Shawl thumbnail 1
Not on display

Shawl

1935 (made)
Artist/Maker
Amy Johnston (maker)
Place of origin
Baltasound (made)

A very fine example of lace knitting, this shawl is made from wool plucked from the necks of Shetland sheep. It was given to the museum by Dr Katharine Lawson Dick, for whom it was made. Amy Johnston also knitted a similar shawl for the wedding of Princess Marina to George, Duke of Kent in 1934.

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read Knitting traditions of the British Isles and Ireland Many areas around the British Isles and Ireland have their own distinctive style of knitting or a particular garment for which they are known. Such traditions have tended to survive longer in more remote areas where there is less outside influence.

Object details

Categories
Textiles
Clothing
Accessories
Scotland
Europeana Fashion Project
Object type
Shawl
Materials and techniques
Knitted shetland wool
Wool Yarn
Knitting
Brief description
Shawl, made by Amy Johnston, Baltasound, Shetland, 1935
Physical description
Long stole of fine white wool in lace knitting. The main part of the stole is striped with rows of leaf-shapes separated by five triple zig-zag lines. At either end are panels decorated with two rows of upright plant motifs with, between the, a geometric pattern of diamond shapes. The stole is edged with a serrated border decorated with zig-zag lines.
Dimensions
  • Width: 54.6cm
  • Length: 208.3cm
  • Width: 21.5in
  • Length: 82in
Dimensions taken from registers, not checked on object
Production typeUnique
Gallery label
(1985)
1. STOLE
Hand-knitted one-ply wool
Scottish, Shetland, 1935

This fine lace stole was knitted by Mrs Amy Johnston of Baltasound, Unst. It was made for the donor while she was living in Shetland with her husband, who was surgeon to the islands. In 1934 Mrs Johnston had knitted a similar stole as a wedding gift for Princess Marina.

The stole measures six foot ten inches (208.3 cms) in length. The pattern with plant motifs is repeated at either end while the main part of the stole is striped with rows of leat shapes separated by zig zag lines.

Given by Dr. Katharine Lawson Dick
T.335-1980
Credit line
Given by Dr Katharine Lawson Dick
Object history
This object was given to the museum by Dr Katharine Lawson Dick, for whom this shawl was made. Dr Lawson Dick was living in the Shetlands at that time and knew Mrs Amy Johnston, who had made a similar shawl for the wedding of Princess Marina the previous year.
Summary
A very fine example of lace knitting, this shawl is made from wool plucked from the necks of Shetland sheep. It was given to the museum by Dr Katharine Lawson Dick, for whom it was made. Amy Johnston also knitted a similar shawl for the wedding of Princess Marina to George, Duke of Kent in 1934.
Collection
Textiles and Fashion Collection
Accession number
T.335-1980

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Record createdApril 5, 2006
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O122761/shawl-amy-johnston/
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