Shetland-Type Fine Wool Shawl

A shawl like this was made of three parts: the center, border, and edging.   Using a fine wool yarn and long steel knitting pins, the border was knitted first, then the shawl was knitted in toward the center, and finally the edging was knit on.  Until the shawl was dampened, stretched out on a frame, and left to dry, the beautiful pattern wouldn’t be obvious.

TN08.078 fine white wool shawl about 4' square, Shetland-type

These incredibly fine lace shawls were often knit by a young woman as part of her trousseau, and worn for her wedding.  It was a way of displaying her skill in an important revenue-generating enterprise.  Traditionally, the shawl should be fine enough to slide through a wedding ring (this one could!).

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