1964: SHETLAND SHAWLS are more valuable than GOLD | Tonight | Fashion | BBC Archive

[@SineNicD]

My grandmother was in high demand for making these. She knitted 2 baby shawls for me when she started to loose her sight when I was a teenager. My mum kept them for me for 20 years before I had my first child. They are beyond precious to me

[@barbarawright5774]

God please bless you and you descendants. Thank you for sharing with us.

[@frederiquecouture3924]

Merci ♾️

[@ragabs2394]

So remarkably beautiful !

[@kathrynharrisonrzaa7857]

My great-grandparents were from the Shetlands. Great-granny was widowed in 1882 and raised her 4 children, my grandad being the youngest, aged 2, by knitting and selling the Shetland shawls and cleaning office buildings at night. (She had to move to Leith from Lerwick). My mom told me about the pulling of the shawl through her wedding ring to show that her work was fine enough. She provided for them all and they all grew up to be good people.

[@barbarawright5774]

Thanks be to God. Thank you for sharing with us.

[@diane9247]

What a wonderful memory, thank you from the USA!

[@frederiquecouture3924]

Merci 🙂

[@nmbsunz1453]

Don’t say Shetlands please, shetland isles

[@MaryAnnSweetAngel]

This reminds me of Kanjivaram silk sarees that are made from mulberry silk in my country. They are also demonstrated by putting them through a ring as the silk is so fine

[@margaretblank9351]

Oh. My. Goodness! The speed of the knitting! The delicacy of the yarn! The beauty of the lace patterns! I'm beside myself with awe.

[@jak6326]

Incredibly beautiful aren't they? I watched a tutorial video only yesterday about Irish knitting and think perhaps that's also how these ladies were working? The left hand needle works into the stitches on the right and it looks incredibly fast although I've still to attempt it myself.

[@famprima]

My mother knitted that fast. Not lace though! I can too but I don't do it often enough anymore.

[@resourcedragon]

@@famprima: There's another video on Fair Isle knitters where they are zipping across a row of a jumper in a minute or two. They're using knitting sticks (and the ladies in this video seemed to have something similar) and, by some magic I have not figured out, they've found a technique that eliminates the need to wind the wool around the needle to form a stitch, which is the thing that slows the process down. Again, the ladies in this video didn't seem to be wrapping the wool around the needle - but the complexity of the pattern was still slowing them down a little (compared to the Fair Isle sweater knitters).

[@pierrettemeinhard970]

Ont ne trouvera jamais plus des femmes faire ce jolie travail quel dommages j aimerais apprendre à le faire je m entraîne mais jamais je n aurais ce résulta très bien fait et fin

[@wingedhybrid16]

My jaw dropped when they zoomed in on one of the ladies knitting. I've been knitting for about 20yrs now (not with lace mind you), and I still cannot move that fast. Their skill and craftsmanship is immeasurable.

[@RowanMorrell]

The two ladies are not identified, but I believe their names are Jackie and Lizzie Sutherland. They were sisters and great-great aunts of mine. I met Great-Great Auntie Lizzie on a visit to Unst in July 1984. She was one of the sweetest and kindest people I have ever met. Sadly, Great-Great Auntie Jackie had died by then. Great-Great Auntie Lizzie has subsequently died. Even in 1964, they were getting on in years. I'm so glad I at least got to meet one of them. My maternal grandparents, who were both from Unst, had accents much the same as these ladies.

[@nikiTricoteuse]

Thank you. I'm so glad you've given these incredibly talented women a name.

[@Aromagirl70]

They are such amazing artists... and seemed like absolute sweethearts!

[@wingedhybrid16]

That's incredible! Thank you for sharing their names with us. :)

[@Padraigp]

What are the accents are they dutch or danish or something?

[@mickaylao.9744]

@@Padraigp The Shetland Islands are in the far north of Scotland, in the sea between Scotland and Norway, and the video says they're on the northernmost one.

