The word hap is an antiquated one of unknown origin, which in the Scottish Highlands can be defined as “warm wrap.” It has come to mean a type of everyday shoulder shawl. Haps were almost invariably of a dark color to permit more wear with less washing. Traditional “colors” were grey or brown as haps were made from natural undyed fiber. Haps are very different from the white or cream Shetland lace shawls that were elegant fancy wear.
The everyday hap hung on a hook by the door, to be grabbed and tossed over the shoulders in a hurry as a woman went about chores going in and out into chilly or cold weather for firewood or to feed livestock. Knitting these shawls kept hands busy during periods sitting by the fire at the end of a long exhausting day. And along with socks and sweaters, shawls were a wardrobe staple for the Celtic women of Scotland and the Shetland Isles.
Today I find myself sitting by the TV at the end of a long exhausting day and knitting useful items just as my ancestors did. This hap was made for my dear friend, Rose, who lives in Grass Valley, California. It’s made from soft Brown Heather 100% Peruvian wool on a size 8 36″ circular needle. The pattern is from a book by Martha Waterman called Traditional Knitted Lace Shawls (Interweave Press).
The everyday hap hung on a hook by the door, to be grabbed and tossed over the shoulders in a hurry as a woman went about chores going in and out into chilly or cold weather for firewood or to feed livestock. Knitting these shawls kept hands busy during periods sitting by the fire at the end of a long exhausting day. And along with socks and sweaters, shawls were a wardrobe staple for the Celtic women of Scotland and the Shetland Isles.
Today I find myself sitting by the TV at the end of a long exhausting day and knitting useful items just as my ancestors did. This hap was made for my dear friend, Rose, who lives in Grass Valley, California. It’s made from soft Brown Heather 100% Peruvian wool on a size 8 36″ circular needle. The pattern is from a book by Martha Waterman called Traditional Knitted Lace Shawls (Interweave Press).
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