A pattern originating from the fusion of Celtic and Nordic cultures.
1890s | SANDNESS, UK | Robert Jamieson

Jamieson's is the oldest knitwear factory in the Shetland Islands, located in the North Sea, northeast of Scotland.

Founded around 1890 by Robert Jamieson, the company has remained a family business for over five generations, continuing to knit beautiful Fair Isle knits using traditionally dyed Shetland wool.

A defining characteristic of Fair Isle knitwear is the intricate, multi-layered Fair Isle pattern, which is said to have originated on Fair Isle, a remote island south of the Shetland Islands. This pattern is also believed to have developed from a blend of Celtic and Nordic cultures, given Fair Isle's location between Great Britain and the Scandinavian Peninsula.

The cardigan in the photo features soft colors characteristic of natural plant dyes, a geometric pattern intricately woven with multiple colors, and a soft texture.

Shetland wool, harvested in this humid and cold region, has long fibers, making it highly insulating and lightweight. JAMIESON'S knitwear became known for its high quality, partly because it was favored by the Scottish royal family.