Kathleen rachel thinks the best of interweave crochet is great for beginner crocheters and advanced crocheters alike. In her books charts are shown with a white background, a yellow background beneath the centre of a motif, and motifs in dots of red, blue or green. Its exciting to turn your imagination into reality and also satisfying to contribute a unique design to an historical tradition. Made famous by knitwear from fair isle, one of the islands of scotland, the fair isle technique is one form of stranded colorwork. Until posting the pic, i had no idea fair isle was so on fire as a sweater trend for the season. The fair isle jumper became a musthave item for the fashionable set and was associated with sporting pursuits such as golf and tennis. Philosophers wool has a unique method of knitting fair isle which avoids long and cluttering floats. It is administratively part of the parish of dunrossness, shetland, and is roughly equidistant from sumburgh head, some 38 km 24 mi to the northeast on the mainland of shetland and north ronaldsay, orkney, some 43 km 27 mi to the southwest. Its clearly illustrated in the book, which, imo, is a definite plus. While purists may balk at the thought of industrial knit.
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of alice starmores book of fair isle knitting we have a new hand knitwear design and a feature on the book itself. Boasting intricate geometric patterns and rich, natural colors, the knits of fair isle have roots in the fashions of viking invaders, norwegian immigrants, and spanish sailors. Exclusively fair isle history of fair isle knitting. Bakka contemporary fair isle knitwear hand crafted in. I created this design to circle around my tulip socks, but fair isle can show up on yokes, cuffs, hats, mittens, anywhere. Like much of the history of knitting, much published information on the history of fair isletype knitting is folklore.
No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. Hazel tindall authentic fair isle knitting patterns, from. For years knitters have been pining for the return of michael pearsons lovely book, traditional knitting, complete with historical notes, charts, photos and patterns for fair isle, guernsey, and aran sweaters. This 1998, 2009 edition, of alice starmores book of fair isle knitting has a soft cover. I bought this book because i want to design my own fair isle sweaters and hats. See all books authored by alice starmore, including alice starmores book of fair isle knitting, and the celtic collection. Fair isle bird observatory fair isle, shetland ze2 9ju email. The photos of the area are breathtaking, as are the photos of starmores beautiful fair isle knitwear patterns. With an active marketplace of over 175 million items, use the alibris advanced search page to find any item you are looking for through the advanced search, you can find items by searching specific terms such as title, artist, song title, genre, etc or you can narrow. Each of my exclusively fair isle garments is handcrafted at home and is guaranteed high quality fair isle knitwear made in fair isle by its own distinctive exclusively fair isle swingtag, including the scottish crofting produce mark and membership number as a certificate of quality and authenticity. Alice starmores book of fair isle knitting dover books. I believe that the only way to preserve a tradition is to contemporarise it, to use it. Chanel apologises for copying scots fair isle designs fashion house chanel has issued an apology to a scottish designer after admitting that they copied one of her designs for their latest collection. Alice starmores book of fair isle knitting, 1988, taunton press.
Fair isle knitting is displayed when cruise ships visit the island. The book begins with a comprehensive history of knitting in the shetland isles, and how closely knitting production was linked to the economy. It is named after fair isle, one of the shetland islands. The complete book of traditional fair isle knitting. In this treasury of authentic designs, sarah don introduces readers to the basic techniques. Fair isle pattern knitwear is still popular thanks to royal approval. A shetlanders fair isle graph book is a somewhat different proposition. The islanders running the museum are full of old tales. The tradition of fair isle knitting seems to have been emerged too well developed to have actually started in the islands north of scotland. Alice starmores most popular book is alice starmores book of fair isle knitting. It helps you whatever you intend to do create your own design or follow a patern. See more ideas about fair isle knitting, knitting, fair isle.
