Visit to Shetland Arts and Crafts on the Isle of Shetland, Scotland, UK. Doreen Brown is the kind lady that gave us this lovely & informative demonstration.
That lady is called Elizabeth Johnston (not Doreen Brown). She has published a great knitting tutorial DVD (50 tips from Shetland knitters) together with Hazel Tindall, who also knits with a knitting belt.
I could watch Doreen Brown knit the whole garment! Absolutely fascinating...I'm just a novice knitter. I adore Fair Isle patterns.Thank you for posting.
Watching Elizabeth Johnston knit was like watching a virtuoso play the violin. I could barely see the movement of the yarn around the needle as she made a stitch, let alone which yarn she was using. Thanks for posting the video; it made my day.
Fascinating, and great to see traditional crafts enduring. Tour guide: “I’m pretty sure we’ve spent more time here than we should have; we’re supposed to do Yell” - I think she’s talking about the next island on their itinerary. Scotland in a day 😳
Your comment is now a year old - I hope you are still knitting. If you want to get up a good speed you need to use a technique that either involves one needle (typically the right, assuming you knit right-handed) under your arm or a technique that uses a knitting belt, as shown here. I use the underarm technique, which is great for knitting in the flat. However, to date, I have avoided knitting in the round, which is why I recently ordered a knitting belt, so that I can expand my knitting horizons. While you are learning I would suggest that you work on evenness of tension and having a comfortable rhythm, rather than speed. The speed will come with time. One of the things that enables people like Elizabeth Johnston and Hazel Tindall to go so quickly is that their movements are extremely economical, as you can see from this video there is virtually no extraneous movement of the hands at all.
Have a go at doing it that way - but note that both techniques are used in Shetland and you may find yourself going back to background on the right and foreground on the left.
Came across my grandmother's belt and tried to use it, but the leather had dried out. I have found several places on line which sell them, but is there one which you would recommend and which would ship to the States? Thank you for sharing.
You could try oiling the leather of the old belt. I still use my mother's belt which must be at least 80 years old. If you want a new one, look at websites for Shetland Museum, Jamiesons of Shetland or Jamieson & Smith.
We asked the v. sweet demo lady but she had no answers for us, saying we should just look on line. I looked and there is - miraculaously - at least one American supplier in the United States (which would be cheaper for shipping). Just search for 'fair isle knitting belts for sale' on line. There are numerous UK suppliers on line also.
Give it a coating of vaseline, leave for a few days, then do it again, the leather will soften and absorb the vaseline. Finally give it a good rubbing.
I use the underarm technique your friend uses. It's great for knitting in the flat. The technique demonstrated here is great for working in the round. I've spent decades avoiding knitting in the round because I didn't know how it could be done without needles flapping around and generally being a pain. Now that I've found out about knitting belts I've got one on order and I'm going to give it a go. If your friend wants to do some work in the round the knitting belt would be an awesome gift, if she's still happy knitting in the flat she may not be so interested.
The needles on the left side are not secured at all. String has been passed through the bottom of the piece of knitting, then the ends of the string are wrapped around the knitting belt. That keeps the knitting still and takes the weight off the hands. Elizabeth helped make the download/DVD "50 Tips from Shetland Knitters".
The two needles on the left side are 2 of the 3 double pointed needles being used to knit a circular hat. The knitting itself holds those 2 needles in place.
ybmagpye thank you! At 2:07 she says "tying this back gives you tension" -- was she using string? or did she have crown of the hat tucked into the belt?
If you look you,k see the place where she inserts the needle in her belt has a series of holes, round the side of her belt. Longer needles can insert further round, I’m thinking?
Saw your comment on "sweet demo lady". You really had no idea with whom you had the privilege of speaking? I hope that you've done your research by now & will be editing to add credits.
YAY! I knew I had notes somewhere on the lady's name, and I finally found them. Vid is updated, the talented faire isle knitter is Doreen Brown of Shetland Island.
@@ybmagpye I apologize. I was being facetious. That is actually Elizabeth Johnston - quite famous & you have captured a rare vid & interview. The luck of the uninitiated! Thanks.
