We are delighted to announce that we are now taking pre-orders for the 10th edition of our Shetland Wool Week Annual – we are thrilled to celebrate this milestone, marking a decade of honouring Shetland’s wool and rich textile heritage.
This year’s Annual features 10 stunning patterns, from 11 Shetland designers, that highlight the versatility and beauty of Shetland wool, Fair Isle, and lace knitting.
Our photoshoot took us to the westside of Shetland, where unfazed sheep roam the landscape and breathtaking views abound. We revelled in the rare ‘day atween wadders’- calm conditions, brilliant sunshine, and stunning skies.
We also visited the Jamieson’s of Shetland Mill, a Wool Week highlight, where the hum of machinery and endless bags of wool provided a fascinating backdrop of shapes and textures.
Matt’s Hat by Donna Smith
We hope this newsletter gives you a flavour of what’s included – we’ll also be sharing more photos and information including yarn requirements for each pattern on social media over the next few days, so stay tuned…
Laebrak Hap by Elizabeth Johnston
Whether you’re drawn to natural hues or bold colours, intricate lace, or the careful positioning of Fair Isle motifs, we hope this year’s edition will inspire you to pick up your needles, raid your wool stashes, and immerse yourself in the timeless art of knitting.
Gien tae da Lent Gravit by Alison Rendall and Nina Moncrieff
PATTERNS
This issue includes 10 very different Fair Isle and lace patterns by Shetland knitwear designers – who all bring very personal touches and a depth of detail to their work.
Vegr Vest by Ella Gordon
Volda Lace Top by Linda Shearer
FEATURES
We have five in-depth features lined up too, which provide a deeper insight into some of the people who are involved in the wonderful world of Shetland oo – all playing a role to ensure that its heritage lives on and remains relevant to today’s audience.
• Stitches in Time – Preserving Shetland’s Knitting Legacy – 10 Years of the SWW Annual
• Discovering Shetland’s Lace Knitting Traditions
• Unsung Ganseys – Rediscovering Shetland’s Ganseys
• From London Beats to Lerwick Streets – Capturing the Spirit of Pre-Oil Shetland through Fair Isle Knitwear Photography by Chris Morphet
• True Colours – in Search of Lost Hues: A Journey Through Shetland’s Wool Heritage
We plan to have the Annual here in time for Shetland Wool Week, so if you’re in Shetland you’ll be able to use the click and collect option and pick up your copy in person.
This year there are three options available to purchase:
Thank you to our contributors
Victoria, our editor, would like to say thanks, as ever, to all of the contributing designers. This year we are delighted to include some new-comers to the publication: lace experts Betsy Williamson and Helen Robertson; Nina Moncrieff and 16-year-old Freya Hutcheson.
Thanks to all the feature writers who poured their time, research and thoughts into the written word, uncovering all sorts of interesting gems to share with you.
Our model, Karis Irvine, was an absolute joy to work with. She made the process feel effortless and fun and we are so grateful she took time away from her typical day as an occupational therapist to join us for a couple of sunny days. We also had a cute additional model, Lauren, who was patient and beyond adorable!
Huge thanks as well to the people behind the scenes who work their magic for many months to pull the publication together. It really is a labour of love. Thanks to photographer Alexa Fitzgibbon for her stunning images which capture the essence of Shetland and the details of the knitwear; Samira Hill, our new tech editor, who interprets and checks all the patterns, simplifying the instructions so that they are easy-to-follow; and graphic designer Diana Lukas-Nulle, who brings together the aesthetics, assembling the many elements in a clear and beautiful way that make the Annual shine.
There are countless others who are involved – you know who you are!
We hope this newsletter has whet your appetite for what’s inside the new SWW Annual. We will be sharing more on social media together with yarn requirements over the next few weeks.
SWW Annual Volume 9
Reminder that there are only a few weeks left to purchase the digital edition of SWW Annual Volume 9, from the end of September it will no longer be for sale.
Please know that by purchasing a copy of the SWW Annual you are supporting Shetland’s textile industry and the future of Shetland Wool Week as an event. We appreciate every single order, comment and your words of encouragement.
We can’t wait to share our publication with you.