[@eddavanleemputten9232]

Around 15 years ago I decided on a whim to knit a lace pattern meant for a sweater with the finest yarn I had… a love affair was born. I found books on lace knitting and traditional Shetland patterns. The world of gossamer knit shawls opened up to me. Shetland lace. Ohrenburg lace. Estonian lace with its nupps that are meant to increase the weight of the work as it used to be sold by weight and the nupps would make a finished piece heavier. I’m working on a piece using Shetland lace patterns right now. The hardest part for me is sourcing the right yarn. I knit to ‘switch off’ from my day job and will often take a piece with me to knit during my lunch hour as it takes me only 10 minutes or so to finish my sandwich. Colleagues often wonder about the patterns and if it’s hard. “Not once you’ve memorised a pattern” usually is my answer. Doesn’t your thread break easily? “Not if you use quality yarn.” One ot the reasons why I love lace knitting with good quality yarn is that it feels really nice in your hands while working it, and it’s so lightweight. One panel of a sweater makes my arms and shoulders seize up after a while. Lace knitting rarely does even when knitting a full-sized shawl. To those who wonder: yes, they’re deliciously warm. 😊

[@DivinityBleu]

Wow...I didn't know that about the nupps! I just started my first ever pattern that includes nupps. Some people that have knitted the pattern complain about the nupps, but they look so beautiful that I'm in it for the long haul, nupps and all! Ironically, the yarn I'm using is some of the best, finest yarn I've ever worked with. The colors are just spectacular, I can't wait until this one is finished!

[@eddavanleemputten9232]

@@DivinityBleu - That sounds so wonderful! Did you know that there are two kinds of nupps? The five-fold ones (five stitches from one) and the nine-fold ones (nine stitches from one)? I’ve never seen patterns with seven-fold ones. I’ve always wondered why… At any rate, I agree they’re beautiful and add wonderful dimension and depth to a piece! I’m guessing one of the reasons you do appreciate them as well is that you’re using quality yarn. That makes them so much easier to do. Or should I say “less hard”. A matter of how you look at them, probably! I wish you all the joy in the world with your piece!

[@yvonnerogers6429]

Cool! Glad to hear people still do this sort of thing and enjoy it!

[@honorata2412]

Piękne szale, piękne koronki. Mnie też wydaje się, że najtrudniejszym momentem jest uprzędzenie tak cienkiej nici. Nie jest to wcale łatwe. Runo musi być naprawdę w doskonałym stanie. Samo robienie na drutach wzorów ażurowych nie jest już wcale takie trudne, ale wymaga skupienia i dużej uwagi by nie pomylić wzoru. Szybkość przerabiania oczek u tych pań jest niesamowita. Wspaniale ogląda się taki film z dawnych lat. :)

[@jodirauth8847]

I can knit but can not knit lace.....I bow to you, you are the finest kind of knitter.

[@nancycurtis488]

I have one Shetland “wedding ring” shawl but it cost me dearly and took me 45 years to find a lady who could make one. I hold it very dear indeed.

[@monicas2269]

You are so lucky.

[@helenaa2487]

Sounds beautiful 🙂

[@eileenalderman9606]

I’ve got one

[@lsmith992]

Many decades back I collected the Golden Hands weekly magazine of patterns and instruction for all manner of handicrafts. The Shetland ring shawl pattern was in one part . I bought the single ply wool and set off but still haven't finished it.

[@monicas2269]

@@lsmith992 I used to take that magazine and I think that is where I saw one first. I made enquiries about the wool but never bought any. I would be lovely if you could finish your shawl.

[@ynotann]

Its the same with doing bobbin lace by hand. You could never earn enough money per hour to cover all of the work that goes into it. These ladies are gold themselves, wonderful work.

[@Goldenretriever-k8m]

Yeah.. money is such a ridiculous concept. It rarely adds up to what it’s worth, especially when it comes to time and effort. That’s why it stifles art, rather than innovates.

[@shawnbutchko456]

​@@Goldenretriever-k8mif people stopped buying junk from China, the economy would turn around and artists will be paid what they are worth.

