Di Gilpin and Sheila Greenwell are among Britain’s leading figures in contemporary knitting and textile design. Based in Scotland, their creative partnership has grown into an internationally acclaimed hand-knit design studio, renowned for its elegant, innovative, and sustainable approach to knitwear. Di and Sheila’s designs are highly sought after, celebrated for their meticulous craftsmanship and deep-rooted connection to Scotland’s cultural heritage.

Di Gilpin founded her eponymous studio nearly 40 years ago, leaving behind a career in teaching after falling in love with the landscapes and people of the Isle of Skye. From a humble start knitting on a semi-ruined croft, Di’s artistic exploration has become a lifelong journey experimenting with stitches, colour, and texture, guided by Scotland’s coastal landscapes and traditions. Sheila Greenwell, the studio’s Production Manager for over a decade, joined Di after a long career teaching French. Born into a family steeped in the wool traditions of the Scottish Borders, Sheila’s lifelong passion for knitting and colourwork naturally aligned with Di’s artistic vision.

Together, Di and Sheila are widely celebrated for their expertise in gansey knitting: an intricate, traditional technique rooted in British maritime heritage. Their collaboration on The Gansey Knitting Sourcebook has become an essential reference for knitters worldwide, combining historical insight with accessible guidance for modern makers. Under the Di Gilpin Ltd banner, the pair have collaborated on collections and commissions for prestigious international designers and brands, including Nike, Paul Smith, Cabbages & Roses, La Fetiche, Graeme Black, and Connolly England.

Di and Sheila’s ongoing collaborations include ambitious educational initiatives such as Knitwise, a joint project with the Ettedgui Foundation and the Prince’s Foundation to establish a unique Knitting Library at Dumfries House. Their celebrated teaching, workshops, and knitting retreats, including popular masterclasses at their Balcaskie Estate studio and exclusive retreats at Scotland’s historic Balcarres House, regularly attract enthusiasts from across the globe. Their dedication has earned them the Balvenie Master of Craft Award (2005, 2012), the Fletcher of Saltoun Award from the Saltire Society (2019), and a Creative Scotland Award nomination. Today, Di and Sheila remain tireless champions of knitting’s creative potential and continue to inspire new generations of designers, makers, and craft-lovers worldwide.