Its What We Womenfolk Do…
My family and I have lived here on Shetland for three generations…. They’ve been hard years.
We live in this croft and work the land … or at least it’s what the menfolk do for the laird.
My ma’ and I knit…….It’s what we womenfolk do.
Yes, we knit…… Pa’ spent threepence last winter ( our life savings) on some skeins of wool, and my ma’ and I have been knitting socks, gloves and hats for the local fishermen ever since. It makes us a little coin, but it’s a little more than we had before.
There is rumour that a man from a neighbouring village, Hoswick, I believe, has begun a bicycle round, whereby he will pick up our finished garments and sell them to ‘fancy’ clients in London and New York. I hope the rumour is true, coz’ it’ll mean more coin in our jar, and I won’t have to walk to Lerwick to sell our goods.
Anyway, dreaming is good for no one, and in the morning I must make the long walk across the hills to Lerwick, again. I’ll be carrying garments that weigh about 130 pounds, up over the hills and across the peat bogs. It’s an eighteen hour walk and I’m hoping for good weather…….. and a fair price for my socks.
Wish me well!