[@shawnbutchko456]

If people stopped buying junk from China, it would turn the economy around and artists will be paid what they are worth.

[@gisellel12357]

I have a small amount left to me from my great great grandmother and I see it as the most valuable thing I have. It was actually a practice piece when she was a girl and just learning and I’ve been told she improved much but I think it’s stunning. I knit but I’d love to learn bobbin lace.

[@annacarter6559]

These real, honest, gentle, kind documentaries are equally as precious

[@renee3837]

I knit my own Shetland lace shawl, called the Princess shawl by Sharon Miller of Heirloom Knitting, for my wedding day. It took me a year and a week, granted that was knitting between masters classes and a job! But, I love it and cherish it. Hopefully, one day, I'll be able to pass it down to a future generation!

[@marymorris6897]

Renee, I'm more impressed by your knitting than by your master's. I found that lace knitting boggled my mind. I think you must be a remarkable person.

[@britasmith8008]

My mother knitted one for my daughter 30 years ago. It is still safely stored, with our now 125yr old Christening robe and 98 yr old Brussels lace Wedding veil.

[@ОльгаБормотова-г7ч]

Прекрасно, что вы храните такую память.

[@jennyflockton2810]

I’ve been lace knitting for decades and I’m proud to say that I’ve been able to show and teach others to do this.Its very addictive once you’ve mastered it.🐑

[@smeastwest]

I would love to learn how! Where would you direct a middle-aged woman in California with 15 years of knitting experience to get started?

[@faribayagoobian7721]

Where can I start please ?

[@ОльгаБормотова-г7ч]

Вы молодец!

[@uschilou]

This is my goal. I'm pretty much a brand new knitter, but I practice the basics every day, hoping to level up until I can do lace. Maybe, even fine lace someday.

[@fenellainnis7216]

I love their accents,even though Scottish myself,I think the island accents are so beautiful and unique,very different from our mainland accents. I could listen to them all day

[@annereidy7981]

Yes, me too!

[@marianmorley]

They sound very Scandinavian

[@elizabethflynn8455]

You can really hear the Nordic influence, can't you?

[@annereidy7981]

@@elizabethflynn8455 yes, you can! I thought so too as I listened to their answers.

[@elizabethflynn8455]

@@annereidy7981 indeed.

[@lisbetbruel8382]

I make these shawls all my grandchildren have one and I have made about 15 in the last 10 years!

[@margoteddy8057]

Wow!

[@baylorsailor]

For centuries Scotland and England's largest cash crop was wool. The most expensive, luxurious wool in the world. So many traditions were created around the production of it.

[@PLuMUK54]

My late mother was an excellent knitter, and other knitters have told me that her knitting was so fine that it was hard to tell whether it was hand or machine knitting. She once created a christening robe for her niece's children, which was fine enough to pass through a wedding ring. I believe that she had seen a gossamer shawl, maybe on the original broadcast of this video, and had decided to design her own version. Like these ladies, she did not use patterns for her most intricate. I was regularly given Aran sweaters that she had knitted, and it was not unusual for me to become aware of someone staring intently at the sweater to work out how it was created. Mum died 13 years ago, and I still have the last one that she made me, but I no longer wear it for fear of damaging it. Unfortunately, my cousin split off from the family, and we discovered that she had binned the christening robe! I do love the Shetland accent from this period.

[@Goldenretriever-k8m]

They were using patterns, they were using traditional patterns. They just had them memorized.

[@uschilou]

So special!! Thank you for sharing. Also, your cousin is horrible!

[@lydialily846]

A very young Cathal O’ Shannon what a wonderful journalist he was & such a beautiful speaking voice .. These women were fantastic & earned their money the hard way …

[@anneshields2010]

The shawls are gorgeous we have one in our family and it’s very precious I had ancestors that came from the Shetlands turn of the last century and the shawl we have dates from the late 50s these shawls are a work,of art

[@theMermaidRhonda]

As a crocheter and novice knitter, I'm just in awe of those ladies! What beautiful shawls!

