Fair Isle
Knitting, as defined by Wiktionary, is "Combin[ing] a piece of thread with two needles into a piece of fabric." Its origins lie in the basic human need for clothing for protection against the elements. More recently, knitting has become less a necessary skill and more a hobby.
It is not possible to pinpoint the exact geographical origin of knitting. It has been widely believed that knitting developed in pre-Christian time; however, this is strongly disputed today.
The oldest artifacts with a knitted appearance were a type of socks. It is believed that socks and stockings were the first pieces produced using techniques similar to knitting.
These socks were worked in lebinding, a technique of making fabric by creating multiple knots or loops with a single needle and thread. Many of these existing clothing items employed lebinding techniques; some of them look very similar to true knitting. For example, C3rd-5th socks. Several pieces, done in now obscure techniques, have been mistaken for knitting or crocheting.
The first references to true knitting in Europe date from the early 14th century[citation needed]. The first knitted socks from Egypt are older, with some scholars dating them to the 11th century[citation needed]. At this time, the purl stitch (the opposite action to the knit stitch) was unknown; stockinette fabric was produced by knitting in the round and then cutting the piece open (a process now known as steeking). The first reference to the purl stitch dates from the mid-16th century[citation needed], but the technique may have been developed slightly earlier.
During this era the manufacture of stockings was of vast importance to many Britons, who knitted with fine wool and exported their wares. Knitting schools were established as a way of providing an income to the poor; the fashion of the period, for men to wear short trunks, made the fitted stockings a fashion necessity. Stockings made in England were sent to the Netherlands, Spain, and Germany[citation needed].
Queen Elizabeth I herself favored silk stockings[citation needed]; these were finer, softer, more decorative and much more expensive. Stockings that belonged to her still exist, demonstrating the high quality of the items specifically knitted for her.
Men were also the first to knit for an occupation.
Knitting was such a vast occupation among those living on the Scottish Isles during the 17th and 18th centuries that the whole family would be involved in making sweaters, accessories, socks, stockings, etc. Fair Isle techniques were used to create elaborate colorful patterns. The sweaters were essential to the fishermen of these Isles, as the natural oils within the wool would provide some element of protection against the harsh weathers while out fishing.
Many elaborate designs were developed, such as cable stitch used on Aran sweaters which were developed in the early 20th century in Ireland.
Rudimentary knitting devices had been invented prior to this period, but were one-off creations. With the advent of the Industrial Revolution, wool spinning and cloth manufacture began to be done in factories. More women would be employed at operating machinery, rather than producing their home spun and knitted items.
The consistency of the factory spun wool was better in that it was more uniform, and the weight could be gauged better as a consequence.
The city of Nottingham, particularly the district known as Lace Market, dominated the production of machine-knitted lace during the Industrial Revolution and the following decades.
Following this decline, the 21st century has seen one of the largest resurgences of the craft in history. Natural fibers from animals, such as alpaca, angora, and merino, and plant fibers, chiefly cotton, have become easier and less cost-prohibitive to collect and process, and therefore more widely available. Consumers will find that exotic fibers, such as silk, bamboo, and qiviut, have a growing popularity behind them as well. Some focus within the yarn industry has been turned to making novelty yarns, which could produce stunning results without years of knitting experience. Designers have begun to create patterns which work up quickly on large needles, a phenomenon known as instant-gratification knitting.
Celebrities, including Julia Roberts, Winona Ryder, Dakota Fanning, and Cameron Diaz, have been seen knitting and have helped to popularize the revival of the craft. The new millennium has also seen a return by men to the art of knitting.
As time and technology change, so does the art of knitting. The Internet allows knitters to connect, share interests and learn from each other, whether across the street or across the globe. Among the first Internet knitting phenomena was the popular KnitList with thousands of members. In 1998, the first online knitting magazine, KnitNet, began publishing. Blogging later added fuel the development of an international knitting community.
cartoon">cartoon">http://www.himfr.com/buy-cartoon_shirts/">cartoon shirtsPatterns from both print and online sources have inspired groups (known as knit-a-long's, or KAL's) centered upon knitting of a specific pattern. Knitting podcasts, such as Cast-On and Knit Cast, have also emerged, with much cross-pollination of ideas from blogs, 'zines, and knitting books. Traditional designs and techniques that had been preserved by a relatively small number of hand-knitters are now finding a wider audience as well.
On January 14, 2006 influential author and knit-blogger Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, otherwise known as Yarn Harlot, challenged the knitting world to participate in the 2006 Knitting Olympics.[1] To participate, a knitter committed to casting-on a challenging project during the opening ceremonies of the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, and to have that project finished by the time the Olympic flame was extinguished 16 days later. By the first day of the Olympics, almost 4,000 knitters had risen to the challenge.
