Alison Rendall

Being Shetland born and bred Fair Isle knitting is in my genes! I grew up surrounded by expert knitters who knitted constantly as this was the way of life. I've been knitting since I was 5 years old, learning Fair Isle knitting from about age 8. I was handed needles and yarn as a child and taught to knit one off pieces without a pattern and without any understanding that I was already a designer! Since then, it is colourwork that interest me. Watching the patterns and colour emerge has always given me an incentive to complete every knitting project. I am inspired by the long line of knitters and the many, talented Shetland knitters of the past. These were the real experts. It is these talented but often unappreciated women that motivated me to write my recent book "Fair Isle Knitting Tradition". I am pleased to have been given the opportunity to share my knowledge of Shetland techniques with the rest of the world.