[@hellie_el]

mind-boggling! today, that £28 would be about £500. not nearly enough! thank you very much for this fascinating video. :)

[@simonpeggboard4004]

Depends how you calculate it. If it is based on the Gold Standard a 2.5 Ounce shawl at twice the price of gold would = 5 Ounces of gold that's £7,500 approx today.

[@hellie_el]

@@simonpeggboard4004 hi ya, simon. wow! that sent me back to google! i made my calculation based on currency, making the 2.5 ounce shawl (i couldn’t find the weight of an average shawl) a £1,250 purchase. the average annual income in uk in 1964 was about £1,000 for manual workers. so, even at £1,250, it’s actually not a bad price, speaking strictly labour, and not including skill and artistry. i do hope they actually got a price much closer to your calculation - those rich f*#&$ could afford it!

[@lisaenglert3202]

What’s sad is that you can stick a name brand on something these days with the same price tag and you’ll never achieve this beauty. Truly a treasure.

[@Sydroo1969]

I don't knit. I crochet, but I can appreciate these ladies work. I can relate to the comment, it's a relief when done. I usually have a few projects going on at once. 😃

[@DivinityBleu]

I started out as a crocheter too. My Grandmother taught me how to do it when I was quite little. I finally decided to teach myself to knit in my 20's. You should take on the challenge, you'll love it. It's going to be really awkward at first, but some knitting patterns are just so gorgeous that you'll stick with it until you get it down. It's harder to keep track of so many live stitches at once and it's common to drop stitches when you're learning, but it shouldn't take you long to get comfortable with it. I tried both Continental and English styles....I'm a kind of English hybrid knitter, as I hold my needle like a pencil with an underhanded grip. It's the fastest way for me. I hope you eventually decide to give it a go...you can do it!

[@resourcedragon]

I'd suggest that you find a friend who is a competent knitter and see if you can get them to teach you some basics. One of the things that makes knitting a bit tricky for a beginner is that working that first row after you've cast on is quite difficult! After you've learnt a few basics there are KZbin videos, as well as lots of books and websites, etc, and you can use those to learn additional techniques or alternative methods and so on. You'll probably also find that there are some sorts of knitting projects that you are more attracted to than others.

[@Goldenretriever-k8m]

@@DivinityBleuI like knitting like that too. But if I’m just doing a lot of knitting and purling, or just knitting, I just do continental. If I want to speed up I may switch to that though. If I have to do a lot of purling, Portuguese is the fastest. I haven’t tried lace knitting yet.. I don’t know if I will, since it seems so time consuming and I like to be fast!

[@marksmith1779]

I was born a brought up in Shetland. I remember my grandmother knitting these shawls. I do recall seeing something similar in Malta

[@IrishAnnie]

They make lace in Malta that is beautiful! I got a piece 4 years ago when there.

[@tanja-k]

Some decades back, there used to be villages in Dalmatia where women would do this type of work too. Also from very fine wool. The big thing there was curtains. They used to make very fine lace curtains in all sorts of patterns. It was smaller sized curtains and household linens for the local homes but very large grand home lace curtains for export. It was mostly done by the women of the household as a way to earn some money to help out their families. Sadly, due to the conflict in the mid-1990s that home industry has been mostly abandoned now, and the people scattered to the ends of the earth. Another artform lost :(

[@sleepydrJ]

What a fantastic clip! So wonderful that this slice of history is preserved and available on KZbin! As a spinner/knitter, I can appreciate the incredible work going into even harvesting and prepping the fiber to spin those thousands of yards of gossamer! And the knitting belts that are shown are not really mentioned or described, but allow the knitters to go exceedingly fast, and to knit while walking etc!

[@cocojo2356]

I have never seen anything so beautiful. I don't think I could ever knit something so fine and so delicate. This was a really interesting video, I thoroughly enjoyed it, thank you.

