Fair Isle

American

a banded geometrical pattern knitted into garments using variously colored woolen yarns.
clothing featuring such a pattern, especially sweaters.

Fair Isle British

noun

an intricate multicoloured pattern knitted with Shetland wool into various garments, such as sweaters

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of Fair Isle

After Fair Isle, one of the Shetland Islands where the knitting pattern originated

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Eileen Thomson, director of Fair Isle Development Company, said it was hoped a family could be attracted to the tenancy to help support the school which has just four pupils.

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026

As Cal tells his former best friend, Isla, her Fair Isle sweater boasts 29 different shades.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 30, 2026

One of those current Fair Isle residents, Eileen Thomson, believes it could be a great move for someone.

From BBC • Aug. 18, 2025

I first had José Garzón and Stefanie Hieber’s food when they were popping up at Fair Isle Brewing in Ballard in 2020 and fell in love with the pork belly fried rice.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 28, 2023

During her father’s first rebellion, Stannis had smashed the Iron Fleet off Fair Isle and subdued Great Wyk in his brother’s name.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023