A lifelong love of knitting, wool and Sanquhar
About Ruth Filmer Robinson
Making and designing have been part of my life for as long as I can remember. My father taught me to knit when I was four years old, and I still have the little pink knitting needles I learnt on.
I live in Thornhill, Dumfriesshire, just 12 miles south of Sanquhar. It was perhaps inevitable that, with my love of knitting, spinning and wool, I would become fascinated by the distinctive two colour knitting tradition of this small Scottish town.
What began as an interest gradually became years of research. I have studied historic Sanquhar knitting, examined surviving pieces in museum collections and private collections, and explored the many patterns that have been knitted and passed down through generations. That research now forms the basis of my forthcoming book on Sanquhar knitting.
Through my patterns and kits, I hope to make Sanquhar knitting accessible to anyone who would like to try it, whether you are an experienced colourwork knitter or discovering the tradition for the first time. I also teach Sanquhar knitting and am always happy to hear from groups interested in arranging a workshop or course.
My Etsy shop began as TheWheelEwe, reflecting my love of hand spinning and wool. As my work has increasingly centred on Sanquhar knitting, the shop has grown with me and now carries my name, although you will still occasionally find some of my hand spun yarn here too.
Thank you for visiting. I hope you enjoy discovering Sanquhar knitting as much as I have.