Piping Hot Sweater Kit by Lily Kate France

To create original and intensely beautiful pieces of hand knit which not only protect us and tell a story, but transport us in the wearing, into a dream time inspired by the ever-changing land and seascapes of Scotland. To have the wearer feel the spirit of the wild free mountains, and islands, wherever they may be.

My knitwear design studio has its origins in a semi-ruined croft on the Isle of Skye. I had settled there in 1983 with little more than a rucksack containing a tent, wool and knitting needles.

I have worked with many Yarn companies over the  years and created for Rowan the Rowan Scottish Tweed, which was made at the Harris Tweed mill in Carloway, Isle of Lewis. I wrote a book of designs in this amazing yarn, 'Shorelines" with patterns focused on intarsia, colourwork and gansey knitting.

From those early beginnings, I have developed an international fashion brand, working with leading designers including Graeme Black, Erdos 1436, Hancock VA, Mark Fast, Topshop Unique, Cabbages & Roses, Sophia Kokosolaki and Nike.  Read more about our Collaborations. 

Now based at Comielaw Farm on the Balcaskie Estate we have a beautiful showroom and design studio alongside a work room for classes and a kitchen. 

We have recruited a great team of skilled home-knitters based across Scotland. There is a core specialist team, who live within a 15-mile radius, to create the one-off pieces and special commissions desired by private clients, fashion designers and the catwalk.

A single Di Gilpin garment could take us as long as two months to create, hand-knitted in the finest Scottish yarn, inspired by our rich cultural heritage and provenance, making it among the most intricate and show-stopping pieces of couture available anywhere in the world. 

For the past few years we have been working in tandem with La Fetiche, a Paris Glasgow Fashion label founded by April Crichton and Orely Forestier.