Community / Knitting needles at the ready as Shetland Wool Week primed to return
SHETLAND Wool Week festival is set to return for its 16th year on Sunday, sparking a week-long celebration of isles oo.
Almost 1,000 attendees from across the globe are expected to descend on Shetland for the internationally known event, taking part in more than 300 classes, workshops and tours.
Everything from knitting and weaving to spinning and fleece preparation will be expertly demonstrated and practised this year.
The Shetland Guild of Spinners, Knitters, Weavers and Dyers – boasting over 70 members – are this year’s patrons.
The guild plays a significant role in preserving and sharing traditional Shetland skills, techniques and patterns, which links into the 2025 theme – ‘Shetland Ways’.
Organiser Shetland Amenity Trust said this year’s programme offers “something for everyone”, from a sheepdog tour, finding out how to knit without a pattern and cultural talks and concerts.
The trust’s chief executive Hazel Sutherland said they were honoured to have the guild be patrons for the 2025 Shetland Wool Week.
“Their dedication to Shetland’s textile heritage and to teaching traditional skills is at the heart of what Shetland Wool Week is all about,” she said.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming people from all over the world and seeing hundreds of ‘aal ower toories’ – the official hat design for 2025 – popping up all over Shetland.”
Event curator Donna Smith said that this year’s theme, Shetland Ways, will shine a light on the diversity of techniques and traditions that make Shetland knitting so special.
“From the makkin belt to intricate finishing methods, Shetland knitters have long developed their own ‘ways’ – individual approaches passed through generations,” Smith said.
“There is no single ‘right’ way, but rather a shared culture of knitting that is efficient and beautifully crafted.
“We’re delighted to share this theme with our audience, from fleece to finished object.”
The wool week hub, which is based at the Shetland Museum, will again be the central gathering and information point for visitors.
It will also be the place to purchase festival merchandise and the Shetland Wool Week annual, which features patterns from established and emerging local designers.
The amenity trust said highlights from this year’s publication include a “cable and lace gansey, a striking Fair Isle jacket, and a bold Fair Isle cowl inspired by the popular ‘Allover’ exhibition at the Shetland Museum last year”.
An archaeological textile tour, a lighthouse heritage tour at Sumburgh Head and traditional music sessions are among the cultural events on offer this year.
Museum archivist Brian Smith will also speak about the Shetland Hand Knitters’ Association, founded in 1943 to put the organisation of Shetland’s knitwear industry in the hands of the knitters themselves.
For those unable to attend in person a selection of events will be live-streamed, and a new series of ‘Shetland Ways’ short films produced by Claire White and Jonathon Bulter will launch on Monday 29 September.
Sutherland added that Shetland Wool Week is a “true community collaboration with a loyal international following.”
“We would like to extend our thanks to sponsors, volunteers, and the wider Shetland community for their continued support and enthusiasm for helping to make it happen, year after year.”
The festival will culminate on Saturday 4 October with the Makers’ Market at the Anderson High School, where visitors can meet local makers and purchase unique Shetland wool creations.
Shetland Amenity trust said tickets remain available for a number of classes and events, alongside many drop-in sessions, talks and exhibitions.
Details and booking are available via the Shetland Wool Week little box office.
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