hello – yes I’m still here! a month ago or so my Auntie Louise was doing some sorting and organising and she found some things she knew I would like! She gave me a couple of Haps:
A hap is a shawl, used in Shetland traditionally for babies and as outerwear back in the day, they are usually big and square so can be folded and wrapped around said baby. The can be very different in their look – with colour, motifs, borders, edging etc.
This image shows both a baby and lady wrapped in their haps and looking quite happy indeed! pun intended.
This is one of the Haps Auntie Louise gave me:
What is special about is that its quite an unusual pattern but also its the Hap used for my Dad when he was christened, and we have photographic evidence:
My Granddad, Cameron Gordon worked at the Royal Bank in Lerwick, and Auntie Louise said there was guy who he worked with that was an amateur photographer and he came and took pictures
I love that programme on BBC (Fake or Fortune) where they try and find out if random art works are lost Da Vinci’s or whatever, in that they are always going on about the works ‘provenance’. I feel like these pictures are the Shetland Textile equivalent, this Hap is at least 65 years old, and would be considered young in the context of Shetland lace!
But to see the Hap in use (even just for a photo op) hits me in my feels. Seeing my lovely granny, who I miss, looking at my Dad, who I love, as a peerie baby.. Its enough to soften the most Nordic of hearts..
But back to the knitting, Auntie Louise doesn’t know if this Hap was knit for Dad – most likely not, he is the youngest so it was probably used for both my Auntie and Uncle before Dad. She knows there were ladies who lived near to their family in Lerwick that knit lace so it could have been made by them.
I was at the Wool Week hat launch a few weeks ago so i took the opportunity to ask Elizabeth Johnston and Anne Eunson, both expert Shetland Lace knitters about the hap. I said to them i felt it was quite unusual, and they agreed with me. Not so much the middle, that’s a classic Print O’ The Wave:
But its the border I have not seen before – its very much a mixture of motifs so would have needed a bit of planning to put together. The motif with the ball at the top and bottom I can find a similar one in Dr Carols Shetland Fine Lace book described as a ‘steek with diamonds at both ends’ – a steek in this context is the Shetland Lace usage where its usually a joining pattern, or a column of stitches/holes.
The rest is quite standard, trees, diamonds and cats paws etc but the overall combination is to me, very unusual. I also wondered if the steek motif could represent a baby rattle? It would be appropriate! Another theory I have is that its made by different hands, the standard of the lace in the middle is far better than the border – I’m not judging and its all better than i could do, but interesting none the less!
Sometimes the connection to my culture is something I feel and nurture and sometimes its here, in photos and pieces of knitting that join me to my family and my history.
I got a few more interesting pictures that link to other pieces in my collection from Auntie Louise, let me know if you would be interested in seeing them.
speak soon x
ella gordon 
Always interested in what you find and post, Ella. Many many thanks.
Yes, please show us more! This post is lovely, speaking as it does to knitting, family, heritage, and care of family objects. Thank you for sharing.
what a lovely blogpost! and yes, of course, we want to see more – if you have the time/feeling to do so.
greetings from flandres, mieke
That is lovely… yes, MORE! I love connecting the past to the present! Thank you ❤️
That is lovely… yes, MORE! I love connecting the past to the present! Thank you ❤️
Yes please!
I love old things with history. Digging for Britain, Repair Shop, Fake or Fortune. You name it – I like! 🤗
Margot
Dear Ella Thats just lovely ! 💜I’m almost crying Lots of love Auntie Louise xxxxxxxxxSent from my iPhone
What a wonderful story. How lucky you have the photos as provenance. More please
I really enjoyed this interesting article. How wonderful to see the photo’s of your dad. Thank you Ella.
What an interesting post! I loved seeing the pictures of the Hap and your connection to it. Yes, please do post more pictures and tell us more. I have many books about Shetland lace and so I found your comments about the unusual border pattern wonderful. Thank you for sharing – it made for a good read on this sunny and warm Sunday morning on the Canadian prairies.
I’d love to see and hear about more of your family’s knitted heirloom. Great to learn about your Dad’s Hap – thank you.
Hello Ella Lovely to hear from you again, do miss your newsletters. These are just beautiful and amazing. I love to see photos of Shetland knitting and great you have such an interest in looking after the traditions. Photo of your Granny is very emotional, but so lovely. I would really be interested in seeing your photos please. Take care and thank you for sharing. Best Wishes Isa
Lovely to hear from you Ella. What a beautiful hap and so special when it’s been used and saved through the generations. Would love to see more items from your collection
Jane x
Wonderful story and super knitting. OF COURSE I would love to see other pieces. Thank you for that great story.
I would love to see them. 🙂🙂
Cheers, Karen.
I would love to see them. 🙂🙂
Cheers, Karen.
Absolutely! Please share your knitting stories!
So lovely to hear from you. Please tell us more about your collection. It is fascinating.x
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Ella, it’s such a gorgeous Hap, and your dad looks such a happy baby lying on it! What a treasure for you. Yes, more would be so interesting please.
I would love to see the other photos 🤩
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Thanks for this lovely post, Ella. The hap is very special, indeed. Please show us more!
While not a hap, I have a baby blanket, square, finely knit in now-yellowing wool, and fringed, which graced all my brothers and sisters, as well as me. Your feelings for your hap make me think of how time goes by and cherishing our own family stories is not to be underrated. Lovely post.
Would love to see more, what amazing pieces of art.
Thanks for sharing. Always lovely to see your finds and read your analysis. How wonderful to have such an amazing heirloom!