Alison Ellen

Having trained originally in textiles at Farnham college of art (now UCA Farnham), I have run a small business designing and making hand knits since the 1980s, exhibiting in galleries and fairs. I teach short courses in the UK and abroad, and have published several books on design in knitting (Crowood Press). In both designing and teaching, I explore this flexible and adaptive technique, seeing how different stitches can shape fabric and create garments in 3D to suit different people, and, importantly, be a pleasure to wear! I dye all my own yarns to get the range of colours and effects I want, using tie- and dip-dyeing for added pattern. I enjoy colour and pattern in ethnic textiles and ceramics, and am also inspired by colours in local buildings, gardens and landscape in the quiet rural corner of Surrey where I live.