Shetland Fairisle Knitting

Well, here’s a new challenge for me! Knitting 🧶 ‘in the round’. I was taught to knit as a child by my mom, but I’ve only ever dipped into it here and there over the years - matinee coats for babies; and even sweaters for myself, plus one for an ex-husband (not ‘ex’ at the time LOL).

Over the last 6 or 7 years I though, I’ve become more and more interested in knitting again – and lately I love to knit for my Waldorf dolls. 

So, 'knitting in the round' - something I’ve never tried! For me, it’s only ever been two straight needles, knitting and purling; and generally able to follow a pattern. However, with the new surge in knitting (and other crafts too) it seems increasingly that when I look at a pattern, it calls for knitting in the round. Initially I simply avoided those patterns, but then realised I was missing out on some lovely things to knit. So, in the end I caved in, bought some circular needles and decided that learning this strange (to me) method of knitting was the answer! So on to YouTube I went. There’s hardly any kind of teaching resource you can’t find on YouTube - and mostly free – it’s fab! Just lots of lovely crafting communities willing to share their knowledge. 

Alongside this over recent years (like many) I’ve become ever aware of the damage we’re all doing to our planet with the global warming issues and the over use of plastic, so wherever possible I’m doing my best to swap to sustainable, natural products. And with that in mind, I’ve vowed to never again buy acrylic knitting yarn - for acrylic read plastic! The same applies to any fabrics I buy, although I’ve vastly cut back on fabric. 

So in my search for some pure/natural yarn, I came across the beautiful yarns produced in the Shetland Islands, which is great as I’m also attempting to ‘buy British’ and do away with those ‘air miles’. Buying from Shetland also sparked an interest in fairisle knitting. There are some extremely talented ladies on Shetland who are just amazing ....... and so fast at it too! 

Anyway, this is a very long-winded introduction to my current project - and little of it to show at the moment, but having sent off for some lovely 100% Shetland wool yarn, I’m breaking myself in gently (I hope 😟) by knitting a beanie hat. Wrong time of year I know, but it might take until next winter to finish it 😁. 

So yesterday I made a slow start and managed to get as far as the ribbed edge. I was very pleased with myself though when bearing in mind:-

·      This is my first attempt at ‘knitting in the round’ (apart from one little practice piece);

·       It’s 4-ply yarn, so takes longer to knit up; and 

·       It’s fairisle. 

So, this is what I’ve achieved so far:

And this is how I hope it’ll look when finished, but in a different colourway.

I’ve also discovered the Shetland Islands hold a knitting festival each year 😁. This would have been its 11^th year. At the beginning of the year I was pondering the notion of a trip to Shetland (Britain’s most northerly region) to visit the island and of course go to the knitting festival ……….... yes I know, there are closer knitting festivals – to be honest France is closer to me than Shetland!! But it would be a mini holiday too wouldn’t it - and now being a (retired) lady of leisure, I can do that. Of course, due to Coronavirus, this year’s festival has now been cancelled, but I’m planning for next year instead. Have you seen how close it is to Norway and Iceland? Yes, it’ll be cold 🥶 but with a good wind, I’ll have my beanie hat to wear.  

Alongside the festival, they produce an annual magazine full of lovely patterns, plus interesting information about the Islands, so while ordering the yarn, I also ordered one of the back magazines (2018). The fairisle fingerless gloves are in very pretty colours; and I love the sweater on the front, and although I love that mustardy kind of colour, I can see it in a nice winter red - maybe with a matching beanie ......

...... too adventurous maybe?? 

Oh, I nearly forgot! I’ve also made these two tabard aprons for my nephew’s partner who needs them ready when she returns to work as a Steiner teacher. Crafting with little ones can get messy!

So, that's it for now!