Fair Isle Love

Ah, Fair Isle...a beautiful Scottish export!  Fair Isle is actually an island in Northern Scotland about halfway between the mainland Shetland and Orkney Islands (it's actually part of the Shetland Islands).  Today the island is owned by the National Trust for Scotland and there are only about 70 islanders still living there today.  Fair Isle is also one of the most intensely studied areas in Scotland by archaeologists since they've found evidence that the isle may have been settled by Neolithic people up to 5,000 years ago.   The island sounds absolutely beautiful--I definitely want to see if David and I can make a visit there sometime soon!

So, what about the knitting?  Knitting has always been a staple trade of the island (and that of the region).  Fair Isle knitting is distinguished by the use of two different colours of yarn in each row of knitting and a full size hand knit sweater (jumper) will often requires in excess of over 100 hours to complete (although the stitches are pretty basic--just the knit stich).  It is also traditional knitted on circular needles and often includes usually around five colours with only two per row.  Nowadays the term 'Fair Isle' is much more widely used to just refer to sweaters with colourwork knitting (in alternate colours).

It was made popular when the Prince of Wales (Edward VIII) wore knitted Fair Isle tank tops in public in 1921.  And of course, it was very popular in the 1940's.  Ooohh...how I love the 1940's Fair Isle sweaters!

I've been sitting on the knitting fence for awhile.  I don't actually know how to knit but I am oddly amassing a set of lovely vintage knitting booklets.  I would love to learn to knit--there was even a knit camp in Scotland last summer!  I might take a class.  My main concern is with the amount of time it takes coupled with my desire for complicated looking designs!

I thought I would share a few scans of the Fair Isle knitting booklets I have:

 

This one seems to use the term 'Fair Isle' a bit loosely?  It's not what I would picture as a traditional Fair Isle sweater.  I do love the pink with red and green design! So lovely!!

 

This is such a classic example of the type of jumper I think of when I hear the term 'Fair Isle'.  I love the combined jumper and cardigan and how the Fair Isle knitting slopes off the cardigan!

 

Again, this isn't what I would see as a classic Fair Isle sweater but it is very cute!

This one may well be my favourite! I love the shoulder lines on this jumper and cardigan! I love how the Fair isle knit is done on the entire jumper but only on the upper half of the cardigan.

And OMG, isn't her hair amazing?

What about you?  Do you love Fair Isle sweaters? Do you knit? Have you ever done a Fair Isle knitted item?  Is it hard?