Thank you very much for passing on your knowledge. Seeing and hearing the explanation at the same time is so much better than trying to read a pattern. You have provided a wonderful resource in this video. The poetry was the icing on the glove!
Beautiful Alison thank you thank you so much oh my goodness you just made my whole year thank you sending endless love hope to see more of your gorgeous amazing very easily understood videos thank you so much
Wonderful Alison - your level of knitting and great artistry is something I can only aspire to - I am so impressed by your beautiful tunic dresses - the fabric you have created is reminiscent to me of luxurious medieval brocades - quite dazzling !!
When I had purchased my Selbu Mittens book by Anne Bårdsgård and I was in the process of knitting my first Selbu style thumb gusset I discovered that there were no defined instructions on How to do the gusset and the thumb. If it was not for the fact that my very first pair of socks over fourteen years ago was a ‘toe up, afterthought heel’ construction I would have wondered ‘what the hell do I do now?’ Anyway, I am fairly proficient in socks, mittens, and gloves so I knew there had to be increases along the edges of where the thumb needs to go, so I employed a strong magnifying glass to see the individual stitches and saw where the increases went. Mind you, this book is fabulous, but when it comes to the thumb gusset it leaves inexperienced knitters hanging where the Thumb is concerned, and Anne classified the patterns as Intermediate to Advanced which is good because new knitters would have no clue. I think your demonstration is informative and I can’t wait to knit one of your designs. I especially like the ‘fold over’ cuffs 👍🏼❤️
I just found your video and immediatly bookmarked it, never have I seen a better tutorial for a thumb gusset! Thank you - especially for the reminder for the left and right hand. (Ask me who made two left sleeves when sewing a shirt) Thank you so much! Pinguinpullover, Germany
You're such a humble person, when you showed us your knitting my jaw dropped, girl you are a fantastic knitter, I hit the subscribe button because I know you know your craft. Thank you.
What extraordinary works of art! Whilst I've never knit a stitch, I admire in wonder the beauty of these pieces. Very thankful these traditions are alive and well in Shetland.
Oh boy! What a lovely design. I'll be tackling those in the very near future. Your teaching style was very clear and concise. Thanks so much for sharing your expertise.
Thank you Alison for sharing your history and your knitting skill. I played with fair isle patterns for a long while to get comfortable with the technique and now find it a most relaxing way to knit. There is a lovely rhythm to the hands while using two yarns...the patterns just suggest themselves to you as you go along...so many possibilities. I would love to see more tutorials from you. I hope you and your colleagues are keeping well.
I'm so glad you enjoyed the video. I agree with you, the choice of fair isle patterns and colours are endless making it both a relaxing and creative pastime. Thankyou :)
I’ve loved every minute of this video and shared the history part with my husband. I’m fascinated and encouraged by all the different ways the Shetland teachers knit and tension the wool proving there’s no wrong way to knit! I shall watch this video again and share it. Thank you Alison
Wow! I was mesmerized watching and listening to your tutorial. I hope someday to create these lovely fingerless mitts. Thanks for sharing your knitting & stories.
I’ve been working gloves with leftover Shetland stash during lockdown. I find it’s a good way to practice colour combinations and you get something worthwhile at the end. I’ll have a go at the turned cuff on my next pair. Thank you so much for the tutorial. 🙏
What a great video which popped up on my feed today. I’m especially thankful as I’m into mittens at the moment and your tips and tricks are fantastic. Thanks so much 👍🧶
wow, I have never seen this before and am amazed. Alison is amazing and her art in knitting is spectacular. Some day maybe I can attempt this.....maybe. Thank you so much.
I am currently working on the Radiant Star Cowl from this year's Shetland Wool Week with J&S 2 ply jumper weight, so I found your video at the perfect time. Thank you for providing such an inspiring account of the rich heritage behind this craft. Your work is breathtaking. I wonder what happened to your childhood sweaters. If they were knit with classic Shetland wool, I'll bet they would still be in pretty good shape! I'm glad you have the gloves and I hope you also have some other samples of your mother's and grandmother's handiwork. It was fascinating to learn that the traditional fair isle sweaters and vests I so enjoy seeing in BBC productions (ca. mid 20th century) were still "uniforms" as late as the 1970s. I hope they come back.
Thanks for your lovely comments, I have no idea where the childhood sweaters went, my mum was very good at sending things to charity as we grew out of them! Yes, they were shetland wool so they maybe still survive somewhere! There is definitely renewed interest in fair isle knitting, it's wonderful to see the teenagers and young adults wanting to wear it. Thanks again, the radiant star cowl will be beautiful when you're done.
Love the gusset for the thumbs.these are masterpieces. I just learned how you do your thumb. I could not figure it out with a pattern. I also love the belt. I have held my needles in the way before and thought it was just me. I think I just found my new favourite channel. Thank you.
