Knitwise Shawl: Fiona Douglas & Pat Crosby No. 4 – SOLD
Not all gifts end with giving… This Christmas, Connolly are proud to showcase a very special project with KNITWISE, a ‘hand knit’ initiative established in 2019 by Isabel Ettedgui in partnership with the Kings Foundation at Dumfries House, based in one of the most disadvantaged parts of Scotland and supported by the Joseph Ettedgui Charitable Foundation.Â
For Christmas we are proud to showcase 20 beautiful handknit wool shawls in our Christmas window; the designs are based on the rare Taatit rugs of Shetland with symbols and motifs and colours taken from these remarkable pieces of handcraft and weave. All the proceeds from the sale of the shawls will go to help the elderly keep warm this winter … to Age UK and Age Scotland.
Each shawl is unique with the knitters initials swiss darned and their biography attached. Knitted from practical heavy duty, robust wool so perfect for keeping warm while walking around the garden or sitting outside on a crisp sunny day … even thrown over a chair back or under a dog.
It is a nice thought that during the Christmas season you can offer a gift that has been made by someone who has been given the chance to create and connect with a community and a future and how your generosity also allows desperately underfunded and often over- looked charities for the elderly to reach out and provide comfort and warmth this winter. We hope you will come to see the KNITWISE project at Clifford Street as your support will mean so much to the knitters and to all of us who have been involved in this project.
About the knitters
Fiona Douglas:Â
Fiona joined Knitwise in 2019 after hearing about the group through family (Ashleigh).
She was involved in the Blanket Project we draped over the Adam Bridge and the Library of Knit. She loves the company of the other ladies and has enjoyed learning new skills although Fiona is already a very accomplished knitter. Fiona is passionate about craft and reviving traditional hand knit skills. Fiona joined us for a visit to Highgrove in December 2023 to fly the Knitwise Flag at the Celebration of Craft event where we were delighted to have a moment again with HRH The King.Â
Pat Crosby:
Pat has been coming to the Knitwise Group for around two years. She joined the group the first year she moved to Scotland. Pat came to the Library of Knit Exhibition at the Arboretum at Dumfries House and felt it was something she would love to be involved in. Coming to Knitwise has helped Pats wrist injury and helps keep it mobile. She has learned the art of Swiss Darning under the guidance of our brilliant Textiles Tutor Shirley and is now working on a scarf and enjoying learning new skills. Pat is Swiss darning many or most of the ladies work with their makers initials. Pat is also Swiss darning a Delphinium growing out of the pocket of a Connolly Art Cardigan in Pale Blue Cashmere as a gift from Isabel and all the Knitwise Ladies for HRH The King.Â
