About Di

In 1983, Di Gilpin decided to take a year out and spend time on the Isle of Skye off the west coast of Scotland. It was to be a year of relaxation and a time to "find herself". That year turned into – well – the best part of twenty years!

In that time, she opened her first store and became one of the most highly respected hand-knit designers in the UK.

In the autumn of 2000, she moved to her present store in St Andrews, where her reputation has grown and spread.

Di's work has been featured in exhibitions throughout Europe and she has lectured widely, especially in the United States. She was short-listed for the prestigious Creative Scotland Award in 2003 and won The Balvenie Artisan of the Year Award in 2005.

Di worked with Rowan and the Carloway Mill on the Isle of Lewis and Harris to develop the Rowan Scottish Tweed range and created Shorelines, a book of patterns, designs and poetry reflecting the wild and beautiful scenery of the Hebrides.

She is working on designs for the Fibre Co, a small mill in Maine, New England and is working with other yarn producers on a number of exciting and innovative projects. Her designs will shortly be seen on the ready-to-wear catwalk with the patterns available for hand knitting.

Her latest venture is sourcing and designing with her own yarns – yarns that hold onto her philosophy of fair trade.

In this new website, she will continuously add new designs and products, plus give information and a friendly blog on life in Di's world!

Members of the Knit Club will be given a discount off anything they purchase and will be privy to exclusive offers throughout the year.