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EASY FAIR ISLE ON CIRCULAR NEEDLE
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 NWOT Eddie Bauer Fair Isle People soft sweater Heritage Navajo S Free US $21.99 
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 Anthropologie Free People tan fair isle print trapeze peasant tunic sweater M US $23.02
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 NWOT J. Crew Fair Isle Sweater Aqua XS US $19.99
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 The Knitting Room Sue Bluhm Dolman with Fairisle and Ribbon for Machine Knitting US $2.95
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 NWT CAbi WOMENS ZIP-UP HOODED FAIR ISLE SWEATER #129 (L) $129 US $34.99
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 Baby Gap Stripe Fair isle Poncho L/XL 4-5 4T 5T Winter Brights US $2.00
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 VTG WOOLRICH Fair Isle Wool Sweater Ski/Nordic Snowflake Men Large/L or Women XL US $49.99
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 NICK & NORA cute Fairisle Owls Pajama Set PJ'S LARGE *NWT* US $42.99
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 MINI BODEN BABY BODEN FAIRISLE CARDIGAN SWEATER,HOODIE,KNIT LINING,6,9,12 M,NEW US $27.99
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 Mini Boden Angora & Cotton Fair Isle Sweater Dress Plum Purple Size 5-6 US $9.99
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 Multi-Colored 3/4 Sleeve Fair Isle Tied Waist Tunic Top M US $9.99
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 Fair Isle Tunic Sweater & Anthropologie Earrings M US $21.99
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 Forever 21 Fair Isle Hoodie Vest US $20.00
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 LUCKY BRAND cute Embroidered Fairisle Sweater LARGE *xlnt* US $39.99
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 Men's UNIQLO Fleece Jacket in Black/White Fair Isle Sz Small NEW US $20.00
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 Men's UNIQLO Fleece Jacket in Blue/White Fair Isle Sz Medium NEW US $20.00
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 Size 6-9 mo. Red Heart Cutie Valentine Sweater & Pants Set & Fair Isle Sweater US $2.50
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 GYMBOREE Outlet Snow Princess Fair Isle Cardigan Sweater 5 NWT US $2.99
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 Hand Knit Wool Vintage Fair Isle Intarsia Geometric Bright Colors Cardigan S US $9.00
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 2011 Boston BRUINS Black WOMENS FASHION Jersey Medium Fair Isle V NECK SEE PICS US $47.95
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 Mens Abercrombie & Fitch Chunky Wool Fair Isle Sweater S US $9.99
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 1T - 2T or 2T - 4T. Fair Isle Jacquard Knitted Unisex Hat, EAR FLAP Double Layer US $13.50
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 NWOT Gap Kids Fair Isle Red Hooded Sweater dress SZ XL 12 US $17.99
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 !!! BRAND NEW !!! HARBOR BREEZE 52" FAIR ISLE US $23.00
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 NEW Eddie Bauer Wool Blend Blue & Ivory "Fair Isle" Throw Blanket US $19.99
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 EEC Gymboree Fair Isle Hearts & Snowflakes Cardigan Sweater Girls 3 US $9.99
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 GORGEOUS SCARF Multi color Fair Isle Anthropologie US $14.95
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 THE FAIRISLE CAT machine knitting pattern book on cd US $12.99
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 Fair isle knit handbag black white large US $49.00
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 Women's Old Navy Black Fair Isle Adoraboots Sweater Boots Size 8 Brand New! US $7.99
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 Gymboree NWT Snow Bird 12-18 Month Sweater Dress Jumper Ivory Fair Isle NEW Baby US $2.25
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 Gymboree NWT Penguin Chalet M 7 8 Fair Isle Sweater Cardigan FLAWED New US $4.26
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 NWT Gymboree GINGERBREAD GIRL Heart Fair Isle Knit Skirt 4 4T US $15.95
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 EUC Kensie Girl Fair Isle Vest ALT Bella Swan Twilight New Moon Sz M US $8.99
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 THIRTY-ONE 31 FAIRISLE HAT US $8.99
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 THIRTY-ONE 31 FAIRISLE SCARF US $12.99
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 G Star Chunky Fairisle Knit Oslo Balaclava GSTAR g-star NEW with tags brand new US $15.50
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 NWT Gymboree Fair Isle Reindeer Boys Sweater Red White Snow Shawl Collar 18-24 US $14.99
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 Red Fair Isle Scoop Neck Fringe Trim Poncho Sweater M US $9.99
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 $398 NWT Juicy Couture 11'HOL Fair Isle Cardigan Coat with Faux Fur SZ P XS US $199.00
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 ETT TAIA ♢ Anthropologie grey knit jacket XS ♢ FAIR ISLE ♢ soft sweater style US $14.60
