Shetland wool is good for you!

Feb 9, 2011

One of my thoughts as part-time communications advisor to Shetland Islands council is that all councillors and officials should, when travelling to the wilds of the Scottish mainland or beyond, have to wear at least one item of Shetland knitwear, preferably in a Fair Isle pattern as it’s easily identified.

And this provides just one of the reasons. Though I’d probably draw the line at Shetland wool underwear. Having said that Sir Edmund Hilary and Tenzing Norguy were wearing Shetland wool base layers when they conquered Everest – especially fine wool in an extraordinary tight weave, so I’m told, provided by Adies of Voe.

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5 responses to “Shetland wool is good for you!”

Tom Morton

February 10, 2011 at 11:25 pm

Berwickshire sheep…I was at a meeting the other day and apparently some tourists in Shetland have complained that "the sheep are ugly". No taste if you ask me.
Jane

February 10, 2011 at 8:29 am

I wouldn't rule out the Shetland wool underwear. I attended a fascinating talk given by Oliver Henry of Jamieson & Smith which overturned some of my preconceptions. I learnt that the wool on the shoulder area of the sheep is very fine (it used to be hand plucked by children) and if this wool is selected out then you can end up with a very fine, soft yarn. With all the sorting and grading of the fleeces that they do, even the 'regular' yarn you use for Fair Isle sweaters is soft enough that I wear my Shetland sweaters with just a t-shirt underneath.I'm planning to knit myself a vest from some of their softest Shetland lace yarn. The qualities of wool as clothing are just too good for me not to explore this option for when I'm working up a sweat on my freezing winter allotment. There is a lot more information in these articles written by Oliver.http://www.shetlandwoolbrokers.co.uk/Shetland-Wool-and-Sheep
PamelaBee

February 10, 2011 at 7:12 am

Having had the misfortune to be ill as a child, a well-meaning lady knitted me a seemingly never-ending stream of vests and ribbed stockings. I can vouch for the fact that Shetland wool next to so much of my skin was a very challenging experience. However, having survived, I'm considering making raiding parties to the Shetland Islands to secure a few tons of the wonderful stuff because there is no realistic substitute to match it for colour, feel and warmth. Essential knitting stuff – especially for Councillors!
Ian Bell

February 10, 2011 at 4:24 am

Personally, I thought "the extraordinary tight weave" was in the first sentence. But I speak only on behalf of Berwickshire sheep… Glad to see you back in the land of the decently lagged…"Preedl" is terrible word-verification, by the way.
Ian Bell

February 10, 2011 at 4:23 am

Personally, I thought "the extraordinary tight weave" was in the first sentence. But I speak only on behalf of Berwickshire sheep… Glad to see you back in the land of the decently lagged…"Preedl" is terrible word-verification, by the way.