I’m from there too and I knit a lot more now since the lockdown but I still have to spend some brainwork on fair isle and stranded. I’m really good with the mittens and I have done Selbu. Living in a temperate climate gives me the excuse to knit useful woolen garments. That thumb gusset instructions is a huge thing because practically nobody shows a comprehensive progression of the method. If I did not know what I was doing, I would not know What I was doing 😁
Your work is beautiful and the history of the designs is amazing. A knitting belt...never heard of that before! Thank you for such a unique and interesting video.
A great pleasure to see your beautiful knittings and teaching. I have often been looking at books with these Fairys Isle patterns but not yet tried it. Thinking I will try one day. 💖
I love the colos. The blues really sing out. I'm in Texas and while you'd die in a sweater in the spring summer or fall, winer would be great. Here it's either over 100°f or heading below freezing. I've always wanted to try steeking. You probably hear this alot, cutting my knitting terrifies me. I'm going to try your mitts. I might even try them with my knitting belt. I've only played with i bt it does fascinate me. Thank you for the lesson.
@@AlisonRendall I'm so embarrassed. I have rheumatoid arthritis that has really kicked into gear. I've almost given up the fiddle because it's like my fingers are pointing in new directions every day. I'm not saying that for sympathy, many have it worse. I've only just realized my typing has been affected and I have got to start proofreading. I promise I am literate. You must wonder if Texans actually go to school. As to the local anesthetic, yell, scream, be a pain in the butt if that's what it takes. We have a high pain tolerance EXCEPT our skin, low tolerance. I wish I knew why. Maybe we have such sesitive skin because it's an early warning system, more finely calibrated than most, because our skin is all that holds in our massive amounts of magic. Who knows what would happen if it ever got loose!😉 (My oldest granddaughter was 16 before she realized Granny can't really turn herself into a bear or make it rain)
Thank you Alison, there was so much in this video that I found helpful and shared with others. I would have loved to see the variations that you have developed in ribbing
Thank you, I have always wanted to learn this technique more fully but fall as I often knit socks while watching TV as I can knit without looking very often. Fairisle takes more concentration. Maybe when I get to go on flights and long train journeys again I will have another go. However in this second big lockdown, maybe I should try again. best wishes and kind regards from London.
Thank you Alison beautiful knitting and great history as to your life and knitting. I am definitely going to make myself a pair. Hope to meet you one day in Shetland 😊
Scottish ancestry from the Low family. Redheads in my family. Love your accent, love your hair. My ancestral blood is singing. Oh, love the knitting also.
Thank you for this lovely interlude and lesson on knitting. I have been spending time loving your Instagram account as well. I hope to travel to your home (whenever it is that we can get back to that kind of thing) and learn how to use a knitting belt while I am there. Thanks again!
Thanks Nicole, I couldn't help but notice all the loves on my instagram account, I really appreciate you taking the time to look at my pictures. Glad also that you enjoyed the video, many thanks for your kindness. Hope to see you in Shetland one day!
Потрясающие произведения искусства! Очень интересный способ вязания - в России таким способом не вяжут! Я бы хотела научиться так вязать! These are stunning pieces of art! This is a very interesting way of knitting - in Russia don"t knit like that! I would like to learn how to knit this way ! Thank you, Alison!
I can recall so many of my outfits growing up. I kept many as I became a teenager. I still regret tossing them as I came into my 20s. But I'm sure my earlier ones were purged by my mama. It was a necessity and an evil of suburban living. ;( I suppose we all should be taught that getting rid of everything isn't the idea and we should all have may hope chests.
Thanks for your comments, I'm glad you enjoyed the video. My mum was an organised person and good at clearing out, it sounds like your mama was the same!
I’ve watched this video many times. Your work is amazing. I love all knitwear that comes out from Shetland and have used Shetland wool for years. I was so fortunate that my grandmother was a Fairisle knitter and taught me the art although we have no connections with the islands. Unfortunately I haven’t the skills that you Shetlanders have regarding the use of colour. My knitting keeps me sane during these difficult times, it is a gift.❤xAngela
Thanks for watching the video multiple times, I'm honoured! My grandmother taught me a lot too, we are so lucky! Knitting definitely helps de-stress, I found that particularly true during the pandemic. Thankyou again :)
This was so interesting Alison. Your video came up as a suggestion having watched another lady show some old footage from the 30s/40s of Shetlanders knitting at an AMAZING speed. Have never tried Fair Isle knitting, but having seen your beautiful work was intrigued to know how you said they would knit without a pattern - how are the patterns learned??? Just fascinating. Interesting the way what I have always know as needles/DPNs you referred to them as wires - first time hearing that. Thank you so much for sharing :-)
Calling DPN's wires is probably just a Shetland thing! Commonly used fair isle motifs are just remembered but most knitters will also have a graph book with designs dotted out on paper. We just don't use patterns for shaping a garment, that is worked out by casting on the number of sts required and then shaping by the eye as we knit up. Glad you enjoyed the video and thanks for your comment.