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 vintage RARE Weldons knitting pattern 754 Man's Reindeer Fair Isle xmas jumper US $6.30
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 Valentine's Day Skelagamink Sweater Fair Isle Skirt 6 Years EUC US $5.00
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 Mambo Womens Small (5/6) Blue/Green Fairisle Slipper Boots NWT Booties US $12.98
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 "HEARTS" BABY FAIRISLE EFFECT CARDIGAN 6 - 18 MONTHS DK CROCHET PATTERN US $1.56
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 vtg 70's BLUE AZTEC FAIRISLE BUTTON UP V NECK SLOUCH OVERSIZED CARDIGAN sz 14 US $12.56
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 Land's End Boy's Fair Isle Sweater XL size 16 Perfect Condition!!!! US $40.00
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 JOHNSTONS DOUBLE LAMBSWOOL FAIRISLE BEANIE - BNWT US $15.78
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 BARBOUR WHITCOMBE FAIRISLE LAMBSWOOL SWEATER - NWT - L US $55.00
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 Mambo Womens Small (5/6) Owl Fairisle Slipper Boots NWT Booties US $12.98
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 ZARA Knitted Black/White Mohair Jumper Dress S 8/10 Fair Isle Print US $3.18
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 Garnet Hill Fair Isle Sweater XL (18) topaz (blue) US $90.00
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 NWT CAbi WOMENS ZIP-UP HOODED FAIR ISLE SWEATER #129 (M) $129 US $43.99
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 UGG AUSTRALIA SIZE 6 SHOES SLIPPERS TAZMAN TASMAN FAIR ISLE BLACK SUEDE US $25.00
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 UGG AUSTRALIA SIZE 8 SHOES SLIPPERS TAZMAN TASMAN FAIR ISLE TAN CHESTNUT SUEDE US $25.00
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 42" Vintage Aztec Fairisle Pattern Wool Jumper MEDIUM US $3.14
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 BOYS SIZE 3-4 GYMBOREE RED FAIR ISLE PULLOVER SWEATER NWT! US $16.95
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 NWT VICTORIA'S SECRET PINK MATCHING SCARF AND BEANIE Fairisle New Gray US $50.99
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 Baby Gap pink fair-isle sweater dress cotton lining size 6-12m EUC! US $8.99
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 Nomadic Traders Womens Fair Isle Floral Zip Cardigan So Pretty L Sweater 14 16 US $7.77
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 Gymboree Alpine Sweetie red hoodie & fair-isle pattern pants size 6-12m EUC! US $11.99
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 JCrew Handknit Fair Isle sweater - Medium - Holiday 2011!! US $119.99
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 4-California World's Fair Postcards-1939-Magic Isle/Rainbow Girl/Waters/More-VF US $.99
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 NWT Victoria's Secret Cotton Lingerie Bra 36D Black/White Fair Isle Hearts US $32.50
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 6-10/10-16 mo. Fair Isle Jacquard Knitted Unisex BABY SET : OVERALL with HAT US $68.00
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 Anthropologie SLEEPING ON SNOW Fair Isle Sweater L US $14.99
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 URBAN OUTFITTERS WHITE KNIGHT FAIR ISLE BEANY - ONE SIZE US $9.00
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 Juicy Couture Plush Scottie Dog Limited Edition Fair Isle NWT $48 US $18.50
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 Eddie Bauer Purpke Fair Isle Cardigan Sweater ~ Size 2X ~EXCELLENT US $9.95
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 Eddie Bauer Purple & Gray Fair Isle Cardigan Sweater ~ Size 2X ~EXCELLENT US $9.95
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 Eddie Bauer Fair Isle Cardigan Sweater ~ XXL ~EXCELLENT US $9.95
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 Mens L Fair Isle Sweater 100% Shetland Wool EUC Forrestel Dark Green Brown Yoke US $9.99
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 Crystal Kobe Womens M 100% Shetland Wool Fair Isle Cardigan EUC US $20.50
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 GYMBOREE~Penguin Chalet~Fair Isle Hooded Fleece 3-6 NWT US $4.99
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 NWT Ivory Fair Isle hat + mittens set Greendog girl size M/L US $.99
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 Sweater With Fair Isle Yoke Knitting Pattern US $2.25
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 Karen Scott, Brand New, Red/BlackGray/white,Fair Isle,Cowl, Tunic/Dress, Size XL US $9.99
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 ~Tiara XL Zip Sweater Fair Isle Olive Green/Rust Cardigan Raglan~$5.50 Shipping~ US $12.99
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 NWT $34.90 Girls Justice Cardigan Sweater 14 Ruffles Sequins Brown Fair Isle US $14.95
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 Lavender Girls Justice Cardigan Sweater 14 Ruffles Sequins Fair Isle Purple US $14.95
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 New Women Girls Fairisle Tights Leggings Pantyhose Winter Pants Bottoms US $9.99
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 NWT GYMBOREE PENGUIN CHALET 3PC POLAR BEAR TOP GRAY & FAIR ISLE LEGGINGS 6-12 MO US $15.99
