July 2026

Name: Alison Mayne / Knitrospective

How did your creative journey start?

I started Knitrospective as a serious concern after finishing my PhD, which researched wellbeing for people who shared their knit and crochet on social media. I wanted a space for creative practice alongside my research and teaching work. I began by sharing the designs for shawls and other accessories that I had been working on during long train journeys between home and study, Later, these design themes developed, with pattern collections based around the first women librarians of interesting UK libraries, or ideas about Scottish language or history. Alongside other academic work in wellbeing, I continued my own research in Scottish textile history, exploring individuals and businesses. 

Can you explain your creative process? How has it changed over time?

My process always starts with storytelling, whether it is for a knitwear pattern or a piece of historical research. For example, a current project designing a shawl inspired by the library in Lerwick, Shetland, has led to finding out about its first woman librarian, Stella Sutherland – the Bressay poet. Another typical example is the popular Robach shawl, where the lace design is inspired by a rare Hebridean marsh orchid only found in a few areas of machair around South Uist.

Who influences you? Which other creatives’ work do you love?

I am inspired by contemporary textile artists like Ruth Singer and Lucie Bea Dutton, who also write reflectively about their creative practice. Classic knitwear designer Elizabeth Zimmermann has also been influential, with her approach of ‘unventing’ patterns and acknowledging the significance of wellbeing through craft:  “Properly practiced, knitting soothes the troubled spirit, and it doesn’t hurt the untroubled spirit either.”

What advice would you give creatives who are just starting out?

It’s about finding space where you can – to keep going in the ways you can. The corner of the table one evening a week is better than feeling you should give up. Way will lead to way…keep going.

What can visitors expect when visiting your space during Falkirk Open Studios?

Come and see the space where people can develop skills in sewing, knitting, spinning and crochet. if you’d like to find out more about Knitrospective membership, where you can pre-book workshop time to learn with me, let’s chat! (I don’t run formal ‘classes’ but prefer to work with one or two people at a time on exactly what they’d like to do). You’ll also be able to purchase patterns, look at samples, and purchase finished objects, handspun yarn, and felted or sewn textiles. Some groups may be in the studio being crafty during the week.