The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Whittle \Whit"tle\, n. [AS. hw[imac]tel, from hwit white; akin
   to Icel. hv[imac]till a white bed cover. See White.]
   (a) A grayish, coarse double blanket worn by countrywomen, in
       the west of England, over the shoulders, like a cloak or
       shawl. --C. Kingsley.
   (b) Same as Whittle shawl, below.
       [1913 Webster]

   Whittle shawl, a kind of fine woolen shawl, originally and
      especially a white one.
      [1913 Webster]