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 Hollister NWT Womens Fair Isle Classic Winter Circle Scarf US $29.95
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 boys 120 Hanna Andersson 5 6 7 fairisle sweater cotton US $4.99
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 FREE PEOPLE CARDIGAN SZ M ANTHROPOLOGIE CHUNKY WOOL FAIRISLE BACK GREAT BUTTONS US $24.99
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 NWOT Athleta Fairisle Stripe Sweater Dress SZ XL US $77.99
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 Gymboree SKI CABIN fair isle sweater & microfiber active pants, 3/3T, NWT US $20.00
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 NWT Athleta Fairisle Stripe Sweater Dress SZ XXS US $69.99
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 Dandy EDDIE BAUER Womens Lambswool Henley Sweater ~ Fair Isle Design ~ Wool Silk US $14.95
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 NEW Burton Snowboards Fleece lined Unisex Fairisle Red White Black Beanie HAT US $9.99
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 NEW RAG & BONE Chunky Fairisle Sweater US $74.99
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 Vintage 70's Ivory Cable Knit Fair Isle Acrylic Knit Crewneck Sweater Mens S/M US $10.74
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 NIB Baby Gap Girls Fair Isle Sweater Skirt 18-24 Months US $18.99
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 BABY GAP toddler girl size 12-18months outerwear -- fair isle snowflake sweater. US $2.75
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 NWT GYMBOREE GIRLS WINTER BALLERINA FAIR ISLE SIZE 7 SWEATER SKIRT US $5.00
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 Gorgeous EUC DKNY 100% lambswool nordic fair isle sweater dress, beaded, small US $49.99
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 NWOT Gymboree Penguin Chalet outfit size 5 5t Jeans and fair isle top US $18.99
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 Old Navy NWOT Angora Rabbit Nordic Fair Isle Ethnic Babydoll Sweater Tunic Sz L US $19.99
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 Fairisle Wrap Cardigan ~ New Designer Chevron Stripe Cowichan Sweater 25-C129 US $38.00
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And a selection of products from Amazon
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3 inch x 2" Inch (7.5 x 5cm) Clear Acrylic Fridge Magnet Sights of Scotland The Kirk Fair Isle Wash and Line
Sale Price: $2.99  |
DescriptionBrand New item ready for immediate despatch |
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Boatman Geller - Wine Bottle Tags (Fair Isle Red/Fair Isle Blue)
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DescriptionWine Bottle Tags. These chic wine bottle tags are a fun and unexpected way to add pizzazz to any wine bottle. Whether given as a gift for a gathering of friends, a birthday celebration or a holiday merrymaking - the wine tags add that "special something" to any and all occasions... |
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Lenox Fair Isle #N/A Salad Plates
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DescriptionSalad Plates - Bird And Floral Design On Cream Background With Gold Trim - Made In Usa |
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Annie Laurie: Folksongs of the British Isles
List Price: |
DescriptionNo Description Available.Genre: Classical MusicMedia Format: Compact DiskRating: Release Date: 20-JUL-1993 |
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Scarborough Fair - Songs from the British Isles
List Price: |
DescriptionBryn Terfel is perhaps the most famous bass-baritone in the world today: he has performed at every major opera house and his many recordings of both opera and popular music are consistently #1 hits. This new album of popular folk songs of the British Isles is a follow-up to his Grammy® award winning Simple Gifts... |
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Essential Purcell
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DescriptionNo Description Available.Genre: Classical MusicMedia Format: Compact DiskRating: Release Date: 22-APR-1997 |
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The Original Philosopher's Two-Handed Fair Isle and Other Stories
Sale Price: $6.55 |
DescriptionAn Instructional Video On How To Knit A Sweater And Everything Involved With The Process. |
![Fair Isle Without Fear (With Free Patterns) [VHS]](http://www.favoritepantyhose.com/media/images/i/51YKBjVJ1CL._SL75_.jpg) |
Fair Isle Without Fear (With Free Patterns) [VHS]
Sale Price: $59.95 |
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Gilligan's Island: The Complete First Season
List Price: |
DescriptionDespite critical barbs as sharp as a Maroobi spear, Gilligan's Island has proven unsinkable. Its first season was 1964's top-rated show. The expository theme song is one of television's most quoted, and its characters--the Skipper (Alan Hale Jr... |
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American Knitter Learn to Knit Lesson 5 Fair Isle Sweater
List Price: |
DescriptionIn this DVD lesson you will use many of the skills that you have learned from the previous videos to make a Fair-Isle Sweater. DVD includes a full color printed pattern. |