@@AlisonRendall Wow, yes I sure do have to admire how they knit the patterns, and then to learn that shaping was done by eyeballing - wouldn't mind having that talent. Many thanks for your answer Alison. PSI loved your knitted dress :-)
Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge. I have not been very good i the past at this technique but I will try again. I have bought your pattern and I am thinking of sourcing some real Shetland wool, although as I am in Australia it will be expensive because of postage. I love the historical aspect. 😀
Thanks so much for your comment. I'm glad you feel inspired to knit. Shetland wool is very forgiving and somehow makes Fair Isle knitting easier to do. If you have any problems with the pattern let me know.
@@AlisonRendall Thank you for your reply. I am still practising using my left hand for the 2nd colour. I have always done colourwork using my right hand for both yarns and this leads to many tangles and a tight tension. I think it will take me some time to get the left hand working as it should and to even out my tension. I am 80 years old, new muscle memory takes time! I will post a photo when I do make them and I have just bought the Cromarty hat. I grew up in the UK and the shipping forecast is embedded in my early memories and hearing any of those place name triggers nostalgia.
@@scrapbagstudios Yes, the shipping forecast is a nostalgic listen for me too. My husband used to listen to it as a young boy also, this is what led him to travel to Fair Isle which is where we first met! Hope you enjoy making the Cromarty hat, looking forward to see the photo:)
I've been struggling with an "afterthought" thumb that was not a good fit (from someone else's pattern entirely), and found your tutorial to be most helpful -- for this, and a host of other details of the craft. It is enlightening to watch you work with a knitting belt and wires, which I've not been able to find here in the U.S., but hope to try someday. Another time you might clue your camera crew to use the overhead shot a little more when you speak about the color patterns you have designed. I found it tantalizing to hear you speak of the ribbing details without being able to see them close-up. Many thanks for the lesson!
Thanks for all of your feedback, someone else has mentioned the ribbing so I will elaborate on this another time. I'm glad you enjoyed the video and have got to grips with the thumb technique.
Thank you Alison - so many tips to take to my own knitting! I love your colour blends - beautiful. Thanks to Jamieson & Smith too - will these wonderful videos stay on your site or are they for a limited time only?
Would have been nice to have a link to ravelry in the description box. Alison I am in awe of your skills I am determined to try colour work your tunics are stunning
Great video, thank you. I hope you’ll make more. Your designs are beautiful. I need to make the effort to visit Shetland again. Does the book you showed explain how to cut and make and fit sleeves? I’ve used a kit before but found the jumper a little tight under the arms, although it looked good.
Thanks so much for your comments, i'm glad you enjoyed the video. The book has a paragraph on steeking but probably says no more than you know already. Why your jumper turned out a little tight, im not sure. Maybe something I could talk about in the future. Thanks again.
Thank you, Alison! So many great thing you have both created and knitted. I wonder how you do your knitting in around? Obviously on a cable. But do you make a lot of small bobbins, to carry the yarn throughout? Greetings from Norway 🇳🇴
We just knit round and round with the yarn not being knitted carried at the back (no more than a few stitches at one time) , no cable needles or bobbins are used. Thanks so much for your comment.
Thanks for your great video, I am in Canada and we had been booked to come to wool week, hopefully it will happen next year, I looked at your pattern on ravelry and a bit mixed up is it Vagaland #2 that you were showing in the video? are they knit with the yarn held double ? Not sure of the difference between the two patterns .
Thanks Lynn, I was using the Vagaland 2 for the demonstration. This version of the pattern uses J&S wool and has a different palm and thumb pattern from Vagaland 1. There are always 2 yarns being used as with all stranded knitting but thay are not held together double. Hope that helps.
Thank you so much for your quick reply, that is what I thought but was confused by what was written on Ravelry. Your mittens are lovely !! Cant wait to start working on them. All the best to you during this trying time
Hi, You can just stitch the little hole on the turning row but I tend to just leave it as it is so small it's never noticed. If you're ribbing is a bit too loose just switch to 2.7mm needles for the ribbing.
@@AlisonRendall There isn't any 'gauge' for the ribbing so I wasn't sure what needle size to use or how to calculate gauge for ribbing so it will feet just right inside the fair isle cuff. Is it just a matter of trial and error then?
@@CherryBlossomHill As the ribbing is hidden the gauge is not that critical really. The very nature of single colour ribbing means that it is springy and pulls in. I would advise knitting on 2.75mm needles if you want a really snug fit around the wrist.