[@chelamcguire]

I was 4 years of age when that film was made, being born in 1960. I was Christened in the year of my birth, wearing a shawl knitted in Unst. We still have the shawl in the family and yes, it passes through a wedding ring quite easily. Thinking back, I personally can count that the 'Unst Shawl' has taken centre stage at 23 Christening's. Not bad for a wee purchase my paternal grand mother made on her trip to the island from what we called The Mainland, Shetland itself. This film is now going to be kept safe, along with the shawl!

[@magiccookie22]

I just got my first spinning wheel not long ago and I can only dream of spinning that spider’s thread. I’m glad this art was preserved in at least this format for future generations. Maybe one day I’ll try and knit my own wedding ring shawl, just not with my own yarn lol

[@chtitmog]

Shetland lace is a wonder of work and design. So sad it is part of the list of craftsmanship in danger but I have heard that a few people are trying to make this last by making and teaching this art, so hopefully this beautiful skill will never get lost. I am a knitter but I would probably never have the courage to work on such delicate, thin yarn - the amount of work is insane! I can not imagine the (well deserved) price such a piece would cost, even though I am pretty sure the price doesn’t align to all the hours and skill it involved.

[@dawsie]

Me Mom use to teach it here in Australia back in the 90’s she spent years knitting and writing down the patterns that Gran use to make to sell to tourists during the summer months just after the war. Like many from the Shetland’s, Mom started knitting as soon as she could walk, same with her sister too. The patterns they knitted were passed down from Mother to daughter. Unfortunately I was never able to knit for very long after I broke both of my wrists as a teenager, I do mostly crochet lace for under garments and fall/winter shawls, crochet is not as harsh on the wrists.non one of the many boxes of Mom’s things are all of the written patterns once I find them I will be sending them to me Aunty back in the Shetland’s

[@Goldenretriever-k8m]

I don’t have the courage to do it either. Imagine if it unraveled, or snagged on something!

[@uschilou]

I was given a pack of knitting needles, passed down. There were some microscopic metal needles, very long, included. They must've been used for this. I dare not attempt anything with those, yet!

[@AL-tm1ve]

Their accents are fascinating, sound close to Scandi accents

[@marcowen1506]

The Shetlands were scandinavian longer than they were scottish, so their accent makes sense. If you are into your languages, play back the video and listen to the way they say the letter "o". That's a purely scandi sound.

[@lisbetbruel8382]

The Shetland islands used to belong to Denmark and where part of a Danish princesses gift to the English crown as part of the bride gift

[@wendytube007]

You know there’s rarely something that is so beautiful that literally takes your breath away. How extraordinary, what an amazing arts and crafts product right from the spinning to the knitting .

[@catic15]

There's a fascinating video you might enjoy - it's on KZbin, so easy to access - "Shetland knitters really did knit 200 stitches a minute!" Thecwoman who put it together has actual film footage from the very early 1900s showing just how fast women in some cultures could knit, and she does an excellent analysis of knitting techniques used back when it was a major part of the economy in the Shetland Islands.

[@zelenaeri]

These shawls looked so stunning! Massive respect to the ones who knitted and still knit them.

[@juliajs1752]

The subtitles are golden. "A very fine gossip assault". Those ladies are precious and I hope they live in knitting heaven now!

[@carolynellis387]

My nana talked of these beautiful shawls fine enough to go through a wedding ring. She was a fine knitter too.

[@kadenmoore7918]

It's absolutely amazing what simple folks like these can do. Am spellbound!!. And a little envious.

[@dianebrady6784]

I have the patterns for several of these shawls. They are sometimes used as winter wedding veils.

[@ottie1954]

Masterpieces which are priceless. Their place is a museum😊

[@sharonhoare5790]

Finding the right wool is the hardest, so like many I make do. Once wool is sourced then, like a lot of others, I just love knitting them.