It begins with a history of fair isle knitting, then. It begins with a history of fair isle knitting, then has a long chapter of charted fair isle patterns and a discussion of traditional colors, followed by a chapter of techniques used in knitting in the round, including the scary steek, and how to care for your fair isle knitting. The distinctive patterning of traditional fair isle knitting is a clever way to combine the many odd bits of differentcolored yarn that came originally from the native shetland sheep, which have evolved a variety of natural fleece colors. Books jamieson and smith, real shetland wool, fair isle knitting. Alice starmores book of fair isle knitting by alice starmore. Its aim is to promote and help preserve the cultural heritage of a uniquely shetland product. This book is hands down awesome the best of the fair isle books i own. Crawford selected twentyseven pieces nineteen fair isle, six lace, one beaded knitting, and one combining fair isle with intarsia from across a fiftyyear span. Not a lot of color photos, but full of information and the history of british fairisle knitting. The book contains a good pattern library and the explanation of the fair isle technique is clear. Blog the evolution of fair isle knitting a history.
As an author she is best known for her widelyread alice starmores book of fair isle knitting, a guide to the complex technique of knitting pullovers and other items using a palette of five colours, on which she is an acknowledged expert. Knittingscottish and fair islepatterns, knitting, books barnes. Aug 15, 2007 to summarize, fair isle sweater designs from pattern books in particular are unique one of a kind garments which can never be made twice exactly in the same colors because yarn colors are never a constant. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. Influences on fair isle knitwear design in the 1920s and 1930s. Erssie knitting charts small fair isle borders fair isle pattern beautiful as an embroidery pattern too. The intricate patterns that originated there is famous around the world. Jun 12, 2015 daisy and i want to share one of our favorite books, wanderlust by tanis gray. Edward, prince of wales was often seen wearing fair isle knitwear during the 1920s and 30s which helped popularise the style. May 9, 2018 in this board we share the best fair isle knitting for beginners. And the islanders knitted with two yarns to create two layers that trap air and create warmth. On this site you will find useful information for visitors, as well as introductions to the community, history and wildlife of the island. Knitters will delight in a modern look from a traditional technique.
The definitive guide to designing and knitting in the irish aran tradition, this highly sought after book returns to print after a decades absence in a revised and expanded version. Books focusing on colourwork patterns and techniques, including fairisle. A shetlanders fair isle graph book in colour shiny new. Please note that our landline phone is currently not operational, in the meantime please use our new email address to contact us. Traditional fair isle patterns have a limited palette of five or so colours, use only two. A designer from the region, alice starmore explores the history and techniques of the art and provides instructions for over 15 of her own knitwear designs. Daisy and i want to share one of our favorite books, wanderlust by tanis gray. However, i learn better by watching or listening to somebody, so this book isnt quite as useful for me, as somebody who would like to learn. But sometimes patterns that were available for free become paywalled later. Apr 01, 2009 presenting 23 original fair isle designs, the guide leads knitters through the history of the fair isle knitting tradition in this examination of the styles techniques, explicating not only the unique colorways and patterns but also such valuable details as ways to hold the yarn.
The definitive book to learning fair isle knitting by expert knitter, teacher and founder of the knit knacks, monica russel, featuring 60 pattern swatches. Why fair isle sweaters have a threeyear waiting list. It contains a selection of knitwear, artefacts, photographs and other historical memorabilia from fair isles history. On tiny fair isle, a cottage industry enjoys the sweet. This book starts out with the history of fair isle knitting and includes a great number of pictures, as one would expect. I used graph paper and pencil to chart designs with a maritime theme, waves, seashells and fish. Fair isle designs are complicated and often very colorful. Since 1954 it has been owned by the national trust for scotland. She keeps the worlds unsold stock of genuine fair isle. In the economic depression era of the 1930s this becomes a popular knitwear design. Viewpoint fair isle is famed for its knitwear and birds and is an ideal place for wildflower study. I think that it is useful for experimented knitters not for beginers. Easy fair isle knitting pattern book by martin storey. Scotlands fair isle has long been known for its distinctive, strandedcolor knitting.
