Situated far to the north of the Scottish mainland, the Shetlands have been noteworthy for the dampness of their climate and the excellence of their wool. These distinctions combined to foster the development of a colorful form of patterned knitting. This unusual technique employs two colors in each row; the wool not in use is stranded along the back in short loops, resulting in an extremely warm and weatherproof double fabric. The author shows how any circular-method knitting technique can create Fair Isle patterns and offers practical advice on designing garments and use of color, assisting knitters in designing their own patterns and finding inspiration for endless variations and adaptations. 31 halftones and 7 color illustrations on covers. Bibliography. Index.