The Muckle Gravit (i.e the really long scarf)

The Arts and Crafts Association is gearing up for its biggest event of the year, the Craft Fair, which will take place on the 12th -14th November.  The Clickimin Centre, which is a sports centre, gets rid of its badminton nets and footballs and is transformed into a showcase of as many as 50 Shetland individuals and small businesses selling a huge range of Arts and Crafts.

The craft fair is run by a commitee of dedicated 11 volunteers, and my job over the past few years has been to organise the marketing material to promote the event.  This year the material stars the Muckle Gravit (again) and a pony (new recruit). 

I was delighted when Frances Taylor offered to take the photo this year, I was starting to run out of ideas, and she's done a great job.  Frances is a photographer, horse breeder and trainer.  You can see more of her work on her website:   http://www.onlinepictureproof.com/francestaylor

The gravit was started at the Craft Fair in 2004, it was the idea of Jane Moncrieff who organised the fair that year.  The idea was to promote the fact that knitting is fun and was hoped that lots of people would go on to knit a row or two.  I have used the gravit since 2005 in the Craft Fair promotional material, and it has been knitted in some unusual places.

On the beach....

Inside and outside a pictish broch:

Been inspected by a sheep:

On a Shetland croft house:

I'm not sure how long the gravit is now, it hasn't been knitted on for a while, but it is well over 30 metres and is becoming cumbersome to transport around.

Thank you to Joanna and Wendy, who are also committee members for their fantastic modelling skills!  (And of course Moofie the sheep).

Who knows where the gravit might be seen next year.....