In the windswept village of Hamnavoe, tucked away amid the rugged beauty of the Shetland Islands, a resident named Anne Eunson embarked on a creative endeavor that has caught the imagination of her community—knitting a lace fence. But this isn’t your average knitting project.
Instead of wool, Anne chose to knit using a sturdy, black twine—firm enough to resemble the material used in fishing nets—a nod to the island’s maritime heritage. She adapted ordinary curtain rods into knitting frames and transformed a labor-intensive technique into functional outdoor art. Over the course of three dedicated weeks, Anne meticulously crafted enough lacework, using a repeating 23-stitch Shetland lace pattern, to encircle her front garden.
What began as a quiet, solitary project quickly became something more: a conversation starter, a tribute to tradition, and a testament to the creative potential hiding in everyday objects.
Why It Matters
- A Fusion of Tradition and Innovation: Anne’s choice of material—fishing-net twine—connects local practicality with the historic craftsmanship of Shetland lace.
- Adapt ingenuity at its finest: Instead of buying a prefab fence, Anne repurposed household items (curtain rods) and applied deep knitting knowledge to produce something uniquely personalized.
- Three weeks of dedication: The precise 23-stitch repeat requires concentration, patience, and flair—an artisanal process in an era of instant solutions.
- A story worth sharing: Her garden now tells a quiet story—of creativity, island life, and the quiet joys of making something with your own hands.
What’s Incredible About It
- Unexpected beauty: A garden ringed by lace—especially made from tough twine—is not something many come across every day.
- Visual poetry in twine: The contrast of delicate lace pattern with rugged material exemplifies Shetland grit and grace.
- Community inspiration: This is more than décor—it’s an invitation to rethink ordinary—how a bit of imagination can reframe household items into something extraordinary.
Anne’s knitted fence is an elegant reminder that creativity doesn’t need to be grand or complicated—it just needs heart, and maybe a bit of twine.