HRH The Duke of Rothesay was in attendance and met members of the Cumnock Rugby Club and Dumfries House-based craft classes. Other members of the community who took part in the knitting event included school pupils, members of local Boys’ Brigade and brownies groups who also began knitting patchwork squares under the expert guidance of Dumfries House staff.

The artwork will be installed on the A-listed Adam Bridge, which was built in 1760 and can found at the heart of the Dumfries House estate. Following the installation, the 112m x 3m artwork will be taken apart to create smaller blankets which will be donated to charity for the homeless community in Scotland.

“We already engage with so many members of Ayrshire communities through our regular classes at Dumfries House, but it was so heartening to see even those with no previous experience in knitting getting to grips with it and contributing to what we hope will prove a significant and worthwhile piece of work.” - Ashleigh Douglas, Future Textiles manager.

People with a talent for knitting are invited to contribute to this art installation and contributions can be sent to Ashleigh Douglas by post to Future Textiles, Dumfries House, Cumnock, KA18 2NJ until the end of March.

Dumfries House hosts a range of classes and workshops, from Future Textiles initiatives to encourage secondary school pupils to pursue related qualifications and careers, to social get-togethers such as Knitwise, which supports local adults who are both keen knitters and complete beginners. Knitwise groups meet fortnightly at the Health and Wellbeing Centre.

To find out more about Future Textiles and other education programmes on the estate email: education@dumfries-house.org.uk