Shetland Wool Week is held in September but activities and excitement begin to build much earlier in the year. In this film we highlight key dates for your diary beginning with the announcement of the Patron and launch of our official hat pattern in Spring, followed by our annual membership in May with tickets going on sale in June, the festival kicks off in September and the SWW annual is also released – it’s a busy year. The best way to keep informed and up to date on events and listings is by checking the website and by subscribing to our Wool Week newsletter.
In this film we hope to provide you with a good understanding of Shetland as a destination – including how to get here (either by plane or boat) how long it takes, and how to travel around once you arrive. As well as giving you a ‘peerie’ flavour of what to expect when you get here – the history, wildlife and scenery as well as practical info like where to find café and supermarkets.
Shetland Wool Week is the biggest celebration of Shetland wool and traditional knitting in the world. Every autumn we welcome hundreds of visitors – connected by a curiosity and love of the sustainable natural fibre and their islands’ rich textile heritage.
In this film we provide an overview of the Shetland Wool Week event – if you have never attended before we hope that after watching you’ll have a good idea of what to expect at your first SWW. We highlight the extensive range of exhibitions, classes and events that take place throughout the isles – usually including weaving, spinning, dyeing, Fair Isle, lace knitting and more. As well as capturing the community spirit and the joy of connecting with fellow knitters – one of the many things that makes SWW so special.
Some people might think it’s a daunting prospect preparing for Shetland Wool Week. In this film we have created a 12-step guide on how to go about it – from accommodation and transport to membership and tickets we’ve got you covered. Don’t forget to pack your finest knitwear and of course your Wool Week hat! We look forward to seeing you at Shetland Wool Week.
In our final broadcast from SWW 2022 – we speak to Addie Doull of the Shetland Flock Book at the annual Shetland Ram Sale; Manager of Hay’s Dock by the Dowry, Stuart Fox; and hear from SWW patron Linda Shearer as she looks back on the week.
Day Six of our ‘Shetland Wool Week Today’ daily broadcasts – and an interview with textiles curator, Dr Carol Christiansen, where we find out about the awe-inspiring fine knitted lace on display in the Shetland Museum
Elizabeth Johnston of Shetland Handspun shares some useful tips for anyone planning to knit her cosy ‘Mirknen Dags and Legwarmers’ from the Shetland Wool Week Annual 2020. ‘Mirknen’ is a Shetland word for sunset and literally means the ‘darkening’. In summer we call sunsets the ‘simmer dim’ and winter is the ‘half light’. The light changes slowly and as it darkens becomes the ‘mirknen’. These Mirknen Dags and Legwarmers are perfect for keeping warm when the winter sun sets.
