The Shetland Wool Week patron for 2022 has been named today as Whalsay knitter, Linda Shearer, at a launch event held this evening at Shetland Museum and Archives.
The much-anticipated annual hat pattern, which is now synonymous with the launch of the patron was also released. This year’s Shetland Wool Week hat, designed by Linda, is called the ‘Bonnie Isle Hat’.
Linda in her Bonnie Isle Hat
A printed version of the hat pattern will be available to purchase tomorrow (Friday 10 June) from our online shop for £5 + P&P
Shetland Wool Week is delighted to have Linda as this year’s patron. Linda is an experienced Fair Isle knitting tutor, and shares her skills year-round via Shetland Adult Learning, ShetlandPeerieMakkers and annually during Shetland Wool Week. She joined the Guild of Spinners, Knitters, Weavers and Dyers in 2013 and just completed six years as chairperson.
Linda has lived in Whalsay, Shetland all her life. Her father was a fisherman, and her mother, Ina, knitted private commissions to supplement the family income and was also a keen spinner and knitter.
“It was my mother who taught me to knit; I can’t say at exactly what age I began knitting Fair Isle but I designed and knitted myself a Fair Isle jumper at the age of 14. I do remember knitting childrens’ mittens with a small Fair Isle pattern when I was quite young; I even got to sell some of them. Knitting has always been a passion of mine – I cannot remember ever not doing knitting, I’m always planning the next project in my head while doing other things.
Symbister, Whalsay
“My hat design is named after the nickname for Whalsay, the ‘Bonnie Isle’. Living on an island means the sea is ever present in our lives. All the men in my family have worked on or near the sea. But although the ‘Bonnie Isle’ hat has a nautical theme, the patterns mean much more. The chain in the rib represents the link between us all during Shetland Wool Week; and the anchor, a common motif in Fair Isle knitting, symbolises a sense of keeping grounded, connected to what matters most, and able to cope with life’s challenges. The crown, a circle, is to me a spinning wheel and a tribute to my mother Ina Irvine. A prolific spinner and knitter, she was my inspiration.”
Linda has created five very different colourways for the hat using yarn from Jamieson’s of Shetland, Jamieson and Smith, Uradale Yarns, and new yarn producers Laxdale Yarn and Aister Oo, and kits are available from each company’s respective shops and websites.
We caught up with Linda to congratulate her and ask about her love of knitting and the inspiration behind the hat.
Congratulations on being announced as this year’s Shetland Wool Week patron for 2022. Was it a surprise to be asked? What does being Patron mean to you?
Thank you, it was a total shock to be asked to be this year’s patron. I am honoured and delighted to have been chosen. I am a big fan of Shetland Wool Week; it is such a great experience for everyone. I will try to do a good job of being patron this year.
Tell us a little bit about your beautiful hat, the Bonnie Isle Hat. Talk us through the inspiration behind it.
The sea plays a big part in my life, living on Whalsay. So, I expect the design of the hat lends itself to that. However, the motifs have other meanings too. I put a chain in the rib to represent everyone joining together for Wool Week. In the main hat I have an anchor – anchors have been used in Fair Isle knitting as far back as you will find. However, the meaning of anchor appeals to me – being grounded, having strength and hope. The crown is a tribute to my mother Ina Irvine. It is a spinning wheel. She was my inspiration all my life and was an experienced spinner and knitter.
How did you come up with such different colourways?
I began right away to plan and knit the hat. Before I decided on the final five, I think I’d knitted in the teens of hats.
The first hat I actually knitted, and possibly the one I like best, is the greys and blues one using yarn from Jamieson’s. I suppose its colours associated with the sea are favourites of mine.
Colourway 1 – Jamieson’s of Shetland
The colours I chose from Jamieson and Smith are similar to the old-fashioned Shetland Fair Isle colours used and is quite bright, very different from the more muted tones of the grey one.
Colourway 2 – Jamieson and Smith
I met with Ronnie Eunson from Uradale to have a look at their yarn – I was immediately drawn to the earthy colours; it was a difficult decision which ones to finally choose.
Colourway 3 – Uradale Yarn
Laxdale Yarn is another relatively new business and I thought it would be good to promote their yarn.
