ROMANCE OF THE NORTH

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 65, 8 June 1927, Page 15

ROMANCE OF THE NORTH

THE SHETLAND ISLANDERS THEIR CHEQUERED HISTORY Centuries ago when the Kings of Denmark exacted * tribute from the Shetland Islands, the poverty-stricken crofters, having no money, paid their dues in bales of coarse tweeds from the wool of the Shetland sheep. Somewhere about 1468, Shetland being pledged to Scotland, the tax was abolished, and the islanders began exporting their woollen goods to the Scottish and English. Trade has many romances, but few began so far back in the preperiod as the Shetland industries. says the Newcastle “Weekly Chronicle. There is romance again in the landing of Spaniards on Fair Isle, after the Armada wreck. Instead of putting the shipwrecked strangers to death the kindly crofters sheltered and fed them. The Spaniards repaid this hospitality by teaching them how to extract dy.es from peat and seaweed, and knitting the dyed wool into intricate patterns and designs. These became traditional in families, and are °ven now extensively employed for decorating the Fair Isle’s jumpers and dresses. Not, however, until 1840, was it discovered that Shetland wool, despite its cobwebby delicacy, could retain its strength, warmth and durability when spun to a fineness of a gossamer veiling. Thus was born that worldfamous Shetland shawl, also the lacelike woollen lingerie, which gives warmth without weight, and forms ideal baby wear. So gradually developed this remarkable industry of the Far North, famous all over the "orld, bringing money and comforts into the bleak lives of poor, harddriven peasants. So high in quality are their products from ethereally delicate underwear to delightful rough weeds and knitted garments, that very year the demand steadily inFew people know that the netland sheep is totally different from la southern cousin. He is small, ac•Y®* with short horns, and a thick, h fleece, in white, fawn, grey or own the Shetland colours. The are not sheared, but the wool is gently removed by the women when it sgins to peel back from the face. A n« C !* ar * act about the fine neck wool ,* , f or underwear is its property I when hand-spun and hand- « ed > of protecting from and ban- • mg rheumatism, for which purpose * much recommended by doctors.