Fair Isle knitwear - perfect for spring menswear

With the weather warming up at last, jumpers can be worn without covering jackets, so it's time to bring out colour and pattern on chilly days. One of my favourite traditional knitwear patterns is Fair Isle. Originally from a small island lying half way between the Shetland and Orkney Isles off the north of Scotland, it became popular in the twenties when adopted it was by the then Prince of Wales, snappy dresser indeed.

The increasing popularity of home-grown traditional knitwear has seen the revival of Arans, Guernseys, fisherman's and seamen's sweaters as well as the highly-decorated and complex Fair Isle.Worn with jeans and brogues, they make an unusual but traditional statement.

As the genuine article comes from the islands, I'm giving you the web address of Fair Isle's website, where you can find details of workers from whom you can commission the real thing. I would try to avoid buying cheap copies made outside the UK. See, for example, the beautiful work from Exclusively Fair Isle.