SWW Film Series: A style of its own - Knitting from Whalsay

The island of Whalsay has a long history of rich creativity, not least of all for its amazing and colourful knitwear, which has a distinctive Fair Isle style of its own.
In this film we hear from Whalsay knitters Linda Shearer and Amanda Pottinger who chat through various garments from the ‘bonnie isle’, their background in knitting, and share some of the hats they’ve knitted based on colour challenges that they have set themselves.

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[candicevee]

Thank you for this lovely video! I’m a knitter from a wilderness, forested part of the state of Nevada in the U.S.A . I have learned to knit fair isle in the last couple of years and have made 4 sweaters, and about 10 hats. I learned this year to use a knitting belt and long double point needles which has increased my speed considerably. I love this type of knitting above all others. I often knit outside, but where I live i have to keep a wary eye to spot the extremely large bears that frequent the forest. They have caused me to drop a stitch or two as I dash for the safety house when they approach.

[turtlewoman]

I love that these women have put so much effort into keeping tradition going with the young people. I am a retired elementary school teacher and I always taught my students to knit. I still have a few small items that some of them knit and gifted me with.

[jhenderson]

This has to be one of the most wonderful knitting videos I've ever watched. The wealth of information; the inspiring garments-past and present; the accents; hearing about the Peerie Makars but above all the warmth and respect the lovely women have for each other and for the tradition. Please make more videos! Thank-you everyone involved.

[tassiegirl]

Two wonderful ladies who are inspiring their community to continue with the knitting heritage of Shetland. Fab video. Thank you ❤

[suemount]

I cannot understand why the schools have stopped teaching it. It’s so important to keep the skills alive it’s something I want to learn if I’m not too old at 63

[catnapper]

“A yarn shop is like a sweetie shop.”

Yes.

[suemount]

Well I have to say that was pure joy to watch

[jilliankonig]

The Shetland colors seem to be ones that men will wear, which makes sense, since jumpers were functional garments. I found your comment about the American market wanting brighter colors being chalked up to "the customer is always right" humorous. I guess I'm a typical American in wanting more colors. As a seamstress of almost 60 years, I have found that younger people are discovering home sewing, but most of the women of my generation rejected the traditional home economics sewing. I knitted a little as a child (although not the yokes your students mastered). Now that I'm retired, I've been returning to knitting and select projects that will teach me something new. I wonder if your children learned to knit as you did, to keep the tradition going.

[pamelawilliamson]

Fair enjoyed dis video. Love how you spik aboot da colours and how you mix dem. My granny wis fae Whalsay and knitted me some beautiful gansies throughout her life going back to my first school photo.
So much talent in what you do and so pleased to see the younger generation carrying this tradition on.

[fanincalifornia]

I love how, even with all her experience, Linda is still so interested with the way Amanda did her sleeves and wants to try her technique. Lovely to see that we can all learn something new — even after all the years of knitting!!

Thanks, Ladies, for a wonderful presentation and for your work to keep this beautiful skill alive and thriving!!

[ShowandTellknitting]

It was an honor to meet Linda at this year's SWW. I especially love seeing the vintage pieces and those in your Shetland Museum made the trip all the more worthwhile. I'm still laughing about your impressions of the colors the American's wanted!

[resourcedragon]

Oh, I love those traditional Shetland colours! They make for gorgeous, classy jumpers.
EDIT: And I love the jumper with the dark body and the white background yoke!

[cheriecornick]

I love Linda and Amanda. They just made me smile all the time I was watching this! I loved the stories of the peerie maakers. I probably spelled that wrong but you know what I mean. And the hat challenge! Just great! Best film I’ve watched so far!

[pattaylor]

What a lovely video and such beautiful knitting. I've really enjoyed watching this, thank you ladies.

[oonarhu]

One more vote of thanks to the ladies for sharing so much personal and local history of your proud tradition. If you choose to make another video in future, I would love to see more about using a knitting belt and the techniques you use to carry colors smoothly. As I write this I realize I'm probably asking for a peerie makker's class! Many thanks again.

[deborahbailey]

Wonderful! Love the gorgeous hats at the end 😍

[Jacelyn]

Thank you so much for sharing this video! I have enjoyed all the videos on Shetland Island knitters. I have crocheted for many, many years, but I have never been able to learn to knit. I want to so much, and I pick it up and try again from time to time. Maybe one day I will be able to knit.

[DaneseCooper]

I love seeing this. I’ve been missing hearing Amanda’s lovely Whalsay dialect!

[bonniek.markham]

What fun to see and listen to you both share what you know about Shetland history and knitting. Thank you.

[mariGentle]

What a joy! Fantastic exploration of the knitting, complete treat to hear it spakin in Shetland ❤