Shetland PeerieMakkers--Carrying on the Knitting Tradition of Shetland

 

 

It's so nice knitters in Shetland are carrying on their knitting traditions by teaching it to school children. So interesting they use knitting belts to hold one of the needles. Shetlanders call knitting "makkin" so they call them "makkin belts".

 Photo from the Shetland PeerieMakkers Facebook Page.  Shetland PeerieMakkers is expanding to eventually teach bairns (children) in 28 primary schools all over Shetland.  Jamieson's of Shetland is their yarn sponsor.

"PeerieMakkers" means small knitters in Shetland dialect.  Knitting was once taught in school, but that ended in 2010, so volunteers are helping to keep the Shetland knitting tradition 

 

        An Example of Shetland Fair Isle jumpers on Shetland PeerieMakkers Facebook Page

 The northern isle of Unst is known for lace knitting, and Fair Isle is known for colorfully patterned jumpers (sweaters) and hats.  It's wonderful they are keeping these knitting traditions alive.