Getting a closer look, the inner square appears to be woven, as I see no way it could be knitted. The substantiation of this is because the holes are either between the medallions and isolated, or isolated within a medallion itself. If it was knit, then it would run and not be contained within these sections. The threads are worked back and forth and fan and then go back like being picked up and worked further, as in bobbin lace or weaving techniques. With the larger holes in knitting, one would have to do multiple YO's (yarnovers) and those would have to be worked as a plain row (which you would see but don't) to have a base to connect another group of multiple YO's to. Though I enjoy complicated knitting, I see no way this could be done, much less that the medallions appear to be wrapped over a core, vs fields of stockinette or garter inter-looping. The edging is knitted, tho' the outer edge has an interesting finish, almost like multiple knits or crochets, and all is essentially atypical of the Shetland style. The attaching is also very unusual, as knitted edgings are worked in one piece from the center square (out, or sometimes outside to in), or typically would be picked up and knit from the center square since this one has a pattern/personality change. Minimally (tho' not typically Shetland), it would have been grafted or even whip stitched on, but for a flat finish/surface. Additionally as mentioned, they are either mitered, or the corner's outer edge is worked into the corner of the main square several times, and then dressed/blocked to remove any evidence of ruffling/bunching. It all makes me think that the weaver of the main attached the knitted edging, and by the looks of it and the unusual outer edge, that it also was perhaps machine made (knitted). For certain, the gathering of the edging, and especially in the corners, indicates someone who knew less about technique, and the focus was more on replicating an effect, which in my mind would further substantiate a machine worked item/garment. FWIW,Susan Reishuswww.SusanReishusDesigns.com
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