Understanding Shetland Lace among fine lace traditions

August 7, 2026

Shetland lace is one heritage knitting tradition within the wider world of fine lace knitting. Learn more about how Shetland lace is identified, why fine lace shawls are sometimes misidentified, and why naming lace traditions properly helps protect the stories behind them.

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Domestic Machine Knitting

Domestic Machine Knitting

Domestic machine knitting is currently practiced in Shetland at small numbers by both men and women of a variety of ages. Because of the lack of...

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Shetland Lace, or Openwark

Shetland Lace, or Openwark

Shetland Lace is referred to in Shetland as Openwark. While some knitters around the world make a distinction between ‘lace knitting’ and ‘knitted...

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Fair Isle Knitting

Fair Isle Knitting

Fair Isle knitting is practiced in Shetland primarily by older women as part of daily life, though there are practitioners of all ages. Because of...

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