Traditional shawls from the Faroe Islands were utilitarian pieces made witha special shaping at the shoulders and center back that allowed for hands-free wearing, especially when the long center front bits are crossed in front then tied in back. This method of wearing also provides extra warmth.

The shawl shown here is done in a traditional pattern, but instead of being made in wool, it was hand-spun and hand-knit in the finest natural silver-colored baby alpaca fiber. The shawl used approximately 1,600 yards of two-ply alpaca yarn, including 300 yards just for the fringe! It was made during the spring and summer of 2004.

"Sigga" is the name given to this particular shawl in Foroysk Bindingarmynstur (Faroese Knitting Patterns - Knitted Shawls) as translated by Marilyn van Keppel, published by Schoolhouse Press, 1997.