What is a Fair Isle design?
The Fair Isle pattern is a complex design created by skillfully weaving numerous colored strands into a distinctive motif. It owes its name to ‘Fair Isle’, a tiny island to the north of Scotland in the Shetland archipelago. Just 3 miles long by 1.5 wide, Fair Isle is one of the hidden gems of Shetland.
Where did the Fair Isle pattern originally come from?
Fair Isle knitting originated on the remote island of Fair Isle – a tiny jewel in the ocean lying midway between the Orkney and Shetland Islands to the north of Scotland in the UK, at the point where the Atlantic Ocean meets the North Sea.
How is the Fair Isle technique traditionally worked?
Traditionally, Fair Isle jumper construction involves knitting the body of the jumper completely in the round. Steeks (from the Scottish word meaning ‘stitch’, ‘to close shut’, and comprising several stitches) are worked across the armhole openings allowing the body to be completed in the round without interruption.
What is a Fair Isle sweater pattern?
You might recognize this style of knitting in Icelandic sweaters, with their intricate designs of two colors or more running from the shoulders all the way up to the neckhole, or even just standard stockinette stitch hats with floral or snowflake designs snaking around the perimeter. …
What is a Fair Isle pattern?
Fair Isle (/fɛəraɪ̯l/) is a traditional knitting technique used to create patterns with multiple colours. It is named after Fair Isle, one of the Shetland islands.
What can you make with Fair Isle knitting?
Fair Isle knitting isn’t only for wearables. You can use this technique to make a marvelously modern pillow! This free pattern from Yarnspirations uses two colors of self-striping yarn to create the checkered design. This simple Fair Isle hat, topped with a handmade pom-pom, uses stranded knitting to blend two colors together.
Who is the creator of the Fair Isle?
Designed by Judith and made in Orkney by one of her experienced knitters based in their own home, this traditional fair isle pattern crewneck sweat… Designed by Judith and made in Orkney by one of her experienced knitters based in their own home, this traditional fair isle patterned crewneck swe…
Where did the term Fair Isle knitting come from?
Fair Isle (/fɛəraɪ̯l/) is a traditional knitting technique used to create patterns with multiple colours. It is named after Fair Isle, one of the Shetland islands. Fair Isle knitting gained considerable popularity when the Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII) wore Fair Isle jumpers in public in 1921.
