Hand Knitting in Shetland

Hand knitting in Shetland wool yarn is a vital component of Shetland heritage and identity and continues to be embedded in both contemporary culture and many businesses. Authentic Shetland hand knitting techniques in both Fair Isle and Shetland Lace, and the tradition of circular garment shaping, plain or patterned have been used in Shetland knitted items in all eras; either knitted commercially, for family garments or to give as gifts.

All of those creative skills and the knowledge of ways to apply them will continue to be essential for all aspects of Shetland’s textile culture in the future. They are fundamental to the design and development of commercial Shetland knitting and form the basis of hand framed and industrial machine knitting production, textile design, textile tourism, and also knitting by hand to promote an individuals wellbeing and ability to take part in sociable community groups.

Commercial Shetland hand knitting thrived in the 1980’s and 90’s due to the substantial support from the Shetland Islands Council to support businesses with international marketing in Europe, Asia and the US through a Shetland Knitwear Trades Association for all of the Shetland textile sector. Thanks to this, Shetland’s profile as a place with a strong hand knitting heritage and it’s development continued to grow nationally and internationally after the millennium.