Community / Preparations underway for return of wool week
Around 500 people are expected to attend this year’s event, which kicks off this weekend
KNITTERS rejoice – Saturday marks the return of Shetland Wool Week ‘in person’.
The popular festival, which is organised by Shetland Amenity Trust, is now in its thirteenth year and will take place through to 2 October.
The organisers anticipate around 500 people will attend the festival, which is a reduction in previous numbers and reflects the scaled back nature of the event for 2022 having been online for the past two years due to the pandemic.
Classes and tours will kick off on Saturday and wool week patron Linda Shearer will welcome guests at a talk and opening event at the Shetland Museum on Sunday evening.
The amenity trust’s cultural heritage manager Jacqui Birnie said: “It’s fantastic to be back for 2022 and we can’t wait to welcome everyone for a fun and wool-inspired festival.
“The SWW [Shetland Wool Week] team has been busy keeping the event going during the pandemic with a virtual programme over the past two years but nothing beats being face-to-face with our audience again.”
The organisers said the programme has been reduced to reflect the ongoing unpredictability of travel and Covid restrictions.
But there is still plenty going on, and highlights include a Casting on Shetland Wool Week exhibition in the Shetland Museum Gadderie space.
This has been pulled together by Karen Clubb, who has been working with the museum to develop an exhibitions programme, and celebrates the knitwear and weaving designs in the new Shetland Wool Week Annual publication.
It includes two special heritage patterns that have been revived for today’s knitter.
The exhibition will focus on the 12 makers and the inspiration and process behind their work, including Donna Smith, Ella Gordon and Alison Rendall.
The exhibition starts on Monday (26 September) and will run until the end of October.
Shetland Museum will also host the popular wool week hub, and Hay’s Dock by the Dowry will be introducing food throughout the day and evening meals especially for wool week participants.
Another date for the diary is the popular ‘SWW Makers’ Market’ which will take place on Saturday 1 October from 10am to 4pm at the Anderson High School, with quality Shetland wool products on sale, many of which are not available in the local shops.
There will also be a number of other craft fairs taking place throughout the isles.
Organisers will also be promoting ‘Fair Isle Friday’ on Friday 30 September and are asking as many people as possible around the world to get involved and wear and share their Fair Isle knitwear on this day on social media using the hashtag #SWWFairIsleFriday.
Birnie added: “Thanks to funding from EventScotland there will be a virtual element to this year’s programme and SWW will be working with Claire White and a local filmmaker to capture regular video updates which will include highlights, interviews, and chat with attendees to share the event with the wider SWW audience.
“We will also be recording footage that will be used for a SWW film to help develop and promote next year’s festival, when we hope to be back to full strength.”
Paul Bush, VisitScotland’s director of events, said: “Scotland is one of the best places in the world to experience events, with the festival boasting an exciting range of activities, exhibitions and events over nine days for locals and visitors from further afield to explore and enjoy.”
Wool week patron Linda Shearer added: “I’m honoured to have been asked to be this year’s patron and it will be exciting to see all the SWW Bonnie Isle hats and also see Whalsay knitting on the map.
“There are a number of events taking place in Whalsay – come along and join the maakin and yakkin night, visit the Heritage Centre and see the amazing lace display; socialise, be inspired, make friends, learn something new and help keep Shetland’s rich knitting heritage alive and well.”
For further details visit this website.
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