You’re on the lookout for the insights that weave new texture into someplace far away. And you find that learning from other human beings is the most illuminating way.
So you’re craving more points of view, more perspectives that you can stitch together. And so your experience of the place becomes much richer (even if home lies on the other side of the world).
Feel yourself transported to Shetland. To discover a magical destination steeped in history. And learn from the experts of today’s textiles industry. Let us pass on the old ways to you, to keep these traditions alive.
A window into Shetland life
Delve into 6000 years of human history from your cosiest armchair
THE SHETLAND WOOL ADVENTURES JOURNAL
The most vivid way to experience Shetland like a local. Without getting your hand-knitted socks soggy.
A JOURNAL ALL ABOUT SHETLAND
Scotland based publisher & knitwear designer
Kate davies
“Substantial in every sense of the word, this publication is a truly beautiful thing – a purposeful and joyous celebration of so many of the things there are to love about Shetland.”
Cherished by both hobbyists & knitting professionals
In a matter of paragraphs, you’ll find a slower pace of life, as you escape to a wilder land.
Having experienced Shetland for the first time on a school exchange trip, I fell in love with the place immediately. After visiting for several summers and working the busy-season in a local hotel, in 2004 I moved here for good.
What fuels me every single day is my passion for Shetland, the people, the wool, the landscape.
And I wanted others to feel as inspired by Shetland as I am.
When COVID hit, the hopes for our 2020 tours unravelled in a matter of days. Not just here in Shetland, but all around the world, connections were suddenly cut. Communities were tested. So I wanted to continue to share the beauty of these isolated islands with others who couldn’t get here quite yet.
The Journal was created so you could still get an authentic sense of place, without the ferry journey.
Going deeper down the rabbit hole
Journal reader from Alberta, Canada
jean
“During the pandemic, it's been a welcome escape as travel continues to be challenging and frankly, unappealing.
I love the patterns, but aside from that I like the variety of information and the magazine format - physically it's like a book, so it will store nicely on the shelf and stand up to reading and time better than a magazine.”
‘I know I can escape, whenever I need it’
The feeling of family is what connects us, amongst knitting circles and local communities. Reading these pages, you’ll feel akin to the makers and the storytellers, the like-minded knitters and spinners, from this place I now call home.
Unravel a patchwork of tales to better understand why and how Shetland’s inhabitants are each committed to their own craft and to the place itself.
The fibres that bind us together
ISLAND INTERVIEWS & ARTICLES
Feel transported to a whole new world, with the Journal as your companion
At the first glimpse it might look like there is nothing — that these exposed islands are just cliffs and hills. But when you look closer, you will unearth the boundaries of prehistoric settlements, the centuries-old stone walls, abandoned crofthouses dotted along the coastline. And the hidden treasures that still lie within the landscape.
Walk with us. And feel the small thrill of the hunt that leads you to unexpected finds. These are pages to dog-ear for your next (or first) visit up North.
Explore the rugged landscape
SHETLAND PHOTOGRAPHY & WILD WALKS
There is such an intrinsic connection between the landscape here and the people who’ve walked on these remote islands.
Hear tales of lighthouse keepers, sheep farmers and fishermen, abandoned dwellings and hidden archaeological sites — both the everyday moments, and the exceptional ones too.
A small group of islands where so much happens
HISTORY & HERITAGE
Calm your busy brain and create beautiful new garments. Each volume includes a selection of modern designs, steeped in heritage. Past designers include Donna Smith, Ella Gordon, Wilma Malcolmson, Linda Shearer, Alison Rendall or Anne Eunson.
They make a thoughtful gift for friends and family. Or an extra layer for a brisk winter’s walk.
Keep your hands happy
SHETLAND KNITTING & FAIR ISLE PATTERNS
Each recipe celebrates everyday ingredients that we can cultivate or gather here in Shetland. There’s plenty of fresh seafood, local dairy, Shetland lamb, vegetables from the garden and (my favourite) rhubarb.
Keep grounded in the natural world and nourish yourself with what nature provides. These are simple recipes (which leaves you with more time to knit, as well).
Simple pleasures from my kitchen
HEARTY RECIPES
Bring a little piece of Shetland home
Half way between mainland Scotland and Norway, Shetland has raised some wonderfully creative writers. Read snippets from literature inspired by and written here. Discover some valuable additions to your bookshelf, both fact and fiction.
The most authentic way to connect you with the Shetland people, even when you’re not here. Or if you want to keep your personal memories from a past trip alive.
Live amongst Shetlanders
BOOK REVIEWS & EXCERPTS
Journal reader from Devon, England
emily
"It's not just about place, it's about history. It's about tradition, it's about immersing oneself in something, a place that feels quite fantastical and dream-like.