Colourway 4 – Laxdale Yarn
I decided I would like to use Aister ‘oo for one of the hats as I had knitted with their yarn before and really liked it. I met with Hazel Mackenzie and her daughter and discussed all the colours with them. I don’t think their yarn has been used in a Wool Week hat pattern before.
Colourway 5 – Aister ‘oo
Any tips for knitters when selecting their colours for the Bonnie Isle Hat?
When choosing colours for the hat, you should be looking for either three dark colours and ‘two’ light, or three light colours and ‘two’ dark. The two colours together shouldn’t have too much of a contrast to each other, as one of them will be used as a second background colour for the anchor, and you want the anchor to ‘stand out’. However, the background here could easily be done in one colour only.
I am not a fan of swatching for colour myself, but it is something that would benefit your final colour decision.
The pom-pom is optional. I have allowed plenty of the main colour so it can be used to make a pom-pom. However, you may wish to use a fluffy one which is popular at the moment.
Also, as this is quite a deep hat, you could cut off one of the border patterns to make more of a snug fit.
Is it an easy knit?
Well, I think it is! I have tried to design it so there aren’t too many colour changes and the motifs stand out. The crown is simple but effective, nothing difficult but when it’s finished I think it looks good.
It will be good to see knitting from Whalsay on the map. Would you say knitting from Whalsay has quite a distinctive style from the rest of Shetland?
It certainly used to have a distinctive style, perhaps more so in the 1980s and 1990s. The patterns were big, bold and bright! I remember my mother knitting private commissions, mostly in double knit machine washable yarn. Most of them were very bright with large motifs. It seemed to be the fashion then.
Apart from the Bonnie Isle Hat, what’s your favourite design so far? How do you keep your designs fresh?
I feel I am planning in my head all the time – most of my plans don’t develop but I suppose I am quite proud of the ‘Bonhoga’ cardigan which was featured in the Wool Week Annual in 2019. I have to admit I am quite obsessed with Fair Isle knitting and have been for many years. I find myself staring at people wearing Fair Isle garments and …. planning.
‘Bonhoga’ cardigan
You come from a family of knitters, but when did you learn knitting? Who was your biggest inspiration?
My mother was my biggest inspiration. She taught me to knit at an early age. The first thing I remember knitting were baby booties. My first Fair Isle was children’s mittens with a border pattern. I surely managed them ok as I remember my mother selling them along with stuff she had knitted. My auntie Alice was the first knitting teacher at Whalsay school; it was her who first taught me to knit a Fair Isle bonnet. I designed and knitted my first Fair Isle jumper at the age of 14 – I remember it well – it was Fair Isle motifs inside squares, in pink and white! My maternal granny was also very interested in knitting. She was constantly on the lookout for places to sell her stuff.
All of your designs are made using Shetland wool. Why do you like working with Shetland wool?
I do prefer knitting with Shetland wool – it has a good grip and the colour choices are amazing. I particularly like the mixed colours; they blend well with each other.
You run knitting workshops and classes throughout the year, both in Shetland, through Adult Learning, as a tutor for the Peerie Maakers and overseas. What do you enjoy most about that experience?
I have done a variety of different classes; I like to see what the learners are looking for then plan what we will do. I have also tutored for many years during Wool Week. I really like meeting people and hearing about where they come from and their knitting stories. Also, even though I tutor, I am still learning from others. I would never call myself an expert – you really have to know everything before you can do that! #
Group photo from one of Linda’s 2019 SWW Classes
Linda’s beginners lace class at SWW 2019.
I miss the PeerieMakkers – it hasn’t been running since the pandemic began. I love the enthusiasm of the children and hearing what their ideas are. I am aware of how important it is to keep the interest in knitting going, so I hope we can get together with the bairns soon.
What advice would you give to anyone considering taking up knitting?
Do it! If you have the slightest bit on interest, go for it. It gives you something else to think about. Planning your own garment and going on to knit it gives you a lot of satisfaction. Knitting keeps you sane, though if you’re like me you may get obsessed!
What are you looking forward to the most as this year’s Shetland Wool Week Patron?
I am excited about meeting people from here and all over the world. I hope I will get the chance to check out lots of what’s going on in Shetland during Wool Week. I still can’t believe I’m patron – I will try to do the job justice!
All knitwear photography by Odd Poppy Photography
