This is the first stage of the process where you have the opportunity to discuss your personal requirements. After submitting the order form Mati will arrange an appointment to discuss your requirements in more detail. She will look at knitwear styles, patterns and details, wool colours and measurements. It’s a good idea to get familiar with the options by looking at the different sections before your appointment.

This stage is all about using the information discussed during the consultation and finding the best combination of colours and patterns for the style of garment that you have chosen. This is where Mati applies her knowledge of Fair Isle patterns and uses her design skills to interpret your preferences. It is vital that she understands your style and needs.

The result of the design process translates into three sample swatches. You will receive a PDF file with the preliminary designs so you can choose one or give feedback for the production of a new one. This stage is the most important as it is when you get involved in the design of your garment and make specific decisions about the colour combinations and patterns. Your feedback is essential.

Next, Mati will need all your relevant measurements as detailed in the measuring guide. This stage is about getting the perfect size and shape for you. Every garment is calculated based on your measurements; Mati uses her knowledge of knitting, the understanding of the fabric and experience to get the right combination of stitches, rows and tension when using the hand-frame knitting machine.

This is where a made-to-measure garment and a bespoke garment differ. Made-to-measure garments use standard neck, armhole, cuff, biceps and hips measurements; bespoke garments never use standard measurements, only your individual measurements.

Detailing refers to the different options for necks, sleeves, cuffs and waistbands that were discussed during the consultation process; after the overall design is ready, the details are added to complete your garment.

Finishing your garment is also part of the detailing and is where Mati hand-craft skills really show. She uses traditional techniques, passed on by generations of Fair Isle knitters, as well as her own techniques. Well defined edges, flat invisible seams, grafted and hand knitted elements make your perfect garment.

Your garment is hand washed using natural natural soap and traditionally dried on a ‘Woollie Horse’. The ‘Woollie Horse’, or jumper board/stretcher, plays an essential role in the finished product; it is used to retain the shape and size of the garment while drying.

Every bespoke garment carries the Fair Isle Certification Trade Mark to guarantee its place of origin. All labels are hand stitched.

Round-Neck Jumper

The round-neck or crew neck jumper first appeared in the 1930s with a loose fitting and a sporty shape. It’s the base for roll necks too and can have tapered fitting with fitted sleeves for a more contemporary look.

V-Neck Jumper

The V-neck jumpers appeared in the late nineteenth century; they are tapered or loose fitting with a classic shape. The 1920's saw the emergence of Fair Isle jumpers with V-neck lines and drop shoulders as fashion items.

Fisherman Jumper

The fisherman jumpers are a traditional eighteenth century working garment originally worn by fishermen. These jumpers are shapeless with a high or slash neck, shoulder fasteners, droped shoulders and if requested an underarm gusset for comfort.

Round-Neck Cardigan

The round-neck cardigan combines the practicality of the traditional cardigan with the sporty style of the round-neck jumper.

V-Neck Cardigan

The v-neck cardigan combines the practicality of the traditional cardigan with the classic style of the v-neck jumper.

Round-Neck Sleeveless

The round-neck sleeveless jumper is a modern interpretation that became extremely popular in the 1970s.

V-Neck Sleeveless

The v-neck sleeveless jumper is a modern interpretation that has become a classic piece.

Round-Neck Sleeveless Cardigan

The round-neck sleeveless cardigan combines a modern design with the practicality of a cardigan - it's a timeless favourite.

V-Neck Sleeveless Cardigan

The V-neck sleeveless cardigan is a classic interpretation of the original vest, a must-have in any gentleman's wardrobe.

Large Pattern

The large size patterns are called Muckle Flooers in Fair Isle and are perhaps the oldest-known Fair Isle patterns; they are found in knitted pieces dating back to 1850. Some museum pieces show the patterns worked all over and sometimes combined with the medium size patterns. Examples of 'Fair Isle' patterns from the Baltic are also large patterns.

Medium Pattern

The medium size patterns are divided into two groups, the traditional oxo and the open patterns; in Fair Isle they are called Fivey Flooers and Nine Geeng Flooers respectively; they appear in some nineteenth-century garments, combined with large-size patterns. The medium size patterns were used at the end of the nineteenth century and throughout the twentieth century to the present day. In the late nineteenth century they were mostly used all over; in the twentieth century they appeared combined with the small-size patterns.

Small Pattern

The small patterns are called 'grunds' on Fair Isle; in the nineteenth century they were used in children's garments, at the edge of garments and between large patterns in traditional keps. The small-size pattern became very popular during the 1920s and 1930s, especially when combined with medium-size patterns.

Single-Rib Neck

The single-rib neck is made using a thin rib; it creates a subtle finish that makes an elegant garment.

Folded-Rib Neck

The folded-rib neck is made by folding over a rib; it creates a robust neck that's ideal for a 'sporty looking' garment.

High Neck

The high neck is made with a single knit piece or a hem; it was the traditional neck for fishermen's garments in Shetland and Fair Isle.

Hemmed Cuffs

The hemmed cuff is made by folding the end of the sleeve; it can be wide or narrow and creates a relaxed look.

Ribbed Cuffs

The ribbed cuff is made by a rib at the end of the sleeve; it can be wide or narrow and creates a sportive look.

Chess-Patten Cuffs

The chess-pattern cuff is made by knitting a chess pattern in contrasting colours and finishing with a small rib at the end of the sleeve.

Hemmed Waistband

The hemmed waistband is made by folding the end of the body panel; it can be wide or narrow and creates a relaxed look with a loose fitting.

Ribbed Waistband

The ribbed waistband is made by a rib at the end of the body panel; it can be wide or narrow and creates a sportive look with a tapered fitting.

Chess-Pattern Waistband

The chess-pattern waistband is made by knitting a chess pattern in contrasting colours and finishing with a small rib at the end of the body panel; it creates a relaxed look with a tapered fitting.

Fitted Sleeve

The most complex of the sleeves is knitted to shape the shoulder with a tapered fitting.

Dropped-Shoulder Sleeve

The easiest of the sleeves is knitted straight and drops from the shoulder line to create a loose fitting.

Shaped-Armhole Sleeve

The most popular sleeve is knitted following the shape of the armhole with a loose fitting.