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| Shetland Knitting |
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| Shetland lies in the North Sea, midway between Scotland and Norway. It is composed of over 100 islands, 16 of which are inhabited. The island of Unst is the home of the finest knitted lace. Knitting has been a part of Shetland's livelihood since the 14th century. The sheep have a fleece that is soft and strong, more suitable for knitting than weaving. Knitting was done not only for home use, but also for barter. Plain stockings were the mainstay along with jumpers and other warm garments. Women traded their knitted goods to German or Dutch fishermen for items such as hooks, fishing nets and lines, salt, flour, fruit, corn, spirits, and woven cloth. As mechanization began to take over the handknitter's work, the women of Unst found they could sell their lace knitting and continue receiving the much-needed income. Shawls, traditionally knitted from the finest part of the sheep's fleece, pulled from the neck, often took up a year to knit. First they had to spin the yarn. Patterns were not written, but passed from mother to daughter. Families had their own designs which were incorporated into the shawls. Every spare minute was spent knitting. These lovely shawls and scarves were sent south to Edinburgh and London to be sold to wealthy women. They were not worn by Shetlanders; they wore shawls made out of courser wool. In Unst, you may see the women wearing a leather pouch attached to a belt at the waist. The pouch has holes into which the long right-hand steel double-pointed needle is stuck. The knitting is stable, and the knitter's hands are free to work the stitches. As the knitting grows, it is attached to the belt, making it possible for the knitter to walk and knit. A skilled knitter can do 200 stitches a minute with the use of the belt. |
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