@@AlisonRendall sorry to bother you again, maybe I should ask my question differently, is there a rule of thumb on needle size for hidden ribbing ie. down one size from color work section etc. so that the ribbing sits inside the cuff so the ribbing lies beneath the cuff without distorting the cuff’s shape on the outside?
@@CherryBlossomHill I honestly don't know if there is a rule of thumb. I knit mostly everything on 3mm needles but would probably go to 2.75mm for single colour ribbing. Sorry I can't be of any more help than this.
Wonderful lesson! Really love the history and poetry!
Thank you for filming this for everyone to enjoy!
Thank you for the lesson, lots to practice now
Loved the history & poetry lesson as well
Thank you so much for sharing your video with us 🙏💝
Thank you for weaving in your cultural stories with your knitting.
Lovely! I learn so much ore than knitting
This is perhaps the best demonstration of making the Thumb that I have seen. And the history summary is very good. A great reference YouTUbe.
many thanks, glad you found the thumb demonstration helpful.
Beautiful! And carefully and effectively demonstrated. Thanks!
many thanks:)
Thank you so much. Love your background story too:)
Fabulous Alison. I love the poems also 💐
Thank you Grant for letting me know.
Thank you very much for passing on your knowledge. Seeing and hearing the explanation at the same time is so much better than trying to read a pattern. You have provided a wonderful resource in this video. The poetry was the icing on the glove!
Thanks so much Alison, glad you liked the poetry too!
I enjoyed it all, and I gasped at the beauty of several of the colorways. thank you!
thankyou for your lovely comment, i appreciate it :)
Enjoyable and helpful video
Thank you so much
Beautiful Alison thank you thank you so much oh my goodness you just made my whole year thank you sending endless love hope to see more of your gorgeous amazing very easily understood videos thank you so much
I'm glad you enjoy my videos ~ thanks so much for you very kind comments:)
Thank you Alison! Your knitting is beautiful, and the stories about Shetland knitting are so dear. Well done ❤️
Thankyou Briana, glad you enjoyed the Shetland stories. x
We have to thank you for sharing your knowledge and for sharing your work of art with us!
This is such a wonderful educational video. Thanks
Thanks for sharing the photos, I am totally charmed, and have put your pattern at the top of my queue.
That's lovely to hear, thanks for your kind comments!
Wonderful Alison - your level of knitting and great artistry is something I can only aspire to - I am so impressed by your beautiful tunic dresses - the fabric you have created is reminiscent to me of luxurious medieval brocades - quite dazzling !!
thanks so much, I really appreciate your kind comments and glad you enjoyed seeing the dresses.
I wish I'd had this video back in March with my first mitten thumb gusset attempts. Very clear and educational video
When I had purchased my Selbu Mittens book by Anne Bårdsgård and I was in the process of knitting my first Selbu style thumb gusset I discovered that there were no defined instructions on How to do the gusset and the thumb. If it was not for the fact that my very first pair of socks over fourteen years ago was a ‘toe up, afterthought heel’ construction I would have wondered ‘what the hell do I do now?’ Anyway, I am fairly proficient in socks, mittens, and gloves so I knew there had to be increases along the edges of where the thumb needs to go, so I employed a strong magnifying glass to see the individual stitches and saw where the increases went. Mind you, this book is fabulous, but when it comes to the thumb gusset it leaves inexperienced knitters hanging where the Thumb is concerned, and Anne classified the patterns as Intermediate to Advanced which is good because new knitters would have no clue.
I think your demonstration is informative and I can’t wait to knit one of your designs. I especially like the ‘fold over’ cuffs 👍🏼❤️
I just found your video and immediatly bookmarked it, never have I seen a better tutorial for a thumb gusset! Thank you - especially for the reminder for the left and right hand. (Ask me who made two left sleeves when sewing a shirt)
Thank you so much!
Pinguinpullover, Germany
Thank you for this video, so full of tips and a delight to see your beautiful knitting.
Thank you Sheila, im so glad to hear you enjoyed the video!
Fantastic! That was wonderful, so generous of you to share your class. seeing your tunics was so inspiring, Thank you!
Thanks so much for your kind comments, they mean a lot to me!
You're such a humble person, when you showed us your knitting my jaw dropped, girl you are a fantastic knitter, I hit the subscribe button because I know you know your craft. Thank you.
Many thanks Fidelma, im blushing! Glad you enjoyed the video.
Wonderful! I am inspired to try them for the first time. Thank you for the clear, understandable instruction.
Thanks so much for letting me know, good to her that it was clear and understandable!
What extraordinary works of art! Whilst I've never knit a stitch, I admire in wonder the beauty of these pieces. Very thankful these traditions are alive and well in Shetland.
thank you ~ I am honoured to play a small part in keeping Shetland traditions alive:)
Wonderful, very informative video. Thank you Alison and Jamieson & Smith.
