Sarah Laurenson

This is a beautiful book covering the history of textiles on this small archipelago in the North Sea. The basis of the textiles are the sheep which have developed into the distinctive Shetland breed due to the climate and geographic remoteness of the island. The cultural and economic importance of the production of clothing and household textiles are covered through research on artifacts, historic personal narrative and documented accounts of legal action.

The fine handwork for trade created began with wadmal stockings in the late 18th & early 19th century traded to sailors docked on the islands. This progressed over time to fine knitted stockings in the Victorian era, then to the iconic Fair Isle sweaters popular through varying periods of the 20th century, and to the very fine Shetland lace shawls that have been in trade as bespoke items. There is also a section on current textile artists on Shetland and the scope of their contemporary work.

The gender distribution (most men left the island or were lost in seagoing occupations) was skewed toward women through most of the documented time period. During the Victorian era a truck system of export was put in place and misogynist trade practices left many households headed by women well fitted with tea and clothing, but starving for food, even as they hand knitted luxury items that were shipped to the mainland.

The stories and narratives are interesting, but the photographic representation is stunning. Once the stories have been read, the book is too beautiful to keep on a shelf. Keep it handy for a relaxing browse through beautiful, watery landscapes.… (plus d'informations)