It is a marvellous quirk of history that this tiny island with 70 inhabitants has a worldfamous brand name. Fair isle is typified by its use of symmetrical geometric motifs, twoply shetland yarn, and muted, sophisticated colors. Hand knitwear design swatch by alice starmore for the book fair isle knitting. Included in the book are sweater patterns, most of which have construction methods. World famous for its birdlife, its traditional crafts. Bakka contemporary fair isle knitwear hand crafted in shetland. Fair isle style offers a collection of patterns from a variety of established, rising, and new knitwear designers and focuses on fresh, modern uses of color for todays knitters. Influences on fair isle knitwear design in the 1920s and. Microhistories of two fair isle jumpers knit for shetland servicemen, including one that saw its owner through years in a prison camp. Clearly, knitting is a deeply ingrained facet of the culture of scotlands outer hebrides. A design notebook rounds out the book, giving readers further ideas for using fair isle knitting. Alice starmores book of fair isle knitting by starmore, alice a noted designer from the region of scotlands fair isle explores the history and techniques of this distinctive, strandedcolor knitting style and provides copious illustrated instructions for 14 original knitwear designs.
In the wake of a stitch in time, the textile curator of the shetland museum offered crawford the chance to study the collections knitwear. Alice starmores book of fair isle knitting dover knitting, crochet, tatting, lace 9780486472188 by starmore, alice and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. Alice starmores book of fair isle knitting by alice. Fair isle knitwear, exclusively designed by mati ventrillon, inspired by fair isle s tradition, hand crafted for life.
Its one of the friendliest and most successful remote communities in britain and the island, owned by the national trust for scotland, lies midway between shetland and orkney. This allows you to carry the yarn you arent knitting with across the back of the work as you go. Alice starmore books list of books by author alice starmore. Fair isle is the most remote inhabited island in the united kingdom. Alice starmores book of fair isle knitting starmore. On tiny fair isle, a cottage industry enjoys the sweet smell of success. This volume is profusely illustrated with color photographs, plus drawings and charts that illustrate the arts history, patterns, and techniques. History of fair isle knitting exclusively fair isle knitwear. Now demand for her products is so high her bespoke order book is closed. Whether youre a beginning knitter or advanced, whether your tastes range from simple knitpurl stitching to fancy daisy or moroccan screen. Famous for its birds, knitwear and historic shipwrecks, fair isle is a tiny jewel of an island, halfway between orkney and shetland, owned by the national trust for scotland. Chanel apologises for copying scots fair isle designs. Oct 11, 2011 fair isle, a name synonymous with a rich heritage of colour and pattern in knitwear, is the most remote inhabited island in britain. A true fair isle garment made on fair isle will win you recognition anywhere.
Fair isle knitting gained considerable popularity when the prince of wales later edward viii wore fair isle jumpers in public in 1921. Enquiries and purchases can also be made on the island or by mail order. Three miles long by one and a half miles wide, the island is home to just sixty people. In this guide, she presents a fascinating history of aran knitting and. Sep 26, 2016 alice starmoreas book on fair isle had recently come out, and it has excellent notes in the back on designing your own fair isle. Probably the most intensive period of innovation in fair isle knitwear design took place in the 1920s and 1930s. A stepping stone in the seaway between orkney and shetland, the isle lies at the centre of a major sea route, and our tradition of bartering with passing vessels is a long and strong one. Traditional fair isle patterns use variations of oxo designs and no more than two colours. Fair isle knitwear is known for the intricacy of its patterns and warmth it provides. See more ideas about knitting, fair isle knitting and knitting patterns. Fair isle knitting originated on the remote island of fair isle, one of the shetland islands in scotland.
