Shetland Wool Week is a world renowned celebration of Britain’s most northerly native sheep, the Shetland textile industry and the rural farming community on these islands. Shetland wool is a world class natural fibre, with a long standing reputation for quality, strength and excellence from the fleece to the textile products. Shetland knitwear has a deserved respect gained from many generations of hard working knitters and crofters producing some of the finest lace and Fair Isle knitwear.
Since its inception sixteen years ago, Shetland Wool Week has grown into an internationally acclaimed event. Throughout the week there are an extensive range of exhibitions, classes and events, which will cover many different subjects. These usually include; weaving, spinning, dyeing, Fair Isle and lace knitting as well as many other fascinating subject areas. Events take place from the most southern tip of the Shetland, right up to the most northerly island of Unst, famous for its beautiful lacework, with many locations in between.
The dates for Shetland Wool Week 2025 are Sunday 28 September – Saturday 4 October.
The prestigious accolade recognises the Guild’s dedication to preserving and promoting Shetland’s rich textile heritage. With over 70 members, the Guild plays an important role in keeping traditional Shetland skills, techniques, and patterns alive while passing them on to future generations.
Shetland Wool Week 2025 will focus on the theme of ‘Shetland Ways’, exploring the variety of methods Shetlanders have used – and continue to use – in traditional maakin (knitting). The Guild’s appointment as patron is a fitting tribute to this year’s theme, celebrating their invaluable contributions to Shetland’s textile heritage.
Inspiration behind the Aal Ower Toorie
The Aal Ower Toorie has been designed by Guild member, Rachel Hunter, and takes inspiration from last autumn’s popular ‘Allover’ exhibition by Chris Morphet at the Shetland Museum.
Building on the allover theme they have replicated a 1930s traditional vintage pattern from the Guild publication, A Shetlander’s Fair Isle Graph Book, as the basis for the toorie – blending historical motifs with a contemporary aesthetic.
The name Aal Ower Toorie not only highlights the design’s continuous pattern but also pays tribute to the Guild members, who reside ‘aal ower’ Shetland.
The hat features a diamond grid allover pattern and the pattern includes instruction to knit it using using both 8 and 5 colours. The Aal Ower Toorie is available in three different colourways using Shetland yarn from Jamieson’s of Shetland, Jamieson and Smith and Uradale Yarns.
llow the Guild on facebook and instagram, as they share updates throughout their year as the SWW Patron.