Traditional Fair Isle Knitting

Situated far to the north of the Scottish mainland, the Shetlands are famous for the dampness of their climate and the excellence of their wool — a pair of distinctions that fostered the development of a vibrant form of patterned knitting. Fair Isle's unusual technique employs two colors in each row; the wool not in use is stranded along the back in short loops, resulting in an extremely warm and weatherproof double fabric. In this definitive guide, the author shows how any circular-method knitting technique can yield the popular Fair Isle patterns. Its treasury of designs features more than 70 pages of patterns that can be used for mittens, jerseys, jackets, and hats. In addition, its practical advice on designing garments and the use of color offers valuable assistance to knitters who wish to create their own patterns and seek the inspiration for an endless array of variations and adaptations. Long out of print, this volume is well known as the best source of authentic Fair Isle patterns. Its republication offers a new generation of knitters a reliable resource for projects in the traditional and much-loved style. 31 halftones and 17 color illustrations.