KNITTERS OF SHETLAND.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 8 October 1924, Page 3

KNITTERS OF SHETLAND.

Thanks to a boom in the knitting industry, for which, the islands have long been famous, Shetland has been saved from destitution. The exquisite handicraft of the womenfolk of Shetland has for long been a most valuable asset to these, islands. This fact was never more ewident than at the present time. The herring fishing proved a comparative failure, due mainly to the chaotic conditions in Germany and Russia. Aloreover, agriculture has suffered to a serious extent through the inclemency of the weather. The outcome is that the industry in handkiut woollen goods has become more [than ever the mainstay of the islanders. The women have saved the situation .

The articles produced by the nimblefingered women are many and varied. They range from fine lace shawls and scarves—delicate and beautiful as the spider’s web, to soft and warm underclothing. It is purely a cottage industry, but the dexterity of the knitters is really a revelation. An important factor is the fine wool of the native sheep. With the advent of the jumper craze, the knitters were not slow, in availing themselves of the opportunity offered. They revived and adapted the extremely pretty and intricate design known as the “Fair Isle Pattern. 1 ” The result was particularly gratifying. Jumpers and scarves embodying this peculiar and artistic workmanship, either whooly or in part, immediately became popular everywhere. Specimens have been worn in public by members of the Royal family, and the illustrations of fashionable gatherings appearing in the leading English journals bear striking testimony to the vogue °f f the Fair Isle jumper and cardigan. This particular pattern has much historic interest (says the London Graphic). One of the ships of the .Spanish Armada.’came’ to grief on Fair Isle, but the commander and 200 men managed to get ashore. Ultimately they were conveyed to tho mainland of Shetland, and during the sojourn some of them taught the native women the art- of knitting those beautiful and artistic designs which were common at that time in many parts of Spain. The ait acquired in this strange fashion, has not been forgotten, but has passed from one generation to another.