@@ninaspinner8720 Her name isn't Doreen Brown? That's disconcerting. I got the name Doreen Brown from the guide we had that took us around Shetland Island. Maybe Doreen is the lady at the one other shop we visited on Shetland Island? Oh well, thanks for the update and correction.
@@ybmagpye definitely Elizabeth Johnston! She and Hazel Tindall released a video called 50 Tips from Shetland Knitters, which is WELL WORTH every penny!! Hands-down the best knitting instructional video out thee to date.
Yes, this lovely lady is Elizabeth Johnston, not Doreen Brown. I have the DVD she made with Hazel Tindal and the video is a fabulous ressource for any knitter. How lucky you were to have met her! 😀
That lady is called Elizabeth Johnston (not Doreen Brown). She has published a great knitting tutorial DVD (50 tips from Shetland knitters) together with Hazel Tindall, who also knits with a knitting belt.
I could watch Doreen Brown knit the whole garment! Absolutely fascinating...I'm just a novice knitter. I adore Fair Isle patterns.Thank you for posting.
Wow, just WOW! That's amazing! First time in my life I see this! I'm really impressed! This lady got wonderful knitting skills!
Watching Elizabeth Johnston knit was like watching a virtuoso play the violin. I could barely see the movement of the yarn around the needle as she made a stitch, let alone which yarn she was using. Thanks for posting the video; it made my day.
lace, not fair isle, but if you want speed, it's these ladies th-cam.com/video/0JX-Le5WDhs/w-d-xo.html&ab_channel=BBCArchive
Oh my, what an interesting video - had never come across knitting in this manner before. Thank you :-)
Wow, amazing technique! Love that knitter's belt!
Genius, a fantastic way of effortless effort. The fingers hardly move wasting less energy overall
I'd never seen a knitter's belt before... that's genius!
Amazing how fast she is!
My goodness she knits so fast and with 2 strands and on DPNs!!!!
Love your background music Willie is a favorite
Respect!
I wish I could knit that fast.
Fascinating, and great to see traditional crafts enduring. Tour guide: “I’m pretty sure we’ve spent more time here than we should have; we’re supposed to do Yell” - I think she’s talking about the next island on their itinerary. Scotland in a day 😳
I think she started saying Jarlshof...close to Sumburgh airport...
Very beautiful pattern.
Wonderful!
As a new knitter as of last week, I admire her and only WISH I could be as fast as her. Wow!
Your comment is now a year old - I hope you are still knitting. If you want to get up a good speed you need to use a technique that either involves one needle (typically the right, assuming you knit right-handed) under your arm or a technique that uses a knitting belt, as shown here.
I use the underarm technique, which is great for knitting in the flat. However, to date, I have avoided knitting in the round, which is why I recently ordered a knitting belt, so that I can expand my knitting horizons.
While you are learning I would suggest that you work on evenness of tension and having a comfortable rhythm, rather than speed. The speed will come with time. One of the things that enables people like Elizabeth Johnston and Hazel Tindall to go so quickly is that their movements are extremely economical, as you can see from this video there is virtually no extraneous movement of the hands at all.
Love that Willie's in the background crooning away with Blue Eyes Cryin' in the Rain
I’m going to have a go at both colours on the right. I currently have the background colour on the right and the pattern on the left.
Have a go at doing it that way - but note that both techniques are used in Shetland and you may find yourself going back to background on the right and foreground on the left.
Thnx dear for video
❤❤very beautiful
Amazing!
Wow! I could sure use one of those belts. Maybe I would quit damaging my neck and back. I am pretty messed up right now. Has been painful.
You can order them from Jamieson and Smith and they are very useful to knit without injury.
What a shame I can’t use this with “circular” needles!
Where can I get a belt, do they export them?
I would sooo want one ❤
Why haven’t I heard of these before?
Does this lady have a shop on Commercial St? If so, I have some of her work. I am learning fair isle because of those mittens.
Came across my grandmother's belt and tried to use it, but the leather had dried out. I have found several places on line which sell them, but is there one which you would recommend and which would ship to the States? Thank you for sharing.
You could try oiling the leather of the old belt. I still use my mother's belt which must be at least 80 years old. If you want a new one, look at websites for Shetland Museum, Jamiesons of Shetland or Jamieson & Smith.
