New stamps celebrate Jersey's knitting history

The series was illustrated by artist Chris Wormell

A set of stamps celebrating Jersey's rich knitting history have been issued.

Over time, the island has been renowned for its knitted stockings, undergarments and the Jersey fisherman's jumper, Jersey Post said.

English illustrator Chris Wormell has depicted the life of island knitters in the 17th Century - the peak of the industry.

At one time the "craze" was so popular it was banned to ensure people were working the land.

Jersey Post said: "Though a small island with a vastly changed economy, Jersey's legacy lives on; intricately woven into the threads of history that led to the knitwear we wear today."

Knitting on Jersey came into its own in the 17th century, the postal firm said, when the island's strategic position led an influx of materials and a "flourishing system" of production and export of fine knitted goods to Europe.

The miniature sheet depicts a vraic harvester knitting in his horse-drawn cart

Jersey Post said Queen Elizabeth I was delighted to be gifted a pair of Jersey stockings by Sir Walter Raleigh, who was Governor of the island at the time.

While Mary Queen of Scots is said to have been wearing a pair of Jersey stockings at her execution, it said.

In 1606, the fear that the "knitting craze" would distract people from working the land led to a ban on knitting for every person over 15 during vraicing season, when seaweed was harvested, and during the month of August.

This is why the set features a miniature sheet showing a vraic harvester knitting in his horse-drawn cart.

Peaking in the 17th Century with the stocking trade, knitting fell off in the 19th Century due to "interrupted trade, the advent of machine knitting and new industries such as shipbuilding", according to Jersey Post.

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