Makkin Belts
True to the nature of Shetland knitters, the 2021 Wool Week theme is “Together through Makkin.” The Shetland Textile Museum in Lerwick is also a great place to get acquainted with the makkin belt. Once used by knitters all over Europe and abandoned, Shetland knitters have continued to use this supported needle device.
(Straw bundle left; and goose quill bundle at right, Shetland Museum Lerwick)
In its most simple form, a knitting whisp or whisk was simply a bundle of straw or goose quills wrapped in yarn and tucked into the knitter’s belt or waistband. Long double pointed needles were employed and with the right needle tip inserted into the whisp, it allowed for one-handed knitting. Knitting was an ever-present task and freeing up that one hand permitted the knitter to continue to knit while walking to market, herding livestock, or with a “kishie” of peat.
(knitting woman with peat kishie and small girl knitting, both with makkin belts, Shetland Museum, Lerwick, Shetland)
Unique to Shetland is a more elaborate version consisting of a leather pod stuffed with horsehair and attached to a belt. Multiple holes were punched into the leather pod, allowing a variety of positions and needle length to be inserted.
Here is a YouTube tutorial to help you understand the needle placement and holding of the needles:
Makkin belts are still available online or you can try your hand at making your own straw whisk and tucking it into your belt, so you can multi-task while getting your steps in around the neighborhood.