Ruth Maddock

I studied fashion at Epsom Art School - now the University of the Creative Arts - completing my course and then taking a circuitous route through a number of design positions until I finally found my niche working as a hand knit, machine knit and crochet designer. I had been knitting and crocheting since childhood so this was very much like coming home. I became an internationally published author, a teacher, and a regular contributor to the major UK Knit and Crochet Magazines. In the 1990’s the children came marching into my life, bringing with them laughter, mayhem and complete disarray. I was far too busy mopping floors and cooking fish fingers to continue working so this was put on hold. The new millennium brought with it a gradual rediscovery of the great joy of knitting, crocheting and most of all designing. At this time I also worked as a lecturer at Solihull College, teaching pattern cutting and garment construction. Since then I have been working again for the UK yarn spinners and magazines, and I also sell patterns online. For over four years I had a wool shop in Herefordshire, but I have recently closed this in order to concentrate more on my designs. I am also hoping to do an MA in Contemporary Crafts.