I hand knit a Victorian Shetland Lace shawl (and it took ✨forever✨)

Knitting victorian patterns can be a bit tedious at times, but this shetland lace shawl was such a good time! It did take a long while as I was working with very fine lace yarn, but I am thrilled with the result!

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Engineering knits is a place for people who enjoy all kinds of vintage and antique crafts - from sewing to knitting, crochet to embroidery I like to try it all. I definitely have a preference for historical fibre crafts, and it is my dream to one day make an entire outfit from sheep to sweater. I hope you enjoy watching me and my favorite companion, Nutella, struggle through some fascinating projects!

[EngineeringKnits]

Have you ever knit a shetland lace shawl? Would you consider making one? (I thought it was super fun!)

[renaebettenhausen]

WOW! Those Shetland shawls were a vital source of income. There is a knitting revival going on in the Shetland Islands and they are making those wedding ring shawls again, so the extra fine yarn IS available. If I find the documentaries I'll post them to you.

[agibbo]

I made a christening shawl for my grandson in a similar pattern with 1 ply cobweb shetland yarn. Drove me nuts but glad I did it. 3 babies been baptised in it so far!! ❤

[myrany]

I have been knitting Shetland lace shawls for about 20 years. I ADORE making and using these beauties.

[iandreeva]

Beautiful shawl indeed! In Russia, we have traditional Orenburg downy shawls. Orenburg is an old city situated on the border of European and Asian parts of Russia by the Urals mountains. Winters are frosty and snowy there. The downy shawls they make from goat down are warm yet lacy and beautiful, very much like those Shetland shawls you show in the video.

[Leannchops]

I watched a Shetland knitting video here on youtube a feew weeks ago, and it shows a couple of SHetland knitters passing their finished shawl through a wedding band. Fully legit. Apparently, as I learned in the documentary, they did the borders so they did not have to cast on and off.

[kyrieeleison]

The mantilla is a traditional Catholic headcovering for women, which some Catholics still wear. I've been wanting to make my own for Church and this shetland lace shawl turned out great! Traditionally, black is for married women and white is for the unmarried.

[Khrysalis]

So beautiful and delicate. The yarn doesn’t look recycled at all, but it’s thrifty a price compared to Shetland yarn.

I just recently watched a documentary here on YouTube about Shetland. It featured bits from another documentary from the 60’s with two elderly knitters. They don’t knit continental nor English, but a modified, sort of Continental style. They sat there by lantern light knitting these spectacular patterns. The speed they did, it was easily 200+ stitches per minute. The Shetland knitters did it all. They would get wool from the neck of a sheep as it is the softest. They carded it and spun it on tiny spinning wheel, and then it was time to knit. They could easily finish a shawl in an evening. It was mesmerizing.

I’m still trying to learn Continental but I’m not sure if I can get it to where it is even, not too tight, not too loose. Nevertheless, whichever style I knit, I will knit up some lace! You have inspired me to expand my horizons in fiber arts. Thank you so much! 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[MrsBrit]

I was watching a video a couple months ago about Shetland knitters in around the 40 or 50s, with original video from the time. Those women knit so fast you can hardly see it! Like the movement of a bee's wings! And walking around doing it that fast seems impossible, but they were doing it. The shawl knitters were incredible. They were so dedicated to making them because they brought in better money to support their family, as tourists were happy to pay a higher rate to have a special piece from their visit.

[rebeccaturner]

Absolutely stunning! That is definitely an heirloom piece if I've ever seen one. I hope you gets lots of wear and joy from it for many many years. Lacework is SO hard on the hands and this is just beyond delicate

[Lady_dromeda]

Im very happy that the sweater im knitting has a very simple 5 stitch lace pattern of ssk, yo, k, yo, ssk with three rows between each and its only on the sleeves

[firfuxsake]

You knit beautifully x I've knitted these shawls, like my Mum and Grannies before me, for our babies. I'm so glad that you and others are keeping the traditional patterns alive. Greetings from Scotland.

[heathertheconservatrix]

I knitted a lace weight pi shawl for my wedding a few years ago. Even though I was married in February and it was still quite warm (I'm in the antipodes) it was remarkably useful in just keeping the chill off when the sunset and incredibly beautiful. I let my kids use it in their dress ups (as I'm not ever really going to use it again) and my daughter regularly wears it like a mantilla. It's also made several appearences in theatre plays and it always gets compliments.

And I'll raise your 60, 000 stitches to 175, 680 stitches, as I just figured out how many stitches on a tempurature blanket that I am knitting for my eldest's 21st birthday at the end of this year.... talk about a garter stitch grind!!!!

[theaerogardenhomestead]

I always loved knitting lace shawls, I also use circulars for straight pieces. And I will knit forwards and backwards on pieces to avoid turning. I felt like it was really meditative to just fall into the knitting and counting of stitches and worry about nothing while watching the pattern come out. Unfortunately I don't have a reason to wear them so they are all stored in ziplock bags to keep moths away and in a bin. I did pull one out for my daughter and she loves it. So maybe they will get a new life. I have been wanting to pick up knitting again. Time will tell if I have time.

[Linziescozyworld]

That shawl is STUNNING 😍 my mum used to knit alot of different shawls and she made a baby shawl whilst i was pregnant with my daughter using uk 2ply yarn, its so fine and ao beautiful and that is exactly how she blocked her shawls...pinned to the floor ❤

[mirthevanhoorn]

Guurl the amount of video's you are pumping out is amazing! Thank you so much for the wonderful video's. I look forward to them every single time. Your hard work is greatly appreciated<3

[angelakimbrell]

I used to knit and had learned just the basic stitch that made it possible to make a small delicate blanket for my 4 year old granddaughter to cover with while she watched tv. It took over 77, 000 stitches to make it and I was so proud. But this made a that you knitted is exquisitely made. I am glad i happened across this video.

[Melavara]

You have this gift for somehow making things seem like an incredible achievement of skill and yet also like something I could accomplish. Fantastic work as always!

[jimmydoesknitting]

So Impressed. Looks great! Knitting a shetland lace shawl is in my one day to do list.

[CastielWillow]

Honestly, the only thing I can think when I see your reveal is just how fetching this piece is! What an amazing recreation and ode to Ada!