[@faeriefire78]

Now I finally have a steady image in my head when I read fantasy books that mention clothing spun/knitted from spider webs. This is incredible! It also made me a little giggle when she said they might sell them to someone in the colonies. 😊I'd love to go back in time and hang out with these ladies for a day.

[@daniellemeadows6965]

How wonderful are these ladies and their craft! The shawls are just stunning!

[@jemmajames6719]

Look at that skill and workmanship so beautiful

[@AmberPanda]

What two lovely ladies. I have knitted all my life but just jumpers etc. I would have loved to watch these ladies knit, they were so talented.

[@marpro765]

The speed alone is both incredibly impressive and intimidating! WOW!

[@lissablue176]

I have knitted two Shetland shawls and they go through my wedding rings.

[@dixietenbroeck8717]

Congratulations!

[@lydialily846]

Rings ??

[@starsonapollo2]

@@lydialily846 going through a wedding ring is a sign that the work is incredibly fine

[@lydialily846]

@@starsonapollo2 What wonderful women & what genius’s at work . Thank You.

[@MaryAnnSweetAngel]

Reminds me Kanjivaram silk sarees as they are also demonstrated with a ring

[@anwe9508]

If I worked at that every day and lived to be 150 years old, I would never be able to make one of those shawls. They are exquisite! And worth way more than 70 pounds in my opinion.

[@PLuMUK54]

Even converted to today's value (£1,376) they would be a bargain.

[@nz-nz]

Exquisite ❤️ I’m a spinner and can truly appreciate this art.

[@sjain8111]

that’s true, the spinning is crucial to end quality - not to forget the special wool from a particular breed of sheep!

[@coffeebeen65]

Oh my word! These are gorgeous! I’m a new ‘Covid Knitter 2020’! I would love to learn how to knit like this!!! I see they are flicking!!!

[@robingrimm3443]

It looks like a variant of lever or Irish cottage knitting to me. It’s an English style where you throw the yarn with your right hand, but faster than typical English. I prefer Continental (left hand holds the yarn to pick stitches) myself, and it’s generally known as one of the quickest styles but honestly it just works with the arthritis better lol. Take time to experiment and see what feels best for you!

[@Betty_Virago]

if you join craftsy there is several shawl tutorials to get you lace knitting and a tutorial for these shawls.

[@lisaenglert3202]

@@Betty_Virago thanks for that. I was just looking into crafty

[@suem6004]

The spinners are getting ripped off. 5 shillings per pound spun yarn. Yet the knitters make 28 GBP? Hm.... Luckily there are more than 6 spinners in the world who can spin such a yarn but I am not spinning it for pennies. I charge 25 cents a yard. (That include fiber prep and plying).

[@yx6889]

I sure do envy people that can knit these very fine yarns. I can't seem to knit anything thinner than a DK weight lol.

[@sunheart_aquarelle]

Look up square needles, that helped me go down in weights a lot!

[@resourcedragon]

@@sunheart_aquarelle : Oh? I've not heard of them!

[@sunheart_aquarelle]

@@resourcedragon Yes! They're really good. I have a set from knitpro, size 4. Super good.

[@lisaenglert3202]

@@sunheart_aquarelle I’ve never heard of that either! BRB gotta hit Amazon for a min

[@merryannmac8096]

This is so fascinating and wonderful. They look so pretty on and I'll bet they're warm. Thanks David.

[@lydialily846]

Who’s David ?

[@Pippi-Longstocking]

I really enjoyed this video. He’s so respectful and honors these people and the craft.

[@schlurpie]

those are crazy fast knitting 😱 almost like a machine!

[@downtime86stars17]

They use a "knitting belt." It's a small leather pouch worn around the waist. It provides support, eases stress on the hands, helps tension the knitting, and makes those kinds of speeds possible.

[@maryhardcastle5362]

I didn't get to move my spindle and stored my laces and patterns , I am proud for you I shall have plenty to catch up....

[@SusanGeyer-l4k]

What a joy to see this. I have a shawl. I found it at a flea market being used to pack crocks. The dealer gave it to me. What a find. At least I could "save" it.