A stepping stone in the seaway between orkney and shetland, the isle lies at the centre of a major sea route, and our tradition of bartering with passing vessels is. That was the fun part as doing the math for the yoke was quite a challenge. Why fair isle sweaters have a threeyear waiting list conde. We love to pin and share fair isle knitting tips and ideas click follow for lots of inspiration. Alice starmores book of fair isle knitting virtual yarns. Knittingscottish and fair islepatterns, knitting, books. Alice starmore nee alice matheson is a professional needleworker, photographer and author of books on needlework, born in stornoway, western isles, scotland. There are thousands of fair isle designs in the world, but often none of them are exactly what you would make if left to your own devices. The history of the craft from its inception on fair isle to its commercial development on. Twentyfive knitwear designs for men and women, and more on. The alice starmore book of fair isle knitting is great and full of information and great charts, but if you can buy only one book of fairisle charts, buy this one. In this guide, she presents a fascinating history of aran knitting and an analysis of the traditional style, in addition to a complete workshop in technique, pattern, and design. Dec, 2019 hello and happy wednesday, vintage lovers. Located halfway between orkney and the shetland mainland, fair isle is a place rich in wildlife, cultural heritage and community spirit.
To summarize, fair isle sweater designs from pattern books in particular are unique one of a kind garments which can never be made twice exactly. This one gives a lot of information on fair isle knitting. Alice starmores book of fair isle knitting knit picks. The fine art of fair isle knitting hello, im hazel tindall, from shetland, and i am delighted to welcome you to my website where i present a selection of my unique shetland and fair isle knitting patterns, available for immediate download.
Exhibits and illustrations from this time show a spate of experimentation with motifs and patterns, garment types and shapes, colours and alternative fibres. A few weeks ago, i posted a picture of me wearing a fair isle sweater on the facebook fanpage. Our hurt book sale is happening now, so give one of these lovelies a good home. Shetland knitwear handmade traditional shetland knitwear. Apr 12, 2020 fair isle knitwear by mati ventrillon. It is a style that shows creative combinations of colours to use up small scraps of yarns. This book is so much more than a book on knittingits full of the history and culture of the shetland islands and, in particular, fair isle.
A shetlanders fair isle graph book by the shetland guild of spinners. Our directory links to free knitting patterns only. Fair isle, a name synonymous with a rich heritage of colour and pattern in knitwear, is the most remote inhabited island in britain. A noted designer from the region of scotlands fair isle explores the history and techniques of this distinctive, strandedcolor knitting style and provides copious illustrated instructions for 14 original knitwear designs. The author of many knitting classics, alice starmore is internationally renowned as a knitwear designer and an expert on knitting technique. Fair isle patterned knitwear developed as early as the early 19th century in fishermens caps and jumpers. It owes its name to fair isle, a tiny island to the north of scotland in the shetland archipelago. Blog the evolution of fair isle knitting a history the. Scotlands fair isle is celebrated the world over for its distinctive, strandedcolor knitting, and alice starmore is famous for her expertise in designing and instructing knitters in this appealing regional tradition.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about knitting history andor knitting a fair islestyle sweater. Fair isle fral is a traditional knitting technique used to create patterns with multiple colours. Alice starmore has 18 books on goodreads with 5021 ratings. Starting with the very basics of fair isle knitting, history, supplies and. Daisy is pretty sure i need the mittens or fair isle infinity cowl from this book. It is fun to knit and easy once you get the hang of it. I found the history of fair isle knitting very interesting. Elizabeth riddiford schoolton, fair isle, shetland ze2 9ju tel.
Browse through our pages to find a range of hand knitted traditional and contemporary knitwear in a variety of colours including completely natural undyed kellister colours. There are other fair isle knitting books with the same clear instructions on the technique and good pattern libraries but at least they have nice and varied projects. The paperback of the michael pearsons traditional knitting. Sep 11, 2017 why fair isle sweaters have a threeyear waiting list. Books by alice starmore author of alice starmores book. Fair isle knitting, also known as stranded colorwork knitting, is a technique for working two or more colors of yarn in the same row. Unfortunately, if you want to knit identical patterns as charted in the book. Aug 21, 2009 alice starmore has a fascinating tale to tell. The fair isle pattern is a complex design created by skillfully weaving numerous colored strands into a distinctive motif. If you encounter a problem accessing any of the patterns, we urge you to report. If youre looking for the easiest possible patterns to try when getting started with fair isle knitting, this is a fantastic pattern book to consider adding to your knitting library. There are some really nice color patterns, and a discussion on techniques.