Shetland shades sing in harmony in the work of Ella Gordon
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All articles filed in Shetland Wool Week
sound and vision
My good friend Felicity Ford (aka Felix) is as enthusiastic as I am about Shetland and its wool industry. In 2013 (when she was patron of Shetland Wool Week) Felix worked on a number of field recordings for her important project, Listening to Shetland Wool. From the baas of lambs caught on the breeze, to…
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Hamegaet
It is no secret that I am a big fan of Hazel Tindall. I first met Hazel during a visit to Shetland in Wool Week, 2011, when I took a class with her on Fair Isle knitting. I often think about that afternoon, and the profound effect it had on me. Hazel talked to us…
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The Buachaille song by Felicity Ford
At the end of last September, I travelled to Shetland for Wool Week. I’d spent several previous months exploring a new-to-me world of yarn development, and the result – Buachaille – was about to be launched with the Seven Skeins Club. At home, so many boxes of yarn had arrived that the bathroom floor had…
Read MoreShetland days
It is Wool Week in Shetland, and I began it in this cottage out at Vementry. What a spot! It was lovely to take some time out to visit my friend Hazel Tindall. I just love the part of Shetland where Hazel lives, and it was a real privilege to potter about her garden, and…
Read MoreA conversation with Gudrun Johnston
Gudrun I recently had a chat with one of my favourite designers, Gudrun Johnston, and thought I’d bring this to you today. I just love Gudrun’s work. She has this knack of producing designs that are are always classic, timeless and wearable, often using stitch patterns (particularly those originating from Shetland) in really innovative and…
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The Fine Art of Fair Isle Knitting
You will have heard me mention distinguished Shetland designer, Hazel Tindall, many times on this blog. I first met Hazel three years ago, when I was lucky enough to take a workshop with her during Shetland Wool Week. Over the course of the class, Hazel shared her knitterly tips and techniques, talked us through some…
Read MoreChris’ croft
The Spring edition of 60 North is out! And its a great issue. Those of you who have my Colours of Shetland book may recall mention of my archeologist friend, Chris Dyer, whose knowledge and inspiration helped me to develop my ideas for my Scatness designs. Well, Chris recently started to raise his own Shetland…
Read MoreFoula Wool update
(Foula sheep . . . growing more wool as we speak) Just popping in to mention that Foula Wool have completely sold out of their current stock of yarn, including all Tea Jenny kits. Magnus and Justyna are waiting for the return of the spun-up new clip from the mill, and if you’d like to…
Read MoreFoula Wool
Just in case you hadn’t noticed, it is Shetland Wool Week! I’m very sad not to be there in person this year, but I’ve kept up the tradition I started three years ago of designing a hat in woolly celebration! In 2011, it was Sheep Heid (using Jamieson and Smith Shetland Supreme) ; in 2012…
Read MoreSixareen Cape
While we were in the Highlands, we took the opportunity to photograph a design I’ve had ready for a while: the Sixareen Cape. I started knitting this Fair Isle wrap last October. You may remember that at that time I’d just designed a hat especially for Shetland wool week (The Sixareen Kep) using Jamieson and…
Read Morebackward . . . and forward
2012 was really a pretty good year. Here are some highlights. Work-related trips to some wonderful places . . . Shetland Donegal Dublin (photo courtesy of Charlotte Monckton) Shetland again! My first time as a Woolfest trader. My sister, Martin Curtis and me, meeting Sophie, Countess of Wessex (note: Helen is wearing a Manu and…
Read MoreShetland Wool Week in Pictures: part 3
where we stayed (I would heartily recommend it). And the view from our window. Shetland Times Bookshop, ready for Wool Week. Delicious Fair Isle Cake, at the Heritage Yarn launch Wonderful new yarn from Shetland Organics Projection of Jo Jack’s work at the Bonhoga Gallery Luminous Yarns Jane Outram’s prize-winning tablet weaving at the Shetland…
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KDD & Co 