You're welcome, thanks so much for your kind comment!
Oh boy! What a lovely design. I'll be tackling those in the very near future. Your teaching style was very clear and concise. Thanks so much for sharing your expertise.
Thanks so much for your positive comments on my class, i really appreciate it!. Hope you enjoy making the mitts.
This was so good! Your calm easy manner makes it easy to follow!
Thanks so much, glad it came across in an easy to follow way!
Beautiful patterns
Wonderful vlog xx
Thank you Alison for sharing your history and your knitting skill.
I played with fair isle patterns for a long while to get comfortable with the technique and now find it a most relaxing way to knit. There is a lovely rhythm to the hands while using two yarns...the patterns just suggest themselves to you as you go along...so many possibilities.
I would love to see more tutorials from you. I hope you and your colleagues are keeping well.
I'm so glad you enjoyed the video. I agree with you, the choice of fair isle patterns and colours are endless making it both a relaxing and creative pastime. Thankyou :)
I agree. The rhythm of using both hands is amazing. And I learned how to catch floats that way which is also fun.
I’ve loved every minute of this video and shared the history part with my husband. I’m fascinated and encouraged by all the different ways the Shetland teachers knit and tension the wool proving there’s no wrong way to knit! I shall watch this video again and share it. Thank you Alison
Thankyou very much for your kind comment, you're right I think we all knit differently depending on who taught us! I'm glad you enjoyed the video.
Wow! I was mesmerized watching and listening to your tutorial. I hope someday to create these lovely fingerless mitts. Thanks for sharing your knitting & stories.
Thank you Mary for your kind comments, im so glad you enjoyed the video.
Loved this. Very many thanks
Thank you so much for lesson on fingerless mitts as well as all the hints on knitting Fairisle.
You're welcome, so glad you enjoyed it.
That was a wonderful production! Loved your simple techniques. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!
Thanks so much for letting me know, glad you enjoyed the video!
This was excellent and very easy to follow.
PLEASE do more videos. Your designs are beautiful and loved watching your talent and sweet personality shine thru. I am going to make gloves asap.
Thanks so much for your comments, how kind of you to say! I hope to see your finished gloves someday xx
I of course enjoyed the lesson. thanks a lot love
You make beautiful garments! Thank you so much for sharing them. May God bless you
Fascinating to watch - loved it. Thank you!
Many thanks, glad you enjoyed it.
I’ve been working gloves with leftover Shetland stash during lockdown. I find it’s a good way to practice colour combinations and you get something worthwhile at the end. I’ll have a go at the turned cuff on my next pair. Thank you so much for the tutorial. 🙏
Glad to hear you're knitting in lockdown and wasting no wool! Hope you try the cuff, glad you enjoyed the video.
Such an inspiration to knitters. Someday I hope to knit half as good. Thank you for sharing your talents.
Your knitting is exquisite!
Many thanks, I appreciate it.
Lovely lesson - thank you Alison... Wish I can come to Shetland when we are able to...
thank you, I hope you can make it to shetland someday soon.
I have never seen this style of knitting. Fascinating!! I use magic loop. Thank you so much for sharing the history of Fair Isle knitting
Many thanks for your comment, I'm glad you enjoyed the history lesson!
beautiful garments ! I need to try making one :)
I have never seen such beautiful work.
What a great video which popped up on my feed today.
I’m especially thankful as I’m into mittens at the moment and your tips and tricks are fantastic.
Thanks so much 👍🧶
Thanks so much for letting me know you enjoyed it.
wow, I have never seen this before and am amazed. Alison is amazing and her art in knitting is spectacular. Some day maybe I can attempt this.....maybe. Thank you so much.
Thanks for your very kind comments.
I am currently working on the Radiant Star Cowl from this year's Shetland Wool Week with J&S 2 ply jumper weight, so I found your video at the perfect time. Thank you for providing such an inspiring account of the rich heritage behind this craft. Your work is breathtaking. I wonder what happened to your childhood sweaters. If they were knit with classic Shetland wool, I'll bet they would still be in pretty good shape! I'm glad you have the gloves and I hope you also have some other samples of your mother's and grandmother's handiwork. It was fascinating to learn that the traditional fair isle sweaters and vests I so enjoy seeing in BBC productions (ca. mid 20th century) were still "uniforms" as late as the 1970s. I hope they come back.
Thanks for your lovely comments, I have no idea where the childhood sweaters went, my mum was very good at sending things to charity as we grew out of them! Yes, they were shetland wool so they maybe still survive somewhere! There is definitely renewed interest in fair isle knitting, it's wonderful to see the teenagers and young adults wanting to wear it. Thanks again, the radiant star cowl will be beautiful when you're done.
