Bressay woman knits christening robe for Royal baby
Rosalind GriffithsA christening robe for the new Royal baby which was designed and made by Sandra Manson from Bressay was presented to Prince Charles last month when he was on a visit to the Borders.
The gift was made on behalf of the wool producers of Shetland and the Campaign for Wool, of which the prince is patron.
The robe was made of Shetland supreme one-ply worsted spun yarn, which is the nearest to homespun it is possible to get. Although the full-length garment only took two weeks to make, it took six weeks to plan.
Mrs Manson said: “Thinking about what I was going to do was more difficult than knitting it. It is my interpretation of traditional and modern designs and would cover the baby’s feet.
“I made it in cockleshell and patterns, instead of going round they went up, and the yoke and sleeves were a fine lacier pattern.”
Knitting in one-ply is not too difficult, she said. “You get used to it. It’s lovely wool to work with. I don’t know if he [the Royal baby] will wear it for his christening but it would be amazing.”
She added that besides being an honour to knit for the heir to the throne, it was an honour to support the crofters and farmers of Shetland and the Campaign for Wool.
The garment found its way to Prince Charles via Campaign for Wool committee member Martin Curtis, who works closely with Shetland wool producers. Mr Curtis attended a Campaign for Wool meeting last week at which the garment was given to the organisation’s chairman.
Mr Curtis said: “It is with great pride that I am able to report that John Thorley, OBE, chairman of the Prince of Wales’ Campaign for Wool, presented HRH with a hand-knitted real Shetland lace christening robe that was made from wool grown exclusively in the Shetland Islands.
“The presentation took place during HRH recent visit to Scotland, and was made on behalf of the Campaign for Wool and the 800 Shetland wool producers we work with, to mark the birth of the Royal baby, third in line to the throne.
“Heartfelt thanks go to the Shetland wool community and the knitter and designer Sandra Manson from Bressay. Everyone who saw the robe was enthralled by its beauty, craftsmanship and elegance.”
A John Coles
Is there any chance of seeing a picture of this Christening Robe? I’m sure there must have been astonishing amount of work gone into it.
Many congratulations
John
Jenny Anderson
Well done to Sandra. 6 weeks to plan, that must be a beautiful robe indeed! Hope to see the photos soon!
Chris Laurenson
Well done Sandra, Tell me..?….Was that your christening robe which the royal baby was photographed in as they gave the first baby viewing and intervew at the hospital ?
Amanda Peters
Well done, Sandra!
Debra Totten
Congrats, Sandra!
Danielle Sim
Well Done Sandra! I would love to see a picture of the garment.
janet pearson
Was that a Shetland Lace Shawl that Baby Cambridge made his first appearance in, I know other Royal babies have been presented with Lace Shawls.
Audrey Winkkler
I too look forward to seeing photos. The shawl Prince George was carried in came from G.H.Hurt of Chilwell in Nottinghamshire where they knit on old machines. The Framework Knitters Museum in Ruddington, Notts is worth a visit for anyone interested in the social history of the frame knitters.
I very much admire the wonderful quality of Shetland wool and knitting, and hope to visit before too long.
Congratulations on your work.
Audrey Winkler
Chairman
The Framework Knitters Museum
http://www.the frameworkknittersmuseum.org.uk