Yarn 1-
Jamieson & Smith, 2ply Lace Weight (25gm 169m) - 13 balls
Jamieson & Smith, 2 ply Shetland Supreme Lace weight (25gms 200m) – 11 balls
Jamieson’s of Shetland, Ultra (25gms 194m) – 12 balls
Foula Wool, Lace (25gm 220m) – 10 balls

Yarn 2-
Jamieson & Smith, 1 ply Cobweb Lace (25gms 350m) – 7 balls
Jamieson & Smith, 1 ply Shetland Supreme Lace weight (25gms 400m) - 6 balls
Jamieson’s of Shetland, Ultra Cobweb (25gms 380m) – 7 balls

SIZE
The shawl will block up to 150cm x 150cm. As this version of Mrs Hunter’s shawl is knitted Shetland style with no seams it will block larger than the original where the measurement was given as 47in X 47in.

NEEDLES
2 short needles for the Lace Edge, 2 DPN’s or 1 circular for the borders and the centre.
Yarn 1: 3.25mm
Yarn 2: 3mm

TENSION
Yarn 1: 20sts and 36 rows to 10cm
Yarn 2: 22 sts and 40 rows to 10cm
Gauge is measured over garter stitch, washed and blocked.

This square Shetland lace shawl was originally knitted by Agnes Hunter of Unst, Shetland. The shawl was acquired by Patons and Baldwin, who reversed engineered the pattern from the shawl, using non-traditional methods. This version of the pattern, along with its accompanying charts, was written by Elizabeth Johnston of Shetland Handspun, and reinstates the traditional construction methods.

Johnston’s instructions allow the knitter to dress the finished shawl to its full extent, which showcases the beauty of the design without restraining seams.

Shawls of this type were popular in the Victorian era and are still knit today for weddings, christening shawls, and daily wear.

The instructions provide 7 yarn options from Shetland wool producers. Lace weight yarn will create a slightly larger shawl than a cobweb weight yarn.

While the instructions are in charts, there is some written guidance, which uses some terminology that is still used in Shetland. Please refer to the Abbreviations and the Key to the charts. The written guidance assumes some familiarity on the part of the knitter with Shetland lace knitting techniques.

The knitter begins by creating the edging of the shawl. From there, stitches are picked up along the edge and knitted inwards to form the border, then the centre of the shawl is knitted onto one border. To finish, stitches are picked up to graft the centre to the borders.

Patons no longer holds the copyright on this pattern. Johnston donated the copyright of her Shetland version of the shawl to SOK: Shetland’s Organisation for Knitters, with the support and approval of living members of Mrs. Agnes Hunter’s family, to support our organization’s mission to preserve and protect Shetland knitting. Your purchase of the pattern helps with our day-to-day running costs as we serve our local and international community of knitters who value heritage knitting skills and knowledge.

Shetland Shawl by Mrs Hunter page is here.