Shetland Wool Adventures volume 4
It’s been wonderful to work with Susan Williams and travel to Fair Isle with her to document the place.
The wind-swept photography will transport you here, just as soon as the kettle’s boiled.
Explore the iconic Fair Isle with us, home to Fair Isle knitting.
The unpredictable weather and the wild landscape might be off-putting to some, but it hasn’t stopped its inhabitants from thriving. From knitters and designers to artists and writers.
Inside the Journal
Inside Volume 4, you’ll discover
6 new knitting patterns, 2 local walks, an article about books from Shetland, a sprinkling of recipes, and 9 island stories, interviews, and some personal insights into the lives of the isles’ top knitters and craftspeople.
Here are just a few of our favourites
New knitting patterns, photographed by Susan Molloy & illustrated Lorna Reid
- Brindister Slipover from Rachel Hunter
- Taing Fair Isle Socks from Janette Budge
- Lochside Lugwarmer from Ella Gordon
- Firegowl Cowl from Wilma Malcolmson
- Storm Dennis Fisherman’s Kep from Marie Bruhat
- Storm Dennis Slipover from Marie Bruhat
For this volume’s patterns details please click here.
Shipwreck!
Douglas Sinclair reveals the story of the Lessing, a ship carrying emigrants from Bremen to New York, which ran aground on Fair Isle early one foggy May morning.
Sheep of Many Colours:
Janette Budge talks to Rachel Challoner, a crofter in Fair Isle who has recognised the desire for natural shades of Shetland wool, and is adapting her flock.
A Life in ’Oo:
In this interview, Laurie Goodlad speaks to ‘Wool Man’ Oliver Henry from Jamieson & Smith about the changes he’s seen in Shetland’s world-famous wool industry and why, at the age of 72, he’s still in his boiler suit, packing wool.
Gansies, Spencers, Granvilles and Lennons
In the 1970s, Fair Isle knitwear was a thermal necessity and not always a fashion asset. Tom Morton looks at. Tom Kidd’s photographs and things about fleeces.
The Treasure in the Box
A family heirloom makes a surprise reappearance at Douglas Sinclair’s home — what could he learn about this beautiful piece of Fair Isle knitting?
An Island Between Tides
A trip to Fair Isle is determined by the weather: how you arrive and how long you stay. Susan Molloy made the most of her adventure, falling into the island’s own seductively communal rhythm.
Of Wondrous Colours and Patterns
How far back can we trace Fair Isle knitting history, and how has it weathered the storms? Anne Sinclair investigates.
Journal reader from Whidbey Island, Washington
Marcia
No other publication provides the breadth and range of topics that this Journal does.
There are many talented designers and the knitting patterns are always gorgeous. The stories about the people who live there are beautifully written and articles about exploring Shetland add to the longing to go visit. The photography is stunning. I could go on and on…”
"I am fascinated with Fair Isle knitting and the beauty and art and culture in Shetland.
Escape to a wilder, windier world
The Journal is more than just something to keep your hands busy.
Like the way that knitting helps you escape the busy-ness of your everyday life, you can flick through these pages to feel transported to a new environment.
It’s a treasure trove of places to go, people to meet, food to eat, and walks to embark upon.
Think of the Journal as your guidebook to Shetland. But with richer interviews and more intriguing historical articles. So you feel like you know the pace before setting foot on Shetland soil.
Kate Davies
Scotland based publisher & knitwear designer
“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.”
Just a fleck of gold in the open ocean, the Northmost point of Scotland is so full of life. The atmospheric photography from Shetland will let you live vicariously through the eyes of our wonderful contributors, all having lived on the islands, past and present. You’ll feel like you’re on a knitwear shoot with us. Or standing on the edge of the cliffs, salt on the tip of your tongue.
Explore the vivid landscapes of Shetland without getting your socks soggy.
Open up a window to colour
A true collectors’ item
Whether you want to dip in and out of our limited volumes, or read cover to cover as soon as it lands on your doorstep.
It’s truly a smart and re-readable addition to your travel bookshelf or crafts corner.
Made with stiff FSC-certified grade paper, and printed in the UK. Just bigger than A5, it’s easy to pop into your bag, next to your needles on a long-journey. Or if you want to share it with your fellow stitchers, at your next Knitting Circle meet-up (as long as they promise to give it back).
Barbara
Journal reader from Stamford, Connecticut
“I keep all my issues in a basket I can easily grab for reference. I pour through them all the time. I may not read everything all at once, but I always go back to the basket.
I keep them for the patterns and as a Shetland reference and look at them over and over and over again. They're timeless and inspiring.”
Linda
Journal reader from Calgary, Canada
"I worked in printing/graphic arts/typography in a previous life and I still like a freshly printed hard copy publication. The first thing I do is take a deep inhale of a freshly printed page - I love the smell of paper and ink! I appreciated your design aesthetic and the journals are beautifully produced.
The Journal is a wonderful way to sustain my love of all things Shetland. There is something magical about the place that you capture beautifully in the Journal."
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 to my travel library
