Taatit rugs, the pile bedcovers of Shetland

Abstract

Shetland's taatit rugs are part of a Nordic tradition of pile bedcovers which extended from Finland to Ireland. The woollen bedcovers were made using natural dyes to create bold, colourful designs. Some of the designs incorporate symbols used in Nordic and Shetlandic folklore. Stories of individual bedcovers reflect the lives of Shetlanders during the past 250 years. Over 80 bedcovers are included in the catalogue, including full colour images. This is the first study of these unique textiles, part of Shetland Museum's Textile Collection, a Recognised Collection of National Significance in Scotland. Exhibition: Gadderie in the Shetland Museum and Archives, UK (2015).