Wool clothing and the Norwegian store - Keswick.

My sister Bryony used to knit, commercially, by hand, spinning her own wool and sold her jumpers mostly to the American visitors to Skye. Everyone knows about the Arran patterns, Fairisle and others. Skye didn't have their own pattern and the council elders asked Bryony to design a Skye pattern as a long lasting legacy pattern for the Millenium. Other knitters all around the island knitted it and that was the whole idea. Blimey, over a quarter of a century ago!
 
I tried knitting, when I was younger around age 12 and recovering from an illness, forget which.
Taught by my mum, I started on something small, so small in fact what was meant as a pair of socks, turned into a 1/2 ankle sock thrown into the bin.
No patience it seems. I don't much care for repetitive work, I found out.

Interesting TV programme with Ben Fogle, visiting Outer Hebridian Scottish Isles, and the story behind some Fishermen's woolen jumpers, the patterns made resemble the story of the area and the fishermen themselves, patterns created and knitted by their devoted wives.
 
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My Great Grandad was a Scottish Lighthouse Keeper and my Nan used to send me new Arran sweaters every time I outgrew the last one. They’re were amazing things as I look back, that I really didn’t appreciate enough at the time.

In my late teens, I wanted an Icelandic jumper that I’d seen, so I got my Mum to knit it for me. In the mid 80’s, the wool alone cost me over £60 for genuine Icelandic in the colours needed but 40yrs later I still own and wear it when the weather justifies it.
 
Paul Young said:
My Great Grandad was a Scottish Lighthouse Keeper and my Nan used to send me new Arran sweaters every time I outgrew the last one. They’re were amazing things as I look back, that I really didn’t appreciate enough at the time.
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I'm ashamed to say that, ina. similar vein, I was the same. A new school jumper knitted each year...everyone else bar one kid..the smelly kid, had jumpers from the shop. Those really smooth machine tight knitted ones that the elbow went thru when did a diving save at dinnertime...unlike mine, that would have withstood bullets and small bomb. Mine really were ace jumpers but coupled me with the smelly kid (he was actually a nice lad, just that his parents were hippy alternative types and as we all had grey sweaters...his was green...)
 
bowser said:
I have a norwegian jumper bought in 1985/86 when I lived in oslo still going strong and just about fits
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I have a Swiss Army blanket from 1968 an amazing piece of kit given to me as an extra when I purchased the entire Army kit from a retired old timer. Hand finished with the makers mark. The real deal has a small metal id badge in the corner of the blanket next to the year of manufacture. Initially had a musty musk smell but after a few washes is now gone. The knit is tight and they used ultra-rugged pure wool. Loads of reproductions but an original will set you back £150-200.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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