[@dawsie]

Me Gran use to knit shawls Le this she use to live in Lerwick, I still have my baby shawl she made for me 60 years, Gran would knit smaller shawls to earn extra money to supplement GrandPa’s wage, the wool was fine but not as fine as the gossamer shawls. These were sold to the tourist who visited Lerwick during the summer months.

[@ReallyJillRogoff]

The most exquisite knitting in the entire world. I'm in awe of their technique.

[@penelope-oe2vr]

This spinning and knitting is very difficult to do. And absolutely stunning 😍 worth every penny

[@PLuMUK54]

Converting the £70 to today's value (£1,376) would still be a bargain, in my opinion

[@corneliabenz9838]

I like lace Knitting, too. And I hope that this art stays on earth forever. Thriving life to the grand daughters of the shetland island and to the sheep.

[@marleenneil7542]

Beautiful and so amazing.

[@euchrideucrow1970]

Pure artistry. And no harm to the planet.

[@hensonlaura]

🙄 oh Jesus, leave off!

[@LadyValkyri]

I just tried to do the conversion... If my math is correct, that 70 GBP gossamer Shetland shawl would cost over $1,814 in USD today (04/15/23). STUNNING work! Hugs to all!

[@dejahdanger]

Absolutely gorgeous work. I’ve been knitting and crocheting for years and can’t imagine the skill and time. I wish I believed I could actually make one.

[@CAZZIEK321]

They work so hard,it would be worth every penny for their skill.

[@loganpollock1689]

I have been spinning for forty years and I make a mile and a half of 2ply yarn to make 5x5 shawl. Nothing like these women, that's another thing entirely.

[@gayleandrus7050]

Absolutely gorgeous! They are wonderfully skilled craftspeople!

[@jeanah685]

As someone from "the colonies" 😊, this work is lovely, and I'm sure highly treasured by the recipients.

[@The-Cute-One]

As a knitter I appreciate these traditional knitters God bless.

[@iChillypepper]

I’ve knitted these for my friends’ weddings and they are a PAIN! Literally, it pains the hands! It took me months to make one, and these ladies knit so much faster! You can find the patterns now free online.

[@maried3717]

You are braver than most!

[@downtime86stars17]

Get a knitting belt. Does wonders for the hands, no matter what kind of knitting you are doing. Or if you have a belt, learn lever knitting.

[@englishpro.laboulaye691]

What a treasure!

[@GentleHeart001]

For those interested this shawl cost 70 pounds in 1964, in 2023 money that is 1, 374 pounds more than monthly rent for my two bedroom flat.

[@halcrochets]

Wow! So very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[@fc4660]

In love with these marvellous ladies ❤

[@Financiallyfreeauthor]

I knit a shetland lace shawl for my best friend as a wedding veil. It took me eight months and I'm a fast knitter!

[@romystumpy1197]

Wonderful feat indeed,I'm a knitter,one missed yarn over and the pattern is thrown out

[@downtime86stars17]

Their knitting belts are the key.

[@margotfraser8393]

That’s amazing!! I hope the skill remains! Thanks for yesterday! ❤❤❤

[@downtime86stars17]

Yes, it does. There are Shetland Lace knitting groups in FB with thousands of followers.

[@janetmackinnon3411]

Wonderful! Thank you.

[@jacquelinecasey756]

My Mum and Dad lived in the shetlands during my Dad’s RAF posting from early 67/68. They loved the time there, Mum always talking fondly of the people and the life they had, the kindness and calm, to the point that she didn’t want to come back to mainland Scotland, she loved the life so much. But my Dad missed his family. She was a hairdresser - and the people there loved her on Unst. Her name was Barbara. She would borrow the raf officers car and drive round the island styling the locals hair ❤. Mum and Dad kept in touch with Lexi and Hugh for many years , their daughter Rita and Son John. I wonder if it was one of these ladies who knitted my christening shawl, which I still have carefully wrapped in tissue, I treasure it and refused to use it with my own sons as it is so fragile.

