Hello everyone, thank you all for the kind comments and messages I received on my last post. I’m back with some more pictures, the first is something I forgot to mention in the last post, I didn’t realise – or forgot that for my christening I wore the same robe as dad!
The robe was made by my Great Grandmother, Flora Shearer for her children – my Granny Noelle and her siblings, it was then worn by most if not all of the descendants that came after them, which is sweet.
Now, todays post starts with another photo of my Dad:
You can see Dad is wearing a lovely Fair Isle Jumper in the passport picture, a few years ago Auntie Louise also gave me a jumper of hers that matched – which I wore for Fair Isle Friday during Wool Week at J&S in 2023
Auntie Lou’s one is very similar to Dads and they both received them as teenagers, they were knit by Mrs Lobban (Jeannie maiden name Johnston, a lady who knit quite a few things for members of my family, she was obviously a go-to!) The things she knit were very traditional but I love the way she used colour, in that she uses a bright Royal Blue or sometimes a pink instead of red..
Something else which was given to me, that was also knitted by Mrs Lobben was this scarf which belonged to my Grandad Gordon:
This scarf is very similar to the jumper: traditional motifs and arrangements but a bright sky blue with black and pinky red with very pale lemon and white instead of the standard blue, red, shetland black, white and yellow that was historically accurate, Its really special to have something of Grandads.
She also made some bairns jumpers for various members of the family, a couple which were worn by my cousins – the Cheyneys:
And have now been worn by all of their children!
I arrived into the world at the tail end of a slump in the Shetland knitting history, Oliver has told me lots of times how tough the 80’s and early 90’s were at J&S, trends come and go and although the skills were still in Shetland so many less people knitted because they didn’t have to anymore, and the culture changed. So when I came to textiles, there never felt like there were many connections I can make but I’m constantly surprised how I connect to my culture, and it is such a part of me and my family’s story.
Speak soon!
ella gordon 
what lovely pictures! and what a great knitter your ant must have been. shall I pick my favourite photo : the one with your very handsome father at uni in Edinburgh.
Beautiful! It is so interesting how you can tell by the bright blue who knit it!
It’s lovely to see the handknitted garments (and the patterns and colors) that connect your family over the generations. My mom knitted me a cardigan when I turned 10 but it was never saved or passed on to others. Only memories.
You are the absolute cutest baby. Love your stories ❤️MJ
a wonderful history!
Dear Ella,
Those pictures were an absolute blast! esp the bairns. You are so lucky to have that history. Loved them.
Me
Eek, forgot to say what a beautiful bairn you were and how lovely you looked on your Hap.
Me
I love the patterns in Aunty Lou’s jumper that you’re wearing — and the fact that there doesn’t seem to be a repeat; all the rows look different. The colors are so rich! And then seeing the similar children’s versions. Such an interesting post… thank you!!
a lovely post! Thank you for sharing! Very inspiring to see these sweaters being passed down through generations!
A great post Ella, thanks for sharing. Great photos too that really compliment your text.
Hi Ella These photos are gorgeous, so glad you decided to share them. You are certainly to be admired for the way you are trying to keep Shetland tradition alive, especially by one so young. Well done. Hope you will share more in the future. I don’t leave any comments, which is why I am sending a wee message. Best Wishes Isa
Ella, all those knits are amazing, & it’s a real testament to both the knitters’ skills and the durability of Shetland wool, not to mention the care taken by the parents of the child jumper wearers, that the garments have lasted through several generations.
Christening gowns, yes, as they only get worn once – albeit by each child in a family, & subsequent generations of children. But active children can be rough on jumpers. As can Clothes Moth grubs – or is Shetland too far north & too windy to be bothered by them?
Shaoron
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Thank you for sharing these photos and stories of family history
What lovely photos, and such beautiful children.
Thanks so much Ella.
Go well.
Cheers. Karen.
What lovely photos, and such beautiful children.
Thanks so much Ella.
Go well.
Cheers. Karen.
Brilliant photos, Ella. Lovely to see the continuation of the wearers.
I so enjoyed reading this and what wonderful photos! I love how these hand knits have been passed down. Thank you for sharing.
So glad you shared these wonderful photos with us, Ella. It’s so nice that so many of these knitted pieces were well cared for and passed down to many generations.