What a treat this was lovely thank u
many thanks
What a lovely, lovely person. Thank you for this video and sharing your wonderful talent and kind nature with us.
Aw, you're too kind! I really appreciate your encouragement and your lovely comment.
Thank you! I've been sitting with the kep pattern and couldn't visualize how to do the turn. I get it now! Kep and mitts to match!
Glad i've been able to help!
I was lucky to take your class last year so I’m so glad you’ve made this video. Wonderful instructions and history lesson.
Thank you Catherine, good to hear from you again! Greetings from Shetland!
Love the gusset for the thumbs.these are masterpieces. I just learned how you do your thumb. I could not figure it out with a pattern. I also love the belt. I have held my needles in the way before and thought it was just me. I think I just found my new favourite channel. Thank you.
Thanks for you kind comments, I really appreciate it. Hope you are busy knitting thumbs!
Omg i live in Americia i was born in Trinidad and Tobago. I just love fair isle patterns i knit crochet and quilt.
I’m from there too and I knit a lot more now since the lockdown but I still have to spend some brainwork on fair isle and stranded. I’m really good with the mittens and I have done Selbu. Living in a temperate climate gives me the excuse to knit useful woolen garments. That thumb gusset instructions is a huge thing because practically nobody shows a comprehensive progression of the method. If I did not know what I was doing, I would not know What I was doing 😁
Thank you 🥰very much!
Great demonstration and lesson. Loved listening to you explain the history of Fair Isle knitting. Am looking forward to more from you. Thank you!
Thanks so much for letting me know, im glad you enjoyed it. This is the first video I've featured in, maybe I'll do more in the future.
Loved your story, paricularly about your childhood and your mum. Thank you for sharing, and your tutourial was easy to follow. 🤩
Thanks for watching and for your kind comments, Glad you enjoyed it.
Enjoyed hearing about your life. Thanks for the demonstration. I would love to see a book of your patterns.
Thankyou for letting me know that you enjoyed the video, much appreciated. You never know about a pattern book ~ if there was enough interest I might!
Your work is beautiful and the history of the designs is amazing. A knitting belt...never heard of that before! Thank you for such a unique and interesting video.
A great pleasure to see your beautiful knittings and teaching. I have often been looking at books with these Fairys Isle patterns but not yet tried it. Thinking I will try one day. 💖
Thanks so much, I hope you have a go someday, I'm sure you would enjoy it.
Thank you Alison. Your class is very interresting, i learned a lot. And your works are beautifull. See you later.
I love the colos. The blues really sing out. I'm in Texas and while you'd die in a sweater in the spring summer or fall, winer would be great. Here it's either over 100°f or heading below freezing. I've always wanted to try steeking. You probably hear this alot, cutting my knitting terrifies me. I'm going to try your mitts. I might even try them with my knitting belt. I've only played with i bt it does fascinate me. Thank you for the lesson.
No fear of cutting if it is Shetland wool, it turns fabric-like and doesn't fray when cut. Hope you make something you can wear in winter:)
@@AlisonRendall I'm so embarrassed. I have rheumatoid arthritis that has really kicked into gear. I've almost given up the fiddle because it's like my fingers are pointing in new directions every day. I'm not saying that for sympathy, many have it worse. I've only just realized my typing has been affected and I have got to start proofreading. I promise I am literate. You must wonder if Texans actually go to school.
As to the local anesthetic, yell, scream, be a pain in the butt if that's what it takes. We have a high pain tolerance EXCEPT our skin, low tolerance. I wish I knew why. Maybe we have such sesitive skin because it's an early warning system, more finely calibrated than most, because our skin is all that holds in our massive amounts of magic. Who knows what would happen if it ever got loose!😉 (My oldest granddaughter was 16 before she realized Granny can't really turn herself into a bear or make it rain)
So lovely - thank you so much!
You work is awesome.
Thanks so much, I appreciate it.
Thank you Alison, there was so much in this video that I found helpful and shared with others. I would have loved to see the variations that you have developed in ribbing
Thanks for letting me know, im glad you enjoyed it. Maybe I could include more on ribbing variations another time.
Thank you, I have always wanted to learn this technique more fully but fall as I often knit socks while watching TV as I can knit without looking very often. Fairisle takes more concentration. Maybe when I get to go on flights and long train journeys again I will have another go. However in this second big lockdown, maybe I should try again. best wishes and kind regards from London.
Nice to hear from you in London, I agree TV is not engaging enough without having some knitting at the same time!
Thank you Alison beautiful knitting and great history as to your life and knitting. I am definitely going to make myself a pair. Hope to meet you one day in Shetland 😊
Thank you Anderea, I'm glad you enjoyed the video, hope to meet you too!
