di and Sheila are also working on a project with the Ettedgui Foundation and the Princes Foundation to create a Knitting Library at Dumfries House in Scotland.


Image courtesy of Di Gilpin

During their presentation, Di and Sheila will explore the rich history of Gansey Knitting in the British Isles with an introduction to all the special techniques involved in the creating of these utilitarian, unique and beautiful garments. Their conversation will draw attention to the love fashion designers have for these unique pieces and how they draw on them for inspiration in collections as diverse as hand knit trainers for Nike, Gansey dresses and tights for Meadham Kirchoff, the fabulous work of April Crichton at La Fetiche and their recent menswear collection for Paul Smith.

Our next online talk, Knit, will take place on Wednesday 14 September 2022 at 18:00 BST.

Find out more about the event and book your tickets on our Online Talks page.