Traditionally, Fair Isle garments have been been knitted with fine, 3- or 4-ply Shetland wool in natural colours (neutrals, blues, reds, golds) and often, but not always, in the round on four needles. There are never more than two colours per row across the classic OXO and border patterns and 'peeries' (from the Scottish word for small). As a result, the possibilities are endless, and books, such Traditional Fair Isle Knitting (1981) by Sheila McGregor have been devoted to knitting charts. This is Annie Thomson at the Ideal Homes Exhibition in Edinburgh 1958 demonstrating her craft.