We asked the v. sweet demo lady but she had no answers for us, saying we should just look on line. I looked and there is - miraculaously - at least one American supplier in the United States (which would be cheaper for shipping). Just search for 'fair isle knitting belts for sale' on line. There are numerous UK suppliers on line also.
BobNWeave on Etsy sells belts and needles
@@ybmagpye June Hiatt sells knitting belts in the USA. They are a bit different in shape, same function
Give it a coating of vaseline, leave for a few days, then do it again, the leather will soften and absorb the vaseline. Finally give it a good rubbing.
Look at her go!!
Oh my goodness, where can I buy a pad like that for my friend? She knits with her long needles under/in her armpits.
I also knit with long needles with one under my arm! My Scottish fan taught me that way, and my mum knits the same way too.
Oh my goodness, my Mum is Scottish and that's how she knits, too! So funny!
pit knitting. it's a style of its own. they may not want to change. ;)
I use the underarm technique your friend uses. It's great for knitting in the flat. The technique demonstrated here is great for working in the round. I've spent decades avoiding knitting in the round because I didn't know how it could be done without needles flapping around and generally being a pain. Now that I've found out about knitting belts I've got one on order and I'm going to give it a go.
If your friend wants to do some work in the round the knitting belt would be an awesome gift, if she's still happy knitting in the flat she may not be so interested.
Thank you so much for this! How are the two other needles secured on the left side? Is there a second belt with holes for those needle ends?
The needles on the left side are not secured at all. String has been passed through the bottom of the piece of knitting, then the ends of the string are wrapped around the knitting belt. That keeps the knitting still and takes the weight off the hands. Elizabeth helped make the download/DVD "50 Tips from Shetland Knitters".
Hazel Tindall Thank you so much! Your DVD has been on my wishlist ever since it was announced, I'm going to order it up this week! :-)
The two needles on the left side are 2 of the 3 double pointed needles being used to knit a circular hat. The knitting itself holds those 2 needles in place.
ybmagpye thank you! At 2:07 she says "tying this back gives you tension" -- was she using string? or did she have crown of the hat tucked into the belt?
Most likely it was tied with string.
Wow. I've seen knitting belts. Is there a way I can get one?
Try Amazon
Bob'nWeave on Etsy if you're in the U.S.
Jamieson's of Shetland and Jamieson and Smith if you're in the U.K or Europe.
❤❤❤❤❤
Дорин,❤️❤️❤️вы МАСТЕР! С уважением из России🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺
What length of needles are used with the belt? Most useful sizes of needles to have for knitting projects? Thanks.
30cm or 40cm dpn's.
If you look you,k see the place where she inserts the needle in her belt has a series of holes, round the side of her belt. Longer needles can insert further round, I’m thinking?
@@apassionforlace thank you.
Saw your comment on "sweet demo lady". You really had no idea with whom you had the privilege of speaking? I hope that you've done your research by now & will be editing to add credits.
YAY! I knew I had notes somewhere on the lady's name, and I finally found them. Vid is updated, the talented faire isle knitter is Doreen Brown of Shetland Island.
@@ybmagpye I apologize. I was being facetious. That is actually Elizabeth Johnston - quite famous & you have captured a rare vid & interview. The luck of the uninitiated! Thanks.
@@ninaspinner8720 Her name isn't Doreen Brown? That's disconcerting. I got the name Doreen Brown from the guide we had that took us around Shetland Island. Maybe Doreen is the lady at the one other shop we visited on Shetland Island? Oh well, thanks for the update and correction.
@@ybmagpye definitely Elizabeth Johnston! She and Hazel Tindall released a video called 50 Tips from Shetland Knitters, which is WELL WORTH every penny!! Hands-down the best knitting instructional video out thee to date.
Yes, this lovely lady is Elizabeth Johnston, not Doreen Brown. I have the DVD she made with Hazel Tindal and the video is a fabulous ressource for any knitter. How lucky you were to have met her! 😀
Zvláštní způsob pletení. 5
Dominic’s wife here. Such a good video, but such a shame about the hideous blaspheming
wat hideous blaspheming????
I'm also curious?
There's no bloody blaspheming here, God damn it.
Ooh dear, snowflake on island.....a judgemental holier than thou one at that.
It takes the enjoyment out of knitting.For me knitting is a pleasure not a job.