Whether it’s the influence of the Spanish, who were stranded on Fair Isle, following the Spanish Armada in 1588, design ideas from nearby Scandinavia, or a combination of both, nothing can dispute the fact that today’s Fair Isle knitting patterns display a stunning array of colours and designs, the Fisherman pattern, from Michael Ross being no exception.

Situated between Shetland and Orkney, north of mainland Scotland, knitters on the remote island of Fair Isle started by making scarves, caps and stockings. Fair Isle sweaters were not knitted until the First World War. Key motifs were diamonds, crosses and eight-pointed stars, which were knitted in horizontal bands.

It was the Prince of Wales who thrust the Fair Isle into the limelight in 1922, when he sported his sweater while playing golf at St Andrews. More muted shades were preferred at that time.

Since then, the Fair Isle has become a classic, with various permutations, and it continues to inspire and influence the fashion world. Indeed, American designer, Ralph Lauren included a Fair Isle in his first collection.

Our Fisherman Fair Isle version evokes images of the sea and the traditional fishing trade, conjuring suggestions of nets, ropes, knots and other sea fishing paraphernalia, interspersed with traditional motifs.