It's kind of better than Disney for me really.
Having read and read the journal so many times, I feel that if I went tomorrow, I could turf up one of the Crofts and say 'Hi, I've read about you in the journal', and it feels like I might already be welcomed in. It feels like you're amongst friends. So with that escape also comes an invitation.”
‘I feel like I’m getting more, as opposed to a magazine’
BUY IT TODAY & YOUR FIRST VOLUME WILL LAND ON YOUR DOORMAT IN JUST 10 DAYS if you're in the UK
Send me my first volume
In volume four we travel to Fair Isle, home of Fair Isle Knitting, and meet some of the talented knitters and entrepreneurs and there's also a brilliant interview with Oliver Henry of Jamieson & Smith. But we'll also learn about the hard reality of Shetland's historic knitting industry in a brilliant and thought provoking piece by Laurie Goodlad.
As always you can look forward to beautiful photography, six knitting patterns by local designers, features, interviews, walks, book reviews, recipes, and much more.
Shetland Wool Adventure
Journal Volume 4
Peer inside our latest volume
Support the continuing creative legacy on these islands. Keep the stories alive that we don’t want to let disappear, where the North Sea meets the Atlantic.
All of the Journals contributors are from Shetland. Or at least have an intimate connection, having left their heart here. The Journal is lovingly printed and bound in the UK.
Made by those who live, love & breathe Shetland
For UK readers, your first (or next) volume will be dropping onto your doormat in 10 working days.
Or if we’ve got a new volume in the works and available to pre-order, you’ll get your copy popped into the post to you, as soon as it’s back from the printers.
Get-Knitting-Quick
Purchase a paper volume through our website and you’ll also get the a digital version of the patterns emailed to you for free.
No need to bruise your copy — print your knitting patterns for greater manoeuvrability, you can make sure your paper copy stays looking smart on your bookshelf.
No Bruises Bonus
You can revive the colours of Shetland, even through the wind and rain.
A celebration of all things Shetland, through the eyes of a Shetlander. Plus…
A wonderful addition to your crafts bookshelf or travel library
Add the Journal my travel library
Sign up for a subscription and receive the link to Shetland Wool Adventures' Ravelry page, so you can exchange Fair Isle tips with our other readers.
You’ll swiftly get this link sent to your email address, so you have the opportunity to ask any knitting-related queries. And learn from other Wool Adventurers.
Space to ask questions
Journal reader from Northamptonshire, England
trish
“Anything to do with the history of yarn is my passion. I learnt from every woman around me, they were always trying new patterns. I believe physically trying things to be better than virtual learning.
I was thinking that my buying it was helping talented people survive on a remote island to keep traditions going. We must pass on the ways.
I always look forward to getting the Journal. I see the cost as my luxury treat and it is one you can enjoy time again unlike wine, chocolates or cake. At my age, it's experiences that can be remembered, like teaching my granddaughter to spin.”
Making greater memories with wool
Made to last using FSC-certified grade paper. Share these stories further and wider, with your nearest and dearest (well, as long as they promise to give your copy back, eventually!).
Dip into your well-loved copy, time & time again
Learn more about our shipping rates here
Save £ off the cover price with a Journal bundle, wherever you are in the world.
Bundle up your copies and get discounts off the cover price. Just think of all those extra hours of knitting you can do with all those extra knitting patterns.
A stitch in time saves you 10% (and sometimes more)
JOURNAL BUNDLES
Journal reader from Michigan, USA
debra
"I love everything about the SWA Journal. I like supporting Misa in her small business. The pictures are beautiful and remind me of the very happy week we spent visiting the Shetland islands. I love the articles where I learn more about the history of the islands and the lives of the people who live there. I love the knitting patterns.
As a matter of fact, my husband, who has never been to Shetland and who does not knit, also loves the Journal! They are a lovely resource for anyone who has an interest in the islands."
Popular with knitters & non-knitters alike
Journal reader from Exeter, England
selina
“Would it be everything that I wanted it to be? Would it be worth the money?
It was worth every penny. Gorgeous photography, interesting cultural and historical articles, walking guide, recipes, great knitting patterns, great specialist interviews with makers — everything I want in a publication!
It sustains my soul over and over again.”
Reading the Journal to lift your spirits
Download new stories & patterns, today
If you just want to dip your toes in the North Sea, rather than diving in headfirst, get yourself the digital Journal.
Perfect if your travel library is generously spilling over already.
You don’t need to wait for the Postie – you can dive into each volume for just £20.
Skip postage costs & start knitting as soon as the kettle’s boiled
THE DIGITAL JOURNAL
