Iris Bishop is an artist and designer with an innovative approach to textile design. She was attracted to the world of 'constructed textiles' and gained a BA(Hons) degree in that subject at the Winchester School of Art (UK). Although her main subject at the time was 'woven textiles', she was seduced by the immediacy and versatility of the knitting machine, and has been designing knitwear ever since. She has gained great recognition for her unique textural techniques and for translating her drawings into realistic fairisle designs. Much of her work has been published in magazines and in her own range of Design Collections for machine knitters.

Following her degree course, she was accepted into the RCA (Royal College of Art) and received two travel scholarships, enabling her to travel and study in Eastern and Western Europe. Iris then worked for seven years as the 'Head of Design and Promotions' for Knitmaster Ltd. in London, linked with its parent 'Empisal' company in Germany, during one of the most exciting periods in the machine knitting industry. She helped to promote machine knitting on television, in galleries and exhibitions, while continuing to work as a freelance designer in the fashion retail industry.

The educational side of knitting has always played an important part in Iris's life, and for many years she was a 'visiting lecturer' on a number of textile and fashion degree courses in the UK. In recent years, she has been invited to lecture and lead workshops in the UK, the USA, Canada, Norway, Australia and New Zealand. She is always regarded as a great source of information and inspiration, attracting newcomers to the art of machine knitting and exciting the interest and vision of more experienced knitters. She continues to push the boundaries of machine knitting with enthusiasm, always adapting to new circumstances, styles and materials.

Diana is from Watertown, South Dakota. where she is owner of Expressions Gallery/Knit Nook. (Diana's mother started the Knit Nook over 50 years ago). The business has grown from a nice hand knitting shop to the largest needlework shop in the Midwest.

A huge share of the business now is custom framing----not only for the beautiful needlework pieces produced, but also everything else imaginable.

The shop has limited edition prints by various nationally known artists as well as a wonderful assortment of posters----to be framed of course. We boast of two Certified Picture Framers on staff. We've added a large array of home decor items and a beautiful assortment of gifts for all occasions.

Diana grew up with a knitting machine available---but earlier preferred to knit by hand----over 500 sweaters by the time she graduated from high school. She took a fashion merchandising class at Patricia Stevens in Mpls.Mn. Then became head knitting instructor and Dayton's----downtown Mpls. This opened her eyes to all types of needlework.

Next her life led her to live in Italy for almost a year. After returning to Watertown to help advance the family owned shop she began checking into the Brother knitting machines. In the 1970's there were so few patterns around for the machines. Diana began writing and teaching techniques for the knitting machines. She has designed over 20 books and several leaflets----all developed with special things to teach. A special challenge is to do garments for the Plus sizes.

The trends now are so much more for the "Hand Knit look"---so she is working on items with both hand and machine directions. "Maybe we can pull the two groups of knitters together at last!"

Susan Guagliumi has designed knitwear for Vogue Knitting, Knitters, and Family Circle Easy Knitting. She has also written articles for Handmade and Threads magazines. Susan is the author of Hand-Manipulated Stitches for Machine Knitters, Twelve Sweaters One Way: Knitting Cuff to Cuff and Twelve Sweaters One Way: Knitting Saddle Style. She lives with her husband, Arthur in Northford, Connecticut.