Scottish ancestry from the Low family. Redheads in my family. Love your accent, love your hair. My ancestral blood is singing. Oh, love the knitting also.
thanks so much, that's the accent very much toned down!
Thank you so much. I really love your knitwear. I will try it out on my next project.
Wonderful - thank you!
Thanks Alison, really great tutorial. Will also look up Vagaland's poems.
Thank you Rachel, Vagaland's writing captures Shetland heritage in such a lovely way!
Thank you for this lovely interlude and lesson on knitting. I have been spending time loving your Instagram account as well. I hope to travel to your home (whenever it is that we can get back to that kind of thing) and learn how to use a knitting belt while I am there. Thanks again!
Thanks Nicole, I couldn't help but notice all the loves on my instagram account, I really appreciate you taking the time to look at my pictures. Glad also that you enjoyed the video, many thanks for your kindness. Hope to see you in Shetland one day!
Потрясающие произведения искусства! Очень интересный способ вязания - в России таким способом не вяжут! Я бы хотела научиться так вязать! These are stunning pieces of art! This is a very interesting way of knitting -
in Russia don"t knit like that! I would like to learn how to knit this way ! Thank you, Alison!
Really enjoyed your video. Thank you so much for sharing this. Wish it could of got a little closer to see you knitting. Hello from USA Ohio
Hello from Shetland:)
Loved every minute of this class. I'm inspired to knit some fairisle mittens now.🇨🇦 I'll look you up on ravelry
Thanks for letting me know you enjoyed the video, hope to see your finishd mitts soon!
I can recall so many of my outfits growing up. I kept many as I became a teenager. I still regret tossing them as I came into my 20s. But I'm sure my earlier ones were purged by my mama. It was a necessity and an evil of suburban living. ;( I suppose we all should be taught that getting rid of everything isn't the idea and we should all have may hope chests.
Thanks for your comments, I'm glad you enjoyed the video. My mum was an organised person and good at clearing out, it sounds like your mama was the same!
Thanks Alison, that was really good. No more boring cuffs for me now!
Good to see you after enjoying your FI knitwear etc on iG
Thanks Janet, so glad to hear you enjoyed the video, it was nerve wracking to do but i'm pleased with how it's turned out!
Beautiful! I just bought the pattern, thank you for this tutorial...
Thankyou for choosing my pattern and for your lovely comment.
I’ve watched this video many times. Your work is amazing. I love all knitwear that comes out from Shetland and have used Shetland wool for years. I was so fortunate that my grandmother was a Fairisle knitter and taught me the art although we have no connections with the islands. Unfortunately I haven’t the skills that you Shetlanders have regarding the use of colour. My knitting keeps me sane during these difficult times, it is a gift.❤xAngela
Thanks for watching the video multiple times, I'm honoured! My grandmother taught me a lot too, we are so lucky! Knitting definitely helps de-stress, I found that particularly true during the pandemic. Thankyou again :)
Beautiful, I have yet to try ...that tunic dress is absolutely gorgeous.
thank you :)
Wonderful insight ...
Thanks so much :)
Love it❤️❤️❤️
This was so interesting Alison. Your video came up as a suggestion having watched another lady show some old footage from the 30s/40s of Shetlanders knitting at an AMAZING speed. Have never tried Fair Isle knitting, but having seen your beautiful work was intrigued to know how you said they would knit without a pattern - how are the patterns learned??? Just fascinating. Interesting the way what I have always know as needles/DPNs you referred to them as wires - first time hearing that. Thank you so much for sharing :-)
Calling DPN's wires is probably just a Shetland thing! Commonly used fair isle motifs are just remembered but most knitters will also have a graph book with designs dotted out on paper. We just don't use patterns for shaping a garment, that is worked out by casting on the number of sts required and then shaping by the eye as we knit up. Glad you enjoyed the video and thanks for your comment.
@@AlisonRendall Wow, yes I sure do have to admire how they knit the patterns, and then to learn that shaping was done by eyeballing - wouldn't mind having that talent. Many thanks for your answer Alison. PSI loved your knitted dress :-)
Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge. I have not been very good i the past at this technique but I will try again. I have bought your pattern and I am thinking of sourcing some real Shetland wool, although as I am in Australia it will be expensive because of postage. I love the historical aspect. 😀
Thanks so much for your comment. I'm glad you feel inspired to knit. Shetland wool is very forgiving and somehow makes Fair Isle knitting easier to do. If you have any problems with the pattern let me know.
@@AlisonRendall Thank you for your reply. I am still practising using my left hand for the 2nd colour. I have always done colourwork using my right hand for both yarns and this leads to many tangles and a tight tension. I think it will take me some time to get the left hand working as it should and to even out my tension. I am 80 years old, new muscle memory takes time! I will post a photo when I do make them and I have just bought the Cromarty hat. I grew up in the UK and the shipping forecast is embedded in my early memories and hearing any of those place name triggers nostalgia.
