Fair Isle Knitting

Bringing together the stunning complexity of traditional Shetland patterning and the raw natural beauty of Nordic landscapes.

The centuries-old art of Fair Isle knitting evolved on the Shetland Islands, inspired by colors and forms found in nature, for a distinctive look that's instantly recognizable. Now, Carina Olsson, one of Sweden's leading experts in Fair Isle knitting, is here to guide you through this technique's fundamental principles: how to choose and combine colors in vivid, organic palettes, with two dozen sample patterns for sweaters, mittens, hats, and gloves, ready to adapt to your favorite motifs--plus inspiration and instructions for designing a Fair Isle sweater of your own.

Inside, you'll find:



24 designs for garments and accessories, with pattern panels of varying size and complexity

A pattern library of traditional motifs ranging from edgings for cuffs and necklines to classic Nordic stars and eight-petaled roses

Technical tips and easy-to-follow explanations to help you decide how to arrange Fair Isle patterns, understand what ribbing and texture will do to the overall look of a design, and use colors and contrast to their maximum effect