Fiberside Chats: Di Gilpin & Sheila Greenwell October19th, 2025

Gansey Knitting and So.Much.More!

We can’t wait to meet Di Gilpin and Sheila Greenwell, the authors of ‘The Gansey Knitting Sourcebook’ and creators of so much more!  They will talk about the history of Gansey knitting, the amazing source material within the book, along with the contemporary Gansey designs for knitters that showcase the best of Gansey motifs and patterns. We’ll learn how Di’s extensive library of designs are created, the process and their uniqueness, crossing between traditions while sometimes creating new techniques influenced by their work in Fashion. They’ll also share the luxurious and unique Scottish yarn ranges they create. We’ll enjoy a discussion of Couture knitting along with all the latest on the new TV series, “The Game of Wool" of which Di and Sheila are both Judges! Register now, you don’t want to miss this Fiberside Chat!

Bio:
Di Gilpin: In 1983, I took a year off from teaching history to travel, arriving on the Isle of Skye with little more than a rucksack containing a tent, some wool and knitting needles. I ended up spending 18 years on the island, inspired by nature, landscape and sea. I worked on my knitting skills, experimenting with different processes, styles and stitches.
Now based at Comielaw Farm on the Balcaskie Estate in Fife, I create wool ranges including an organic wool/cashmere in collaboration with Uist Wool. Sheila and I work together designing knitting patterns, garments for different fashion clients, teaching and workshops. I helped develop the Moray Firth Partnership Gansey Project with the Scottish Fisheries Museum.
I now have a company and work with Sheila and a wonderful team working from the studio. Our brand involves collaborations with designers including Graeme Black, Paul Hardy, Nike, La Fetiche and Connolly England. Slow fashion, ethical and sustainable production are our ethos. 

Sheila Greenwell: I come from a Scottish knitwear town and from a family closely connected to spinning and wool, so I could knit before I went to primary school. Looking at old handwritten notes from Gansey knitters reminds me strongly of how I knitted as a learner without the benefit of printed patterns. I met Di 14 years ago, having retired after 30 years of teaching and now I am lucky enough to share both teaching and knitting with her. The Gansey story always captivates our audiences around the world.

This is a live Zoom Event on Sunday, October 19th at 1:00pm EDT, 12:00pm CDT, 11:00am MDT, 10:00am PDT, 6:00pm BST

This Fiberside Chat will be recorded - a link to the recording will be available for one week and shared with registered attendees only. 

Registration will close 1.5 hours before beginning of event.