@@scrapbagstudios Yes, the shipping forecast is a nostalgic listen for me too. My husband used to listen to it as a young boy also, this is what led him to travel to Fair Isle which is where we first met! Hope you enjoy making the Cromarty hat, looking forward to see the photo:)
I've been struggling with an "afterthought" thumb that was not a good fit (from someone else's pattern entirely), and found your tutorial to be most helpful -- for this, and a host of other details of the craft. It is enlightening to watch you work with a knitting belt and wires, which I've not been able to find here in the U.S., but hope to try someday. Another time you might clue your camera crew to use the overhead shot a little more when you speak about the color patterns you have designed. I found it tantalizing to hear you speak of the ribbing details without being able to see them close-up. Many thanks for the lesson!
Thanks for all of your feedback, someone else has mentioned the ribbing so I will elaborate on this another time. I'm glad you enjoyed the video and have got to grips with the thumb technique.
Thank you Alison - so many tips to take to my own knitting! I love your colour blends - beautiful. Thanks to Jamieson & Smith too - will these wonderful videos stay on your site or are they for a limited time only?
Hello, they will be here for the foreseeable! 🙂
@@JamiesonSmith Thank you - I will be watching them again and telling my crafty friends about them.
You're welcome Isobel, lovely to hear that you enjoyed the video!
Would have been nice to have a link to ravelry in the description box. Alison I am in awe of your skills I am determined to try colour work your tunics are stunning
thanks so much for your kind comments. hope you have a go at colour work, its addictive!
Thank you was great tips made me go and buy your pattern but was wondering the yarn colors on this mitten
Great video, thank you. I hope you’ll make more. Your designs are beautiful. I need to make the effort to visit Shetland again. Does the book you showed explain how to cut and make and fit sleeves? I’ve used a kit before but found the jumper a little tight under the arms, although it looked good.
Thanks so much for your comments, i'm glad you enjoyed the video. The book has a paragraph on steeking but probably says no more than you know already. Why your jumper turned out a little tight, im not sure. Maybe something I could talk about in the future. Thanks again.
Thank you, Alison! So many great thing you have both created and knitted.
I wonder how you do your knitting in around? Obviously on a cable. But do you make a lot of small bobbins, to carry the yarn throughout?
Greetings from Norway 🇳🇴
We just knit round and round with the yarn not being knitted carried at the back (no more than a few stitches at one time) , no cable needles or bobbins are used. Thanks so much for your comment.
12:10 starts the gloves
Thanks for your great video, I am in Canada and we had been booked to come to wool week, hopefully it will happen next year, I looked at your pattern on ravelry and a bit mixed up is it Vagaland #2 that you were showing in the video? are they knit with the yarn held double ? Not sure of the difference between the two patterns .
Thanks Lynn, I was using the Vagaland 2 for the demonstration. This version of the pattern uses J&S wool and has a different palm and thumb pattern from Vagaland 1. There are always 2 yarns being used as with all stranded knitting but thay are not held together double. Hope that helps.
Thank you so much for your quick reply, that is what I thought but was confused by what was written on Ravelry. Your mittens are lovely !! Cant wait to start working on them. All the best to you during this trying time
Could we have links to the patterns (especially the pullover on a gray background)?
Really enjoyed your lesson. Could you tell me what book you would recommend for understanding fairisle charts. Thank you.
Thanks for your comment. The Sheila McGregor books would probably be helpful.
I have this lovely pattern, any tips on how to close the hole on the turning row, and how to get gauge for ribbing so it fits neatly beneath the cuff?
Hi, You can just stitch the little hole on the turning row but I tend to just leave it as it is so small it's never noticed. If you're ribbing is a bit too loose just switch to 2.7mm needles for the ribbing.
@@AlisonRendall There isn't any 'gauge' for the ribbing so I wasn't sure what needle size to use or how to calculate gauge for ribbing so it will feet just right inside the fair isle cuff. Is it just a matter of trial and error then?
@@CherryBlossomHill As the ribbing is hidden the gauge is not that critical really. The very nature of single colour ribbing means that it is springy and pulls in. I would advise knitting on 2.75mm needles if you want a really snug fit around the wrist.
@@AlisonRendall sorry to bother you again, maybe I should ask my question differently, is there a rule of thumb on needle size for hidden ribbing ie. down one size from color work section etc. so that the ribbing sits inside the cuff so the ribbing lies beneath the cuff without distorting the cuff’s shape on the outside?
@@CherryBlossomHill I honestly don't know if there is a rule of thumb. I knit mostly everything on 3mm needles but would probably go to 2.75mm for single colour ribbing. Sorry I can't be of any more help than this.