SHETLAND’S INDUSTRY

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 30 July 1927, Page 9

SHETLAND’S INDUSTRY

ROMANCE OF THE WOOL TRADE

0E NT FRIES ago when the Kings of Denmark exacted tribute from the Shetland Isles, the poverty-stricken eioffers, having no money, paid their dues in bales of coarse tweeds from the wool of the Shetland sheep. Somewhere about 1468, Shetland being pledged to Scotland the tax was abolished, and the islanders began exporting their woollen goods to the Scottish and English. Trade has many romances, but few began so far back in the pre-Norman period as the Shetland industries (says the “Newcastle Weekly Chronicle”). There is romance again in the landing of Spaniards on Fair Isle, alter the Armada wreck. Instead of putting the shipwrecked strangers to death the kindly crofters sheltered and led them. The Spaniards repaid this hospitality by teaching them how to extract dyes from peat and seawood, and knitting the dyed wool into intricate patterns and designs. These became traditional in families, and are even now extensively employed for decorating the Fair Isle’s jumpers and drosses. Not, however, until 1840, was it discovered that Shetland wool, despite its cobwebby delicacy, could retain its

strength, warmth and durability when spun to a fineness of gossamer veiling. Tims was born that world-famous Shetland shawl, also the lace-like woollen lingerie which gives warmth without weight, and forms ideal baby wear. So gradually developed this remarkable industry of the Far North, famous all ever tlie world, bringing money and comforts into the bleak lives of poor, hard-driven peasants. So high in quality are their products from ethereally delicate underwear to delightful rough tweeds and knitted garments that every year the demand steadily increases. Few people know that the Shetland sheep is totally different from his southern cousin. He is small, active, with short horns, and a thick,’ silky fleece, in white, fawn, grey, or brown —the Shetland colours. The sheep are not sheared, but the wool Is gently removed by the women when it begins to peel back from the face. A peculiar fact about the fine neck wool used for underwear is its property (only v,hen hand-spun and hand-knitted) of protecting from and oanishing rheumatism for which purpose it is much recommended bv doctors.