[@ОльгаБормотова-г7ч]

Спасибо за такой рассказ. Красота.

[@Ivehadenuff]

Such amazing work.

[@VarnokGamer]

My grandmother does lace shawls, a proper true blue Shetland lady!

[@kristine8338]

Excellent interview, simply straightforward and down to earth information. Amazing ladies 🫧

[@IrishAnnie]

These talents to make anything handmade are fading. I know women who cannot even sew on a button. What skill!!!!

[@Stranger_Than_Fiction299]

Such exquisite art! How gorgeous!

[@eldritchyarnbeing3295]

and i thought knitting with sport weight yarn was difficult😳 these ladies have ALL of my respect!

[@LindaKing-nq6ut]

Wish I knew about these shawls when I visited Shetland…only saw the fair isle sweaters

[@IratusAngelus621]

Would have been great to hear full shetlandic in this clip.. so many memories of fiddle and cigarettes, whiskey , dancing and laughter and one handed knitting

[@stormwalker321]

Very fascinating...and their accents remind me of my old Nana and Gaiga..scottish folks of old..Just beautiful....

[@brendahamblin4559]

Superb!

[@GooberFace32]

That is some fast throwing! Wow!!!

[@AJ-PFbat]

Beautiful

[@br6480]

The woman on the left is lever knitting. My grandmother used to knit this way.

[@downtime86stars17]

And she has a knitting belt.

[@jleegri2484]

Beautiful. My paternal grandmother made lace.

[@MarinaMandarinaWoolyWorld]

Such a beauty! One day I will get brave enough to make one like this 😍 thank you for this video

[@theodorec1882]

Oh Lord I could never, my eyes would fall out of my head

[@annabellelee4535]

Those ladies are delightful!

[@searose6192]

That's incredible. How terrible that there were only 6 people left who could spin it even then.

[@lauranyc4966]

BEST VIDEO IVE EVER SEEN ON KZbin 💗🙏🏻💗🙏🏻💗

[@lisaheyob951]

Beautiful work I can't knit so it's way out there in my book

[@bevtooth]

The speed of the old lady knitting blows my mind. Never seen anybody knit so fast. If i had to knit one of those shawls It would take me a couple years 😂

[@wiesoimmerich111]

Aaaah I may have to pick up lace knitting now 😅😬

[@onlinemusiclessonsadamphil4677]

I'm from north Aberdeenshire and the accent is not dissimilar to a farmer's accent in some areas. Amazing documentary and talented kind local people

[@DivinityBleu]

These ladies' knitting skills are mind blowing. I taught myself to knit almost 20 years ago and my top speed is still probably less than half their top speed. I wonder if it's easier to go faster when using yarn as fine as the super fine Shetland wool?

[@downtime86stars17]

They use knitting belts and a lever knitting style. Once you get the hang of it, your speed REALLY picks up!

[@nataliakarlik6107]

@@downtime86stars17 What is knitting belts? I never heard of them?

[@downtime86stars17]

@@nataliakarlik6107 A knitting belt is a small leather pouch which traditionally was stuffed with horsehair. There is a series of holes punched in the surface of the pouch. The belt is fastened around the knitter's waist or thigh, and one end of a double pointed needle is inserted into one of the holes. The belt stabilizes and supports the needle, which helps the knitter work much faster. (Watch the speed of the knitters starting at about 4:08.)

[@terramarini6880]

@@downtime86stars17 I watched a program about women who would knit using the belt while walking.

[@dixietenbroeck8717]

@@downtime86stars17 I simply MUST follow through with this! I taught myself to knit at 19 when I was expecting my first child, but managed to learn BACKWARDS, & have never been very quick at it. Thanks for mentioning these things. (Even after more than 50+ years of knitting I'm still TOO DANGED SLOW!)

[@Padraigp]

This is the sort of the thing the heritage funding should be investing in. Amazing!

[@kathhollandful]

Respect! So skillful!