Company History

RUTH CROSS is the company name used by Ruth Bridgeman who started RUTH CROSS in 2004. The name RUTH CROSS was chosen in homage to her grandmother and acknowledgement that the company is a group effort involving around 50 hand knitters based across Britain and not just involving Ruth herself.

History to date (For a selection of press please see 'Press' section):

August 2010: Ruth Cross is commissioned by concept space designers Not-Tom to knit a whole world of exciting things from old telephones to standard lamps to seagulls to dress the VIP lounge for the re-launch of the Internationally known Woolmark Brand. Ruth Cross work was shown alongside other leading designers during the drinks party held at Somerset House during London Fashion week.

Throughout 2009: Bella's Mittens mania hits the studio and we are featured in press all over the world as the mittens become the must have item of the year. This is compounded by the mittens then also being featured in the second film!

November 2008: A pair of Ruth Cross Long Cabled Mittens in Drab Bronze are featured in the first of the Twilight films by costume designer Wendy chuck

October 2008: Exhibiting in the ethical fashion show, North Islington.

September 2008: Exhibiting at Designers and Agents, New York.

June 2008: Exhibiting at Pulse, London.

June 2008: Launch of completely organic and ethical alpaca/ wool homeware collection.

May 2008: Ruth was selected by Swarovski (the crystal giants) as the designer maker to represent the UK in their new book and touring exhibition. Ruth was commissioned to make a piece of work incorporating their Elements collection of crystals.

February 2008: Exhibiting at Designers and Agents, New York.

November 2007: Exhibiting at the ethical fashion show in Islington.

November 2007: Exhibiting at the Black Swan Gallery as part of their 'Home' show.

November 2007: Country Living Christmas exhibition.

September 2007- October 2007:Exhibiting Spring summer 2008 in Paris (ATMOSPHERE) and New York (DESIGNERS AND AGENTS)

June 2007: Launch of new website with online shopping section to promote other designers and sell one-off pieces to a wider market.

June 2007: PULSE exhibition at Earls Court London: RUTH CROSS was picked by International textile magazine SELVEDGE to exhibit in their endorsed area.

May 2007: Work Commissioned by acclaimed stylist Jane Howe to appear in ANOTHER MAGAZINE later this year.

April 2007: Collaboration with TN_29 shoe designer for Spring Summer 2008.

February- March 2007: Exhibiting the Autumn Winter 2007-2008 collection in Paris (ATMOSPHERE), New York (DESIGNERS AND AGENTS) and London (CLERKENWELL DRESSED).

January 2007: Patterns commissioned by LOOP- London knit boutique for their forthcoming book Pretty Knits.

October 2006: Paris and London exhibitions for Summer 2007 collection.

February 2006: Paris and London exhibitions for Winter 2006-2007 collection.

September 2005: LONDON DESIGN WEEK interior installation and exhibition at TN_29 Marylebone Lane, London.

February 2005: Launch of first collection during London Fashion week at Le Salon; first international sales.

November 2004: First sales as RUTH CROSS.

June 2004:  Ruth Bridgeman graduates from the University of Brighton with a degree in Fashion Textile Design with Business Studies. Duing this time she gained experience working for cashmere knit company TSE in New York, a textile trend and design studio in Como, Italy and Paul Harnden Shoemakers in the UK, all of whom she considers vital to her inspiration and decision to start RUTH CROSS.

March 1981: Born in Suffolk UK, then moved around before settling near the New Forest, Hampshire where she grew up and has now returned to. Ruth has recently moved her unusual studio to a grade 2 listed building in central Salisbury where she also has a gallery style boutique, please pop in if you're in the area.