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Scotland is famous for two main sorts of hand
knitting; Aran and Fair Isle. Aran knitting usually employs heavy weight wool
of one neutral colour to make a heavily textured geansaidh (Gaelic for jumper).
Fair isle however, uses fine wool of many colours to produce an intricate and
bright garment. Scotland also has other ethnic forms of knitting such as
Shetland Lace (for Christening shawls etc.) and Sanquhar patterns (a sort of
black and white fair isle).
All these styles display the Scottish love of
pattern, and much of it is celtic in nature. Surprisingly the traditional
patterns employed are not often viewed as indigenous in the literature dealing
with the history of this craft in Scotland i.e.Sheila Mcgregor, The Complete
Book of Traditional Fair Isle Knitting, published by Batsford (1981) London.
Instead, far-flung places such as Scandinavia, Estonia and even the East are
often quoted as possible sources of these patterns, while the presence of
celtic artifacts and sculpture in the local environment are
overlooked. |
Pattern
in Traditional Aran
Knitting
Pam Dawson
Search Press
Although no doubt supplemented from other areas by imports, the
celtic and pictish designs common in local churches, standing stones, jewelry
etc. make these a likely everyday source. |
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Pictish
Elephant Design |
Just the thing for the colder Autumn days,
with a place to keep hands warm as well!
To get the full knitting pattern for this design,click on the
icon below.
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| A modern shetland lace
christening gown and matching shawl made by expert knitter Mrs Morag
Ramsay, who has won many prizes for her work. Morag has made lots of
exquisite garments; even a shetland lace wedding dress! If you fancy trying
your hand at an heirloom quality piece like this contact: Jamieson and Smith,
The Shetland Wool Brokers Ltd., 90 North Road, Lerwick, Shetland Isles ZE1 0PQ
Tel +44 01595 693579 Jamieson and Smith can supply kits from around £15,
patterns and wool |
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