Playful Fair Isle

A SHETLAND College textile student has won a prize for her radical approach to Fair Isle knitwear.

Rebecca Sinclair has won £150 in the Bradford Textile Society Design Competition along with students from across the UK.

Sinclair incorporated the floral wallpaper designs featured in the background of vintage photos of people wearing Fair Isle knitwear and mixed it up with neon acrylic yarn to create a playful effect.

Shetland Museum and Archives curator Carol Christiansen had advised students it was in keeping with the tradition for Shetland women to play with Fair Isle designs.

“I’m very proud of Shetland Fair Isle and how popular it is. It’s nice to feel in tune with local women from the past who were keen to do a contemporary take on the traditional styles,” Sinclair said.

Senior creative industries lecturer Angela Hunt added: “All staff and students are delighted at Rebecca’s achievement.

“She is such a talented and worthy winner in this prestigious competition and is showcasing Shetland’s new and innovative designer skills.”