For past 500 years the people of the Shetland Islands have created some of the exclusive knitwear products.
Shetland knitwear firms are going through a rough patch as skilled knitters are not available.
Fulfilling sweater orders has become tough, as most knitters have crossed their age beyond 50.
Sources informed that Shetland Collection, the top hand-knitting company here, employs around 24 knitters, youngest among them is almost 60, and oldest is nearing 95!
Currently, over 150 full-time knitters and hundreds of part-time knitters are estimated to be working from home in Shetland.
Sector's revenue declined from £4 million in 1996 to £2.5 million in 2003, it is reported.
marketing@alchempro.com
