Shetland stitches

Discover traditional Shetland knitting patterns reinterpreted!

From the Shetland Lace shawl to the intarsia cardigan to the colorwork loop, this exceptional knitting book by author and knitwear designer Susan Crawford contains 13 size-inclusive models, all based on the historic knitting patterns of the Shetland Islands.

For eight years, she researched the knitting traditions of the Scottish island in the archives of the Shetland Museum as part of her "Vintage Shetland Project": She read old knitting instructions, researched traditional patterns and colors, and, above all, analyzed the museum's antique knitted items.

Then she was diagnosed with breast cancer—and knitting helped her cope with the difficult situation. To distract herself from chemotherapy, Susan began to give the historical knitting patterns from her research a modern twist—translating them into projects wearable for every woman's body.

The patterns are easy to implement even for colorwork beginners and are very, very beautiful!

Knit sweaters for your individual body shape.

Susan Crawford models all the models herself, aiming to demonstrate that the female body is beautiful in every shape – even after a double mastectomy. With "Shetland Stitches," she wants to encourage other women affected by the condition and show them that they are not alone. Therefore, she has tailored the sweaters to individual bodies.

Sweater sizes cover chest circumferences from 71 to 157 cm, and hats and gloves can be adjusted between three and five sizes.

We recommend “Le Petit Lambswool” by Biches et Bûches for your colorwork projects.